As a sane, self-sufficient, contemporary professional women, you may find it tricky to explain to friends and colleagues why the idea of a guy trailing you 'cause he's convinced he's your life mate to guard -- and maybe, um, mark -- is flippin' romantic. Don't forget to give 'em all the important deets. Like he's part wolf. And he's the star of Kresley Cole's much-anticipated, genuinely fun and entirely addictive "Pleasure of a Dark Prince." Read more...

There’s a trend in romance toward heroines who are imperfect, and who are more “real life” sized. While that’s refreshing, many readers still dig a gorgeous, seemingly “perfect” heroine. But do we lack self-esteem if we dream of being in her pretty place as we read? Read more...

IMHO, there’s no sex so mind-blowing that it’s worth having to put up with an ill-mannered child. Yet if the guy cooking up the lovin’ were some hottie chef a la that naked one on TV, a practical girl might nanny his bratty progeny in return for some fringed bennies. If it happened in a romance, it’d be Louisa Edwards’ exceptional “On the Steamy Side,” and it’ll probably show up on everybody’s Best of 2010 lists. Read more...

I’ve come up with the only plausible reason we American chicks so adore tales of the lives, lusts and loves of those precocious Peers of the Realm: Spanking. Oh, not all that Monty Pythonesque, slap-me-a-tickle-while-I wear-my-wife’s-knickers foolishness. More like the stuff that brought about the British Invasions -- and a new heroine inspired by everything good and sexy about...American chicks! Read more...

What’s a little more post-holiday debt among friends? For while spring’s not nearly in the air, still a romance reader’s fancy turns to thoughts of fresh happily ever afters. So for your first-quarter-and-then-some, must-read reading pleasure, I offer you this list of Top Ten Reads for the Top of the New Year. Read more...

Are romance readers are out of touch w/reality? Three of Steph Tyler's fans say they've dated the hero of her new book. Time to call the Dr.? Or to call Steph for her hero's phone and addy? Read more...

Very Naughty Good Girl + Very Good Bad Boy face off in Victoria Dahl’s hard-core hot 'n satisfying “Lead Me On!” Read more...

Empathetic, brilliant riff is evocative of Austen icon. Just, w/no zombies. And one or two of your forbidden lit-class fantasies. Read more...

Laura Kinsale’s “Lessons in French” is just waiting to be devoured and beloved! Read more...