It’s just about impossible for me to pick a favorite movie, book, song, or place is. I always have to qualify it. So, when asked what my favorite book is, I’ll respond with “Well, it depends. Do you mean my favorite non-fiction or fiction book? And if you mean fiction, that’s too hard for me. I need to break it down into smaller categories.” I’ve been thinking about my favorite romances ever since AAR began publishing its reviewers’ top ten lists this summer. Every time I try and make my list, I get distracted by other lists of smaller, easier things I feel decisively about.

This week I’ve been thinking about my favorite things in romance novels. I’ve contemplated my favorite alpha male hero, my favorite bath scene, my favorite pet, my favorite first time making love scene, my favorite governess heroine, and my favorite first and last lines. […]