The Shadow and the Star – Laura Kinsale …White ninjas, a virgin secretary, cherry wine and Hawaii-it sounds so ridiculous when you put it like that, but I love this book. Samuel is so caught up, and Leda is the epitome of a proper lady; seeing them get together is always a great (re)read.
A Woman Without Lies – Elizabeth Lowell …This book is a little out of character for Lowell, in that it’s not a part of a huge series. I love this stand alone of hers best, though, because the characters’ integrity is one of the main parts of the story.
The Serpent Prince – Elizabeth Hoyt …I love this one by Hoyt, the others in this series were also really good, but this one spoke to me. I love that the couple is really struggling to BE together, and work through their misunderstandings and expectations. Also, red heels-I don’t think I could pull them off even now.
Lover Eternal – JR Ward …Rhage is my fave brother, and I LOVE his story. I like how there are repercussions to his “change”, I love how Mary is so brutally honest with herself and so strong. This also touches home for me because my Gma had a masectomy yesterday (she’s ok), and I hope she’s strong enough to pull through for the holidays.
For My Lady’s Heart – Laura Kinsale …I love how strong the heroine is in this book. She’s the lead, constantly, and when she’s not, she’s asleep. That’s so ME it’s scary. And Ruck is so strong and so ok with being lead for the most part…and that is hot.
Shadowheart – Laura Kinsale …Honestly, the BDSM Lite in this book completely threw me over the moon. I had just finished the Kushiel series (below) and then started this one, and I was blown away. The characterizations might be a little quickly realized (teenage femdom?) but the religious aspects of it were so realistically portrayed, I thought it was wonderful.
All Through the Night – Connie Brockway …This book is all Show and no Tell. I LOVE the romance between the characters, I love the heroine and her motivations, and the hero and his utter determination. And I actually love the ending, too-it fit the story perfectly, for me.
My Dearest Enemy – Connie Brockway …I love how Brockway played with some of the “hero tropes” throughout this book, and the heroines internal dialog along those lines is hilarious.
Kushiel Series #1 – Jacqueline Carey …I LOVE this series. The main romance throughout the series is so vanilla (esp. in comparison with the other stuff going down) and so HOT at the same time, it’s amazing. And can I just say: All heroes should wear vambraces …I’m just sayin’.
Almost Heaven – Judith McNaught …So many of Judith McNaught’s conflicts rest on the inability of the hero and heroine to communicate it can get old. This book is no exception, unfortunately. Fortunately, the heroine is a smart and capable person, the hero isn’t Too Much of an ass for the majority of the book, and the conflict is legitimate (if easily overcome by the aforementioned communication). I loved it and I’ve read it several times.
Immortals After Dark Series- Kresley Cole …I love this whole series. The writing is great, the heroes are sexay, the heroines are SO strong and smart and capable, and their individuals stories are a real joy to read. I let the covers fool me for about a year, and then I drank of the IAD koolaid. And it was good.
Demon Moon – Meljean Brook …Colin and Savi’s story, which I really loved. I’m looking forward to seeing them again in Demon Forged (which I will read this weekend). I really love this whole series, too, but it’s not candy like the IAD series. It’s like eating steak. You have to cut it up and you have to chew it. But I LOVE steak, so I’m good with that.
Honor’s Splendor – Julie Garwood …My favorite of hers. I love the heroine, even though she’s a little girly at times. I love how the hero is just so fallen for her and that there’s so much family around while they’re figuring themselves out, too.
Lord of Scoundrels – Loretta Chase …I’m a sucker for strong, smart heroines, and Jessica is that. I love the writing in this book, too. It’s smart and sexy and such a FUN historical, although it’s not a comedy per se.
Dreaming of You – Lisa Kleypas …Another smart heroine, and I love the romance between these two. They’re practical about what obstacles they face, and I love how they relate to each other.
Son of the Morning – Linda Howard …One of my favorites (I also love Now You See Her and Shades of Twilight). This book has few steamy scenes, but manages to be one of the Sexxay-ist books I’ve ever read. I’m not sure what that says about me, but the build-up for these two is so long and so hot…wow.

Well, that was long. Ate up a good 2 hours of my AM (woo!)…

Be warned, only the first 9 end HEA (more or less) – I include the rest for the power of the romantic relationship.

1. Shattered Rainbows, Mary Jo Putney
2. Mr. Impossible, Loretta Chase
3. Lord of Scoundrels, Loretta Chase
4. Bound By Your Touch, Meredith Duran
5. Written on Your Skin, Meredith Duran
6. Stealing Heaven, Madeline Hunter
7. Worth Any Price, Lisa Kleypas
8. It Happened One Autumn, Lisa Kleypas
9. Untie My Heart, Judith Ivory
10. To Have and to Hold, Patricia Gaffney
11. The Mysterious Miss M, Diane Gaston
12, Flowers from the Storm, Laura Kinsale
13. To Love a Thief, Julie Anne Long
14. The Perils of Pleasure, Julie Anne Long
15. A Most Unsuitable Man, Jo Beverley
16. Everything I Ever Wanted, Jo Goodman