chicot60
05-26-2011, 03:39 PM
By Nanci Hellmich, USA TODAY
Even though summer isn't officially here — we'll have to wait until June 21 for that — the summer romance season has been in full swing for a month, launched with great fanfare by Britain's royal wedding.
If the royal romance inspired you, you don't need a palace or a golden coach to turn up the heat on your own love life. You can do something as simple as bonding with your partner over a steamy romance movie or waltzing at sunset in your living room. Here are some ideas from USA TODAY best-selling romance writers whose business, of course, is love:
Turn off the electronics.
"No telephones, no Facebook, no texting, no Internet. Just be present together and pamper each other. Give each other special treats, kicking back and remembering why you fell for each other. A nice dual massage always helps add some heat." — Mary Jo Putney, author of Nowhere Near Respectable
by Veronica Salazar
An occasional series on improving your romantic relationships.
Make an unexpected move.
Digital Vision
Lure your sweetheart away from the computer with a glass of bubbly and the promise of more.
"French maid costumes always add sizzle, but unexpected thoughtfulness is truly romantic. If a certain someone has secretly done my laundry for me, he's going to experience some sizzling romance." —Rachel Gibson, author of Any Man of Mine
Give your honey a taste.
"Lure your sweetheart away from the computer with a glass of wine and the promise of more. What works for me: cooking my husband's favorite meal. Would you believe goulash? I make it better than his mother did, and it only took me 40 years to learn how, which in itself was a labor of love." —Debbie Macomber, A Turn in the Road and Hannah's List
Curl up with a good movie.
"Escape the heat by turning up the air conditioning, curling up on the couch together and enjoying a romantic summer-themed movie marathon featuring gorgeous actors who sweat nicely. I'd recommend The Long, Hot Summer or Summer of '42 and any movie where Matthew McConaughey takes off his shirt. If you finish up with Jaws, I can almost guarantee that one of you will end up in the other's lap before the movie is over." — Teresa Medeiros, author of Goodnight Tweetheart
Cast a come-hither look.
"Keep it simple and be spontaneous. Dim the lights and dance in the living room. Surprise him with a new sexy negligee, enclosed in a beautifully wrapped box. He'll get the message." — Catherine Anderson, Here to Stay and Comanche Magic
Go back in time.
"Do something that you both enjoy and will take you back to those first days of your romance when everything was new, exciting and maybe a little wild." — Hannah Howell, Stolen Ecstasy
Plan a great escape.
"Plan a romantic getaway just for you and that special someone, whether it's to a nearby inn, a mountain retreat or the beach — wherever you can put your cares aside. If getting away is not in the cards, do a stay-at-home version. Arrange sleepovers for the children, and end the special evening with candlelight, chocolate-dipped strawberries and Champagne." — Sherryl Woods, Driftwood Cottage and Moonlight Cove
Hit the beach, or hot tub.
"A walk on the beach holding hands on a warm, clear night if you live near water, or share a bath or hot tub with some wine and candlelight." — Johanna Lindsey, That Perfect Someone
Sail into the sunset.
"Declare a quest for the perfect sunset. Watch the sunset from a variety of vantage points: from a beach, the end of a dock, a mountaintop, on a dinner cruise, the rooftop of the tallest building in town, or a picnic table in a park. It's important to designate some time for just being together, so make sunset your couple time. Hold hands, sip wine, add some romantic tunes, be creative and savor one of nature's most spectacular shows and the magic of sharing it with the right person." —Karen Hawkins, Scandal in Scotland
http://yourlife.usatoday.com/sex-relationships/story/2011/05/Romance-writers-here-to-help-your-love-life-this-summer/47609646/1
Even though summer isn't officially here — we'll have to wait until June 21 for that — the summer romance season has been in full swing for a month, launched with great fanfare by Britain's royal wedding.
If the royal romance inspired you, you don't need a palace or a golden coach to turn up the heat on your own love life. You can do something as simple as bonding with your partner over a steamy romance movie or waltzing at sunset in your living room. Here are some ideas from USA TODAY best-selling romance writers whose business, of course, is love:
Turn off the electronics.
"No telephones, no Facebook, no texting, no Internet. Just be present together and pamper each other. Give each other special treats, kicking back and remembering why you fell for each other. A nice dual massage always helps add some heat." — Mary Jo Putney, author of Nowhere Near Respectable
by Veronica Salazar
An occasional series on improving your romantic relationships.
Make an unexpected move.
Digital Vision
Lure your sweetheart away from the computer with a glass of bubbly and the promise of more.
"French maid costumes always add sizzle, but unexpected thoughtfulness is truly romantic. If a certain someone has secretly done my laundry for me, he's going to experience some sizzling romance." —Rachel Gibson, author of Any Man of Mine
Give your honey a taste.
"Lure your sweetheart away from the computer with a glass of wine and the promise of more. What works for me: cooking my husband's favorite meal. Would you believe goulash? I make it better than his mother did, and it only took me 40 years to learn how, which in itself was a labor of love." —Debbie Macomber, A Turn in the Road and Hannah's List
Curl up with a good movie.
"Escape the heat by turning up the air conditioning, curling up on the couch together and enjoying a romantic summer-themed movie marathon featuring gorgeous actors who sweat nicely. I'd recommend The Long, Hot Summer or Summer of '42 and any movie where Matthew McConaughey takes off his shirt. If you finish up with Jaws, I can almost guarantee that one of you will end up in the other's lap before the movie is over." — Teresa Medeiros, author of Goodnight Tweetheart
Cast a come-hither look.
"Keep it simple and be spontaneous. Dim the lights and dance in the living room. Surprise him with a new sexy negligee, enclosed in a beautifully wrapped box. He'll get the message." — Catherine Anderson, Here to Stay and Comanche Magic
Go back in time.
"Do something that you both enjoy and will take you back to those first days of your romance when everything was new, exciting and maybe a little wild." — Hannah Howell, Stolen Ecstasy
Plan a great escape.
"Plan a romantic getaway just for you and that special someone, whether it's to a nearby inn, a mountain retreat or the beach — wherever you can put your cares aside. If getting away is not in the cards, do a stay-at-home version. Arrange sleepovers for the children, and end the special evening with candlelight, chocolate-dipped strawberries and Champagne." — Sherryl Woods, Driftwood Cottage and Moonlight Cove
Hit the beach, or hot tub.
"A walk on the beach holding hands on a warm, clear night if you live near water, or share a bath or hot tub with some wine and candlelight." — Johanna Lindsey, That Perfect Someone
Sail into the sunset.
"Declare a quest for the perfect sunset. Watch the sunset from a variety of vantage points: from a beach, the end of a dock, a mountaintop, on a dinner cruise, the rooftop of the tallest building in town, or a picnic table in a park. It's important to designate some time for just being together, so make sunset your couple time. Hold hands, sip wine, add some romantic tunes, be creative and savor one of nature's most spectacular shows and the magic of sharing it with the right person." —Karen Hawkins, Scandal in Scotland
http://yourlife.usatoday.com/sex-relationships/story/2011/05/Romance-writers-here-to-help-your-love-life-this-summer/47609646/1