It breaks my heart a little that Sizzle & Swoon has finally reached its end! It's been a fun two weeks sharing our favorite romances + all with YOU guys, and I sincerely hope you enjoyed all our posts. A huge thank you goes out to my friends Racquel and Sharon, who were key in making this event fun and successful! They are seriously MY PEOPLE when it comes to romance, and I look forward to doing more joint events and features with them in the future! In case you wanted to take a look back at what's transpired over the last two weeks, check out the master list below:

Day Two:
Our Favorite Contemporary Romances (ALB)
Contemporary Review: Love Irresistibly by Julie James (TBB)

Day Three:
Contemporary Review: Frigid by J. Lynn (ALB)
Our Go-To Contemporary Authors (TBB)

Day Four:
Our Favorite Heroes (ALB)
Travis Series #1: Sugar Daddy by Lisa Klyepas (TBB)

Day Five:
Our Favorite Settings (ALB)
Our Favorite Tropes (TBB)

Day Six:
Group Discussion: Yours Until Dawn by Teresa Medeiros (ALB)
Historical Review: Yours Until Dawn by Teresa Medeiros (ALB)
Our Favorite Historical Romances (TBB)

Day Seven:
Our Go-To Historical Authors (ALB)
Historical Review: Nearly a Lady by Alissa Johnson (TBB)

Day Eight:
Travis Series #2: Blue Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas (ALB)
Our Favorite Heroines (TBB)

Day Nine:
Beat the Heat with Fun & Games (ALB)
Our Favorite Books from Other Subgenres (TBB)

Day Ten:
YA Review: We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han (ALB)
Our Favorite YA Romances (TBB)

Day Eleven:
Our Go-To YA Authors (ALB)
YA Review: Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill (TBB)

Day Twelve:
Our Favorite Couples (ALB)
Travis Series #3: Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas (TBB)

Let us know what you thought of Sizzle & Swoon down in the comments! If you have suggestions or the like, or want to see something similar from us, please definitely let us know.

Jack & Ella (Smooth-Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas) - Another perfect pairing! Jack is not Ella's regular cup of tea, but seeing her fall in love with such an alpha, even though she doesn't want to, is great. Because time and time again, Jack proves worthy! (+A)

Will & Elly (Morning Glory by LaVryle Spencer) - If you've read Spencer before, you know her writing is so heartwarming and sweet, that it could kill. This romance is so beautiful, that it's suffocating.

Jamie & Claire (the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon) - I love them individually, and I love them together. These two just make me incredibly happy with their fun interactions, their down-to-earth quality, and their genuine love for each other.

Millie & Fitz (Ravishing the Heiress by Sherry Thomas) - These two are simply wonderful! They were both married for years AND best friends before they truly began a romantic relationship. And it was beautiful. (+R)

Mia & Michael (The Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot) - Book or movie, these two are amazing! There's a reason that the first fan fiction I ever wrote was about them! What was it, you ask? I'll never tell! (+A)

Sizzle & Swoon is back today, and we're chatting about a topic I'm sure everyone who reads this blog can relate to - YA. Specifically, the three of us have made a list of the YA authors that we return to time and again! While this list is by no means conclusive (as personally, I would have to include a TON of authors on here), we tried to pick a few authors who consistently produce books that wow us!

As always, if there's a +A/+R/+S, that means more than one person endorses a choice.

ALEXA'S PICKS

RACQUEL'S PICKS

Sarah Dessen - It's Sarah Dessen. Who needs me to explain this? (+A) (+S)

Jennifer Echols - Funny and sexy YAs that were written with my name on them <3

Sarah Ockler - Sarah Ockler's books just get better with each release!

SHARON'S PICKS

Tahereh Mafi - This woman's ability to put words together in the way she does simply astounds me. Plus, she writes great kissing scenes! (+A)

Deb Caletti - Deb Caletti writes great stories with wonderfully realistic characters. I also love her writing style. (+R)

Richelle Mead - She writes incredibly entertaining books with strong female characters and massive swoons. She's also not afraid to totally rip your heart out, stomp on it, and hand it back with an I'm-not-even-sorry smile. Somehow, this makes her even more awesome. (+R)

For more Sizzle & Swoon, visit The Book Barbies!

Today's post is one that the three of us had a lot of fun putting together! It's definitely a silly post, but I'm sure you'll love finding out our answers to the these pressing questions. And if YOU feel so inclined, please feel free to weigh in with your own answers in the comments! And for more Sizzle and Swoon, visit The Book Barbies to see our favorite books from other sub-genres.

THE "OR" GAME

1. Contemporary or historical?

R: Historical

S: Historical

A: Historical

2. Hardy or Jack or Gage?

R: Hardy (and if anybody else picks MY MAN, you're going DOWN!)

S: Hardy (Oh please. If any of us can have him for real, then that means we are living in a world where we can bring fictional characters to life. An unlimited supply of Hardy! I can have on, too. :D )

A: Hardy (Clearly girls, is there any other choice? I mean, I love the other two but...)

3. Country or city?

R: City

S: Country

A: Country, definitely. I'm a nature-lover.

4. Alpha hero or beta hero?

R: Alpha

S: Alpha

A: Alpha

5. New author or old author?

R: Old author

S: Old author

A: Old author

6. To re-read or not to re-read?

R: Re-read favorites forever

S: Re-read favorites forever!

A: Re-read, or else I'd never see Hardy again and THAT would be sad.

7. Read a whole book in one sitting or a little at a time?

R: Read a whole book in one sitting

S: Read a whole book in one sitting

A: Read a whole book in one sitting, because I have no patience.

8. Wes from The Truth about Forever or Owen from Just Listen?

R: Owen forever and ever!

S: Wes

A: Wes, because he was my first Dessen love.

9. Sarah Dessen or Jennifer Echols?

R: Sarah Dessen

S: Sarah Dessen

A: Sarah Dessen

10. Cam Rohan or Derek Craven?

R: Derek Craven

S: Derek Craven (by a hair. I love me some Cam too!)

A: Cam Rohan

MARRY, SHAG OR KILL

1. Gage Travis, Hardy Cates or Jack Travis (from the Travis Family series by Lisa Kleypas)?

R: Marry Hardy (I guess I'll go with Sharon that we all get a Hardy in our fictional land...), shag Jack (Wasn't there a bit about sex and a tie used? That might be fun to try. LOL. Sorry Gage. Shoulda gave us a better sex scene.), kill Gage

S: Marry Hardy, shag Jack, kill Gage. (*sob* Sorry, Gage!)

A: I'm going to go a different route and say marry Jack, shag Hardy and kill Gage (which I really, really wish I didn't have to do...)

2. Ryan Reynolds, Ryan Gosling, or Ryan Philippe?

R: Marry Philippe, shag Gosling, kill Reynolds.

S: Marry Reynolds, shag Gosling, kill Philippe.

A: Marry Reynolds, shag Gosling, kill Philippe.

3. Adam Levine, Henry Cavill or Matt Bomer?

R: Marry Henry, shag Adam, kill Matt

S: Marry Adam, shag Matt, kill Henry

A: Marry Henry, shag Adam, kill Matt

4. Ian Somerhalder, Josh Holloway or Matthew Fox?
R: Marry Josh, shag Ian, kill Matthew
S: Marry Ian, shag Josh, kill Matthew
A: Marry Ian, shag Josh, kill Matthew

5. Justin Timberlake, Nick Carter or Nick Lachey?
R: Marry Nick L., shag Justin, kill Nick C.
S: Marry Justin, shag Nick C., kill Nick L.
A: Marry Justin, shag Nick C., kill Nick L.

His name is Hardy Cates. He's a self-made millionaire who comes from the wrong side of the tracks. He's made enemies in the rough-and-tumble ride to the top of Houston's oil industry. He's got hot blood in his veins. And vengeance on his mind.
 

She's Haven Travis. Despite her family's money, she refuses to set out on the path they've chosen for her. But when Haven marries a man her family disapproves of, her life is set on a new and dangerous course. Two years later, Haven comes home, determined to guard her heart. And Hardy Cates, a family enemy, is the last person she needs darkening her door or setting her soul on fire. (from Goodreads)

There are the books that you read once, love, then set aside in anticipation of the next one. And then there are the books that you read multiple times over the years, still reveling in their stories and falling madly in love with their characters. Blue-Eyed Devil is one such book to me, having been a contemporary romance that I go back to time and time again when I'm in need of comfort, familiarity and that handsome fellow Hardy Cates. (This is co-signed by Raquel.)

How do you write a review for a book that you've read many times and still love to pieces? I cannot even tell you how many times I've read Blue-Eyed Devil, as I've lost track at this point. But I can assure you that each and every single time, I have absolutely loved it. You'd think that reading the same story and becoming intimately familiar with every heart-racing moment and every swoon-inducing line would eventually lead to the novelty wearing itself out. But because of some magical ability that Lisa Kleypas possesses, I read this story as if I've never read it before each and every time - and I fall in love.

Haven Travis is, of course, one of the Travis kids - and that means she comes from a family of good breeding, money and power in Texas. Growing up with all these things meant that Haven has had to be cautious and proper for all of her life, at least until she managed to escape to a college out-of-state. Early on in the novel, she's face with a lot of difficult situations; but majority of this story tells about how she comes out of them on top.

The reason I love Haven so is because I understand her. She loves her family, especially her brothers, but she doesn't want to be trapped by them into a certain lifestyle. She wants to work hard to prove herself, to make her way in the world, and I completely admired that. She's strong, stubborn, determined and still utterly naive in a number of ways, which makes her completely lovable to me

This novel is really Haven's story, and that's great. But Hardy Cates, the blue-eyed devil himself, is the man who swoops in and steals the entire show for most readers. (Raquel also co-signs this.) Hardy's a self-made millionaire, who has business smarts, life experience and social skills that make him an incredibly powerful force to be reckoned with. He has gone through so much and made such a good name for himself out of so little - and his sheer will and drive are certainly very impressive. He had a bit of a skirmish with the Travis family (which is pretty clear in the previous book, Sugar Daddy), which definitely does not endear him to them at the start of Blue-Eyed Devil.

Hardy... I have been staring at my screen for a good ten minutes now, and I still cannot find the perfect words to describe him. He's one of the finest male characters I have ever encountered in a romance novel. He is the perfect balance of brute strength and pure physicality, with a stunning sensitivity that catches you completely off guard when it's revealed. It's my perfect combination, and one that causes me to fall for him every. single. damn. time. Every moment he appears in Blue-Eyed Devil, he steals the scene, as all Haven's (and the reader's) senses go into high alert whenever he's around. Honestly, he is everything in this book - a good friend, a fair boss, a competent rescuer, a broken man, an absurdly perfect male specimen. Hardy Cates is one of the few contemporary males I fell hard for - and I don't think that'll ever change.

(This is slightly off tangent, but not by much. Kleypas dedicates the book to her husband, and the description she uses - "A gentleman, a gentle man" - just describes Hardy so perfectly. Raquel deserves the credit for mentioning this to me.)

(Clearly, I could fangirl over Hardy for the rest of this review. Raquel would approve.)

So, Haven and Hardy are certainly strong characters as individuals. But their relationship is also a big part of why this book is so darn enjoyable! The spark between them ignites fairly quickly, and the chemistry leaps off the pages as their relationship deepens. Readers are treated to a mix of sweet, tender moments and the flush-inducing heat of their passion -- and trust me, you're going to absolutely love it. Nothing makes me smile more than reading about a couple I can really root for, and Haven and Hardy are definitely one such couple to me. Every moment they share, every development in their relationship, I basically await with eager anticipation as I'm turning the pages.

The story is rich and full, as their relationship is not the only thing that this book is about. It touches on Haven's relationship with her family (particularly her father), as well as the personal growth that she must accomplish and the challenges she faces because of the circumstances that face her at the start of the book. We also get a brief glimpse into Hardy's past, particularly the things that haunt his conscience, and also how the real estate and oil businesses flourish in Texas. This clever addition of other elements to focus on apart from the romance is definitely key in making this book just a bit more than your typical contemporary romance.

I completely loved this book. I've returned to Blue-Eyed Devil time and time again, and I have no doubt that I'll continue to do so. The novel is like a pair of favorite, completely worn in jeans - it's a comfortable, perfect fit every single time I read it. If I haven't said it before (and if Raquel hasn't said it enough), this book just deserves to be read, savored and enjoyed completely. (And I may or may not be talking about Hardy Cates too...)

 

I posted my review for this novel today, but as we planned, Sharon, Racquel and I all had a group chat session to discuss it. We had a lot of fun dissecting the story, the characters and all our feelings, and we hope you enjoy seeing what we thought of this one! Think of this as a conversational review, similar to what the girls did for What I Did for a Duke.

 

Yours Until Dawn by Teresa Medeiros

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: July 27, 2004

Source/Format: Borrowed from the library || e-book

Gabriel Fairchild's valor during battle earns him the reputation of hero, but costs him both his sight and his hope for the future. Abandoned by the fiancée he adored, he secludes himself in his family's mansion, cursing his way through dark days and darker nights.

Prim nurse Samantha Wickersham arrives at Fairchild Park to find her new charge behaving more like a beast than a man. Determined to do her duty, she engages the arrogant earl in a battle of both wit and wills. Although he claims she doesn't possess an ounce of womanly softness, she can feel his heart racing at her slightest touch. As Samantha begins to let the light back into Gabriel's life and his heart, they both discover that some secrets -- and some pleasures -- are best explored in the dark ... (from Goodreads)

Sharon: So... Thoughts on having a blind hero. GO!

Alexa: It was very different. I thought that it made it really unique, since I've encountered heroes with disabilities but NOT blind ones. Plus, it also impacts how he forms a relationship with the heroine.

Racquel: The blindness disability was done and addressed very nicely.

S: I very much agree with how it affected his relationship with Samantha!

R: And it made for a GREAT romance set-up.

S: It reminded me of Beguiling the Beauty. Because he had no frame of reference for what she looked like, you know that it wasn't just a physical attraction. But something deeper was happening.

R: Teresa Medeiros just did an awesome job with it and I didn't find anything distasteful about it.

A: I think she treated the whole disability thing really well.

S: I very much agree!

A: His struggle with it just seemed really authentic.

R: Something deeper WAS happening!

A: The blindness was also interesting to me because when you're blind, your other sense are stronger. So it was kind of fun to see how touch and smell were very strong markers for Gabriel.

R: Taking looks, beauty and physical attraction (well, sort of, on the last one) away from the equation had a good outcome. Kind of like The Voice and how the judges can't see the contestants during the auditions. They're judging solely on voice.

A: YES. I actually really like that comparison!

S: EXACTLY. I love the comparison!

R: With romance especially, HE/SHE IS SO HOT, MUST HAVE SEX WITH THEM NOW!

S: Exactly. It's not ALL about the physical, people! I love how that element was almost entirely taken out of the equation.

R: And I can deal with that, but I liked, for a change, seeing Gabriel suffer at the hands of this woman because he refused help. *evil grin*

S: Yes! You bring up a great point. It was so refreshing to see a man who was heartbroken over a woman's rejection, rather than the other way around. It was interesting to see a titled man rejected at all, actually. That's pretty rare.

R: YES, SHARON! Never happens. *jumps of joy* Die of the heartbreak, hero!... Just kidding. Don't die. I really did love Gabriel!

S: Of course, I don't ACTUALLY like seeing them suffer. I'm just saying, it was an nice change of pace.

R: I agree with Alexa. I liked that Gabriel couldn't see, and it made his other sense sharper. The book relied on smell and sound heavily. And it made the image of Gabriel in the beginning as a beast quite accurate!

S: Yes, the inclusion of sight and smell as markers definitely made it more authentic, I think. Because they showed that he used them. But it wasn't like they were at crazy superpower levels.

R: Agreed! He didn't start hearing from twenty miles away and such. His other senses just became sharper. Naturally.

S: Exactly. Because when you lose one, you have much more focus to devote to the others. Thus, your perceptions become stronger. I think Medeiros did a very good job conveying that. But what about Gabriel as a character, aside from the blindness?

R: At first, I WAS a bit wary because he really was beastly! I mean, I know it's romance but STILL. However, I understood that Gabriel wasn't coping with his blindness in a healthy way and Samantha was here to change that.

S: Exactly! I was a bit taken aback at first, as well. But I think it was a natural response, and no one had done anything to give him a reason to change it.

A: He totally reminded me of the Beast in Beauty and the Beast. I mean - the lack of manners! The stubbornness! The anger at the world!

S: Oh, yes! Most definitely. She even had to teach him how to eat properly!

R: I did get Beast from Beauty and the Beast vibes!

A: But once I understood him better... I kind of got where he was coming from.

S: I definitely agree, Alexa! I felt like I understood his behavior so much more after only two scenes from his point of view.

R: And I loved seeing the changes in him as he warmed up to Samantha and accepted that he needed to adjust how to live with being blind. But he never FULLY accepted it, or even warmed up to Samantha until it was too late. This being a romance novel, this is no surprise but Teresa Medeiros handled it well.

 

S: WHAT. You meant there had to be drama before the HEA (note: happily ever after) could happen? How dare you suggest such a thing!

R: I'll admit, it was GREAT GREAT GREAT GREAT drama. I've never enjoyed the drama portion of romance too much, but this has got to be one of my favorites!

S: Oh, most definitely! It didn't seem nearly as contrived as a lot of them. As crazy HUGE as the drama was, it was natural.

A: I love the dramas in my romance. It was perfect in this one!

S: I love them as long as they're not SUPER over the top ridiculous.

R: I agree Sharon! Ok, the drama was a bit crazy, but somehow it WAS natural!

S: Yeah. Maybe not even crazy, but HUGE. Yet it wasn't unnecessary. It totally went with the story.

A: I think all the drama in the story is the kind of drama that could actually happen to a normal person.

R: I so agree! I usually don't like these and they make me roll my eyes but the drama here was PERFECT!

R: Any more thoughts on Gabriel?

A: Is it odd that I didn't think about HIS appearance too much either?

S: Interesting point! Now that you bring it up, I don't think I did either!

A: I know he was described several times, particularly including his face and his eyes. But I don't remember thinking too much about his appearance.

R: This was my reaction to Gabriel's appearance: LOL. BLONDE HERO. POOR MAN. SHARON WON'T FULLY LOVE HIM.

A: Sharon, you don't like blondes???

R: Blonde hater!

S: Your feelings were actually accurate, Racquel. And no, I don't like blondes, Alexa. It's a weird hang-up of mine. I like my heroes with brown, red, or black hair! Just not blonde. St. Vincent is pretty much the only exception.

R: It's okay. We all know your soul mate is blonde. And you'll have precious blonde kids.

A: St. Vincent is a good exceptioin.

R: I was thinking that too, Alexa!

S: If a hero is described as blonde, I generally either picture them dark-haired or just don't picture them. I DON'T KNOW WHY.

R: I like blonde heroes. They're usually fantastic. Look at Gabriel & Sebastian! I couldn't HELP picturing Gabriel. And I laughed EVERY single time because of Sharon. It was like she was in my head, saying, "Blonde? No!"

A: *giggles*

S: Glad to be of service. I have very few exceptions to my blonde rule. But Gabriel was one. He just seemed blonde! But at the same time, the physical wasn't really a factor. I feel like it wasn't even that big of a factor for Samantha, either. Yes, she mentioned it. But it was never a huge thing.

On Witty Banter & Strong Dialogue

R: And the dialogue. The dialogue was AWESOME.

A: Are you referring to the banter?

R: I loved the romance because of the dialogue and interactions. It's JUST SO GOOD. Yes! The banter.

A: It was perfect. I always enjoy banter!

R: It was! I highlighted EVERYTHING until it got crazy!

S: I LOVED their banter! It cracked me up.

R: For me, it made the whole book. It was THAT good. I was just laughing and grinning so many times (and thanking Sharon for recommending this book. Sharon can be wonderful like when she's not breaking my heart.)

S: You're welcome!

R: "Let's see, first there was old Cora Gringott. She was nearly as deaf as I was blind. We made a fine pair, we did. I spent most of the time groping for her ear trumpet so I could bellow into it."

S: The interesting thing to me was that alone, neither of them was particularly witty. I mean, they were, but not to any awesome extent. But when you put them together? MAGIC.

A: Yes! It was like a magic combination!

R: Yes, yes and YES. Everything they said to each other was great and perfect. I just want to share ALL the witty banter quotes, meaning, I want to share the whole book.

S: Basically, yes.

A: The book needs to come with the disclaimer: Read this and run the risk of being entertained.

On Our Heroine, Samantha Wickersham

A: Samantha's an interesting heroine! She's so witty.

R: I LOVED Samantha! She was great! She was determined to help Gabriel and he was such a BEAST to her, but she never gave up. Okay, maybe she gave up once or twice, but she got over that - which is what matters! She was a fantastic heroine, a new favorite of mine.

S: I thought she was such an interesting heroine! We knew from the very beginning that she wasn't being entirely honest about something. But we never knew what! Which is interesting, because it's usually at least revealed to the reader. Regardless of the fact that you didn't KNOW her past, you got the feeling she was entirely genuine with her interactions with Gabriel. Even if she was hiding something, she wasn't faking anything, if that makes sense.

R: Exactly! And when it was revealed, it was boom, pow, KICK IN THE FACE. I loved it. I so, so, so loved it.

A: Honestly, I guessed a lot of things. But I could never have guessed the truth.

S: Well. It was when I figured it out. I never would have done that without your heads up that something HUGE was coming though!

R: I had my theories about what Samantha was hiding and I was SO wrong but I really believed in them so I didn't see anything coming!

S: I thought Samantha was scrappy, witty and just awesome overall! I very much enjoyed reading about her.

R: She was a bad-ass. I approve.

S: ^ This.

On Other Characters, Particularly The Servants

R: Next topic: the servants! Did anyone else love this? I loved how the book took place mostly in Gabriel's house and the only characters were the servants.

A: OH MY GOSH. I love them!

S: I ADORED the servants in this book.

A: I love how loyal they were to Gabriel.

R: It was very secluded and nice. I felt like I was there with them in the house, which I wouldn't have felt if the setting constantly changed.

S: Which is interesting, because it breaks another one of my rules. I usually find the servants to be wooden characters or just there for random plot pushing or word count padding. But these were actual characters, and I actually liked seeing them. I liked seeing them interact, and I thought that they all actually felt like real characters. I agree about their loyalty to Gabriel too!

R: Since Gabriel was pretty much in hiding from society, no one really came and went, which made the servants close to Gabriel, and especially Samantha when she proves she's trying to help their lost master.

A: I loved when they really warmed up to Samantha!

R: I did too! And like Sharon said, they were real characters.

S: And they were actually integral to the story, which was nice to see. I really like reading about servants when done well, and it was awesome that this book had that.

Final Thoughts on Yours Until Dawn

S: Overall, this book really is a new favorite! There were a lot of unique aspects combined in ways I'd never seen before. I giggled, I swooned, I literally gasped out "OH MY GOD!" at one point, and I cried. It was great!

R: I can't thank Sharon enough for recommending this book! I never heard of it before but it's such a GEM. And yes, I laughed (A LOT), I swooned, I had a crazy freak out about a crazy revelation and I cried too because it was that  good! And I LOVED, I LOVED the epilogue.

S: *takes a bow* You're welcome world! But really, passing the thanks on to Ms. Medeiros for writing such a fantastic story!

A: Honestly, I don't think I would've read it if Sharon hadn't suggested it for this event! It's one of those older novels that might have slipped through unnoticed for me. I'm glad I read it though because now I'm curious about more of her novels.

R: This seems like her most popular book, but I'm definitely going to give her other books a try!

S: OH, YES. Thank you for mentioning that [note: the epilogue], Racquel! 99% of the time, I think epilogues are totally a waste. Yes, we know that 5 years later, they'll be married with 2.5 kids and be obnoxiously happy together. Some are well done, but I think a lot are just randomly tacked on there for no particular reason. But this was one of the most unique ones I've ever seen!

R: I love epilogues! Even if they are a waste!

S: I absolutely loved it! This is actually one of my all-time favorite epilogues.

R: My favorite ending goes to What I Did for a Duke.

S: 99% was totally an exaggeration, honestly.

R: But this is my second favorite ending and favorite epilogue!

S: I'm probably.... 50/50. MAYBE 60/40. There are quite a lot of good ones! I just hate when a book has a FANTASTIC ending or last line... Only to have a pointless, cheesy epilogue tacked on.

A: Yes! This epilogue was adorable.

R: Yeah, epilogues ARE cheesy, but I take them anyways!

A: I live for cheese.

S: LOL.

As you can see, we had quite the productive chat about Yours Until Dawn. The book is the first experience each one of us has had with Medeiros' writing, and it's fairly obvious that we liked it! This romance is fun, the banter is amazing, the characters are wonderful and the story is surprising. We hope that you'll take our word for it, and borrow or buy this awesome book to devour for yourself!

Today for Sizzle & Swoon, we're going to be talking about a crucial element for any good story, romance or otherwise - the setting. Seriously, the setting is definitely an important part of the stories I read! It helps create extra atmosphere, as the reader feels a sense of displacement at being introduced to a different place or time. Plus, it helps provide context to any romance that occurs in the novel (especially in terms of what's proper or improper, possible or impossible, etc).

Without further ado, here are some of our favorite settings. As with the previous lists, if there's a +A/+R/+S, it means that more than one person endorses that choice.

ALEXA'S PICKS

London/Regency England - This is probably my all-time favorite setting in romance novels. SERIOUSLY. I love the way the houses look, the idea of balls and house parties, the shops, the parks, just everything. It seems so wonderfully quaint, like something out of a fairytale. (Example: It's in His Kiss by Julia Quinn, Castles by Julie Garwood)

Country house/mansion - I love when the characters in novels retreat to or live in the country. It's always wonderful to witness them completely surrounded by nature, in the form of beautiful gardens or immense woods or lovely lakes. Plus, there's a sense of isolation, which often leads to swoony moments. (Example: Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas, Yours Until Dawn by Teresa Medeiros)

Gambling dens - Based on reading quite a few novels, fun things happen in gambling dens or similar places. Sure, they're not exactly the best or safest location for the characters. But there's something very appealing about it being forbidden, especially to ladies, that makes romantic scenes very, very hot. (Example: Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas, A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean)

RACQUEL'S PICKS

Books that take place over 24 hours - So, this is not exactly a setting, but oh well! I just love the excitement that those type of books have. It definitely doesn't have to be insta-love, but meeting someone new to crush on or a day with a crush can be a day that is a life changer for a character. I love reading about that brief time! (Recommendation: Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley)

Road trip! (Totally different than Sharon's road trip!) -  Who doesn't love road trip books? They're usually super funny and obviously great. The open road, one car, and two people is a great equation for romance! (Recommendation: Two-Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt) (+A)

Houston - Because who doesn't like relating to the setting? I love reading about where I live! (Recommendation: the Travis series including Sugar Daddy, Blue-Eyed Devil and Smooth-Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas) [See, I'm not only closer to Hardy at heart, but also setting :D *laughs evilly, because Sharon & Alexa don't have the Houston bond with Hardy. If this was The Bachelor, I would so win* Except he's fictional. And I never watched The Bachelor]

SHARON'S PICKS

Small town, preferably in the South, New England, or the Pacific Northwest (in contemporaries) - I adore stories set in small towns, whether they're books or movies. There's just something magical about the setting. I love the idea of it. (Recommendation: the Lucky Harbor series by Jill Shalvis, starting with Simply Irresistible) (+A)

Dystopian/fantasy - Yes, I realize that these are not the same thing. But one thing that they have in common is that the possibilities for the setting are endless! You never know what to expect, and there is so much potential for creativity. (Recommendation: Defiance by C.J. Redwine)

Regency road trips! - No place like an enclosed mail coach, carriage or hackney for a romance to develop. There's no escape! (Recommendation: Lord Perfect by Loretta Chase) (+A)

There you have it, folks! These are the settings that we adore encountering in books, and I bet it would be pretty cool to visit them in real life too. (In my case, they'd probably need to invite a time travel machine...).

For more Sizzle & Swoon, visit The Book Barbies!

Today's installment for Sizzle & Swoon involves one of the best things about ANY romance novel - the heroes. For the most part, I've had great experiences with the heroes in my favorite romances. They're not just one-dimensional alpha males. No, no, no! The heroes I love are the ones that pop off the page with their sheer maleness and their personality. Sure, most of them happen to be extremely good-looking (in my mind). But what I adore most of all is the intelligence, complexity and surprising vulnerability that exists beneath the surface.

There's a whole variety of heroes out there waiting to be discovered! In case you wanted some suggestions, check out the list the three of us came up with! (Anytime you see a +A/+R/+S, that means more than one of us endorses the choice.)

ALEXA'S PICKS

Sebastian St. Vincent (Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas) - Does this really require an explanation? Sebastian is one of those good-looking bad boys, the kind who gets into all sorts of shenanigans and debauchery. But his redemption as love slowly transforms him is mesmerizing. He starts demonstrating his feelings and that leads to a ton of completely swoon-worthy moments. (+R)

Chaol Westfall (Throne of Glass & Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas) - I realized fairly recently that I have a thing for men in uniform. Chaol, who is Captain of the Guard, happens to be the number one example. He's a wonderful person. He's strong, tough, gruff and serious; but that's all balanced by his capacity for vulnerability, enjoyment and relaxation. What makes him even dearer is witnessing just how much he cares about the people he loves, particularly Celaena, whom he knows and understands and accepts completely. *swoons*

the Bridgerton boys: Anthony, Benedict, Colin & Gregory (The Viscount Who Loved Me, An Offer from a Gentleman, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton & On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn) - Yes, I totally cheated on this choice but I don't really care because all four of them are AWESOME. I really was trying to pick one, but it was just not going to happen. The four brothers are all good men. They exhibit a strong relationship with their mother and among their siblings, plus they're quick to entertain, comfort and protect. My favorite thing about each of them, however, is how besotted they become with their heroines. 

RACQUEL'S PICKS

Derek Craven (Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas) - Lisa Kleypas hero, surprise, surprise! I love ALL of Lisa Kleypas' heroes, but Derek Craven stands out because he's not a duke/earl/rake or anything super popular in historical romance. He's a self-made, hard-working man that used to live on the streets; he has the Cockney accent to prove it! (+S)

Owen Armstrong (Just Listen by Sarah Dessen) - I know the spotlight is always on Wes from The Truth About Forever and I LOVE Wes, but Owen, with his straight-up talk and easy friendship and how he's such a great big brother... *cries* Owen is perfect. (+A)

Hardy Cates (Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas) - Greatest hero EVER? I think yes. BIG FAT YES. We meet Hardy Cates when he's 17 in Sugar Daddy. We see him care for his family, love a girl, grow up and fuck up royally. But in Blue-Eyed Devil, he redeems himself and grows up some more. Lisa Kleypas' dedication in Blue-Eyed Devil says it all. (+A) (+S)

SHARON'S PICKS

Jericho Barrons (The Fever series by Karen Marie Moning) - I really have no words. I can't really explain it unless you've read the books; he is just so mysterious and enigmatic and freaking sexy. I love that he uses words like "pernicious" and that he owns a bookstore (HELLO, sexy points right there) and that he calls Mac "Ms. Lane".

Kev Merripen (Seduce Me At Sunrise by Lisa Kleypas) - Merripen is just about as Alpha as you can get. He is a little primitive, more than a little possessive, and a whole lot sexy. His care and devotion for Win are exponential, and you know he would do anything for her.

Carter Maguire (Vision in White by Nora Roberts) - On the opposite end of the spectrum from Merripen, we have Carter, the ultimate Beta. I love SO MANY things about Carter. He wears tweed, is totally clumsy and awkward and adorable. To quote Mac (the heroine), "Grandfathers wear tweed. Old guys in old British movies wear tweed. Why do I find it sexy that he wears tweed? This is a question that haunts me." Also, he is an English teacher. So, there's that.

These heroes all sound hot, hot, hot and adorably easy to fall in love with! I'm familiar with quite a few, but there are a couple of names that really make me curious. Apart from the fact that you'll certainly find one hero to swoon over with us, please note that Lisa Kleypas is clearly the queen of writing lovable heroes as she appears on each of our lists (and for different books)!

YOUR TURN - Do you recognize any of these heroes and agree? Who are your favorite heroes? What is it about them that you love (or hate to love) (or hated at first, but fell in love with)?

For more Sizzle & Swoon, head on over to The Book Barbies!

As part of Sizzle & Swoon, Racquel, Sharon & I wanted to spotlight some of our all-time favorites in the romance genre. You can expect more lists and suggestions from us as the event runs its course. Today's focus on the blog? Contemporary romances. 

Now, if I'm being honest, I rarely ever read contemporary romances. That's something I clearly need to remedy, as Racquel and Sharon have reviewed some really cool-sounding ones on their blog! For today however, check out our book recommendations below. (In case you were wondering, if there's a +A/+S/+R, it means that another person recommends that book too!)

ALEXA'S PICKS

Sea Swept by Nora Roberts - I read this novel a long, long time ago, but I do remember how much I loved it. (Perhaps a re-read is in my future?) First of all, it's the beginning of a series about brothers (!). Second, there's sailing and boats involved (!). Third, there's a complicated family saga (!). Plus, it does help that I really enjoyed the romance that develops.

The Blessing by Jude Deveraux - This novel is really, really sweet. While reading this one for the first time, I was completely emotional. It has a lot to do with the fact that family dynamics are once again heavily involved. I was crying and smiling and yelling and basically feeling the entire tale. It's a simple story, but enjoyable. 

The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks - Technically, this novel is considered a sequel to The Notebook. I vastly prefer this book over the other one though! I've re-read this book so very many times. I love that it's about how to celebrate love, no matter what the circumstances, or time, or conditions that surround it. It was a completely surprising book, both in terms of the story and how much I loved it.

RACQUEL'S PICKS

Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas - Do I even need to write this down? As all of creation knows, I love this book & it's my favorite ever. Lisa Kleypas just writes this really beautiful story that tackles a tough issue. She manages to make me laugh, make me cry, make me swoon and everything in between! She also wrote the greatest hero ever, Hardy Cates. (+A) (+S)

Making It Last by Ruthie Knox - This one comes out July 15, but I just read it and I HAD to add it. It's only a novella, but it's so powerful and will stick with me for a long, long time. Making It Last revists Amber & Tony ten years into their marriage after they fell in love, had the crazy passionate sex and the dream house and kids. There is so much heart in this story. It's exactly what romance is.

A Lot Like Love by Julie James - ALL of Julie James' novels are my favorite, but after a lot of deliberation, I went with A Lot Like Love because it made me fall in love with Julie James. Her characters are smart, successful and confident people and I just love that.

SHARON'S PICKS

Head Over Heels by Jill Shalvis - I love the entire Lucky Harbor series. I was looking forward to this one for a long time. Chloe and Sawyer had spectacular chemistry and a beautiful story. And since it's Jill Shalvis, there are plenty of laughs as well. (+R)

Within Reach by Sarah Mayberry - This story has so many of my favorite things! Intense, angsty emotions; the forbidden aspect; friends-to-lovers; great chemistry. How could I NOT love this book?

Yours to Keep by Shannon Stacey - Oh, the fake fiancé plot. So much love! This book had a thousand swoons, laughs and one-liners. Plus, I LOVE the Kowalski family; the scenes with them make the book even better. I actually tried the audiobook first, hated the narrator, and promptly forgot about it. I picked up the book months later and promptly fell in love.

There you have it folks, our top contemporary romance reads! There's quite the variety, and I spy a few titles on there that I need to check out. For more Sizzle & Swoon, hop on over and check out what The Book Barbies have to offer!

YOUR TURN - Have you read any of the titles we picked out for our top contemporary romances? Who are YOUR favorite contemporary romance authors? What are YOUR favorite contemporary romances?