STOP 'N CLICK: Sign up for Michelle's NEW RBTB Newsletter here (not in the myLifetime sidebar)!

There are oh, so, many things to be missed about the time we've spent here while Romance: B(u)y the Book's lived at myLifetime! So before we move for awhile to www.RomanceBuyTheBook.com February 1st, I really want to look back and recall the thing that most gets me verklempt.

Sure, we Bellas have made so many new friends, and I'm looking forward to all of us heading back to blogger for awhile where, at least the ease of openID might soothe our lack of access to celebrity sidebar gossip and hair tips at a finger-click.

And while we've sneak peeked and prodded

CONTEST: One RCC wins an ARC of Lori Foster's newest, "My Man Michael!" Rules here.

From Michelle:Please welcome back Bella fave, Lori Foster!  She's one of the kindest, classiest dames in the biz -- adored by fans and industry folks alike -- and known for her NY Times bestselling, down-to-earth erotic love stories, her mentoring of young authors, and her support of orgs that help kids and vets and animals.  Please hie thee to her Annual Reader/Author Get-Together in June in OH, and give Lori your warmest, "So you're sayin' it's OK to like virgin heroines?" Bella buongiorno...

From Lori:  Buongiorno, Bellas!  So, I've been thinking about...Alpha Virgins. 

What a great concept, right? I don't know about you, but I can get into a kick-ass, take charge virgin. Especially when she has to go toe-toe with a testosterone overdosed macho guy with a protective streak five miles wide.

In case you can't tell, I have so much fun when I write! My muse does all the hard work for me, coming up with stories that often take me by surprise. And for me, it's all about the

CONTEST TODAY:  One RCC wins a copy of "Bring on the Blessings!" Rules here

From Michelle: Talk about TGIF! Beverly Jenkins, yet another crown princess of romance is with us today! Last time she and her friends visited RBTB, Beverly had us talking even more like best girlfriends than usual. Today's no different ('cept she's got a gorgeous new novel out -- "Bring on the Blessings" -- that just might woo you toward some uplifting women's fiction.  But, do check out her fab romance, too!). Please give Miss Beverly your warmest "Oh, I remember this boy..." Bella buongiorno...

From Beverly: Hello to the Bellas! It's always great to visit with you, and thanks so much for having me back.

"Bring on the Blessings" is my first venture into women' s fiction (Avon, Jan 27). The story revolves around wealthy divorcee Bernadine Brown and the historic all Black township she buys on eBay.

During the 19th century, Henry Adams was a thriving community founded after the Civil War by Black pioneers. Now, in the 21st, although the legacy remains the town is flat broke. It is Bernadine's dream to rebuild this unique place, and offer it as a haven to a group of foster kids needing a second chance at life.

Blessings has all the elements readers enjoy: romance, family, humor, hope,

CONTEST TODAY: 2 RCCs each win a 'graphed copy of "The Conqueror" from Kris!  Rules here.

From Michelle: Couple months back I laid on you that Kris Kennedy's upcoming "The Conqueror" is the medieval I've been waititng for.* Still is. Was. Pre-order it, is what I mean to say, cause as I read the excerpt here, the earthy plot intrigue, and snappy repartee ‘twixt our hero and heroine, reminds me of why I can't wait to re-read. Please welcome Kris with your warmest, "Wendsday's the perfect day for conquering heroes!" Bella buongiorno...

From Kris: Buongiorno, Bellas! While apparently unrelated to the notion of ‘Getting Conquered' by a romance hero, I still have to start with this . . .

We have a new president, and it reminds me of romance. Because however we voted, here is our chance to begin again, with each other. Here's hope, here's a strain of deep, joyful connection between people that hasn't happened for a long time. And if that's not what romance is all about, at its core, then it isn't about anything at all.

So, here's to new beginnings, and a new kind of heroism, maybe one we find within ourselves.

And hey! Funny you should mention heroes . . . .

What conquers YOU in a hero? What makes you willing to swoon or risk everything? What kind of man does it to YOU?

Me, I'm a fan of

With its reluctant hero -- and confident heroine who'll never admit to needing help, let alone a little saving -- Kris Kennedy's new read set in the medieval period is anything but old fashioned.

"But won't you stay up for one more drink?" Hipping asked one more time.

Griffyn shook his head. "I'm weary, and have a long ride tomorrow."

Fatigue was no mere pretext. He'd secured the allegiance of one of the most vital allies Henri fitzEmpress would ever need, and all he felt was tired. Weary with spying, with war, with all the machinations of the world. He needed another lost waif to lift his spirits, he decided, stifling a yawn, but they were hard to find.

Something crashed on the floor above them. He and Hipping jerked their heads backward and stared at the ceiling. It sounded like something heavy hit the floor hard, perhaps a washing pot. Hipping looked over with a convivial smile.

"My betrothed."
"Ahh."
"Just arrived."
"Ahh. Congratulations."
Hipping paused. "She's still adjusting."
"Mmm. Your wash pot may not."

Hipping laughed out of proportion to the inane jest. "Aye. I shan't bother her with my attentions again tonight. The priest has been sent for. Tomorrow shall be soon enough."

Griffyn felt a strange ripple of unease. Not

Sure, some might consider today an historical one here in the states for many reasons. So it only follows that the Inet's a snappin' with tribute, diatribe and witty commentary about that glorious monument to democracy that occured this day, the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama.

Like many, I'm even more verklempt than usual, and I'm just bursting with pride at how the promise of America's been fulfilled, and liberty and justice and freedom have rung and the Greatest Nation on Earth is in the admiring eyes of the world once again.

Yeah. Okay. But I went to Minnesota over the weekend to see my girlfriends, and happened to hang with my girl amyskf at her son's wresting practice. So, in the interest of writing off the trip - and describing how Amy and I can turn just about any event into a cocktail-party-like atmosphere - instead of talking Commanders-in Chief, I thought it'd be more fun to talk, well, DILFs.

Oh, don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about. They're the great-looking dads who

CONTEST TODAY:  One RCC wins a copy of "Forever Princess" plus "Ransom My Heart!"  Rules here.

From Michelle:  Welcome our very special guest, world-famous author Meg Cabot, who kindly interviewed and brings with her today HRH Princess Mia of Genovia, whom you know from "The Princess Diaries!"  HRH Mia's written her first (steamy) romance (excerpt here), and Meg's giving no quarter with this in-depth interview-for-fun! Please welcome Meg and HRH Mia with your warmest "Can I try on your tiara?!" Bella buongiorno...

From Meg and HRH Mia: Hello, Bellas! And thanks so much for inviting Her Royal Highness Princess Mia Thermopolis and me to chat about our books, "Ransom My Heart" and "Princess Diaries Volume X, Forever Princess," here on RBTB! We're awfully honored, aren't we, Your Highness?

HRH Princess Mia: I know I am. I still can't believe people are actually asking me for interviews! I mean for something other than being royal. Which as you know is just an accident of birth.

Meg: Is that why you decided to write your own historical romance novel?

HRH Princess Mia: Yes! Being a princess is great, but I wanted to do something that required actual skills besides just knowing how to hold a fish fork. And so here I am! Although I can't say my grandmother is exactly thrilled about the book's, ahem, content.

Meg: Oh, yes. There are some pretty steamy sex

These hot romance books warm up a long winter’s night with steamy-to-super-sexy happily ever afters.  Treat yourself, or share them with a special friend!

A Few Good Men - Tori Carrington, aka Lori and Tony Karayiannia

Anytime you pair military heroes with erotic romance -- and start with a smokin' book lid like the one on the left -- you know you're in for some quality time spent reading in bed.

But the authors of this saweet little book of four short steamies, the first in the new Blaze Uniformly Hot series, put it best:

Four hot, combat-ready marines back home either for good or on leave struggle to adjust to life out of uniform (literally, when it comes to the four sexy heroines who steal their hearts). But if there's one thing they've proven, it's that marines don't give up easily. They'll keep coming - and coming and

From Michelle: Gena Showalter’s been trying to visit RBTB forever, but the gods of cyberspace have laughed at our attempts to make it happen. Not that those gods exist. But if they did, Gena would have created them, and they’d be ripped, buffed, big in all ways and the heroes of romances no woman in her right mind could resist. Please welcome Gena with your warmest “Save an immortal warrior for me!” Bella buongiorno…

From Gena: Hooking is so important these days.

Wait. Maybe I should explain that. I'm a writer, and I know I only have a few paragraphs to reel my readers in and make them want to continue the story. With so many books to choose from, you really have to stand out. And really, every author wants his/her book to be one of the chosen. So how do capture the readers' attention?

Sometimes there is a build up:

Heart of the Dragon (my Jan, 09 rerelease)

~ "Do you feel it, boy? Do you feel the