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Riding Wild by Jaci Burton Jaci Burton is our next Valenduckie cupid and she shares with us what “romance” means to her.  Don’t forget to catch Jaci’s latest release, Riding Wild – a Berkley Trade 5 Feb 08 release – that is getting some tremendous reviews. 

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So February brings about Valentines Day, which is the month of hearts and flowers, chocolate, diamonds and all things romantic. But really, what is romantic to a woman? Is it being swept off her feet by a tall, dark and handsome man, wined and dined, showered with gifts and flowers and soft music, or is it something else entirely?

I guess to some women those things are important. But I have my own ideas about what romance is, and it’s none of the above. Sure, dinner out and a bouquet of flowers on Valentine’s Day are nice, but to me those are ‘holiday’ things. Those are ‘expected’ things. What I love from a man is the unexpected… the little things that scream ‘love’ and ‘romance.’ I have my own top 10 list of things that make me swoon.

dishes.jpg1. A man who does the dishes without being asked to. (This might cause lightheadedness when witnessed by a woman. A romantic man can do the dishes and be prepared to catch the fainting woman in his arms at the same time.)

2. A man who takes over and cooks when he notices you’re too tired, too stressed, or too busy to do it. (Hey, I didn’t say it had to be ‘good’ cooking. We just appreciate the attempt… any attempt at all)

man-with-flowers.JPG3. A man who brings you flowers out of the blue, and not when it’s Valentine’s Day or your birthday or because he’s pissed you off and this is his way of apologizing.

4. He takes you to dinner at the restaurant of YOUR choice, not his.

5. He’ll sit through your favorite television shows, giving you control of the remote (this is a supreme sacrifice for most men… they earn double points for this)

6. A man who’s spent the day working outside with his hands… mowing, trimming, weedeating, chainsawing, hammering, whatever….and will still give you an hour-long back and shoulder massage that night when you know his hands must be tired and cramping. That’s love, y’all.

cuddle.JPG7. A man who listens when you talk, who puts the newspaper down, turns away from the television, makes eye contact and really listens. To me, there’s nothing more romantic than a man who takes the time to really hear to what you have to say.

8. A man who’s man enough to be able to say “I’m sorry”. (Some men suffer from an affliction that renders them incapable of saying these two words)

9. A man who deeply loves children and animals. Who doesn’t feel like a wuss when he cuddles both of them. I love a strong, alpha male who can set aside the uber testosterone long enough to pet a dog or cuddle a child.

10. A man capable of saying “I love you”, over and over again, and really meaning it. A woman knows when a man really means it as opposed to just reciting the words.

So tell me, what’s romantic to you?

Jaci BurtonTGTBTU Devil Heart