Try a Romance Novel this February 14!

There is a lot of talk right now about keeping the romance alive. Suggestions range from making food for your partner to doing extreme sports together to doing chores. Well, no one really wants to do chores, and cooking food sounds like it might actually create some chores, and extreme sports sound like a chore to some. As a result, I thought of some other activities I've heard suggested lately that might just do the trick.

Though visual stimulation can be an exciting and effective way to get turned on, either alone or with a partner, some argue that overexposure to pornographic videos can overstimulate a chemical in the brain called dopamine, which is responsible for the urge to satiate a desire.

Another issue that sometimes arises with the overuse of or reliance on pornographic videos to spice things up sexually is the discrepancies between "real women" and porn stars. There might be a better way (or two) to relight the fire of romance in your life:

More and more women consider bedroom toys, like vibrators, to be "an essential item" to bring excitement and satisfaction to their romantic lives, as pointed out at Adam and Eve. Adding things like role play can also really rev up the romance. Using toys on their own is great, but how about trying something many couples and single women may not immediately think of when the topic of romance arises? I'm talking about reading. One of the joys of reading is the feeling of connection with a character: when you are rooting for him or her, scared for him or her, excited for him or her. Romance novels have the power to combine the feeling of connection with a character and the thrill of romance and sex.

If you have a partner, reading a romance novel aloud to each other can be a new kind of foreplay to add to the line-up, as it enhances excitement and provide you with new ideas for things to try in bed.

With the cultural phenomenon that was the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy came a surge in both sex toy interest and erotic and romance novel interest.

Here are some other romance novels out there that are sure to get you going, mentally (you're reading, after all!), emotionally, and physically:

• Sylvia Day's Bared to You trilogy, which features a couple who are both abuse survivors trying to find love and trust.



• For fans of the Disney classic, Sleeping Beauty , A.N. Roquelaure's The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty is a retelling of the fairy tale with an erotic twist.



• For lovers of classic literature, Jane Austen's novels, like Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion may not have any bondage, but they are brimming with romance and love.



• For young adults, Sarah Dessen's Along for the Ride is a tender romance story about two teenagers who fall in love.

No matter which one you choose, or what your romantic situation happens to be at the moment, romance novels are sure to bring you comfort, excitement, and pleasure.