Author: Amanda Stevens
Copyright: 2008 (Harlequin); pgs. 242
Series: Silhouette Intrigue #1035; Intrigue's Ultimate Heroes
Sensuality: Subtle

Who: Graham Hollister and Kendall Hollister

Summary: Wealth, power and the perfect life. That's what Graham Hollister thought he had with his beautiful wife, Kendall. He'd almost lost her in a deadly car crash, but since then he'd reveled in their renewed marriage. Until one Texas night changed everything. A brutal crime cartel came to abduct Kendall. Only the kidnappers didn't want just ransom --- they were out for revenge. But as Graham raced against time and all odds to rescue his wife, everything he thought he once knew about her was now in question. Would the dark, dangerous secrets she harbored destroy them both?

Comments: If you're the sort of Romance reader that doesn't like it when the author keeps the main couple apart for nearly the entire book, then this book is not for you. Kendall is kidnapped early on and the couple is reunited during the last few pages. You've been warned.

I liked Graham, which is fortunate, since we spend so much time in his head, as he tries to cope with a situation where he is in over his head. Graham is not the aggressive, golden boy of the family -- that would be his older brother, Terrence. Graham was the less athletic, studious son. He wears glasses. He suffers from vertigo. Though he owns his own architectural firm, his life is relatively simple and quiet. All that changes when his wife is taken from him.

Graham is anxious to get his wife back, but is afraid that the kidnapper will carry out their threats against his family if he doesn't follow their instructions to the letter. Graham is able to make contact with the FBI covertly, but he realizes pretty quickly that they are suspicious of him. Things aren't adding up for them. Over the course of the book, Graham learns that there are many things he doesn't know about his wife, and those things are making the FBI suspicious of them both. Through it all, nothing shakes he determination to get her back.

As noted above, Kendall is hardly in the book. It's hard to talk about her, because it would be a spoiler. Suffice to say, she truly loves Graham. She, too, was in way over her head and afraid of losing the man she loves.

Started: 1 July 2008
Finished: 6 July 2008

Rating:

J'avais envie de musique, et puis ces deux là ce sont imposés à moi. Oui je vous entends d'ici: ringard, dépassé, trop fleur bleu....

Tout cela ne me dissuadera du plaisir que j'éprouve ce soir. Les années collège quand un 45  tours de ces deux fait parti de votre collection; Les années romances et amours virtuels

Je sais, ce n'est Tokio hotel, Mika, Doherty, Amy Winehouse..... mais ils faisaient rêver.

Ils m'ont fait rêver, tout comme tous les oubliés tels que MIke Brant, Jairo, Chucky et Aviva, Linda Rostandt....et beaucoup d'autre.

T'aimer encore une fois sur Youtube, LA

Vous n'aimer pas, dites le ça me fera plaisir, et si vous apprécier, alors je serais heureuse d'avoir partager.

The New York Times ran an interesting article about the price of secondhand books soaring, these days. 

I personally have a love-hate relationship with second-hand books. On the one hand, they're dead cheap, and sometimes it's the only way to get hold of a copy of a particular book, especially if it has gone out of print.

On the other hand, every time a reader buys a secondhand copy of my books, I don't get a penny in royalties for that transaction. And my books are everywhere on E-bay, which is one reason I don't go there too often. It can be depressing.

And on yet another hand - the third hand, I think - I love that readers get to buy my books secondhand, because they might not read them otherwise, and it's a way for them to get to know my stories and (maybe) want to buy new copies of my latest titles.

As I said, it's a love-hate relationship.

The New York Times article reminded me of something I should probably let you know about. If you ever find you can't get hold of a title of mine, contact me, and see if I have a copy to spare, or know where to get one. I have some stock of most of my titles, and I'd be happy to sell it to you for the cover price, plus postage. I'll even sign it.

Contests

This blog is only a week or so old, but already I've noticed a huge spike in the numbers of people subscribed via email, rather than RSS feed readers, so the chances are, you're reading this in an email right now. Hi!!

The beauty about blogs, though, is that you get to come right back at me with your own opinion on anything that I write (and I'd love to hear from you!). You do that by dropping a comment in the comments section at the bottom of each post - and you can get to the post by clicking the live link that is listed inside this email - it'll have http://www.storiesrule.com/xxxxxxx at the front of it.

If you do find yourself wrinkling your nose or nodding in agreement over one of my posts, it's worth your while clicking on the link and posting a comment. Why? Because just like the old newsletter I used to send out monthly, I'll be drawing a name from amongst the comments each month, and on the first of the month, announcing who gets a copy of any of my books (you pick which one).

You don't have to remember dates, or anything like that. Just remember that I thrive on back-chat, and we'll get along just fine.

So to help eleviate the stress I can help in a few ways: have sex with him WAY more often than I was before.  And we are having way more sex.  Last night was amazing...I guess I should re-cap.

I was laying in the shower trying to get warm, I was freezing for some reason.  Anyway, it ended up with my husband fingering me while I played with myself.  He was outside of the shower still and I was attempting to stroke his cock but I guess I can't pat my head and rub my tummy.  I came really hard that time, it felt amazing.  We ended up fucking standing up again, I love that position, it looks like I'm grinding him as I would on the dance floor.  It makes me feel so sexy.  That's our new favorite position for sure.  It makes my husband say things like "holy fuck" and "oh my god" over and over again.  I guess a woman, who can make a Christian man say things like that, knows what she's doing ha ha ha.

I met my quota for this week.  4 amazing sex sessions.  I'm excited for next week...perhaps we'll end up doing more.

I had to hold my tongue like crazy yesterday.  I wanted to mention the money to Hubbs SO badly.  I'm taking your advise and not saying anything, so hard for a loud-mouth like me to do that.

I'm starting to feel closer to my husband again.  We had been distant for soooooo long.  I'm glad we're coming back around.  I'm truly blessed to have such a hard working husband, he will wait on my hand and foot, he loves our children and his favorite place to be is home with us.  I can't ask for much more...it's just hard when I'm not feeling close to him or when he's being distant.  I'm assuming most couples go through that phase.

I'm heading out for the weekend to party with my siblings.  I'm going to miss hubbs and the boys...I'm going to have a blast though!!

ENJOY!

See more at www.tourguidehawaii.com or www.tourguidehawaii.blogspot.com.

I've been discussing on my message board a bit about Karen Moning and where she might be going writing-wise when the Fever series is done. The recent news that has kind of put me in a tailspin of upside-down smile is there will be no more romances.

From her message board, June 21, 2008 (paraphrased here):

Karen M. Moning has said on her board that she isn't sure she can write another mainstream romance. She knows this will be a disappointment for some fans, but romance alone is not enough to fulfill her. There would need to be a "whole lot of other stuff going on, too".

I have to interject here that isn't it possible to write romance with a whole lot of stuff going on? And it still be a romance? Hell yeah. Why not simply say a change in genre is in order? Hmmmmm, color me huh? on that one.

She does go on to to leave open, slightly, the possibility of going back to Highland romances one day and says "never say never". For now, though, it definitely seems, by her admittance, that urban fantasy, or dark fantasy, is where she will be and who knows, maybe other genres too. I'm sure though that this is still not the whole story behind her feelings on the matter.

Before I go on, I want to make clear that I do understand the need of an author to grow/move in a new direction. It is their work and ultimately they are entitled to do what they want with their career. In no way do I think that personal reader wants should dictate how an author writes. It might sadden me to read that Moning has no foreseeable plans to write romance again, but I can definitely respect her decision and excitement at doing something else entirely. In fact, she has always had my respect for her frank admission that what she is now writing is not strictly a romance series, instead of playing to those that want romance and telling them it's something it's not. Likewise, it takes guts to move on and admit to some die hard fans that they'll no longer get what they were hoping for from her. I have enormous respect for her for being honest.

This is not about "fandom". I simply do not believe that if a fan of an author's work (their WORK mind you, it's their work we're fans of...right?) is not willing to ride whatever roller coaster the author does, that they are not truly fans. It's a bogus assumption that "true fans" are the only ones that would be happy at any career decision an author makes. Indeed, I am very happy for authors, no matter what they might do career-wise, but the thought of no more Moning romances, a genre she excels at, admittedly makes me a bit sad on first impression.

I love urban fantasy. It certainly appears to be on the rise and I say great. I love a kick-ass heroine or hero, magic, monsters and enough smart alec wit to sink a battleship. Give me fangs, give me fur and wrap all in a magical tortilla of action and adventure. I love and love again the "nitty gritty" that Moning does in the Fever books. I may very well check out whatever new books she has published one day.

But if you were a favorite romance writer of mine that can't see writing them again? Yeah, I'll be sad. I'll be happy for you, but I'll be sad for me. And then I'll move on and read someone else's romances, wishing you all the luck while I'm at it and a happy, healthy career. Your past romance titles will become classics on my shelf and I'll likely take them out to revisit once in a while.

In the end, what else can we do? It's either that, or follow and read whatever new genre they write, no matter what it is. Now that, I would not blindly do. If it's not my taste, it's not my taste and I can't see me spending the money if that's so. In which case, it's time to take a lesson from Happy Chair's book:

So new poll time:

If an author you've read for years decided to move on to a different genre, would you follow them? Would you give their new work a chance? Would you refuse to and feel slighted? Check out the poll on the upper right column to vote and feel free to discuss in comments here.

Stardust

Neil Gaiman Novel and was a bog fan.

The story contains enough action and adventure that boys won't whine the whole way through and definitly enough romance and girly aspects to keep the girls happy. Really it's the best of both worlds. The movie is really extremely well acted, the cinematography is awesome and basically the story is really what makes it great. With so much crap coming out lately in Hollywood, it really nice to see that something of quality can still be created. Yeah I pick up a lot of movies at blockbuster cause its cheap entertainment but its really cool when every once in a while you find that diamond in the rough like this one.

Memang gampang-gampang susah mencari cinta sejati. Itulah yang ingin disampaikan oleh penulis skenario The Devil Wears Prada, Aline Brosh MCkenna dalam film komedi romantis terbaru yang diberi tajuk 27 Dresses. Memasang bintang cantik Katherine Heigl dan si tampan James Marsden serta aktor Edward Burns, film ini diarahkan oleh Anne Fletcher dengan mengambil setting kota New York yang kosmopolitan.

Berkisah tentang Jane (Katherine Heigl), seorang wanita yang digambarkan selalu menjadi tumpuan sahabat-sahabatnya saat akan mempersiapkan pernikahan mereka. Demi kelancaran pernikahan sahabatnya Jane mau membantu apa saja mulai dari memilihkan baju, sepatu, suvenir, hingga membantu mereka pipis ke toilet karena baju yang heboh di hari pernikahan, semua dilakukan Jane dengan senang hati. Kehidupan percintaan Jane sendiri cukup hambar, meskipun dia menaruh hati pada George (Edward Burns) atasannya di kantor.

Di dalam lemarinya Jane memiliki 27 baju pengiring pengantin dengan macam gaya yang dikumpulkannya setelah menghadiri 27 kali pernikahan para sahabatnya. Baginya ke-27 baju tersebut memiliki cerita tersendiri. Pada satu malam Jane harus menghadiri dua pernikahan secara bersamaan di Brooklyn dan Manhattan, lucunya adegan dia bertukar baju bolak balik di dalam taksi rupanya disadari oleh seorang reporter tabloid bernama Kevin (James Marsden). Kevin yang menyadari hal tersebut mulai mendekati Jane dengan harapan dapat mengorek lebih jauh tentang Jane untuk dijadikan alat mendongkrak karirnya.

Perkenalan Jane dengan Kevin rupanya tidak berjalan mulus. Jane merasa bahwa Kevin memandang pernikahan dengan sinis, berbeda dengan Jane yang menganggap pernikahan adalah sesuatu yang sakral dan indah. Kehadiran Tess (Malin Akerman) setelah sekian lama menghilang menambah rumit kehidupan Jane. Tess yang aktraktif dan dinamis rupanya berhasil merebut hati George, pria yang selama ini diidamkan Jane sebagai calon suaminya. Tess lalu mememinta bantuan Jane untuk membantu merancang pesta pernikahannya dengan George. Bagaimana kehidupan Jane setelah George memilih untuk menikahi Tess?

Lewat film ini sutradara Anne Fletcher berhasil menuangkan skrip karya Aline dengan plot yang mudah dicerna. Dengan durasi sekitar 115 menit, penonton akan dibawa untuk menemukan serta memahami makna cinta yang sesungguhnya. Bahwa apa yang selama ini kita idamkan belum tentu cocok dengan kita. Seperti jargon sebuah pariwara, yang namanya rasa memang tidak pernah berbohong, begitu juga dengan cinta. Akhirnya 27 Dresses sukses menyampaikan pesan cintanya untuk Anda dalam menyambut bulan penuh kasih sayang Februari ini.(Freddy Wally)

Liane Spicer, a friend to this blog, will have her first novel, Cafe Au Liat, released by the international publishing house,  Dorchester in late August or early September. You can read Liane's profile here and you can order the book on Amazon by clicking the next word, Amazon. I pre-ordered the books months ago and will not be lending my copy for at least a few months because there are too many people out there who believe in borrowing and not buying. I will not be encouraging this slackness. You can check out her perpetually interesting, author-friendly, blog at Wordtryst and tell her aka sent you.

He used to dream about her, about spending the rest of life with her. His friends told him, "Why do you dream so much about her, when you don't even know if she loves you or not? First tell her your feelings, and get to now if she likes you or not". He felt that was the right way. The girl knew from the beginning, that this guy loves her.

One day when he proposed, she rejected him. His friends thought he would take to alcohol; drugs etc. and ruin his life. To their surprise, he was not depressed.

When they asked him how was it that he is not sad, he replied,"Why should I feel bad? I lost one who never loved me & she lost the one who really loved and cared for her!"

I merged the two for a blog

Besides the face, which is the first thing you notice on a newly met person? It's his/her voice.

Apart from the face or facial expression, the voice is the most important signal whether the person is friend or foe, bland or tough, hot or disgusting.

And the physical appearance may offer clues to his/her sexuality.

"Voice is a profound difference between men and women, and it colors every human interaction we have," said David Puts, an anthropologist at Michigan State University.

He made a study revealing that men with deeper voices had more luck with women. The main difference between male and female voices is pitch: men, on average, speak with an octave lower than women.

But it's even harder to say what makes a woman's voice attractive to men. It is said that men prefer high-pitched female voices, but there's no study made on this and many men complain that a too high one, when the voice turns from sweet into shrill, is annoying.

In fact, men don't find high voices sexy; a deep and sultry voice like that of Marylin Monroe is what turns them on.

"We might think of (Kathleen) Turner's voice as deep, what actually characterizes it is breathiness. Breathiness comes from air whistling through a gap at the back of the vocal cords. The gap is larger in women, giving them a breathier voice. Men might find a super-breathy voice sexy because it accentuates this naturally female trait," said Harvard psychologist David Feinberg.

"Men tend to agree strongly about which voices are attractive. But, men have trouble pinpointing exactly what makes them swoon," said psychologist Susan Hughes of Albright College.

Susan Hughes recent study snippets from the article are here...

"The sound of a person's voice reveals a considerable amount of biological information," said Susan Hughes, an evolutionary psychologist from Albright College in Reading, Pa. "It can reflect the mate value of a person."

Hughes, whose new study is detailed in the June 2008 edition of the Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, cautions that an attractive voice does not necessarily indicate that this person has an attractive face, (a bit like Sex-Telephone workers)

A symmetric body is genetically sound, scientists say, and in evolutionary terms, in the wild, it can be an important factor when selecting a mate. But sometimes changes during prenatal development can slightly skew this balance.

For instance, the length ratio between index and ring fingers, known as the digit ratio, is fixed by the first trimester, a time that corresponds with vocal cord and larynx development.

If the hormone surge that affects vocal development also affects finger growth, there should be a connection between an individual's voice and digit ratio.

Hughes could not demonstrate a connection between voice attractiveness and digit ratio in her previous work, possibly due to vocal changes that occur during puberty.

So in the new study, about 100 individuals listened to previously recorded voices and independently rated them on nine traits important during mate selection: approachability, dominance, healthiness, honesty, intelligence, likelihood to get dates, maturity, sexiness and warmth.

Study participants generally agreed on what made a voice attractive. But when Hughes used a spectrogram to analyze these voice ratings according to different acoustic properties such as pitch, intensity, jitter and shimmer, she could not find a common feature that made these voices seem attractive.

A throat diagram

This indicates our perceptual system may be more advanced than expected.

"We can agree on what's an attractive voice yet I can't capture it with a computer," Hughes told LiveScience.said.

Investigating if a combination of these properties can define an attractive voice may shed light on a connection, she said.

Hughes also focused on "formant dispersion". We regularly hit on different frequencies while we speak. Formant dispersion refers to whether our usual frequencies are spaced closely together (a shrill or monotone voice) or far apart (an NPR host). The broader the range, the "fuller" the voices.

But how do fullness, breathiness and pitch combine to deliver a sexy female voice?

"There's a mysterious vocal quality that men seem to recognize by ear but that is tough to identify using computer programs alone. What's even stranger is that both men and women with sexy voices also tend to be more symmetrical and have traditionally sexy body types: the men in my studies tended to have broad shoulders and narrow hips, and the women tended to have hourglass-shaped figures." said Hughes.

"In men, these differences could be chalked up to testosterone. During puberty, testosterone helps boys build broad shoulders and big muscles. It also helps lower their voice. Sex hormones may also account for a woman's sexy voice and curvy figure," she added.

As voice development is linked to sex hormones, it reveals sexual maturity, easing the find of a mate for reproduction. A deep male voice acted like a testosterone advertisement. Hughes also found that people with attractive voices tend to have more sex partners over their lifetimes.

"They're chosen as affair partners more often, and they'll lose their virginity at an earlier age." said Hughes.

Perhaps the hormones that induced the sexy voice also mean high sex drive, or the sexiness of the voice attracts more partners. In the end, Barry White was called "The Walrus of Love", while Chris Tucker...hmmmm.... Let's forget it ...

So after all that work and their is no full conclusion apart from an opinion and whether this is the truth remaisn to be seen, my suggestion would be for no fee of paying a scientist is try this yourself and see what reactions you get...

Also if you do have a fascination with the voice and dating by phone (or as Spike Lee describes it in Girl 6 'Bone Phone')

Check this link

http://dating.personals.yahoo.com/singles/datingtips/86225/five-dating-phone-rules

Un'estate fa la storia di noi due, era un po' come una favola.....

Have you ever had one of those summers? You're on holiday, maybe on the beach and you happen to meet that special someone. And its like a chemical reaction. Maybe it's the heat, maybe it's having too much free time on your hands or the languidness of summer. The romance soon becomes all-consuming, even dangerously so. But it's a flickering flame and destined to burn itself out once September rolls around.

This is the story behind one of my favourite summer songs, Un'estate fa, originally written in French by Michel Fugain (title: Une Belle Histoire), with Italian lyrics by self-styled Latin lover Franco Califano. It's been covered by many over the years, from Mina to the Homo Sapiens but I like this recent version by Delta V. The singer is American and you can sort of hear it in her accent when she sings. I also love the retro feel of the video (especially those white go-go boots!).

Whenever I go to the Riviera, where I think the video is set, it inspires thoughts of intrigue and romance, like To Catch a Thief, Two for the Road, etc. That pesto sauce sure plays some funny tricks on my mind.

Have you ever had a brief but unforgettable summer fling? What was the soundtrack to your storia estiva?

Her books include The Way He Moves (Harlequin, 2008), Shattered Images (Kimani Press, 2006) and A Taste of Paradise (Kimani Press, 2005).

In this email interview, Marcia King-Gamble talks about her writing.*

Who influenced you the most?

Excellent writers like Sandra Kitt as well as my encouraging agent.

How have your personal experiences influenced your writing?

Personal experiences always influences your writing style or even your mood. As writers we tend to observe people and reflect on the human condition.

What would you say are your main concerns as a writer?

Book distribution is always of concern for a writer. You want to ensure that your print-run is such it reaches the widest possible market.

A challenge for any writer is making sure you get that next contract. Writing is a business and sales are everything.

How do you deal with these challenges?

A writer has to keep sending proposals in. You need to keep coming up with fresh, unique ideas.

Do you write everyday?

I write every day regardless of what's going on in my life. The time spent depends on how tight a deadline I have. Some days all I do is write.

What is your latest book about?

My latest book is one I am currently working on. It will be published by Harlequin's Kimani Line and will take me approximately two months to write. It's a story of a woman burnt out on corporate America who inherits a house and decides to open a spa. The hero is the retired athlete, turned business man next door, with designs on her land.

If you are asking about my next book that will be published in May 2007 by Harlequin's Kimani line and it is titled, Down and out in Flamingo Beach. It's the third in the Flamingo Beach series.

What did you find most difficult when you were working on the book?

Research regarding setting to ensure authenticity is the most time consuming. Also making sure your hero and heroine work.

What did you enjoy most?

The writing process itself. There are times you know when you "got it." It's a wonderful feeling.

What sets the book apart from others you have written?

Setting. I have chosen the historical town of St. Augustine, Florida because it is rich in possibilities.

In what way is it similar?

A good romance always has a conflict which inevitably gets resolved.

What will your next book be about?

Sex on Flamingo Beach is the fourth and last of my Flamingo Beach Series. It's the story of Emilie who looks white but isn't and her relationship with the land developer hired to build a casino in the small town of Flamingo Beach.

What would you say has been your most significant achievement as a writer?

Being asked to be a part of a continuity series for Harlequin. This would be a breakout from the multicultural market.

How did you get there?

Hard work, marketing of self, and staying connected. I am very grateful for the opportunity.

When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?

I didn't. I fell into the opportunity. I was a reader for Harlequin/Silhouette for years.

How would you describe your writing?

The genre would be romance although I do do some mainstream women's fiction writing.

What motivated you to start writing in this genre?

I've always read in this genre. Romance is uplifting and a great escape if you have a stressful career.

Who is your target audience?

Anyone who enjoys and appreciates a good romance.

*This interview took place in February 2007.

Disamping nya sebuah bintang…

Engkau bagaikan sahabat

Saling menemani

Yang satu, wajahnya bercahaya tersipuh malu

Yang satu lagi, matanya berkedip tampak merayu

Engkau berjalan beriringan

Melewati malam nan dingin

Saat fajar menyingsing

Engkaupun berjanji, tuk bertemu di lain kali

Depok, 17-7-08-kms

noname

]]> http://ri32.wordpress.com/?p=59 Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:04:51 +0000 ri32 http://ri32.wordpress.com/?p=59 Hidup adalah pencarian, mencari jati diri sebenarnya

Dari mana, sedang apa, dan mau kemana kita hidup

Hidup adalah persiapan, mempersiapakan untuk kehidupan yang sebenarnya

Hidup adalah belajar, belajar untuk ujianan sebenarnya disana

Banyak arti hidup, carilah arti hidupmu dan maknailah hidupmu

Depok, 17-7-08-kms

noname

There is a reason that I have chosen Ambermoon as my nom de plume.  It captures beautifully my spirit.  When you think of an Amber colored moon doesn't it evoke a beautiful image in your mind?  One of peace, beauty, calm?  They are rare, Amber moons.  Not something seen every day.  They have a specialness about them.  

I have always been drawn to the night and to the moon.  Even as a child I would sit in my bed and gaze out at the moon and the night sky.  Many nights I wished upon the moon as though it had some magical power, as though it was a tangible sign of God, to remind me he was there, listening.

When I began to drive, I ventured out into the night when troubled or upset.  I used to sit on the beach for hours watching the waves crash, staring at the moon.  My other favorite spot was Wayfarer's Chapel located in Portuguese Point, CA.  I would sit outside the church which is located on a cliff overlooking the sea and stare all night at the moon praying.  I felt so peaceful at those times.  So close to God.

People feel the romance of the moon don't they?  The moon is a symbol of love and affection.  For some its a magical and mystical thing.  I see it as an old friend.  I  miss it on the nights that it is obscured and does not show itself.  

Tonight, like this morning I am gazing out the window at the lake and into the night sky.  I am blessed to witness a full Amber moon shining on the lake's surface.  Its a magnificent night.  A tiny touch of chill in the air.  The stars are in the sky and are twinkling brightly.  Its a night for wishes and dreams to come true.

Ah... maybe oh maybe its a sign from God, that healing is coming soon and that I will have respite from my suffering of my body and soul.  I hope so.  If nothing else, the sight of this night is beautiful and soothing.  Actually, I am grateful for the sight, and that is enough.....

1. Send them a unique gift at work - Get a piece of paper and some crayons. Draw a bright childlike picture with a smiley sun and two stick figures holding hands. Add labels with your two names pointing
to the stick figures. Write ‘I Love You’ inside a heart. Next get a large formal envelope. Place your drawing inside and type up a formal address label of your partner's workplace, such as: “For the immediate and urgent attention of: Rebecca Jones, Level 20, Collins & Smith Solicitors, New York.” Mail it to your partner so they receive it in the middle of a busy day.

2. Become kids again - If you are walking by a park, visit the swings and give your partner a ride. This will often bring back happy memories from their childhood.

3. Fun with water- On a hot summer’s day, buy two large water pistols and take them to the beach with you. Pull them out and throw one to your partner and then have a huge water fight.

4. A massage with a twist - Buy a small, decorated cardboard box, a sheet of colored tissue paper, some massage oil and a blank card. Line the box with the tissue paper. Place the massage oil in the box and write the following message on the card: I know a great masseur. For an appointment call: (Your Phone Number)

5. Bring back childhood memories - Contact your partner's family and ask if there was anything
she always wanted when she was a little girl. For example if she always wanted a porcelain doll, buy one for her birthday. She will not only appreciate the gift, but also the fact that you were thoughtful enough to find out what she always wanted. You can do this for your man too.

6. Stare at the clouds - Drive into the country, find a grassy hill, and lie with your
partner and look up at the clouds.

7. Go for a walk on the beach - Trace out the shape of a large love heart in the sand. Sit inside the heart and cuddle your partner as you watch the sun go down.

8. Organize a backyard picnic on a warm summer’s night - Spread a picnic blanket on the ground and get together some snacks, chocolates and champagne. Lie down on the blanket with your partner and gaze up at the stars together.

9. Show you’re grateful for your partner - Leave a long-stem rose where your partner will find it, with a note on it saying: "Thank you for coming into my life."

10. Spice up your lovemaking - Probably the most profound way to rekindle the romance
in your relationship is to spice up your lovemaking. Surprise your partner with a little gift after you make love, try a new position, learn to give your partner a sensual massage before or after, or just spend some time staring into each other’s eyes and caressing their bare skin before making love.

Many people underestimate the affect passionate and intimate lovemaking has on a relationship. If you
spice it up, chances are you and your partner will naturally do romantic things for each other. Why? Because passionate lovemaking connects two people in a meaningful and unexplainable way that nothing else can.

About the Author:

Oprah Winfrey loves expert Michael Webb who is the author of "500 Lovemaking Tips", a book full of ways to spice up your lovemaking, adding more passion, pleasure and intimacy to your experience.