There's just something about a good romance novel.

What do you look for in a romance novel? For me, personally, it's got to have a strong female character with an equally strong male character. I don't like books that jump straight to intimacy, but I also don't like when it's drawn out for seventy-five percent of the story either. I like fantasy romance, historical romance, contemporary romance...and the list goes on and on! In fact, probably ninety percent of the books I read are romantic.

And since February is the month of love, I'm rounding up some of my favorites of all time!

American Dreams by John Jakes is one of my most-read historical romances. It follows the lives of Fritzi and Carl Crown, in the early 1900s. Fritzi is an aspiring actress; while Carl is a bit of a daredevil behind the wheel of early racecars and in the cockpit of plans over Europe.

The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg is the story of Ceony Twill, a magician in training who's been assigned to paper against her wishes. When her teacher, Emery Thane, has his heart literally stolen, Ceony finds herself in a race against time to save him.

The Host by Stephenie Meyers is a sci-fi fantasy romance. When Earth is invaded by "souls" that take over the minds of humans, Melanie Stryder refuses to relinquish control of her mind to Wanderer, the soul that's been assigned to her. As Melanie shares memories of Jared, who's in hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for him, too, so the two set out as unlikely allies to find the man they both love.

The All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harness is comprised of A Discovery of Witches, Shadow of Night, and The Book of Life. It is the story of a witch and vampire who fall in love and challenge the rules all supernatural creatures are meant to follow.

The Rollin On, Survivor, Checkmate, and Stacked Deck series by Emilia Finn have been monopolizing my reading for the better part of a year. Any of the four series can be read on their own, but I do recommend starting at the beginning so you get the full effect of these interconnected characters. 

The Rogue and the Hellion by Connie Mason is the first book of the Rogues of London trilogy. It's the story of Olivia Fairfax, a down-on-her-luck member of London society and willing Old Maid, and Gabriel, the Marquis of Bathhurst. The two's futures become entangled when Olivia, disguised as a highwayman, robs the marquis's coach.

30 First Dates by Stephanie Wiedower might just be my favorite romantic comedy of all time. Erin Crawford sets a goal to go out with 30 men before her 30th birthday while simultaneously crossing items off her before 30 bucket list and creates a blog to chronicle her experiences.

A Total Waste of Makeup by Kim Gruenenfelder was given to me by a friend in college. Charlie has what many would call a dream job: she is the personal assistant to Hollywood's sexiest movie star, Drew Stanton. But Charlie is struggling. She's almost 30, chronically single, and helping plan her younger sister's wedding. Oh, and she's also got a crush on the seemingly unavailable but possibly interested Jordan.

The Beatrice Harrow series by Jane Washington is one that I just discovered, actually. Bea is what's called a tainted creature - half human and half monster. In her case, she's half synfee, which is kind of like a siren, and powerful enough to catch the attention of both the human and synfee kingdoms. With the help of her friends, including the heir to the human kingdom, Bea must learn to control her darker urges and become a leader.

Someday in Paris by Olivia Lara is the story of Zara and Leon, two star-crossed lovers who's paths continuously cross without bringing them together.

The Glassblower trilogy, comprised of The Glassblower, The American Lady, and The Paradise of Glass, by Petra Durst Benning is the story of the Steinmann sisters. After their father passes away unexpectedly, the three sisters must figure out how to survive during a time when women had no rights outside of marriage.

[Bad Boy's Guide to...] Being Not Good by Elizabeth Stevens made me laugh so hard I cried and smile so wide my cheeks hurt. Avery, the stereotypical "good girl," enlists the resident bad boy, Davin, to teach her how to be "not good" when her boyfriend dumps her for being too good.

Regretting You by Colleen Hoover hooked me from the very first chapter. It's the story of a mother and daughter in the aftermath of the deaths of the husband/father in a car accident that also claims the life of their sister/aunt. Unable to find any common ground, mom and daughter each seek solace elsewhere, finding new love in unexpected places and working toward becoming a family again.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern was magical. Two young magicians, Celia and Marco, are pitted against each other in a competition held within a traveling black-and-white circus. They inevitably fall in love, despite never meeting in person, and devise a plan to be together without destroying both themselves or the circus.