Is it just me, or are there more and more romance novels that involve either the hero or heroine (or both) having children from a previous relationship?  There must be a degree of romance in that, right, if it’s so popular?

I’ll be the first to admit that I find a man who’s also a gentle and loving father quite sexy. And a child can definitely add to the tension between lovers…a young head popping through the door at the wrong time frustrates us all!  But does that add to the romance of a story or take away from it?

I’m curious, because as a mom, I’m drawn more to romance novels that don’t include children.  Perhaps I’m looking for escape from my life when I read, and kids hit too close to home, or maybe it’s that kids really don’t add to the fantasy of romance for me.  Not to say that romance can’t be part of a relationship involving kids – I really, REALLY hope that’s not true 🙂 – and I love movies like Sleepless in Seattle that involve a character with both a void in their love life and children.  But don’t there seem to be more and more kids around?

Do you find stories that include children more or less romantic? Is a hero that’s also a father more romantic or less? What about the heroine?

I’d really like to know, and your answers will enter you to win Whirlwind.

Next hour – another excerpt!