Here is a totally Stray Thought that I don't feel invades my privacy, although for many years I did keep it a secret. I love romance novels. The fat, trashy kind with hilarious titles like Mine Till Midnight or Love Again Later.

I even like the silly, skinny ones put out by Harlequin that you can buy in the grocery store. Soon I will have a "Three Books" piece on NPR's All Things Considered about adult books to give your smart, young adult children. The original "Three Books" was to have been on romance novels, but it didn't work out. I couldn't make my love for and joy with the romance genre fit into a NPR series about books not to be missed.

But here's an essay that I wish I could have made radio friendly:

I confess: I love romance novels. The fat paperbacks with covers depicting low-cut dresses and half-naked men. Inside of those covers, you will find stories full of beautiful, spirited women who conquer the hearts of strong, protective men.It's true that, as a rule, romance novels over-describe and have plots which go to absurd lengths to separate the lovers until the requisite happy ending. But to either attack or defend their literary merits is to miss the point. What distinguishes romance novels from other escapist genres like mysteries, sci-fi or fantasy, is that they have no pretense of being anything other than a guarantee of pleasure. The novels take you to a world of bone china, lush gardens, brocade dresses, villains, heroes, heroines and love everlasting.

You probably won't take my word for it, and you shouldn't. Reading romance novels must be experienced rather than analyzed. So let me give you a brief tour of three books that will help kick-start your habit.

Duncan's Bride by Linda Howard is a good example of the ever-popular plot of virtual strangers marrying before they fall in love or (as happens here) have sex. Reese Duncan owns a huge ranch that leaves him too busy for courtship. Still, he wants all that marriage delivers: children, available sex, and help around the house. Naturally, he advertises for a wife. Lovely, kind Madelyn Patterson, who lives in New York, answers the ad. They meet, sparks fly, they marry and… guess what? She turns out to be a great rancher's wife, and Reeese comes to realize that he loves her. It sounds ridiculous, but Linda Howard's rapid pacing and frequent sex scenes help you to surrender to the story. The sex feels X-rated, but is written as discreetly as an ad for "soft tissues".

Judith McNaught's A Kingdom of Dreams is set in 12th Century Britain. It's your basic epic love story starring an English warrior and the daughter of his Scottish foe. The novel is densely plotted and full of delicious secondary characters. Its settings include a convent, a military campground, the Tower of London, Henry II's court and several imposing castles. Royce and Jenny's romance begins when she is his prisoner, and ends a few months after they have been forced into marriage by absurd circumstance. Judith McNaught specializes in couples who, despite a strong emotional and physical bond, have great reason to mistrust eachother. There are hundreds of pages of true love conquering wounded pride, misunderstanding and suspicion.

But for me, Lisa Kleypas remains the Queen of romantic historicals (although she has recently branched out to write contemporary romances). Whenever a long trip looms or a nasty cold strikes, I search for a new release, or a title on her backlist that has somehow escaped my devouring appetite. Seduce Me At Sunrise is second in a new series, but it is Kleypas at the top of her game. Winifred Hathaway, the heroine, is blond, fragile and pure. She loves, and is loved chastely by Kev — the dark, brooding, orphaned gypsy boy her father saved and raised. Winifred wants passion, sex, and romance from Kev, not just devotion, but he thinks she is too good for him. In the end, Love and Winifred triumph, and Kev finds that in her arms he broods no more.

As must be clear by now, and sales figures bear it out, these books are not read by men… which is their loss. But if you are a woman, or an adventuresome man, any of these three volumes will coax you into a new reading habit. One that will bring disbelief that you are enjoying this stuff… as well as pure bliss at the fact that you are.