Welcome to my blog! Since I’ve recently transitioned from the music industry to writing romance novels, I thought I’d kick things off with a post about my favorite romantic CDs. First, a brief housekeeping note: This blog will be intermittent until my novel’s (tbd) release date nears and then will be updated regularly. Now, with no further ado (and in no particular order), here are my favorite romantic records:

* Dierks Bentley/RISER. Dierks’ voice could probably induce swoons singing the national anthem, and it’s used to full effect here on songs like “Say You Do,” “Five” and the title song (sample lyric: “I’m gonna get down low so I can lift you higher”).

* Meiko/THE BRIGHT SIDE. I’m not sure anyone has captured all of the emotions of falling in love on one CD better than Meiko does on this record. From joyous songs like “Stuck on You” and “I’m in Love” to the sultry “When the Doors Close,” and even during a detour through love gone wrong (“Good Looking Loser”), this one is a winner from start to finish.

* Cee Lo Green/THE LADY KILLER. You wouldn’t necessarily expect the CD that includes the “stick-it-to-em” anthem “F*ck You” to also include a slew of romantic songs but, if you love the rich tradition of seductive R&B, I highly recommend THE LADY KILLER. I think every tune on this disc is a home run, but I particularly love the overt sexuality of “Satisfied” (“The least I can do is try…I want you to be satisfied”), the swoony “Old Fashioned” and the passionate plea of “No One’s Gonna Love You.”

* Roxy Music/AVALON. Hands down, this is my desert island disc. It’s ethereal. Dreamy. Awash in longing and desire. The song titles say it all: “More Than This,” “While My Heart Is Still Beating,” “To Turn You On” and my personal favorite, “Take a Chance with Me.”

What’s your go-to romantic CD? I’d love to know.

xo