Reading a good romance novel is like setting sail on a grand adventure. You have no idea where it is going to take you or who you might meet on the way but you do know that it is going to be a great ride. But like any trip, you don't want to set sail without being prepared. That is why you have to create the perfect mood before snuggling up on the couch with your book and nice cup of tea (or whatever works for you!) at your side.



A romance novel, just like its name implies, is supposed to be romantic. Romance, however, is not something that you can just drive-up to a window and hand a cashier some money and then drive off with your goods. It must be finessed and created with a soft touch or else the moment is cheapened and all you end up with is some freaky background music and some psychedelic light show.

Lighting is always a sure way to set the perfect mood. Now my personal favorite lighting happens to be that from the fireplace. There is absolutely nothing more romantic than a crackling fire late at night to help set the perfect mood for your adventure to... well, wherever. Of course, this idea doesn't work so well in the summer months and not everyone has a fireplace so you will need to have some alternatives.

Candles, especially scented ones (I personally could die with the scent of lavender or hyacinth wafting through the air and enter heaven with a great big smile on my face!), create the perfect romantic atmosphere. The combination of the sweet aroma and subtle lighting transform your room into a romantic alcove that cannot help but enhance your reading experience.

Now if you are not into flames of any kind but would still like to set a more subdued and casual tone to your decor while escaping to your own personal paradise with Juan, Raphael, or whomever happens to be the character in the book, then you might want to try using a nice Tiffany lamp reproduction. Now I promise all of you that I do not own stock in any company selling these lamps. It is just that the light is gently diffused through the colorful lampshade so there is no glare. These lamps happen to produce very soft light that is still adequate for reading without worrying about eye strain.

Finally, once you have the lighting perfect and your favorite scent filling the room, all that is left is some soft music in the background. Some soft jazz (or whatever you happen to find especially romantic) completes the effect and you are set to cast off and have whatever adventure the author has in store for you. I would recommend playing some music without lyrics as they can be more of distraction than a mood setter.

Now you may even want to get into some "jammie pants" and don your favorite sweatshirt too but that is entirely up to you. All that really matters is that you feel comfortable and the room is soothing and to your liking. Reading around other people or with a radio or television in the background filling the room with words can absolutely ruin a book because you can't really concentrate and get into the story.

Trust me, your reading experience will be completely different and far more enjoyable when the setting is just right. Ask yourself what you happen to find romantic and turn your reading space into your own little paradise and you will definitely enhance your reading experience and slip away into those pages and off to the adventure you have been waiting all day to get started!