cover image Barbara Taylor Bradford's Living Romantically Every Day

Barbara Taylor Bradford's Living Romantically Every Day

Barbara Taylor Bradford. Andrews McMeel Publishing, $22.95 (176pp) ISBN 978-0-7407-2684-2

It should come as no surprise that Bradford, author of bestselling romances such as A Woman of Substance and Power of a Woman, would look to her novels for inspiration in this book of tips designed to help keep the relationship fires burning. But fantasy is what makes romance novels fun, and it's hard to believe that anyone but a tousled heroine would have time to live by some of these suggestions, like the one to ""go out and warm up your spouse's car before he or she leaves for work."" Bradford often seems to have more space than ideas, as many of the tips seem repetitive (e.g., she touts the importance of touch several times throughout the book). Yet there are some interesting tidbits, among them instructions on preparing an English tea and a yummy picnic for two, and unique gift ideas, like giving your partner a lovespoon, an intricately carved wooden piece that is a Welsh tradition. Although at times silly and frivolous, this book will surely appeal to Bradford's devoted fans. Photos.