From the Editor If I were to write that graphic novels are becoming one of the hottest things in publishing, its longtime fans would take me to task. They would remind me that graphic novels have always been hot and have always had their loyal fans. What's really happening is that more and more people are discovering graphic novels in much the same way that Columbus discovered America. Both were there already. It was just a question of spreading the word. I don't think anyone would argue that the number of graphic novels in bookstores and online is growing. In turn, graphic novels are inspiring movies. Even if you haven't seen them, you've heard of movies like Road to Perdition, Sin City, Ghost World, and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. If not, you must have heard of their stars: Tom Hanks, Jude Law, and Sean Connery. In the reverse, the creators of Heroes, an NBC TV show, offer a series of online graphic novels to accompany their program. In other words, the graphic novel is going mainstream. MyRomanceStory.com is part of the graphic novel explosion. We describe our stories as a cross between a graphic novel and a romance novel. We've even coined the phrase romance graphic novellas. Our stories have the imagery of a graphic novel and storytelling that takes its cues from contemporary romance fiction. If you are a fan of either graphic novels or romance novels, you'll find MyRomanceStory.com an equally pleasurable reading and viewing experience. Sincerely, T.N. King Managing Editor Valentine's Day: Contest and More MyRomanceStory is helping you create your own romantic adventure. Just enter our contest and tell us about your most romantic moment. If a slew of people vote for your story and you end up a top-five vote-getter, you could win a $300 BedAndBreakfast.com gift certificate. The top-five vote-getters will each receive a gift certificate for incredibly romantic and delicious L.A. Burdick chocolates. And to make the end of winter warmer, the top-twenty pick up music from Anders Holst, the sultry Swedish singer featured in our stories Always in Style and Love Makes Headlines. Check out MyRomanceStory.com for contest details and make sure to submit your story before February 11, 2007—and a lot earlier if you want to get some votes! And just in case Valentine's Day with your loved one starts lagging, we have some conversation starters that will help fill in those awkward silences. Q&A with Writer Gail Hamilton One of our most popular writers, Gail Hamilton, has been romancing our readers since the earliest days of our website. MyRomanceStory's LovableCynic had a chance to chat with her about her work, and the place she calls home. Read the full interview below...

Latest Releases Jackpot By Cynthia Starr Illustrated by Atlantis Studio Pam’s a small-town girl with small-town values. She’s cautious with money and she’s a pushover for no man. Then an unexpected stop in fast-paced Las Vegas and a run in with a forcefully sexy security firm executive changes everything. Suddenly she’s thrown caution to the winds, playing the slots and spending the night with a man she barely knows whose touch turns her blood to molten lava and makes her forget those old-fashioned beliefs. Theater of Fright By Jennifer Savage Illustrated by Enzo Pertile Five years ago, Kate and Tyler were inseparable. Kate starred in Tyler's college play and had every reason to believe they'd be together forever. But then Hollywood called him, and she hasn't seen him since. Until now. Until he decides to stage his new play in a remote Cape Cod theater. Kate auditions and wins a small part. And then, while Kate's heart is still doing somersaults from merely being in the presence of the man she once loved, the beautiful and arrogant actress he's cast in the lead role—on stage and in his life—is murdered. And Tyler seems remarkably unperturbed... Click here for more new titles... MyRomanceStory.com Book Reviews Wondering what's hot and what's not in romance fiction today? Read reviews of books by Cathy Williams, Candice Hern, and Jennifer Crusie, to name just a few of the authors. MyRomanceStory.com features reviews of the latest romance releases, including novels, novellas, anthologies, Manga, romance graphic novels, and e-books. And we review every possible genre from paranormal romance to historicals! Click here for more... Have A Story to Tell? Arrow Publications, LLC, the publisher of MyRomanceStory.com is the premier online site for romance graphic stories, and we welcome submissions by both new and experienced writers. If you have a story languishing in the "to finish" file, dust it off and consider turning it into a script! Submission Guidelines are at the Arrow Publications site. ...But Can You Draw Beautiful People? A quick look at the stories on MyRomanceStory.com and you'll quickly recognize the talents of the many illustrators who work with Arrow Publications, LLC. Join the club! Visit the artists guidelines for more information.

Scottish Passions By T.E. Valentine Illustrated by Italo Ahumada As publisher of the popular Elegance magazine, Paul Tyler is the very picture of professional success. But his personal life is in ruins: his wife ran off with another man, and his young son blames him. When Paul attends an art opening and meets beautiful Scottish watercolorist Heather Stuart, neither are prepared for the fire that ignites between them. While both hesitate, fearful of being burned, Heather presents a solution to his problems that he can't resist. Too bad his ex decides she wants back in the picture!

Shipboard Masquerade By Amanda Miles Illustrated by Ron Randall With much trepidation, Anne agrees to impersonate her identical cousin, Lindsay, a high fashion model, at a shoot on a luxury yacht off the Florida coast, while Lindsay secretly spends time at a drug rehab center. Anne pulls off the deception beautifully—but there's one hitch—Josh Perry, the handsome business tycoon who owns the yacht and who quickly sweeps Anne off her feet and into a passionate affair. It's an affair fraught with peril, however, the least of which is the danger of his learning who Anne really is!

Q&A with Writer Gail Hamilton (continued)

LC: What got you interested in writing scripts for MyRomanceStory?
GH: I was intrigued by the chance to write for the Internet, which is the medium of the future. MyRomanceStory allows me to pack a vivid tale into a length that provides just enough room to get all the elements in, while respecting the sparseness of the form. And, of course, I love to see my stories visually illustrated.

LC: What do you think when you see your stories in an illustrated form?
GH: While stories are visual in the imagination, it's thrillingl to see them in actual illustrated form. They become real in a way that is quite separate from the printed page.

LC: Do the characters look like you expected them to?
GH: Characters rarely look they way the author pictures them. This is simply the divergence between the author's imagination and that of the artist. So often the artist improves upon the author's version, provides additional charm, and adds appealing aspects the author wishes she had thought of in the writing. I'm always fascinated to see how a new set of characters is going to appear.

LC: Which of your characters do you wish you could most be like, and why?
GH: I would like to be like Ellen Moore in Never Say Goodbye, a woman who knows what she wants and comes up with a courageous way to overcome the obstacles to her passion's fulfillment. I always admire people who persevere to win their goals. Also, I would like to acquire Nancy's love of plants and skill with gardening in Love Potion. It would do wonders for my flowerbeds.

LC: Whose work do you turn to for inspiration, or just enjoy reading?
GH: I enjoy the popular authors of the day but often find myself rereading such classics as Jane Austen, the Brontës and Gone with the Wind. I love Dick Francis with his well-told tales of intrigue in the racing world. The news of the day, plus all the incredible range of topics we have on the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) radio provide a constant stream of up-to-date, thought-provoking ideas.

LC: You mentioned that you live in Canada, a country that I find ruggedly romantic. Do you think of your country the same way?
GH: Yes, I think of my country as very romantic. The very immensity of its wilderness spaces, places most of us never see, grips the imagination. There's always some unknown possibility just over the horizon, as well as a unique tale on every corner. The small but diverse population coping with a fierce climate, the huge distances, and the incredible cooperation it takes just to make it all work is perhaps the most romantic aspect of all.

Even the U.S. Government Loves Valentine's Day
Illustrious groundhog/meteorologist Punxsutawney Phil's promise of an early springtime has us thinking of amorous, and slightly naughty, things. But just down the road from us at the U.S. Census Bureau, they have done a wonderful job of reducing our most heartfelt holiday, Valentine's Day, to a series of statistics (with a little help from Hallmark and, believe it or not, the Centers for Disease Control). For example, did you know that in 65% of American households someone will get a greeting card on February 14? There are 2.2 million marriages in the U.S. every year, and if you live in the Northeast, you are more likely to marry when you're older, as compared to states like Utah. But here's our favorite statistic: In 2003, there were 1,271 U.S. companies making chocolate and cocoa products. Forgive us Switzerland and Belgium, but we rock!

You can take a look at the whole report to learn more about February 14th in the States.

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