Isn't it romantic?

For the last month or so, I've been furiously editing (actually, rewriting) my fourth book. Let me tell you, it's been an experience (more on that Wednesday). I'm so close to the end I can almost taste it, but I've developed a palate for fine-tuning that is insatiable. I think I could tweak this book until the second coming. And then I'd probably ask the heavenly host to wait a sec' while I change just one more thing...

Anyway, as this book is sort of a love story, one of the things I've been working on is my (for lack of a better term) romantic scenes--no, not sex scenes, just romantic ones. Turns out, I wasn't cut out for the Harlequin crowd. It's been a struggle for me to make my love scenes authentic, captivating, and ah-inducing. Never heard that last term? You still know what I mean. It's that breathless sigh that escapes in the middle of a deliciously sweet romantic moment even though you try like mad to act unmoved. Anyone who has ever loved should know how to navigate those scenes, right? Believe it or not, they're HARD to write!!! I'm pulling my hair out here, and it's not for lack of experience to draw on. ;) My hubby is a romantic man.

Part of the problem is, in addition to writing a great scene, I think you also need to write an original scene... And that's not easy to do. What typically happens is the lovers touch, they almost kiss, they drink in the scent of each other's hair, and blah, blah, blah. It's all been done a million times. How do you write a romantic scene that doesn't dissolve into cliche? Personally, I believe it's the unexpected that's swoon-worthy.

Like my all-time favorite, go down in the history books, rewind a dozen times to watch again and again shower scene from Daniel Craig's version of Casino Royale. Have you seen it? If so, sigh with me. Ahhhh. If not, why are you not in your car running to the nearest video store? "Because I have Netflix" is no excuse. You can't wait for something like this to be delivered in the mail. It is, in my humble opinion, the hands down most sexy/romantic/breathtaking movie scene ever. It's completely chaste but incredibly tense, full of compassion but somehow it manages to be hot, too. He does, after all, suck her fingers.

Alas, I'm sad to say that although I love Casino Royale for many other reasons, that one infamous scene is the height of of romance for this movie. It's all downhill from there. When Bond and Vesper finally hook up, she says one of my favorite worst lines ever: "You can have me anywhere. Here. There. Anywhere." I always want to add: "You can have me in a box. You can have me with some socks. You can have me here or there. You can have me anywhere. I do so like green eggs and ham. I like them, like them, Sam I am." I crack up every time. But that's okay. The shower scene covers a multitude of sins.

At any rate, I have a question for you today. As I rewrite my fourth book, I'm wondering: What makes an awesome love scene? I've told you what I think, but I want to hear your perspective. Please share! I'm looking for a great idea to rip off. Gasp! Did I just write that? I mean, I'm looking for inspiration. ;)