A former Miss Pennsylvania and Top 10 Miss America finalist, Michelle Buonfiglio graduated summa cum laude from St. Francis University, Pa., with a bachelor's degree in writing/fine arts and a love of the formal study of literature. Her world was rocked when she read her first contemporary romance, chosen from the grocery store book rack. Thus began what is now nothing less than an obsession with the romance novel.

Michelle applies to the romance novel the same techniques used to analyze and critique "recognized" classic and contemporary fiction. In Romance: B(u)y the Book, she pares down her analysis to give you a sense of why she thinks you might love a particular book.

She works hard to present you with a variety of all-around good selections hoping that, should you choose to buy the book, you'll be happy you did.

Michelle's penning her first romance novel and is a member of Romance Writers of America. She's published several short stories and literary research, and studied romance writing with New York Times bestselling novelists.

A kidney transplant recipient, Michelle hopes you'll consider signing an organ donor card and discussing organ donation with your family.

FAQs:

How many books do you read a week?
How did your interest in Romance start?
Do you ever read anything else?
How do I get my book reviewed?
How do I get published?
Why do you like Romance so much?
Is there a type of Romance you won't review?
Fabio. Are you serious?

How many books do you read a week? Seven-10 cover to cover, fewer if I spend a lot of time wading through selections to cull the A-cuts for review. With all the great romances out there, it's painful to have to choose, and I hate not finishing one once I've started.

How did your interest in romance start? I took a course in college in which we read and analyzed 17th-20th century English novels. Of course, Miss Austen was included, but so were Bronte, Fowles, Hardy, and others. While theirs can't all be classified as romances, I always enjoy seeing the influences of such great novelists, and many more, on the writing of today's romance writers.

It's also pleasing to see the influences of today's romance novelists upon one another. Perhaps you notice it, too?

Do you ever read anything else? Honestly? Not much. Sometimes my husband forces a book on me that's great and I would have loved before I became obsessed with romances. That said, I'm currently reading "Piece of Cake," by Swati Kaushal, a gem of a new talent, and “The History of Love,” by Nicole Krauss. I recently finished "Slammerkin," by Emma Donohue, and re-read "Possession," by A.S. Byatt, one of my favorite writers.

How do I get a book reviewed? Advance reading copies and published novels may be sent to: Internet Broadcasting, c/o Michelle Buonfiglio, 1333 Northland Drive, Mendota Heights, MN 55120

I can't review your unpublished manuscripts. Please use your time and energy getting your Labor of Love published. (See How do I get published?)

How do I get a book published? Research. Learn the nuts and bolts of querying publishers and agents, submitting manuscripts by reading any of the myriad books on the subject. “The Idiot's Guide to Getting Your Romance Published” and others like it simplify the process from understanding the genre to how much you might expect to make writing romances.

Join. Consider membership in Romance Writers of America, a national organization of 9,000 published and soon-to-be published romance writers and others within the publishing industry. Join your local chapter as well.

Attending meetings and networking with members is the best way to learn the ropes and gain support for your writing. As an RWA member, you'll also receive the Comprehensive Market Update of RWA-Recognized Publishers, a twice-yearly updated list of romance publishing houses with the most-up-to-date submission guidelines available at time of publication. Invaluable!

Write and rewrite. Make sure the final product is as good as you know it can be. Work out all the bugs before sending a manuscript for consideration. Spell check, for God's sake, then have someone you trust look the whole thing over once again.

Unsure of your writing technique? Do what I do and find fun courses on style, dialogue, novel writing, etc., at your local community college or other learning facilities. For instance, Minneapolis' the Loft writer's center offers an extraordinary range of writing classes taught by published authors and industry experts. Google similar options in your area, and use the web to find specific articles about good writing.

Find a writing group. Make sure you feel comfortable with the other members and are sure they'll treat you and your writing in a supportive manner. Members of a good group critique constructively and in a respectful manner, and are supportive of members' writing attempts. In choosing or creating a writing group, make sure members' individual needs are discussed frequently so the group experience remains encouraging and uplifting.

Why do you like romance so much? There are elements of romances I like that appeal to most women who read them-a language, if you will--that only we romance lovers understand.

Some writers and researchers have called this "language" an oral tradition similar to that used by humans before we used characters such as our alphabet to record stories. We know what to expect from the romance because we've heard the form before and are comfortable with it.

If that means, as detractors suggest, a romance novel is the same story being written over and over, I applaud it as one heck of a story!

Maybe your reasons for loving romance are similar to mine. First, I like knowing there's always going to be a happy ending and I'm going to suffer a delicious little bit to get there.

Second, I enjoy being thrilled by the dynamics which play out between the hero and heroine: First meeting, romantic tension or repulsion that grows into capitulation, the moment the hero realizes he's in love, and the way the heroine teaches him to love without "unmanning" him.

Third, I just love a hero I can daydream about. If he's an Alpha male and his love scenes are 4 Hearts plus, more's the better!

Finally, I like being swept away in a good romance novel. Whether it's a mystery, a paranormal, or a simple love story, by the last page, I want to have experienced a celebration of the better parts of human nature.

Is there a type of romance you won't review? I attempt to review novels from as many sub-genres of romance as possible: contemporary, paranormal, spiritual, historical, erotic, etc.

While I consider it legitimate within the romance genre, I won't be reviewing stand-alone erotica or alternative lifestyle romance.

Novels portraying in an erotic manner acts generally accepted to be outside the letter of the law will not be reviewed. Those acts include but are not limited to: Child sexual abuse, child pornography, sexual abuse, and incest. I abhor the acts and any erotic depiction of them.

If you or someone you know is being abused call 1-800-656-HOPE.

Fabio. Are you serious? Absolutely. First, he's Italian. Second, he added immeasurably to the popularity of the romance, but views his 15 minutes past with charming self-deprecation. Third, he lends his time and celebrity to raise funds for charity. And, fourth -- did I mention he's Italian?