I never expected that a paperback romance would ever be mentioned on this site. But my old friends Patrick and Deanna, whose wedding I attended, whose advice I value greatly, and whose home I crash in whenever I’m in San Diego, are (weirdness begins here) on the cover of an upcoming Harlequin novel.

They’re not models. They’re just a real married couple who won a contest. But I can also confirm that they’re actually even better-looking in real life.  Also, whenever they kiss, a powerful sea breeze sweeps through the room, opera music begins to play (usually something by Puccini), and in the distance, you can hear lions roar.  Fun at parties.

They are also successful, happy, and good at filling their lives with excitement and challenges and good friends. Truth be told, if they weren’t so bloody wonderful, they’d probably be completely annoying. But no, they’re just terrific people. So while Harlequin romances aren’t exactly my thing, I must say, something about seeing the two of them on the cover of one just seems completely… well… inevitable.

Yes, that’s the word.

My congrats to two of the nicest, most loving people I know.