The premise is nice but..

On the outside, Alex Conrad has everything. He’s gorgeous, rich, and has just been elected to the United States Senate by the state of Virginia.

But for the past few years, something has plagued Alex. Something has been missing from his life of privilege and opportunity. Something he has never allowed himself to acknowledge, until the night of his election.

Prudence Romaine is seventeen years Alex’s junior. The daughter of a friend whose life had taken a wrong turn, Prudence came into Alex’s life when she was just sixteen. Despite the passage of time and evidence to the contrary, Alex still thinks of Prudence as the little girl he once tried to rescue.

On election night, the sexual tension between Prudence and the senator reaches a tipping point. Prudence has been in love with Alex for some time, and now that she is in a position to do something about it, she has her aim set on Senator Conrad with no plans of giving up.

But Alex is already committed and a scandal is the last thing the newly-elected politician needs. As Alex pushes Prudence away, convinced their relationship can only end badly for them both, Prudence becomes even more determined to have Alex Conrad in her bed as well as her heart.

And Alex? He can only hold out for so long. And once he gives in, the passion they've held back for years threatens to undo them. But loving the senator is not all it's cracked up to be.

Prudence must learn to handle the pressure that comes with being with a high-profile politician, Alex's jealous ex-girlfriend, and the demands of the people, if she wants to make this work.

But... it's not that hot. It wasn't that exciting and passionate and thrilling. It fell short for a drama, it fell short for an erotic romance. It's boring for an erotic romance. 

No angst for the Senator, no chaos in his work, no political challenge. No conflict that big.

It's steamy enough.

=

this girl reading

In my not so subtle, Get Out The Vote blogs for those in the US... Today, let us look at the Federal Elections. Senators. Each State only has two of them. 

Here are some wonderful Senators (State, US, Roman) and one Member of Congress in Romanceland!

As always, my lists are never in any particular order. 

1. The Kept Woman by Susan Donovan

WHEN A GOOD-GIRL DIVORCÉE Playing by the rules has left Samantha Monroe with an AWOL ex-husband, maxed out credit cards, and the task of raising three children on a hairstylist’s salary. It’s time for a new game plan. When Sam learns that politician Jack Tolliver needs someone to play the part of his fiancée for six months in return for a generous paycheck, she’s ready to sign up on the spot.

MEETS A BAD-BOY POLITICIAN
Jack needs Sam and her kids to help tone down his image from womanizing cad to dependable dad. But he was expecting Sam to be a frumpy single mom, not a wickedly smart, sexy redhead. Keeping nosey newshounds from discovering that his engagement is a charade is going to be a tough job, but one mind-blowing kiss from Sam and suddenly Jack is ready to put in all the overtime necessary…

LOVE WINS IN A LANDSLIDE…
Now, with scheming opponents itching to bring Jack down, Sam’s ex returning to stir up trouble, one stubborn pre-schooler, two squabbling teenagers, a crazy dog, and some out-of-this-world sex, Jack and Sam are discovering that playing make-believe can be complicated—but not nearly as much as falling in love…

2. A Touch of Charm by Karen Fox

Beauty, Charm, and Grace—something the nouveau-riche Sullivan sisters of Colorado Springs lack. But a wish at a magical rock formation is about to change all that, in a most a-MUSE-ing way. . . .

The three Sullivan sisters, named for the Three Graces of Greek legend who embody beauty, charm and grace, don’t live up to their names. Belle is no beauty. Charisma lacks charm. And Grace is somewhat less than graceful. But this doesn't deter their ambitious mother from bribing three bachelors to escort them to Colorado Springs’ beautiful Garden of the Gods.

When the girls overhear their escorts mocking how little they resemble their names, each girl makes a wish at the magical Three Graces rock formation. Charisma wishes aloud for charm, but secretly hopes to make a difference in the world.

When William Barclay, a candidate running for the Colorado congress, asks Charisma to be his platonic escort to functions in the city, Charisma is ecstatic. A suffragette-in-training, she can make Will see that rights for women are important. But her plain speaking almost ruins her opportunity before it even starts.

Fortunately, a newly-arrived Greek widow in town agrees to tutor Charisma in the art of charm. And it works . . . most of the time. Even as Charisma finds herself falling for Will, she can’t stop herself from trying to help those in need, threatening her reputation in the process. Will she end up pushing Will away or will he realize that what he needs is an impulsive, plain-speaking, do-gooder?

3. All the Possibilities: by Nora Roberts

Alan MacGregor knows what he wants—and it’s spirited shop owner Shelby Campbell. But Shelby has her reasons for keeping the dashing senator at arm’s length, including the centuries-old feud between their families…

4. Loving the Senator by Mia Villano 

On the outside, Alex Conrad has everything. He’s gorgeous, rich, and has just been elected to the United States Senate by the state of Virginia.

But for the past few years, something has plagued Alex. Something has been missing from his life of privilege and opportunity. Something he has never allowed himself to acknowledge, until the night of his election.

Prudence Romaine is seventeen years Alex’s junior. The daughter of a friend whose life had taken a wrong turn, Prudence came into Alex’s life when she was just sixteen. Despite the passage of time and evidence to the contrary, Alex still thinks of Prudence as the little girl he once tried to rescue.

On election night, the sexual tension between Prudence and the senator reaches a tipping point. Prudence has been in love with Alex for some time, and now that she is in a position to do something about it, she has her aim set on Senator Conrad with no plans of giving up.

But Alex is already committed and a scandal is the last thing the newly-elected politician needs. As Alex pushes Prudence away, convinced their relationship can only end badly for them both, Prudence becomes even more determined to have Alex Conrad in her bed as well as her heart.

And Alex? He can only hold out for so long. And once he gives in, the passion they've held back for years threatens to undo them. But loving the senator is not all it's cracked up to be.

Prudence must learn to handle the pressure that comes with being with a high-profile politician, Alex's jealous ex-girlfriend, and the demands of the people, if she wants to make this work.

5. Warrior or Wife by Lyn Randal

In the heat and dust of the Roman arena, a woman stands alone. The crowd cheers for Leda, the famed gladiatrix. Watching is the man who loved then left her-- Marcus Flavius Donatus.

Leda used to be Lelia, beloved daughter of a Roman senator. Exiled from the riches of her birth, she sold herself into gladiatorial slavery. Donatus is determined to right the wrong he did her and reclaim his bride!

Now Leda faces the ultimate choice-- independence and the danger of the arena, or an uncertain future with the man she once adored...

6. Vote for Love by Anita Bunkley 

Media coach Trina Powers loves grooming high-profile clients for superstardom. Signing businessman-turned-politician Dwayne Hunter could really launch her agency into the big time. But Dwayne is giving her a run for her money. The arrogant, charismatic candidate for Texas state senate acts like he doesn't need anyone! Trina knows she's got to soften his harsh edges. She also knows she's playing a dangerous game...especially when Dwayne unleashes his potent blend of take-charge masculinity and tender sensuality.

Dwayne learned about love the hard way and isn't ready to trust another woman. But Trina's not just any woman. With her by his side, he knows he could go far--on and off the campaign trail. But mixing politics and passion could derail his career...especially when the power plays--and scandals--start flying. Now a secret in Trina's past is casting the ballot against them. Unless Dwayne can wage a new campaign: to vote her in as his running mate for life.

7. Extreme Exposure  by Pamela Clare

Sparks fly when a hardboiled reporter meets a handsome senator. But a political scandal—and attempts on her life—could drive them apart. Or maybe adversity could draw them into a bond even more intense than their steamy sexual embraces.

8. Shocking the Senator by Leanne Banks

Nicola Granville was an independent woman. But it was as Abe Danforth's campaign manager that she achieved ultimate success--and ultimate pleasure. For months her affair with the aspiring senator was conducted in secret, their professional courtesy by day giving way to intimate embraces by night. Until she took a home pregnancy test...

Abe Danforth always got what he wanted--and he wanted Nicola. Except he couldn't understand why she was pushing him away. Abe was ready to go public with his feelings, but Nicola's sudden mood swings were mystifying. Was it another man? Or was it something that only nine months and a proposal would solve?

9. White Diamonds  by Shirley Hailstock

10. Against the Odds  by Kathryn Shay

Veteran teacher Kathryn Shay knows teenagers and puts that knowledge in a series about successful women who were once troubled teens.

Rescued as a teenager from an abusive household, Anabelle Crane loved the time she spent at Serenity House. But when she’s hired to become a nanny to wealthy Congressman Nathan Hyde’s daughter, she finds a different kind of love. She comes to care deeply for her charge and, though she fights it, she falls for the handsome and powerful Congressman himself. But when he reveals he’s in love with her too, passion explodes. Their relationship ends bitterly. Fifteen years later, Anabelle has become a cop who stands for the rights of others. It’s when she’s wounded and returns home that she meets up with Nathan again—after she heals, she becomes his bodyguard while he's being stalked! This time, can they stop their inconvenient and, now, dangerous feelings for each other?

Let me know your favorite! To vote (get it vote) for the best of the best, go to my Goodreads list: The Hill! Congressional Heroes and Heroines in Romance Novels.