Queen of Hearts

February is the month that really brings out the romantics. With Valentine's Day right around the corner, it's the perfect month to curl up in your room with a good romance novel. Here's a list of romance authors who are known for their ability to stir up emotions and weave tales full of passion, desire and steamy conflicts.

Jennifer Greene

Jill Allison Hart, known to many as Jennifer Greene, has been known for her romance writing. She has written numerous romance books and was also inducted into the Romance Writers of America's Hall of Fame. Her books are great in terms of plot, and with books such as Madam's Room, Foolish Pleasure and Slow Dance, Greene sure knows how to create the ideal love story.

Judith McNaught

Judith McNaught is a force to be reckoned with in the romance genre. She has been writing both contemporary and historical romance novels since 1985. McNaught has gained recognition by many and has picked up a few RITA awards as well. She is even recognized as being one of the first romance authors to receive a multi-million dollar contract and have her novels published in hardcover. One of her standout novels is the book Paradise, which is a part of her Paradise series. McNaught, now 66 years old, has not shown signs of slowing down. With the fifth book in the Paradise series expecting release in early 2012, romance fans won't expect this veteran to slow down any time soon.

Nora Roberts

Nora Roberts is very well known to the romance audience. With more than 200 romance novels published, she is no amateur at writing. She has won several RITA awards, the highest honor for a romance author, and was inducted into the Romance Writers of America's Hall of Fame. Many of her books have made appearances as Lifetime movies, such as Northern Lights, Midnight Bayou and Angels Fall. Roberts has definitely owned her craft, and with books such as Birthright and Blue Smoke she clearly knows how to make memorable characters that readers can relate to and enjoy.