The eyes have it.

In romance lit, we get to wax poetic about all sorts of interesting body parts. If we write erotic, even more so. To me, one of the most enjoyable aspects of writing romance is the moment when I get to describe the hero through the heroine's eyes for the first time. It's also probably one of my most enjoyable things to read. There's nothing like a sexy description to spark an image in one's mind.

Of course, one could go crazy creating descriptions to entice a reader. One could mention bulging muscles, knowing smiles and, ahem, other parts.

However, for me, I think the most exciting descriptions are about a man's eyes. Certainly this is something I try to bring to my writing. We all know the old "windows to the soul" adage, and it really is true. Amazing things can be expressed in a hooded glance, a quick series of blinks or a wistful gaze.

I recall so many readers asking me for Mack Kirk's story in my Orkney Selkies series. This flabbergasted me because my only description of Mack at the time was "a man with black hair and blacker eyes." Not really a detailed description, but it must have gotten some wheels turning. And I suppose the sexy cover got a few other gears in motion afterward!

With a few short words, so much can be conveyed. And when it comes to facial expression, I find I don't like to have a lot of fussy detail anyway. As a reader, my imagination will fill in the rest. I just need a couple of key words to kick start my imagination. Less is more, so they say.

Can you think of your favorite descriptions of a hero from romance lit? Did the eyes have it? Or was it something else that grabbed you?