Racy Romance Novels See Rebirth On Kindle and Nook

Call it a match made in literary heaven: E-readers and the romance novel. They have fallen in love. It's a Romance Renaissance.

Romance is the fastest growing segment of e-reading, ahead of other categories such as mystery, general fiction, and science fiction.

The reason, according to one industry expert, is simple. It kind of goes back to some of our basic human nature: the quest for romance and escape," said Kelly Gallagher. He is the vice-president of publishing services at Bowker, a research organization for the publishing industry. "You want to pick it up and find out who that Fabio-looking character is and what he does."

The appetite for romance is so big, publishers are racing to meet readers' demand. "Last year, we estimated that the e-book market compromised 9 to 12 percent of most general trade publishing houses," Gallagher said. "It continues to grow; it's got a shot to close to doubling this year."

The allure to some racy romance novels is the cover with the hunky guy and gorgeous lovelorn woman. With the Nook or Kindle, not everyone has to see what you are reading. "It does allow the veil of secrecy," said romance author Michelle Monkou. "If [readers] are embarrassed on the commute to work or something," she said, people can think you're reading some important non-fiction.

Readers of romance are mostly women who are in their 30s and 40s and in a relationship. However, 10% of the market is made up of men.  Source:  WUSA/CNN)