There are two things you can bank on when you pick up a Blaze. There are going to be rocking love scenes 
and there are going to be romantic moments 
. One of the standards of romantic gestures are flowers and/or a candlelit dinner.
However, because I can be sort of contrary on occasion 
and seometimes like to veer from the norm 
I love to toss in romantic gestures in my books that have nothing to do with candles or chocolate (though I’m very fond of eating chocolate while writing) or flowers.
In one book the heroine is sobbing, with good reason, and the hero isn’t sure how to comfort her so he goes and gets a cold wet washcloth for her and blots her face. Imo, it was tender and achingly romantic…and led to one of those rocking love scenes.
In another book, the hero takes the heroine to the place he wants to build his house. He’s a very private person and this isn’t something he shares with people normally. It was romantic and once again, led to one of those love scenes. (Are you noticing a pattern — those romantic moments are usually followed by one of those love scenes? 
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For me, romantic gestures are more than just showing up with flowers — although there’s nothing wrong with flowers, by any means — but the real romantic gestures are those where the hero does something that really meets a need for the heroine or makes himself vulnerable to her. And what’s considered romantic by one person isn’t necesssarily considered romantic by another.
So, what hits your romantic gesture barometer? What’s the most romantic thing anyone’s ever done for you? (And…uh…we don’t need to know about the rocking love scene that might have followed 
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Ooooh, I’ve been known to melt over an unexpected candy bar my husband picked up at the convenience store on his way home from work LOL. I’m so easy (commenting on the romance angle, not the afterward
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I do love the flower moments, but I think its those unexpected, just pure romantically sweet gestures that really get to me.
I’m with you guys on liking the small moments most. For us it’s things like maybe sending a romantic email kiss when he’s out of town, or the like. There are a lot of moments in everyday life that all add up to romance I think, and some of what makes them romantic is that it’s just between dh and me, so I suppose I’ll leave it that way. *G*
Sam
I’m with you girls. It’s the small things. Like when my hubs does one of my chores or he comes home with flowers knowing I was feeling worried. Or when it snows I wake up to find he’s already brushed off my car before he left and then calls me at work to make sure I got there okay. Stuff like that.
Tawny, Sam, and Liz, I think y’all nailed it. It’s not the grandiose gestures that are so romantic as it is the small stuff.
You know whats romantic. When he picks up his laundry without being asked. Or gives up the last piece of pizza without a fight. That’s romance. Maybe thats why I read romance novels. Or whats really romantic, when he thinks ahead and plans because he knows you will be tired later. Thats what is truly romantic.
Alix, I second that. Those are the things that strike me, as well. I think it’s all about the stopping to think and thoughtfulness.
The most romantic moments are when he makes me laugh, especially when a laugh is most welcome. I tend to remember the times where I was particularly upset about something– sometimes even at him– and he’ll do or say something that cuts right past all the mad or worry and straight to a guffaw. I’m always so darn grateful for that. I guess that goes under the category of really understanding what I need!
Great question, Jen! I’m actually the least romantic person on the planet, at least in terms of the “traditional” romantic gestures. Flowers make me uncomfortable, I don’t wear jewelry, and I can’t eat too many sweets because I’m prone to cavities LOL! To me, romantic gestures don’t need to be grand or mushy.
The most romantic thing my boyfriend ever did for me–we were at a bookstore and I was staring longingly at Jean M. Auel’s latest earth children installment (Shelters of Stone) but it cost like 50 bucks and I couldn’t afford it at the moment. So I said goodbye to the book and we left the store. So we’re sitting in the food court, and he goes to the bathroom. Only he’s gone for like 15 minutes, then comes back and hands me the book! He went back and bought it, which was like the sweetest thing ever. Yep, to me romance = a book LOL!