Han Solo, Michael Corleone, Maximus, Rhett Butler and even Batman . . . Bad Boys are the difficult and morally complex men that women love in books and movies.

Emotionally distant or brutal, demanding and dishonest, uncompromising and sexually adept, these men demand a great deal from the women who love them. In fact, in romance novels, they often demand a great deal from women who don't know them at all.

What on earth makes women flock to bad boy romances? What makes women love Lestat and Captain Jack Sparrow when better men go wanting?

Strength & Self-Knowledge is Sexy

The thing is, bad men know they are bad. At least the interesting ones do. They are honest with themselves (and their women) about what they want . They have no problem taking steps to get what they want, They certaining don't wait for permission to act. They are absolutely willing to take what they want if required.

The truth is, that's kind of an attractive trait in a man . . . because its attractive in anyone. The world is filled with people who won't admit to themselves what they want. Bad Boys never have that problem.

Fearless is Cool

Bad Boys may be brutal, evil, angry, violent and a hundred other things, but they generally are not afraid. Why should they be? They are the kind of men other people fear.

In a romance novel, where bad behavior rarely results in trully horrible outcomes, bad boys look like winners. In a fearful world Bad Boys are magnets that attract people who are very tired of being afraid. Who doesn't love a strong men who is determined to win every battle?

In Romance Novels There Are No Consequences

In a romance novel a bad boy can whack the heads off lots of people and never go to jail. He can abduct a woman and not find himself in prison for a decade or two. He can take a ship on the high seas and sail away with plunder. In the real world that kind of thing rarely goes well.

Bad Boys Are Models For us All

I think women read Bad Boy romances cause we are are generally sick of being "good" most of the time. I know so many women who care for children, parents, husbands and even co-workers. I know how love and economics often seem to drive us away from attending to our own need for passion and adventure.

I think a good Bad Boy romance reminds us that, like the virtual men we love, we too can put ourselves first. We too can be strong. We may live in a world of consequences, but we can admit to ourselves (at least) what we want and what would make us happy.

For men mystified by Bad Boy Romance addictions, remember that women have a sense of adventure, a desire for passion, a lustful nature and a desire to be honest. When you become a "bad boy" if only for a little while, you give us permission to become something other than the "good little girl" you married. You'll never know just how much of a vacation that can be . . .