A very long time ago, I thought it would be fun to use “planes, trains, and automobiles” as the theme for sexy romance – because isn’t travel both sexy and romantic? (Okay, not all the time, but it always has that potential, and isn’t that what we all secretly wish for?)

That idea eventually grew into my Wild Ride to Love series, about three older sisters coming back to Vancouver from all around the world for their baby sister’s wedding.

In book 1, Sex Drive, when buttoned-up prof Theresa Fallon flies home from Sydney (via Honolulu), her seatmate just happens to be one of Australia’s 10 sexiest bachelors. And does Damien ever have inventive ways of loosening Theresa up and making those miles fly by! I was thrilled when Cosmo picked Sex Drive as its Red-Hot Read for May 2010.

In book 2, Love, Unexpectedly, it’s Kat’s turn, returning from Montreal by trains. Though she’s outgoing and popular, Kat has never found that one special guy. Her neighbour Nav, who’s madly in love with her, figures she’s just not looking in the right place – and if he plays “stranger on a train,” he’ll make her see him differently. To quote Publishers Weekly, “Fox takes readers on a wild train ride where passions flare and identities are mistaken in this emotionally compelling, sexy contemporary romance.”

In just a couple of weeks (January 25, to be exact), it will be Jenna’s turn, in His, Unexpectedly.

Jenna Fallon avoids commitment of any sort and prides herself on being a free spirit. So when her car breaks down en route from California to Vancouver, what could be more fun than to hitch a ride with a sexy stranger? She’ll show him one wild road trip.

Globe-trotting marine biologist Mark Chambers sure isn’t about to say no. Jenna bewitches and bedazzles him as they make their way up the Pacific Coast, camping, skinny dipping, and having scorching hot sex. But she bothers him, too. For the first time in his life, he wants commitment – and it’s with a woman who shuns the concept.

Can Jenna overcome deep-seated insecurity and believe what her heart tells her – that this wild ride has an unexpected and very special destination: love?

I’m thrilled to bits that Publishers Weekly gave His, Unexpectedly a starred review. They say, “Fox delivers a contemporary love story sure to make readers go weak in the knees… Well-crafted story lines and richly observed characters bolster a strong erotic element in this delightful, memorable romance.”

There will be a fourth book in the series, because my initial concept somehow grew into “planes, trains, automobiles, and a cruise ship.” (Those characters: they just take things over, don’t they?) Merilee’s story is tentatively slated for December 2011.

Writing the series has made me reflect on the pros and cons of different kinds of travel. My personal favorite is automobile. I like to be able to stop where I want – to get out and stretch, go for a walk, take pictures, have a snack. Mind you, I’d just as soon someone else did the driving, because I’d much rather watch the scenery than pay attention to traffic.

How about you? What’s your favorite kind of travel, and do you have any romantic (or sexy!) travel stories to share?