As for D. Gabaldon, to me she is a good writer. So I get pissed when romance writing is put down. It seems to me to be just another manifestation of an anti-woman bias that goes across the art forms. When we, women, share our perceptions, sensitivities, it is universally seen by the male dominated judgment givers as lesser, softer, not as rigorous, not important. I feel it is important for women's voices to be heard.
Men benefit directly from women being given words to think about their sexuality.
Consequently, my lust was rather pale and unformed. A large debit for me and my spouse. As a sculptor, I once made a piece of The Two Eves. The piece sums up what I feel about the male criticism of women's sensibilities. I don't put it in my mouth.