Saturday, February 12, 2011

Love is in the Air!

Love is in the air
In the whisper of the trees
Love is in the air
In the thunder of the seas....
John Paul Young

Ah, love. Love seems to be all around. Valentine's Day seems to bring out the romantic side in everyone, especially with a romance novel.
I asked several folks "What's your favorite romance novel?" I won't even begin to go into what the men said, let's just say romance seems not to be their reading forte.

Here are just a few of my favorite romances to cozy up with~~~

Julie and Romeo by Jeanne Ray
Laugh out loud funny. Long time family feud comes to a head when rival florists fall in love. Seems even in your sixties families try and tell you how to live your life and what you should and shouldn't do~~with hilarious results. Great reminder that love (and sex) have no age limits.


The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen Woodiwiss
Terrific tale of war, love and conquest of England during the Dark Ages between a Saxon princess and a Normans.  warrior. This is a good one to lose yourself in, it has it all: a little history, fantasy and romance.
**Another good one by Woodiwiss, The Flame and the Flower~~Historical romance set in the early American colonies.

Nicholas Sparks seems to have become the most prolific romance writer of the last decade. It was hard to narrow it down but here are some that are recommended;

**When you read Sparks, keep tissues handy.

A Walk to Remember
It's 1958 in Beaufort, North Carolina.  When Landon, one of the most popular boys in school gets involved with Jamie,  the nicest girl in school. Everybody wonders why, including Landon. Falling in love doesn't need reasons, nor does it need an age. It happens.

Nights in Rodanthe
When you get a second chance at love, do you take it? Or do you run away from it, afraid you might get hurt? Paul and Adrienne come together in Rodanthe, North Carolina, during a hurricane, and share a lifetime in one weekend that sets in motion feelings....I always like a book that proves love can happen anytime in life. (Besides, the movie has Richard Gere in it~~)

The Notebook
This book begins in 1932, it's set in New Bern, North Carolina. Allie and Noah spend a wonderful summer together even though they come from different "caste" systems of the South. Fourteen years later, when Noah returns from WWII, they meet again. Does time heal all wounds? Being older, are they wiser?

The Princess Bride by William Goldman
I will admit to this being one of my personal favorites. Classic tale of love, rousing adventure, fantasy and full of laugh out loud humor. This was made into one of my all time favorite movies. Treat yourself to this delightful book and the movie, laugh out loud and enjoy a true romance. 


Lady of the Forest by Jennifer Roberson
It's 12th-century England, Lady Marion and Robin Hood meet, and as they say, the rest is history. The gang's all here, Friar Tuck, Alan a'Dale, Will Scarlet and Little John, along with wicked Prince John and his band of slimy men. Falling in love and sword fights just don't get any better. Roberson writes some of the best romantic historical fiction.

The Last Valentine by James Michael Pratt
Caroline Thomas husband left February 14, 1944 from Union Station, Los Angeles to head for the Pacific. He never returned, he was listed as MIA....yet Caroline returns to Union Station every year on their anniversary, until she finally gets closure..... and her last Valentine. (This was recently a TV movie starring Betty White...who was wonderful in it!)









Here are some other romance authors to check out.....

Paranormal romance?
Karen Marie Moning~~ Highlander series
Lyndsey Sands~~ Argeneau series
Christine Feehan~~Dark Prince series
 Diana Gabaldon~~Outlander series
Charlaine Harris~~Sooki Stackhouse series


Modern Day?

Jennifer Cruise
Richard Paul Evans
Jennifer Weiner
Carly Phillips
Nora Roberts
Sandra Brown
Marion Keys
Anne River Siddons
Janet Evanovich
Kathleen Eagle
                         Diane Mott Davidson

Historical Romance?

Johanna Lindsey
Eugenia Price
Rosalind Laker
Philippa Gregory
Beatrice Small
Sharon Kay Penman
I say, lose yourself in a little romance with any one of these books or authors~~I know a man in a kilt sends me.
Wishing you a Happy Valentine's Day !
Happy Reading!

2 comments:

le0pard13 said...

Fine list of books (and movies) to shoot for in a Valentine's Day splurge, Bev. I noted that you mentioned that The Princess Bride was a personal favorite. Rachel and I did a joint post on it last year, if you're interested. Thanks, Bev.

Bev said...

I am going to check out your post. The book and the movie, Princess Bride, just make me smile.

Thanks, as always, for popping by.