Top 3 Fun Book Romances (Julie)

It's cold and dreary here across the sea. So when it's rainy and down right blah outside, I love cuddling up under a blanket with a good book or movie, or sometimes both. Whatever it is, I try and find something with a cute romance story. I've even been known to watch the last minute or so of a movie to make sure it has a happy ending before I commit myself! Needless to say, I love a good romance.

Speaking of romance, Valentine's Day is coming up in a few weeks, a perfect time to reflect on those favorite romantic movies and books. In honor of the love month, I've come up with 3 favorite book romances.

Before I begin, my all time favorite, and maybe many of yours as well, is Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice.  It's hard to beat that romance! But for my list, I decided to branch out and look for other favorite stories that may not be so well known.

1) Fairest by Gail Carson Levine. Really, I love most all her books because they are full of fun magic and sweet romances, but I think Fairest is by far my favorite.

Butterflies: The romance wasn't the smitten at first sight because of their beauty type. The prince falls in love with her because of who she is, not what she looks like. Aza is an different heroine because she isn't pretty or graceful or shapely; yet, in time, the prince falls in love with her. Her charm is her character, and she does have a beautiful singing voice.

2) The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman. One of my all-time favorite books about a museum filled with the magical items from the Grimm Brother's stories.

Butterflies: I love books where the love-interests don't get along at first. They bicker or don't trust one another, but all the while there's that undeniable attraction that comes to the surface when they finally realize they're both good people. That's what happens in this story. Elizabeth doesn't trust Aaron, and vice versa, for a big chunk of the book. Then they have to start working together to solve the mystery, and of course, realize the other isn't so bad after all.

3) Piggy backing off #2, I have to say that I love Karen Witemeyer's books. One favorite in particular is A Tailor-Made Bride, a historical romance about a dressmaker who butts head with the local livery owner.

Butterflies: Hannah is an independent lady who opens a dressmaking shop, much to the dismay of Jericho, who doesn't like dressmakers. This is your more typical romance story betw
een a beautiful lady and a strong, handsome guy, but it's very well done. Though they dislike each other at first, they can't help but see the good in each other that goes beyond external appearances. I enjoy the love-hate relationship that turns into a sweet, butterflies romance.

What about you? What books give you butterflies?

Top 3 Fun First Lines (Julie)

I don’t know about any of you, but I have three plans for the holidays-relaxing, writing, and reading. To accomplish two of my plans, last night I was skimming through all my books on Kindle looking for one to read while I put on an old movie and then snuggle under a warm blanket to read and semi-watch the movie. I tend to buy a lot of the free Kindle books, but sometimes after reading the first sentence or paragraph, I stop and find something else. The first sentence is huge for any novel and can make or break it. So I decided to go through my stash and find the most fun first lines, but I’m narrowing it down to only fantasy for this list.  

Number One:

“Lizzie Hearts, the Princess of Hearts, daughter of the Queen of Hearts, heir to the throne of Wonderland’s Card Castle, captain of the Ever After High Croquet Team, and hedgehog enthusiast, was holding a knife.” From Ever After High: A Wonderlandiful World by Shannon Hale.

This book was a fun read from the very beginning. What really got me was the “hedgehog enthusiast” bit. Makes you quirk your eyebrows and wonder what kind of a girl would be so interested in hedgehogs? When reading the first line, I pictured someone dainty who plays croquet, not exactly a robust sport, but then we find she is holding a knife! I’ll give a little spoiler if you’ve never read it...she’s only holding a butter knife;)

Number Two:

“My mother named me after a cow’s rear end.” From Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff.

This first line certainly captured my attention. I love the humor in it and voice that comes out in the very beginning.

Number Three: (I’ve kinda cheated on this one because I’m including the first three, very short sentences)

“I was born singing. Most babies cry. I sang an aria.” From Fairest by Gail Carson Levine.

A baby singing an aria? I guess that beats high pitched crying! Gail Carson Levine is one of my favorite authors, who you might know from writing Ella Enchanted.  Fairest is a great book about a girl who believes herself to be ugly but has a beautiful voice. There’s also an interesting twist about her heritage that any fairy tale lover should enjoy.

What about you? Do you have any fun, lighthearted favorite first lines to share?

Top 3 Villains (Elizabeth)

Villains are so much fun, especially when you have a reason to like them, or at least be sympathetic towards them. So, here are my top 3:

3. Gaston

If I had to describe him in a word, it’d be somewhere between conceited and narcissistic. His vanity is absolutely hilarious. Though he’s good for laughs, he falls rather flat, which is why he’s at the bottom of my favorites list.

Belle: Gaston, you are positively primeval.

Gaston: Why thank you, Belle. What would you say if you and I took a walk over to the tavern and took a look at my trophies?

Belle: Maybe some other time.

Gaston: Lefou, I'm afraid I've been thinking...

Lefou: A dangerous pastime?

Gaston: I know.

Gaston: [singing] Here in town there's only she, who is beautiful as me, so I'm making plans to woo and marry Belle.

Gaston, Lefou: No one plots like Gaston.

Gaston: Takes cheap shots like Gaston.

Lefou: Plans to persecute harmless crackpots like Gaston!

Gaston: It's not right for a woman to read. Soon she starts getting ideas, and thinking…

Gaston: I'd like to thank you all for coming to my wedding. But first I'd better go in there and propose to the girl.

Like I said, shallow but hilarious. I couldn’t help but include him ;)

2. Levana

You won’t truly be able to understand Levana until you read Fairest by Marissa Meyers. I was reluctant to read this, but there weren’t any more Lunar Chronicle books coming out for a while, so I figured I’d try it. You can’t help but feel a little sympathetic towards her after seeing what her life was like.

1. Boba Fett

He is my favorite Star Wars character. There’s a series about him as a kid, starting with The Fight to Survive by Terry Bisson and the ones later in the series are by Elizabeth Hand. Boba is noble and honorable. You’ll see him striving as a 10-year-old boy to follow in his father’s footsteps, while fending for himself in a vast galaxy filled with deceit and danger. He’s is the epicest (I know that's not a word--but it should be) Star Wars character ever!

Alright, I’ve shown you my favorite villains. Now it’s your turn. Who are your favorite villains and why?

Thank you for reading!

-Elizabeth

Attributions

Gaston: http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/File:Beauty-and-the-beast-disneyscreencaps.com-541.jpg

Levana: http://lunarchronicles.wikia.com/wiki/File:Fairest_Cover.jpeg

Boba Fett: By Richie S from Brooklyn, NY, United States (New York Comic Con 2014 - Boba Fett) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons