Top Ten Tuesday - 15 February 2011

Top Ten Tuesday is an weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish where a new Top Ten list is posted every week to be completed by fellow bloggers. All you have to do is link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND post a comment on the post with a link to your Top Ten Tuesday post.

This week's topic is definitely close to my heart as I am a shameless hopeless romantic. Unfortunately I also have  a serious addiction to the paranormal and because of that many of the books you see on my list will include popular YA fiction, paranormal romance and urban fantasy.  Let's say that they are not so much romance books that I am picking but a romance between two people in paranormal packaging (that's a romance story right?).  So here is my sickly sweet list filled with all my favourite love stories (which is an odd mixture of old and new).  Happy Tuesday everyone!

1.  Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

This is the quintessential romance story of all time and I cannot see how it cannot be on everyone's list.  I have not reread this in some time, but I still remember how I loved every moment of it.  The romantic play between the characters in this book is like a dance.

2.  Dark Lover by J.R. Ward (and just about all of the BDB books)

When I read these stories I was really just blown away.  I enjoy a love story where there is some friction between the intended lovers at the beginning just so much more.  Every brother found a happy ending in a way that changed them so profoundly.  And that is of course the ideal isn't it? That that special person makes you want to be better than you are.  I am (im)patiently awaiting to read more of this series!

3. Twiligth by Stephenie Meyer (or shall I say the Twilight series?)

Yes, yes... Crucify me if you must, but I am a proud Twilight fan.  I know a lot of readers detest Twilight for it's soppy love triangle, Bella's weaknesses and the romantic take on Vamps, but really I just loved the story and I thought it was really sad and lovely at times. 

4.  The Night Huntress Series by Jeaniene Frost

Cat and Bones are just the most endearing pair I have come across.  Their relationship is mostly mature and I really just fell in love with Bones because he is such a bad boy but yet so gentle with Cat. Let's be honest... The picture that is painted of Bones is just irresistible.

5. Dorina Bassarab Series by Karen Chance

 Dory and Louis-Cesare's romance is very rocky and sometimes non-existent but I just found the sparks flying of of these two quite infectious.  Although there is not a lot of evident romance in the first two books, it is very clear that Dory and Louis-Cesare are very much in love with one another.  And Louis-Cesare is simply to die for.  He can easily give me some very unrealistic expectations in men.

6.  Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead

It would just not be possible to leave out Rose and Dimitri's epic love in the Vampire Academy Series.  The books in this series drew tears from me a few times and at some points I wanted to kill both Dimitri and Rose and be done with it.  But the ending to their story was so perfect that I could not have asked for anything better and it really reminds one that we read fiction because more often than not, everything ends like it should.  Rose and Dimitri's story will stay with me for almost forever.

7.  Vampire Diaries Series by L.J.Smith

Now what would a list of romance stories be without the undying love (and undying triangle) between Elena, Stefan and Damon.  The verdict is still out on the series as a whole but I do enjoy the love story between Stefan & Elena which seems to overcome all obstacles including death and dimensions. 

8.  The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare

Hmmm... do I need to say anything about the love story between Clary and Jace.  It certainly held a few heart attacks and angst and I had thrown in the towel on them for a while there. But lo and behold, happily ever after... Or so I think! Will have to wait and see I guess.

9. Bridget Jones' Diary by Helen Fielding

Okay I'm technically not referring to the books because I haven't read them, but seeing as others have cheated some and included movies based on books, I am following suit.  I cannot get enough of the dynamic between Arsy Darcy and Bridget! The humour and mishaps in their relationship just leaves you feeling happy and I watch these movies at least twice a month to give me that glowy feeling! 

10.  P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern

Once again a bit of cheating here... but I just couldn't leave it out! This story made me cry for days on end at the injustice of loving someone so much that it causes physical pain but death (in the real world) cannot be reversed.  Doesn't it just break your heart that whilst Gerry was dying he was making plans to help Holly over such a profound loss and to heal her heart so that she could love again.  *sob* *sob* See there I go again! We all just want to be loved that way, don't we?

Okay now that I'm feeling in the mood to curl up in bed with a good romance I will have to try and force myself to get through the rest of this working day!! Looking forward to seeing all of your Top Ten List!