MUSHY OR NON-MUSHY?

 

from Mary

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

I planned to review some mysteries with great lovey-dovey romantic story lines. So I'm going through the titles of recent reads, and I'm scrolling ...

... and I'm scrolling .... hmm ...... scroll ... Dang, what is wrong with me ... 

But then I realized that, when it comes to romance in books, it's not the overt lovey-dovey I want. What I like is a REAL romance, that is, the interesting relationship that goes through a fire or two and becomes love. The wind-swept loosely-corseted maid who, upon meeting the young Duke, says, "A pleasure to ...," then jumps in his arms and puts her lips to his and says, "... meet you," just doesn't do anything for me.

 

A few examples of favorites:

 

 

 

Odd choice? Not at all. Odd's love for his girlfriend, Stormy, is central to everything in this book and the whole series. What makes it so compelling to me is that they are so very young, but both certain they have found their soul-mates.

 

 

One of my favorites series, the solid relationship between Holmes and Russell is what keeps me coming back. And the writing. And the great adventures. As I've probably said before, this is Sherlock Holmes as he really is.

 

Now, when it comes to movies, I like the mushier stuff.

 

 

Love LOVE ACTUALLY! What great romantic scenes. Could there be anything better than the guy in love with Keira Knightley, pretending to be a Christmas caroler and confessing his undying devotion with handwritten signs?

 

Or Colin Firth watching his maid strip to her undies and dive into the water to save his manuscript? Going to the restaurant and proposing so beautifully in despicable Italian? Ahhhhh .... great stuff. And Hugh Grant is so funny.

 

And then there's NOTTING HILL and Julia Roberts' teary mushy semi-proposal to Hugh Grant. <boo-hoo-hoo sniff> Which reminds me of TWO WEEKS NOTICE, where Sandra Bullock and her boss, Hugh Grant have a rocky but hilarious relationship. Uh-oh, I'm sensing a pattern here.

 

With books, there's one kind of romance category that I do love, the kinda magical romantic fantasy. More specifically, those in which the romance is fated. I'm thinking of Sarah Addison Allen's books and others where the protagonist and her soul mate are brought together through some kind of magical force.

 

 

My current read is one of those, a new book by Kathryn Magendie called THE LIGHTNING CHARMER, and boy is it a good one.

 

 

Oh my goodness, this book has everything I love. It's about a young woman who grew up in the mountains of North Carolina. Laura has been living in New York City for years, is in a relationship, and though her life seems to be going well outwardly, inside something is calling her back to the mountains.

Laura's voice is beautifully, quirkily written. Her joy of the woods is so real and expressive. And the other biggie for me - Cherokee legend is central to the story and the magical woo-woo stuff. Which, if you've read my THISTLE & TWIGG books, you know I love deeply.

This is the first book by Magendie I've read so I'm still high on discovering this new favorite author. Will definitely read her other books.

 

So what are your favorite romantic books or movies? Do you like all kinds or do you have specific types like me that you particularly like? Oh gosh, I've just remembered Olivier/Heathcliff.

 

 

Sighhhhhhh. 

 

 

Comments

[Hank Phillippi Ryan]

Sigh is right. Love, Actually, is the best ever.

And i am distressed about Winter's Tale, the movie. The book is spectacular--one of my top two. One of the best love stories ever. Apparently, according to the Times, forget about the movie. Read the book. And then let me know what you think.

[krisneri]

Great suggestions, Mary! I also adore LOVE ACTUALLY. My other favorite love movie has to be MOONSTRUCK, probably because it involves such a quirky love affair. I also enjoy reading Sarah Addison Allen's books, and I had the good fortune recently to read the ARC of her next book, LOST LAKE. I think you'll enjoy it.