Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme where every Tuesday we look at a particular topic for discussion and use various (or more to the point ten) bookish examples to demonstrate that particular topic.  Top Ten Tuesday (created and hosted by  The Broke and Bookish) is now being hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl and future week’s topics can be found here.  This week’s topic is:

A love freebie

My love freebie is going to be a tag that I’ve put together for the month of February (the month of romance) with ten prompts:

1.

The shortest month of the year – A short story or novella that you would like everyone to know about

My first book is a lovely novella called Snowspelled (the first in the Harwood Spellbook series) by Stephanie Burgis.  A book that feels positively Austen(ish) with magic, elves and a nugget of a romance.

2.

Valentine’s Day – your favourite romance novel

I was torn with this one.  Strictly speaking I don’t read romance novels – which isn’t to say that I don’t read books where romances play a part – but, I have read a few romances over the course of my reading life and I definitely had a few contenders for this one but I’ve gone for a book that definitely has longevity.  The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.  Jamie and Claire make for some very entertaining reading.

3.

Leap Year – ‘One Ring to Rule Them All’ – the year for proposing.  A book with your favourite couple

Again, quite a few favourite couples for this one but I’ve decided to go with another couple from a series with longevity and that have definitely been put through the wringer.  Adam and Mercy from the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs.  I’m loving this series and I’m always anxious to return.

4.

Romeo – Could be a book boyfriend, could be your favourite male character

I have only one book boyfriend.  I’m ridiculously faithful in this respect.  My book boyfriend is Jean Tannen – best buddy to Locke Lamora (The Gentleman Bastard series by Scott Lynch.  I don’t know what it is about this character that appeals to me but I just like him – and I can’t wait for the next instalment so that I can read some more of these two maniacsm shenanigans.

5.

Juliet – Could be a book girlfriend, could be your favourite female character

I thought to go with a longish series for this one such as the Toby Daye books or True Blood series but then I was scanning through my lists and realised that I loved the character Vasilisa from Katherine Arden’s Winternight Trilogy.  This is such a beautiful series of books that I highly recommend.

6.

Love Triangle – love it or hate it

Well, the first love triangle that popped into my head was the one between Bella, Edward and Jacob from Stephanie Meyers Twilight.  Love it or hate it this is a book that really divided opinion.  And, for a long time we had a lot of vampire stories flooding the market – not to mention a surge in love triangles.  I can’t say I really enjoyed the relationship(s) between these three and I can’t deny it put me off the whole idea of love triangles.

7.

Enemies to lovers

Well, for this prompt I thought I’d go with a well tried, often (for me) reread classic.  Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.  I love this book and watching the change between Ms Bennet and Mr Darcy as they get over themselves and finally come to terms with the fact that they’re inexplicably in love – especially given the way Darcy originally proposed:

‘In vain I have struggled. It will not do! My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. In declaring myself thus I’m fully aware that I will be going expressly against the wishes of my family, my friends, and, I hardly need add, my own better judgement.

The relative situation of our families is such that any alliance between us must be regarded as a highly reprehensible connection’ – not exactly rocking the romance vibe is he.

8.

Sweet like chocolate – a book that is positively delicious

I’m going to go for the Strawberry Thief by Joanne Harris.  This is in fact the fourth in the Chocolat series but I think you could quite safely read this as a standalone.  It’s an absolutely beautiful story, amazing writing, great characters and oozing with emotion.  And chocolate.

9.

A Rose By Any Other Name – a book with a romance that you didn’t expect

The Bone Shard Emperor by Andrea Stewart.  This is the second book in the Drowning Empire series and I’m loving it.  The romance between two of the main characters is only just beginning to bloom and it isn’t the main focus of the story by a long shot but it’s got a lovely slow burn feel to it.  This is a story set in an absolutely fascinating world.  The magic and creatures are incredibly unique and the characters are really well drawn.

10.

A book that broke your heart

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell.  Well, it didn’t break my heart really but when I read this I was only about 15 and I so wanted the happy ending.  Famous last lines notwithstanding at the end of this I just simply didn’t have the gumption to write my own happily ever after in my head.  Ahh, how I loved this book though.

I’m not going to tag anyone in particular but if you fancy having a go at my Romance or February Tag then I’d love to read your choices.