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Here’s looking at you, kid.
My all-time favorite top 5 romantic movies.
1. Casablanca
What die-hard romantic has not watched this movie more than once? It has all the elements we love in a great romantic story:
- A drool-worthy, tortured, alpha-hero who never smiles…but you know, soon as he does, women worldwide will gasp after their knees buckle.
- An internally conflicted, intelligent heroine.
- Sexual tension that makes the screen fog up.
- Great dialogue (just like me, I bet a lot of you can remember most of the dialogue from the movie? Right?).
Not only women love this movie, guys love it as well, with an action filled plot in a war time setting. (Not to mention, it is a great “date movie” for people dating and for married couples. Trust me on this one *smile*)
That heart-rendering scene when Rick walks away from Isla, because he loves her so much. (Okay, he does go off into the sunset with that Laszlo dude, but that relationship has always been up for discussion – not that there’s anything wrong with that, however, in my romance plotting brain, I believe Rick walked away because he adored Isla with all his heart and soul and wanted to keep her safe. That’s why he released her and not because he had any bromance with a capital B going on with his best buddy.)
“Where I’m going, you can’t follow. What I’ve got to do, you can’t be any part of. Ilsa, I’m no good at being noble, but it doesn’t take much to see that the problems of three little people don’t amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. Someday you’ll understand that. Now, now… Here’s looking at you kid.” ~~Rick~~
2. The Way We Were
Besides sexual chemistry, what other elements make a great romance? Conflict. Conflict. Conflict. Hubbell and Katie, passionate lovers, embark on a wonderful romance, but alas, that thing that keeps a viewer rooted to their seat disrupts the chemistry between the two main characters…conflict, in the form of opposite political viewpoints and their character arcs, those damn convictions in their traits that wouldn’t give them their happy ever ending, at least not together. Pretty sure if we checked in on them years later, they’ve both moved on.
“Wouldn’t it be lovely if we were old? We’d have survived all this. Everything thing would be easy and uncomplicated; the way it was when we were young.” ~~Katie~~
3. Roman Holiday
If you’ve been following this blog, you’ll know that I am an avid Audrey Hepburn fan, so it’s no surprise that two of her movies make my list.
Roman Holiday has all the makings of one of the greatest romantic movies of all time. This movie is a heart-warming, romantic comedy. It also possesses a delightful cast of characters. A precocious, mischievous princess, who is bored out of her crown, so she decides to take a break from all the pomp and circumstance and runs away to have a holiday in Rome. She meets a handsome American who is her hero (or so she thinks).
You know us romance readers, we love a hero who isn’t who he says he is, the tough guy, whose motives are one thing, but change drastically when he falls for the heroine. The sexual tension between the two is so palpable as the viewer anxiously awaits for the Princess to marry the Pauper Reporter.
But alas, it’s not to be. Joe (the hero) redeems himself for keeping his reporter identity a secret (the cad, he was going to write an exclusive, a la tabloid style, that is, until he falls head over heels for her), and Princess Anne goes back to curtsying and her Princess duties.
The ending always has me in tears, no matter how many times I watch it and I sigh, for what could have been for these two.
“Rome, by all means, Rome. (Princess Anne stares directly at Joe). I will cherish my visit here, in memory, as long as I live.” (Tissue please!)
Side note: I’m noticing a trend here, my three top movies—the couples don’t end up together. Don’t worry, I would never do that in one of my books…or would I?
4. Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Charming, comedic, flawed and quirky characters, beautiful heroine, great looking leading man, cute fur baby (Cat), a peek inside Tiffany’s (I’m in lust with that store), New York City setting and surprising plot twists–what’s not to love about this movie?
I bet I’m not the only one who can sing “Moon River,” right? The relationship between Holly Golightly and Paul starts off as a mild simmer, each have their secrets, each have many faults and eccentricities, but in the end, their passion and feelings are stripped away and their barriers come down, and yes, we do get a happy-ever-after ending, complete with Cat and a steamy memorable kissing scene in the rain.
“I don’t want to own anything until I know I’ve found the place where me and things belong together. I’m not quite sure where that is just yet. But I know what it’s like…. It’s like Tiffany’s…. Not that I give a hoot about jewelry. Diamonds, yes. But it’s tacky to wear diamonds before you’re forty…” ~~Holly~~
5. Pride and Prejudice
Talk about sexual tension that makes you want to scream, “Kiss him all ready. Rip his clothes off!”
Love the comedy in this movie, and how the sparks fly right off the screen when the slightly uptight, and rich Mr. Darcy won’t allow himself to fall in love with Elizabeth, a woman who is considered to be in a lower class. Of course, Elizabeth gives him a run for his money as well, as she has her own prejudices against him.
It’s this mental, emotional and physical push and pull that gives viewers insight into this great relationship in the making. It’s their journey that we love and it’s their happy ever after that we applaud, once they do let go of all their pride and prejudices.
“So this is your opinion of me. Thank you for explaining so fully. Perhaps these offences might have been overlooked had not your pride been hurt by my honesty…” ~~Mr. Darcy~~
I’d love to hear about your all time favorite romantic movies.
Snippet Saturday
Today’s Snippet Saturday features author’s choice. The hero and heroine of What A Girl Wants meet up at the pool by the ocean in Hawaii, while they are both there on assignment…..or so they think they’re on assignment. Mystery and secrets surrounds their trip, their relationship and especially, concerning the heroine. I’ve chosen this snippet to give you a bit of insight into the sexual tension between the hero and heroine (Maddie and Alex).
Be sure to read to the bottom and click on the links of other authors participating in today’s snippet Saturday.
* * * *
Tall palm trees around the hotel’s ceramic-tiled pool swayed in the warm breeze. Their prongs shone a bright green against the clear powder blue sky. Potted orchids in sprays of yellow and white decorated the patio.
Alex headed to the tiki bar at the other end to try out a Mai Tai.
His eyes adjusted to the brilliant afternoon sun and he scanned the sunbathers around the pool. He took in a pair of long legs stretched out on a lounge chair. They belonged to a faceless woman under an orange beach umbrella. She swung her legs to the side of the chair and stood.
Nice.
He stopped.
The killer legs belonged to Maddie. She sauntered seductively around the pool, wearing a skimpy purple bikini. The sun reflected off her auburn hair, swinging about her creamy shoulders.
He’d known Maddie all these years, but he’d never seen her wear anything other than khakis and jeans.
She had an enticing navel, some fine curvy hips and delicate ankles.
Since when did ankles do it for him?
She was one of the prettiest babes at the resort.
Man.
Oh.
Man.
He had to curb the urge to wrap his towel around her when he noticed a few guys eyeing her. Eyeing? More like salivating. He shouldn’t judge, since he wanted to run over and tackle her himself. His admiration of her was now more than visual, so he strategically placed his magazine, letting it dangle against his lower abs.
For the first time since he’d known her, he admitted to himself she wasn’t only attractive—Holy Mother of God—she was hot.
Hmmm, Maddie thought.
The butterflies in her stomach multiplied at the sight of Alex—who had finally joined the kick-back-on-the-beach set—striding toward her. God, he looked awesome in his electric-blue shorts. They were slung low on his trim waist and came to just above his knees, showcasing his sturdy legs. He was shirtless and she admired his ripped chest with its sprinkling of dark hair. A thin line of darkness trailed down toward his pleasure region. Yowza.
Lordy, his abs could cut glass. Rock-hard, six-pack heaven.
And then there was his olive skin—inherited from his Italian mother’s side of the family—which glowed bronze under the sun’s rays. His twinkling eyes and strong, stubbled chin was a potent combination of rugged charm and sex appeal that could make even a nun renounce her vows.
He looked relaxed and ready to party. If she had her way, it would be a party for two. Sex with him, she thought, would be nothing short of incredible.
He came up to her, holding a magazine somewhat awkwardly across his body. His shoulders relaxed when she flashed him a smile.
“Maddie.”
“Hey, stud. I see your chick-magnet muscles are in great shape.” She squeezed his arm and tilted her head toward the pool, where numerous thong-clad women ogled him with interest. “Were you working all day?”
His lazy grin displayed straight white teeth. “Guilty.”
She clutched his wrist and shook it. “Loosen up.”
He pointed to their handsome, sandy brown-haired friend, lounging in a chair a few feet away. “Like Moon Doggie?”
She tossed her towel at Tim and hit him in the head. Tim tossed it back to her, keeping his eyes on the women in the pool. “He’s been busy making time with the silicone buffet.”
“Okay, I’m ready to loosen up. What’s on the agenda?”
“Let’s warm up the stools at the karaoke bar tonight.”
“On one condition.” He tapped the tip of her nose with his finger. “No sneaky attempts to pull me onto the stage to sing.”
It must have been sheer animal instinct that made her turn her head and graze the palm of his hand with her lips.
Her bones melted like an ice cube on hot cement, and she swayed.
The teasing glint in his eyes morphed to a smoldering intensity, trapping the breath in her lungs.
The sounds of laughter around the patio, and the piped in ukulele music faded away like clouds on the horizon.
She couldn’t move, couldn’t speak. She wanted to strip off her bikini and his trunks, press their bodies together and feel him buried deep inside of her.
He leaned toward her a fraction.
A thrill of anxious anticipation dusted her spine.
She trembled. Lordy, Lordy, I’m an eyelash away from his lips. I can almost taste…
Tim appeared behind Alex and slapped his back. “You springing for a steak dinner for us?”
Alex recovered his composure first and stepped back.
She wanted to smack Tim upside the head.
A cool breeze wafted in from the ocean, sending a shiver from the tips of her pink-painted toes to the top of her head.
Alex wrapped his towel around her shoulders. “You’re cold.”
Still weak with desire, she managed a tremulous smile. “Too much sun for the first day.” She scooped up her beach bag. “I’ll meet you two at the bar around nine. You guys go ahead and have your steak.”
“Where are you going for dinner?” His voice was unsteady.
“Makana’s media relations officer invited me out.”
Tim waved. “See ya later, Mads.”
Alex, seemingly himself again, bid her goodbye. “Enjoy dinner.”
“Yeah,” she muttered to herself, darting to her room, “Soon as I un-harden my nipples.”
Fellow Authors participating in today’s Snippet Saturday:
Sending good thoughts to those in Irene’s path
Good thoughts and prayers to everyone who is in Irene’s path. I hope she passes through quick and disappears. Main thing is for people to stay safe. Material things can be replaced, even though it will suck if Irene does cause a lot of damage.
As announced previously, I am participating in “Snippet Saturday,” unfortunately, there were some technical issues so I won’t be posting a Snippet today, however, now that I have things sorted out, I will be participating in the future. Look out for that, as I will be adding an exciting contest to the Snippet Saturday.
I do have excerpts of my published worked on the BLOG and on my WEBSITE. I hope you enjoy them
I’ll be changing the theme of my blog, because somehow when I added my blog roll on the side, my pages disappeared. I’ve put the pages on the right hand side–Some of my favorite recipes and my fellow authors favorites.
If you’re experiencing fall-like, cool, rainy weather, may be a nice way to spend the day (besides reading of course 
) and try out some of our favorite recipes.
FELLOW AUTHORS RECIPES (check out all the great covers as well)
My Writing News:
I’m busy writing these days, finishing up a novella and still working on a suspense/thriller. Both still have no titles. I’m sure something will come up by the time I write “the end.”
Again, positive thoughts to everyone who will experience Mother Nature’s bad mood (I think she needs some strong medication lately, she’s so cranky).
Until next time . . . . .
Welcome Chick Dick Mystery Author, NANCY LAUZON – Plus: Win One of Two Books!
Welcome Nancy and thank you for sharing an excerpt, a delicious recipe, hosting a contest, and letting us know all about your CHICK DICK MYSTERIES.
Two lucky winners will be able to read this intriguing, page turning mystery. (Contest details below)
Selena’s Review of SAVING HALEY:
Nancy Lauzon’s flair for unique storytelling and unforgettable characters along with her talent for writing page-flipping prose, keeps the reader riveted to SAVING HALEY. Once again, Nancy Lauzon had this reader feeling the emotions of each character, with laughter, tension and at times a few tears.
SAVING HALEY features an intelligent, strong heroine, and a heart-throb hero who both have a past that they have to deal with in order to be able to move ahead. It is in these characters and in the distinctive plot and subplot that the reader will experience emotional turmoil in this must read.
Nancy Lauzon blends the right amount of mystery, romance, and sprinkles it with a good balance of eccentric, quirky, fun and mysterious characters.
SAVING HALEY is a fast paced mystery that will take the reader on an intriguing path.
INTERVIEW:
Selena: If we could ask your best friend, “What’s the funniest thing you could say about Nancy?” What do you think she would say?
I hope she would say that the funniest thing about me is my writing. Most of my novels contain a bit of humour, and I like books that lift me up. There is so much negativity in the world these days, and so many serious, depressing books. We need to lighten up, and I hope that my books put a smile on readers’ faces. Having said that, Saving Haley is a little bit darker than my other novels.
What is the most common question people ask writers? Plus: My Twist on a Lemonade Recipe
What is the most common question people ask writers?
