We all have our favorite literary couples.  You know the ones … heroes and heroines who make you laugh, cry and wish the story would never end.  Who are some of your favorites?

It is a difficult question, isn’t it?  There are so many to choose from and my list is lengthy.  Of course, my own heroes and heroines characters top my list of personal favorites (yes, I am biased and yes, I love each of them).  My top three, after my own, are as follows:

Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy - Pride and Prejudice

Where do I begin?  This is one of my absolute favorite novels.  Well written with so many wonderful characters, including an intelligent, feisty heroine and a cynical hero who is to die for.  Love them!

Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester - Jane Eyre

The “plain” Jane and her brooding hero.  I love Mr. Rochester!  Despite the fact that he’s hiding a psychotic wife throughout the novel and tries to commit polygamy, I still love him which says a great deal, doesn’t it?  What a great hero!  Probably my favorite hero of all time.  The scene between Rochester and Jane after she learns the truth about his wife is just heartbreaking (I cry every time I read it).  And the end … could there be a better ending to any novel?  Ever?  Nope, this is a classic and this couple is timeless.

Whitney Stone and Clayton Westmoreland - Whitney, My Love

Where do I begin?  Another feisty heroine and brooding hero, this couple is captivating from the first page to the last.  Both are stubborn, each makes their share of mistakes.  They are superbly written, with so many layers.  This is one of my favorite novels and Whitney and Clayton are, undeniably, one of my favorite couples. 

 So, there you have it … my top three.  Who are some of yours?

Hello, my name is Tracy.  And I am a reality TV addict.  American Idol … love it.  The Bachelor … glued to it.  Admittedly, though, only one if those two shows actually has a high success rate.  I’ll give you two guesses.  Yep, that would be Idol, which produces talent each and every season while The Bachelor has a success rate of, what, 0-50?  Seriously, I think it is 0-12 but, still, those aren’t good odds (the only success has been Trista and Ryan during The Bachelorette, a totally different show).

Anyway, Reality Steve predicted that Jason (aka: Bachelor who was dumped last year during The Bachelorette’s finale) would propose to Melissa only to break their engagement on National television immediately after which he would choose the gal he dumped.  Sound far-fetched?  Well, it happened.  Just as Reality Steve predicted.  Ugh!

Here is my problem: blindsiding Melissa by breaking their engagement on National TV.  True, these Bachelor and Bachelorette shows are about breaking up with people but (and here is the distinction) it is NOT about BREAKING ENGAGEMENTS on National TV.  Sure most of these Bachelor and Bachelorette couples fail but we, the viewers, aren’t present when they decide not to marry.  We shouldn’t be.  It is personal.  And should remain so.  And part of this show’s allure is the hope of happily-ever-after.

Now, what makes last night’s events even more disgusting is that Jason and Molly (the runner up who “wins“) are rumored to have dated during the six weeks that Jason was engaged to Melissa.  Is it true?  I think so.  Jason answered all of host Chris Harrison’s questions while looking him straight in the eye with one glaring exception: when Chris asked if Jason had spoken with Molly during the time he and Melissa were together.  Jason responded by looking away and muttering “No.”  It seemed like a blatant lie, especially since he spoke directly to Chris throughout the conversation with that exception.

What truly broke my heart last night was hearing Melissa tell Jason that getting engaged was a once in a lifetime event for her, should have only happened once, and that he ruined it for her.  This coupled with the fact that not 10 minutes later, Jason was making out with his other gal, Molly, was just sickening.

So, recapping last night’s events: Reality Steve has a better success rate than The Bachelor.  See for yourself:

www.realitysteve.com

Exciting news!  Dance With Deception placed second in the Anne-Bonney Readers’ Choice Award for the Favorite Hero category and placed third in the Anne-Bonney Readers’ Choice Award for the Most Emotional category.  Woo-hoo!  Winners will be announced in the RWR, placed on ACRA’s website and receive an Anne-Bonney Award seal to display on their websites … Yeay!

Dance With Deception was up against titles from Harlequin, Berkley Sensation, and Zebra Historical.  It was also the only “Debut Novel” nominated in both categories so I am both thrilled and truly grateful.  Thank you to all who have supported this novel!

Have you danced with deception?  If not, what are you waiting for?  Dance With Deception is available through Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, Biggerbooks.com, Chapters.indigo.ca, LBFbooks.com, and Target.com.  Dance With Deception is also availabe in select Barnes and Noble and Borders Book stores nationwide.  Dance With Deception is available in eBook at Allromanceebooks.com and Fictionwise.com.  You can also follow these links: