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My Favorite Couples in Romance Books

by Marisa-ONeill 06:14 AM

 

In honor of Valentine’s Day I’d like to present my favorite romance novel couples. Couples who remind me that every day is Valentine’s Day. In no particular order, they are:


1. Eve Dallas and Roarke from J.D. Robb’s futuristic romantic suspense In Death series. Eve, the NYC Homicide Lieutenant and her billionaire husband Roarke, are one of the most endearing and enduring couples in romancelandia. She’s tough, irascible, unique, intelligent and tenacious. He’s a self made man who owns half the universe and can have ANY thing he desires. He desires Eve. With Treachery in Death releasing this month, we’ve watched their relationship grow for 32 books and it’s still going strong.


2. Ayla and Jondalar  from Jean M. Auel’s Cro-Magnum Earth Children Series. Who would have thought that the journey of a cave woman and her Neanderthal partner would have seized my attention and kept me fascinated for five books? The good news is the 6th book, The Land of Painted Caves, comes out next month.


3. Annique Villiers and Robert Grey from Joanna Bourne’s historical romance, The Spymaster's Lady. They are truly a distinctive couple. Two spies, one French, one English, both experts at deception, mendacity, espionage and infiltration and each loyal to their own cause. How they get together, when they are enemies on opposite sides of a cause, is believable and romantic, and that’s what makes them brilliant together.


4. Alexi Steele and Nicholas Donavan from Cheyenne McCray’s romantic suspense Lexi Steele series. Meeting Lexi and Nicholas in The First Sin and The Second Betrayal, was an unexpected surprise. Lexi is a top agent for a deep undercover government agency and Nick is a former SEAL. Before you go – oh no, been there done that, know this;  Lexi has a complicated history yet a straight forward approach to life. She’s the hero of this book, in every sense of the word, and Nicholas is man enough to appreciate that.

 

5. Freyja Bedwyn and Joshua Moore in Mary Balogh’s historical romance Slightly Scandalous (Bedwyn Family Series). Freyja is bold, brilliant and brassy; Joshua is

charming, charismatic and seemingly carefree. He looks like a Greek God, she looks like a Bedwyn, and together they make a formidable couple.


6. Elena Deveraux and Archangel Raphael from Nalini Singh’s paranormal romances Angels' Blood (Guild Hunter Series #1) , Archangel's Kiss (Guild Hunter Series #2) and Archangel's Consort (Guild Hunter Series #3).  A vampire hunter and one of the most powerful Archangels in the world? I don’t think I need to say any more.

7. Haven Travis and Hardy Cates from Lisa Kleypas’ contemporary romance Blue-Eyed Devil. Haven has been abused and Hardy is the one that can heal her. Together they define  love, compassion and understanding.

8. Ian Mackenzie and Beth Ackerley from Jennifer Ashley’s historical romance The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (Highland Pleasures Series #1). The ultimate wounded hero and a woman searching for stability. His madness and her pain create a tender culmination that is both pleasurable and endearing.

9. John Matthew and Xhex from J.R. Ward’s Lover Mine (Black Dagger Brotherhood Series #8). Some Black Dagger Brotherhood fans might think it should be Zadist and Bella from Lover Awakened (Black Dagger Brotherhood Series #3), but I’ve became partial to the struggles that John and Xhex had to face. These two warriors go through hell and back again to save one another and definitely deserve to be on my list.

10. Claire Randall and Jamie Fraser from Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander (Outlander Series #1).  She’s from the 20th Century he’s from the 16th.  Together they make sense in any time or place.

11. Sam Starrett and Alyssa Locke and Jules Cassidy and Robin Chadwick from all of the Suzanne Brockmann’s romantic suspense Troubleshooter series. OK, it’s a cheat doing two couples in one series, but I have to mention both couples because throughout the entire series we watched as they met, fell in love, broke up, got back together, married and finally got their HEA’s. It was a glorious process to share.

Honorable mentions go to:
12. Dominic and Solange Sangria -Dark Peril (Dark Series #21) by Christine Feehan


13. Derek Craven and Sara Fielding  - Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas


14. Resse Duncan and Madelyn Patterson - Duncan's Bride by Linda Howard

 

15. Fiona Bristow and Simon Doyle - The Search by Nora Roberts


16. Winnifred Hathaway and Kev Merripen - Seduce Me at Sunrise (Hathaway Series #2)   by Lisa Kleypas


17. Dominic Renbourne and Lady Meriel Grahame – The Wild Child by Mary Jo Putney

These are some of the couples that make each day Valentine’s Day.

What about you?  Who are your favorite couples?

 

16 comments
Comments
by frodosamwise on 02-14-2011 08:51 AM
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You've got two of my favorite couples. Eve and Rourke from the In Death series and John Matthew and Xhex from the Brotherhood series. I would like to add Melinda Monroe and Jack Sheridan from Robyn Carr's Virgin River series. I fell in love with this series because of these two characters. One of my favorite contemporary series of all time. I look forward to her next book every year and have suggested this series to many other romance readers. If you haven't read them you should.

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by lp63426 on 02-14-2011 11:42 AM
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You have 3 of my favorite couples here but a lot of books I haven't read, so they will be added to my "tbr" list.  I have some old faithfuls that I still love even though they are "old" books:

 

Historical:

Kathleen Woodwiss couples:

Aislinn & Wulfgar (wolf & the dove), Brandon & Heather (Flame & the flower), and Ruark & Shanna (Shanna) and last but not least from Ms Woodwiss, Cole & Aliana (Ashes in the Wind).

 

Elizabeth Lowell's couples:  Dominic & Margaret (Untamed), Simon & Ariane (Enchanted), & Amber & Duncan (Forbidden)

 

Jude Deveraux:  Lyon & Lyonene (the Black Lyon)

 

Comtemporary:

Tara Janzen:  I love all the boys in the Steel Street series but Dylon & Skeeter (crazy Love) and JT & Jane (Loose Ends) are my favorite.

 

Mariah Stewart:  Genna & John (Voices Carry - and a appear in others books following this one)

 

Norah Roberts:  Quinn Brothers series - all of them

 

But my all time favorite is Ruark and Eve.  The "In death" series doesn't come out fast enough for me.

by Moderator dhaupt on 02-14-2011 02:20 PM
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Marisa, you have a few of mine.

I mean no one tops Roarke and Eve, except maybe Jamie and Claire from the Outlander series.

and as far as vamps go well you can't beat the love story of John Matthew and Xhex except I found a new vamp from the new Novel A Discovery of Witches, Matthew and his witch mate Diana by author Deborah Harkness

and then my favorite couples in crime drama - Lucas Davenport and his doctor wife Weather

then we have the indomitable duo from Scotland Yard Duncan Kincaid and Jemma James by the author Deborah Crombie

 

Thanks for the great article and hey

Happy V Day Everyone, can you feel the love

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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by Blogger Marisa-ONeill on 02-14-2011 05:22 PM
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Hi frodosamwise, my sister Maria loves the Virgin River series - and I must confess I've got the first two books on my TBR shelf waiting to be read. I guess I should start soon - I have so many books to read in this series I could do a Virgin River Marathon.

 

Hey lp63426 I can't believe you mentioned Elizabeth Lowell's couples:  Dominic & Margaret (Untamed), Simon & Ariane (Enchanted), & Amber & Duncan (Forbidden) - I loved this series and still have it on my keeper shelf. It may be time for a re-read. Thanks for the reminder.

 

Hi Deb! thanks so much for the recommendation - since we have almost the same taste in books I'll definitely put A Discovery of Witches on my TBB list for the upcoming month.

 

 

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by Moderator Melanie_Murray on 02-15-2011 02:30 PM
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What a fun post, Marisa!

I have to say that Rue and Kit from Shana Abe's The Smoke Thief are among my favorites, and while I love the choice of Haven and Hardy from Blue-Eyed Devil, my favorite Kleypas couple is Cam and Amelia from Mine Til Midnight. But this is just off the top of my head...I'm sure there are couples I'm completely forgetting!

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by Blogger Marisa-ONeill on 02-15-2011 07:12 PM
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Thanks Melanie! How could I forget Kit and Rue - terrific couple; and yes Cam and Amelia are also a favorite. I had a hard time with trying to narrow down my list. In fact there are a couple of Julie Garwood's, Lora Leigh's and Lori Foster's  H/H's I couldn't fit on the list. 

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by njoireading on 02-15-2011 09:11 PM
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I liked lots of those couples but I really like the Duke of Jerveaux-Christian and Maddy in Flowers From the Storm.

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by Blogger Marisa-ONeill on 02-16-2011 09:17 AM
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Hi njoireeading - Flowers From the Storm is a heartbreaking (in a good way) book with two exceptional protaganists. Yes, you're right, Christian and Maddy are definitely a couple that belong on this list.

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by 1lovealways on 02-17-2011 03:55 AM
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Hi Marisa!

 

Oh, boy!  This is hard!  I'm sitting here looking at my bookshelf for help, because there are so many couples names running through my head.  I realize there are lots of heroes that I love, but this is the first time the question has been asked about naming My Favorite Couples.  Although, some of these books are very old, these couples remain my favorite ones after all this time with a few new ones thrown in.   Christian & Maddy are also one of my favorites too. :smileyhappy:

 

  1.  Cole Latimer & Alaina MacGaren - Ashes in the Wind - Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

  2.  Steve Morgan & Ginny Brandon - Sweet Savage Love - Rosemary Rogers

  3.  Rafe McCay & Dr. Annie Parker - The Touch of Fire - Linda Howard

  4.  Acheron Parthanopeous & Tory Kafieri - Acheron - Sherrilyn Kenyon

  5.  Vane Kattalakis & Bride McTierney - Night Play - Sherrilyn Kenyon

  6.  Julian of Macedon & Grace Alexander - Fantasy Lover - Sherrilyn Kenyon

  7.  Varian du Fey & Merewyn - Knight of Darkness - Kinley MacGregor

  8.  Beau Tillson & Rachel Brinton - Wild Midnight - Maggie Davis

  9.  Rhage & Mary - Lover Eternal - J.R. Ward

10.  Phury & Cormia - Lover Enshrined - J.R. Ward

11 . Lance Barrett & Erin O'Shay - A Treasure Worth Seeking - Sandra Brown

12.  James Macdonald & Katherine Fraser - Clandara - Evelyn Anthony

13.  Dante & Tess  Culver - Kiss of Crimson - Lara Adrian

14.  Nikolai Steele & Mikayla Martin - Renegade - Lora Leigh

15.  Garreth MacRieve & Lucia the Huntress - Pleasure of a Dark Prince - Kresley Cole

16.  Alexander Cameron & Catherine Ashbrooke - The Pride of Lions - Marsha Canham

17.  Jacob Blackhawk & Carolina Hammond - Private Treaty - Kathleen Eagle

18.  Rhys ap Griffith & Lady Linnet - The Eagle's Song - Marylyle Rogers

19.  Caleb Black & Willow Moran - Only His - Elizabeth Lowell

20.  Marc Chastain & Karen Whitlaw - Kill and Tell - Linda Howard

21.  Russ Ettinger & Dana Madison - Moment to Moment - Barbara Delinsky

22.  Vance Paxton & Karen Hampton - Paxton Pride - Shana Carrol

23.  Christian Langland & Maddy Timms - Flowers from the Storm - Laura Kinsale

24.  El Lobo (Wolf) & Storm Lesconflair - Love, Cherish Me - Rebecca Brandewyne

25.  Luke Morgan & Jenny Leigh Colter - The Outlaw Hearts - Rebecca Brandewyne

26.  Jack Savage & Candice Carter - The Darkest Heart - Brenda Joyce

27.  Rorke FitzWarren & Vivian - Daughter of Fire (Merlin's Legacy #1) -Quinn Taylor Evans

28.  Drew Charles & Dr. Daran Patterson - Whispered Promise - Barbara Delinsky

29.  Dan Morgan & Elizabeth Bannister - Strange Enchantment - Annette Broaderick

30.  Ben Larkin & Vichy Sweigart - Gambler's Love - Amii Lorin

31.  Robert de Langley & Lady Jocelyn Montagne - Bride of the Lion - Elizabeth Stuart

by Blogger Marisa-ONeill on 02-17-2011 05:51 AM
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Wow 1lovealways!!  This is amazing! You've definitely got a great list of couples here. Thanks so much for sharing it.  I know how you feel about Acheron Parthanopeous & Tory Kafieri. I have special place in my heart for these two. It took so long to finally get their story - but it was well worth the wait.

 

There are many couples on your list that are definitley on my keeper shelf and some that are new to me. Now I have even more books to put on my TBR pile. Thanks again.

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by ChristyAG78 on 02-17-2011 01:16 PM
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I have to say that I love all the couples in the Virgin Rivers series by Robyn Carr. :smileyhappy:

by 1lovealways on 02-18-2011 12:00 AM
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Marisa,

 

You are so welcome!  I've got a lot of new books to read from you guys lists too.  That's what I love about the reading commnunity.  The exchanging of info about the books.  I always find something new that I haven't read.  My TBR pile is overflowing.  I love it!  Thanks y'all!!!  :smileyhappy: 

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by Lynnie_M on 02-22-2011 06:43 PM
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I had read this post originally on VD, but did not have time to respond!  I'm glad that we got some Kresley Cole on the list!  Here's some of my favorites:

 

Butch & Marissa - Lover Revealed by JR Ward

Regin & Aiden/Declan - Dreams of a Dark Warrior by Kresley Cole (new release is her best yet!)

Lachlan & Kimberly - Love Me Forever by Johanna Lindsey

Gwen & Drustan - Kiss of the Highlander by Karen Marie Moning

Chloe & Dageus - The Dark Highlander by Karen Marie Moning

Cadeon & Holly - Dark Desires After Dark by Kresley Cole

Bowen & Mari - Wicked Deeds on a Winters Night

 

In general, I like the couples from Rachel Gibson's Hockey series and authors series as well.

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by Blogger Marisa-ONeill on 02-22-2011 11:03 PM
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Lynnie - I couldn't agree with you more on Butch and Marissa - and I can't thank you enough for reminding me about Chole and Dageus.  I can't believe I didn't mention them. The Dark Highlander was the very first Karen Marie Moning book I ever read and I've loved her work ever since.

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by BookieDT on 03-01-2011 09:57 PM
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Via this blog I was introduced to Robyn Carr's Virgin River Series - and I'm so thankful.  What a heartwarming series involving such strong characters and life situations.  I look forward to my quiet time so I can get caught up in the lives of these people. I am just saddened that I only have four more books and then I'm done (until #16 come along).

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by LadyRegency a month ago
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I saw this list and I couldn't help but put my two cents in. I did love so many couples that have already been mentioned. But I am not a big fan of contemporaries.This list is not necessarily in order of favorites, just in order of how I thought of it.

 

1. Devil Cynster & Honoria Wetherby, in Devil's Bride by Stephanie Lauren's. This was actually the book that introduced me to the romance genre, and so to this day it's one of my favorites. I love how they balance each other out.

 

2. Tally & Callie, in Remembrance by Jude Deveraux. While it was more tragic then anything, I still catch myself thinking about this book at times. Such an amazing and detailed story. I am still wanting to name my daughter Callisandra thanks to this book.

 

3. Taylor & Lucas Ross, in Prince Charming by Julie Garwood. I don't generally read westerns, but this one turned out fantastic. I still have my original copy, that desperately needs to be replaced. The book is literally falling apart due to how long I've had and how many time's I've read it. It's funny, and sweet, and I LOVE Lucas. He's a wonderful man.

 

4. Jessica Blakely & Richard of Burwyck-on-the-Sea, in The More I See You by Lynn Kurland. This is the novel that introduced me to the time travel genre of romance. As soon as I was done with this book, I went out and purchased every time travel romance I could find. This book made me literally laugh, cry and I was so upset when I was done, because I wanted more. And now whenever I see a picture of a knight, I suddenly see him with headphones and chocolate...you'll understand when you read it. 

 

5. Adam Black & Gabrielle O’Callaghan, in The Immortal Highlander by Karen Marie Moning. I was so happy when Adam finally got his own book and got a chance at redemption. I found him fascinating. So arrogant and vulnerable at the same time. And of course he always had the best one-liners. 

 

 

There are millions more, but my hands are getting tired...haha.

 

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