Thursday Thirteen #14 -- Thirteen Fictional Crushes

THIRTEEN FICTIONAL CRUSHES

I admit it. I'm a sucker for a great hero. Whether in a book or onscreen, I love falling for a fabulous guy, even if it is just for a short time. I love that little hitch that comes from watching a hero do something so sweet or romantic or thoughtful, it makes you melt just a bit.

Luckily, my hubby tolerates my temporary crushes, because he knows that they're, well, fictional. :) Here they are:

Sam, Troubleshooters series, Suzanne Brockmann. If you've read any of the Troubleshooters books, you know what I mean. Suz can write amazing heroes with the best of 'em, but I've always had a soft spot for Sam. Watching him struggle to do the right thing, when his soulmate seemed out of his reach, was just heartbreaking.

Jack, While You Were Sleeping. His monologue while playing cards with his comatose brother is both hilarious and touching. And the way he watches Lucy walk away after their kiss under the mistletoe -- sigh!

Gilbert, Anne of Green Gables series, L.M. Montgomery. My first introduction to the romantic hero. I loved watching their relationship develop over the years. I felt *invested* in it, darnit! Something about a long-drawn-out HEA makes the payoff that much sweeter.

Lachlan, Moon Awakening, Lucy Monroe. I just finished this book last night, and loved it -- I think it's my favorite by Lucy so far. And Lachlan is a great, gorgeous Alpha male, in every sense of the word. :)

Mark Darcy, Bridget Jones's Diary. Two favorites -- the scene where he tells her he likes her just the way she is, and the cooking scene/dinner with Bridget's friends. Swoon-worthy.

Lord St. Vincent, Devil in Winter, Lisa Kleypas. My favorite of the Wallflowers' heroes, he redefines the reformed bad boy.

William Thacker, Notting Hill. One of Hugh Grant's best romantic movie roles. You just root for him to get the girl, despite the odds.

Cooper Blackstock, Head over Heels, Susan Andersen. A stand-up kinda guy, with a secret side that's *so* appealing. Plus there's that whole sexy vibe he's got going. Yowza!

Rick, Casablanca. Self-sacrificing, suave, and some of the best lines in movie history.

Rhage, Lover Eternal, J.R. Ward. I had a hard time narrowing down which hero from the Black Dagger Brotherhood was my fave. I settled on Rhage because he made me cry more than any of the others. So far.

Robin Hood, The Adventures of Robin Hood. Errol Flynn swashbuckled his way into my heart with this one.

Vane Kattalakis, Night Play, Sherrilyn Kenyon. I love his utter devotion to Bride, helping her to see the beauty she truly is.

And my fictional crush to end all fictional crushes...

Mr. Darcy, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen. First there was the book, which I read initially in Junior High (and liked, although some of it went over my head at that point). Then the movie, the Olivier version, which I saw at about the same time. Then...the miniseries. Anyone who knows me, knows I'm a Firth Fanatic all the way. I absolutely love every moment of that version, and could sit down and watch it all the way through over and over. If my kids wouldn't rebel. I liked Bride and Prejudice, the Bollywood musical adaptation. (And isn't Aishwarya Rai a stunner?) And I know the newest version is somewhat controversial, but I enjoyed it, too. I was initially skeptical of Matthew Macfayden, but he won me over, too. There's a scene in the movie where he hands Lizzie into the carriage, and as he walks away, he flexes his hand, as if the sensation of touching her is too much for him. Gave me chills. This is one fictional crush -- in all his incarnations -- that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

So what have I missed? Who are your fictional crushes?