Fave romantic dramas? 'Top Gun,' 'The Vow,' 'The Reader'

Today's featured authors — Delores Fossen, author of The Deputy's Redemption; Shirlee McCoy, author of Protection Detail; and Jennifer Morey, author of The Marine's Temptation — each share three of their favorite romantic drama movies.

Delores Fossen, author of The Deputy's Redemption

My three favorite romantic drama movies are:

• Top Gun. It's one of my favorites because I'm a former military officer who married a real Air Force Top Gun. My husband laughs at some of the fighter pilot parts of the movie, but the romance is what draws me in every time.

• Love Actually. Love all the different story lines of the movie. There's something for everyone, and I especially enjoy the scenes with the writer falling in love with his non-English-speaking housekeeper.

• Witness. A cop, a child, an Amish widow, witness protection and a sizzling love story. It's a movie I can watch time and time again, and I just know that eventually the hero and heroine get their happily ever after even if it doesn't happen on screen.

About The Deputy's Redemption:

The woman fleeing a cold-blooded killer is no stranger to Deputy Colt McKinnon. Fourteen years ago, Elise Nichols was the love of his life. Now she's back in Sweetwater Springs—to be the star witness in an upcoming murder trial that could tear the Texas lawman's family apart.

With her explosive revelations certain to rock the town, Elise didn't expect to be welcomed home with open arms. Certainly not by the cowboy with the badge who once meant everything to her. But after being run off the road and shot at, she has no choice but to trust him. Even more dangerous is the desire that's reigniting, making Elise yearn for something she may not live to see.

Shirlee McCoy, author of Protection Detail

My three favorite romantic drama movies are:

• The Vow. A young wife loses her memory. Her husband works to make her fall in love with him again. Just the concept is enough to give me chills. The fact that the movie was based on a true story only makes it more beautiful. I love the way Paige finds herself again, rediscovering all the reasons why she walked away from the life she'd once thought she wanted. As she learns who she really is, she also begins to understand what her husband means to her. There's no ooey-gooey ending, just the sweet assurance that she is exactly where she belongs.

• Australia. I visited Australia many years ago and was taken with the beautiful landscape. It is such a uniquely wonderful place and a perfect setting for romance, drama, adventure and intrigue. The movie offered all those things. I loved Lady Sarah. Her strong ideals and willingness to do what was right made her a compelling heroine. And what wasn't to love about Drover?

The movie touched on deeper themes — racism and war — which appealed to the history buff in me, but it was the relationships that stuck with me long after I watched the movie.

• Pride and Prejudice. The adaptation of book to film isn't always a good thing. At least, not for me. I'll take a good book over a movie any day of the week, so I was a little leery about seeing one of my favorite books on screen. To my amazement, I loved the movie. It was a little grittier than I expected, a little darker, and I enjoyed that. The characters were fun and filled with personality. As one of four sisters, I especially enjoyed the portrayal of Lizzie and Jane's relationship.

About Protection Detail:

After a prominent senator's son is murdered, Capitol K-9 Unit captain Gavin McCord wants answers. The senator was a mentor to Gavin, and he'll stop at nothing to bring the killer to justice. With his team of elite K-9 cops and his loyal dog, Glory, at his side, Gavin discovers that a child at Cassie Danvers's nearby foster home may have witnessed the murder. He's drawn to the determined and beautiful woman, but she doesn't want him interviewing her traumatized charges. Yet trusting Gavin is the only way to stay one step ahead of the deadly gunman when Cassie becomes a target.

Jennifer Morey, author of The Marine's Temptation

My three favorite romantic drama movies are:

• The Reader. The first time I saw this I wasn't expecting anything spectacular, but as I watched, the story captured me intensely. I couldn't stop watching and the story stayed with me for days. The story opens with Michael Berg remembering the summer he had a secret love affair with Hanna Schmitz. She demanded that he read her literary books before they made love. When the summer ends, she vanishes without telling Michael. Eight years later, he is a law student sitting in on a post WWII war crime trial where Hanna is one of the defendants.

What I loved about it? This movie takes the cliché out of "summer romance" stories. Michael and Hanna's love is believable and passionate. The focus isn't war, either — another thing I loved about the movie. Hanna's love of books and a personal secret that she fiercely guards make the discovery of her character rewarding and deep. Michael learns her secret and contacts her after she's sentenced to life in prison. He never told anyone about Hanna, but he loved her his whole life.

This story is serious and sad, but so poignantly told that it's a keeper.

• The Notebook. Who doesn't love The Notebook? This one needs no introduction. Another summer romance, The Notebook delivers believable and powerful romance between Noah and Allie, two lovers from different classes. The characters set this apart from others with similar theme, taking an ordinary storyline and turning it into something memorable. When narration is done well in a movie, I love them.

Aside from the narration, I loved Noah and Allie's passion. In many movies, I don't "feel" the love, and in many cases the believability suffers. Not in The Notebook. This movie is potent and gripping the whole way through and the ending is wonderful. Even though they (warning — spoiler) end up dying, it's still a make-you-feel-good story.

• Somewhere in Time. I miss Christopher Reeves. He played such great good-boy roles. Big and handsome, he made a fun hero (go Superman!). I loved him in Somewhere in Time because he came across as so innocent and yet he wasn't afraid to time travel to find the woman he loves, or thinks he loved back in time. I can't think of another movie that pulls off a love story involving time travel as well as this one. It's another on my "timeless" list!

About The Marine's Temptation:

Shocking discoveries rock the Adairs…and a determined librarian can't help falling for one of this dynasty's rugged heroes!

It's true that money can't buy happiness. Librarian Georgia Mason has seen one wealthy Adair ruin her stepmother's life and swears she won't get involved with his son Carson. So what if he's a hot former special ops soldier who showers her with extravagant gifts? But he is the sexiest man she's ever met and it's hard to hate him for searching for his long-lost stepbrother, or tracking down the traitor behind his botched mission. And when Georgia faces life-threatening danger, Carson protects her, igniting their scorching passion. Maybe love of money isn't the root of all evil. Maybe there's more to Carson to trust, respect…and love.