A Fine Romance Trivia Quiz

Answer: Elizabeth

Elizabeth Bennett featured in the 1813 Jane Austen novel, "Pride and Prejudice". It told of the proud Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy and the prejudiced Miss Elizabeth Bennett, neither wanting to admit their faults until declaring their love at the end of the story. Elizabeth asked Darcy the time when he realised he had fallen in love with her. He replied, "I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun."

Other classic romances include "Wuthering Heights", "Jane Eyre" and "Gone With the Wind"

Answer: Lord Jack Carstares became a highwayman and fell in love with Miss Diana Beauleigh

Historical romantic stories mention many facts about the era in which they are written, be it Georgian, Regency, Victorian or Edwardian. The best known author of Regency romantic literature was the English writer, Georgette Heyer (1902-1974). She wrote many Regency novels during her lifetime, including "The Corinthian" (1940), "Arabella" (1949) and "Venetia" (1958), but it was her first book "The Black Moth" which brought her to notice in the literary world.

Other historical romance stories include "Flowers From The Storm" (Laura Kinsale), Mistress of Mellyn (Victoria Holt), "The Flame and the Flower" (Kathleen E. Woodiwiss) and "A Hazard of Hearts" (Barbara Cartland).

Answer: In Death

Romantic suspense literature involves a male, or female, as the main protagonist who has a role as protector or enforcer, such as police officer or special agent. The "In Death" series followed Eve Dallas, a lieutenant for the New York police department in the mid 21st century, who alongside her handsome husband, solved crimes both on and off planet. She was assisted with gimmicks such as a stun gun, droids, and AutoChef which served her favourite brew of coffee.

Other romantic suspense books include the "Troubleshooters" series by Suzanne Brockmann and the "CIA's Spies" (John Medina) series by Linda Howard.

Answer: Scotland

Romantic fantasy literature tends to include an element of magic or special powers. Not only did the "Outlander" series feature elements of fantasy, but it is also covered other genres including historical, adventure, mystery and also time travel. Claire Randall was a married nurse during World War II when she was somehow transported back to the Scottish Highlands during the 18th century. Her medical skills and knowledge about botany led people to believe she was involved in witchcraft, but she had a supporter in the dashing Scottish laird, Jamie Fraser.

Other romantic fantasy literature includes "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman, and "Ella Enchanted" written by Gail Carson Levine.

Answer: Twilight

Young adult romance books are aimed at teenagers experiencing feelings of love for the first time. The stories feature situations they can equate to, such as school life and childhood friends. The "Twilight" series of books written by Stephenie Meyer told of Bella Swan, a teenager who moved to Forks in Washington state. It was here that she met new friends at school and started her adventures with vampires and werewolves. Her love for Edward Cullen is one of the best known modern love stories.

Other young adult romance stories include "Beautiful Creatures" (Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl), "The Princess Diaries" (Meg Cabot) and "Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging" (Louise Rennison).

Answer: A genetic disorder

At the start of "The Time Traveller's Wife", we were introduced to librarian Henry DeTamble who had just met his future wife, Clare, for the first time. He was unaware at this stage that they had already met several times previously during her childhood. This was due to a rare genetic disorder that caused him to involuntarily travel back or forward in time. As Clare quoted in the book, "I'm at a loss because I am in love with a man who is standing before me with no memories of me at all."

Other romantic time travel books include "Time and Again" by Nora Roberts and "A Knight in Shining Armor" by Jude Deveraux.

Answer: The Wedding Dress

Inspirational romance novels usually feature a man, woman, and their relationship with God. "To Jesus, the glorious bridegroom" was the dedication inside the front cover of "The Wedding Dress", the first in "The Wedding Collection" series of books written by American author, Rachel Hauck. It told of an engaged woman called Charlotte Malone who called on her faith as she had doubts about her forthcoming marriage. This took an unexpected turn when she found a vintage wedding dress in a battered trunk, and started a journey of discovery to find out about the previous brides who had worn the dress.

Other inspirational novels include the "Steeple Hill" and "Love Inspired" series of books published by Harlequin.

Answer: The Notebook

Romantic novels are best read with a box of tissues close to hand, especially if they are tearjerkers. "The Notebook" was one such novel which told of two young lovers separated by social differences, but their lives came together when they were elderly. They lived the last of their days together as they recounted their love story through the notebook she had written.

The most famous tearjerker novel was "Love Story" written by Erich Segal and published in 1970. The story was similar to "The Notebook" but this time it focused on a young couple, and their tragic ending when she succumbed to leukaemia. "Love means not ever having to say you're sorry...". Oh dear! Pass me the tissues, please?

Answer: E. L. James

"Fifty Shades of Grey" featured BDSM (bondage, dominance and submission) to a great extent when the two leading characters, Ana and Christian Grey, started an affair together. The innocent Ana was dragged into a sexual relationship with the more worldly entrepreneur, discovering secret desires as his own needs escalated when he became more possessive and erotic.

Erotic romances are more explicit than other stories with plenty of descriptive sex scenes which are not just kept to the bedroom. The story can be within any of the romantic sub-genre, including fantasy, historical and contemporary. Examples include the classic "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov and "Lady Chatterley's Lover" by D. H. Lawrence.

Answer: Radclyffe

The Contemporary Romance:

Contemporary romance novels reflect the time when they were written, usually anytime after the 1950s/1960s. Since the LGBT movement in certain countries gained respect during the 1990s, this reflected on an increase in the diverse range of gay and lesbian literature which became available in libraries, book shelves and online.

One such author was Radclyffe, real name Dr Lenora Ruth Barot, an American author of lesbian novels and founder of publishing company, Bold Strokes Books. Her 2004 book "Above All, Honor" told of American Secret Service Agent Cameron Roberts who was sworn in to protect the daughter of the President of the United State, both women fighting their hidden attraction as story unfolded until they ultimately had to choose between love and honour.