Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Heroines

Today's Top Ten Tuesday topic is "favorite heroines".  I'm a few days behind, but here we go! (These are not in any particular order.)

• Anne Shirley from the Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery.  What's not to love about spunky, good natured, generous-hearted, lovable Anne!  Watching her mature throughout the series is truly delightful.
• Anne Elliot from Persuasion by Jane Austen.  It's my favorite Austen book, and she's my favorite Austen character.  I admire her inner strength and good attitude.
• Miss Marple from various mysteries by Agatha Christie.  Nosey old lady on the outside, astute, intelligent observer on the inside; it's always fun to see how she makes connections and understands motivations.
• Mary Russell from the Russell and Holmes series by Laurie R. King.  As I've mentioned many times, I've been a Sherlock Holmes fangirl for nearly four decades now.  King writes Holmes well, and weaves in her immensely likable original character in such a natural way, that (though I started the series with low expectations) it quickly became a favorite series.  Mary is intelligent, courageous, and married to Holmes.  What more could you want?
• Vera Stanhope from the series of the same name by Ann Cleeves.  Vera is so real -- she's fallible and scarred, but still good-hearted and determined.  Plus, Cleeves is a masterful mystery writer.
• Fanny Price from Mansfield Park by Jane Austen.  This is my second favorite Austen novel.  Fanny is kind and soft-hearted, but still strong and stands up for her convictions.  I don't think this book or heroine gets enough love.
• Éowyn from the Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien.  Another feisty and brave heroine, determined to do what she feels is her duty.  
• Mina Harker from Bram Stoker's Dracula.  She endures a great trial and suffering, yet does not waver in her Christian faith, and exhibits a good deal of courage despite her fear.    
• Jo March from Little Women by Louisa Mae Alcott is another intelligent and courageous heroine, spunky and kind-hearted, and genuinely likable.
• the Lady Teldra from the Vlad Taltos series by Steven Brust.  While not the main character of any of the Vlad novels, she plays an important part.  Her gentleness and bravery are admirable and she quickly became a favorite in the series.