Goodreads asked Sidney Bell:

Who is your favorite fictional couple, and why?

Sidney Bell This is an extremely tough question to answer, but I'd probably have to say Milla and Diaz from Linda Howard's Cry No More. Milla's an excellent example of a strong female character. A lot of romance heroines struggle with that--they're often watered down, and too sweet or incompetent to ever be truly believable. But Milla's got remarkable willpower, she's smart and very capable, and she never flinches from the path she's determined to follow. But what really makes this novel amazing is the hero, because the development of his love for Milla completely takes my breath away.

At first glance, Diaz seems like your stereotypical alpha male, but as the book goes on, he proves himself far more complex: loyal instead of possessive, knowledgeable without being arrogant, and willing to follow Milla's lead and learn from her strengths. Diaz's feelings for Milla grow in fits and starts, with each deepening provoked by moments where his expectations of her are completely surpassed by the reality of her.

By the time the final plot twist is revealed, it's clear that Diaz feels nothing less than awe for this woman. Rather than falling into sappy, overwrought (and frankly unrealistic) promises of love like so many heroes, though, Diaz demonstrates his devotion with fierce loyalty and quiet, selfless emotional support. I've read this book from start to finish probably a dozen times, but I've read the last quarter of it probably another dozen on top of that because it's simply that gut-wrenchingly affecting.

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