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Tuesday, September 22, 2009:
Spotlight: M - Judith McNaught
 Judith McNaught, to me, is an icon. My very first all-time favorite author. Say what you will about her writer's block or that you hate Whitney and/or Clayton with a passion; that's your prerogative. For me, reading "Almost Heaven" years ago as a young teen cemented her place in my heart.
I think of some of Ms. McNaught's books, especially "Whitney, My Love", as old-school lite. Not quite as misogynistic as some of the classics from the 70's, but having hints of the ugliness that was so prevalent back in the day. But the one thing that she encapsulated that a lot of authors back then didn't was that incredibly emotional moment between the hero and the heroine where love was declared, apologies were made, and an appropriate amount of groveling was displayed to pacify any outrage on our part.
When I got to the end of "Almost Heaven" and that moving scene between Elizabeth & Ian where they declare their love and finally believe the other feels the same way, why, it's positively lovely. And this was only the first of several Judith McNaught books I fell in love with.
There's "Once And Always", where Victoria finally breaks through to Jason when she kisses his scars, and when he believes her dead, how he'd rather be mad and have her haunt him for the rest of his days that imagine living without her. Or probably most people's favorite, "Something Wonderful", where a fiercely optimistic and loyal tomboy manages to make the very jaded and cynical Jordan fall madly and hopelessly in love.
There are several others of her books that I adored, but it's always been her historicals that I loved best. I even enjoyed "Until You", a book that makes a lot of people gag. And come on, who wasn't outraged that Nicky DuVille was robbed of a perfectly magnificent love story when he was relegated to anthology status in "A Holiday of Love"?????? Probably one of the few times I was severely disappointed by Ms. McNaught. And don't even get me started on "Tender Triumph".
But despite that, and a few other issues, Ms. McNaught is still on the list of my 3 all-time favorite authors. She made romances really come alive for me, and I credit her for nurturing that love with her touching, emotional and passionate stories. I wouldn't trade that experience for anything in the world. And I will say this: there are not many authors who can elicit a response out of me like Ms. McNaught can. Say what you will, but until you've felt that strongly about a book, you have no idea what you're missing.
So thank you, Judith McNaught, for all the hours of readng pleasure I've experienced over the years, and wherever you are, I hope one day you bring us back to those days of unforgettable historical romance that only you can write about....(hey, a girl can dream, right?)
Have you read a McNaught story?
What's your most memorable experience about her books? Labels: Judith McNaught
posted by Stacy~ at 9/22/2009 07:25:00 AM
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Wednesday, January 09, 2008:
Coming soon to Lifetimetv.com: re-visiting "A Kingdom of Dreams"
From the Back CoverHe was called the Wolf. He never lost a battle and - it was said - he took no prisoners and ate the flesh of those he killed. He was huge, handsome, black-haired and fierce.
She was a Scottish heiress, a countess in her own right and reputation had it that she was a cold, sour, ugly spinster. They were both about to be astounded.
When she was abducted by the Wolf's men, he found she was bewitching, courageous and totally unpredictable. She tricked him, made him the laughing stock of the English and Scottish courts, and drove him to fury with her defiance. When, by royal decree, they had to stand together at the altar and form a dynastic marriage, it was obvious it was going to be a stormy and tempestuous union.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR TUESDAY, JANUARY 22nd: Michelle Buonfiglio discusses the romantic classic, "A Kingdom of Dreams" One of the most enduring truths about my reading preferences is my love for Judith McNaught's books. She is my all-time favorite historical romance author, though Lisa Kleypas is a close second. (Suzanne Brockmann would round out the trio of the best of the best for me). "Kingdom of Dreams" was released in hardcover back in 1989, so I would have read it in paperback sometime after that. I was around 18 or 19 then, and had been reading romances for about 6 years. I remember how McNaught had this amazing way of drawing me into the story, of how I could get so mad at a character in one instance, then the next minute melt into a puddle. I can't say it's my favorite McNaught book, but it is definitely on my top 20. For the uninitiated, it's definitely "old school" ala Woodiwiss, so it's not for every reader. But it is and will remain on my keeper shelf from now until the end of my time. Hope you can join in on the discussion What's your favorite "old school romance? And now for a treat.... Check out Katie(babs) 1/8/08 post at KristieJ's ~ Bedtime with Richard Armitage (G-rated...for gorgeous ;) ~ Labels: favorites, Judith McNaught, LifetimeTV.com
posted by Stacy~ at 1/09/2008 05:26:00 AM
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Wednesday, May 09, 2007:
MaryKate muses about Alphas
Defining the Alpha Male In a recent online conversation with a well known author, I mused that I loved "old school" romance, and offered up Judith McNaught as someone who writes terrific alpha males. She came back to me and said that she didn’t think of McNaught’s heroes as alpha. That got me to thinking, what is an alpha male? I think of them as a leader of men, as one who is decisive, and driven and single minded in his pursuit of what he wants.
To me, Royce Westmoreland, from McNaught’s A KINGDOM OF DREAMS, is a prime example of an alpha: he is a leader of men, his moniker is the "Black Wolf of England." He is entrusted by the King to protect his interests. He gives no quarter on the battlefield, and, until he meets Jennifer Merrick, the daughter of his enemy, in his personal life. When he meets Jenny, she turns his life upside down. He takes her as his captive, and she hides a knife in order to kill him. He punishes her by setting her to work sewing his mens’ garments; she sews the arms closed and slices holes in thier blankets. She inadvertently kills his horse in an escape attempt. He has no idea what to make of her.
So of course, he has to marry her.
Not really, he’s ordered to marry her, and he does -- by kidnapping her, stealing a priest and forcing him at knife point to conduct that marriage. He gives no quarter. But as their relationship grows, he finds himself making small concessions to make her happy. In the end, he practically sacrifices his life to keep a promise to her. To me, he is the very definition of an alpha male.
What’s your definition of an alpha male in romance?
Who are some of the best examples of alpha males in romance? Why? Labels: alpha males, guest blogger, Judith McNaught
posted by Stacy~ at 5/09/2007 05:42:00 PM
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Tuesday, December 12, 2006:
Michelle's Old Flame: Whitney, My Love could be yours
In honor of Michelle's interview (cuz she was just so dang nice to let me interrogate her!) I decided to have another contest, 'tis the season and all that. In deciding which book I should offer up as a prize, I asked Michelle for one of her faves. Several came to mind, but this was the one she decided to go with. " Whitney, My Love" is a classic, released more than 20 years ago by an author that has had a huge impact on the romance industry. I don't know about you, but I know I never looked at historicals the same again, and it's still one of those books that I can re-read and be drawn back into the story with very little effort. So in order to to be entered in the contest, just answer the following questions: ~ Winner will be randomly selected noon CST on Saturday, December 16th ~ Good luck!
Description
One of today's best-loved authors, Judith McNaught launched her stellar career with this dazzling bestseller. Now in a special edition that features a brand-new, enhanced ending and endows familiar characters with new depth, "Whitney, My Love" lives on as "the ultimate love story, one you can dream about forever" (Romantic Times).
Under the dark, languorous eyes of Clayton Westmoreland, the Duke of Claymore, Whitney Stone grew from a saucy hoyden into a ravishingly sensual woman. Fresh from her triumphs in Paris society, she returned to England to win the heart of Paul, her childhood love...only to be bargained away by her bankrupt father to the handsome, arrogant Duke. Outraged, she defies her new lord. But even as his smoldering passion seduces her into a gathering storm of desire, Whitney cannot -- will not -- relinquish her dream of perfect love.
Rich with emotion, brimming with laughter and tears, "Whitney, My Love" confirms once more why "Judith McNaught is truly one of the spellbinding storytellers of our times" (Affaire de Coeur). Find out more: Read an excerptProduct Details Pocket, June 2000 Mass Market Paperback, 736 pagesISBN-10: 0-671-77609-6ISBN-13: 978-0-671-77609-1 Labels: contests, Judith McNaught, My Love, Whitney
posted by Stacy~ at 12/12/2006 07:13:00 PM
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