Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Today's Special - - Sarah MacLean

The book that started it all . . . 
By Sarah MacLean

I didn’t know it then, but the day I found a copy of Jude Deveraux’s The Black Lyon tucked beneath my older sister’s bed, dog-eared and well-loved, was a red-letter day.

It was the late 80s. I was young. Ten, maybe eleven—old enough to know there was something decadent and scandalous about that book, but not old enough to entirely understand why. There had been books before that—skinny, pastel-colored Loveswepts starring cowboys and ladies in blouses and pantsuits with big hair—but after The Black Lyon, there was no going back. I was hooked. Forever.

I can still see that book, a gorgeous, red-haired Lyonene in her pink negligee, and her dark Ranulf de Warbrooke, the eponymous Black Lyon, eyes closed, massive arms clasped around her . . . worshiping her. The book was touted as “the magnificent love story of a fearless lord and the woman who tamed him,” and magnificent it was. Ranulf is dark and tortured, an unparalleled warrior feared by all—all except our intrepid heroine, seventeen and scrappy . . . and stunning.

The two fall in love. They fall hard. They fall fast. And by the end of the first quarter of the book, we’re utterly convinced that they’re perfect together. Who cares about the age difference? Or about his hardness? Or her fiery temper? They’re obviously in love . . . and love conquers all.

Except it doesn’t. And that’s where Deveraux makes magic.

Love turns dark in the hands of a wounded, jealous hero burned by a previous marriage and a young, impetuous heroine. There are misunderstandings compounded by distance, mistrust that blossoms without forthright communication, and—ultimately—fear of loss that is almost insurmountable.

Set against the backdrop of Medieval England, with Ranulf at war and Lyonene unable to ignore the vicious whispers of those conspiring against her even as she fights desperately to win back her hero’s love, this book is every inch an epic love story. It’s big and bold and classic—Deveraux’s second romance, written in 1980, when it was ok for heroes to be unrepentant, locked-down Alphas and for heroines to do whatever it took to win those utterly masculine men, and for stories to have the perfect touch of the outrageous.

But here’s the thing. For ten-year-old, fifteen-year-old, thirty-two-year-old me, The Black Lyon wasn’t just a page turning book. It wasn’t just scandalous and dangerous and something I’d definitely get in trouble for reading. It also taught me that great romance is about perseverance. And compromise. And trust. It’s about two people working through enough baggage to fill JFK Airport for a day or two, to reach the common, deceptively simple goal of love.

And it’s about the unwavering understanding that love takes work, but it’s absolutely worth it.

I think about the day I discovered The Black Lyon, and I wonder if it was the moment . . . some cosmic thing . . . I wonder if I’d been in my brother’s room instead, discovering The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, would I have been a sci-fi reader instead? Or if I’d thumbed my way through one of my father’s ubiquitous Ludlum’s, would I have become mystery obsessed—dreaming of ways to catch the killer?

Maybe. But I like to think that I would have come to romance anyway. That I would have found a Johanna Lindsey, or a Julie Garwood or a Judith McNaught and one of them would have wooed me into this fabulous genre. I like to think I would have found my way to The Black Lyon anyway.

That old, dog-eared copy has long since fallen apart, after too many readings and too many shovings into the hands of friends and insistings that “You must read this. Now!” Sometime during college I bought the newer version . . . the beautiful brown cover with the lion belt that plays such a gorgeous role in the plot of the book, and I am no longer embarrassed to admit that I have stroked that textured cover and sighed more times than I can count after rereading this book . . . the one that started me down my path of romance obsession. 


And now, I’m so very proud to have a chance to recommend this magnificent book to a new generation of romance readers. Avon has re-released the story of Lyonene and Ranulf this month, with a gorgeous new cover that absolutely does the book justice. I still pinch myself when I look at that cover and see my name there. The eleven year old in me can’t believe it (and yes . . . my sister is totally jealous).

A confession: When the team at Avon Books asked me to give them a quote for this new edition of The Black Lyon, I lost my words. Seriously. What do you say? What do you say about a book that has been with you for so long? About the book you’ve read dozens of times? The book that has been your go-to book when you were sad, or lonely, or heartbroken . . . the one that has lifted your spirits and made you sigh and laugh . . .



What do you say about the woman who made you want to write?

You tell the truth.

Jude is the master.

What book brought you to romance?  Have you read Jude Deveraux?  Which of her books is your favorite?  Why?  


Sarah is giving away a copy of THE BLACK LYON to two randomly chosen people leaving comments on today's blog. (U.S. addresses only)  Thank you, Sarah!

Sarah MacLean is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical romance.  Learn more about Sarah and her books at her website, on Facebook and Twitter.  

~PJ

70 comments:

  1. Jude Deveraux is an all time favorite writer of mine. I was introduced to her writing through 'The Mulberry Tree'. It has since remained a favorite. It has such a perfect combination of mystery, intrigue, tragedy and romance.

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  2. The book that got me hooked on romance was Julie Garwood's "The Bride." I have read many of Jude's books and my first was "The Princess," but my favorite was "The Raider" because I love mistaken identity stories.

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  3. I can't remember reading any Jude Deveraux, though chances are I have. I also discovered Romance via my sisters reading habits.

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  4. The first Jude Deveraux I read was a time travel of sorts, a Knight ended up in modern times but for the life of me I can't recall the title right now.

    The book that got me into romance was The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss.

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  5. I love Jude Deveraux's books my favourites would have to be The Velvet Series and Twin of Fire and Twin of Ice. I can't believe that I have not read this one but that will change I have added it to the must get list thank you.

    The first real romance I read was Rosemary Roger's Sweet Savage love what a saga that was across 3 books Ginny and Steve's romance went from kidnapping across Mexico and The States I loved it and then of course discovered Johanna Lindsey Kathleen Woodiwiss Julie Garwood Shirlee Busbee and so many more that have given me hours of reading pleasure as do your stories Sarah.

    Have Fun
    Helen

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  6. Oh yes. My mom had the lion belt copy. Jude was not my first romance--Woodiwiss was the one who initially sucked me in. Hello Brandon Birmingham! But my mom had every single Jude Deveraux book. Every one. I read them all. My grandmother did too and we all spent hours talking about them, and others like Garwood and Dorothy Garlock.

    Recently my mom downsized and was getting rid of all of the Deveraux books. I could scarcely believe it! I took them all. I told her I would try to sell them off or find someone who wanted the whole collection.

    But they are still there.

    :-)

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  7. The first Jude Deveraux I read was a time travel of sorts, a Knight ended up in modern times but for the life of me I can't recall the title right now.

    Dianna, it's A KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR and is one of my absolute favorites!! *sigh* My original paperback copy is beyond tattered. :-)


    Hi, Sarah! I'm a big Jude Deveraux fan. A KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR is one of my go-to books. I also have many other books of hers on my keeper shelves.

    Kathleen Woodiwiss's SHANNA was my intro to epic romance, thanks to my high school friend, Lynn. When I was in the 7th grade, my English teacher Mrs. Parker recommended Victoria Holt so that was really where my love of romance first began.

    After Woodiwiss, I moved on to Bertrice Small, Jude Deveraux, Judith McNaught, and Jude Deveraux....and I'm still going! *g*

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  8. My sister Andrea introduced me to romance by loaning me a copy of The Duke and I by Julia Quinn. I've never looked back! :)

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  9. Lovely to see you here Sarah! :) Thank you for sharing the story that brought you into the romance genre and inspired you to be an author!
    I have read a number of Jude's books, mostly the boooks in her massive, gigantic Montgomery/Taggart series. If memory serves, Sweet Liar was my first Jude Deveraux and I loved Mike and Samantha's story. I also really enjoyed the Velvet series too. I confess I have not read much of her latest works, but I think I shall have to fix that!

    I first started reading romance in high school. I was at a small bookstore and was browsing and saw the cover for Nora's MacGregor Brides. Something made me pick up the book and check out the back cover. Was intrigued and amused by the idea of a Scots grandpa who was a meddling matchmaker. Read it, and the rest is history. :) Hey,if you're going to start, might as well start with one of the best right. ;)

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  10. Sonali said, Jude Deveraux is an all time favorite writer of mine.

    Me too! I have so many favorites by her. I'm trying to remember which of her books I read first. I've read them all at one point or another! :)

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  11. I have never---GASP!---read a Jude Deveraux book.

    When I was in 6th grade, I picked up a Harlequin romance (my mom and my older sister read them) and the book that turned me on to handsome French men and English roses was LOVE'S GENTLE FLAME by Katrina Britt. So romantic for a 12-year-old. I've reread it since and it really isn't all that good of a read.

    The author who turned me on to historical romance was Julia Quinn....thanks to the owner of the indie bookstore I frequent because she gave me her book THE DUKE AND I.

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  12. Jane said, The book that got me hooked on romance was Julie Garwood's "The Bride."

    Julie Garwood is another favorite of mine. Her book, Saving Grace is my all-time favorite comfort read.

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  13. Marybelle said, I can't remember reading any Jude Deveraux, though chances are I have.

    Oh, you should give her a try, Marybelle! Her earlier books, especially, are some of my all-time favorites.

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  14. Dianna said, The first Jude Deveraux I read was a time travel of sorts, a Knight ended up in modern times but for the life of me I can't recall the title right now.

    That's A Knight in Shining Armor. I adored that book! I was so in love with Nicholas by the end. ::Sigh::

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  15. Helen said, I love Jude Deveraux's books my favourites would have to be The Velvet Series and Twin of Fire and Twin of Ice.

    All wonderful books! The early books of Jude Deveraux, Catherine Coulter and Julie Garwood had special places on my reading shelves. :)

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  16. Deb Marlowe said, Recently my mom downsized and was getting rid of all of the Deveraux books. I could scarcely believe it! I took them all. I told her I would try to sell them off or find someone who wanted the whole collection.

    But they are still there.


    LOL! Somehow, I'm not a bit surprised by this!

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  17. Gannon said, When I was in the 7th grade, my English teacher Mrs. Parker recommended Victoria Holt so that was really where my love of romance first began.

    That's where mine began too, Gannon!

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  18. TrishaM said, My sister Andrea introduced me to romance by loaning me a copy of The Duke and I by Julia Quinn. I've never looked back! :)

    Yay, Andrea! :)

    Trisha, The Duke and I is my favorite Bridgerton book. Simon stole my heart.

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  19. Lisa said, I first started reading romance in high school. I was at a small bookstore and was browsing and saw the cover for Nora's MacGregor Brides. Something made me pick up the book and check out the back cover. Was intrigued and amused by the idea of a Scots grandpa who was a meddling matchmaker. Read it, and the rest is history. :) Hey,if you're going to start, might as well start with one of the best right. ;)

    Absolutely! Daniel MacGregor is one of my favorite romance characters ever! I absolutely adore that series!

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  20. Deb said, I have never---GASP!---read a Jude Deveraux book.

    Look at it this way, Deb. You have some wonderful reading ahead of you! :)

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  21. Jude Deveraux made me want to write as well. So many amazing books. I started reading them right around when you did, somewhere in middle school in the late 80s.

    A couple weeks ago Jude followed me on Twitter. I have no idea if it was her specifically or some webmaster but I practically swooned. She's an icon.

    My favorite is Sweet Liar. I love the speakeasy parallel story.

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  22. Sarah has generously offered to give a copy of THE BLACK LYON to two randomly chosen people leaving comments on today's blog. (U.S. addresses only)

    Thank you, Sarah!

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  23. Marnee Bailey said, A couple weeks ago Jude followed me on Twitter. I have no idea if it was her specifically or some webmaster but I practically swooned. She's an icon.

    Oh,my. I most definitely would have swooned!

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  24. For my 18th birthday, my sister gave me a box of her favorite books. I pulled out Shanna by K. Woodiwiss and have been hooked for 30 years! Thank God for older sisters and for writers who keep us coming back for more - love your books, Sarah!

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  25. Sweet Liar was my first Deveraux, but the novella "Change of Heart" is my favorite. It's one of my annual Christmas rereads.

    But my first romance novel goes back even further to my tenth summer and my mother's stash of Emilie Loring books. I used to think I was the only romance reader online who had read all fifty of Loring's books until romantic sci fi author Sharon Shinn blogged about her love of Loring.

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  26. The book that introduced me to the romance genre was "The Duke and I" by Julia Quinn. Needless to say, the rest is history. lol

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  27. My very first romance, found buried in the bottom of a box at a yard sale, was also a Jude Deveraux novel. That very first book, The Raider, started me on the path of the historical romance novel--which is still one of my favorites today. How wonderful that one author can span generations and emit the same sense of awe and excitement!

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  28. Robbedofmygoodsense said, For my 18th birthday, my sister gave me a box of her favorite books. I pulled out Shanna by K. Woodiwiss and have been hooked for 30 years!

    Another nod to older sisters! I don't have any sisters but my sister-in-law and I did a good job of bringing my niece (her daughter) into "the romance fold." :)

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  29. Georgette Heyer & Barbara Cartland were some of my early romance reads. Jude Deveraux published years latter & I've loved her books. I'm a particular fan of the Medieval setting.

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  30. Janga said, Sweet Liar was my first Deveraux, but the novella "Change of Heart" is my favorite. It's one of my annual Christmas rereads.



    Sweet Liar is one of my favorite Deveraux books. There's just something about those Taggart men! ;-)

    "Change of Heart" is a wonderful Christmas story. I can see why you'd read it every year.

    For those of you who haven't read it, "Change of Heart" is Frank Taggart's story (older brother of Michael Taggart from Sweet Liar) and set in modern-day Colorado. It's included in A Holiday of Love (Oct. 2005, )an anthology of four stories from Jude Deveraux, Judith McNaught, Arnette Lamb and Jill Barnett.

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  31. Midnight Magic by Betina Krahn and Sweet Enemy Mine by Ana Leigh were my first two romances and I was hooked.

    For the longest time I thought I'd never read a Jude Deveraux book, but I have! I read Legend many years ago based on a recommendation from a friend that I worked with. Incidentally, I have a bunch of Deveraux's old books that a friend of my mom's gave me, but have never read any.

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  32. TrishaM, what a sweet sister you have! ;-)

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  33. There are no words to describe how great of a writer Deveraux is. Knight in Shining Armor is still my favorite. I was so in love with time travel back then, that was the first romance to make me cry.

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  34. The book that started it all for me was The Taming by Aleen Malcom followed by Deceive Not My Heart by Shirlee Busbee. I'd outgrown my Sweet Valley High series and there they were, sitting on the stairs with a bunch of other less interesting books waiting to be gotten rid of so I grabbed them and read them 5 times each before another 3 romances came into my life: Savage Surrender by Natasha Peters, Silk & Secrets by Mary Jo Putney (my all-time favorite) and Ballenrose by Mallory Burgess. After that it snowballed and I have more romances than I can count and never enough shelving. lol

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  35. Shanna was my first romance book, but shortly thereafter, I also discovered Judith McNaught. Judith McNaught could mix romance, humor and angst into a gripping read. She hasn't published anything recently, but when she does, I'll buy it.

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  36. I forgot to add that I'm not from the US, so please don't sign me up for the draw.

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  37. Deb Marlowe said, Recently my mom downsized and was getting rid of all of the Deveraux books. I could scarcely believe it! I took them all. I told her I would try to sell them off or find someone who wanted the whole collection.

    But they are still there.


    I keep trying to convince my mom that she should let me house her collection. She hasn't caved yet, but I do have a few on my own bookshelf. And I think Deveraux's book Wishes was the first to get me hooked on straight romance (I read a lot of paranormal romance and urban fantasy). I love how she doesn't pull punches and that the characters work for their happily ever after. And by the end they deserve it.

    Fun fact: My mom actually has both versions of The Black Lyon. When I told her there was a cover version she didn't have, she was shocked.

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  38. Hi Ladies! Thanks so much for having me today to discuss The Black Lyon and gush about Jude and my first big romance!

    @Sonali - Everyone has a Jude story, right? And I find that everyone's favorite Jude is their first Jude...The Mulberry Tree is a wonderful one! Have you read TBL? You must!

    @Jane - I still have all those old Garwoods piled up in my office...The Bride, The Gift, The Secret... *sigh* They were the best!!!! And The Raider! Did you see <a href="http://macleanspace.com/dream-boys/the-raider-barbie-oh-my-yes/>my blog post a month or so back about The Raider Barbie</a>?!

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  39. @marybelle - Thank goodness for sisters! Mine changed my life with her Harlequin book-of-the-month club subscription, and that copy of The Black Lyon!

    @Dianna - ohhhh...A Knight in Shining Armor! Best. Time Travel. EVER. I lost my copy in some move some time...I'm going to have to buy it again!

    @Helen - Everyone loves those Velvets...and the Twins! I recently re-read Sweet Savage Love, and was shocked by it...have you reread it recently?

    @Deb - Gosh...Dorothy Garlock...I haven't thought about her in AGES! I'm so amazed that your mom was willing to part with those Deverauxs (I'd have kept them, too!)

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  40. Hi Gannon! AKISA is so good...in fact, I was just talking to a friend who writes horror, and she was telling me some creepy time travel story, and halfway through I said, "Oh! Like AKISA!" No, Sarah. Not at all like AKISA.

    Well....a girl can try.

    Bertrice was on my list, too, Gannon. Those books were SO SEXY. O_O

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  41. Though I read my first romance at 11, I'm fairly new to regular romance reading (about three years' worth) and I have a lot of catching up to do! I just read Lord of Scoundrels (Chase) and Flowers from the Storm (Kinsale) last year. I haven't yet read any by Deveraux and clearly, I need to go find The Black Lyon now. Thanks!

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  42. @Trisha - I don't blame you! If you're going to start with a modern romance...it doesn't get better that JQ!

    @Lisa - I'm so happy to share my story...Jude deserves the praise! Sweet Liar!!!! OMG! I LOVE that one...I read it in my grandparents big house in Devon in England one summer...the first hardcover romance I ever bought with my own money...and the white clothes! Hysterical!

    @Deb - Run. Don't walk. To the bookstore. Right. Now.

    @Marnee - I'm sure we're not alone...she inspired a generation or two of romance writers, I'm sure! And she followed me, too! I nearly died. I hear ya!

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  43. @Janga - I loved loved loved Sweet Liar...oh...and Change of Heart! That's the same anthology with Judith McNaught's fabulous MIRACLES...one of my favorite xmas reads.

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  44. @Ashleigh - You'll have to give her the new one in her Christmas stocking! :)

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  45. @LSUReader - Oh....Lord of Scoundrels is such a GOOD BOOK. And Flowers from the Storm!!! yummy yummy. As for The Black Lyon...get ready for some old school alpha male action! xox

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  46. Couldn't resist.

    My Jude story. 1984. I was eleven years old. My cousin brought her roommate home from college for the summer. Everyone was outside playing except me who was sitting on the steps watching and reading. My cousin's friend handed me Velvet Angel (the 4th in the Angel series) she had just finished.

    I have never looked back.

    And Sarah you are right. Jude is the master.

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  47. I can't remember which first real sexy romance I read. I don't know if it was Rosemary Rogers, Jude Deveraux, Kathleen Woodiwess, or Bertrice Small. Whichever one it was has been a long time ago since I was in my early 20's and I'm almost 60 now. I remember so much about many of those books, including The Black Lyon. I loved them one and all. Like Sarah's, my copy of The Black Lyon disintegrated after being read so much and being passed around.

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  48. I fell in love with romance books when I was 16 years old. That book was The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quoixote of La Mancha by Miquel de Cervantes (or as I refer to him after all these years simpel Don). The amazing thing is that I didn't need to read it for school but found it at the library, which luckily for me was a block from my home. Not only do I consider it one of the greatest fiction books of all times but it also introduced me to the author that I consider the first romance writer. I love the book so much that when my husband and I got married the song from the musical based on the book called The Impossible Dream was the song we played at our reception.

    I've been a romance fan ever since I read the first line of the book.

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  49. I read A Knight in Shining Armor for the first time a few months ago, and it blew me away. I didn't get to read many of Jude's books in the 80's, but to be fair... I was under 10 the whole time. Jude and Johanna Lindsey were the first authors I ever read in the romance genre, and I was about 11 or 12 when I found them, so early-mid 90's. I hadn't really thought about it, but I should seriously go back through and read their older 80's and early 90's historicals for what are sure to be fantastic novels!

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  50. I've read most of Jude Deveraux's books and I absolutely adore her writing. My favorite series is the one that includes The Velvet Promise, Highland Velvet, Velvet Song and Velvet Angel. So beautiful <3

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  51. Hey Sarah (waving madly)!! It is SO wonderful to have you hear today. And I absolutely love your post (and that your sister is jealous - HA!!). I have read several of Jude's books, just not this one. I'll definitely need to pick it up.

    The book that started my love of romance novels was THE WEDDING by Julie Garwood. The book was picked from a best sellers list for a reading club at work, and having no idea what it was about or even when it was set, I opened that book and it opened a whole new world to me. My love of all things historical, all things Scottish came from that book. To be completely honest, that is one of the reasons my first born is named Connor (after the hero in that book -- just don't tell my hubby!!) Tehehee

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  52. I've never read a Jude Deveraux book. The author that turned me onto Historical Romance was Georgette Heyer. Sylvester is one of my favorites, especially as read by Richard Armitage!

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  53. Another vote for the Velvet series - particularly Highland Velvet. How many other writers have you heard of who had a FEMALE Scottish laird? Might be time for yet another re-read! Bliss!

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  54. :) I love Jude Deveraux my first romance was an Eloisa James book, and I'm currently reading Hotter After Midnight by Cynthia Eden whom I also love!!!!

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  56. Oh my gosh, I started my romance reading career on Jude Deveraux and Julie Garwood too! They are bot epic, and their works are timeless. Love, Love, Love!!!!

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  57. Kathleen Woodiwiss, followed by Johanna Lindsay were my inspiration to write romance. My first was THE FLAME AND THE FLOWER and Sarah, my brother was the one who handed it to me and told me to read it. Guys read 'em too, even if in secret. ; )
    The woman who truly inspired me to write was my HS English teacher and I'd often wondered what she'd think about my wanting to write romance.

    unwrappingromance.blogspot.com/

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  58. OMG!!! THE BLACK LYON WAS, IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE MY ALL TIME FAVORITE Deveraux book!!! I LOVE the new cover and I have since lost (loaned out without return of) the copies I had with the other covers. This was the first romance I read in this genre and I agree, I was totally HOOKED! The characters are so REAL! I first read this at like 12 and checked out the copy with the black and gold lions belt cover (it drew my attention because I am a Leo and I am partially obsessed with all things lion LOL!). It is because of Jude that I have such a great thirst for reading!

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  59. and @ hrdwrkmom It's Knight in Shining Armor, the Earl Nicholas Stafford (?) ends up in England 20th century and is trying to clear his name of treason. Good book also!

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  60. For me, it was A Knight in Shining Armor. Absolutely love that story.

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  61. I love Jude Deveraux's books!! I think my favorite of her books is, "A Knight in Shining Armor" Oh how I looooved that book! I've since gotten my niece reading romance books, and her absolute favorite is Jude Deveraux. I loaned her my hardback copy of "A Knight in Shining Armor", but demanded that she return as soon as she was finished with it! LOL!!

    I started kind of "late" when it comes to reading. I could not understand why my mom and one of my brother's were always reading... It seemed like such "a waste of time". Little did I know! Well, my aunt and mom always swapped books, and I my aunt had given my mom "Genuine Lies" by Nora Roberts. After she was finished with it, my mom told me to read it. I don't know what made me open that book, but once I'd started reading it, I finally "got" why they were always reading. :-D I haven't stopped reading since that day! Lol!!! So, I have to say "thank you" to Nora Roberts for getting me hooked on books!

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  62. I have read a few of Jude Deveraux's books but not many. I really enjoy her work though. The book that got me hooked on reading would have to be Gone With the Wind, been reading ever since.

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  63. Jude rocks! - no doubt - but the one who 'got me' first was Dorothy Garlock. Dream River (insert breathy sigh here)! A friend stuffed it into my hands when I was all of 16...and here I am - ahem - several years later still pining for Rain Tallman! ;) And I agree that these stories can help us to find an inner strength and determination to make it through some extraordinarily tough times. I mean, what are my problems when compared to those of a woman tearing across the untamed Wild West all in the name of love?! ;D

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  64. Hi Sarah, Congratulations on your first book quote, and a cover quote to boot! I, too loved "The Black Lyon" but I have also read everything Jude Deveraux: books, stort stories, novellas...you get the idea. My first was "A knight in Shining Armour." I was hooked, so it would be hard to pick just one favorite. Montgomery's or Tagerts; Medieval or paranormal; historical or contemporary??? I will just say that my current favorite is "Lavender Morning." Edilean Harcourt is a wonderful character and Jude does an amazing job of developing her in the present and relating it to her past, all while telling two stories and setting the scene for the following books in the series.

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  65. My favorite is Knight in Shining Armor. Love it. I've been reading romance for too many years to count. Thank you for the contest. lisagk(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  66. I have my copy of The Black Lyon next to my bed. That poor copy is now 31 years old!!! Loved it 31 years ago and still love it today.

    But the book that started it all for me was Moonstruck Madness by Laurie Mc Bain, fell in love with the cover because it had a wonderful black horse on it.

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  67. Kathleen Woodiwiss's A Rose in Winter made me a romance addict! Some 20 years ago or so. At the tender age of eleven too! LOL! I have never read Jude Deveraux thouogh but I hear she is a master and would love to try her someday! Thanks for sharing!

    evjochum[AT]aol[DOT]com

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  68. Jude also brought me to romance. I had a similar experience with Highland Velvet. It was the first and is still my favorite. I feel like I know Stephen and Bronwyn...like they really lived or still live in some alternate universe. I wish I could discover her books all over again. Also, how much do we love that moment in Highland Song when Raine discovers Alyx's "lion" belt. *SIGH*

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  69. I know I am late. Vacations are hard on keeping up with favorite blogs. I have enjoyed many of Jude Deveraux's books. I came to romances rather "late" in life. I had read a few random Harlequin Presents at my grandmother's. However, about 15 years ago I found THE PRIZE by Julie Garwood, and romances, especially historical romances, have been a favorite ever since.
    I will say the cover for THE BLACK LION has improved much over the years.

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  70. Interesting post! The Black Lyon sounds like a really wonderful book! I read one Jude book called Remembrance and it was a really good time-travel/reincarnation book! :)

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