When Holly asked me to be a guest here at BOOK BINGE, I was looking through my notes and drafts and realized I could sort of combine some stuff and incorporate a suggestion Holly made which was to talk about some books I’m thankful for since tomorrow is Thanksgiving.
What I came up with are books I’m thankful I read at a particular time in my life. Maybe not the first books I think of when I think of favorites, but memorable books nonetheless.
The first book I want to talk about is THE WOLF AND THE DOVE by Kathleen Woodiwiss. Man, who knew there could be sex in historical fiction? I sure didn’t before I read this book back in 1978. I’ve read the book only a couple of times but can remember some portions of it very clearly. It had a huge impact on me. I also met an amazing woman whose name was also Kathleen through that book. It was the first relationship I had with someone who was also an avid reader and read the same type of books I did. My oldest son who was born in 1986 is named after a Kathleen Woodiwiss’ character in ASHES IN THE WIND.
The next book I want to talk about is WHITNEY MY LOVE by Judith McNaught. I read this book back in 1986 right after my oldest son was born. I’d always loved historical fiction and asked for a recommend from ‘Jean’ the owner of a small independent bookstore. She pointed to a display of the books and said, “I haven’t read it, but a lot of my customers are raving about that book.” This book knocked my socks off. I haven’t re-read it in years, but I loved it then and I glommed all the McNaught books I could find, which weren’t many. Judith McNaught is the first author I ever wrote and saw in person. My youngest son is named after the Duke of Claymore. Need I say more?
THE WITNESS by Sandra Brown is also a book I’m very grateful for. The book came out in the summer of my 41st year. For some unknown and still unexplained reason I began having panic attacks in June of that year. As a result, I was unable to sit still and read anything. I missed reading so much. As I worked that summer to get myself together I tried book after book after book. THE WITNESS was the book that broke the barrier. Great suspense and romance and strong on character. Thank you Sandra Brown.
SHATTERED LEGACY by Lora Leigh is very special to me. Lora repeatedly let her readers know before it’s release at Ellora’s Cave that this wasn’t a book with an HEA and was the beginning of an on-going series. It was different, engrossing and more layered than Lora’s previous books. Six months before my Mom died she had a week long stay in the hospital. She hated being by herself and liked to have one of us stay with her even when she was sleeping. I would go and sit for hours by her bedside reading and holding her hand. There is so much to distract you in a hospital with people coming and going and all the noise in the hallway. It can be agonizing sitting and waiting. Somehow, I was engaged in that book, riveted actually and it kept me sane and my mind still while I was sitting with Mom. How can you ask more than that of a book?
My final entry for books I’m thankful for is actually a sub-genre of romance novels. I’m talking about erotic romance. GG, my husband, has always been so positive, supportive and encouraging about my reading. As with many husbands, boyfriends, and significant others he enjoys fringe benefits when I read a particularly hot and steamy book. Even though we will never engage in most of the stuff I read about, I have to say that erotic romance arrived at a wonderful time in our lives. I think there should be a t-shirt that says, “I’m smiling because my wife reads HOT romance novels.” So to every one of you great erotic romance writers who given GG and I a little spice in our lives, thank you!
So what about you? Is there a book you read at a pivotal moment in your life? Have you read a book that changed your life or the way you think about something? Or maybe, there’s one book you are particularly thankful for. Take a second and tell us about it. It might change someone else’s life too.
Rosie
Nobody Asked Me
HAPPY THANXGIVING!!!
I WANTED TO STOP BY AND SEE WHAT YOU ALL WERE UP TO ABOUT THIS TIME. HOPE EVERYONES FALL IS TURNING OUT GOOD. END OF THE YEAR IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. FINISH UP THOSE CHRISTMAS PRESENTS. LOL. AND WHIP OUT THOSE MITTENS AND SCARVES. : )
HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAYS.
Great post, Rosie.
Whitney, My Love is my favorite historical romance of all time, and Sandra Brown’s The Witness is another fav.
The book I’m most thankful for is probably LaVyrle Spencer’s Separate Beds. It was the first “big” romance I ever read, and started my craze. 🙂
Have a great Thanksgiving!
My mom thinks it’s a crime I haven’t read “Whitney, My Love”. And I think that Sandra Brown book was one she liked.
As for my own favorites, most of them aren’t romances because I only started reading romances more heavily in the last two years. That said, “House Like a Lotus” by Madeleine L’Engle was a book I read when I found out a close friend was gay, and it helped me gain perspective. I also read the Harry Potter series (or at least the first four books) over and over again during a bout of major depression several years ago.
As for recently, well, I ended up totally immersing myself in Susan Elizabeth Phillips’s “It Had to Be You” yesterday, which was nice because, apart from the laundry, I had no other distractions and it was a nice way to start my weeklong break from classes.
MARIE! Girl, I was just thinking about you! I hope you’re doing well. Come back and tell us what’s up! What are you reading, what’s new and exciting in your life, where have you been? LOL
Great post, Rosie. There are so many novels I’m thankful for, but my number one will always be Saving Grace by Julie Garwood. It was the first historical I ever read, and the one that sparked my interest in reading romance…and in online communities.
Shannon,
I don’t think you’re missing much with W,ML. I loved it the first time I read it, but was sorely disappointed in each subsequent re-read. *sigh* Isn’t that always the way of it?
Excellent post Rosie! I’m thankful for the romance genre as a whole but then, aren’t we all 😉
The book that cinched my reading romance forever and ever was Sutcliffe’s Renegade Love. I had never experienced anything like it and I was enthralled. I believe it was A Rose In Winter by Woodiwiss that was the next book to blow me away.
Like others, Garwood was the Holy Grail for me. I didn’t know H/H could be friends or that they could be in funny situations.
After that it’s all a blur 😉
CindyS
I have read all but one of those books, and I liked them all 🙂
What a fantastic post, Rosie! Thanks so much for hooking us up over here at Book Binge…I really enjoyed your post and I didn’t know that your oldest son was named after the Duke of Claymore…which one? =)
There are so many books that I’m thankful for but one that sticks out in my mind is The Wedding by Julie Garwood…it’s where I found my daughter’s name! =)
Hey Marie,
Thanks sweetie, it’s good to see you around these parts! =) I hope you have a fabulous holiday season as well! =)
Farrah,
You post over at the JMBB, right? Are you one of Casee’s friends? Welcome..=)
Shannon,
I think you should check out W,ML because there are so many people who love that book that I’m sure you’ll like it too. I enjoyed it but it’s not my favorite JM, it was still a very engaging read…one that will have you experiencing every emotion known to man…=)
Chantal,
Which book haven’t you read?
This was a great post Rosie!!! I have to admit, I’m not sure if I have a book that has really impacted my life or not ^^; but I still have time for it! and LOL, like how you named your sons after heroes 😛
Great post, Rosie! I am so thankful for books, too! They take me away, give me peace, give me comfort, make me feel, help me not feel; whatever I need – a book is there for me.
I think on of the books I’m most thankful for, and I reread it often, is England’s Perfect Hero. This one is so well written, has the perfect hero (well, the title says so – it must be true *g*), and is such a beautiful,. emotional story of coming back to life. I always read this one when I’m in the mood for an emotional read.
Interesting, that Whitney, My Love is one of the last McNaughts I read, and I actually enjoyed it less than some of the others. Hmmm…. still loved it, but there it is…
First Happy Thanksgivig everyone. Next, to Rowena Shmoo is named after the Duke of Claymore. Beanie is named after the hero in ASHES IN THE WIND by Woodiwiss. Before you all think I’m nuts, they have family names for middle names and I think totally awesome names.
Nath, uh…I think I’m most fortunate GG reads romance…wear the t-shirt? Maybe at home. To bed.
Holly, Rowena, Isabel, and Casee, thanks for having me. This was fun.
Happy Thanksgiving to my American blog buds.
Rosie-That was an amazing post! It’s great how books can affect our lives. And I think it’s awesome you named your boys after characters. 😛
Hey Holly. : )
I been thinking about dropping by for the past couple of weeks. Things have certainly been busy. Lol.
I’ve been reading some not-so-interesting books. I have been stopping a couple chapters in on most of them that I’ve been picking up. So, I started borrowing books from my friend again. It’s pretty sad that the ones on my shelf are so disappointing. Yikes…. such horrible books don’t deserve a spot on my shelf, let alone in my room to wait to get finished. I’ve been throwing them in the trunk of my car. Lol. That way I don’t have to look at them and wonder what I might be missing in the story, and I don’t have to wonder how much money I wasted on those pieces of junk. Lol. : p
Otherwise, I am reading Amanda Quick at the moment.
Besides the books, I am probably getting a job at a Chriropractors office pretty quick. The job kinda fell into my lap. It was like ‘Yes or no. You want the job?’ Lol. Hell yea. Its for Massage Therapy.
If anyone is on MySpace, come check me out. : )
http://www.myspace.com/butterflies1307
Oh okay that’s great…I really like that name, it’s funny because I remember back when I first read his book, I didn’t care for the name at all but over the years, the name has totally won me over. I’m a fan now. =)
You’re always welcome over here sweetie, we’re glad that you came over and thanks again for the guest blog! =)
Rowena, yes, I’m one of Casee’s JMBB friends. I usually lurk here at Book Binge, but had to post this time. Because of your post I pulled both W,ML and The Witness off the shelf this weekend and skimmed my favorite parts. 🙂
Marie,
A chiropractor? That’s awesome. I couldn’t live without mine.
Sorry you haven’t been reading anything good lately. What are some of the titles you’ve been reading? Give me a list and I’ll make some recs for you…
Things are crazy over here. Thanksgiving about wiped me out. LOL I’m ready for a vacation.
Farrah,
What’s The Witness? Have I read that?
I’m glad you visit here. 🙂
Haha. I know Holly. I have been going to mine for like 3yrs.
Thing is tho, I have to get my CPR cards renewed. Probably at Red Cross I can do that.
And since I moved at the beginning of the year I can’t find my diploma. Everyones been saying I should call my school and get a copy mailed to me. Well, I called, and they don’t keep copies on hand. Ugh….. so I can pay for my transcript, and see if the the city hall can use that. : p
I feel like thi is taking too long to get sorted out. I wonder if the job will be waiting for me….
Anywho, yea, I guess its supposed to snow hard-core this weekend. Can’t wait for that. *Eye roll!
Lol.
I guess I need to be reading and sticking to authors I know. I mean, i guess I used to go from the ones you guys would read…. when they sounded good. But an authors got to have good verbage for me to follow. Otherwise I get bored with it all. Lol.