It’s been a busy week for the monkeys, so we hope you don’t mind a short question this time around!
Jennifer Yates asked:
What was the first romance you read (if you remember)?
CP: Catherine Coulter’s Sherbrooke Bride and because it was historical and started in the older language, I was lost but fell in love. THEN LaVyrle Spencer’s Separate Beds and I knew I wanted to write like she did!
JEL: Mine was CAPTIVE BRIDE by Johanna Lindsay. My best friend took it from her older sister, read it, then passed it on to me. We were in the 9th grade. The other author who I remember vividly was Linda Lael Miller, but that was in college. That was the first time I realized I wanted to write like she did–sweeping, romantic, sexy, American historicals. My first two (unpublished) books are American historicals. Alas, they were no where near as wonderful as Linda Lael Miller’s books!
JD: I don’t remember the actual first romance I read, but I do remember that it was Loveswepts that originally hooked me on romance novels. Some of my favorites that long ago (nearly 20 years ago!) were Sandra Brown, Kay Hooper, and Iris Johansen. From there, I picked up historical romances, and loved them too — especially Judith McNaught’s KINGDOM OF DREAMS.
LK: My first romance novel was The Flame And The Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss. I read it in the closet with a flashlight when I was twelve and I utterly adored it. I read nothing but historicals for a long time, then gradually started reading Harlequins when I was in high school. Temptation was my favorite line…what a thrill when I actually sold to them! (PS: Janelle, Kingdom of Dreams was also one of my favorites!)
What was your first romance? What was the book that really stayed with you most?
Remember to send your questions to Carly at carly@carlyphillips.com!
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold nearly thirty books to three publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her husband, daughter, spoiled dachshund, enormous guinea pig and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
ANOTHER WILD WEDDING NIGHT
Hard to Hold
Love Me If You Dare
Wild For Him
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Wow that’s a great question. Surprisingly I actually still have the book. Kansas Wildfire a historical western. Gotta love the cowboys. Then I found contemporary romance, and then I moved on to Historical Romanace.
I go thru season’s I think, I’ll only read contemporary’s then i’ll change to Historical’s for a while.
Happy Saturday!
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the first romance book I ever read was one my friend loaned me when I was eighteen years old, Bertrice Small’s Skye O’Malley. I remember my friend say that the woman that wrote the book was a grandmother.:happy2: Val couldn’t believe someone that was a grandmother could write such romantic and lusty books.
:doggie::doggie::doggie::doggie::doggie::doggie::doggie::doggie::doggie:
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I don’t remember the name of it (something with the wor Obsession in it), but it was a Harlequin Presents by either Emma Darcy or Carole Mortimer. I was around 11 or 12, and have been addicted ever since. It’s an enduring passion that I know will never wane.
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:wave: morning everyone. First romance novel…hmmmm….I really don’t remember my first but I’m sure it was Harlequin because my aunt owned them all (I really mean all of them) she could have easily had her own used bookstore.
Julie, I loved Captive Bride was a big favorite I also loved Warrior’s Woman too.
Judith McNaught was by far my favorite historical writer back then and I read them all. I loved the way her characters from past books would visit through a new book. Not a series but I felt that I really knew them all as I read.
There are so many others that I read and have read that I love but not enough time or space. Of course I read the plotmonkeys books always along with the other TARA writers.
I just recently started reading Luanne Rice and so far have loved everything that I have read.
Unfortunately I loved Janet Dailey for quite awhile when I was younger. To find out what she did made me so very mad that I ever added to her sales. Who knows if she is really writing her own stuff but I’ll never read her again. I’m truley not trying to bash a writer as I don’t ever want to do that but when the truth is put out there IMO you have to never buy again.
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I don’t know if Jackie Collins books are classified as romance but I read one of her’s first. I don’t know which one but I think it was Chances
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:)Mine was a Judith Krantz or a Jackie Collins….As far as Harlequin’s my grandma owned seriously ALL of them….she wouldn’t EVER let me near them when I was young. I haven’t thought about that in a long time…:)
Happy Saturday…I am on vacay, but still checking in!
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Might have been Little Women, but I guess this is more women’s fiction. I had the whole set though. Little Men and Jo’s Boys were also favorites.
I remember being enthralled with a Janet Dailey romance. I think it might have been my first Harlequin.
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I have no idea what was my first romance novel as it was so long ago! I’ve been an avid reader forever & use to read some teen romances after I out grew the Bobbsey Twins! I discovered Harlequin books in the early 80’s & subscribed to the Temptation line & through those books was introduced to many of my favorite authors. Joining eHarlequin several years ago opened up a new world to me that I have enjoyed very much. eHarlequin has lead me to blogs & other interesting websites. It is so much fun to have actual “contact” with such talented people—like the Plotmonkeys!8):cheer::love2:
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I can’t remember what my first romance novel was either
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Hi Carly,:wave:
I have a quick question. I am trying to figure out if you are writing a book called “Sealed With A Kiss”. I have the name of that book written down in my notes and your name under it.:?:
I went to Borders today and I couldn’t find it or in the search. I also went on your website and nothing hmm. Maybe I am just assuming because I have a list of books that I need to buy and reserve at the Library and maybe I wrote your name under that title by mistake.
Thanks
Cheryl
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I used to read Barbara Cartland when I was in junior high. I think my most favorite romance book that I remember is Sandra Brown’s Texas Lucky.. after that one I HAD to read everything Sandra Brown wrote. I also love Diana Palmer. I now LOVE
anything set in New Orleans–thanks Julie Elizabeth Leto–Loved, Loved, Loved, New Orleans Nights… I was in Books A Million last night looking for more of your books and that was the only one they had??? I complained…I did however order Boys of Summer, Seducing Sullivan, & Domino Effect. CAN’T wait to read them.
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Cheryl,
(meant for me). Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SWAK will be the sequel to CROSS MY HEART … assuming I ever finish it!
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my was a historcal but i forget
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Thanks Carly and I am sure you will finish it and I will be looking forward to reading it.
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Hmmm, I am pretty sure that my first taste of romance came through Nora Roberts, but it has been so long ago that I am kind of fuzzy, although it could have been Montana Sky………….I have been hooked ever since.
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My first romance was Julie Garwood’s “Heartbreaker” If it weren’t for that book I probably would not have caught onto the whole romance novel thing. I could never find anything that interested me long enough to finish it. After that it was Suzanne Brockmann and the Navy Seal series.
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I think my first romance book was Danielle Steel’s The Promise, but I can remember reading books by Patricia Maxwell and Janet Dailey a kid as well. I used to swipe the books from my mom and grandmother when they laid them down.
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I don’t remember the title of my first romance novel buy I know it was by Rosemary Rogers. My mom would always drop me off at the library when I was 13, so pleased that I wanted to stay there for hours and read. Hah, little did she know what I was reading. Although I was reading a lot of sexy books at least I was getting the message that all of the heroines were virgins until they met mr. right. hehe
My now 14 year old daughter keeps asking me for books and since what I read is completely not right for her age, I have the hardest time finding books for her that she ends up liking. She reads all that Manga but she is definitely hit the age where she is looking for the romance books.
Any suggestions?
Julie
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Good question! I can’t remember my first Romance, but, it was a Temptation, a line I really miss. However, since retiring 7 years ago, I’ve read almost 800 Romances, though, I’d read some before that time.
Two books that really touched me (& I continue to reread) are: (1) A ROSE FOR MAGGIE, by Kathleen Korbel, about a Down’s Syndrome baby with a heart defect. I have a Down’s Syndrome daughter, age 42, still living with me, but, she is the most loving, compassionate & considerate person I know. Yet, reading MAGGIE in 1 day, I cried during every minute, ending at 2:30 AM, reliving my heartbreak & worry when she was born. (2) SUNSHINE & SHADOW, by Sharon/Tom Curtis, written in ‘86, but, still compelling, about a Amish young woman & a Hollywood director. In fact, all of their books, including the ones written as Robin James, are lovely, & I wonder why they aren’t still writing.
(Since there is two Patricias on this site, I’m going to add my middle initial to my posts.)
Patricia A.
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My first was Shanna by Kathleen Woodiwiss. I remember being shocked when I walked in and saw my Grandpa (of all people) reading it too! Did we discuss it…not on your life, I was still young enough that it would have been really embarassing!
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My first romance was Julie Garwood’s Ransom. I read it in 2 hours and fell in love with romances. :love2: Did I mention I was 13? After that I read all of the Judith McNaught books (my fav is Someone To Watch Over Me). Then I went for my contemporaries and hit on all the Plotmonkeys and Nora Roberts. (I finished all of her books in a span of 4 months) Now I am still reading the plotmonkeys for my contemporaries and looking for author recommendations for historicals. Suggestions anyone?
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I can’t believe I missed my own question :doh: That is what I get for going out of town. My first romance was Julie Garwood’s For the Roses when I was 13 or 14. I had seen RoseHill, the movie based on it (and starring Jennifer Garner), and wanted to read the book. I didn’t even know it was a romance. The book and movie are really nothing alike. But I started reading more of Garwood’s books and other historicals. It is only in the last couple of years that I started reading contemps. Now I love all kinds of romance!
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I first started reading the novels in the Good Housekeeping” magazine. The first romance paperback I read was Lavyrle Spencer’s “Forgiving”. I’ve never stopped reading!. I also loved Linda Howard, Heather Graham, Jude Devereaux, Elizabeth Lowell and Joan Honl. Plus many of the ones that were already listed above.