Love Letters 13

The story she told the grandkids:

"So he took me out for this lovely dinner and then we went on a romantic drive. After that, he gave me a book."




Today I declare "Pride & Prejudice" Day. For your delight and edification, we present the following offerings:

YouTube: Mister Darcy Goes For a Dive.

BooksShouldBeFree: Free mp3 Audio book of "Pride & Prejudice" (zipped into one file for your convenience).

Project Gutenberg: Pride & Prejudice in html, txt, PDF and Plucker. (Other Project Gutenberg goodies for Jane Austen including several audiobook versions of P&P.)

Also freely available at your local library and bookshop (both new and used).

Which version of "Pride & Prejudice" is your favourite?

Most people agree that Colin Firth is the best Mister Darcy to date. This may be true only because they have not yet cast Richard Armitage.

There are those who believe that Our Richard might do better than Our Colin as Mister Darcy: "Some are even claiming that Richard Armitage (as Mr. Thornton) has "de-throned" Colin Firth's Mr. Darcy as the ultimate brooding romantic hero."^[1]

So, who would make the better Mister Darcy? Colin Firth or Richard Armitage?

Meanwhile, here is a lovely conversation between Fitzwilliam Darcy and John Thornton from the excellent web site Foolish Passion.

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^[1] BBC Masterpiece Reviews: North & South.

What is it about romance novels?

Romance novels are devoured by woman around the world. Even those who hate them, secretly read them. They have been called trashy, forbidden, inappropriate and not true literary works. But we all know the truth is that romance is one of the biggest selling genres around.

To be honest, I don't think their are many out there with the close minded attitude that romance novels are the gateway to sin anymore. (at least they have quieted down some) Sure, we run across the occasional naysayer, but what that naysayer doesn't realize is that she is missing out on a wonderful, heart enlightening journey of love to rival the ages. And what these protesters are really against is the sex. But if they read the book they would see that the sex is an escalation of love. A meeting of souls, right?

Why do I read romance novels? It's not for the happily ever after or the awkward meeting of two destined souls, but for the middle of the novel. Where attraction is intensely strong and undeniably there. The hero and heroine fight it, deny it, and try to avoid it. Yet, circumstances keep forcing them together. I love the pull and tug of hearts. The yearning for what (they believe) they cannot have or deserve to experience. It is the ultimate kick start to the heart.

Some of my favorite novels? Karen Marie Monings entire Highlander series. Why? KMM creates a world unlike any I've ever read and within this world one man and one woman defy the fates, traverse time and conquer the impossible just to savor one more minute with each other. He is the missing the piece of her and she is the reparation for his damaged soul. I think my favorite is Immortal Highlander where the bad guy (who really isn't so bad) turns good. He is a faery who feels the way humans feel. He is fighting to return to his position beside the queen, all the while he has already found his rightful place in this world, the human realm.

Other novels?
Pride and Prejudice is a classic. I love... love Mr. Darcy.
Kinley MacGregor's Macallister Series- these four brothers are the men of men. They are stubborn, arrogant and tortured souls who need the very thing they don't want. The love of a good woman.
Jude Deveraux's The Duchess- a book I could read over and over again. The heroine is to wed the fair-hared brother, a titled duke, but falls in love with his dark, exotic older brother (the true duke) who had been her childhood hero under another name. Obviously, the older brother has some issues and wants nothing to do with society or his title. She must make a choice, he must come back from the dead and learn to accept her choice. -- Love it!

I read romance for the same reason I write it. It's captivating and refreshing. When I first started writing I never even gave a thought to what genre I would write. I just wrote what I loved. Just when I picked up my first romance novel. I didn't think about what genre I wanted to read, I was just gravitated toward it.

So why do you read romance novels? And if you haven't read one yet, why? What are your favorites or what can't you stand? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Holly's Questions and Answers

1: What are your favourite books from childhood?

The Littles by John Peterson. As I got a little older I read novels by V.C Andrews.

2: When did you start writing romance?

About three years ago. Unless the dramatic poems of my teenage years count...

3: If you ran the world for a day, what would you do?

That's a whopper of a question. :-) I'd plan a world wide conference for today's youths and do my best to encourage and instill a sense of confidence that they can do great things to better their futures. Too ensure it wasn't a wasted conference I find a unique way to make sure they walked away with that ever-lasting feeling of self importance.


4: Who is your favourite romantic hero - real or otherwise?

Mr. Darcy in the end of the "new" Pride and Prejudice movie when he says to Lizzy.. "I will have to tell you, you have bewitched me body and soul. And I love... I love... I love you."

And...

Matthew Perry in Fools Rush in When he says to Selma Hayek, "You are everything, I never knew I always wanted."

And Johnny Depp in Chocolat.... because well... he's Johnny Depp.

When it comes to novels, I don't think I've read a medieval hero I didn't love, my particular favorite is the MacKelter Brothers from Karen Marie Monings The Kiss of the Highlander and The Dark Highlander. And Adam Black in her The Immortal Highlander- Bad guy going good--- doesn't get any better than that.

Real life romantic hero- My hubby does a pretty descent job. :-)


5: Complete this sentence. There is nothing more important in life than......?

My children.


6: How do you find time to write?

Good question. I'll let you know when I figure it out. LOL!
Really, I usually stay awake until the wee hours of the morning when the house is quiet, TV is off and all I hear is the soundtrack I chose to listen to while writing. Other times I write bits and pieces through the day, when I can tune out the noise around me.

7: What book/books are you reading now?

Kingley MacGregor's Return of the Warrior.

Scotland: The History of a Nation (this is a "read a small section at a time" book. A lot of great info to take in.)

The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure For Writers by Christopher Vogler. (I've been milking this one for a while.- but it's a great book.)