Best Romance Author - Judith McNaught
The idea for this hub has always been at the back of my mind and somehow I never got around to writing it. Until a moment ago when I thought once more about it and decided to search hubpages to see if any hubs have ever been written about Judith McNaught - my all time favorite romance novelist. To me she is the ultimate author of romance novels who does not disappoint! My search led me to several hubs which mentioned her name but no hub solely dedicated to her so I decided to give it a shot and share with the world a little bit about Judith!
I came across a hub titled "Why I Love Reading Romance Novels" and I can definitely identify with what the author was saying. I began reading romance novels in my early teenage years with the soft stuff like Judy Bloom, Mills and Boon and Harlequin novels. Then over the years progressed to Nora Roberts, Jude Deverauex and Julie Garwood etc. Off course this was much later on in life. I still remember religiously reading Sweet Valley High novels with the twins and then about their college life etc. I could not get enough of those books. Now, my heart belongs to Judith McNaught. I own every single one of her novels, and even have two copies of some of them.
About Judith McNaught
Judith McNaught is by far my absolute favorite romance novelist and she is noted as being one of the most beloved writers of all time in popular fiction. She has appeared on the New York Times bestseller list many times and has been praised by many critics as being "in a class by herself" and that "her novels transcend all boundaries of the romance genre". Reading on her personal life I was shocked to discover that she was married three times! Maybe that's how she knows to write such heart tugging romance stories! Ms. McNaught had two kids from her first marriage - Whitney and Clay - whose names both appeared in her novels. She remarried to Michal McNaught who had five children of his own - making the clan a party of nine (including the parents). Michael later died in a car accident and Judith again remarried but divorced in 1993. She now lives in Houston, Texas. She has won awards from the Romantic Times and Affaire de Coeur.
It has been a while since she released a new novel and I remember reading somewhere that she was taking "personal time" for herself. She is due to release a new novel this year (2011) titled "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" with a new Westmoreland Hero (my favorite heroes!). I can't wait for this one to come out to add to my collection!
My Top Five Favorite Judith McNaught Novels
Judith McNaught's books are usually grouped into series such as the Westmoreland series, Second Opportunities, Foster Saga, Short Stories etc. These are my top five favorites and a very short synopsis.
1. Kingdom of Dreams
This is my absolute all time favorite book. I've read it at least 15 times and I keep reading it over and over whenever I am feeling sad or just want to get lost in a McNaught world of romance! This book is about the enchanting Jennifer Merrick was abducted from a convent school along with her sister. She does not easily give in to the Duke of Claymore "The Wolf" - Royce Westmoreland. The love story is epic and by far the best romance novel ever!
2. Perfect
This was another great novel by Judith McNaught. This novel is about Zachary Benedict, a man who was wrongly convicted of murdering his wife. He escapes from prison and takes a school teacher Julie Mathison as a hostage. Their romance blossoms in a cabin in the snowy mountains in Colorado. This book will definitely tug at your heartstrings and is a book about love, betrayal and forgiveness. Enjoy!
3. Every Breath You Take
I remember when I first read this novel, I was taken by the characters and the passion that ensued between the two of them - Kate and Mitchell. Their romance began in Anguilla and revived itself in Chicago. Like with most romance novels, the couple fell in love then something tore them apart and then the finale with their reuniting. Judith McNaught takes a simple plot and turns it into a fairy tale story for the lack of a better expression.
4. Witney My Love
Probably one of Judith McNaughts' most famous novel, this one, though not my favorite, is definitely a good read. It's about a tomboyish girl who goes to Paris and returns a refined woman determined to win the hear t of the man she loved as a young girl growing up. However, as faith would have it, her father had already betrothed her to Clayton Westmoreland, the Duke of Claymore who I must say is a very excitable character. Get your hands on a copy of this one and read about their whirlwind romance.
5. Until You
I think I am a sucker for the classical/historial Judith McNaugh novels! This novel was the sequel to "Whitney, My Love" and it had one of my favorite family - the Westmoreland in it! This tale featured a school teacher, Sheridan Bromleigh, and the Earl of Langsford, Stephen Westmoreland. Stephen ends up playing guardian to Sheridan after being indirectly responsible for an accident that led to her memory loss and she not remembering who she was. Romance at its best!
Other great novels!
I found this website McNaughtized that you guys should check out! Click here on McNaughtized.com and you will find loads of information on Judith McNaught.
Other great Judith McNaught novels
- Almost Heaven - with Lady Elizabeth Cameron and Ian Thorton ***
- Double Exposure - with Corey Forrester and Spencer Addison
- Double Standards - with Lauren Danner and Nick Sinclair
- Miracles - with Julianna Skeffington and Nicholas DuVille
- Night Whispers - with Sloan Reynolds and Noah Maitland
- Once and Always - with Victoria Seaton and Lord Jason Fielding ***
- Paradise - with Meredith Bancroft and Matthew Farrell ***
- Remember When - with Diana Foster and Cole Harrison
- Someone to Watch Over Me - with Leigh Kendall
- Something Wonderful - with Alexander Lawrence and Jordon Townsende ***
- Tender Triumph - with Katie Connelly and Ramon Galverra
*** indicates the novels I particularly liked!
Hope you guys enjoyed learning about the amazing author and seeing the titles of the novels she's written etc. Do enjoy and remember, Judith has the power to take you to another time, relax you and hours spent reading her books are well worth it!