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A Season Beyond a Kiss |  |
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A Season Beyond a Kiss | |
(1939 - 2007) Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, creator of the modern historical romance, died July 6, 2007 in Minnesota. She had just turned 68. Her attorney, William Messerlie, said that she died after a long illness.
Born on June 3, 1939 in Alexandria, Louisiana, Mrs. Woodiwiss was the youngest of eight siblings. She long relished creating original narratives, and by age six was telling herself stories at night to help herself fall asleep. At age 16, she met U.S. Air Force Second Lieutenant Ross Woodiwiss at a dance, and they married the following year. She wrote her first book in longhand while living at a military outpost in Japan.
Woodiwiss is credited with the invention of the modern historical romance novel: in 1972, she released The Flame and the Flower, an instant New York Times bestseller, creating literary precedent. The Flame and the Flower revolutionized mainstream publishing, featuring an epic historical romance with a strong heroine and impassioned sex scenes. "Kathleeen E. Woodiwiss is the founding mother of the historical romance genre," says Carrie Feron, vice president/editorial director of William Morrow and Avon Books, imprints of HarperCollins Publishers. Feron, who has been Woodiwiss's editor for 13 years, continues, "Avon Books is proud to have been Kathleen's sole publishing partner for her paperbacks and hardcover novels for more than three decades." Avon Books, a leader in the historical romance genre to this day, remains Mrs. Woodiwiss's original and only paperback publisher; William Morrow, Avon's sister company, publishes Mrs. Woodiwiss's hardcovers.
The Flame and the Flower was rejected by agents and hardcover publishers, who deemed it as "too long" at 600 pages. Rather than follow the advice of the rejection letters and rewrite the novel, Mrs. Woodiwiss instead submitted it to paperback publishers. The first publisher on her list, Avon, quickly purchased the novel and arranged an initial 500,000 print run. The novel sold over 2.3 million copies in its first four years of publication.
The success of this novel prompted a new style of writing romance, concentrating primarily on historical fiction tracking the monogamous relationship between a helpless heroines and the hero who rescued her, even if he had been the one to place her in danger. The romance novels which followed in her example featured longer plots, more controversial situations and characters, and more intimate and steamy sex scenes.
"Her words engendered an incredible passion among readers," notes Feron. Bestselling author Julia Quinn agrees, saying, "Woodiwiss made women want to read. She gave them an alternative to Westerns and hard-boiled police procedurals. When I was growing up, I saw my mother and grandmother reading and enjoying romances, and when I was old enough to read them myself, I felt as if I had been admitted into a special sisterhood of reading women."
New York Times bestselling author Susan Elizabeth Phillips, a leading voice in the women's fiction arena, says, "We all owe our careers to her. She opened the world of romance to us as readers. She created a career for us to go into."
The pioneering author has written 13 novels over the course of 35 years, all New York Times bestsellers. Kathleen E. Woodiwiss's final literary work, the upcoming Everlasing, will be published by William Morrow in October 2007. "Everlasting is Kathleen's final gift to her fans," notes Feron.
Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, who was predeceased by her husband and son Dorren, is survived by sons Sean and Heath, and numerous grandchildren.
Get the champagne out of the refrigerator! It's time to celebrate The New York Times bestselling author Kathleen E. Woodiwiss's latest epic, A Season Beyond a Kiss. This pioneer of the romantic fiction genre renews her grateful readers' acquaintance with old friends, the Birminghams of The Flame and the Flower and The Elusive Flame fame. This time it's Brandon's younger brother Jeffrey and his off-again, on-again marriage to beautiful English import Raelynn that captivates audiences. Circumstances--and a murderous villain--have conspired to separate newlyweds Jeff and Raelynn. Raelynn has been broadsided by the accusation that Jeff has impregnated a young serving girl and refused to acknowledge his child. Jeff, of course, vehemently denies the accusation, but Raelynn is unsure she can trust her handsome husband. Just when the young lovers manage to mend their quarrel, a pregnant Raelynn is horrified to discover Jeff standing over the body of the murdered serving girl with the murder weapon in his hand. Throw in a ruthless merchant with designs to possess Raelynn at any cost and a mysterious murderer with a secret worth killing for, and you've got a new classic from veteran author Woodiwiss. In spite of the sometimes convoluted dialogue, fans old and new will be able to overlook the impression that Woodiwiss believes she's being paid by the word and revel in a fresh tale with familiar friends.--Alison Trinkle --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
专业书评 From Library Journal
The romance genre has changed drastically in the last two decades, but Woodiwiss here returns us to the unlamented bodice ripper. Overblown prose coupled with cardboard characters makes this title almost impossible to wade through. In this sequel to her legendary "Flame and Flower" series, Jeff Birmingham is wed to Raelynn Barrett, the Englishwoman he had rescued in a prior novel. The marriage gets off to a rocky start. Once the wedding vows are consummated, however a detail that takes 90 endless minutes to accomplish marital bliss ensues. Then a young woman is killed, and Jeff is discovered standing over the body holding the murder weapon. Reader Susan Ericksen's matter-of-fact delivery makes it possible for the listener to almost overlook the endless sex that masquerades as a plot. Every character is recognizable by both accent and mannerism. Unfortunately, Ericksen can't overcome the book's tiresome pacing. For diehard fans only. Jodi L. Israel, Jamaica Plain, MA
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
The New York Times
"A phenomenon." --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Atlanta Journal Constitution
"A legend." --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
