LOSING THE AUTHOR WHO INSPIRED ME:
Link: www.whatsinaword.net
I picked up my September issue of Romantic Times Magazine this morning and was saddened to learn romance author Kathleen E. Woodiwiss lost her battle with cancer on July 6th at the age of 68.Kathleen's first novel, THE FLAME AND THE FLOWER, released by Avon Publishing in 1972, sparked the entire romance genre. In 1974 her second book, THE WOLF AND THE DOVE was released.
Kathleen inspired me to write my first book...an historical entitled THE GOLDEN LADY. That was in 1984 and I was going through a divorce from my first husband. I was down and out, the lowest I've ever been, feeling scared to be a single parent to my two young children. My friend Sue brought me a book, entitled A ROSE IN WINTER, by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. I became mesmerized with her style of writing, the way she portrayed her heroes, heroines and the explicit (yet tasteful) love scenes. I couldn't get enough of her....buying everything she wrote and reading each book two and three times over.
A few years ago I wrote her a letter, explaining to her how captivated I'd become with her characters....especially her handsome heroes. She was nice enough to answer me with a letter I cherish to this day. In 2002 I was Newsletter Editor for my Romance Writers of America's local group, Capital Region - RWA. I interviewed Kathleen for the bi-monthly publication, Capital Romance. She took time out of her busy schedule to answer my questions, showing all her fans what a heartwarming and genuinely nice person she was.
Romance readers have truly lost their QUEEN OF ROMANCE. If you're a Woodiwiss fan and would like to send a message of condolence to her family, you can leave your post at:
Sincerely,
Roberta C.M. DeCaprio
