Jude Deveraux is a brilliant romance writer who has written over 40 novels and several anthologies. Thirty-six of Deveraux’s novels have been on New York Times Best Seller List with over 50 million copies in print all over the world. According to www.wikipedia.com, Deveraux’s first published book was in 1978. Ms. Deveraux lives in North Carolina.
This is all interesting information, but as soon as you read a Jude Deveraux book, all thoughts of her personal life are thrown out of the window. Ms. Deveraux has written books in most all of the sub-genres of romance novels, including, Time-Travel, Medieval, Paranormal and Romantic Suspense. This a top 5 list to reflect some of these different sub-genres.
Please keep in mind that these novels are in no particular order, everyone has their own opinions, these happen to be mine.
The Black Lyon
This is a medieval book published in 1980 by Avon Books.
Overview: The Black Lyon who is famously known throughout England as being a vicious warrior has given up any hope of finding a trustworthy woman, after the wife he married when he was young callously dismisses him dying and taking their child with her. Until he meets Lyonene also named for her fiery spirit that so closely matches his, and marries her after only days of knowing her. Lyonene tries in every way possible to show her love to this unfeeling man, and in a fit of jealousy and a haze of lies she hightails it to Ireland to escape. The only hope of saving her is the fierce Black Lyon. Will he come to her rescue?
Lost Lady
This book is set in the late 18th century, was first published in 1985 by Pocket Books.
Overview: Regan Weston has ran away from her cold hearted Uncle and a money grubbing fiance. On the docks of Liverpool she runs right into the arms of the big, hunk American, Travis Stanford. Strangely protective of this woman-child, Travis basically kidnaps her, taking her back to Virginia with him. Regan having been sheltered all her life and knowing nothing about the outside world is overwhelmed when she reaches America. After meeting the woman who was supposed to be the next Mrs. Stanford, Regan flees once again to find her independence, and finds that she has the strength to stand on her own two feet. Travis finds Regan after 5 years of every one telling him she is dead, when a man comes to town asking questions about Travis and Regan. Travis gives Regan the courtship she never had when he finds out the man sniffing around her now is none other than her old suitor from England.
Legend
Published in 1997 by Pocket Books this novel is a Time-Travel romance.
Overview: Kady Long did not have a supermodels body, so she was astonished that the son of the woman who owned the restaurant where she was chef at wanted to marry her. Kady was having a hard time finding the perfect wedding dress until she inexplicably buys a flour tin at an antique shop and finds a wedding dress inside. Once she tries on the dress she feels dizzy and disoriented and when she gets her bearings she is watching a man being hung, and has to move fast to save him. Kady realizes that she has been transported through time, to 1873 Colorado, and Cole Jordan, the man she rescued from hanging has to help her. Cole does not want Kady to leave, he helps Kady find out who she really is, and reveals a few secrets of his own that could forever change her life.
The Mulberry Tree
This book is a Romance Mystery that was first published in hardcover in 2002 by Atria Books and then in paperback by Pocket Books in 2003.
Overview: Lillian Manville had lived a luxurious life, fully devoting herself to her billionaire husband, until he suddenly dies in a plane crash. Leaving the bulk of his wealth to his brother and sister, he left his wife with a run down house in Virginia with a note asking that she “find out the truth”. Lillian in an attempt to escape the media coverage changes her name and goes to her farmhouse in Virginia to start her new life. She falls in love with a local man and starts up a business with some of the women in the town. Through the twists and turns of a small town she uncovers a secret that is linked with her husband, but the question is can she stay alive long enough to unveil this secret.
Wishes
This novel was published in 1989 by Pocket Books and it is a Romance Fantasy/Semi-Paranormal.
Overview: Nellie Grayson never thought that she would find true love or ever get married, that was reserved for her sister Terel, whom she helped to be the catch of the town. Nellie loved her family and did everything she could to insure their comforts. When a man who is going into business with her father shows up early for dinner, Nellie rushes down to welcome him so her sister can dress for dinner. At first site Jace Montgomery was attracted to Nellie, he thought she was very beautiful, which was a surprise to him since he had not looked at another woman since his wife died six years ago. He does everything in his power to keep Nellie at his side, but through her sister Terel’s scheming, Nellie fears that she has lost him forever. Can the surprise visit of a very special “Aunt” help these two, or has Nellie’s family done to much damage for them to find their way back to each other?
Sources:
www.wikipedia.com
www.judedeveraux.com
My own personal Jude Deveraux library.
