"Once on a high and windy hill,
In the morning mist two lovers kissed and the world stood still.
Then your fingers touched my silent heart and taught it how to sing.
Yes, true love's a many splendored thing."
"Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing" is a golden oldie romantic song with music by Sammy Fain and lyrics by Paul Francis Webster. The song was publicized first in the movie of the same name,
"Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing" (1955), winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song. The film tells the tragic love story of the widowed Eurasian doctor Han Suyin (played by Jennifer Jones) who falls in love with the married-but-separated American correspondent Mark Elliott (played by William Holden). They meet in Hong Kong, during the turbulent period of China's Communist Revolution. While they find brief happiness, she is ostracized by her Chinese community. Elliott is killed by an attacking aircraft's bomb as the movie reaches its conclusion. Suyin returns at the end of the film to a scenic hillside where they had courted, comforted after his death by his late arriving letters. The movie was adapted by John Patrick from the 1952 novel
"A Many-Splendoured Thing" by Han Suyin. The book gives an insight into class structure and racial prejudice which sadly is as relevant today as it was in the fifties. Although the work is a novel, it is also autobiographical. Han Suyin's real life lover, Ian Morrison, an Australian war correspondent and a married man based in Singapore, was killed in Korea in 1950.
What makes a love story memorable? What makes it a book worth sitting down with and investing a little more of your time than you would with a quick read? What is there about the characters and story line that comes together for a take your shoes off, get comfortable, and get lost in another world kind of read? Do you prefer the true life tears and triumphs of realism, or do you seek the adventures and thrills of escapism? Maybe you're like me, and you just savor a great story. I do read an increasingly expanding variety of genres, but my heart still belongs to romance. As a young reader in my early teens, I was enthralled by the historical romances of Georgette Heyer, Barbara Cartland, and Jane Aiken Hodge. I also enjoyed great gothic romantic mysteries from Victoria Holt, Phyllis A. Whitney, and Mary Roberts Rinehart. Category romances eventually began to fill my bookshelves, and then my reading life was changed forever when I read my first book by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss! I was also captivated by the works of the great
Alexandre Dumas, the famous French author of "The Three Musketeers," "The Count of Monte Cristo," "The Man in the Iron Mask," and many other classic tales of romantic adventure.
I love the Musketeers the best, but it's hard to resist The Count--especially when he is portrayed by the gorgeous and talented
Jim Caviezel.
My early romance books were bought at school book fairs or through the scholastic book service, or little magazine shops that also sold newspapers, books, cigarettes and candy. There were dime stores, drug stores, and discount stores that may have had a "book rack". Today, we are so fortunate to have a world of reading sources readily available, even in small towns like my home town. We still have some independent bookstores here, along with other types of retailers that sell books, and we have also have three libraries. The libraries offer computers and internet access, which for many people is their only means to surf the web. I never cease to be thrilled with the access that I have to books, which are my "treasures", and I never tire of speaking "book talk". Reading fuels your brain, stirs your heart, and feeds your soul.
Contemporary fiction writers Jane Porter, Nora Roberts, Sandra Brown are examples of multi-genre authors whose books have been made into films.
"Flirting with Forty" by Jane Porter is one of my favorite book into film stories (the photo shows Jane Porter flanked by Heather Locklear and Robert Buckley, the stars of the film). It tells the story of Jackie Laurens, a woman who has to stop and restart just as she turns forty. She faces challenges that she never expected and rewards that she never imagined. The book and film are both terrific, and the fact that there is so much of Jane and her own life in the character of Jackie makes it even better!
What are some books that you consider to be memorably romantic? What are your favorite "books into movies"? Do you have special plans for Valentine's Day? What's your all-time favorite Valentine's treat? What ever you do to celebrate, make it worth doing with someone who makes it all worthwhile. I hope you enjoy my recommended reads and recipes, and please share some of your own. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
Australian author
Annie West creates wonderful contemporary romances featuring Sheikhs, Greeks, Princes, and Power Players. Her latest:
The Savakis Merger and
Prince of Scandal . Upcoming:
Girl in the Bedouin Tent .
UK author
Christina Hollis' powerful and passionate protagonists are undone by the love of a good woman--a heroine with heart, and it all takes place in lush settings like Italy and France. Read more:
The French Aristocrat's Baby ,
The Count of Castelfino , and
The Italian's Blushing Gardener .
American author
Lynne Marshall's marvelous medical romances are enhanced by her insider's knowledge from working for over twenty years as a registered nurse. Lynne took a writing road trip with her latest work, the delightful
One for the Road . Her upcoming release:
Courting His Favorite Nurse .
US author
Tory Richards also writes as Debbie Wallace. Her blog site
Romance with an Attitude often packs an entertaining punch! I
guest blog with Tory on the 20th of each month. Read more:
All The Right Moves ,
Someone to Love , and
The Promise .
Marilyn Brant is an American author whose extensive travels around the world add rich imagery to her writing. Read more:
According to Jane ,
Friday Mornings at Nine , and
A Summer in Europe .
Australian author
Anna Campbell's Regency Romances are deep, dark and delicious--with that extra little twist of satisfaction like really good dark chocolate. Read more:
Midnight's Wild Passion ,
My Reckless Surrender , and
Tempt the Devil .
N.J. Walters is a multi-genre author with a talent for storytelling who resides in Canada with her husband, who is also a writer. Read more:
Jamesville ,
Tapestries , and
Legacy .
Whether writing as
Maggie Robinson or
Margaret Rowe, this American author's romantic tales are told with a sassy and sexy style all their own. Read more:
The Courtesan Court Series ,
Any Wicked Thing , and
Tempting Eden .
Canadian author
Lila DiPasqua's imaginative and involving retellings of classic fairy tales are the heart and sizzling soul of her "Fiery Tales" series. Read more:
Awakened by a Kiss ,
The Princess in His Bed , and
A Midnight Dance .
Sweethearts of the West--Authors Writing Romance Set Under Western Skies
A lovely, lively, and talented group of ladies who write western romance in a variety of eras and sub-genres. A great blog site with entertaining and interesting topics. Wonderful writers
Caroline Clemmons,
Celia Yeary,
Amber Leigh Williams,
Anna Kathryn Lanier,
Ashley Kath-Blisky,
Cheryl Pierson,
Jeanmarie Hamilton,
Kathy Otten,
Lauri Robinson,
Paisley Kirkpatrick,
Paty Jager, and
Tanya Hanson are gracious in allowing me to
guest blog on the 8th of each month.
WINE, CHEESE & FRUIT
Focus on the company and the ambiance, and keep the appetizers simple and satisfying. Cheeses such as brie and Gouda both pair nicely with fruit, crackers and French bread. Brie and Gouda (try smoked Gouda for a delicious change) go well with a dry white wine such as Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio, champagne, or a Burgundy Red or Bordeaux. Cheddar is one of the most popular selections for wine and cheese picnics, and is best paired with a sweet lighter wine such as a Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc or a White Zinfandel. Fruits such as apples and pears are wonderful, but don’t cut them beforehand as they can brown and look unappetizing. Grapes and berries are sweet and easy – the perfect finger food. The best wine to pair with fruit is a white, slightly fruity wine, such as a Riesling, Moscato, or Muscat, a slightly sweeter white wine.
PRAWNS IN COCKTAIL SAUCE
3 cups peeled, cooked prawns or shrimp
4 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tsp creamed horseradish sauce (or to taste)
2 tbsp tomato ketchup
juice of one lemon or lime
2 cups torn Romaine lettuce pieces
1 lemon or lime, quartered
Combine mayonnaise, creamed horseradish, tomato ketchup, and lemon or lime juice into a mixing bowl. Stir in prawns or shrimp and combine well so that all prawns or shrimp are coated with sauce. Divide the torn lettuce pieces between 4 large wine glasses and top with the prawns and sauce. Decorate each glass with a wedge of lemon or lime.
BAKED FISH FOR 2
2 haddock or cod fillet (6 ounces each)
Salt and pepper to taste
2/3 cup seasoned bread crumbs
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1-1/2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley
1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
Place fillets on a greased baking sheet; season with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; pat onto fillets. Bake at 400° for 15-20 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Yield: 2 servings.
WILD RICE WITH SAUTEED VEGETABLES
1 cup wild rice
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 tbsp butter
salt to taste
Combine rice, water, and butter in a pan and bring to a boil. Stir and cover. Reduce heat to simmer and cook for about 50 minutes, until almost done. Remove from heat and let stand in covered pot for 10 minutes. Fluff with fork and salt to taste. Top with sauteed vegetables.
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup slice mushrooms
1 small red onion, chopped
1 cup carrots, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
3 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
Saute vegetables and garlic in a large skillet in olive oil. Add broth and simmer until liquid is absorbed and vegetables are fork-tender. Serve over rice.
RICH CHOCOLATE TORTE WITH RASPBERRIES & CREAM
1 cup unsalted butter, cut in pieces
12 ounces dark chocolate, broken in pieces
1 cup granulated/caster sugar
6 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
sweetened whipped cream
fresh raspberries
powdered sugar
Preheat oven to 350 F. (180 C.) Butter a 9 inch springform pan.Line with parchment paper. Butter parchment paper. Melt butter and chocolate in a double boiler over simmering water, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and cool to lukewarm. Whisk sugar and eggs together in a large bowl. Stir in vanilla. Add chocolate and stir to combine. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until set and top begins to crack, about 45 minutes. (The center will still be moist.) Cool cake completely on rack. Remove pan side. (Can be made one day in advance. Cover and refrigerate.) To serve: Top cake slices with whipped cream and raspberries and then sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar.
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