Whitney My Love Read online

  Dear Reader,

  As I write this letter to you, all my past books are being readied for release in digital format. Naturally, I’m delighted, but in the case of Whitney My Love, I also feel a special sense of pride and sentimentality, because Whitney was my first book, and its path to publication was so long and so bumpy, that I often doubted that it—or I—would ever be published.

  I think you might enjoy the “story behind the story” of Whitney, My Love, so here it is. . . .

  I’ve always loved books about England’s glittering Regency period, but by 1976 I’d already read everything I could find, and the only new books being published were in Regency romance “series.” These Regency novels were all very short and sweet, with simple plots and undeveloped characters who occasionally exchanged a chaste kiss to demonstrate their passion. Those novels were cute, but I wanted to read about Regency characters who possessed the emotion, sensuality, humor, and sophistication of real human beings, and I wanted a complex plot filled with unexpected twists and unpredictable outcomes. I decided to write the type of book I wanted to read but couldn’t find.

  Since my background was solely in finance and human resources, I knew nothing about the rules governing manuscript formats; I didn’t even know there were rules. I also didn’t know that most publishers preferred to buy women’s fiction manuscripts that they could slide easily into a genre the way they already published it. I found that out the hard way.

  Filled with zeal and confidence, I named the heroine Whitney after my daughter and the hero Clayton after my son, and then I wrote and I wrote and I wrote. Finally, I decided my wonderful new book was ready to send to a lucky publisher who would surely be dazzled by my unique, enhanced, and vastly improved version of a Regency romance. I mailed the manuscript off. That night, my husband opened a bottle of champagne, and we happily toasted Whitney’s future. “To your first bestseller,” he said with complete confidence. When I warned him that could be aiming a little too high, he laughed and put his arm around me. “I have complete faith in you and your book.”

  A few weeks later, my manuscript was returned with a withering rejection letter stating that my manuscript was too long, too sensual, and too emotionally intense for a Regency romance. The editor said that if I had properly researched the genre, I would have known all that. She finished by complaining that the manuscript was single-spaced instead of double-spaced. In a postscript, she said that if I would cut the manuscript in half and fix all its shortcomings, I could resubmit it.

  I was devastated and mortified and a little angry, too. I tossed the manuscript into a closet, where it remained for several months, until my husband insisted that I reread it and perhaps consider following the editor’s suggestions.

  I did that and realized the manuscript could definitely be improved, but not by following any of the editor’s suggestions (except the one about double-spacing). Whether I was relying on good instincts and inspiration or merely being stubborn, I decided the manuscript should be much longer, more sensual, and more sophisticated, and the plot even more complex. When I’d accomplished that, I sent it off to two more publishers who rejected it with the same but more strongly worded criticisms. Each time the manuscript came back, I lengthened it, strengthened the plot, added more characters, and made the hero and heroine even more compelling.

  In 1982, my new literary agent read the manuscript, liked it, and sent it to an editor at Pocket Books (Simon & Schuster) who he thought would appreciate its uniqueness. The editor loved Whitney for the very reasons that had caused other editors to reject it. She bought it, and Pocket put their enormous support behind it, launching it as a lead title with great fanfare.

  It became an award-winning bestseller, one that has been translated into dozens of languages and is still in print in countries all over the world. Today, Whitney, My Love is regarded as a “classic” and is credited with creating an entire new subgenre of long Regency historicals.

  When you finish reading Whitney, My Love, you may be hoping I’ve written other books that feature some of the characters you’ve just met. I have, and here they are:

  Until You features Stephen Westmoreland’s story.

  A Kingdom of Dreams is the story of Royce Westmoreland, the First Duke of Claymore.

  Miracles is Nicki DuVille’s story.

  I hope you enjoy reading Whitney, My Love as much as I enjoyed writing it.

  Warmly,

  Judith McNaught

  Praise for the incomparable bestsellers of

  JUDITH McNAUGHT

  “ONE OF THE FINEST WRITERS OF POPULAR FICTION”*

  The dazzling #1 New York Times bestseller

  NIGHT WHISPERS

  “Never miss a McNaught! Night Whispers heads like the Titanic toward its iceberg of a climax—with shocking revelations. . . . Judith McNaught has written her most stunning work of fiction to date. Sexy, smart, and page-turning, this is a must-read.”

  —Barnesandnoble.com*

  “Fans of romantic suspense will shout that the great Judith McNaught has written something wonderful with her perfect novel, Night Whispers. . . . A tender triumph that will leave readers awed. . . . The characters are warm and charming, and will long be remembered.”

  —BookBrowser.com

  “Judith McNaught has all the ingredients for a great romantic thriller in Night Whispers. . . . Entertaining.”

  —Amazon.com

  “McNaught has truly outdone herself with Night Whispers. It is a testimony to her impressive talent, which pens tales filled with fiery passion, taut suspense, and unforgettable characters. Equal parts romance and suspense, this is a must read for mystery and romance fans alike. . . . You’ll find yourself delighted with this excellent book.”

  —Rendezvous

  “Judith McNaught is a treasure.”

  —Literary Times

  REMEMBER WHEN

  “[A] clever take on the ultra-affluent, ultra-cynical social scene of McNaught’s hometown of Houston. . . . McNaught has a lot of fun with a marriage of convenience that turns out to be anything but.”

  —Chicago Tribune

  “McNaught delivers another well-written, cleverly plotted tale of a successful businessman and woman who find love amid the cold practices of commerce.”

  —The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA)

  “A powerfully written novel that captures the reader and leaves her wanting more. Ms. McNaught has combined an appealing heroine with a sexy hero. . . . One of the best stories I’ve read this year. Excellent!”

  —Rendezvous

  “Romantic, witty, and entertaining. . . . ”

  —San Antonio Express-News

  “Excellent. . . . Judith McNaught once again works her unique magic in this newest charming and sparkling tale of romance.”

  —Romantic Times

  UNTIL YOU

  “Delicious. . . . A perfectly wonderful story, with lively, funny, well-rounded characters. Until You is a laughing, loving book, a page-turner and a delight.”

  —The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA)

  “Judith McNaught comes close to an Edith Wharton edge with Until You. . . . I was captivated. . . . McNaught has a lot of fun with a mistaken identity plot.”

  —Chicago Tribune

  WHITNEY, MY LOVE

  “The ultimate love story, one you can dream about forever.”

  —Romantic Times

  “A wonderful love story . . . fast-paced and exciting . . . great dialogue!”

  —Jude Deveraux, New York Times bestselling author of The Blessing

  PERFECT

  “Judith McNaught undoubtedly knows a thing or two about love. . . . Perfect is a steamy romantic escapade.”

  —Dallas Morning News

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