Whitney, My Love (The Westmoreland Dynasty Saga Book 1)

“Missing you?” she giggled incredulously. “I could cheerfully murder you.” It was while reading this novel, that I decided I needed an epic romance shelf. I mean, why can fantasy be categorized as epic, and yet romance is just "romance?" Whitney, My Love had about as many pages as a GOT novel, and every page was just so good. I read romance for the thrill of falling in love, the passion of jealousy, the excitement of being intimate for the first time, and sometimes for the heartbreak and the angst it brings with it. This story captured every one of those, in a breath-taking story in the regency era. God, it was just so amazing, and so engrossing. This was McNaught's debut novel, turned down again and again by agents who thought it was too developed (I know, right?) too sensual, and just plain too 'deep' for women. I think she is one of the leading authors who began this amazing movement in romance, with deeply sensual and compelling stories. Now, that movement has just turned romance into three-fourths sex and one-fourth story, but at least I have many 'bodice rippers' on my bookshelf from the eighties to last me through the apocalypse. “Cheating,” she solemnly replied. “I do it when I cannot win.” It's hard to put into words how much I loved these characters, and how much I was completely engrossed in this story. The banter, the chemistry, and sometimes the hatred - Whitney and Clayton had it all. Whitney was loveable, fierce, quirky, but also young and naive. She believes she's in love with Paul, the local gentleman seven years her senior. She was only fifteen when her forward acts trying to win his love, gets her shipped to her aunt and uncle in France. She grows up, becoming beautiful, and her witty banter makes her become the 'belle of the ball.' The Duke of Claymore is a profligate rake. Richer than God, and one of the most handsome sought after bachelors. The thing I loved about this story, is there might have been extreme attraction from the hero's side, but the heroine doesn't even notice him for a while. She didn't notice him, having not been able to see outside the circle of bachelors surrounding her. It irked the duke, and when he decided he didn't want to court her like the other dandies, he does something shocking. Finding out Whitney's father is destitute, about to be put into debtor's prison, Clayton makes him a deal. Whitey's hand for 100K pounds, but he wants the chance to court her, without her knowing who he is. And the deal is done. The Duke of Claymore becomes Clayton Westland. Small problem, though. Whitney becomes to hate Clayton, still with designs to marry Paul. Whitney, My Love was a rollercoaster of love, lust, jealousy, and possession, with a strong hero, and a witty passionate heroine. Their problems can be frustrating, based on the issues of early relationships: miscommunication, lack of trust, and just not knowing the other so well. But that's just what makes the story so relatable - heartbreaking, and then heart-warming as they fall back together. A beautiful story, with all the conflict, tension, and chemistry, to make this story one of my favorites of all time.

I am an avid reader of novels and I studied English Literature in college but I have never read any book as good and captivating as this. This is the only book other than 'Pride and Prejudice" which I have devoured and savoured again and again for I can't remember how many times. Judith McNaught's flair and skill as a consummate writer is unsurpassed.This book is more intensely passionate and compelling than 'Gone with the Wind' or " Wuthering Height'. It is more witty, sparkling and romantic than'Pride & Prejudice'. It is like a hurricane which sweeps you off your feet.The hero and heroine have their flaws but these won't make them any less lovable but more human and credible.Whitney, the ravishingly beautiful heroine,is intelligent, witty but rebellious and headstrong. she refuses to recognise her own heart and better judgement. She does not appreciate but scorns what is handed to her on a silver platter -- the love of the proud, rich, powerful and devastatingly handsome Duke of Claymore, who offers her the protection of his illustrious name,a place at the pinnacle of society, a life of luxury any girl would die for.She has a school girl crush on a young man in her neighbourhood and under the illusion that she is still in love with him after 3 years,continues to try to win him over at all costs since she is one who does not accept defeat. Therefore she spurns and rejects the courtship of the Duke,Clayton Westmoreland. The Duke is no paragon, but his love for Whitney is very touching. While he can have any woman he wants, he is in love with only one and will only offer for her.In many situations, his patience and tolerance are sorely tried and I can't help feeling sorry for him. The whipping scene, which upsets some readers, does not offend me at all. Rather, it shows the great understanding of human nature and strong character of Clayton.He recognises that he cannot let Whitney walk all over him or else he will never have her respect.Whitney has done something very seriously wrong which can lead to his and the horse's fatality.The whipping is a lesson to a spoilt child, a necessary lesson in her growing up process to be a reasonable and responsible being. He is taming a wild filly just like he does Dangerous Crossing.But he soothes and mollifies her afterwards.Through some twists of fate, the Duke gets blindingly jealous, and in his terrifying wrath, rapes Whitney who has fallen in love with him. Through another misunderstanding, the couple seem destined to heartbreak and unrequited love. Fortunately, Whitney sacrifices her pride to win back the man she loves. After marriage, there is still another trial, but eventually, all ends happily.This book is vastly entertaining with the humor, the sensual seductions and love scenes, the verbal swordplay and witticism.Reading it is just like riding an emotional roller-coaster.There are some heart-wrenching moments but it is so satisfying to see love triumphs after all.It is 'must read' for lovers of novels and romance.

Den Inhalt wieder zugeben ist eine langwierige Sache, deshalb hier ein Versuch: Mädchen hat Backfisch-Liebe Paul seit Kindertagen. Mädchen ist im Dorf und beim Vater nicht beliebt, weil Wildfang. Mädchen wird nach Paris zur Tante und Onkel ,abgeschoben` um Schlief zu bekommen. Mädchen wird zum beliebtesten Mädchen des französischen Tons und ein stattlicher Rake-Duke begehrt sie heimlich. Duke nimmt Kontakt zum mittlerweile hoch Verschuldeten Vater auf und "kauft" Mädchen für sich als Verlobte ein. Duke lernt Mädchen in England dann Inkognito kennen und will Mädchen von der Backfischliebe Paul emotional entfernen und eben Inkognito für sich gewinnen. Mädchen wird nun doch von Paul begehrt, weil jetzt hübsch und Damenhaft (und mit großer Mitgift). Mädchen erfährt von der erkauften Verlobung mit dem Duke und dass dieser versuchte sie Inkognito zu gewinnen. Mädchen muß sich auf Zeitspiel einlassen und Duke auf Verführung der Zukünftigen. Mädchen erfährt, das Paul nur an ihrer Mitgift interessiert war. Mädchen erkennt, dass sie den Duke liebt. Durch Mißverständnis meint Duke von Mädchen verschaukelt worden zu sein und rächt sich an Mädchen. Duke erkennt nach böser Rache, dass er falsch gelegen hat und Mädchen hasst ihn jetzt. Duke und Mädchen auf lange Zeit hin verzweifelt und dann sind beide Vergebungsvoll. Duke macht aber erneut Fehler und Mädchen hasst ihn erneut. Missverständnis klärt sich auf, aber nun ist alles zu spät... oder? Duke entpuppt sich als ein echt sturer Bock! Diese "Whitney. My Love" Version ist kein Reprint von der 1987er Version sondern eine überarbeitet/verbesserte Version, welche die Autorin 15 Jahren nach erscheinen der ersten Version angefertigt hat, mit einem wohl verlängertem und verbesserten Ende. Da ich die alte Version nicht kenne, kann ich dazu nicht viel sagen, aber diese ist - mit 709 Seiten!- es wert gelesen zu werden. Bei 709 Seiten habe ich durchaus Längen, nervende Nebenhandlungen und unnütze Verwicklungen erwartet. Aber alles weit gefehlt, es ist ein echter "Pageturner"! Man weiß ja, dass es ein Happy-End geben muß, aber wie und wann es endlich dazu kommt, das wird eben auf 709 Seiten ausführlich erzählt und vor allem "entwickelt!". Und genau deshalb ist so spannend zu lesen, dass man fast Urlaub nehme möchte um es auslesen zu können, weil man einfach ständig wissen will und muß, wie es weiter läuft. Ich war begeistert über die lang Charakter- und Plotentwicklung der Charaktere und der Beziehungen, Nebenhandlungen, Mißverständsnisse, Verleumdungen, Verletzungen (im Wahrsten Sinne des Wortes) und Herzschmerz. Alles, aber auch wirklich alles drin in der Geschichte und NIE langweilig oder nervend. Der Schreibstil ist so fliesend, sodass man gar nicht bemerkt, dass man schon fast 500 Seiten gelesen hat noch 209 vor sich hat. Ich bin kein Fan von langen endlos Geschichten und ich gebe zu, dass mich die 709 Seiten fast ein Jahr zurück geschreckt haben, aber was für ein Buch!!! Toll und lesenswert, eine echt seltene Bereicherung aus diesem Genre. Das Englisch ist eher für "sehr gute" Kenntnisse, für Anfänger des Original-Lesens, denke ich, nicht ganz so gut geeignet. Die deutsche Version ist "Sturm der Leidenschaft", die alte Version "Betörende Whitney".

This is the first book which Judith McNaught has written and it is classic! Revolving infatuation, desire, lust, love, treachery, betrayal all roll into one! I love it when Whitney softened Clayton's heart and made him want her. It was frustrating at times especially when he practically raped her and after knowing that she was innocent, he let her go and did not marry her to honor her virture! For what they went through, and with help of family and friends - Dowager Duchess of Claymore and Stephen Westmoreland's help to get him back with her. It was a wonderful way to end the story with happiness and love!

This great story is let down by the poor quality of the kindle version. Something has gone awry with the technology; there are numerous errors in the text. This makes for a frustrating read! 5 stars for the great story & 2 for the technology

One of my faves!

il y quleques livres dans une vie qu'il faut avoir lu. celui ci en fait partie. une intrigue à rebondissements , les quelques 400 pages dans la langue de Shakespeare se lisent sans difficultés . pas de temps morts et aussi la différence qu'il peut y avoir un amour de jeunesse avec toutes les images et la naivete de celui ci à un amour adulte ou il était question de l'acceptation de l'autre . je recommande ce livre à 300 pour cent . dommage que six étoiles n'existent pas !