(1939 - 2007) Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, creator of the modern historical romance, died July 6, 2007 in Minnesota. She had just turned 68. Her attorney, William Messerlie, said that she died after a long illness.

Born on June 3, 1939 in Alexandria, Louisiana, Mrs. Woodiwiss was the youngest of eight siblings. She long relished creating original narratives, and by age six was telling herself stories at night to help herself fall asleep. At age 16, she met U.S. Air Force Second Lieutenant Ross Woodiwiss at a dance, and they married the following year. She wrote her first book in longhand while living at a military outpost in Japan.

Woodiwiss is credited with the invention of the modern historical romance novel: in 1972, she released The Flame and the Flower, an instant New York Times bestseller, creating literary precedent. The Flame and the Flower revolutionized mainstream publishing, featuring an epic historical romance with a strong heroine and impassioned sex scenes. "Kathleeen E. Woodiwiss is the founding mother of the historical romance genre," says Carrie Feron, vice president/editorial director of William Morrow and Avon Books, imprints of HarperCollins Publishers. Feron, who has been Woodiwiss's editor for 13 years, continues, "Avon Books is proud to have been Kathleen's sole publishing partner for her paperbacks and hardcover novels for more than three decades." Avon Books, a leader in the historical romance genre to this day, remains Mrs. Woodiwiss's original and only paperback publisher; William Morrow, Avon's sister company, publishes Mrs. Woodiwiss's hardcovers.

The Flame and the Flower was rejected by agents and hardcover publishers, who deemed it as "too long" at 600 pages. Rather than follow the advice of the rejection letters and rewrite the novel, Mrs. Woodiwiss instead submitted it to paperback publishers. The first publisher on her list, Avon, quickly purchased the novel and arranged an initial 500,000 print run. The novel sold over 2.3 million copies in its first four years of publication.

The success of this novel prompted a new style of writing romance, concentrating primarily on historical fiction tracking the monogamous relationship between a helpless heroines and the hero who rescued her, even if he had been the one to place her in danger. The romance novels which followed in her example featured longer plots, more controversial situations and characters, and more intimate and steamy sex scenes.

"Her words engendered an incredible passion among readers," notes Feron. Bestselling author Julia Quinn agrees, saying, "Woodiwiss made women want to read. She gave them an alternative to Westerns and hard-boiled police procedurals. When I was growing up, I saw my mother and grandmother reading and enjoying romances, and when I was old enough to read them myself, I felt as if I had been admitted into a special sisterhood of reading women."

New York Times bestselling author Susan Elizabeth Phillips, a leading voice in the women's fiction arena, says, "We all owe our careers to her. She opened the world of romance to us as readers. She created a career for us to go into."

The pioneering author has written 13 novels over the course of 35 years, all New York Times bestsellers. Kathleen E. Woodiwiss's final literary work, the upcoming Everlasing, will be published by William Morrow in October 2007. "Everlasting is Kathleen's final gift to her fans," notes Feron.

Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, who was predeceased by her husband and son Dorren, is survived by sons Sean and Heath, and numerous grandchildren.

The Wolf and the Dove

HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Chapter One

With The Wolf and the Dove the tension-filled excitement continues as two age-old enemies, a Norman and a Saxon, discover that love is an even more exhilarating emotion than hate. And as the tumultuous pair find their equally turbulent path to each other's arms, passion and tenderness flares.

"For once, Wulfgar, my Norman knight," she breathed, her violet eyes glowing with the warmth. " 'Tis what the slave wills--"

She danced away as his hands fell from her and curtseyed prettily for him. Her eyes swept him from toe to head and knew his desires had not cooled.

"Mind your dress, lord. These days would chill even the stoutest of men."

Grabbing up a pelt she pulled it close about her and gave him a impishly wicked look. Turning on her heels with a low laugh, she went to the hearth, there to lay small logs upon the still-warm coals. She blew upon them but drew back in haste as the ashes flew up and sat back upon her heels rubbing her reddened eyes while Wulfgar' s amused chuckles filled the room. She made a face at his mirth and swung the kettle of water on its hook over the building heat as he cmssed to the warmth of the fire beside her and began to dress.

The water steamed and she went to where his sword and belt hung and there found his scabbard knife and returning with it, began to whet it on the stone of the fireplace. He raised his brow in wonder at her actions.

"My flesh is much more tender than yours, Wulfgar," she explained. "And if you would go about barefaced you should keep it so. The burr upon your chin does sorely chasten me and since I've seen this shaving done so well upon my people, I would think it not unseemly that You would allow me the single honor to return the favor."

Wulfgar glanced at her small dagger Iying atop her gunna, remem bering his thoughts of the day before. Was his death warranted now when he must go and fight her people? Should he tell her he was not one to waste lives needlessly? By Heavens, he would know the truth now. He nodded.

"Perhaps your hand is gentler than most, Aislinn,' he replied. He took up a linen and dipped it into the kettle. Wringing it out, he shook the piece free to cool the steam and leaning back in a chair, laid it several folds across his face.

"Ah, Wulfgar, what a tempting pose you make,' Aislinn quipped, considering him. "Would that it had been a moon ago that a Norman throat be laid bare before me--"

She rose and stood over him fingering the blade. Wulfgar removed the towel and their eyes met as he lifted a brow. Her mouth curved and she grinned devilishly, tossing her long hair with a shake of her head. Her tone became quite casual.

"Ah, but were I not so afraid of my next master the temptation might be far greater."

She slowly plied the well-honed blade along his cheeks until the same had lost their bristles and were again smooth. When she was done he rubbed a hand across his face, marveling at the fact she had not cut him once.

"A better manservant a knight could never have." He reached be neath the pelt and pulled her down onto his lap. His gaze burned deeply into hers as he murmured hoarsely, "Remember that you are mine, Aislinn, and I will not share you."

"Do you treasure me after all, m'lord?" she murmured softly, tracing her finger lightly over the scar on his cheek.

He did not answer her inquiry but said, "Remember.'

It was with a definite hunger he pulled her against him and kissed her, this time tasting the warmth and passion he knew her capable of.

Continues...
Excerpted from The Wolf and the Doveby Kathleen Woodiwiss Copyright © 2006 by Kathleen Woodiwiss. Excerpted by permission.
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