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Rags to Riches Romance
Midnight and Magnolias
Determined to live her remaining days to the fullest after a doctor diagnoses her with a terminal illness, Peachy McGee sets out for the island kingdom of Aventine to marry a prince. Original.
407 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1992
32 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Paisley
21 books63 followersI wanted to write things ever since I learned to write my name. I started with letters to my grandmother like: “Der Grammey, I went on the ralerode trax today and finded a big pees of gum by the raleing. I piked it up and ate it. It was bananna. I chwed it till it did not have inymor flaver in it. Aftr I swaloed it I kind of thot I had sum majic in me frum the persen who first ate it. Mama sayed wat I did was veree nasty but I beeleeve in that majic.”
To this day, I remember that gum and the way it made me feel. I continued to write about things that happened to me. Sometimes they were pure non-fiction. But other times they were invented, like when I wrote a one page story about my father being Superman. He was an Air Force Fighter Pilot and often had to leave on secret missions he was forbidden to tell us about. He told us his Superman costume was hidden in the flight bag he always took with him when he left. So I wrote a page about how he didn't need his jet on that mission. No, he flew in the plain air and directed the other pilots where to go. Because of his instructions, all the enemies scattered and were never seen again.
And then I grew up and became a woman, but not before I wrote hundreds of stories. When I was about 28 or so, I wrote a very long historical romance…with my 2 year old son hanging on my leg the whole time. I sent that manuscript to every publishing house in NYC, and the editors rejected it every single time. You want to know why? Because I was writing what I thought the publishing houses wanted to buy. I was copying other authors’ styles. I didn't know any better.
After 17 rejections, I decided to write the book I wanted to read. Not a book for an editor or even readers. Freedom, at last! Freedom to invent characters that made sense to me. Characters whose thoughts mirrored mine, whose ways of doing things were my ways of doing things.
Whose hearts were offspring of mine.
I never thought to submit that manuscript to anyone. It was going to be mine, all mine, and no one else’s business because the heroine was so wild, so outrageous and different. She was not a romance heroine, Chickadee McBride. She defied every romantic heroine in the publishing rules.
But I did end up sending her and story in, and Avon Books bought her. The editor told me Chickadee McBride was a gamble, but Avon was willing to try her out. That book was THE BAREFOOT BRIDE.
After that sale, I never again wrote what other authors wrote. I stayed true to what I loved, what made me cry and laugh and be surprised. I never knew what my characters were going to do or why. I just wrote.
And eventually I became a Publisher’s Weekly Bestselling Author, which gained me a place on Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll and the accomplishment of becoming a RITA finalist. I won Romantic Times’ Lifetime Achievement Award and Career Achievement Award as well as a Reviewers’ Choice Award for Historical Romance Fantasy and a Best Love and Laughter Award.
None of these things would have happened for me had I not decided to write a book that appealed to my quickness to laugh, my love for the outrageous, my deep sensitivity. . .
. . . or the belief that if I can dream it up, it can happen.
To this day, I remember that gum and the way it made me feel. I continued to write about things that happened to me. Sometimes they were pure non-fiction. But other times they were invented, like when I wrote a one page story about my father being Superman. He was an Air Force Fighter Pilot and often had to leave on secret missions he was forbidden to tell us about. He told us his Superman costume was hidden in the flight bag he always took with him when he left. So I wrote a page about how he didn't need his jet on that mission. No, he flew in the plain air and directed the other pilots where to go. Because of his instructions, all the enemies scattered and were never seen again.
And then I grew up and became a woman, but not before I wrote hundreds of stories. When I was about 28 or so, I wrote a very long historical romance…with my 2 year old son hanging on my leg the whole time. I sent that manuscript to every publishing house in NYC, and the editors rejected it every single time. You want to know why? Because I was writing what I thought the publishing houses wanted to buy. I was copying other authors’ styles. I didn't know any better.
After 17 rejections, I decided to write the book I wanted to read. Not a book for an editor or even readers. Freedom, at last! Freedom to invent characters that made sense to me. Characters whose thoughts mirrored mine, whose ways of doing things were my ways of doing things.
Whose hearts were offspring of mine.
I never thought to submit that manuscript to anyone. It was going to be mine, all mine, and no one else’s business because the heroine was so wild, so outrageous and different. She was not a romance heroine, Chickadee McBride. She defied every romantic heroine in the publishing rules.
But I did end up sending her and story in, and Avon Books bought her. The editor told me Chickadee McBride was a gamble, but Avon was willing to try her out. That book was THE BAREFOOT BRIDE.
After that sale, I never again wrote what other authors wrote. I stayed true to what I loved, what made me cry and laugh and be surprised. I never knew what my characters were going to do or why. I just wrote.
And eventually I became a Publisher’s Weekly Bestselling Author, which gained me a place on Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll and the accomplishment of becoming a RITA finalist. I won Romantic Times’ Lifetime Achievement Award and Career Achievement Award as well as a Reviewers’ Choice Award for Historical Romance Fantasy and a Best Love and Laughter Award.
None of these things would have happened for me had I not decided to write a book that appealed to my quickness to laugh, my love for the outrageous, my deep sensitivity. . .
. . . or the belief that if I can dream it up, it can happen.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 22, 2013
Closer to 1.5 stars but I am feeling rather generous today.
I live in the south. I have relatives scattered everywhere including the hills of North Carolina and I have never heard anyone speak even remotely like Peachy does. Perhaps it was because of this that I did not enjoy this goofy romance more.
Peachy is "a-dyin' and there ain't a gawdang thing nobody can do about it." Except for some reason the doctor lied to her. She manages on her own to sail the Atlantic and arrive in the fictitious kingdom of Aventine with her pet squirrel, Thurlow Wadsworth McGee.
And once there she meets Seneca, the prince. He is in a jam; he is being forced by his father to marry someone he doesn't love unless he can come up with another woman within hours of their last conversation. So he marries Peachy.
If you enjoy reading.....
"Who you a-callin' revoltin', you meaner'n gar broth varmint? Peachy yelled, still struggling with the two guards. "You orter take a good look at yoresef! Yore skinny enough to lay unner a clothesline in the summertime and not git sunburnt. And about them itty bitty black eyes o' yore...Ever seed two rat droppin's in a snowbank? And what do y' brush that fine head o' hair o' yores with? A sponge? Sweet Lord o' mercy, yore so ugly yore maw didn't know which end to diaper! And iffin you think fer one dangblasted second that you can git shed o' me, you'd best wipe yore onion nose on account o' yore brains is a-leakin' outen it!"
Seneca inhaled sharply. Instantly and without warning, laughter exploded inside him. It distressed him deeply that he found her tirade so amusing, but he simply couldn't contain himself."
....then this book is for you.
I live in the south. I have relatives scattered everywhere including the hills of North Carolina and I have never heard anyone speak even remotely like Peachy does. Perhaps it was because of this that I did not enjoy this goofy romance more.
Peachy is "a-dyin' and there ain't a gawdang thing nobody can do about it." Except for some reason the doctor lied to her. She manages on her own to sail the Atlantic and arrive in the fictitious kingdom of Aventine with her pet squirrel, Thurlow Wadsworth McGee.
And once there she meets Seneca, the prince. He is in a jam; he is being forced by his father to marry someone he doesn't love unless he can come up with another woman within hours of their last conversation. So he marries Peachy.
If you enjoy reading.....
"Who you a-callin' revoltin', you meaner'n gar broth varmint? Peachy yelled, still struggling with the two guards. "You orter take a good look at yoresef! Yore skinny enough to lay unner a clothesline in the summertime and not git sunburnt. And about them itty bitty black eyes o' yore...Ever seed two rat droppin's in a snowbank? And what do y' brush that fine head o' hair o' yores with? A sponge? Sweet Lord o' mercy, yore so ugly yore maw didn't know which end to diaper! And iffin you think fer one dangblasted second that you can git shed o' me, you'd best wipe yore onion nose on account o' yore brains is a-leakin' outen it!"
Seneca inhaled sharply. Instantly and without warning, laughter exploded inside him. It distressed him deeply that he found her tirade so amusing, but he simply couldn't contain himself."
....then this book is for you.
April 5, 2020
This girl is so funny! I literally was laughing at loud at things she would say. Hilarious. And I rarely laugh out loud at books. Usually just a smile. Some people complained about how unrealistic this book is. I don't read for realism, that's life, and I felt it held enough semblance of truth for me. Great book would recommend.
January 10, 2012
I first read this book a very long time ago, but I re-read it at least once or twice a year. I've nearly worn the covers off, lol. This book is hilarious, truly laugh out loud funny and one of my favorite historical romances ever. It's a little ridiculous at times and a bit far fetched, but it's so sweet and funny and that you won't really care!
December 20, 2012
This is the ALL TIME BEST AUTHOR I have ever read. I own all 14 of her books. Wished she was still writing. I would recommend ANY book she wrote. They are the best and funniest books you will ever read.
January 7, 2026
Midnight and Magnolias
What a good book! So enjoyable! I love the banter and the humor. When a book can make feel the real emotions the characters are going through, it is definitely one of those books that you will want to read again.
What a good book! So enjoyable! I love the banter and the humor. When a book can make feel the real emotions the characters are going through, it is definitely one of those books that you will want to read again.
December 17, 2017
Reread 12/16/17
September 20, 2019
Ridiculous. Loved every minute of it.
April 24, 2021
I have read the three Rags to Riches books and enjoyed each one very much. The story, the humor, and the romance kept me reading until after my bedtime. I will be reading more by this author.
December 16, 2023
This author and Jude Deveraux are my favourite romance writers. Started in grade 6, long ago and Just joining Goodreads now to find some more epic romance stories.
May 21, 2024
Meant to be charming, but the accent was just too much and I wasn't feeling it. Sometimes I can get in the groove of the whimsical type historicals, but not this one.
January 28, 2013
There is nothing remotely historical or realistic in this story and I thought at best, I would end up giving it 3 stars. In the end, I really liked it. It is difficult to get through in the beginning, with the heroine's 'hillbilly speak' and her being rather crude. The hero was kind of a jerk, too. The author did a good job of building the story and creating the happy ending for the characters. Entertaining read.
May 23, 2014
what did I think ? lol Well I think I need more books like this one . You know sometimes you like books and have no way of saying everything you want to say cause the books are just that good well I love all of Rebecca's book because she is a great Author.I love the way she writes.Its my getaway when I need a laugh and new friends in my little fantasy world of books .
January 2, 2012
I love this book. A really fun to read book, one I go to ehen I've had a bad day, always makes me smile.
Want to read
May 2, 2015Previously published in paperback as "Midnight and Magnolias" one of my all time favorite books!!!
August 27, 2015
Holds a place on the bookshelf. That is the highest honor in my household.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews