I am wild about Jennifer Ashley.
I fell for her ages ago when I read the genius of a book The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie, and I’ve been an avid reader and hand-seller of her books (written as both Jennifer Ashley & Allyson James) since then. She writes beautiful books, and I have no idea how she writes so many of them in a year. She’s either the hardest working woman in publishing, or she’s cloned herself.
All this is to say that I’m thrilled Jennifer has taken some time out of her insane writing schedule to join us for Girls Who Wear Glasses month in celebration of One Good Earl Deserves a Lover (Yes…yes…I know it’s March today…but it’s sort of Month-ish) to talk about her favorite lady in lenses– Julia Sugarbaker from Designing Women!
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One favorite show of my younger years was Designing Women. I loved those four strong ladies, each striving to make it on their own, all finding friendship and support with each other. I liked the message the show sent, that women could make it on their own, without having to compromise what they cared about..
The leader of the gang, Julia Sugarbaker (played marvelously by Dixie Carter—who can forget the “Ray Don speech?”), was beautiful, strong, opinionated, and yet compassionate. And she found no shame in pulling out a pair of designer glasses when she needed them and mounting them on her nose.
Because I’m a woman who has worn glasses since age seven, I love seeing glasses-wearing women portrayed as being beautiful, smart, and strong. Cause you know we are! :-)
I wear glasses *all* the time, because I can’t see a foot in front of my face. (If you look at my author photo, you’ll see them in my hand—I had to take them off for the shoot so light wouldn’t reflect on them),
So I have affection for Julia and all the ladies of Designing Women, who showed us that women could be beautiful, successful, resourceful, self-sufficient, and surrounded by friends, and that wearing glasses didn’t slow them down a step.
I raise a glass to girls with glasses!
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Thank you so much for coming over to play, Jennifer!
Your turn readers — in honor of the Designing Women of Atlanta and Jennifer’s fabulous Scottish MacKenzies — let’s talk accents! What’s your favorite accent? Tell us in comments and one lucky commenter (US only) will win a copy of Jennifer’s The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie — and get acquainted with the family!
March 1st, 2013 at 12:06 pm
Hi Sarah and Jennifer!
Who doesn’t love the Gaelic accent of a Scotish Highlander (especially when he’s pouring you a mug of Single Malt aged scotch and wearing a kilt?).
March 1st, 2013 at 12:14 pm
Thank you so much for your blog entry, Jennifer! I, too, enjoyed watching the lovely ladies of “Designing Women” many many moons ago. ;) As for accents, I happen to like an Irish accent, but a nice southern accent is nice. I have a brother in Charleston, SC, and although he is a transplanted northerner, he has permanently adopted his southern accent(It was bound to happen, considering it has been over 20 years). I have a really weird habit of being able to adapt to other people’s accent, and I have no doubt that I would change my accent if I ever moved out of the Philadelphia area. Anyway, keep up the awesome work, Jennifer! :)
March 1st, 2013 at 12:33 pm
It has to be D.W.’s Charlene Frazer from Poplar Bluff, MO. I’m from there, and believe it or not, that’s a true accent. Sounds like home to me . . .
March 1st, 2013 at 12:37 pm
Cheers on a great post from another gal who wears glasses all the time. I’m a sucker for a good accent, especially those found in the UK and New Zealand.
March 1st, 2013 at 1:27 pm
I love the English accent… And was a super fan of Designing Women.. TV used to be so much better..
March 1st, 2013 at 1:29 pm
I enjoyed watching Designing Women, too. No one could make a speech quite like Julia. As far as accents, a British one can be nice. Who doesn’t like listening to James Bond.
March 1st, 2013 at 2:08 pm
Love the US Southern dialect–so much of my family is Southern. But, I also love English, Scottish, and Irish dialects.
March 1st, 2013 at 3:56 pm
Italian
March 1st, 2013 at 7:08 pm
I love a good Scottish burr. Gives me tingles.
Jennifer – I just loved THE MADNESS OF SIR IAN MACKENZIE! I have it in paperback and recently gifted the ebook to a friend of mine who hadn’t read it yet. Ian is one of my most favorite heroes.
No need to enter me into the contest, but I had to post about Ian. *dreamy sigh*
March 1st, 2013 at 9:13 pm
Oh my goodness!!!! I LOVE Designing Women!!!! :-)
My favorite accent. Scottish. Didn’t even have to think about it. ;-)
March 1st, 2013 at 10:53 pm
Thanks for coming Jennifer! I love the English accent but the Aussie accent is amazing too. And Country~ gosh I’ll fall for all of those men in accents.
March 2nd, 2013 at 6:39 am
I love Designing Women and I so remember the Ray Don speech…so funny.
My favorite accent is Scottish. I think that might be why I love Scottish romance because I hear it in my head. Oh and men a kilts are hot!
Jennifer your MacKenzie brothers is one of my all time favorite series and I’m waiting ( not so patiently ) for Daniels book.
Sarah I loved “One Good Earl Deseves a Lover” I can’t wait for the next one.
March 2nd, 2013 at 1:46 pm
Loved Designing Women, especially Julia.
I love the Irish and Scottish accent/brogues.
Thanks.
Carol L.
March 2nd, 2013 at 1:58 pm
Italian!
March 2nd, 2013 at 8:10 pm
I haven’t thought of Designing Women in years. I loved that show. And Dixie Carter was the best!
I’ve always enjoyed accents. When I was young, I worked for a corporation that attracted talent from all over. It was wonderful listening to all those accents. I don’t think I can pick one favorite; there are too many good ones: Indian, Nigerian, English, Texan, Deep South, Scottish, French, Greek, Russian…love them all.
March 2nd, 2013 at 9:42 pm
I just finished listening to an audio book read by an Australian and I have to say that is currently at the top of my list. love Jennifer Ashley!
March 5th, 2013 at 11:23 pm
I’m from the south but I love a good genteel southern accent. Julia did it the best. My favorite was when the new Miss GA called Suzanne fat and she tells her off. (AND THAT my dear, just so you will know and your children’s children will know was the NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT in Georgia!)