What's In a Romance?

December 10, 2010

How many of you love to hate Harlequin romances? I mean, it's easy to make fun of them. The titles are very entertaining, the stories not always so entertaining. And, the pictures on the covers are always fun to check out as well. However, as the old cliché goes, you can't always judge a book by its cover.

Harlequin has been the starting point for more than one top name author that is now in the book world. How many of you have heard of the names Nora Roberts, Janet Dailey, Janet Evanovich, Diana Palmer, Linda Howard, or Jayne Ann Krentz? These are all top name authors, and yes, they all had their start in the Harlequin romances. In fact, often times when an author makes it big, they will take those Harlequin romances, repackage them into a more appetizing cover, and maybe rename it. Then, they will republish the same book, and they will sell like hotcakes.

So, next time you pick up one of those cheesy romances that just make you shake your head and laugh, stop and wonder if you are holding the book of the next author on the bestsellers lists.

Kathleen A.
North Oak Branch