I have decided to take Lorie's July Reader Challenge and write about my "Harlequin moment".
I love Harlequins. There are so many things about them that I love...the heroes, the heroines, the authors...
But I have to say that what I think of as the pure bliss moment for me is when I read the descriptions of the new books each month and try to decide which ones I will buy---and it is always soooo hard to pick!!! I get lost in the ideas, the expectations (and I am very seldom let down!)...the anticipation of what each novel is about, the wonder and awe at the creativity of the authors to put these scenarios together and make them work. It's inspiring! But I think the anticipation of what each novel is about and being able to read one description after another is what really does it for me!
What are your "Harlequin moments"?
Not sure if I am getting the right spirit of this.
My moments are when I see a book by one of the authors that visit the boards a lot. I want to buy the book to help support the wonderful ladies that hang out here and help/support me in my quest to become published. It's also nice to read the work of someone you have come to know through this community- makes me feel proud of their accomplishments.
Angel
"I can fix a bad page, but I can't fix a blank one." Nora Roberts
www.angelinabarbin.blogspot.com
My Harlequin Moment
My favorite "Harlequin Moment" happened as I was finishing up what has to be my all time favorite series romance, Annie and the Outlaw by Sharon Sala. I was so taken with the characters, their love story and their challenges that I was alternately praying for the book to never end at the same time that I was feverishly turning pages to see how it would all turn out. I have loved every single one of Sharon/Dinah's stories, but the moment when I closed that book and closed my eyes I just KNEW that it had been my ultimate read and it still stands out in my mind. No other book has come close to that emotional connection for me.
Jayne
Community Manager
"We cannot really love anybody with whom we never laugh"—Agnes Repplier
My Harlequin Moment
I was going to write about sharing books with my mom--that was when I knew we were going to be adult friends, not just mother and daughter. But I decided to go with a different moment instead.
I'd finished writing my first book and was trying to decide where to submit it. I'd read tons of Harlequin books but never paid attention to the "line" designation. I went out and bought an armload of books and then sat down to try to figure it out.
When I finished The Homecoming Baby, a Superromance by Kathleen O'Brien, I knew Supers was the line in which I'd feel at home. I've read that book so many times--I love it. I'm a sucker for a misunderstood hero--I even love the cover picture.
Thanks to Kathleen and all the Harlequin authors who've brought me the stories I hold dear! (And circling back to my original idea, thanks to my mom for introducing me to Harlequin!)
Ellen
Ellen's Blog --- Ellen's Website
The Boyfriend's Back Superromance May '09
His Secret Past Superromance May '08
Favorite Harlequin Moment
My favorite Harlequin moment is almost pathetic in that it does not relate to a line, a series, an author or anything serious at all. I didn't know until about 2 years ago that there was an eharlequin.com. I would dash into Wal-Mart, Target and the base exchange every week where I live to try to get the next book in a series before it sold out. I kept missing out on stories I wanted to read.
Then, one night I was complaining to my husband about missing out on the next book in a series, he suggested I look on line. There it was!!!!! eHarlequin.com and I could buy my books before the first of the month and I could get a discount!!!! Book heaven! I had been a recent convert to romances novels, and Harlequins and Silhouettes too. I was in book heaven! And even worse for me (better for Harlequin) is my book buying has increased dramatically to about a $150 +/- month habit/addiction.
The I found the book challenge greater discounts and the chance to actually interact with other readers and some of the authors. Karen Templeton was the first author to respond to one of my blogs and I bragged for weeks - and she is right here in my city too!
I love Harlequin and I guess I really have lots of "Harlequin moments" though most are pretty darn new
Bonsal
Great moment
Bonsal--I love that story. eHarlequin is a wonderful community, isn't it? I'd be pretty lonely without the reader and writer conversations we have here.
Ellen
Ellen's Blog --- Ellen's Website
The Boyfriend's Back Superromance May '09
His Secret Past Superromance May '08
Bonsal, too funny.
I recently found eHarlequin as well. Our base exchange doesn't stock the historicals and I always missed them at Wal-Mart. Now I have to remember to use the coupons I get with my orders.
Angel
"I can fix a bad page, but I can't fix a blank one." Nora Roberts
www.angelinabarbin.blogspot.com
Ahh, an Harlequin moment...
...mine happened recently. I blogged an Amy Andrews book and she responded. I've discovered there are quite a number of authors that pop in and visit boards and blogs. The best thing is they are so friendly.
BTW, the AA book was an intense emotional read. Since then I have read several more (I picked another one of her books for my 100th read) and I have fallen for the Medical line. There is something for just about every reader within the house of Harlequin, et al.
Nancy
Medical Romance
I recently started reading these too. Had always avoided them, then heard some really good recommendations, now I buy them all. I really enjoy Amy Andrews. Recently picked up and read Olivia Gares first book Doctors on the Frontline WOW!
Bonsal
Olivia Gates is another
Olivia Gates is another author that pops in occasionally and she is another phenomenal writer. There are quite a few in the HMR imprint.
Nancy
Harlequin Moments ....
hmmm ... I actually have several
When Harlequin Presents were first released in Canada my Mom went to the local grocer and had him put aside the six monthly books on layaway for her ... and over a few weeks she'd have saved enough from thrifty spending on groceries to be able to buy the books ... I was a teenager, and I just devoured these books after Mom read them ...... my parents were vegetable farmers, and during the summer days while Mom and I worked the fields side by side, we'd discuss the books ..... and I used to make up my own Presents that I'd tell her about and she used to encourage me to write them down .... I really loved those summers
as I got older my tastes changed from romances to thriller / suspence and I hadn't picked up a Harlequin imprint again until my Mom started her cancer treatments in 2003 ....
for years, I lost the ability to concentrate on reading a book ... I'd find that after a few pages my attention would wander and poof the details of what I'd just read would be gone .... I was heartbroken as I have always loved to read .... this is an actual medical part of my Lupus and it's taken me years to get back to where I am now ... and again I have Harlequin to thank
Dad and I had Saturday morning dates to go garage saleing ... at one sale there were these neat Harlequins with purple covers ... they were Intrigues .... for the price I thought why not and I bought a couple .... Julie Miller's Kansas City Bravest was the first "book" that I'd been able to read in over six years .... I could read again ... the shorter format and faster pace that is the trademark of Harlequin gave me back something so precious
that summer of 2003, Harlequins came with me as I helped Mom through her chemo and then radiation .... and then January 2005, Harlequins were my constant support and comfort as I conquered my fears when Dad suddenly took seriously ill .... it was Harlequins that got me through the wee hours of the morning as I sat beside Dad so that he always had someone who loved him in those darkest scarest of hours ....
so thank you Harlequin for sharing your wonderful authors who weave these magical lovestories .... you helped me through my angsty teens .... you filled me with joy when I thought I'd lost my reading forever .... you whisked me away for a few hours from the darkest times of my life ..... and I know, I shall have you with me as I grow older ... you have given me joy and hope and restored my faith in HEA
~~ KatherineT ~~ I'm a Harlequin Addict, and I'm proud of it!
~~ Quiet Canadians ~ 2008 Book Challenge Blog