My Harlequin Moment: Celeste O. Norfleet

To my understanding blogging is observing the world as it is, and then commenting. Well, I seldom blog, not because I don’t have an opinion, believe me, I do. I drive my friends crazy with my impassioned rants, raves and tirades on every subject under the sun. But I find the thought process of coming up with something new to say each and every day to be not only trying and challenging, but also mentally exhausting, at least for me. I mostly ask myself, who cares what I have to say. I mostly get the same answer, no one.

Yet, when asked to participate, and as this wonderful opportunity presented itself, I just couldn’t resist.

I actually have something to say.

As for the assigned topic, I don’t know if I can actually pinpoint one favorite Harlequin moment. I find that I have quite a few at this point. But still, while thinking about it, I kept coming back to the same inspired moment. So, this isn’t so much as a favorite Harlequin moment as it is a favorite Harlequin inspired moment.

My teen years, a long, long time ago, were spent as a blur. I didn’t read romance, had no idea what it was or that it even existed. I had no idea who or what Harlequin was and to tell you the truth, I don’t even remember seeing a romance novel growing up. I was too busy cheering on my favorite football and basketball teams to be bothered with reading. I also hung out with my friends, ran track, played tennis, did gymnastics and danced, none of which required me to sit still and read. In quiet moments I sketched and painted. But mostly I was in perpetual motion from sun up to sun down and that filled my day quite well.

Recently, I took a good look at my teenage daughter, Jennifer, and I found myself noticing what fills her days. As a typical teen when not in school she listens to music, plays sports, goes shopping and to the movies with friends. She’s pretty much like me at that age. But here’s the kicker, she also reads. She read a lot. She reads just about everything she can get her hands on. She reads Harlequin. Although at this point she’s not interested in the traditional romance lines, yet. As all proud mothers will attest, my daughter is the spitting image of me. Well, Jennifer is the spitting image of me. Yet, imagine my astonishment when I saw her pick up her first Harlequin Kimani TRU, read and then ask for more.

Last summer Jennifer and I had the opportunity to write a Harlequin young adult novel together. It’s called, She Said, She Said, and it’s about the shattered relationship of a fictional mother and teenage daughter. I can’t tell you what an awesome reality doing this project with Jennifer became. We started slow and cautious often driving each other crazy with demands and insertions (well, mostly me), but in the end we flowed like true professionals. In the last days of writing and editing I watched Jennifer come into her own. At that point Jennifer stepped out of my shadow and into her own space.

Harlequin had touched another reader, a new generation of readers.

Now I see that the world is changing one young reader at a time. Are we as Harlequin writers preparing for the next generation of readers to pick up our books? Are we staying current in our reflections of the world around us? Do we need to put Donny and Marie and the Jackson Five on the shelf and replace them with hip-hop?

I look at Jennifer now and I no longer see a reflection of myself. I do however see an independent young lady on the verge of womanhood. So, my favorite Harlequin inspired moment was seeing my daughter reading her first Harlequin Kimani TRU. Thank you Harlequin, Linda Gill and Evette Porter, your insight, courage and faith opened up a new world. Here’s to the next generation of romance readers. May their hearts be just as full and their dreams just as fulfilled.

When Jennifer's ready I'd like to point her to more Harlequin novels. Any suggestions? Are your teenager daughters/nieces/granddaughters reading Harlequin? If so what books?

Celeste O. Norfleet

About The Author:

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Celeste is a graduate of Moore College of Art & Design. An art director and graphic designer for many years, Celeste devotes all of her time to writing and creating romance, letting her artistic imagination flow through the computer keys. Her romance novels—realistic with a touch of humor—depict strong, sexy characters, unpredictable plots and exciting storylines. Her young-adult novels delve into dramatic fiction, reflecting current issues facing African-American teens. With over fifteen novels since making her first sale in 2002, she is still excited about writing. Celeste currently writes for Harlequin’s Kimani Press Arabesque and Kimani Press TRU lines. Celeste lives in Virginia with her husband and two teenagers.