At a time when historical romance is repeatedly reported dead and Harlequin categories are often maligned it has to be said the Harlequin Historical line consistently releases great historical romances by some of the best authors. And not only are they done well, to the point that even their average reads often stand head and shoulders over many full length historicals, they are not all set in Regency England.
Want a Western, Harlequin Historical has it. Want a Medieval, Roman or even a European tale that doesn’t happen during a Regency time frame you can find it at Harlequin. And they aren’t all fluffy, easy, throw away stories. They range from light hearted to deeply emotional with characters you want to learn more about, would love to spend more time with and are happy to see earn their HEA.Sadly the line seem to be often over looked and doesn’t get near the attention it deserves. I don’t know if it has to do with their short shelf life, the odd place they hold between ‘novel’ and ‘category’, prejudice against silly Harlequin novels and their secret babies or just a lack of promotion. During the three years I have been reading romance, I have seen a very close call of America losing this gem in stores and then ‘repeated’ rumors of closings. (Although I haven’t heard anything since a few months ago, when the editor of the line Linda Fildew told me that the line was indeed going strong and not closing.)
At over 180 HH novels in a range of setting and authors, I can honestly say some of my favorite novels call Harlequin Historical home as well as some of my favorite authors. Sadly some of faves seem to have moved on to other lines: Carolyn Davidson, Jillian Hart, Cheryl Reavis, Mary Burton and Merline Lovelace are all now writing for different lines in Harlequin. Even Elizabeth Lowell (as Lowell and as Ann Maxwell), Nicole Jordan and Heather Gramham have Harlequin Historicals on their backlist. And for a reason I still do not understand Deborah Simmons is not currently with the line and that makes me sad because I do believe she has more stories to tell. (Why do so many category authors have really bad websites?)
The truly amazing thing is even with so many authors gone, the current talent at Harlequin Historical keep showing us just how good historicals can be. As well as they continue to grown and bring in new talent. And as wonderful as some of my keepers are, I think we ain’t seen nothing yet.
We are lucky enough to have three grand Harlequin Historical authors with us this week: Cheryl St. John, Elizabeth Lane and Pam Crooks. Honestly I didn’t set out to have only western authors and had wanted to showcase more of the line but time being what is it… Fine if you must know the other two authors I had asked were westerns too. But hey since it turned out this way, you really should buy a western in the the next three days. Even if you have never tried one or wanted to because hey, it is a theme! go with it…
Have you ever tried a Harlequin Historical? Did you love it? Hate it? Remember the title? Read it once a year and sigh happily? What would you recommend? Tell us about your keepers. Or if you write for the line, tell us what is coming next! We are book!whores and we only need to know what is coming next that we should be wanting now.
And for the curious… here are the current writing guidelines from Harlequin
Historical Romances promise the reader richly textured, emotionally intense stories set in widely diverse historical time periods, from ancient civilizations up to and including the First and Second World Wars. Regency tales remain ever-popular and cover the range from drawing-room antics that scandalize the ton, to the salacious underworld inhabited by pickpockets and prostitutes, to the hazardous battlefields of the Peninsular War.
Other popular periods range from Viking invasions through to the turbulence of the Middle Ages, from Elizabethan England to 20th-century families at war. Western American and Australasian settings are also welcome, with highly dramatic and emotional stories unfolding in the wilderness at society’s edge.
The central relationship is the key driving force, set against an accurate backdrop. Readers should feel as if they are there. These novels are for born storytellers with a love of history, who have the ability to bring a period vividly to life, and to create characters that involve and absorb the reader from page one.
I think it’s a combination of your reasons Sybil, plus the fact that the ones I picked up were really bad (a few years back, they published a lot of Regencies, and when I wanted a Victorian, they were very lack-luster).
I glance at HH’s from time to time and notice that they’ve expanded their range of time periods each month, but since HQ has an iffy reputation, I see a prejudice against it from historical authors bedazzled by the shine of “Avon” and other ST houses–most of whom tend to write Regency Historicals anyways! I’d love to see some books in a host of different time periods, but until HH agressively promotes itself as a great “place” to be for historical romance authors, it will continue to be plagued by doubts from readers and writers.
I’ve read some duddy HH titles, but in my experience the good far (far, far, far) outweighs the bad. I think the main problem is the marketing. Are they category romances or not? And the short shelf-life in retail outlets. Get them that month or they’re gone forever. I’d love to see HH titles shelved alongside the rest of the historical romances, and be “allowed” to sit on the shelf for more than 30 days.
Right as an Harlequin Historical author, can I say that the line is absolutely under no danger of closing. Historicals are alive and thriving at HH. HH have also just been released in the Harlequin e book line up and aredoing very well.
Linda Fildew really hoped that she had quashed ALL rumours of this last year. We had a short discussion about this small persistent rumour in April. It has NO basis in fact. What more can the senior editor do/say?
Harlequin Historical is going great guns and has been introducing a number of new authors as well as picking up some very strong authors from the closed Signet line — for example Amanda McCabe and Carla Kelly. And the editors are also in the buying mood as Carla has just been offered a two book contract, and I firmed up a four book deal last week.
HH is dedicated to providing the types of stories that their readers love. This means that there is always a Georgian/Regency/Victorian or two and a Western in the retail line up and then either a Medieval or any other time period such as Roman, Viking or 20th century.
The HH line is single title in a series wrapper. Some bookstores do shelve them along side the other historicals, but it is not universal. The vast majority of sales for ANY title from any publisher generally happens within its first month. HH also provides a chance for writers to grow. HH also with its direct reader base can take a few more risks than other publishers.
If a writer is looking for maximum international exposure, HH with its worldwide distribution is by far and away the market leader. One of the reasons for the length of its books is the translation into foreign languages. Harlequin as a company publishes in 22 different languages and 109 different international markets.
HH is also very much looking for new authors with distinctive voices.
I hope this helps a bit.
Michelle Styles who is under a tight deadline but very happy to talk about HH.
The Roman’s Virgin Mistress (HH July 07)
A Christmas Wedding Wager (HH December 07)
Hello,
I also write for HMB (Medieval Romances)and just want to say that these rumours of closure were doing the rounds 20 years ago, and so far have been proved entirely wrong!!
One of the main strengths of the Historical line has always been that not only does it embrace many time periods, but it is also large enough to encourage writers with very different ‘voices’. Long may that continue.
With best wishes
Carol Townend
As a HH author myself and friend of these wonderful authors I have to say that HH is keeping westerns alive. There’s a growing need for them and there aren’t too many writers writing them these days because other than Harlequin, other publishing houses aren’t buying them.
Harlequin is THE place to find westerns as well as other great time periods. The quality of the books hasn’t diminished at all. In fact, in a rising competitive market, our books have only gotten better, in my opinion. And westerns sell very well in North America …
Charlene Sands – who loves writing the American West.
Between the Ceo’s Sheets – Silhouette Desire Available NOW
Bodine’s Bounty – HARLEQUIN HISTORICAL November 2007
Hi to all!
I am a brand new Harlequin Historical author, and they have given nothing but 100% support. I write about medieval Ireland, and they gave me complete freedom to try out new things. Thanks also to Redwyne for featuring my books (Her Irish Warrior (May 2007) and The Warrior’s Touch (September 2007))!
I enjoy seeing all the variety, both with Lyn Randall’s Roman and Tudor stories, Pam Crooks’ wonderful westerns, and did anyone read Beau Crusoe by Carla Kelly? Fabulous romance and hilarious at times. I would highly recommend it.
I loved Beau Crusoe, Michelle, and something different for her, too. Finally, someone gave this fabulous author another contract.
I now have books by both of the Michelles in my TBR.
Another HH author I really like is Terri Brisbin, her recent Taming the Highlander very good. And how about Diane Gaston’s The Mysterious Miss M.