What is the Secret of the Appeal of Harlequin Presents?
8 Comments February 7th, 2007 in books, offers Posted by Tessaby Tessa Shapcott
I know; not everyone gets the appeal, the fantasy, the fun, the sheer delight of these books. I’m sure you’ve had a friend raise an eyebrow when she saw you reading a copy. But for those of us who do get it — let’s celebrate. Someday, if the others are lucky, they’ll get it too.
I have had many readers ask me how Harlequin Presents started. Here’s the story:
Presents first hit the shelves in 1973 and it was created for two reasons: to offer romance that was different in flavour to Harlequin’s existing line, Romance, and to showcase authors. Harlequin Presents Author Name.
Three now legendary writers, Violet Winspear, Anne Hampson and Anne Mather, led the way with their dramatic, sophisticated and sensual styles.
Of course, the series has changed over its thirty plus years! Presents is one of those classic reading experiences that retains a good deal of its original flavour, but has also changed and evolved to keep up with its audience’s changing tastes.
The Alpha Male hero is the enduring hallmark of the line. Fans continue to fall for his irresistible personal power, charisma and sexual magnetism. Now that we’re in the noughties (that’s British for our current decade), he’s still as naughty, but he’s also developed a sensitive side and a sense of humor.
In 1973, the Presents heroine broke the mould as she gathered up her maxi-skirt and flicked back her hair and took on the challenge of Mr Alpha, matching him with her feisty sparkiness; no longer was she sitting around waiting for her knight in shining armour! Over the years, she’s come to reflect all sides of the female psyche — shy and searching for her place in the world, or a sophisticated urban chick — but she’s the only one who can tame that man.
When it comes to storylines, intensely emotional themes laced with plenty of tension and conflict remain perennially popular, but readers require these universal emotional truths to be retold in fresh and innovative ways. So, as in 1973, you’ll find marriages of convenience, secret pregnancies, lovers reunited and revenge, but all have a contemporary spin that today’s women can relate to.
We’ll continue with the sexy side of Presents and give you some insight into the future direction of the line in our next posting, “What about sex?”.
For those of you who have been with us a long time, how do today’s Alpha males compare to today’s heroes? Use the comments box below.Â
8 Responses to “What is the Secret of the Appeal of Harlequin Presents?”
- 1 Trackback on Jul 19th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
- 2 Pingback on Sep 25th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Hi Tessa, How wonderful to find you blogging about Presents stories.
You brought back fantastic memories for me, mentioning Violet Winspear, Anne Mather and Anne Hampson.
I’m sure I spent days devouring their books. Those strong, gorgeous alpha men were nothing like the guys I knew at the time. No wonder I was hooked so completely!
I believe today’s alpha heroes have a lot in common with their predecessors. Otherwise there wouldn’t be quite such an emotional clash when they meet their heroine (and I love that). But times have changed and I think the heroes are dealing with situations and heroines who can challenge them in different ways. I love the fact that so many heroines are assertive and independent. It can make life tough for a man who’s used to being in control of every situation. The anticipation of knowing that Mr Tall Dark and Sexy is about to meet his match is so appealing! I do enjoy the fact that they’re in some ways larger than life – it makes their story that much more intense.
Annie
I’ve been reading Presents for almost 16 years now….of all the series offered, Presents is the only one I subscribe to and I love getting my box of books each month.
I picked up some vintage Presents on eBay, and was surprised to find out the bedroom door used to close! I like to know my alpha hero can prove his swagger.
I think the heroines have changed more than the heroes. Perhaps the change in heroes is in response to the chage in the independence, education, and sass of the heroine.
Jenna
Hi Tessa:
I am so glad to see this site. I have read HQN Presents since 1979. All of my friends used to make so much fun of me because I always had a romance novel with me and usually a different one each day.
I enjoy the Presents line because the heros are always strong personalities. I agree with Jenna, that over time, the heroines have evolved into stronger characters. Initially, they were very submissive, but they now dare to challenge the status quo.
I think the other aspect about the Presents line that makes it appealing to me is the depth of emotion most of these stories generate. In many cases, you are able to relate to the reasons that these women and men are the way they are. The exotic locals and circumstances that surround the characters don’t hurt either.
Lynn
Hi Tessa! Susan Stephens blog showed me the way here! Its so neat to know when HP books started and how their name came to be. I sure remember the sense of how the books were then, around the 1970’s. My mom had read many of the Harlequin books, but HP was one of her favorites. Each evening, I would go visit her in her room and she would gesture and write to me so I understood, about the different books she had read. She’d pick one up and talk about it and I’d keep them in a pile then walk out with a couple and come back the next night and talk with her about them. I loved this routine we had. It was so special to spend that time with my mom, and too share our love of the HP books. I remember too when I went on to college and marriage, that I would too share other book lines of Harlequin withher as well as those from the library. Recently when I’ve come online a couple of years ago, I found out about so many lines so I’ve been reading all over the place with the Harlequin books, but I do miss reading so many of them. So its great being back and meeting new authors to me like Lucy Monroe and Michelle Reid and soon I hope, Susan’s books among many other authors. So I have so much to catch up on and I can’t wait!
I’ve been ready Presents since the 70s. For the most part I like the way the series has
evolved over the years. The heroines are stronger — they were somewhat wimpy back then.
I also love the inclusion of the hero’s POV. It makes since a huge difference to know
what he is thinking. Otherwise some of his actions could be seen as “nasty.”
However, I do have to say that in the past couple of years I’ve read HPs that I didn’t like.
Much as over the years, I’ve seen a disappearance of the old double standard, it seems that
now it is coming back.
I dislike reading books where married couples are separated, the wife stays faithful, yet the
“hero” has numerous affairs. In the 80s that was alluded to but not “spelled” out. To me,
a man wearing his wedding ring and living with another woman is not hero — no matter what his
reasoning.
I also dislike reading about the hero having a sexual encounter with another woman while at
the same speaking to his estranged wife on the phone.
Call me old-fashioned, but that is just plain “yucky” to me.
Over the years HP books have gone through a lot, most of them positive changes. It continues
to be my favorite series. I still look forward to reading them. My favorite current authors
include: Lucy Monroe, Michelle Reid and Kate Walker. Of course there are some classic books
out there written by: Sara Craven, Anne McAllister, Robyn Donald and Violet Winspear. I am sure that I am
forgetting some very good authors. Recently this series added some new authors to the mix.
I am looking forward to reading their books as well.