Comments on: What is the Secret of the Appeal of Harlequin Presents? http://www.iheartpresents.com/2007/02/second-post/ Fri, 10 Sep 2010 07:27:09 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: The Power of Love — The Heart of Presents at I (Heart) Presents http://www.iheartpresents.com/2007/02/second-post/comment-page-1/#comment-44293 The Power of Love — The Heart of Presents at I (Heart) Presents Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:46:57 +0000 http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/?p=3#comment-44293 [...] There’ve been some great posts over recent months about Harlequin Presents books and the various ingredients that go into making them such fabulous reads. Whether they feature virgins, mistresses, blackmailed brides, billionaires, marriages of convenience or secret babies, one thing is a given, the alpha male. As Tessa Shapcott wrote in her first blog of February 7th, “The Alpha Male hero is the enduring hallmark of the line.” [...] [...] There’ve been some great posts over recent months about Harlequin Presents books and the various ingredients that go into making them such fabulous reads. Whether they feature virgins, mistresses, blackmailed brides, billionaires, marriages of convenience or secret babies, one thing is a given, the alpha male. As Tessa Shapcott wrote in her first blog of February 7th, “The Alpha Male hero is the enduring hallmark of the line.” [...]

]]> By: Seroquel xr. http://www.iheartpresents.com/2007/02/second-post/comment-page-1/#comment-34971 Seroquel xr. Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:47:46 +0000 http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/?p=3#comment-34971 <strong>Seroquel xr....</strong> Seroquel xr.... Seroquel xr….

Seroquel xr….

]]> By: lidia http://www.iheartpresents.com/2007/02/second-post/comment-page-1/#comment-43 lidia Wed, 21 Feb 2007 03:52:23 +0000 http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/?p=3#comment-43 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. 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.

]]> By: CathieCaffey http://www.iheartpresents.com/2007/02/second-post/comment-page-1/#comment-11 CathieCaffey Thu, 08 Feb 2007 20:28:56 +0000 http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/?p=3#comment-11 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! 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!

]]> By: mlmatherly http://www.iheartpresents.com/2007/02/second-post/comment-page-1/#comment-10 mlmatherly Thu, 08 Feb 2007 17:48:41 +0000 http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/?p=3#comment-10 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:

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

]]> By: Jenna Bayley-Burke http://www.iheartpresents.com/2007/02/second-post/comment-page-1/#comment-9 Jenna Bayley-Burke Thu, 08 Feb 2007 16:45:35 +0000 http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/?p=3#comment-9 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 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

]]> By: Mad http://www.iheartpresents.com/2007/02/second-post/comment-page-1/#comment-6 Mad Thu, 08 Feb 2007 01:08:06 +0000 http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/?p=3#comment-6 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’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. :)

]]> By: Annie West http://www.iheartpresents.com/2007/02/second-post/comment-page-1/#comment-5 Annie West Thu, 08 Feb 2007 00:15:55 +0000 http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/?p=3#comment-5 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 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

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