Comments on: Harlequin Presents Author Penny Jordan on Pushing the Boundaries

By: Myates

Myates — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 16:39:34 +0000

I am so excited to hear about these particular boundaries being pushed. I am actively writing some manuscripts aimed at the presents line and, in one of my ‘completed’ pieces, my hero is half African-American.
I was inspired by my own real life, and my own very sexy, half African-American husband.
I didn’t want race to be the focus of the story, because it isn’t the focus in my relationship and, with one exception, has never been an issue amongst family, friends or even strangers.
It’s just really encouraging to see that an author I respect greatly has already begun to push the envelope in that way. Very exciting, and I can’t wait to read it.

Maisey

By: Karen

Karen — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:16:34 +0000

Hi Penny

I cannot wait to get my hands on your book!!

India has always struck me as being such an exotic, spicy and colourful country. And dare I say it, a sensual place? All that loose clothing, oh my!

Congratulations that you’re the first to write about an Indian alpha. Strangely enough, it was a part of the world, that I had thought about quite a lot, especially with Mills and Boon publishing there now. And why not have a gorgeous guy from there? Bring them on I say.

I can’t say how much you have meant to me as a writer over the years, you always bring that special something to a story, I adore it.

Best wishes
xx Karen

By: Susan Stephens

Susan Stephens — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 12:21:08 +0000

As a long-term fan of Penny’s,long before we ever became good friends I could always rely on something fresh and wonderful in Penny’s writing, and I can’t wait to read this latest book set in a country I have longed to visit for… well, always.

Goodness knows how many people you’ve inspired, Penny, or how much pleasure you’ve brought your many readers and I know this new love story will be no exception.

Here’s to the next wonderful book- and the next, and the next…

By: MARIAN

MARIAN — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:35:22 +0000

Penny–looking forward to your new release. In your words — the joy of reading romance is universal — and I have no doubt you captured that.

Sounds like you were meant to write this story! Sit back and enjoy now!

Can’t wait to read it!

Hugs,
MARIAN STEVENS

By: Sharon Kendrick

Sharon Kendrick — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:17:52 +0000

Mmm….can’t wait to read it, Penny. A vibrant landscape with dazzling colours and intoxicating scents will make the perfect setting for a passionate love-story written by your own fair hand. In fact, I want to go to India NOW!

Shazza xx

By: India Grey

India Grey — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 13:14:57 +0000

(I’m posting this on Penny’s behalf as she’s had some problems logging in. Over to Penny….)

Lynn Raye Harris and redlighting, thank you both so very much for your supportive posts
Lynn, my first ever book for Harlequin was also a sheikh book – Falcon’s Prey – I’ve always had a weakness for desert sheikh heroes.

The posts from Lynn and redlighting have really given me a boost (much needed as I am hoping this weekend to finish writing my current book).

Positive feedback from readers is important to all writers, but imho it is especially important to Presents authors. As Presents authors we are ‘here’ for the long run; we want to develop a readership that understands us, and that will stay with us, so that together as writers and readers we can explore and develop our genre and our line and continue to make it the most loved romance line in the world. We innovate, yes, but we don’t ‘do’ quick fixes. We create our books around deeply held core values, rather than following fashion. We have outrageously rich sexy heroes yes, but our heroines know the importance of the men they love respecting that love. Yes, this sometimes makes Presents a more demanding read. We know though that our readers are more than up to that challenge, just as the greatest ambition of us, your Presents authors, is to be up to the challenge of providing you with books you love.

To my fellow Presents authors – my heartfelt thanks for your support, both publicly here and during the long weeks when I agonised to you over this book. Must go now as my current hero is getting impatient. I’ve innovated a little in this book as well. Just hope it works. And no, I am not going to say another word about my current mss.

Penny Jordan

By: India Grey

India Grey — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 13:12:13 +0000

Having been lucky enough to hear a little about this book as it was being written, I can’t say how excited I am about finally getting to read it (It’s on top of the pile that awaits the finishing of my current ms!) As a relatively new writer of Presents I’m also incredibly in awe of Penny and all the other well-established authors who push back the boundaries and keep the line so exciting and ‘of-the-moment’, while delivering the gorgeous Presents promise in spades.

By: abby green

abby green — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 07:08:55 +0000

Hi Penny, I for one can’t wait to read the book. I think the whole Indian premise and hero sounds so exciting. I backpacked in India some years ago and to this day it remains one of the most amazing, challenging, exotic, awe inspiring and contradictory places I’ve ever been. So to be able to go back there in the pages of a book will be a real treat…
x Abby Green

By: Christina Hollis

Christina Hollis — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 05:10:04 +0000

I can’t wait to read this one, Penny. Your Indian hero is bound to be a worthy successor to Hari Kumar (+ HEA!). And to think, I used to borrow the Financial Times just to read the gardening column!

By: Lynn Raye Harris

Lynn Raye Harris — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:54:08 +0000

This sounds like a fabulous book! Thanks for sharing your inspiration, Penny. I have loved your books for years. Daughter of Hassan was one of the first I read — and all these years later, I remember it! I believe it was one of the first sheik books I ever read, and oh my, I was in love.