Reading Harlequin Presents in the Wild
15 Comments August 7th, 2009 in just for fun, reader Posted by Amyby Amy Wilkins, Harlequin Digital
You probably read the title of my blog post today, “Reading Harlequin Presents in the Wild”, and wondered what the heck it means… well, I have to admit, my Harlequin Presents world is pretty limited. Yes, I talk about Presents with all you lovely blog readers and authors on I Heart Presents and with other folks in the office, and I scope out the books on the shelves but I rarely see or meet anyone randomly reading a Presents in public.
But a few months ago, I decided to change that by being a publicly proud Harlequin Presents reader. In May I went on vacation to the Dominican Republic (I bet you didn’t even know I was gone! The wonderful Malle Vallik made sure the blog ran smoothly without me) with a bag full of romances and I read each an every one right by the side of the pool, in the resort lobby, and anywhere else I wanted for anyone to see! Here I am reading The Greek Millionaire’s Secret Child by Catherine Spencer at the pool:
I never hid what I read (try reading a Harlequin Blaze on the subway, that will get a few looks, trust me 
) but I don’t think I’ve ever shown off my books before either.
I also left a copy of Mr. Cavendish, I Presume by Julia Quinn on our table at the bar one night — which lead to one of the guys from the resort band taking a break from flirting with my best friend to ask me if I was reading a “loff” (love) book. He then went on to tell me about how his sister has stacks and stacks of romance novels at home that she reads all the time. Romance novels are truly global!
Funny enough, it wasn’t long after my trip that I had my first truly random Harlequin Presents sighting — a woman waiting for the bus was reading a rather beat-up Presents from the library (I could tell from the bar code on the front) by Christina Hollis! My Presents-spotting drought was lifted! 
So have you ever spotted some one reading a Harlequin Presents “in the wild”? Do you proudly read your romance novels out in public or do you prefer to keep your reading private?
Tagged with: author Catherine Spencer • author Christina Hollis • I Presume by Julia Quinn • Mr. Cavendish • reading romance novels in public • The Greek Millionaire's Secret Child
Fab blog post Amy. I’m trying to rack my brain but do you know what? I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone in public reading an M&B!! Bizarre considering how many they sell!! Although I read them loud and proud ANYWHERE now!
That’s uncanny, Amy. I started doing the same thing just the other day. I was loading up the car to take my son to gym when I found an unread Lynne Graham I thought I’d lost (probably one ‘deer alert’ too many – it must have lodged under the driver’s seat after rocketing out of a shopping bag in the back!). That meant I was as happy as Son Number One for a couple of hours – coffee, cake and romance for me in the cafe, while he burned off some energy.
I’ve never spotted anyone else reading a Mills and Boon in public before, so why don’t we try and start a trend? “Presents and Proud”!
I have a long commute by train and do see people reading Harlequin/Mills and Boon romances, though in nowhere near the numbers the sales figures would suggest. Made my first sighting of the new look M&B covers (it was an Intrigue) on the London Underground last week. I more often see people reading thriller or crime stories in public. Maybe all those romance readers keep it as a private pleasure?
If I do read on the train (usually I catch up on emails or write on my commute instead, and read to relax at night) it will almost always be a M&B, either a Modern or Modern Heat. Though I do try to time it so I don’t reach the last couple of chapters in public. I’ve been caught too many times with no tissues and tears streaming down my face at some hero and heroine’s black moment and happy ending!
Of course, as more of us switch to ebooks, no-one will know what we are reading. I’ve started reading on my PDA, to save any more being added to my “everything but the kitchen sink” handbag clutter.
Great photos, Amy! I’ve been reading my romance novels in public for years, and I rather enjoy the looks I get because I feel part of a superior club!Those who know the wonders of a great romance novel and aren’t afraid!
I love the fact that one of the debates traditionalists hold against eBooks is that others won’t know what distinguished book you are reading. In other words, that they won’t be able to show off!
Back to reading romance…
I used to read them tucked into a magazine (what a clever disguise I hear you all say) until I was outed by a girlfriend, who is a high profile partner in a law firm. To my surprise she asked could she borrow my Melanie Milburne when I was finished and pulled her dog-eared copy of an old Violet Winspear out of her bag, bragging about how she had picked it up at a second hand stall for a song. Then, I discovered that most of my friends were avid readers and we have all been happily outed since. And anyway, I had to take Jenni Lucas’ latest release with me as I couldnt have put it down if I tried.
Hi Amy – I was on holiday in Greece a couple of years ago and saw two girls on the beach (early twenties) unashamedly reading the Greek translations of Harlequin Presents. Of course I had to go over and I’ve since become penpals with them and keep in touch, I’ve sent them my own first Greek translation. They absolutely love the books, can’t get enough of them…!
x Abby
loved this post, Amy. Well, I’m out and proud with my M&B reading. In fact I’m sure I was reading an Abby Green on the bus not that long ago!! But I did have a funny story from my brother who (bless his heart) reads all my books but said he got some very funny looks when he was reading The Mile High Club in business class on the plane to Dubai… Good to know he got so engrossed he didn’t realise he was causing quite a stir until he’d finished it!
Excellent Amy! I read mine in ebook format but if I had ‘em in print, I’d be reading ‘em wherever I could.
Heidi, that’s so funny re your brother! How excellent of him.
J
Hello all!
It’s great to hear your Presents-spotting and public-reading stories! Heidi, I wonder if the flight attendants on your brother’s plane were getting a bit nervous about his intentions, LOL
~Amy
I saw a woman on her lunch break reading a copy of Jennie Lucas’s latest. I went over and talked to her, and she said she loves all the Presents.
I’m proud to read them in public! Gives me a reason to say I write them if someone comments.
Not sure if this counts. There’s been an ad campaign in the UK to get people reading. It features various celebrities reading extracts from different types of books. One of which is Phil Bailey reading a Presents/Modern romance. The range also got a brief mention on The Gadget Show last night, where Jason was reading Seduced by the Rebel Tycoon.
Maybe we should try encourage more men to read them- give them some ideas….
I read whenever and wherever I can. Most often that is at home but if I know I’m going somewhere and I might be waiting for a while, I certainly have a book of some sort (read: usually a Harlequin) in my purse to pull out and escape into during those seemingly long waits. I’m not ashamed of what I read and as a writer pursuing her dream, I would be proud to have my name on a Harlequin cover knowing that the words inside were from my imagination and creativity. I say, read everywhere.
I was just re-inspired by my daughter’s Kindergarten teacher today because she sent home a parent letter that included suggestings for supporting the education process at home. One of the highly expected suggestion was reading everyday to your kindergartener. The one I didn’t expect to see was the read on your own in front of your children regularly as it will encourage them to read. Another great reason to read in public or “out in the wild.” We should model for everyone the value and importance of reading.
I like the way you think, Ms Mulberry. As it happens, my husband reads them, or at least lets me read them to him!
As for reading in public, I must confess that doing so made me blush, especially if I was on a particularly good scene!
Now I read them all on the Kindle with provides anonymity, but really, I’ve reached the point now where I’m ready to shout my reading material to the world and even recommend it. I’m working on getting my friends hooked on Presents. Crazy how many people in the early twenties crowd haven’t even heard of Harlequin! I’m helping to fix that, and if reading in public helps…
I know I’ve seen people reading Harlequin Presents in public a time or two, but my absolute most memorable time was when I got stranded on a stairwell on the metro with a baby stroller very far from any elevator.
And then I noticed she was reading an HP. Just shows you can’t judge anybody’s reading tastes from their outside appearance!
This very tough looking older woman in army fatigues helped me drag the stroller up the stairs. She said it was the grandmotherly thing to do.