Harlequin Blog » Uncategorized

5. Sunshine! I know they say too much sun is bad for you, but it’s hard not to feel good after a sun-filled day on the beach, in the park or in your own backyard. Just remember to wear your sunscreen, or you’ll look like this.

4. Big Summer Reads—Hollywood isn’t the only industry with a Summer blockbuster season. We have some great books coming out this Summer. Look for a post by Emma on Monday morning about our Big Summer Reads program, especially if you’re a book blogger. You know you’ll want to review all of our Summer releases!

3. Speaking of Hollywood, I love Summer movies! I’m really looking forward to Knight & Day, starring Cameron Diaz and Tom Cruise. Am I the only one who thinks this might be a good romantic-action-comedy? No one can hold a candle to Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas in Romancing the Stone, but Diaz and Cruise have great chemistry! Summer blockbusters are as light as popcorn, but who really wants to escape the heat to sit through a three hour thinking man’s piece on the socio-political climate of Insert-Obscure-Country-Here? Maybe my friend Pete, but I’d say he’s the exception to the rule.

2. Putting away the bulky sweaters—alright, chances are you’ve already done this, but who doesn’t love a refreshed wardrobe? I’m sure you’ve already picked up a few new pieces that echo the latest Summer trends. Hands up, who’s been thinking about getting a romper? And speaking of new looks, do check back on Monday morning because we’re changing the look at the Harlequin Blog! It’s very Summery.

1. Summer vacation! Yes, yes, yes…the number one reason Summer is amazing? That’s right, vacation time. Whether it’s a weekend jaunt to the cottage or campgrounds, or a full ten day trek through the south of France, it’s what you’ve been looking forward to all year, and it’s finally here. Pack your bags! Don’t forget your books! Summer is here!

Anything I missed on the list? Tell me what you’re looking forward to in the comments and I’ll draw three names and send the winner an ebook from our Big Summer Reads program. With authors like Linda Lael Miller, Debbie Macomber, Robyn Carr and Victoria Dahl in the mix, it’s going to be huge. Remember, check back on Monday for more information.

Romance Novels: A Right to Own Our Sexuality

Blogger — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:47:05 +0000

Editor’s Note: this month is National Women’s Month and starting March 8th, International Women’s Day, we are featuring writers who have shared with us their thoughts on reading romance. Today we’ve asked Dear Author’s Jane how National Women’s Month pertains to romance novels. Click here for more blog posts on the subject!

By Jane Litte, blogger for Dear Author

International Women’s Day was started in 1911 to celebrate and agitate for women’s equality. Nearly 100 years later, women have achieved great freedoms: the right to vote, the right to own property, and earn a living wage. It seems that the next great challenge, beyond getting the right to be paid the same for the same work, is the right to own our sexuality.

I often think that romance books are criticized for being about sex because there is something challenging about a woman as a fully cognizant sexual being. Take, for example, sex and violence.

In many mystery and suspense books, there is very graphic violence, usually toward women. Women are captured in groups and have snakes sent up their legs to violate them. In Brett Eason Ellis’ book, American Psycho, the protagonist sends a rat through a prostitute’s body and chases after her with a chain saw. In Karin Slaughter’s Grant County series, Lena Adams is violently raped more than once and in more than one book.

Mysteries and suspense books are considered real literature, worthy of reviews in major newspapers and considered for major awards. There is very little discussion about the level of violence in these books or the abuse of women that seem to be a central theme and what the readers of those books are seeking.

Yet, women that read books that praise a woman seeking out and having orgasms, seeking pleasure, deriving pleasure are held up for mockery and disdain. Some of the more erotic romances are called one handed reads, presuming that the stories are a) read for titillation and b) that there might be something wrong with point a.

What can be wrong with a woman reading about other women getting pleasure, both physically and emotionally? Why is that perverse or dangerous?

Browse this book

Add to your site

Buy this book

I know Victoria Dahl, author of Talk Me Down, gets a lot of flack for writing her “dirty” books but I enjoy the sex positive attitudes of her lead characters.

In the 19th Century, women were cautioned not to read, particularly pulp fiction because they were said to be susceptible to the power of fiction. Some argue that romance readers will generate unrealistic expectations of life, relationships, or love.

I think that if there was more equality in the sexes about sexuality, romance novels would appear to be less dangerous, less provocative.

The Harlequin Blog’s New Theme!

Olga — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:46:25 +0000

Groundhog Day is officially over and, even though both Punxsutawney Phil and Wiarton Willy predicted six more weeks of Winter, I’m not going to let it bother me. You know why?

Because I’m a true romantic who believes that love conquers all. And I love chocolate and red roses and diamonds. That and, we have a new Valentine’s Day theme on the blog that looks fabulous! Have a look at the new design and, while you’re there, perhaps you’d be interested in finding out how we can give you a Happily Ever After?

Now to find that box of bonbons…

For Remembrance Day and Veterans Day

Amy — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:10:57 +0000

Today we thank all the veterans around the world for their service and sacrifice.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
— Lt.-Col. John McCrae (1872 – 1918)