Harlequin Presents Readers discussion

Tell us what your all-time favorite HPs are.

My all time fav is by Charlotte Lamb.

Savage Surrender

A love it when the heroine is otherwise occupied and could care less about the playboy hero.

I agree with you about the heroine who is not interested in the playboy hero.

I like the hero to have the unrequited love. I'll get my list of faves and post them SOON.

Okay a short list:

Taken Over by Penny Jordan
Lovers Touch by Penny Jordan
The Spanish Groom by Lynne Graham
One Night With His Wife by Lynne Graham
The Disobedient Mistress by Lynne Graham
Blackmailed by Diamonds, Bound by Marriage by Sarah Morgan
By Love Bewitched by Violet Winspear
Man of Ice by Frances Roding
Marriage by
Desert Prince, Defiant Virgin by Kim Lawrence
Reckless Conduct by Susan Napier
Mistress of the Groom by Susan Napier
The Marriage Agreement by Susan Alexander

I'll bombard you with more. Just give me a chance!

Daphne Clair = Dark mirror ; The loving trap ; Dark remembrance
Sara Craven = His wedding-night heir ; Mistress @ a price ; Comparative strangers ; Marriage under suspicion ; Mistress on loan
Michelle Reid = The price of a bride ; Gold ring of betrayal ; Marriage on the rebound
Roberta Leigh = Stormcloud marriage
Anne Mather = Snowfire ; Melting fire ; A fever in the blood ; A rich man's touch ; Come the vintage
Susan Napier = Another time
Anne Hampson = Fetters of hate ; Another eden
Annie West = A mistress for the taking
Madeleine Ker = Special arrangement

That's a great list, Verity. I have some of the same books on my list.

=)~

For me, the most wanted factors of any romance (not just HP) are the independent heroine, one who has something else on her mind other than bagging the hero (hate the whiny, can't live without hero doormats who are just featured in too many romance novels), and the hero who's set on making the heroine his at any cost -this makes for the best conflict and drama (not to mention sexual tension) especially if the author's writing is on par. But usually all the HPs I've read with these kind of protagonists end up a decent read. No matter what, I simply can't stand the heroines who swoon at the sight of the hero and pine day and night for them (nothing more distasteful than a woman who chases after a man who's not into her -some may like it, but not me). In romance, I always prefer the hero to show more love for the heroine. I love the heroine who has other goals (job, hobbies, friendship, family...) and barely notices the hero, thus frustrating him to no end -always earns my respect as well as a smile on my face. And with an all the more determined hero and whatever other drama, this just makes some hot reading -I need my romance intense, really becoming involved in the emotional entanglements of its characters (blandness does not work for me). With that said, here on some of my all-time favorite HPs (and boy are they good with an obsessed hero and plenty of heart-wrenching moments):

Fever -Charlotte Lamb
Frustration -Charlotte Lamb
Master of Passion -Jacqueline Baird
Bought by the Greek Tycoon -Baird
The Spanish Groom - Lynne Graham
A Savage Betrayal -Lynne Graham (tho I often find her heroines a bit weak to my taste, but no-one makes hotter heroes than her -the 2 heroines in these books are among her better ones and the heroes are to DIE for, plus these are two of the best HPs I've ever read; extremely intense chemistry the whole way and both heroes are really in love with their heroines)
Bought in his Name -Penny Jordan

These are all really amazing HPs (had my heart pounding) that really made a mark on me. I read romance for the emotion, so if the book doesn't move me, then I will not like it. That's why I need strong compelling writing, because that often results in the intensity I need to pull on my heart-strings and take me on a roller-coaster ride. If anyone else can suggest other HPs with these kind of heroes and heroines, please recommend (any kind of storyline, just want the hero to be the one doing the pining and for the heroine to not be bothered about him). Both "Fever" and "Bought in his Name" feature disinterested heroines who let the hero think the worst in them, yet the hero is still set on possessing them despite that knowledge -love the "can't help it" kind of heroes because their palpable emotions really show their raw passion for the heroines -that shear vulnerability really batters at my heart! These are too few for my tastes and I'd love to find some more. Thanks!

Oops, almost forgot to add:

Price of a Bride -Michelle Reid (simply amazing)
Gold Ring of Betrayal -Michelle Reid (tho the heroine is not one I prefer, the book itself as well as the hero was just too good)

I could have written your post, almost word for word, Usagi. I feel very similarly. I don't mind a sweet heroine, but I don't like to see them constantly pining and jumping through hoops for the hero, or making a fool of herself. I love heroes in pursuit, who are crazy about the heroine. The Spanish Groom is a fav LG of mine, as well. Have you read Bittersweet Passion and Indecent Deception? The heroines tend more towards disinterested, although they both had teenage crushes on the hero.

I'm so happy we're on the same page and will check those books out. Are both written by Lynne Graham? Hopefully the heroes are more crazy about the heroines. Have you read any of the Crimson trilogy (the first 2 books mainly, since the last book isn't really about the 2 main leads) books by Trisha Baker? Although it's paranormal, there's no cheesy "hero goes after heroine because he recognizes her as his lifemate" storyline." Somehow, I don't like it if the hero loves the heroine because he know's she's his soulmate -I would like it more if he pursues her because he falls in love with her and then finds out she's his soulmate or whatnot. Maybe it's because I want the pursuing to be more about the love rather than the knowledge -it's not romantic to me the other way around, which is why I hesitate to read all the Christine Feehan and Kresley Cole paranormal series. In the Crimson series, the hero (more like a villain especially in the first book) is a vampire who treats doesn't hesitate to kill anyone except the heroine since he's obsessively in love with her. Word of warning though, the hero is very abusive to her in the first novel (even though this happens after he turns her into a vampire and she's able to heal quickly). But for some reason, the author's compelling writing makes the hero so intriguing that I can't help but be fascinated with him. Not to mention, he does truly love the heroine.

Both are written by Lynne Graham. I'd have to work up to the Crimson series, but thanks for the rec!

I've read so many HP's that I've loved throughout the years (80's to the present), I can't rememeber the names. Just recently I've been keeping tabs of the books I'm reading. A book I read more recently that stood out alot was ROYALLY BEDDED, REGALLY WEDDED by Julia James.

Oh, I'm sure I have that in the pile. I'll try to pull it out to read.

Here are the ones that I remember ( I am studying away from home so all my books have been left behind)

1- A Man Untamed->Man Untamed;
2 -Katherine Arthur->Send me no flowers
3- Susan Napier - Secret Admirer
4- Robyn Donald - No Guarantees;
5-A Willing Surrender - Robyn Donald
6- Waking Up - Amanda Carpenter
7- The Game Is LoveJeanne Allan (heroine is not only VERY self-reliant but also gives the guy HELL verbally - i love a quick-witted battle!)
8- Blind Date - Emma Darcy
9- Snowfire -Anne Mather ( strong heroine!)..


I KNOW that I had many more books as my fave ones but these are the ones that I remember right now....maybe I'll post some later?

Thanks for sharing you faves, Eejay. I have read some of those.

Eejay,
Anne Mather = "Snowfire" is 1 of my fav AM too.
Susan Napier is an auto-buy that I wish could write faster.

I wish I could find Katherine Arthur's books online somewhere. I bought her book at an old book shop and part of the book (the ending naturally *rolling my eyes) was missing....I love her humor....
*sigh*

Me too, Verity. I love Susan Napier!

Tracked down a couple of other books:

10-Treacherous Longings - Anne Mather
11-The Sister Swap ( Susan Napier) - [good witty dialogue (sp?):)]
12-Tempt me not - Susan Napier
13- Beyond compare - Penny Jordan (Better than her generic books, I guess)
14- Southern nights - Janet Dailey

More later

Great list, Eeejay.

Eeejay wrote: "- Beyond compare - Penny Jor..."

Oh, I did like that one! I loved the color-blind hero. :)

15 - Gypsy in the night - Sophie Weston (remained a fave of mine for some reason) - took 1/2 an hour to remember the name of this book cuz I just remembered the name of the hero (Sebastian and the heroine Jo =) ).

16 - A book I read where all the brothers and sisters are named after Shakespeare's characters - the heroine's name is Beatrice and the guy's name is Elliot.There was something about them being step-brother and sister ( not actually related though)...Don't remember the name of the book though.....UGH! [edit: As Danielle will point out later in the thread, its called Some Sort Of Spell by Frances Roding]

17 - Protector with a Past (Silhouette Intimate Moments, 1091) - Harper Allen (not exactly mills and boon but silhouette and really nice)

18 - A Savage Adoration - Penny Jordan (read it a long time ago but if I remember correctly, I liked it)

More later!

Sara Craven = His wedding-night heir ; Mistress @ a price ; Comparative strangers ; Marriage under suspicion

Read Marriage under suspicion and it was AWESOME! all the while I read it, I was thinking: no! how could he!!!!! but he didn't and that saved him!

How annoying, I have so many Penny Jordan books, but not Beyond Compare.

That same goes for me, but with a different author! I have so many Sara Craven's but not the one recommended above. :( I'm adding "Marriage Under Suspicion" to my wishlist.

And I found another favourite:
19 - Bluebirds in the Spring - Jeanne Allen (Barbara Blackman)

20 - The Man from Amazibu Bay - Yvonne Whittal (I read it almost 10 years ago but it made a good impression)

Eeejay wrote: "-Gypsy in the night - Sophie Weston (remained a fave of mine for some reason) - took 1/2 an hour to remember the name of this book cuz I just remembered the name of the hero (Sebastian and the her..."

Eejay, we have frighteningly similar taste. That book is called Some Sort Of Spell by Frances Roding. I love that book! I also love Comparative Strangers. Sara Craven is one of my favorite HPs authors.

So grateful! - its hell not remembering the title of the book -

While I'm on a roll I might as well state 2 new books (whose heroes and heroines I remember and strangely the names of the novels and authors evade me completely)

21 - A book where the hero is called Matthew (Mathew?) - heroine: Jessica - heroine's husband is Randy and heroine's daughter is Penny [Edit: As Seton will point out: the book is called A Captive Loving by Carole Mortimer]

- A book where the heroine's name is Maria (she's Danish(?) and working in Canada)..I 'think' the guy's name is Craig - he works for north west forestry or something - and she had an ex called Tony (Seriously, I'm amazing myself by remembering this stupid stuff and yet not recalling the book title! :S )

Darn, I don't think I remember those. :(

#2 is ringing vague bells for me as a book by Karen van der Zee... Time for Another Dream, perhaps?

Willaful wrote: "#2 is ringing vague bells for me as a book by Karen van der Zee... Time for Another Dream, perhaps?"


Uh - no - I checked all the summaries of the her books on fiction db and it wasn't that....maybe someone else can help...


22 - What's Right by Melinda Cross: I remembered this - loved it to bits! and real agonizing too - plus very liberal considering it was written in 1985...(5/5 for me!)
23 - - Dark Fate (Charlotte Lamb):after MUCH research ( 2 hours spent searching for words such as Dark/silk/night and stuff) - I finally stumbled upon the author's name: Charlotte Lamb ( even searched Carole Mortimer cuz I kept thinking it was a mainstream author who wrote it....)

phew

Eeejay, Call of Home by Melinda Cross is one of my favorites. Environmentalist theme.

Dark Fate by Charlotte Lamb was a good read. One of my favorites by her.

Eeejay wrote: "1 - A book where the hero is called Matthew (Mathew?) - heroine: Jessica - heroine's husband is Randy and heroine's daughter is Penny"



This is CAPTIVE LOVING by Carole Mortimer. I doubt that Willa will like it since it features a heroine who cant achieve the O because of her abusive first husband.

I thought DARK FATE was meh. I am with Bargainbooks on SAVAGE SURRENDER in terms of Lamb books.

Bye!

I'm so torn, no longer keen on reading CM since the last 1 I read was a bust, but I lurrv frigid heroines.

All this talk 'bout CL - Dark fate, made me read it & I thought it was pretty good & reunion is my cuppa =P

I haven't read some of the authors mentioned here, so my WL is getting longer & longer by the minute. Thanx.

This is CAPTIVE LOVING by Carole Mortimer. I..."

Thanks! It really drives me crazy when I cant remember the name of the books and authors....
P.S: I just finished reading Scorpion's Dance [Anne Mather:] - its very nice (I won't say much more =)

Eeejay wrote: "- Dark Fate (Charlotte Lamb):after MUCH research ( 2 hours spent searching for words such as Dark/silk/night and stuff) - I finally stumbled upon the author's name: Charlotte Lamb ( even searched C..."


I think I have that one at home.

I doubt that Willa will like it since it features a heroine who cant achieve the O because of her abusive first husband.

You know me so well. :-) I do like books like that sometimes, but I'm guessing Carole Mortimer will not work it for me.

I liked Dark Fate, though it's not my favorite Lamb. Haven't read Savage Surrender, but will have to look in my big honkin' boxes.

Here's a few that stand out for me: Tangle of Torment by Emma Darcy. Normally I don't go for women-pursuing stories, but it's just so intense. Dark Fire by Robyn Donald. Also not a story I would normally like, the hero is a total Alphole and there's really no apology or closure or anything, and yet somehow it works. A Change of Heart by Sandra Field. Before I read that one, HPs were throwaway for me; that was the first one I wanted to keep. It might not seem so good now that I've read so many others, I don't know.

Just read the blurb about A Change of Heart by Sandra Field. It sounds good.

It had a very different feel to it, which may well be because it was the first older Presents I'd read (as an adult, I read them 30 years ago as an adolescent). It seemed, ironically, much fresher than the newer books. I liked that the heroine was a bit of a daredevil. Also - mistaken identity, gotta love it!

Willaful, I agree that some of the older books do seem less canned and more interesting than the newer books. There is heavy reliance on formula in the more recent books. But, there are some mighty fine books in this line, despite that.

Oh wait, I had the wrong Sandra Field book. The one I was talking about was A Mistake in Identity. But A Change of Heart is really interesting, too.

Well I usually bought books from an old book shop and after having read them -I'd trade them at half price so I got to read a LOT of books (thats partially why I don't remember authors/titles)...


Anyway, I really don't like the modern harlequin stuff like temptation and blaze cuz its just about physical stuff and as such presents very little emotion - having said that I do like some of the modern books ( I had the list somewhere - I'd have to look into finding it)...


Plus I think - there were a bulk of books totally politically incorrect and yet fulfilling our emotional needs - for me, it was almost a habit to buy M&Bs....I read them for the sake of reading - and once a while a book would stand out....


P.S: i think we shouldn't give the stories away - if someone's recommending it, it must be special - let's leave it at that - I didn't *love* some of the recommended books but *liked them a lot* ...that's probably because you expect so much more when someone else recommends it and says 'its good'...*no offense =)*

P.S.S: I just remembered Leigh Michaels and Debbie Macomber -I remembered I liked a couple of their books....also um...Rebecca Winters, is it? yeah, her too....

I think we all know that everyone has different tastes and how a book affects us varies. I might rate a book higher or lower than someone else and vice versa. We are just sharing our faves and having a discussion.

****

Its hard finding some of these old books. I wish it was easier and less expensive to get for example Sandra Field's A Change of Heart. I've been looking for Roberta Leigh's It All Depends on Love for awhile. I saw it on a message board when someone was looking for the title and author. It sounded very good and I want to read it or at least find someone else who read it and get their thoughts on it.

So if anybody has read It All Depends on Love by Roberta Leight, please share.

If you're in the US, you can get a lot of old HPs for a credit at paperbackswap. You have to search around for deals, but it's doable.

I have read that Leigh, but don't remember it very well. I'm not fond of her style. I vaguely remember thinking it was rather more forward thinking than usual for HP.

Roberta Leigh tends to write a strong heroine for that period (mid-80s to early 90s). I recently read her book, A Temporary Wife. Man, she got in a couple of very good zingers against the hero.

I am a member of Paperbackswap.com but I keep saving it for books that I really, really, really want.

Another book I just remembered (as usual dunno the name of the book or the author):

-Heroine: Emily, Hero -Nick ( I think) .... She runs some sort of a shop and he visits after the death of his grandfather or something ( and is a doctor) and just wants her to ask him to stay cuz he loves her.....There's a hurricane scene almost at the end of the book ...Dont wanna give too much away cuz its was a great book...

Oh, Eeejay, I'd like to know that one too. Do they get married early in the book? I think I liked that book a lot. Was it a HP or a Harlequin Romance.

Np Danielle, they don't get married in this book (although of course they will ! ;)...)

and even to the end, the heroine stays independant (even though she loves the hero to bits)...Btw: the heroine dressed frumpily and had short hair( when she was a teenager, she had longer hair.....) -help, anyone?

It was a MnB, I think...