FREE/BARGAIN — Romance & Discussion

[Amaryllis]

from me too. Probably 90% of my harlequin purchases are from the Love Inspired Historical line.
I generally prefer historical to contemporary when it comes to romance, no matter what the subgenre. If the historicals disappear from their lines, I will be buying a lot fewer books from them.

[library addict]

I figured once several of the lines went digital only, their days would be numbered.

I am surprised (happily) that they're keeping the Romantic Suspense line. I really thought once they were all rebranded as Harlequin (and not Silhouette) that that line was particularly vulnerable since they have the Intrigue line.

I know Target and my local grocery stores have stopped selling all Harlequin series. They sometimes have the MIRA titles. The Walmart has very limited shelf-space for books now and, at least at the one I go to, sells mainly the Presents, Inspired, and Inspired Suspense lines. They get a few copies of Special Editions, but not many. They no longer carry any of the others.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by Amaryllis

from me too. Probably 90% of my harlequin purchases are from the Love Inspired Historical line.
I generally prefer historical to contemporary when it comes to romance, no matter what the subgenre. If the historicals disappear from their lines, I will be buying a lot fewer books from them.

The letter tells them to submit to other like lines. I'm like what other line can they submit to? There isn't one. Why not restructure the lines? Merge Love Inspired if they need to. Inspirational historical romance sells just fine if placed​ in the right market.

Sent from my XT1528

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by library addict

I figured once several of the lines went digital only, their days would be numbered.

I am surprised (happily) that they're keeping the Romantic Suspense line. I really thought once they were all rebranded as Harlequin (and not Silhouette) that that line was particularly vulnerable since they have the Intrigue line.

I know Target and my local grocery stores have stopped selling all Harlequin series. They sometimes have the MIRA titles. The Walmart has very limited shelf-space for books now and, at least at the one I go to, sells mainly the Presents, Inspired, and Inspired Suspense lines. They get a few copies of Special Editions, but not many. They no longer carry any of the others.

If you read the letter you see it's about money. They don't care to do a restructure of the imprints. The sad neglected websites of Avon and Harlequin shows how lazy HarperCollins is.

I suspect Carina Press will be next.

Sent from my XT1528

[library addict]

It's always about the money.

I just think many of the lines took a hit when they are not readily available to buy in stores. Yes, a lot of people have switched to digital, and many more will order print books on-line. But a lot of people who read print don't shop on line. So if the books aren't available to buy locally, they just buy different books.

I don't think Carina will close. They've always been digital first with some dabbling in print. And they're focused more on individual authors than series-line type plots.

I could see some of the imprints at HarperCollins merging or closing though.

[AnemicOak]

Always sucks when a line some folks like gets the boot, but last I read the bread and butter for category romances has still been places like WalMart, Target & grocery stores. All three of those in my experience have either decreased what they carry when it comes to category type books (and mass markets in general) or stopped carrying them all together in favor of using more of their limited book shelf space for higher margin trade paperbacks and hardcovers. Unfortunately it's hard to expect lines to keep being produced if they aren't bringing in enough money when others are. The Romance market has changed a lot in the past five-ten years or so and I think some of the trad pubs have been having a hard time keeping up.

I'm kind of surprised that Intrigue & Romantic Suspense haven't been merged, but those are some of their better selling lines I believe (I think LI Romantic Suspense sells well too) and Romantic Suspense in general is a good seller so...

[Blossom]

This is just first of many. I was just told eventually HQ will probably cease to exist. Merged​ into Avon. They are riding on the Dare line to be a success.

Another said some Mira and HQN authors are being moved to Avon. Looks like they could get cut.

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[library addict]

Originally Posted by Blossom

Another said some Mira and HQN authors are being moved to Avon. Looks like they could get cut.

This would not surprise me.

In addition to the authors, I feel bad for all of the editors who have now lost their jobs. Some may be moved to other departments, but not all.

Also, if HQN and MIRA do get merged into Avon, that's less books released each month as they only have so many slots.

The same thing happened when Penguin and Random House merged. So many imprints were merged into others and now less books each month.

[Blossom]

I'm just upset beyond words. I own more Harlequins than anything. It's heartless what they are doing to an icon of Romance.

Sent from my XT1528

[Hemmi]

My Target stopped carrying Harlequins last year sometime. I was happy to see them again when I was there last Saturday. They had the Presents line and a few of the longer books from HQN.

I don't buy HQN books new anymore. Got rid of most that I had (although I still have a couple of bookshelves full). I will pick them up at Goodwill though if I see a title I like.

[Blossom]

So let me see if I got this right? When you submit a receipt to Harlequin Rewards your points given are on the retail price not the price you bought it for?

I bought a HQ in April I submitted the receipt and today I got more points then I was expecting plus Bonus points for finally buying something

[library addict]

Originally Posted by Blossom

So let me see if I got this right? When you submit a receipt to Harlequin Rewards your points given are on the retail price not the price you bought it for?

I bought a HQ in April I submitted the receipt and today I got more points then I was expecting plus Bonus points for finally buying something

Yes, the cover price is what they go by.

Sometimes more if it's one of the special books of the month where you get 1000, 3000, or 5000 points depending upon the offer.

[Blossom]

The funny thing is I didn't realize I had bought the book till I was backing up my books from Dec-April. Google Play was where I had bought it from. I'll have to keep it in mind when buying a book. I got 1000 bonus points for my first submission on top of 500 points for the book.

[Keslynn]

The Heroes and Heartbreakers ebook club freebie of the month is available. This month's selection is Beauty and the Highland Beast by Lecia Cornwall.

More information can be found in ATDrake's thread.

[Amy_k]

Crave the Night by Susan Sizemore is $2.99

Kobo

These are paranormal (vampire) romances. It looks like 3 books in 1.

1. I Burn for You
2. I Thirst for You
3. I Hunger for You

In her steamy vampire romances, acclaimed author Susan Sizemore pits vampires against mortals, destiny against desire....By popular demand, all three novels are now available in this paperback collectible.
I Burn for You
Battling the dark hollows of his soul, vampire Alec Reynard undergoes secret medical treatments that allow him to bear daylight. Living a double life as a bodyguard, he must also battle his powerful attraction to Domini Lancer, a mere mortal -- and, unbelievably, his soul mate. When danger threatens, he kidnaps Domini to protect her but wonders: will she accept the darkness within him -- or is she a vampire slayer who's cleverly infiltrated his clan?
I Thirst for You
Josephine Elliot knows only that the stranger who appeared out of the dark desert night and took her captive is named Marcus Cage and that he's on the run. A vampire, Marcus is overwhelmed by his thirst for Josephine and instantly recognizes her as his soul mate -- but when she unwittingly betrays him, both are thrust into mortal danger. Can their newfound love survive or is their insatiable desire doomed?
I Hunger for You
Mia Luchese, who comes from a long line of vampire hunters, doesn't know that Colin Foxe broke off their blistering affair because he's a vampire. After she's attacked by evil vamps and Colin rescues her, their real identities must be revealed for them to get to the bottom of the attack. But even a generations-old enmity that should rip them apart cannot break the bond that has their souls hungering for an eternity of ecstasy in each other's arms....