The female protagonist had to be at least twenty-five years old. Unlike the contemporary category romance novels that were being published, she wanted the books to include American and career-minded heroines. Vivian Stephens was the founding editor for this imprint. Markert says that Dell’s Candlelight Ecstasy line changed the “content of the Jayne Castle was one of the first authors for Candlelight Ecstasy Romance imprint Two editors, Vivian Stephens and Carolyn Nichols,Ĭhanged the category romance market and caused a seismic shift in the

The Harlequin lines were becoming outdated because the stories didn’t reflect Not only did imprints have similar cover art treatment, but quite a few authors wrote for more than one imprint under different pen names.Īnd historians disagree that these imprints imitated Harlequin. Many in the publishing industry dismissed these lines at the time, claiming they were carbon copies of Harlequin. Readers buy theīook because of the brand’s promise and not because of the author of the book.Ĭandlelight Ecstasy, Second Chance at Love, and Loveswept were very popular category romance imprints in the 1980s. For example, Scandalous isĪ historical category romance imprint of Entangled Publishing. A category romance is published inĪn imprint and offers a specific reading experience. Romances are also known as series romances. Originally published in the UK by Mills & Boon in 1973, this book was released in North America in 1980 as the first Harlequin Presents

Vintage harlequin romance novels