Yes, yes, it’s the 15th. But awhile back, Hubby and I decided to celebrate Valentine’s Day on the 15th, rather than the 14th, and not because the candy’s on sale, though that’s a perfectly good reason. So this year, I’m doing something similar: we’re celebrating on the 15th – with vintage romances.
I recently had an email from a reader, DM, who found a Laurie McBain title she’d loved years and years ago on sale in the bookstore’s romance section – and she was so very happy to be able to buy a new one, as her old copy was long lost:
I just got back from my lunch break sweep through Borders. While snatching up the new Alice Hoffman, the latest Guildhunter & Loose Ends, a familiar and beloved name caught my eye from the new release rack: Laurie McBain. Yes, it was a soft cover edition of “Devil’s Desire.” I thought to myself, this is HUGE. Did I miss something? The bitchery should know this! There’s a whole generation out there who’ve missed out on the awesomeness that was Laurie McBain; the woman who started the hero as not such an alphhole rapist trend. One can only hope that the rest of her books are soon to receive similar treatment. Not that I’ll need to shell out for them I still have all the originals including the carrot topped fleeing virgin covered “Devil’s Desire.” I keep them away from the sun in a box marked “my precious”… Anyway, just wanted to share.
I admit, I never read a McBain, and DM says that among her favorites are Moonstruck Madness and Devil’s Desire. Woo hoo! Books to add to the romance re-read pile.
McBain’s books are being reprinted as part of the Sourcebooks Casabalanca Classics line, which is headed by Leah Hultenschmidt and brings new editions of classic romances to the bookstore. I asked Leah a few questions about the line, and about the books she’s looking to publish as part of Casablanca Classics.
What makes a good classic romance that you think has to be republished to reach a new audience?
We’ve been primarily concentrating on romances that helped define the genre in some way, yet still have an irresistible hero and heroine. They might not fit as neatly into today’s “romance” mold (if such a broad genre can be said to have a mold), but that’s what’s been so exciting about bringing them out again. To me, they’re “The Godfather” of romance—so much has been based on these works and the ideas have been adapted in a number of ways, but the original never feels old.
What are some plot points or characteristics that speak to readers today, and which ones do you think should be avoided?
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard “I wish they’d like romance like they used to.” These readers aren’t missing the potential does-she-want-it/doesn’t-she? sex scenes, the purple euphemisms or insipid heroines that you sometimes find in early works of the genre. Thank goodness we’ve evolved a lot in that respect—and the really good writers never bothered with them anyway. But there is a scope missing in a lot of today’s books, that epic sense since you used to get in historical romance that page-count requirements and the drive for pacing have often eliminated in the current market.
For example, in Laurie McBain’s TEARS OF GOLD (Aug.), we’re more than 100 pages in before the main characters are even in the same state. I’d not likely let a newer author get away with separating the hero and heroine so long. But in Laurie’s book, it absolutely works and by the time they do come together—HELL-O! The anticipation leaves the reader begging.
And in LEGACY (March), Jeanette Baker does what we’ve been calling a timeslip—a modern-day hero or heroine going through a similar struggle as counterparts in the past. No one actually goes back in time a la Diana Gabaldon (another favorite), but you get a great sense of how a historical conflict is still immensely relevant today.
What authors or books would you LOVE to republish, and which of the books released so far as a Casablanca Classic do you adore the most?
I’ve always been a huge fan of Laura Kinsale, so having those books on the list has been a dream come true for me. Same with Roberta Gellis—her historical detail is stunning.
As for who comes next, I’d love to hear what your readers have to say! Anything out of print at least 5 years but preferably 10 is fair game. And if they’re bestselling award-winners, all the better.
OK, then, let’s tell them what to do. Leah and the Sourcebooks crew have a few sets of the Classics line to give away for your guys. Yay! Books! All you have to do is leave a comment and tell us what book you’d like to see as part of the Casablanca Classics line, a romance from long ago that would rock our house today, and you’re entered to win. If you don’t have a book to suggest but you love the older romances, tell us something you love about them that you don’t see so much in romances published today – good or bad.
I’ll draw five winners, and each winner will receive a set of the following books:
Disclaimer: I’m not being compensated for this giveaway. Void where prohibited. Black socks, they never get dirty. The longer you wear them, the stiffer they get. Open to international entries, though the shipping will probably take awhile. Any resemblance to any persons living or dead will probably be remarked upon on some blog somewhere.
So, tell us: what vintage romance should be back on your shelves, all shiny and new?
LizW65-
Joan Smith has 60 ebooks available – some from Belgrave House and 49 from Regency Reads.
They have some of the older Joan Wolf also – (I always confused them at the time they were both writing, I may as well continue to group them in my mind.)
Don’t everyone hate me, but I have an almost pristine copy of The Windflower. I have been tempted to use gloves when I do a re-read!!! I would love to see it reprinted for all of those who have never had a chance at reading it.
I would also add my vote for Patricia Veryan—I am missing a few of hers and the ones that I have are falling apart.
Others that have been mentioned that I would like to add my vote to are:
Jane Aiken Hodge—all of my copies are falling apart.
Madeline Brent—my copies are library discards and are falling apart and stained up.
Carla Kelly and Karen Harbaugh—I am missing some of the older ones and cannot afford to pay the prices that are being asked for online.
Essie Summers—I have all of hers but a few of the real early ones—she is the main reason that I would love to visit New Zealand.
Catherine Anderson—I have all of her titles, but would love for newer readers to have a chance to see what a wonderful writer she is.
I would like to second the requests for Cynthia Wright—her historicals are absolutely wonderful
and for the early McFadden Jayne Bentley’s—again if they can be found online, you than cannot afford the price asked for them.
And I would love to see reprints of Lee Damon books—as far as I know, she only wrote 4 titles ( (a Second Chance at Love, a To Have and To Hold, a Harlequin Superromance, and a Richard Gallen), but what stories they were—she is still on my list of top 10 Romance authors.
Oops, sorry about that guys—I guess I didn’t check to see if my tags were closed right before I hit submit—hey Web Goddess—is there a way you can fix this?
I love Laurie McBain. In fact, I still have my original DEVIL’S DESIRE and MOONSTRUCK MADNESS.
I am so glad they are brining them back. Hurray.
DM—I am celebrating with you!!
I don’t read Old Skool historicals, but what about Old Skool paranormals: I love Dara Joy’s stuff…some of the only older books I ever kept. Is Knight of a Trillion Stars still available? I remember how hard it was to get back in the when.
Also, what about Lori Herter’s Obsession series (vamps). I don’t believe they’ve ever been reprinted. Doesn’t look like they’re too expensive on Amazon used, but might be time to look at them again with the resurgence of paranormal romances.
*No need to enter me. Just wanted to share.*
captcha: needs 55 I needs a 55 day vacation in order to catch up on all my reading and writing. Sleep? What’s that?
I just told the new MacMillan blog I’d do an article on Woodiwiss and then I though – oh hell – I’m gonna have to reread a couple! I don’t read doorstop books anymore – just don’t have the time. I jumped on Paperback Swap and got TF&TH;, TW&TD;, Shanna, AITW, and a couple others. I’m amazed at how many details I remember from each book, but I need to go back and confirm that my memories are correct – it’s been 35 years since I read those things.
I was thinking about the squicky stuff – the hero and his brother laughing at the heroine’s attempts to do a Southern accent in Flame and Flower; I swear the hero in Wolf and Dove at one point makes the heroine consent to some sexxoring by threatening to harm the baby she’s carrying; the hero is turned on by the sight of the heroine breastfeeding in AITW; and then there’s the whole rapey-rapey thing in all of them.
Don’t enter me in the contest, Sarah – if I won, it would be years before I got around to reading any of it.
captcha: size57. Now, that’s just mean.
Just trying to close the tags here.
And that should do it. (I hope). I also second all the early Mary Balough suggestions.
I haven’t read through all the responses yet (239!!) but I wanted to put in my vote before I forgot, because I’m terrible with names. I want to thank the Bitchery for introducing me to Georgette Heyer, her books are fantastic! I particularly adore These Old Shades and The Devil’s Cub.
captcha: went33 Yup, 33 went by a few years ago.
Oh, Patricia Gaffney, please. I love her older romances, and I know I’m missing a few.
Christine Monson, Mary Balogh….older Jayne Ann Krentz; I have often wondered if reprinters look at what books bring a ton of money in the used market.
Windflower
Madeline Brent
Jill Tattersall
I’m one of those who is fairly new to the genre, but I look forward to getting to read these reprints that helped redefine romance
I forgot to mention earlier that I’d love to see Jodi Thomas’s early books that are OOP now. They’re Texan books, often times with cowboys or small towns. She’s a fabulous writer of the beta hero.
Lynn, you know that ‘Jayne Bentley’ is another of Jayne Ann Krentz’s pseudonyms, don’t you?
I suspect that in many of the cases people have mentioned above, the obstacle to reprinting lies in legal issues over rights. Sometimes an author herself will buy the rights to her earlier titles in order to prevent their being republished without her consent. Publishers are frequently disinclined to include authors in any discussions about reprinting, or even, in some cases, even to inform them. I discovered a reprint of one of my books only when someone asked me to sign a copy a few years ago. I didn’t even know the reprint existed: nobody had told me, and the publishers certainly didn’t send me a copy! For non-fiction, this is especially maddening, because the author wants the opportunity to make a few changes, e.g, adding to the bibliography, to make the reprint a true second edition.
Contracts vary a lot: very often the contracts that a fairly new novelist signed back in the 1970s will be one that she wouldn’t sign today.
But I think this thread is very useful in emphasising that there are many readers who want books they enjoyed 20 years ago or more to be available again, and younger readers who are interested in reading earlier examples of a genre they enjoy.
I want The Windflower by Laura London back! I paid $27 for my used copy on Better World Books. It was worth it, but The Masses need this book back too.
Captive Bride by Johanna Lindsey was my very first romance and still a favorite re-read!
I saw that there is already a Jennifer Blake on the list. Personally, I loved Royal Seduction. There’s lots of purple prose, but it’s somehow perfect because the flowery speech is actually key to the hero’s character so it’s all a bit tongue-in-cheek. Though I haven’t read it, I’d also be interested in Golon’s Angelique, as I’ve had a number of library patrons mention it as a favorite.
Megan McKinney.
Man, I love the tortured hero’s in her books.
(security word) before 38: everything that happened before I turned 38 and had my second child..now I cant remember anything
correction in name
Meagan McKinney
(see? I really cant remember anything)
It has been mentioned many times already.
But I would loved to have The Windflower in pristine not crackled condition.
Even if only create stories of Cat in my head
::sigh::
Is there a 12 step program for tortured hero weakness?
Show me a well adjusted hero and I’ll show you my “to be swapped pile”
Ok, I swear this is it.
But when I read through this I get this warm toasty feeling in my tummy.
Because I didnt throw any of my old historical romances away.
They are all living in my basement in Xerox boxes.
Joanna Lindsey, Lavyrle Spencer, Early Julie Garwood, Kathleen Woodiwiss (I actually have a copy of TFATF from 1973, it was my moms)
Some REAL clunkers too mind you…
I’m going home to hug my books
specific69: Because I was born that summer. Specifically.
I’d like to see China Rose or perhaps The Wind & the Sea by Marsha Canham. These are being re-released as e-books, but not bound papaerbacks.
Well, I would say Georgette Heyer’s books, but they’re already being reprinted. Although at a rather steep cost, so maybe some cheaper paperbacks?
Otherwise, I have an extreme fondness for early Julie Garwood, although I’m not actually sure they’re out of print.
Also, since I just checked and I can’t get the books-to-be-won at my library, I hope I win!
I’ve been listening to some of Georgette Heyer’s books from Audible, and I’ve fallen in love with “Frederica” again. Other favorites with unusual heroes and/or heroines include “The Unknown Ajax,” “The Foundling,” “Cotillion,” and especially “The Quiet Gentleman,” which has the most delightfully unromantic romantic heroine of all time.