These two HaBOs are from Sarah (not our Sarah):
These are the two very first romance novels I ever read. I grew up on a mission base in South America, and found a bunch of old Harlequin paperbacks in the oldest house on the base one day exploring. It was around mid to late 90s, but the books were from either the late 70s or 80s. I managed to sneak two away under my shirt and hid them for years from my parents ( like a porn stash but..literary…kinda).
The first was about a woman in Los Angeles, whose car breaks down during a storm. She manages to get to the mansion of a wealthy man throwing a party. I think he is a producer, or some kind of Hollywood executive. Basic premise is they get together. I think she is made into an actress, but can’t completely remember. I remember her being a redhead and he is kind of taken by her right away.
The other was about a woman who shows up in the Outback. I believe she’s American and the hero is an Aussie. There are kids involved, and she nearly leaves but the hero stops her before she leaves the new family she creates, yada yada yada. It had the tone of out of touch American woman shows up Down Under to break up a family and learns her place kinda vibe.
This seems real vague and I really thought I remembered more about them, but I guess 20 years kind of takes its toll. I mean, they were old, and are probably hella problematic. I remember the relationship in the first one being that way. The man was really controlling, and despite trying to make her an actress I believe he gets really pissed when other people actually show her attention.
I’ve tried to find them online but have had zero luck and want to reconnect with my smutty smutty past. For a long time it was just me and those shady Harlequin books, making it through some very sexually repressed years.
These might be tough to identify, but I have faith in all of you!
I don’t know what either of these are, but this reminds me of when I was a teenager and would hide Silhouette books under my mattress.
Could your second one be: Rimmer’s Way by Jane Corrie?
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7086037-rimmer-s-way
That’s from 1977
A newer one: A Lifetime and Beyond by Alison Fraser
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1772127.A_Lifetime_and_Beyond
That’s from the 1980s.
This is a common trope in the Outback narrative. You’re welcome to browse my outback shelf at Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/49267198?page=1&shelf=outback-setting
Or look up these writers: Amanda Doyle, Margaret Way, Jane Corrie, Kerry Alyne and Dorothy Cork.
Hope that helps!
TBH, those story lines were pretty common among OS Harlequins. Reminds me of when I found a box of Harlequins and the “racier” Harlequin Presents in my granny’s closet when I was about 9. I sneaked them home with me, one by one, and returned them after I read them. At least, I thought I was being sneaky, but in retrospect, I suspect my granny knew what I was doing, although she never ratted me out to my mom. Granny’s are awesome, aren’t they!
I’ve seen Soo Many books set in Australia with exactly the same premise that I tend to automatically assume that any book set in Australia has the same storyline.
Which is why I tend to read Regencies – I can’t tell when they get the little details wrong.
IIRC, Carole Mortimer wrote several Harlequins about showbiz types in the 80s. It would have been about the time I subscribed in order to get the complete hors d’oeuvres knife set, which I still have.
the complete hors d’oeuvres knife set, which I still have.
*jealous*
Spent some time as a mission kid, too. Lived for two years with Anya Seton’s Devil Water under my mattress until, when I was 12, my mom decided to air the mattresses off schedule. Sad. I loved that book. Especially the racy parts….
Just a guess for the first one- Capture the Rainbow by Iris Johansen? IIRC, she is a stunt woman and he is a director or producer. I believe they meet at a Hollywood party at his castle/house. As with all early Johansen’s, the H is instantly in inst-lust/love and the heroine is confused (though, in my opinion, she should be scared shitless cuz early Johansen heroes are all “I’m not gonna tell you anything like my intentions or that I’m sane. Rather, I’m going to kidnap you, take away your choices, and- in one memorable book- remove & kidnap your sister’s kid who you pretend is yours”
I really love early Iris Johansen.
Okay- another thought- Perhaps you are blending two early Johansen’s? “Stormy Vows” (one of my favorite early and definitely non-pc romances)- the H is a director and the h is a super young, budding actress. He is a controlling weirdo and she is unable to communicate clearly as an adult. Hijinks & Romance ensue! I am almost positive she is a red-head.