Comments on: Harlequin Historicals! You’ve come a long way baby…

By: Monday Morning Stepback: Reviews of Unavailable Books — Do They Bug You? «

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:02:02 +0000

[...] The contest is over, but the post is still super fun. Check out the evolution of Harlequin Historical covers at The Season Blog. [...]

By: Hope Tarr

Hope Tarr — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:38:16 +0000

One of the many wonderful things about the Harlequin brand is the company’s willingness to constantly reinvent itself and the evolution of its historical covers reflects this. I have been very pleased with the covers for both my Historical Blazes, Bound to Please, and the upcoming Twelve Nights. There was a wonderful retrospective expo–60 years of HQ cover art–shown here in New York City in conjunction with this past Book Expo America.

By: librarypat

librarypat — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:21:31 +0000

Did not care for the style cover that came out around 1992. I have several with that style cover and just never really go the historical feel from them. I happen to like the bird (have that book). That whole set of four are styles of covers I like. I agree with your assessment of The Winter Queen. It is a lovely cover. I’ve never been a fan of clinch covers. I like objects and landscapes. Individuals as the focus work, if their clothing and demeanor reflect the story/title.
Thanks for the walk down memory lane.

By: Bella

Bella — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:14:36 +0000

Though the old covers are beautiful in a more traditional art kind of way but I like the newer ones, plus the male models are a lot hotter than Fabio!

By: Jamie

Jamie — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:25:04 +0000

A friend at work had brought in a whole box of old books that her mom had. Me, being the avid reader I am, went to down digging into the box to pull out what I wanted. They were old books from the 80′s and 90′s some with the wonderful romance cover hero Fabio. I always thought “Man, Fabio sure got around” and he was always shirtless with his hair blowing in the wind. While I have nothing against Fabio, I am glad to see covers changing. It’s the thing that pushes me to pick up a book and read the back cover.

By: Judy Cox

Judy Cox — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:20:13 +0000

Goodness, those oldest covers are definitely different. I do not remember the older covers so different. The men are not hot and hunky and the women are not even dressed in the fancy outfits. I really enjoyed this post!! Thanks!!

By: Mitzi H.

Mitzi H. — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:03:43 +0000

I’ve always preferred longer novels, but recently I picked a pack of 5 at Sam’s Club and I must say I was very impressed with 3 of the 5 stories I read. They were very good…..but some of the titles were pretty silly…Hehehe.

By: Jenni Grubb

Jenni Grubb — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:01:27 +0000

I am still pretty new to reading Harlequin’s historicals but I LOVE the covers! And its neat to see how things have changed over the years.

By: Lori Brighton

Lori Brighton — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:15:04 +0000

How fun! Can you imagine a hero with a full beard now? Would never happen.
They’re all great, but that Winter Queen cover really stands out to me.

By: Karen H in NC

Karen H in NC — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:08:21 +0000

I’ve read Harlequins off and on over the years. Not so much the contemps anymore but I do enjoy the Harlequin Historicals. Loved reading about the evolution of the covers and yes, I remember when, but I love today’s covers best. I believe it was in the early 70′s that paperbacks really started to come into their own…probably due to the prolific books clubs like Harlequin & Zebra.