Jennifer Platte and her collection

Romance novels are not the typical selection of an average seventh grader for recreational reading. However I was never an average anything. It was in the seventh grade that I picked up my first romance novel, called Playing with Fire and read it cover to cover in under a day. I was hooked from that point forward. I started checking out romance novels from libraries and reading them while in class- you can imagine the looks that I received as a seventh grader reading Harlequin!

As I got older and earned my own money I began to buy the romance novels that I enjoyed. Garage sales and used book stores are where I picked up most of my collection. I have searched far and wide in order to find the latest and greatest romance novels. My collection today amounts to over 1,200 romance novels, mostly Harlequin. I have copies of books from Harlequin Superromance, Presents, American Romance, Blaze, Temptation, Historical, Intrigue, Romance, and Silhouette Desire and Special Edition, Bombshell, Duets, Flipside and also some books from MIRA and LUNA. I also am avidly searching for the books that I am missing from some of the exiting series that I already own.

I have read a majority of the romance novels that I own, and some I’ve even read twice. However, I need to be prompted with not only the title of the book but also the names of the characters in order to remember the details of the book. I also have a typed list or a library catalog if you will, of most of the books that I own. I would have a list of all of the books that I own, but I have been adding to my collection since I have been at MSU and have been unable to catalog the new additions.

My collection is important to me. Though many people think that romance novels are mindless books that one can just sit down read, I have learned a great number of things from the characters in romance novels, mostly little details and snippets of facts that most people wouldn’t care to know, but I like to know everything. For instance, did you know that people who handle falcons refer to all falcons as ‘she’ regardless of their gender? I know that, and I learned it in a romance novel. The reason that I greedily snatched up any and all romance novels that I could find through the years is because of the knowledge held within the books. It is knowledge that cannot be found in many other places and if it was found somewhere else it wouldn’t have the unforgettable story to go along with it.

My collection, though stretching over 1,200 novels, is far from complete. Harlequin releases a large amount of books every month, and I have to keep up with that and collect the books that I am missing from previous years. It is quite a task, but someone has to do it, so why not me?

Brooks, Helen. A Whirlwind Marriage. New York: Harlequin Books, 2002.

This book is the first book that I ever bought brand new. It entails a story about a married couple working out their problems and doing their best to find love again.

Cajio, Linda. Doctor Valentine. New York: Harlequin Books, 1997.

This book is the first in a series of four called The Holiday Heart. The series depicts the story of cousins, with the last name of Holiday, who find love on various holidays, with the help of Cupid, Santa Clause, Mother Earth, and the Easter Bunny.

Christenberry, Judy. Cowboy Daddy. New York: Harlequin Books, 1996.

This book is the second in the series entitled Four Bride for Four Brothers. It is about a cowboy who finds love with a woman who refuses to marry him despite the fact that she is carrying his children.

Christenberry, Judy. Cowboy Groom. New York: Harlequin Books, 1997.

This book is the third in a series of four called Four Brides for Four Brothers.

Christenberry, Judy. When the Lights Went Out… New York: Harlequin Books, 2001.

This books depicts the story of a woman who finds out that she is pregnant with her new
Boss’ baby and he doesn’t know yet.

Christenberry, Judy. Randall Wedding. New York: Harlequin Books, 2002.

This book is the Second Generation of the Four Brides for Four Brothers series, this series tell the tale of the next generation of the Randall family.

Denton, Kate. A Business Arrangement. New York: Harlequin Books, 1989.

This book shares the tale of a woman in search for a business arrangement style marriage; however she ends up with more than she bargained for.

Diamond, Jacqueline. Kidnapped? & Tucker, Bonnie. I Got You, Babe. New York: Harlequin Books, 1999.

This Harlequin Duet novel was one the first to be published with the Duet name. This book holds between its covers not one, but two exciting romance novels.

Douglas, Charlotte. Licensed to Marry. New York: Harlequin Books, 2001

This book from Harlequin Intrigue is from the Montana Confidential series about four cowboys who work for a special operations force of the government. This book depicts the story of one’s person battle with a marriage of convenience designed only to solve a mystery, instead he lost his heart.

Donovan, Kate. Parallel Lines. New York: Harlequin Books, 2005.

This book from the Silhouette Bombshell collection tells the tale of a woman who must find her kidnapped sister before it is too late. Though she doesn’t know who she can trust anymore, the one thing she can count on is her instincts.

Ellison, Suzanne. Blazing Star. New York: Harlequin Books, 1992.

This book is the fifth in the ever popular Welcome to Tyler Series. Each book in the Tyler Series has its own story, but together they shape an unforgettable community.

Evanick, Marcia. His Chosen Bride. New York: Harlequin Books, 2002.

This book is a part of a mini-series of thirteen books, most of which I own that Harlequin published at the turn of the millennium. These books depict a more Science Fiction stories rather than real world. His Chosen Bride is a story about an arranged marriage between a 21st Century Warlock and Witch.

Ferrarella, Marie. Mr. Hall Takes a Bride. New York: Harlequin Books, 2007.

This book comes from the last batch of Harlequin Romance novels that I purchased from www.eharlequin.com, it conveys the story an attorney helping out his little sister by taking her place at a pro-bono law firm while she is confined to bed rest. Between cases he finds himself trying not to fall in love with his new secretary.

Fielding, Liz. Her Wish List Bridegroom. New York: Harlequin Books, 2005.

This book tells the story of a women recovering from a bad relationship who has now sworn off men, until she returns home to find her old childhood crush at her doorstep.

Finch, Carol. Fit to Be Frisked & Mr. Cool Under Fire. New York: Harlequin Books, 2003.

These two Harlequin Duets book make up the final book in a series about four cousins in a town called Hoot’s Roost. This book is one of the last Duets that Harlequin ever published. There are only 106 Harlequin Duets Romance Novels and I have all but twenty of them.

Finch, Carol. Lonesome Ryder? & Restaurant Romeo. New York: Harlequin Books, 2002.

This Duets novel is the first installment in the series about the Ryder cousins of Hoot’s Roost. This series depicts the story of four cousins who are closer than brothers who find love in the oddest of places.

Garbera, Katherine. Cinderella’s Christmas Affair. New York: Harlequin Books, 2003.

Another rendition of a Cinderella Story in which the mousy misfit finds her place next to Mr. Right.

Goldrick, Emma. If Love Be Blind. New York: Harlequin Books, 1987.

This book is an introductory copy to the Harlequin Presents series. If Love Be Blind depicts a tale of a man with temporary snow blindness who finds himself having feelings for a woman whom he believes to be too old for him. In the end he is surprised to see that the woman he thought to be old was in fact much younger than he imagined.

Grayson, Kristine. Absolutely Captivated. New York: Zebra Books, 2004.

Grayson is among my favorite authors do to the fact that her imagination is unbelievable. She has published many books like this one that are about modern day people with Magical powers. Her list of characters include the real life inspiration for Superman, The Fates, Fairies, and many more.

Grayson, Kristine. Thoroughly Kissed. New York: Zebra Books, 2001.

This book is the first of the magic stories that Grayson published in which she depicts the story of Sleeping Beauty, but with a twist. This Sleeping Beauty was never woken up with a kiss, but instead allowed the spell to just wear off and found herself 1,000 years into the future.

Greene, Jennifer. Lucky. New York: Harlequin Books, 2005.

Lucky is one of the premiere novels of the relatively new Harlequin series called The Next Novel. In this book holds an extraordinary tale of a woman defying the people that she loves to do what she knows is right.

Halldorson, Phyllis. Professor and the Nanny. New York: Harlequin Books, 2000.

This book came from the first batch of romance novels I ever bought and to this day remains to be one of my favorites. This book is about a single dad professor fighting the feelings that he has for his son’s nanny because he believes her to be too young for him.

Harbison, Elizabeth. A Pregnant Proposal. New York: Harlequin Books, 2001.

This book is about a woman who’s fiancé has just pasted away, but that doesn’t change the fact that she is pregnant with his baby. Her ex- fiancé’s parents want to take the baby from her as soon as it’s born; she has to prove to them that she will be capable of being a single mom and still hold on to her career.

Herron, Rita. A Warrior’s Mission. New York: Harlequin Books, 2003.

This book is from the series entitle Colorado Confidential in which an agent discovers his son has been kidnapped. He and the baby’s mother must find their son before it is to late and perhaps they will find love too?

Hughes, Karen. It Happened One Wedding Night. New York: Harlequin Books, 2000.

This book is part of the Montana Mavericks: Wed in Whitehorn series. It depicts the story of a woman who is refusing to marry the man she loves because she doesn’t believe that he loves her, he must find a way to prove how he feels before it is too late.

Langan, Ruth. Malachite. New York: Harlequin Books, 1998.

This book is the last in a series of five entitled the Jewels of Texas. This book is about a Comanche man that has been informed that he is the son of a white man. Now debating where he belongs in the world he finds his place with a widow woman who stole his heart.

Langan, Ruth. Jade. New York: Harlequin Books, 1997.

This book is the third in the series of five called the Jewels of Texas. Jade is a woman who has discovered that her father was not who she thought he was and in fact she has two other sisters that she knew nothing about. This is her story of finding a home and family in the town which her father had built.

Leigh, Allison. Montana Lawman. New York: Harlequin Books, 2002.

This book is one of many in the Montana Mavericks series. The series is about a family and the town that they live in in Montana. This book depicts the story of the town librarian and Sheriff and their scandalous affair that turns into true love.

Lennox, Kara. Virgin Promise. New York: Harlequin Books, 2000.

This book from the Harlequin American Romance collection depicts the story of a woman who was rescued by a Corporal and their fight to find love and keep it.

Leonard, Tina. Cowboy Cootchie-Coo. New York: Harlequin Books, 1998

This book is one of the “Greatest Texas Love Stories of all time” well at least it was part of the series with that title published by Harlequin. This book tells the story of a rancher who fell in love with a city girl, whom he must convince to be his wife.

Mallary, Susan. Tempting Faith. New York: Harlequin Books, 1994.

This book tells the take of an FBI agent with memory loss and a woman unable to share her feelings. Together they learn a great many things about life, love and happiness.

Martin, Nancy. Whirlwind. New York: Harlequin Books, 1992.

This book is the first in the Welcome to Tyler Series. This book sets the stage for the others that follow, and also gives an exciting story of its own about the town’s prodigal daughter and local recluse.

Martin, Nancy. Monkey Wrench. New York: Harlequin Books, 1992.

This book is the fourth in the Welcome to Tyler Series, in which the mechanic of the community finds love with a woman who had not planned on staying Tyler for very long.

Merritt, Jackie. The Kincaid Bride. New York: Harlequin Books, 2000.

This book is one of many in the Montana Mavericks series. This book tells the story of a ranch foreman and the rancher’s daughter and the marriage that they were forced into.

Micheals, Leigh. Dating Games. New York: Harlequin Books, 1993.

Dating Games is an introductory copy to the Harlequin Romance collection. This book tells the story of a couple that are pretending to date in order to get their friends and relatives off their back about settling down, too bad it turns into the real deal.

Michaels, Theresa. Once a Hero. New York: Harlequin Books, 2000.

This book is one of three in the series about three Kincaid Brothers. This book tells of a civil war hero brother who finds love after the war has ended and reconstruction began.

Miles, Casie. Tongue-Tied. New York: Harlequin Books, 1984.

This book came out the second month that Harlequin Temptation hit the shelves. This is a rare, compelling story that surpasses clichés in order to depict a real life story, with real life people.

Moreland, Peggy. Seven Year Itch. New York: Harlequin Books, 1994.

This book is the second romance novel that I ever read. It depicts the story of a married couple that has been separated for seven years but cannot seem to part ways for good. They find happiness together despite the odds being stacked against them

Neggers, Carla. Wisconsin Wedding. New York: Harlequin Books, 1992.

This book is the third the in Welcome to Tyler Series which depicts the story of an outsider that is now the brother-in-law of the town’s prodigal daughter and the town spinster.

Paige, Laurie. Christmas Kisses For a Dollar. New York: Harlequin Books, 1995.

This book is another in the “Greatest Texas Love Stories of All Time” series in which a rancher falls in love with the woman running the kissing booth at the Christmas Fair!

Paige, Laurie. Her Montana Man. New York: Harlequin Books, 2002.

This book is another of the Montana Mavericks series. This one tells the tale of the Mayor and a doctor who has been called into Rumor, Montana for a mysterious case.

Paige, Laurie. Husband: Bought and Paid for. New York: Harlequin, 1997.

This book is from Silhouette Special Edition and is about an heiress in need of a bodyguard and a few life lessons.

Phillips, Carly. Body Heat. New York: Harlequin Books, 2001.

This book from the HQN Harlequin Romance collection depicts the story of a physical therapist fighting her feelings for her new client an injured detective with a vendetta against the man that shot him.

Quinn, Tara Taylor. Shotgun Baby. New York: Harlequin Books, 1997.

This book is about a man who had just found out that he is a father, but he is unable to obtain the custody of his son unless he marries. He and his best friend decide to have a marriage of convenience which turns out to a marriage of inconvenience.

Rome, Elaine. Stark Lighting. New York: Harlequin Books, 1991.

This book is one of many that I have read and re-read a number of times and still cannot tire of. This book tells the story of Val Stark, a woman who has had to work in a man’s world her entire life and finally finds one that understands her strength and commitment to her life and will allow her to continue living as she has if she allows him to do it with her.

Shaller, Mary. Beloved Enemy. New York: Harlequin Books, 2004.

This Harlequin Historical novel depicts the time of the civil war in which a Southern belle fights her love for a Yankee soldier.

Stacy, Judith. Outlaw Love. New York: Harlequin Books, 1997.

This Harlequin Historical novel depicts the story of a woman train robber who has to make nice with the U.S. Marshall who is staying in her hotel.

Taylor, Vickie. Keeping Caroline. New York: Harlequin Books, 2002.

This book is from Silhouette Intimate Moments. Keeping Caroline depicts the story of a married couple who lost their son to Leukemia, and also lost their marriage in the process. In the book they learn to move on without forgetting the past, and learn to love each other again.

Wayne, Joanna. The Outsider’s Redemption. New York: Harlequin Books, 2000.

This book is one of many Harlequin Intrigue books that depict detective mystery type of stories. This book comes from the Texas Confidential Series about a four men who make up a secret operations team and the missions that they undertake and the mysteries they solve.

Warren, Pat. Bright Hopes. New York: Harlequin Books, 1992.

This book is second in the Welcome To Tyler Series. This book is about the new football coach in Tyler, who happens to be a woman, and the man who wanted the job.