Those Older Sandra Brown Titles – Category Romance

During the 1980s, Sandra Brown released several dozen titles in a number of series (category) romance lines under various names. I’m sure there are readers (and listeners) who enjoy her early category romances – they still work on a number of levels. However, I find them problematic in one particular aspect. They are being released as current single titles in audio today with no reference to their original release date or their category status. These titles sit side-by-side with the more sophisticated romantic suspense Brown writes today, causing confusion to unsuspecting buyers. New listeners seeking her suspense titles may turn away entirely when they end up with a dated clichéd story.

Just what is a series or category (two terms usually used interchangeably) book? Under 200 pages in length, these books are released in “lines” with each line carrying a distinct identity – the characters and settings are similar (and required to be so) as well as the conflicts, time period, and level of sensuality. Not only is there a similarity in the books within a line, there is also a guarantee to the reader that they will get what they are looking for when it comes to plot. Every month, each line releases a selection of books with only one print run. Once they sell out, they’re gone.

It’s not the nature of a series romance that I object to – I understand the attraction. Harlequin releases new series titles in audio each month but the buyer knows what they are getting. The cover clearly shows the series name and the shorter length is apparent as well.

My irritation comes from those older category books, such as Brown’s releases from the 1980s, that are repackaged in audio and sold as single titles with no consideration for today’s romance trends or listeners’ tastes. How many of us want to return to the land of Big Misunderstandings, constant bickering, and overly aggressive alpha males on a regular basis?

This repackaging of older category romances is something we are seeing with many authors – not just Sandra Brown. In fact, if I were to make a guess, I’d say that it is unlikely Brown has control over these older category titles. This repackaging includes dropping the pseudonym used with the original title and inserting Brown’s name, making the research on the book’s original release date a little tricky.

What’s the saying? “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Take a look at the covers of a few of Sandra Brown’s newer audios versus the original print cover. It’s amazing how easily you can see the difference in the story you are looking for today and actual contents of the book hidden in the new package:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the past when I have strongly recommended Sandra Brown audios at Speaking of Audiobooks or at our Romance Audiobooks Goodreads group, it’s usually followed by disappointed listeners who tried Brown and found her greatly wanting. When I check, I see these older category romances are the root of the problem just about every time.

So, let’s clear up some of this confusion here. Below are Sandra Brown’s category releases from the 1980s. Written under various pseudonyms in print, you will find all under Brown’s name in audio. Nearly all are available in audio format but I have indicated those titles that are not:

As Rachel Ryan:

Originally Dell Candlelight Ecstasy Romances

1981 Love’s Encore

1981 Love Beyond Reason

1982 Eloquent Silence

1982 A Treasure Worth Seeking

1983 Prime Time

 

As Erin St. Claire

Originally published as Harlequin/Silhouette Category Romances

1982 Not Even for Love

1983 Seduction by Design

1983 A Kiss Remembered

1983 A Secret Splendor     No audio format

1984 Words of Silk     No audio format

1984 Bittersweet Rain

1984 Tiger Prince     No audio format

1985 Sweet Anger

1986 Above and Beyond

1986 Honor Bound

1987 Two Alone

1989 The Thrill of Victory

Astray & Devil Series

1985 Led Astray

1987 The Devil’s Own

 

As Sandra Brown

Bantam Doubleday Dell’s Loveswept Category Romance Books

1983 Tomorrow’s Promise

1983 Relentless Desire     No audio format

1983 Heaven’s Price

1983 Temptation’s Kiss

1983 Tempest in Eden

1984 In a Class by Itself

1985 Thursday’s Child

1985 Riley in the Morning

1986 The Rana Look

1986 22 Indigo Place     No audio format

1987 Sunny Chandler’s Return

1987 Demon Rumm

1988 Tidings of Great Joy

1988 Hawk O’Toole’s Hostage

1989 Long Time Coming

1989 Temperatures Rising

1989 A Whole New Light

Bed & Breakfast series (Loveswept)

1983 Breakfast in Bed

1984 Send No Flowers

Mason Sisters Series

1987 Fanta C (Loveswept)  NO

1988 Adam’s Fall (Loveswept)

 

Other Non-Category Romance Releases During the 1980s

As Laura Jordan

1982 Hidden Fires (Historical Romance)     No audio format

1982 The Silken Web     No audio format    

 

As Sandra Brown

1985 Sunset Embrace (Historical Romance)     No audio format

1985 Another Dawn (Historical Romance)     No audio format

1988 Slow Heat in Heaven

1989 Best Kept Secrets

 

As I indicated in Monday’s kickoff article for our Sandra Brown Week, Slow Heat in Heaven, a 1988 release, changed my mind about Brown’s writing. I’ll be reviewing it later this week.

 

SANDRA BROWN GIVEAWAY

Don’t forget to register for our Sandra Brown Giveaway! Entry closes at midnight Friday, January 18th.

 

Lea Hensley