15,000 Harlequin Titles + Scribd = Instantly Worth It?
Harlequin has signed a deal to provide exclusive subscription access to 15,000 backlist titles to Scribd subscribers. Not sure what Scribd is? It’s a subscription access service. I wrote about all three of the main ones here and concluded (even without the Harlequin content) that Scribd was the best of the three. The deal is for one year and is available now!
Monthly subscribers to Scribd can now find titles from a variety of Harlequin imprints:
- Harlequin Series Romance (including Harlequin Presents, Harlequin Desire, Harlequin Superromance, etc.)
- HQN Books
- MIRA
- Carina Press
These are backlist titles. I asked what the qualifications were for the book to be a backlist title and my contact didn’t have any details for me.
Scribd is offering a free 3-month subscription: http://www.scribd.com/promo/DearAuthorReads
I am subscribed so ignore me, but so pleased that Carina press is there. Yay.
Dude. Harlequin backlist? The first year of Blaze titles. They were all sooooo good.
Worth it? Heck yeah!
Any of Lynne Graham’s backlist. :)
Being able to borrow rather than purchase outright only a couple of category books a month instantly makes this worth it!
This really makes me want to check out Scribd! I can rediscover all the books I used to steal and sneak read from my mom’s harlequin collection.
@Julia Broadbooks: And to actually answer the question, there are a ton of Presents I’ve read and then given away because I lacked the storage space. (Yes, it was terribly painful.) I’d love to reread some of Kelly Hunter’s Bennet sibling books.
Wow. This is great giveaway. If I win, I’d start with a Sarah Mayberry.
If I win I would look for the oldest, cheesiest cover and read a book that my mom had back when I was a kid. Those old ones were so tame and yet I remember my mom being upset that I would take her books and read them.
I would probably read some of the recommended Harlequin Presents authors.
I know nothing about Scribd so I apologize if this is a dumb question. Is there an app so I can read these titles on my phone? I don’t want to read on my computer.
This is a good deal for authors and readers. Win win!!!
Something by Luce Monroe
Might have to do this now… I would just pick out the most man -tittiest (not a word) cover and go from there.
Lass Small and Carole Mortimer books. Any of their backlist books.
I’m not sure where I would start….prob somewhere in Carina Press with authors unfamiliar to me so I didn’t buy yet.
As a Harlequin author with a backlist title in Scribd’s Hqn launch, I’m really excited about this. My Kensington titles have been on both Scribd and Kindle Unlimited since the launch of the subscription services and I’m pleased with the increase in royalties and that I’m able to get my books in front of a new readership. As a reader, I’m seriously considering joining Scribd because Harlequin series books are like crack for me. Can’t get enough!
The first book I would borrow from the Harlequin backlist if I won would be Runaway Bride Returns by Christie Ridgway.
Wow, that sounds amazing. I almost signed up for Scribd and decided to go with Oyster instead. Ugh.
I would definitely start with something from Sarah Morgan. I LOVE her books so much.
@Sarah: Yup, there’s an app. :) https://www.scribd.com/get-app
Gosh, I used to LOVE Harlequin Presents. They were awesome because both my mother and grandmother read them and they were subscribers. I used to bike three miles to the local library and sneak those red Silhouette Desires back to my room. I wonder how many years of backlist titles will be available? Are the 80’s and 90’s there? Woo Hoo!
I’ve just started reading Harlequin again after about 20 years. I would finish my Sarah Mayberry glom then look for some old Charlotte Lamb’s. She was one of my favorites back in the day.
I’d be totally down for early Blaze titles.
Oh how I loved the older Mira titles…I can’t wait to dive in!
Not sure, but I guarantee it will have a cowboy in it! And it will be a COMPLETE TIME SUCK adding titles to my library. So excited by this news!
I find this very exciting indeed!
Oh my good lord…
Okay, the first that came to mind: Mr Irresistible, by Karina Bliss. It’s the second book in her Lost Boys trilogy, and I really, really liked the first one.
Was casually browsing just a few hours ago, saw Harlequin titles (noticed Carina Press first, though), and went all o.O I’ll probably borrow something by Tiffany Reisz to try her writing, and then everything from Sarah Mayberry. :))
So instantly worth it. And so pleased that the Harlequin reissues this year are included.
I’ve noticed that other pubs define backlist as titles from two years ago. Appears to be the same for Harlequin, but maybe not.
@Heather: Oh, and the first book I’d check out? Sanctuary Lost by Lisa Phillips
Sarah Morgan’s Backlist
Any of Nalini Singh’s
I’m already subscribed. Can I still get the free year?
I’m going to have to find that Sheik book I’m looking for now. GR has a HQN help group…
Carole Mortimer or Charlotte Lamb.
As a Carina author, it will be interesting to see how this plays out…
@Deljah: Absolutely!
This looks very interesting.
@Geri: Hi Geri! Lisa from Harlequin here. Lots and lots, and lots of Lynne Graham titles are available on Scribd!
I’ve been toying with this idea for awhile. I read so many books that it may be worth it (even if I end up buying the book in the end)
@Sarah: Hi Sarah, Scribd does have an app for Android (http://bit.ly/LeYFln) & iPhone (http://bit.ly/1tk6nd2)
I recently started on the carina press mysteries, so the prospect of finding those along with the rest of carina + mira + HQN? Very tempting!
First book I would borrow — I think probably a Betty Neels. But there are so many authors who would fun to revisit and lots it would be fun to try. I’m thinking early Molly O’Keefe, Nalini Singh, Nora Roberts, Jayne Ann Krentz, Sarah Morgan, Kate Hewitt — the list is long.
@Deljah: If you already have an account with Scribd, since they charge on a monthly basis, you would stop your account from paying monthly and proceed with your free year subscription. But, we can sure figure out all the details if you win and already have a Scribd account, no problem!
I was just thinking about trying Scribd and this might push me into the yes column! I’m not sure what title I’d read first, but there’s every chance I’ll go on a complete Lynne Graham binge. She was always an auto-buy for me but I haven’t bought any in a few years.
Good reason to keep my 3 month trail subscription going! Love Sarah Mayberry & Lynn Graham’s books. Also have a guilty pleasure thing with that dang NASCAR series.
I would want to read Nalini Singh’s older books as well as those by Sarah Mayberry.
I would look for a backlist of a familiar author such as Sarah Newberry or Karina Bliss.
It would be great if this includes titles from the late 80’s early 90’s which were my primary reading of Harlequin years. I would love to re-read some of them or find book by authors I loved but I missed since my source was usually UBS.
I’ve been on a massive Harlequin Presents jag from the public library but I think I’ve now read all they have. I’d read Sarah Morgan, of course!
I’d probably read some of Janice Kay Johnson’s backlist!
Wonder if they will have all of the Essie Summers titles — I have almost all of them in paper format but there are a few that I am missing that I cannot find to purchase. At this point, I would just like to read them. The only problem with a Scribd subscription — my TBR pile will just continue to grow larger and larger!!!!
@Lisa: Are you able to tell us why Harlequin chose to partner with Scribd, rather than one of the subscription services which doesn’t have a history as a pirate site?
something by Sarah Morgan—if i could find one I haven’t read yet!
Your twitter post yesterday was so true. This is huge. I have subscribed to Scribd for a while now and love it. I’m even getting a Fire soon so that I dont have to read on my phone (will continue to reqd Amazon books on paperwhite). I have been impressed with their selection in romance, but this is wow. Oyster may be able to still compete if they expand collection, but Kindle Unlimited should just pack up and go home.
I have so many authors I would check out: Helen Bianchin, Susan Napier, Carol Mortimer come to mind right now.
Eeeee! This is awesome!
Whoops, hit enter too soon. As to backlist, something by Lucy Monroe for sure. She balances sexy and sweet and emotional so well.
This service is totally worth it.
I will be checking this out ASAP. I would love to reread some of the harlequins that I read as a teenager when I stayed with my Grandmother during the summer.
Oh my god. I’m not signing up just because I know that would be the end of me. You’d never hear from me again because I’d be wallowing in HPs from my early romance reading years.
But, holy crap, is that tempting.
I haven’t looked into Scribd yet (my budget suddenly got reduced from a teeny bit, to zilch), but I’d be going back and finding early Sara Cravens because even with the drinking during pregnancies and mega-alpha heroes, it seems those were sweeter than the later ones.
Some of the Mira paranormal / urban fantasy titles
I love Carina Press and have so many of their titles on my wishlist – I would totally glom their titles. Just lay around the house in a Carina-induced stupor :)
Any of the old Silhouette Intimate Moments titles I haven’t yet purchased. That was my favorite of their lines/series.
What fun, the Presents lines.
I’d start with whichever Sarah Morgan or Sarah Mayberry caught my fancy.
There are so many, that I’d probably close my eyes and point to a random title to start off with. :-)
I have debated about signing up for Scribd. I think I need to rethink that decision. Thanks for sharing this
Oh the backlist of Penny Jordan titles that I would love to get my hands on!
Love this 3 month free trial. Can’t wait to get started. Thanks Scribd and Dear Author.
I’d go for some Molly O’Keefe Superromances. I love her newer books but have never delved into her backlist.
So many choices so little time-probably an unread Sarah Morgan or Lynn Graham its like choosing a flavor of ice cream…..
The first title I will read is going to be Cold as Ice by Anne Stuart. I read the first in the Ice series a while back and nobody does these kind of heroes like her.
Just thinking of the backlist of Penny Jordan titles available. :)
I’d start with one of Amanda Carpenter’s books. Loved them! (AC was Thea Harrison’s early pen name)
A year’s subscription would motivate me to sample new-to-me-authors, as well as enjoying backlists of favorites. Thanks for the giveaway offer!
P.S. – I have a free account, but I didn’t realize that there was so much more available! From now on I’ll certainly be keeping a closer eye on Scribd! Outstanding!
As an author I too am interested to see how it all plays out. As a Presents lover I’d be all over this.
I would probably look at some of the older Carina Press books and give them a try.
Hmm, this certainly sweetens the Scrib’d pot…
An early Blaze or Temptation
Josh Lanyon’s Carina backlist.
Any of Molly O’Keefe’ s first books or any of Sarah Mayberry’ s that I may have missed.
Oh my goodness, the backlists…. Vicki Lewis Thompson. First discovered her in Harlequin’s Love and Laughter line. Fan girl for life.
That is too hard for an accurate answer but probably a Sarah Mayberry
One of the Carina Press books!
I think I’d read some Carole Mortimer. I cut my teeth on those, lol!
I’m not sure how they determined backlist vs frontlist, but my 1st book with Carina (published July 22nd 2013) is there, but my second and third (both this year) are not. Obviously not enough data for a good conclusion, but that’s what I have.
I’d try a molly o’keefe book
ooo! What a great deal! *makes grabby hands*
Already a Scribd subscriber, this makes it even more worth it!
I would borrow books by Megan Hart or Sarah Mayberry.
me too! me too!
It feels like Christmas knowing I can now read Harlequin on Scribd!
Carina Press!?! Lots of titles there that I would be interested in. But I would probably start with any number of Sarah Mayberry’s books. I know there are many I have not yet had a chance to read.
Never heard of Scribd but this sounds great!
Those Judith Ivory books would be so much easier on my eyes than the old print copies I have.
Anything by Cathy Williams!
Definitely Carina books, and early Nalini Singh!
Is “all of them” an acceptable answer? LOL I see a bunch of old Jennifer Greene books which have been reissued on Scribd. And I have an unhealthy addiction to Diana Palmer’s books. LOL. There’s a ton of the older backlist books like old Lori Foster and Jill Shalvis and Donna Kauffman.
Too many to choose just one!
Something really outrageous.
The first romance I remember reading (just a few years ago ;-)) is Sarah’s Child by Linda Howard which I’m pretty sure is an old school Harlequin or Silhouette. I loved it! I’m definitely going to check out this service. Thanks for this opportunity too!
oh man… my mind is boggled… I’d have to go cruising the lists, so no pick right now :) Thanks for sharing!
Wow! This is an awesome deal!
I think I’d go on a Betty Neels glom! I’ve been buying her books, new when she was still writing and from used book sales, for thirty years (holy crap), but there are some I don’t have yet.
Having just rediscovered Harlequin Presents and how much I love them, I’d say old Sarah Morgan and Lynne Graham from that line. This is my first visit to your site and I appreciate this info so much!
Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren
I’m not really sure that I’d ever heard of Scribd before and if I did, I didn’t realize what it was. LOL Thank you for this opportunity!
Thanks for the info!
So many I have read, loved and saved but what an excellent opportunity to find those gems I might have missed originally.
I’d read some of Cheryl Reavis’ and other Harlequin Historical authors from the early 1990s.
oh!! ANY Harlequin Super Romance!!!
Hmm…I think first I’d try a Susan Napier HP. Mainly just have a frolic in the backlist!
Lynne Graham, Victoria Dahl, Maisey Yates…so many! Exciting!
so many to choose from i am new to harlequins and am still exploring authors
I’m mainly reading m/m romance these days, so I’d probably find something from Carina Press that’s been on my wish list for ages, like Escape Velocity by Anah Crow and Dianne Fox.
I already have a subscription and noticed recently that both Samhain and Totally Bound backlist books were now available and a few from Riptide.
Wow! I wish they’d put up the old old one!!!!
I would look for old titles by Mary Burchell and Sara Seale!
I haven’t read very many Harlequins, so I’d have a lot of exploring to do. Probably though, I’d start with one of Jeannie Lin’s backlist titles.
This news plus the 3-month trial subscription finally made me sign up for Scribd. It’s been one of those “oh I should try that” items in my head, but nothing really pushed me to act on the thought until now.
not sure yet
I’ve been eying Heather Graham’s Krewe of Hunters books.
So many good books on the HQN imprint…but I think I may have read most, so probably a MIRA book since I haven’t read all of Robyn Carr’s backlist. :)
Something by Lynne Graham
I’d go through the Carina Press titles.
Nora Roberts Mckenzie series or Linda Howard
I have no idea but I would totally get lost in the backlist.
I’d start with some m/m from Carina.
I’d search for early Lori Foster or Suzanne Brockmann!
I’ve read all of Josh Lanyon’s Carina Press titles, but probably some other m/m authors with Carina.
I’d hunt down some older Superromance or Historical titles I haven’t read in eons.
Oh dear, this could be very bad!
Probably some of the Carina Press books or the Harlequin Presents that I’ve missed by favorites such as Michelle Reid, Jacqueline Baird, Lynne Graham and Helen Bianchin.
My first book would be a Susan Mallery
I’d go back and find every Leslie Kelly book, because she was my very first romance read and I was hooked from there on.
Carina for sure. I am on a Lanyon glom so would look to those.
First I’d try Sarah Mayberry, because I’m obviously missing good stuff there. After that I would finally be able to read all those connected series I’ve tried to collect, but have managed to miss at least one book.
Probably a title from Carina Press. I have enjoyed many authors from that line.
Ah, Harlequin! It was my introduction to the romance genre as a teen. My dad didn’t like me reading them (thought I was too young) but he never could make himself ban a book. He must have the soul of a librarian!
Anything by Lori Foster.
I will be looking for Susan Napier books. Thanks for the heads up!
There’s…there’s just so many. I DON’T KNOW. D:
It would be insta worth it if I could read the titles on my Kobo :| I wouldn’t even hesitate, but I would have to read it on the Scribd app, right?
Any book by Jill Shalvis
Always liked Sarah Mayberry as a author I’d read
I’d comb through their books to see if they have anything on my wishlist.
Probably something by Cynthia Eden or Maya Banks.
Oh, so delicious — drooling at the thought. No idea what I’d start with, but delighted to hear there are Carina titles — I love them so!
Oh wow, what a great contest. Thanks HQN I LOVE YOU!!
hmmm that’s a very hard question and I would probably get more than one !!!
xo
deb
I’ve already got a Scribd subscription, so this is great news whether I win or not. I’ll probably look for some Carina Press titles, or try Sarah Mayberry since her books are so widely praised.
Wow… I don’t even know, maybe Sarah Morgan’s books? There’s so much I’d want to read! This is great, thanks for the fantastic giveaway.
Susan Mallery
Don’t even know where I’d start! Um.. maybe Amanda Carpenter?
Harlequin Heartwarming.
Sounds like fun, but I still prefer to read on my eInk eReader, so I think I’ll pass.
Definitely the classic HPs! I can go on and on… Charlotte Lamb, Anne Mather, Lynne Graham and Carole Mortimer titles. But the first will probably be Daphne Clair books since I’ve never read anything from her before
My favorite titles come from Silhouette Desire and Harlequin Presents, so I’d definitely start with them.
If I won I would definitely be whatever historicals I could get my hands on, but especially Brenda Jackson’s!
There are some Harlequin authors I will always read, tough I am not a die hard fan.
The first book? That’s a tough one but probably something from my wish list.
I would look for any books by my favorite Harlequin author, Sarah Morgan, that I do not have.
I’m about to start Jill Sorenson’s Riding Dirty, so I’d probably check out some of her HQ backlist!
Yes, there are Sarah morgan books in there…
I am not in the US/Canada, so not accessible to me. Along with many many other books. This was not immediately obvious, as they are all available in the preview mode. :-(
And for other non US Residents- having a VPN that says you are in the US does not fix the issue. It appears Scribd uses something else to determine location ( payment method?). So super not happy.
Ps harelquin/mills & boon- why do you screw over Australian customers so much?
Something by Michelle Celmer. I’m behind on her backlist!
Thanks for this info!
My first choice would be Highland Rebel by Judith James, because it’s I just added it this morning to my TBR list!
I wonder if they will extend the new titles past one year?
What an awesome giveaway. I would love to read Lynne Graham’s older works.
I would start with Blaze titles.
Anything by Lucy Monroe and Sarah Morgan!
Probably all the SuperRomance i can get my hands on!
I must admit, this sounds interesting! I’d love to see what old Harlequins I could find with this, I have some old favorites still on my bookshelf!
I have thought about signing up so many times. I would probably start looking for a book by Sarah Morgan.
I would find the earliest one published and start from there!
No idea what book I’d pick, but with Mira and Carina? Guaranteed some good reading!
Any book from any of my favorite authors!
Gena Showalter, The Darkest Kiss! It looks as though Scribd has added quite a bit since I first checked them out.
I would try one of Nalini Singh’s.
First choice would be debut works from authors like Maisey Yates, Caitlin Crews or Lynn Raye Harris. Oh, maybe the Partholon/Divine series by P.C. Cast.
Probably something by Lynne Graham.
This will let me read missed books in loose series from the 80’s!
I’m all about the Blaze titles. Great giveaway!
I would totally read all the Blaze books! Does anybody know how much the subscription cost would be?