This Summer Sizzles With the Launch Of Kimani Romance�!
Bestselling Authors Pen Sophisticated and Sexy Novels for the World's Only
African-American Romance Series.
NEW YORK, NY (August 2006) KIMANI PRESS, the new home of the highly acclaimed ARABESQUE, SEPIA, and NEW SPIRIT imprints at Harlequin Enterprises Limited brings audiences four new passion-filled novels each month with the launch of KIMANI ROMANCE�, a series destined to win the hearts and minds of romance readers around the world.
This publishing program is filled with the top names in African-American romance fiction today. USA Today bestselling author Brenda Jackson has crafted the dramatic and wildly entertaining Solid Soul. Essence bestselling author Gwynne Forster has deftly penned the passionate and intrigue-filled Her Secret Life. National bestselling author Marcia King-Gamble delivers up the sexy Flamingo Place. In addition, Kimani Romance introduces a fresh new voice Gwyneth Bolton crafting If Only You Knew.
�Told primarily from the
heroine's point of view, Kimani Romances will keep it real with true-to-life
African-American characters that turn up the heat and sizzle with passion,�
states Mavis Allen, Associate Senior Editor at Kimani Press. �The series will
include rich, realistic, and emotional romances that feature innovative plots
and appealing characters who have �professionally made it� and yet are still
seeking love,� she continues.
Kimani Romance will bring to the ever-expanding African-American marketplace the only series romance publishing program, by the world's leading series romance publisher. �While the current tastes for African-American fiction includes quite a bit of street lit, we've heard from black women they want to see more sexy and sophisticated love stories that reflect their lives,� declares Linda Gill, General Manager of Kimani Press. �These captivating novels will provide all readers of romance with wonderfully passionate sensual first-love, reunion and second-chance romances�including stories with older heroines!� she adds.
�The
growth of Kimani Press and, in particular, the launch of Kimani Romance enable
Harlequin to serve even more romance readers and continue to strengthen the
company's strategic position as one of the world's leading publishers of women's
fiction� adds
Pam Laycock,
Executive Vice President, Strategy and New Business Development. Harlequin
supports this innovative series with a comprehensive launch marketing program
that includes targeted advertising in consumer and trade publications, such as
Essence, Black Issues Book Review, Romantic Times, and others. In
addition, a preview sampler containing chapters from each of the launch titles
will be distributed to readers at venues such as the Essence Music Festival and
Harlem Book Fair. The marketing program also includes in-book advertising across
several Harlequin imprints, and exciting interviews with Brenda Jackson and
others on eHarlequin.com.
�Kimani Romances have it
all�from city girls to alpha-male heroes to family sagas. And all of them share
a few common ingredients�compelling characters, emotional intensity, and
sizzling sensuality. Just in time for great summer reads,� concludes Mavis
Allen. Kimani Romance is love's ultimate destination!
Kimani Romance authors are available for book signings and promotional events -- for further information contact Julia Shaw at 917-501-6780.
Kimani Romance will be published by Kimani Press, a new division of Harlequin, beginning in July 2006 with four releases each month priced at $5.99 US, $6.99 CDN in mass market paperback format, and available wherever books are sold.
Kimani Press was formed by
Harlequin Enterprises, Ltd. in December 2005, with the purchase of the
Arabesque, Sepia and New Spirit imprints from BET Books. Arabesque remains the
first line of original African-American romance novels from a major publishing
house, and will publish two single-titles each month. The Sepia imprint
features commercial women's fiction, and New Spirit captures the growing
African-American inspirational marketplace with both compelling fiction and
non-fiction releases.
All imprints from Kimani Press are represented to the Trade by the Harlequin Sales Group: (Toll-free: 1-888-343-9777, Fax: 1-416-448-7132)
About Harlequin Enterprises Limited
Harlequin Enterprises Limited is the global leader in series romance and one of the world's leading publishers of women's fiction, with titles issued worldwide in 25 languages and sold in 94 international markets. The company produces over 115 titles monthly and publishes more than 1,300 authors from around the world. Harlequin Enterprises Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation, a broadly based media company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TS.B). Harlequin's Web site is located at www.eHarlequin.com. Harlequin has offices in 18 countries, including Toronto, New York and London. For more information please visit www.eHarlequin.com or press.eHarlequin.com.
Visit us at www.KIMANIPRESS.com
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For more information, contact:
Julia Shaw
Consulting Publicist
Kimani Press
Harlequin Enterprises Limited
(917) 501-6780
