Countless romance novel covers sport his likeness as the embodiment of the ideal hero. He then became a legitimate cultural phenomenon appearing in ads, tv, and his own calendars, not to mention over 400 romance novel covers. In a statement to usa today, fabio paid tribute to. Reviewed in the united kingdom on october 22, 2010. Johanna wrote her first book, captive bride in 1977 on a whim, and the book was a success. We should never judge a book by its cover unfortunately, we have a tendency to do exactly that. Johanna lindseys gentle rogue, the first of the malory series, published in 1990 featured fabio and romance covers had come into their own. For instance, writer johanna lindsey had a string of truly outrageous covers that peaked with 1985s tender is the storm.
Aug 10, 2008 more interest accumulated when fabio was used as a sole cover model on two laura kinsale covers, the shadow and the star and the prince of midnight, after avon executives learned that fabio raised book sales by up to 40 percent. Just for the iconic factor of it alone, it was also fabios first cover. Browse author series lists, sequels, pseudonyms, synopses, book covers, ratings and awards. They all had covers with a couple in a clinch, the woman usually looking adoringly up at a barechested man more often than not various versions of the model fabio or his clones and i became used to that. See more ideas about historical romance books, historical romance and romance books. Because my clinch covers are my precious, excessive children and i love every single facet of them right down to the weird, period inappropriate green eyeliner on the heroine of johanna lindseys gentle rogue. Johanna lindsey, kathleen woodiwiss, shirlee busbee, catherine coulter to name but a few. Johanna lindsey has been hailed as one of the most popular authors of romantic fiction, with more than sixty million copies of her novels sold. The elaine duilloillustrated cover for hearts aflame by johanna lindsey became a huge hit thanks to the inclusion of fabio. Lindsey inked a 10book contract with avon, she was writing two books a year, and each of her previous 19 novels had sold at least 700,000 copies, according to a times report. Dec 23, 2019 johanna lindsey, the prolific and influential romance writer, has died.
Her most popular books are a series of regency sagas about the fictional malory family see family tree. Johanna lindsey s books have been topping bestseller lists for decades. Fabio and the history of romance novel covers the attic jezebel. After all, these decadent, dayglo masterpieces didnt just appear. She is glad that computergenerated covers are being used for midlist authors because it will allow her to retire. Johanna lindsey books list of books by author johanna.
For the young among us, fabio lanzoni is an italian model who found his perfect niche in 1987, when he modelled for the cover of legendary historical romance novelist johanna lindseys book, hearts aflame. Today, over 58 million copies of her books have been sold worldwide, with translations appearing in 12 languages, she is one of the worlds most popular authors of historical romance. Fabio appears on no less than 466 romance novel covers, including a few of his. Theres nothing like seeing fabio on the cover during his prime. Fabios 54th birthday is just a good excuse to revisit his best book covers fabio lanzoni, the longhaired, 63, perfectly chiseled italian modelactorauthor is turning 54 today. See more ideas about romance novel covers, romance novels and romance books. More than sixty million of her nearly fifty books have sold worldwide, with translations in twelve languages.
More interest accumulated when fabio was used as a sole cover model on two laura kinsale covers, the shadow and the star and the prince of midnight, after avon executives learned that fabio raised book sales by up to 40 percent. Johanna lindsey began her malory family series in 1985 with the novel love only once. The book rose to number three on the new york times best sellers list. Although, fabio graced many a cover depicting men of all type, within one short year, those tanned pecs and that long hair had been relegated to hiding beneath a flap that showed a demure. The success of this book gave her the courage and esteem to write more books even creating several novel series. The origin of clinch covers on romance novels book riot. In some ways, fabio represented exactly the stereotype that the typical romance reader may associate the romance hero with. Dec 23, 2019 johanna lindsey, the bestselling romance writer who sold more than 60 million steamy novels worldwide over a prolific 40year career, has died at age 67. Johanna lindsey 19522019 was worldrenowned for her mastery of historical romance entertainment weekly, with more than sixty million copies of her novels sold.
Mar 20, 2018 my biggest problem with the cover of warriors woman. It is this guy do you notice the common denominator here. Since none of you know me, i can admit here that i have all of johanna lindseys back list hidden away in my closet complete with nekkid fabio covers. All of her books reached the new york times bestseller list, many reaching no. Cover model fabio by 1991, fabio had attracted the attention of readers, who initially assumed that the cover star was an imaginary character, an artist. Johanna helen lindsey nee howard, march 10, 1952 october 27, 2019 was an american writer of historical romance novels.
Johanna lindsey, the bestselling romance writer who sold more than 60 million steamy novels worldwide over a prolific 40year career, has died at age 67. Cover model fabio by 1991, fabio had attracted the attention of readers, who initially assumed that the cover star was an imaginary character, an artists creation. Book covers that got me into trouble the book pushers. She has published at least one novel every 23 years since then, with the exception of a gap between 1998 and 2004. He turned to a colorful stack of paperback romance novels. The bestselling novel and cover were so successful that fabio, painted by cover artist elaine duillo, became a fixture with lindsey s books. Really, this is the least of the weirdness to be found on a johanna lindsey cover, but im trying to inform, not terrorize with fabio thigh. Her books also played a key role in establishing the career of cover model fabio, as he was featured on numerous lindsey covers through the 1980s and 90s, most notably on gentle rogue. The romance stories feature strong heroines and exciting plots along with plenty of steamy scenes. Legendary romance novelist johanna lindsey has died. Fabios 54th birthday is just a good excuse to revisit his best book covers fabio lanzoni, the longhaired, 63, perfectly chiseled italian modelactorauthor is turning 54 today and is still looking better than ever. Thats not to say that the clinch cover doesnt pose a problem for the romance community.
There are exceptions, of course remember the old angelique series. According to the new york times, the author died oct. As a longtime georgette heyer fan, her covers have generally gone down the old masters route. First of all, i would like to say, i love your website. Johanna lindseys writing career began in 1977 when she wrote and released her first book called captive bride. Fabio, king of romance novel covers, opens up about his. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, fabio posed for the covers of tons of romance novels. Fabio pays tribute to incredible romance novelist johanna.
But even apart from his extraordinary success within that industry, fabio is a media phenomenon. Dec, 2018 really, this is the least of the weirdness to be found on a johanna lindsey cover, but im trying to inform, not terrorize with fabio thigh. Fabio s recognition as a reallife model coincided with a revolution in the industry, as the bodice ripper tags made way for a new level of respect. Army soldier that was stationed in germany, where she was born although as an army brat, she wouldnt stay long and moved around frequently. Just for the iconic factor of it alone, it was also fabios first. Johanna lindsey, the prolific and influential romance writer, has died.
Beginning with her first historical romance published in 1977, lindsey s books have found popular success. The bestselling novel and cover were so successful that fabio, painted by cover artist elaine duillo, became a fixture with lindseys books. Aug 10, 2008 that cover was such a success that he subsequently posed for many of lindseys covers, all painted by duillo, who says that he was such a good model that no one could compare with him. Johanna is and always will be the absolute queen of my reading universe. Owing to their diversity of settings lindseys work covers a number of romance subgenres, including medieval, regency, western, viking, and even science fiction. My biggest problem with the cover of warriors woman. Taking one of fabios covers, savage thunder johanna lindsey, 1989, for example, we can see how the masculinity featured on the book cover continues to. That first book by lindsey that i ever read is, even still, my absolute favorite historic of hers, and possibly of all time. The cover of a book is supposed to be enticing, and its supposed to pull you in. In total, she has fortynine books that have all had success. See more ideas about historical romance books, romance and romance novel covers. This overhead perspective isnt used a lot on romance novel covers, making this one all the more eye catching. For covers where hes not on them, but is on the stepback, please include a link under your vote to the stepback image.
Order of johanna lindsey books johanna lindsey 19522019 was an american novelist of historical romance. The queen of the covers now does lead authors only, and her most recognizeable covers are those of johanna lindsey and bertrice small bertrice, by the way, buys her covers as art and has filled her house with them. May 23, 20 as a mere male the big hair fabio clone is more likely to put me off than get me to buy a book. Johanna lindsey was born in 1952 in germany where her father was stationed with the u. Lindsey inked a 10 book contract with avon, she was writing two books a year, and each of her previous 19 novels had sold at least 700,000 copies, according to a times report. Fabio, king of romance novel covers, opens up about his own. Lindsey s steamy book covers defined the goldenhaired male model known as fabio, a romance correspondent tells the post. With hair dyed blackpresumably because that makes him look indianand flowing in the wind, except in this. Johanna lindsey s writing career began in 1977 when she wrote and released her first book called captive bride.
The next cover or should i say covers that got me into trouble were the johanna lindsey books now you think fabio would be to blame nope. As you can see, the results are pretty goddamn funny. An iconic male model for romance book covers, fabio lanzoni was depicted on more than 400 romance novel covers during the 1980s and the 1990s, including classics such as johanna lindseys gentle rogue and savage thunder. The actor and model has graced the covers of hundreds of romance novels, but his own romantic life hasnt been novelworthy. Jul 15, 2019 he had already been modeling in the united states for a decade before he landed his first cover. What happens when cheesy romance covers are made by normal. Cover model fabio a household name for nearly a decade, fabio is also the undisputed god of romance. Below is a list of johanna lindseys malory family books in order of when they were originally published. May 14, 2018 fabio lanzoni is the king of romance novel covers. The shadow and the star featured a dripping wet fabio emerging from the water.
Love only once is the first book of the series and it starts off with reginas story. Fabio international fan club fabio ifc fabios covers. Johanna lindsey wrote her first book, captive bride in 1977 on a whim, and the book was a success. Hearts aflame is novel by johanna lindsey, originally published in june 1987 by avon books. The covers of lindseys novels have been widely parodied, fitting in as they do with a trend in romance publishing to use gaudy. Lindseys steamy book covers defined the goldenhaired male model known as fabio, a romance correspondent tells the post. Johanna lindseys books have been topping bestseller lists for decades. Anyway, i waited a long while until i could find the fabio cover edition of johanna lindsays gentle rogue before buying it. Lindsey, betina swan bride not fabio lindsey, johanna angel, 1992 defy not the heart gentle rogue, 1990 once a princess, 1991 not fabio hearts aflame, 1987 man of my dreams, inside, 1996 prisoner of my desire, 1991 not fabio savage thunder, 1997 the magic of you, 1993 you belong to me, 1996 warriors woman, 1990. By 2006, with over 58 million copies of her books have been sold worldwide, with translations appearing in 12 languages, johanna lindsey is one of the worlds most popular authors of historical romance. In this countdown we take a look at the funniest, cringiest and cheesiest romance novel covers ever.
Original elaine duillo cover image featuring fabio. And fabio paid tribute to the lindsey, telling usa today she was. The 1990 cover for johanna lindsey s gentle rogue, painted by elaine duillo and featuring fabio it was artist elaine duillo who first discovered fabio. Love only once johanna lindsey never a romance reader until this one. He had already been modeling in the united states for a decade before he landed his first cover. Duillo painted from photographsshe worked through robert osonitsch studios, a sort of onestop shop popular with cover artists. Johanna lindsey books list of books by author johanna lindsey. When adding books, please add the actual cover or edition with fabio on it if at all possible from your own shelves. Beginning with her first historical romance published in 1977, lindseys books have found popular success.
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