Heiress, the Janet Dailey novel breakout bestseller, is available once again. E-Reads has just issued it as a trade paperback, where it can be purchased on amazon.com. It’s also available as an e-book download.

In Heiress, two sisters meet at the funeral of one of the most prestigious men in the country, Dean Lawson, their father. Abbie Lawson, the dutiful genteel daughter bred in the lap of luxury and, Rachel Farr, a mistake born of a passionate love affair, are almost identical in appearance but are worlds apart. Only one daughter can be the heir to the endless oil fields and magnificent thoroughbreds. A fierce competition has arisen between the women, not only for the inheritance but also for the proof of a father’s love. They should have been devoted to each other as friends and sisters, but they have become the most embittered of enemies. The Texas men they love watch as the rivals tear themselves apart to become Dean Lawson’s heiress.

E-Reads publishes over fifty classic Janet Dailey Romances including the Americana Series, one novel set in every state in the union.

RC

Janet Dailey fans will be glad to see the print edition of Something Extra reissued. It’s also available as an e-book download.

In Something Extra, Jolie Antoinette Smith wants to marry the man of her dreams. But when she meets that man in the form of brash and confident Louisiana native Steve Cameron, he quite clearly wants something different. Jolie’s sensitive soul and passionate heart are now at odds–and she wishes she had never found true love!

E-Reads publishes over fifty classic Janet Dailey Romances including the Americana Series, one novel set in every state in the union.

RC

Honestly, this really happened.

In 1987 Little, Brown published Heiress by Janet Dailey. It was Little, Brown’s first Janet Dailey book after wooing her away from her previous publisher, and Janet really nailed this story of a young woman who, after her father dies, discovers she has a sister. It went on the bestseller list and stayed there for about two months.

There was feverish interest among paperback publishers in bidding for the reprint rights, and an auction closing date was set. That date sounded disturbingly familiar to me. As well it might be. “It’s your son’s fifth birthday,” my wife reminded me, “and we’re having a party that day, remember? Don’t even think of going to your office that day. I need you to take pictures. And besides,” she added, “don’t you want to see the magician?”

And so my wife and I played host to a dozen five-year-olds and a magician on the day that paperback rights were being auctioned by Little, Brown. I gave my home number to the editor conducting the bidding and asked her to call me as the auction developed. And she did – while the magician was performing.

He had just tossed a bunch of colored handkerchiefs into his hat when the phone rang. It was my friend at Little, Brown. “Warner just opened with an $800,000 floor bid!” she announced.
Before I could say anything the children shrieked with joy. “YAYYYYY”
“What the hell is that?” the editor asked. Do you have a cheering section set up for this auction?”
“No,” I stammered. “It’s the magician. He just pulled the handkerchiefs out of his hat and they’re all somehow knotted together. Uh, it’s my kid’s birthday party.”
“I see. Well, I’ll call you if there’s more action.”
And she did. Two minutes later, she had an offer for a million dollars from another bidder.
“YAYYYYY!”
“Rabbit in the hat?” my editor friend asked dryly.
“No, a white dove. I have no idea how he did it!”
“Um, what about the million dollar offer?”
“That’s terrific too,” I said, raptly watching the dove flapping on the magician’s sleeve.
“I’ll be back to you if there’s another offer.”
She did and there was. “It’s up to a million two!”
Now it was my turn: “YAYYYY”
“This time it’s a rabbit, right?” asked my friend.
“Hell no. The magician left half an hour ago. I’m cheering for you!”

And that’s how I’ll always remember Heiress. But you’ll remember it for another reason: it’s a marvelous novel by an author at the top of her game. YAYYYY!

– Richard Curtis

How many writing careers are born when a fan puts down a book and says, “Hell, I can write better than that!”? That was pretty much what Janet Dailey said to her husband Bill one day in the early 1970′s after reading a particularly tedious English romance. Janet had married the flamboyant and plain-spoken land developer after working for him for ten years, and he thought Janet ought to put her money where her mouth is. “Well woman, get off your behind and write one!” Dailey commanded.

She did and submitted it to Harlequin. They bought it, and another, and another after that. In fact, they bought another 56 after that. The Daileys toured the United States in a camper and their tour inspired Janet to set a romance in every state of the Union. (A few states inspired a second novel.) Taken altogether, they were called the Americana Series and they launched the fabulous career of one of America’s reigning queens of romance.

Janet did a dozen more romances before moving into bigger single title mass market paperbacks and the Calder series, one of her hallmarks. But she didn’t stop there, rising to the challenge of mainstream women’s fiction and the bestseller list.

E-Reads is happy to make the Americana Series available to you both in download and print editions. We’re particularly delighted to be in production with No Quarter Asked, the novel that Janet “got off her behind” and wrote at the behest of her husband, and you can look for that one in the coming months. Meanwhile, start with A for Alabama (Dangerous Masquerade) and work way through W for Wyoming (Darling Jenny). Or pick out a novel set in your home state. All roads lead to Janet Dailey’s America!

– Richard Curtis