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“Days of our Lives” alum True O’Brien is set to star in “Recipe for Romance,” one of six original primetime movies slated to premiere later this fall on The CW, inspired by beloved and bestselling Harlequin novels.

In the movie, would-be enemies turn into heartwarming lovers in the story of two warring businesses in Little Manila. Sari (O’Brien) is given the long overdue opportunity to prove herself when her parents head for vacation, placing the family’s coffee shop in her hands. Sari’s big plans are derailed when a bakery run by the annoyingly handsome and charming Gabe opens right next door. This launches a prank war to end all prank wars, bringing Sari and Gabe together in a story of love, family, community, and irresistibly delicious pastries. In the week leading up to the big Little Manila Festival, the two competitors clash, kiss, and make up as...

The CW is turning up the romantic heat with a slate of six original primetime movies premiering later this fall, based on beloved and bestselling Harlequin novels. Presented by CW Originals, Centinel Media, and Bell Media, developed in association with Fremantle, and produced by Neshama Entertainment, these heartwarming romances feature fan-favorite stars from hit CW series.

Kicking off the lineup in cinematic style, The CW has teamed up with Fathom Entertainment, the leading specialty distributor of content to theatrical partners worldwide, to premiere the first of these movies, Montana Mavericks, in select theaters nationwide on August 26-27, giving fans an early, big-screen experience before the film’s television debut.

Montana Mavericks

“The CW has been building a passionate weekend audience of movie lovers, and this new slate of original films is for romance fans everywhere,” said Heather Olander, Head of Scripted and Unscripted Content.

“These feel-good stories, inspired by hugely successful blockbuster Harlequin novels,...

It's a great day to be a romance lover, because it has recently been announced that the CW will be adapting six Harlequin romance novels into original primetime movies. Harlequin has been a leading publisher of romance novels for decades, and they've shown no signs of slowing down, especially as the genre continues to dominate the book market. Fans of cowboy romance books especially have reason to be excited, as one of the CW's Harlequin adaptations will be of the beloved Montana Mavericks series.

Per Variety, in addition to Montana Mavericks, the other CW Harlequin romance adaptations include: Ordinary Girl in a Tiara, Paws in the City, Recipe for Romance, Savvy Sheldon Feels Good as Hell, and Second Guessing Fate. Prior to its debut on the CW this autumn, the network has partnered with Fathom Entertainment to release Montana Mavericks in select U.S. theaters August 26-27. Montana Mavericks will...

The CW has ordered six new primetime movies inspired by Harlequin romance novels, with “Walker: Independence” star Katherine McNamara set to star in the first one, “Montana Mavericks.”

In addition to “Montana Mavericks,” the CW has ordered five other movie adaptations for the books, including “Ordinary Girl in a Tiara,” “Paws in the City,” “Recipe for Romance,” “Savvy Sheldon Feels Good as Hell,” and “Second Guessing Fate.” The movies feature stars from beloved CW series, like “Gossip Girl’s” Kathryn Gallagher and “The Flash” actress Danielle Panabaker.

Those five films will air solely on the CW’s primetime lineup this fall, while “Montana Mavericks” gets a theatrical release in August through a partnership with Fathom Entertainment. As part of the deal, “Montana Mavericks” will be released nationwide in select theaters Aug. 26-27, before debuting on the CW this fall.

“The CW has been building a passionate weekend audience of movie lovers,...

The CW has ordered six original primetime movies based on Harlequin romance novels, the first of which will get a theatrical release in August in a partnership with Fathom Entertainment.

Starring “Walker: Independence” actress Katherine McNamara, “Montana Mavericks” will be released nationwide in select theaters Aug. 26-27. The film will then debut on the CW broadcast network this fall, followed by primetime-only airings for the other five movies in the channel’s Harlequin series: “Ordinary Girl in a Tiara,” “Paws in the City,” “Recipe for Romance,” “Savvy Sheldon Feels Good as Hell,” and “Second Guessing Fate.”

Presented by CW Originals, Centinel Media and Bell Media, developed in association with Fremantle and produced by Neshama Entertainment, these films star a curated list of CW vets like McNamara, including actors from “Gossip Girl” and “The Flash.” The six movies will be distributed internationally by Fox Entertainment Global.

The film announcement comes as...

If you’ve been thinking TV needs more bodice-ripping movies and series, this announcement is for you.

Harlequin is teaming with independent production and distribution company Centinel Media to create “uplifting romantic entertainment.” The plan is to adapt select Harlequin novels into standalone movies and series for TV over three years, beginning in 2025.

The first book-to-film adaptations include fan-favorite titles Savvy Sheldon Feels Good as Hell by Taj McCoy; The Dachshund Wears Prada by Stefanie London; Sweet on You by Carla de Guzman; Second-Guessing Fate by Claire Robyns; Ordinary Girl in a Tiara by Jessica Hart; and a movie inspired by the world of Harlequin’s long-running Montana Mavericks series.

“We’re thrilled to enter this partnership to bring our romance novels to the small screen, blending the best of Harlequin storytelling with a touch of movie magic. We’re excited to continue expanding the Harlequin universe and provide more...

Photograph by Douglas Sonders

How Angela James, head of Harlequin's new romance e-book imprint, has forged a novel business model in paperless publishing.

Here are some things you may not have known about the $1 billion business that is romance publishing today: Divorced women read far fewer romance novels than single and married women do. Romance readers buy in volume and velocity, making them optimal digital readers. The stories are not about bodice-ripping anymore, or even just vampires, although those standbys haven't gone away; these days, the action is in shape-shifters (wolves, lions, and bears that take human form) and male-male (written for and usually by straight women). Oh, and about that action: Romance readers tend to want to see it, and it's not always vanilla.

Much of this, with the possible exception of the divorcées, initially eluded major romance publishers. None of it comes as a surprise to Angela James,...

The numbers are in, and eBooks may very well be the bright spot in book publishing's dim future--but only if publishers can figure out a way to keep the momentum going.

EBook sales accounted for $46.5 million as of the end of September, according to the International Digital Publishing Forum (Idpf), but that number only represents trade eBook sales through wholesale channels. Retail numbers may be as much as double these figures due to industry wholesale discounts, says Idpf. It's a drop in the bucket for book sales overall, which amounted to about $1.26 billion for the month of September, according to the Association of American Publishers (Aap).

What's most astonishing, though, is that eBooks have sold like hotcakes without a marketing or sales strategy. Publishers are moving quick to catch up as new digital innovations come to market.

"Everybody's awake now," says Mike Shatzkin, a 40-year industry veteran and founder of the Idea Logical Company,...