One thing I learned at the ACFW conference last month is that there were several inspirational category romance lines started in the eighties. However, these lines folded, because, perhaps, the timing was not right for the inspirational category romance market.

One of these lines was through Silhouette. Their line was entitled Silhouette Inspirations. It started back in 1984 and the launch author was Debbie Macomber with her novel entitled Heartsong.

After years of trying to get published, Macomber finally found an editor who believed in her work, and in 1984 Heartsong launched Silhouette’s new Inspiration line. I believe someone mentioned that Heartsong was the first romance novel reviewed in Publishers Weekly.

Back in 1984, I was heavily reading secular romances because I thought that was all that was offered! I never knew about these books! I was still in high school at the time, in a small town, so, perhaps, I just wasn’t at the right place and time to discover these stories!

Below, you’ll find the cover for Heartsong, as well as a listing of all of the titles published under Silhouette Inspirations. I’d love to place all of the covers on this blog entry, however, I don’t know if I could find all of the covers, and even if I could, it would take too much time and effort to upload them onto blogger!

Silhouette Inspirations:
SI-1 Macomber, Debbie Heartsong Feb-1984
SI-2 James, Arlene Proud Spirit Feb-1984
SI-3 Halldorson, Phyllis Bright Honor Feb-1984
SI-4 Bartholomew, Barbara Something Special Feb-1984
SI-5 Currie, Katy Blind Promises Mar-1984
SI-6 Yapp, Kathleen Fire in My Heart Mar-1984
SI-7 Springer, Lacey A Wealth of Love Apr-1984
SI-8 Beckman, Patti With the Dawn Apr-1984
SI-9 Macomber, Debbie Undercover Dreamer May-1984
SI-10 Alexander, Bea Inlet of the Heart May-1984
SI-11 James, Arlene A Wish for Always Jun-1984
SI-12 Wahlstrom, Carolyn Sara’s Story Jun-1984
SI-13 Halldorson, Phyllis The Homecoming Jul-1984
SI-14 Shook, Sheila A Question of Trust Jul-1984
SI-15 Macomber, Debbie A Girl Like Janet Aug-1984
SI-16 James, Arlene Partners for Life Aug-1984
SI-17 Coffer, Helen Lewis Turn, My Beloved Sep-1984
SI-18 Nichols, Charlotte For the Love of Mike Sep-1984
SI-19 Yapp, Kathleen To Love and Cherish Oct-1984
SI-20 Bartholomew, Barbara A Promise Once Made Oct-1984
SI-21 Macomber, Debbie Thanksgiving Prayer Nov-1984
SI-22 Halldorson, Phyllis None So Blind Nov-1984
SI-23 Macomber, Debbie The Gift of Christmas Dec-1984
SI-24 Kirby, Susan One Whispering Voice Dec-1984
SI-25 Springer, Lacey Winter Rose Jan-1985
SI-26 Hawkins, Laura Precious Moments Jan-1985
SI-27 James, Arlene No Stranger to Love Feb-1985
SI-28 Bartholomew, Barbara For Every Season Feb-1985
SI-29 Macomber, Debbie Love Thy Neighbor Mar-1985
SI-30 Springer, Lacey Fair Lady Mar-1985
SI-31 McKay, Rena Top of the Moon Apr-1985
SI-32 Bonner, Rachel The Impatient Blossom Apr-1985
SI-33 Pryor, Natalie A Gift of Love May-1985
SI-34 Macomber, Debbie Laughter in the Rain May-1985
SI-35 Bartholomew, Barbara Everyday Miracles Jun-1985
SI-36 Johnson, Martha Call of the Mountains Jun-1985

Tomorrow, or maybe later than that, I’ll be blogging about another extinct inspirational romance line!

Cecelia Dowdy