1972
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1972.TheFlameFlower.jpg)
The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss First modern romance
|
1974
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1974.Shockley.jpg)
Loving Her by Ann Allen Shockley First biracial lesbian romance
|
1974
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1974.Merrick.jpg)
Forth into the Light by Gordon Merrick Early gay romance series
|
1974
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1974.Warren.jpg)
The Front Runner by Patricia Nell Warren First gay romance to receive breakout mainstream success
|
1975
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1975.Forever.jpg)
Forever by Judy Blume Seminal YA
|
1977
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1977.Wilby.jpg)
Eleanor & the Marquis by Jane Wilby Harlequin Masquerade #1
|
1979
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1979.LoveComesSoftly.jpg)
Love Comes Softly by Janette Oke First modern inspirational romance
|
1980
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1980.Entwined%20Destinies.jpg)
Entwined Destinies by Rosalind Welles First own voices category romance; edited by Vivian Stephens
|
1980
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/gaywyck.jpeg)
Gaywyck by Vincent Virga Early gay historical romance
|
1980
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1980.Loren.jpg)
The Tawny Gold Man by Amii Lorin Candlelight Ecstasy #1
|
1980
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1980.Hampson.jpg)
Gates of Steel by Anne Hampson Harlequin Presents #1
|
1980
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1980.EndofInnocence.jpg)
End of Innocence by Abra Taylor Harlequin Superromance #1
|
1981
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1981.Collins.jpg)
Flamenco Nights by Susanna Collins Berkley/Jove Second Chance at Love #1
|
1981
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1981.GoldenFireSilverIce.jpg)
Golden Fire, Silver Ice by Marisa de Zavala First own voices Latinx romance; edited by Vivian Stephens
|
1981
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1981.Francis.jpg)
New Boy in Town by Dorothy Francis Silhouette First Love #1
|
1982
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1982.Shockley.jpg)
Say Jesus and Come to Me by Ann Shockley First black lesbian romance
|
1982
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1982.TenderMending.jpg)
The Tender Mending by Lia Sanders Own voices romance by Angela Jackson & Sandra Jackson-Opoku; edited by Vivian Stephens
|
1982
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1982.West.jpg)
Lesson in Love by Tracy West First own voices Silhouette Young Adult
|
1982
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1982.Annieonmymind.jpg)
Annie on My Mind by Nancy Garden Early young adult lesbian romance
|
1982
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1982.CorporateAffair.jpg)
Corporate Affair by Stephanie James Silhouette Desire #1
|
1983
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1983.DreamsofEvening.jpg)
Dreams of Evening by Kristin James Silhouette Intimate Moments #1
|
1983
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1983.UntamedHeart.jpg)
Untamed Heart by Elda Minger First contemporary romance with a condom on page
|
1983
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1983.BrownHqn.jpg)
Tomorrow's Promise by Sandra Brown Harlequin American #1
|
1983
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1983.BrownHqn.jpg)
Heaven's Price by Sandra Brown Loveswept #1
|
1984
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1984.Kitt.jpg)
Rites of Spring by Sandra Kitt First book by a black author to be published by Harlequin; edited by Vivian Stephens
|
1984
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1984.Flanders.jpg)
The Key by Rebecca Flanders Harlequin Intrigue #1
|
1984
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1984.Spencer.jpg)
Spring Fancy by LaVyrle Spencer Harlequin Temptation #1
|
1985
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1985.Kitt.jpeg)
Adam & Eva by Sandra Kitt First own voices Harlequin Romance; edited by Vivian Stephens
|
1986
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1986.SweetStarfire.jpg)
Sweet Starfire by Jayne Ann Krentz Early space romance
|
1986
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1986.Dunbar.jpg)
Rose Royale by Inga Dunbar Harlequin Historical #1
|
1987
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1987.Estrada.jpg)
The Ivory Key by Rita Clay Estrada First paranormal romance
|
1988
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1988.James.jpg)
Satan's Angel by Kristin James Harlequin Historical (Line 2) #1
|
1988
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1988.Alers.BRADYDOESTHISWORK.jpg)
Careless Whispers by Rochelle Alers Referenced in LaQuette's speech
|
1989
![](/assets/images/site/trailblazers/1989.Rutland.jpg)
Matched Pair by Eva Rutland Harlequin Regency #1
|
|
|