As far as I'm concerned, 2009 was the Year of Uniform Fabulousness (YOUF) in romance. Perhaps better stated, it was the year in which so many great romances were released, it was miserably difficult to separate front runners.
So when faced with the task of offering up a list of my fave romances for BN's Best of 2009, I reengineered, if you will, my compulsively methodical approach to "year's best" list making, and went gut first, first.
Rather than begin by looking at columns, features and notes I wrote about books from '09, I thought like the romance reader I am; I mused on and daydreamed about the books and elements that simply popped into my mind, like quirky or extraordinary heroes/heroines, memorable riffs and storylines, and scenes that nudged at my psyche.
After I tossed the related titles in a file, I researched the usual suspects from the year in review and books I'd written about or simply read. Then, I came up with a short list of categories we most discussed here at H2H in the past five months - and at Unabashedly Bookish since May -- as well as a couple "just for funs." And it also seemed cool to choose a duo in each category, giving a nod to the fact that I happily could have chosen about ten.
So check out this BN Best of 2009: Romance list. Which of your 2009 faves would you add? PLUS: Add romance categories to the list - and winners in those cats - you'd like to see.
Click here to see what winning authors have to say about the list, and for BN Best of 2009 in books, film, TV and music!
Debut
Knight of Desire -- Margaret Mallory
Seduced by Shadows -- Jessa Slade
Paranormal
A Mermaid's Ransom -- Joey W. Hill
Kiss of a Demon King (Immortals After Dark Series #6) -- Kresley Cole
Contemporary
One Reckless Summer -- Toni Blake
Hot Pursuit (Troubleshooters Series #15) -- Suzanne Brockmann
Sexiest Non-Erotic Romance Love Scene
Start Me Up Start Me Up -- Victoria Dahl
Hunt Her Down -- Roxanne St. Claire
Historical
A Hint of Wicked -- Jennifer Haymore
Highland Rebel -- Judith James
The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie -- Jennifer Ashley
Historical -- Erotic
Addicted -- Charlotte Featherstone
Gorgeous as Sin -- Susan Johnson
Erotic Romance
Pleasure and Purpose -- Megan Hart
The Things That Make Me Give In -- Charlotte Stein
Category
Gallant Officer, Forbidden Lady -- Diane Gaston
The Desert King's Pregnant Bride -- Annie West
Westerns
The Bridegroom -- Linda Lael Miller
The Lone Texan -- Jodi Thomas
High-Seas Romance
Captured -- Beverly Jenkins
Surrender of a Siren -- Tessa Dare
Hi Michelle!
I see several favorite authors on this list. Oh, my goodness I'll have to add some of these to my long list. Believe me it is long! I've made my December book list and cannot add anymore. Oh, I forgot I've begged for Gift Cards! That would be nice.
Hi Princess! I've never read Nalini Singh. I see her name often and will have to check her books out. Oh, well her book will just go on that list that I'm working my way through! 
This just isn't fair. I've been bit by the reading bug. Now all those titles (and hot covers!). I just finished "Mine Till Midnight" by Lisa Kleypas and I have "Seduce Me At Sunrise" ready to go, but look at all those positively tantalizing books!!! I shouldn't even start the next book because my family and home have been neglected since just before Thanksgiving when I was bit by that dang reading bug!! lol! Well they all have to go on my wish list for now. I have a few books coming that I ordered online to read first. Wouldn't ya know, I do have a very bad case of OCD so I want to read that perfect book next cuz I'm afraid I'll miss something Now that's all messed up cuz of this new list!! lol Not to worry though... it's all good!!
Since I've only read 2 Romance books in my whole life (and that was in the last week or so) I can't really give a fave up but my New Years resolution will be to keep reading veraciously so I can more qualified next year to give my input!! hehe! That will be a grand adventure (blush). For now I'm loving Historical Romance but when I'm done with that I want to try Paranormal.
Thanks again Michelle, for the hot tips!
-J
Kate4queen
on
What a great list! I bet that was hard for you, Michelle, having to read all those great books, just for us
