Fave 2009 Romance Books from BN's Heart to Heart Blog!

[#1]

Anna, aside from those things you've listed, which are so true, I loved that the book has that marvelous title!  To me, the category romance is the life's blood of the genre, and the titles are SO much fun.  I could converse for days about this intensely fascinating form of genre fiction, as well as the devoted reader.

Diane, congrats. As I was reading GOFL, I began constructing and planning a new feature which I'll debut soon. The category form brings an intensity to any romance because of the brevity. But your characterization of especially the hero of this novel was what makes it a cut above in a field of so many lovely books. 

[#2]

Congrats, Toni. It's always interesting to learn which books an author considers her faves and why.  Would love to know...

[#3]

Charlotte, I keep checking the page, too, but always for my spelling errors!  Your anthology knocked my socks off because of your ability to tease out so many voices and intensities w/in relationships.  congrats!

[#4]

Hi Anna! I love the way Annie writes -- I've read two of her books and really enjoyed them.

I neglected to mention Joey W. Hill - I love her vampire queen stories, and I was very excited to meet her at the Lori Foster event in June.

You've mentioned so many great books and authors here -- I was on a Victoria Dahl binge awhile back, and read everything she wrote. I'm a big fan of hers, too!

And Kresley Cole goes without saying. I love her paranormals, but I love her older books, too.

Suzanne Brockmann? There aren't enough words to say how much I love her books. The woman is amazing, and her Troubleshooters have always ended up on my "keeper" shelf.

I didn't notice you had Lord Ian Mackenzie on the list when I made my first post - great minds think alike.

I've been a fan of Roxanne St. Claire's for quite awhile, but HUNT HER DOWN and MAKE HER PAY reminded me how much I love the way she writes. I'd add Tara Janzen, too - I do love romantic suspense.

Hank Phillippi Ryan's new series is one of my top-rated debuts this year (although technically a couple of the books are re-issues). And I always love Brenda Novak and Karen Rose. Don't get me started on romantic suspense - seriously, the list will never end.

[#5]

Thanks for that comment, Michelle. I was a little afraid my artist hero would not seem hunky!

[#6]

Actually, naughty moi, that should have been THE DESERT KING, not the Sheikh. Oh, well, Sheikh, Schmeeek! And Becke, wanted to thank you for mentioning COS!

[#7]

Of course, I mentioned it -- your books are the reason my TBR pile has taken over the house. The darn historicals are everywhere, and it all started with Claiming the Courtesan and Untouched!

[#8]

Oh wow!  Thank you, Michelle, for giving SEDUCED BY SHADOWS a shout-out.  Becke, debut authors LOVE LOVE LOVE to get such buzz!  This comes as most excellent news since NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month for those of you not silly enough to attempt writing 50K words in 30 days) kicked my butt.  Weep.  But with encouragement like this, I'm forging on!  Thanks, ladies!

[#9]

Oh...my...goodness!

Michelle, I'm absolutely thrilled to see The Desert King's Pregnant Bride on the Best of 2009 list. I've been out all day and have come home to a clogged inbox full of lovely mails from people directing me over here.

I'm so glad to hear Maggie and Khalid's story struck such a chord. This is THE best news. Thanks so much!

[#10]

Hi Becke! How lovely to see your comment on my books here. Thanks so much!

Hi Anna, too! You do get around don't you? It's great to share such good news with you both.

Actually, going through this list of 'Best Ofs' I'm noting a few authors and titles I hadn't come across before. Like you, Becke, I like to branch out occasionally. Smiling here at the historicals taking over your house. Yes, do blame Anna. Mine is full of contemporaries and historicals at the moment and I've no time to get the TBR pile down at the moment.