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

[#1]

Michelle, thank you so much! I am thrilled to have Knight of Desire named one of your 2 fave debuts of the year.  Wow, what an honor. I have to go now and jump around the room a bit.

Margaret 

[#2]

Michelle I've only read a spattering of these so I guess some of them will have to be on my 2010 list. And the covers are great

Deb

[#3]

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

Hmm, that's a good question, Michelle ; )  The answer is a combo of things, one of which is that I felt this book contained a lot of iconic, traditional romance themes and conflicts - yet at the same time the story felt very near to my heart and (hopefully) not cliched. ; )  Plus it's the first book in my Destiny series, and I'm excited about all the stories to come.  And on top of that, I just love a lake/canoe kind of setting.  The whole book was a joy to write, and I guess I just felt it all came together really well in the end.

That said, my assistant tells me that when I'm writing a book, I complain the whole time that the whole thing is crap and will never come together - and she claims the same was true when I was writing THIS book.  But I don't remember it that way ; )  Selective memory, I suppose ; )

Thanks again for putting ONE RECKLESS SUMMER on your list - I'm over the moon about it!

[#4]

Michelle and Becke, thanks so much!  I'm loving writing the Children of the Sea series, and so happy to see the books striking a chord with readers.

I'll second Brockmann's Hot Pursuit.  I'm a huge fan, and this one had a really satisfying romance arc.

Also on my personal "Best of 2009" list:  Shana Abe's The Smoke Thief, Nalini Singh's Branded by Fire, TWO Eloisa James titles (This Duchess of Mine and A Duke of Her Own) and Elizabeth Hoyt's To Beguile a Beast.

Oh, oh, oh, and Nora's Vision in White!  I love me a solid, lush contemporary.  (Must buy One Reckless Summer now.)

[#5]

So pleased to see two of my own favorites, Charlotte Featherstone's ADDICTED and Victoria Dahl's START ME UP, on the list!!  My other favorite romances of 2009 are YA books:  Lisa McMann's FADE, Maggie Stiefvater's SHIVER, and Jennifer Echols' GOING TOO FAR (and I'd probably throw in Suzanne Collins' CATCHING FIRE, even though it really can't be called a 'romance'). 

[#6]

Thank you so much for mentioning Highland Rebel, Michelle! What an honor to be included among so many fantastic authors and great books. Thank you so much for supporting the romance genre and congratulations to every one on the list.

Judith James

[#7]

Michelle: Thanks so much for mentioning THE MADNESS OF LORD IAN MACKENZIE!! I am honored!! I'm nodding my head at other books you mention, and adding some to my own TBR--thanks for the recommendations!

For my own list, I would add Eloisa James's, Duke of Her Own. It's lovely. I've read some really great books this year--I think 2009 was a good one for romance. I'm looking forward to 2010! 

(I'm dying to read Nora's Vision in White, but I am so buried in writing I haven't been able to pop my head up long enough to do it...it's such a pretty book too.)

Jennifer Ashley

http://www.jennifersromances.com

aka Allyson James

http://www.allysonjames.com

[#8]

wheeee, Michelle, thanks so much for including me on your list! I'm in fabulous company.

M

[#9]

Wow, I'm amazed and delighted, to say the least. Sorry I'm late to the game but I've been in deadline and holiday hell (laughter). Rubbing elbows with Kresley, as well as all these fine authors, is the best early Christmas gift. Thank you, Michelle! And, as has been expressed by others, I was delighted to see Charlotte's Addicted on your list. She and I were discussing the pros and cons of writing difficult heroes not too long ago, and her Lindsay and my Dante both walk somewhat dark paths to their heroines. You were right, Charlotte - staying true to your muse is the only way to go (big grin).

Thank you again, Michelle - and congratulations, everyone!

[#10]

Hi Joey! It was so nice to meet you at the Lori Foster event. I have your new book in my TBR pile but I know I'll love it. I was really impressed with the Vampire Queen books.