A year in review... sort of 1997

1997 RRA-L Romance Awards Nominees and Winners The winner in each category is denoted by an asterisk. {click the text to expand the post... just in case you haven't caught on to that yet ;)} The best of the best RRA style 1997 1. Best Short Series Romance: *Trust Me on This by Jennifer Crusie Irresistible? by Stephanie Bond A Man in Demand by Cheryl Anne Porter Shotgun Wedding by Alexandra Sellers You-Can-t-Make-Me Bride by Leanne Banks ------------------------------------------ Jennifer Crusie!!!! Who knew!!!!! hee never heard of this one though... I think I have a Leanne Banks to read that was release with a EL (mucho EL posts coming your way soon) 2. Best Long Series Romance: *Reckless by Ruth Wind Another Man's Child by Tara Taylor Quinn A Dark and Stormy Night by Anne Stuart (HAR 702) Mommy by Surprise by Paula Detmer Riggs Hidden Star by Nora Roberts ----------------------------------------------------- You couldn't pay me to read Tara Taylor Quinn. Never read Ruth Wind. Is this Stuart any good? 3. Best Contemporary Single Title Romance: *Nobody's Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips The Beach House by Georgia Bockoven Finding the Dream by Nora Roberts Kill and Tell by Linda Howard When Nick Returns by Dee Holmes ----------------------------------------------------- OMG! I am a no good, dirty rotten liar!!!! I have read SUSAN ELIZABETH PHILLIPS and the fact that I have and that I no longer own this book (which I ADORED) only is saved by the fact that it was trashed. BUT before all the GLITTER BABY people fall on the floor in shock and want to kill me (as I would too since, fuck me, the book is going for $20). It fell apart. It was used when I found it, in an old book store that use to be on Evers Road. And the cover was hanging on for dear life for a while. Then it died. I KEPT the book, coverless, wrapped in a rubberband. I think I bought in 91 or 92. But I held on to it until hmmm, I was married prolly second move in Austin so 99/2002. I knew the title and the characters name Fleur. But had no clue this was SEP. Since I am some what out of my Jackie Collins//Judith Krantz phase I never really gave it any thought to try and find another copy of this because I would hate to read it now and no longer adore it. Since uh I guess I still have something of a soft spot for this book. hee that fucker had to fall to pieces before I threw it away. So really uh I might need a rec for a SEP book (other than the $20 book). Never heard of Georgia Bockoven. And what the heck is Kill and Tell? That doesn't sound familiar. 4. Best Historical Single Title Romances: *One Perfect Rose by Mary Jo Putney Night in Eden by Candice Proctor Silent Melody by Mary Balogh Texas Destiny by Lorraine Heath Wild at Heart by Patricia Gaffney ------------------------------------------ LOOK D. Even RRA thinks you need to read Texas Destiny! Night in Eden is grand. Silent Melody was a Balogh I had a hard time getting through, no longer have it, recall hating the heroine often. Wild at Heart... don't think I have that one but sounds like one I should try. 5. Best Regency Romance: *The Temporary Bride by Mary Balogh The Arrangement by Joan Wolf The Primrose Path by Barbara Metzger Rakehell's Reform by Elizabeth Fairchild With This Ring by Carla Kelly ------------------------------------------ so not a trad regency girl... I think I have read that Balogh. Would need to get off my ass and look. So not happening at this second. 6. Best Romantic Suspense/Mystery/Adventure: *Son of the Morning by Linda Howard Deep Waters by Jayne Ann Krentz Fat Tuesday by Sandra Brown Sanctuary by Nora Roberts With Every Breath by Beverly Bird -------------------------------------------- SotM is on my tbbought list per Ro. Beverly Bird? LOOK new name! I have 9 SB to read... I need to be in a mood for cheese but doubt I will ever read the RSy ones. 7. Best Alternative Realities Romance: *Vengeance in Death by J. D. Robb Born in Twilight by Maggie Shayne The Killing Dance by Laurel K Hamilton Maiden Voyage by Judith O'Brien Son of the Morning by Linda Howard -------------------------------------------- Laurel K Hamilton when she was sane!!!!!!!!! Sorry that was mean. I really have a great respect and lurve for Hamilton. She is in fact a big reason I started reading again. Other than Dennis Lehane's Drink Before the War series (seriously fucking good if you haven't read it do... hmmm I shall blog about them one day... not romance but romance is in there somewhere) which my lil shippy heart was rec'ed during an X-Fileless summer, I hadn't read much until I picked up Obsidian Butterfly. Still one of my faves and I wish Edward would come back and maybe kick anita in the ass or something. It isn't the sex. I am very pro-sex you know, but the series just seems lost. And it makes me sad. Of course her blog does too so whatever... hmmm sorry I am very rambly today. Blame it on being off the computer too much today ;). 8. Best Time Travel Romance: *Almost an Angel by Deb Stover Son of the Morning by Linda Howard Maiden Voyage by Judith O'Brien Rejar by Dara Joy ------------------------------------ TT oh how I really no like you... SotM I am getting because Ro says so. And Rejar I did adore. 9. Best Love and Laughter Romance: *Nobody's Baby But Mine Susan Elizabeth Phillips A Knight to Remember by Christina Dodd Outlaw in Paradise by Patricia Gaffney Trust Me on This by Jennifer Crusie Wonderful by Jill Barnett ----------------------------------------- I am still not clear on what the hell this category means.... Dodd isn't someone I have been able to click with... I think I tried this book and didn't get far. This is a Gaffney that sounds like a western... I don't have! Kristie! What is this about? Barnett is tbr. 10. (Not included for 1997 because of insufficient nominations.) I looked so you don't have too: Best Multicultural Romance is what is missing. Yes Monica this is your que to rant. Or rec! What Multicultural books come out in 1997 that we should read that were over looked? (I really doubt she will be by so anyone feel free to rec or rant at will) 11. Best All-Around 1997 Romance: *One Perfect Rose by Mary Jo Putney A Cherished Reward by Rachelle Nelson Heavenly Bliss by Sara Jarrod The Promise of Jenny Jones by Maggie Osborne Texas Destiny by Lorraine Heath ------------------------------------------------- oooooooohhhhhh TPoJJ - D. Make a note... another western you should read. Rachelle Nelson and Sara Jarrod sound familiar but I am not placing the books. 1997 AUTHOR AWARDS 12. Best Contemporary Author: *Susan Elizabeth Phillips Georgia Bockoven Justine Davis Nora Roberts Dee Holmes --------------------------- SEP! hee you know, even if I never read another one of her books I will still adore her now. Funny that... 13. Best Historical Romance Author: *Mary Jo Putney Patricia Gaffney Lorraine Heath Cheryl Anne Porter Penelope Williamson ------------------------------- PG - check, LH - check (westerns!), CAP... is this when she was doing westerns? PW - check... MJP is the only one I haven't read here. I am not sure why, maybe I lumped her in with Nora and Amanda (damn good company to be in but just can't seem to get around to reading them... maybe cuz I so know they are not missing having me as a reader? Weird yes I know) 14. Best Series/Category Author: *Jennifer Crusie Leanne Banks Cheryl Reavis Paula Detmer Riggs Ruth Wind ---------------------------------- Davis not doing Categories now? 15. Best Regency Author: *Jo Beverley Mary Balogh Elizabeth Fairchild Carla Kelly Joan Wolf 16. Best All-Around Romance Author: *Nora Roberts Patricia Gaffney Kristin Hannah Mary Jo Putney Susan Elizabeth Phillips ------------------------------------ Que Shock! BEST ROMANCE CLASSICS 17. Best Classic Historical Romances: *River of Fire by Mary Jo Putney Carnal Innocence by Nora Roberts Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale If You Believe by Kristin Hannah To Love and To Cherish by Patricia Gaffney ------------------------------------------- hmmmm River of Fire? Good starting place? Carnal Innocence... TLaTC - grand book! If You Believe is tbr. And Flowers is not a good Kinsale for me. Very meh I think. But hey many many love it... 18. Best Classic Contemporary Romances: *It Had to Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips The Morning Side of Dawn by Justine Davis Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer Public Secrets by Nora Roberts When Nick Returns by Dee Holmes -------------------------------------------- Morning Glory oh how I miss you so!!! Note to self don't lend books to people you don't know well! Public Secrets?!? Hey I owned that! For a while! Never read it though, don't remember it being Nora. Something on a boat I think? 19. Best Classic All-Around Favorite Romance: *Outlander by Diana Gabladon Flowers in the Storm by Laura Kinsale Jane Eyre by Emily Bronte River of Fire by Mary Jo Putney To Love and To Cherish by Patricia Gaffney ----------------------------------------------- Can't say any of these would make my top fave all around Classic's 20. Best Classic Regency Romance: *The Rake and the Reformer by Mary Jo Putney The Duke's Wager by Edith Layton Miss Grimsley's Oxford Career by Carla Kelly These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer An Unwilling Bride by Jo Beverley 21. Best Classic Series Romance: *Getting Rid of Bradley by Jennifer Crusie Another Man's Child by Tara Taylor Quinn Lightning that Lingers by Sharon and Tom Curtis The Morning Side of Dawn by Justine Davis A Rose for Maggie by Kathleen Korbel -------------------------------------------- I really need Lightning that Lingers 22. Best All-Around Classic Romance Author: *Mary Jo Putney Georgette Heyer Laura Kinsale Susan Elizabeth Phillips Nora Roberts ---------------------------------------------- never read GH 23. Best Romance Cover: *Tallchief by Dinah McCall Shades of Rose by Deb Stover To Marry a British Lord by Judith O'Brien Tonight or Never by Dara Joy You Belong to Me by Nan Ryan ----------------------------------------------- aka tara's category ;) OMFG what the hell is Tonight or Never doing here? I just reread that (blog posting coming after I finish my EL spam and SJ posts) That is just so not a good cover. Oddly appealing book though. 24. Romance with Best Sweet Love Scene: *Cupid's Mistake by Karen Harbaugh A Cherished Reward by Rachelle Nelson A Company of Swans by Eva Ibbotson Mariah by Sandra Canfield Summer Fancy by Anne Avery ---------------------------------------- Would it shock anyone if I said I haven't read any of the sweet romances? Do have a HH by AA to read. 25. Romances with Best Spicy Love Scene: *After the Night by Linda Howard Heaven Above by Sara Jarrod Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase Silver Flame by Susan Johnson You Belong to My Heart by Nan Ryan ------------------------------------------ I really love Linda Howard books. And am on a current read... Duncan's Bride (yahoo list), Sarah's Child (tara's fault), Dream Man (Lauren's rec) and Heart of Fire (Dylan's rec). All four will be first time reads for me, cool huh? After the Night is a hard book for me to read, I just feel soooooooo bad for her and can't figure out WHY she stays and puts up with that shit. But HAWT it is. Sara Jarrod... really need to look her up Silver Flame! I have read it but don't recall it at all. Read one Nan Ryan and it blew (not in a spicy kind of way) and well I have already talked about LOS hee more later... not that anyone cares but I am amused *g*