A year in review… sort of 2000
April 29, 2006
Best of the best, 2000 RRA style
_1_ Linda Howard
_2_ Ruth Wind (AKA Barbara Samuel)
_3_ Kathleen Eagle
Kristin Hannah
Kathleen Gilles Seidel
11. Best Historical Romance Author of 2000:
_1_ Mary Jo Putney
_2_ Pamela Morsi
_3_ Maggie Osborne
Candice Proctor
Cheryl St. John
——————–
Great list! I have read them all except MJP and would rec all four.
12. Best Series/Category Author of 2000:
_1_ Suzanne Brockman
_2_ Virginaia Kantra
_3_ Paula Detmer Riggs
Kate Hoffman
Gayle Wilson
13. Best Regency Author of 2000:
_1_ Mary Balogh
_2_ Mary Jo Putney
_3_ Diane Farr
Blair Bancroft (Grace Kone) [ebook]
Judith A. Lansdowne
—————————————
Hey look a best of in Eform from 2000… how cool is that?
14. Best All-Around Romance Author of :
_1_ Nora Roberts (AKA J.D. Robb)
_2_ Linda Howard
_3_ Judith Ivory
Candice Proctor
Karen Ranney
——————————————-
Hey Proctor and Ranney! Two great new names on the list. Way looking forward to Ranney’s new book!
_1_ Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
_2_ Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale
_3_ A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Twice Loved by LaVyrle Spencer
————————————————
I happy sigh ever time I see LaVyrle’s name, which is sad since I don’t know the woman from adam. But whatever. So I am odd, you knew this.
16. Best All-Time Contemporary Romance:
_1_ It Had to Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
_2_ Trust Me by Jayne Ann Krentz
_3_ Till the Stars Fall by Kathleen Gilles Seidel
Jackson Rule by Dina McCall
On Mystic Lake by Kristin Hannah
17. Best All-Time Regency Romance:
_1_ The Rake and the Reformer by Mary Jo Putney
_2_ The Temporary Wife by Mary Balogh
_3_ The Lion’s Lady by Julie Garwood
Reforming Lord Ragsdale by Carla Kelly
Seduction by Amanda Quick
18. Best All-Time Series Romance:
_1_ Mackenzie’s Mountain by Linda Howard
_2_ Warrior by Elizabeth Lowell
_3_ Lightning That Lingers by Sharon and Tom Curtis
A Rose for Maggie by Kathleen Korbel
The Trouble with Joe by Emilie Richards
—————————————————-
Hey I have read three out of five. Go team me!
19. Best Romance of All Time:
_1_ Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
_2_ Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
_3_ Twice Loved by LaVyrle Spencer
Again by Kathleen Gilles Seidel
The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy
—————————————-
Hey look maili, Outlander *eg*
20. Best All-Around Romance Author of All Time:
_1_ Jayne Ann Krentz
_2_ Nora Roberts
_3_ Gorgette Heyer
Mary Balogh
LaVyrle Spencer
————————
happy sigh
hee I am gonna need a new list to go through soon…. only have six years left… hmmm ohhhhh AAR has some lists. What other sites have top tenish or top of the year lists? ::listens to crickets:: fine I will find them myself
A year in review… sort of 2000
April 29, 2006
Best of the best, 2000 RRA style
_1_ Game of Chance by Linda Howard (SIM 1021, August 2000)
_2_ Get Lucky by Suzanne Brockmann (SIM 991, March 2000)
_3_ Daddy by Choice by Paula Detmer Riggs (SIM 998, April 2000)
A Man Like Mac by Fay Robinson (HSR 911)
The Temptation of Sean MacNeil by Virginia Kantra (SIM 1032)
————————————————————–
I have GoC to read but haven’t gotten to it yet. Hell my current Howard binge is being cut into by ebuzz, book reviews and contest books to read. But I did finish SC - will post more on that in a bit.
2. Best Contemporary Single Title Romance:
_1_ In the Midnight Rain by Ruth Wind
_2_ Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard
_3_ The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann
It Must Be Love by Rachel Gibson
The Burning Point by Mary Jo Putney
——————————————–
Mr Perfect is the only one I have done to get but that is because I think I need them all now 
3. Best Historical Single Title Romance:
_1_ The Hostage by Susan Wiggs
_2_ Where Dreams Begin by Lisa Kleypas
_3_ The Stone Maiden by Susan King
Here Comes the Bride by Pamela Morsi
The Lover by Robin Schone
———————————————
The Lover! Great book but I am a big fan of Robin’s and am mucho excited to see what her new book is like. Hope it is great and we see more of her now. Have the Kleypas to be read along with the Wigg and Morsi. Susan King is the only one I am not familiar with.
4. Best Regency Romance (Traditional of Nontraditional):
_1_ More than a Mistress by Mary Balogh
_2_ Lord Stanhope’s Proposal by Jessica Benson
_3_ A Scandalous Proposal by Julia Justiss
The Prodigal Hero by Nancy Butler
Lady Delafont’s Dilemma by Donna Simpson
————————————————————
wonder if that of is suppose to be or… More than a Mistress isn’t a trad. Is it? Loved the book though. hmmmm and I do have A Scandalous Proposal to be read.
5. Best Romantic Suspense/Mystery/Adventure:
_1_ Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard
_2_ Heartbreaker by Julie Garwood
_3_ Renegade Heart by Gayle Wilson
Midnight in Ruby Bayou by Elizabeth Lowell
Riptide by Catherine Coulter
————————————————-
le sigh…. not interested in the garwood, lowell (but have this one, go figure) or Coulter. Is this the time that RS started to suck in the good historical writers?
6. Best Alternative Realities or Time Travel Romance:
_1_ Witness in Death by J.D. Robb
_2_ Prince of Hearts by Katy Cooper
_3_ Once a Pirate by Susan Grant
The Inscription by Pam Binder
The Trickster by Kathleen Nance
——————————————————–
I have Once a Pirate! And for some reason Pam Binder sound way familiar.
7. Best Love and Laughter Romance Award:
_1_ Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie
_2_ The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn
_3_ (tie) Against His Will by Trish Jensen
(tie) Silver Lining by Maggie Osborne
I Waxed My Legs for This? by Holly Jacobs
————————————————-
Never read Quinn, Jensen, Jacobs or Crusie (although I do plan for this to be my first crusie). Don’t think I have read this Osborne but I will.
8. Best Romantic Novel outside the Romance Genre:
_1_Hot Six by Janet Evanovich
_2_ (tie) Ashes to Ashes by Tami Hoag
(tie) The Killing Game by Iris Johansen
_3_ The First Time by Joy Fielding
Crazy for Cornelia by Chris Gilson
9. Best All-Around 2000 Romance:
_1_ Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard
_2_ (tie) By arrangement by Madeline Hunter
(tie) The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann
_3_ First Lady by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
The Lover by Robin Schone
————————————
ooohhhhhh LOVE By arrangement. One of my favorite Hunter books.
_1_ Linda Howard
_2_ Ruth Wind (AKA Barbara Samuel)
_3_ Kathleen Eagle
Kristin Hannah
Kathleen Gilles Seidel
11. Best Historical Romance Author of 2000:
_1_ Mary Jo Putney
_2_ Pamela Morsi
_3_ Maggie Osborne
Candice Proctor
Cheryl St. John
——————–
Great list! I have read them all except MJP and would rec all four.
12. Best Series/Category Author of 2000:
_1_ Suzanne Brockman
_2_ Virginaia Kantra
_3_ Paula Detmer Riggs
Kate Hoffman
Gayle Wilson
13. Best Regency Author of 2000:
_1_ Mary Balogh
_2_ Mary Jo Putney
_3_ Diane Farr
Blair Bancroft (Grace Kone) [ebook]
Judith A. Lansdowne
—————————————
Hey look a best of in Eform from 2000… how cool is that?
14. Best All-Around Romance Author of :
_1_ Nora Roberts (AKA J.D. Robb)
_2_ Linda Howard
_3_ Judith Ivory
Candice Proctor
Karen Ranney
——————————————-
Hey Proctor and Ranney! Two great new names on the list. Way looking forward to Ranney’s new book!
_1_ Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
_2_ Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale
_3_ A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Twice Loved by LaVyrle Spencer
————————————————
I happy sigh ever time I see LaVyrle’s name, which is sad since I don’t know the woman from adam. But whatever. So I am odd, you knew this.
16. Best All-Time Contemporary Romance:
_1_ It Had to Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
_2_ Trust Me by Jayne Ann Krentz
_3_ Till the Stars Fall by Kathleen Gilles Seidel
Jackson Rule by Dina McCall
On Mystic Lake by Kristin Hannah
17. Best All-Time Regency Romance:
_1_ The Rake and the Reformer by Mary Jo Putney
_2_ The Temporary Wife by Mary Balogh
_3_ The Lion’s Lady by Julie Garwood
Reforming Lord Ragsdale by Carla Kelly
Seduction by Amanda Quick
18. Best All-Time Series Romance:
_1_ Mackenzie’s Mountain by Linda Howard
_2_ Warrior by Elizabeth Lowell
_3_ Lightning That Lingers by Sharon and Tom Curtis
A Rose for Maggie by Kathleen Korbel
The Trouble with Joe by Emilie Richards
—————————————————-
Hey I have read three out of five. Go team me!
19. Best Romance of All Time:
_1_ Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
_2_ Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
_3_ Twice Loved by LaVyrle Spencer
Again by Kathleen Gilles Seidel
The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy
—————————————-
Hey look maili, Outlander *eg*
20. Best All-Around Romance Author of All Time:
_1_ Jayne Ann Krentz
_2_ Nora Roberts
_3_ Gorgette Heyer
Mary Balogh
LaVyrle Spencer
————————
happy sigh
hee I am gonna need a new list to go through soon…. only have six years left… hmmm ohhhhh AAR has some lists. What other sites have top tenish or top of the year lists? ::listens to crickets:: fine I will find them myself
EBUZZ: Angie Wants YOU to review Samhain
April 29, 2006
Go forth and learn more
and she has created a page to update readers on samhain reviewers by readers
very cool! Looks like she will be giving away more books for review! If you are a reader and don’t have a blog and WANT one, shout! Maili or some other kind soul here will help you start out on your road to blogdom.
Or if you are a reader, and ebook reader (or even wanna be reader) and don’t have a blog (or want one) I am happy to give you blog space to post a review. Hell I will even getmailito format it.
So go enter… go buy…. go try ebooks… they are all the buzz.
Hell on Wheels by Karen Kelly
April 29, 2006
Hell on Wheels by Karen Kelley will hit book stores in June.
summary found on her site:
No doubt about it: Cody Carlyle is the hottest bounty hunter around with a well-deserved reputation for bringing in the toughest skips. If she’s learned one motto in this business-and in life-it’s this: never turn your back. Never give an inch. And never, ever offer your heart.
Fellow bounty hunter Josh Pierce has had his eye on Cody’s every luscious curve for quite some time. The hunky ex-undercover cop would love to show her that some things are worth believing in, things like the kind of ecstasy he’d happily show her in bed. Hey, fighting this kind of white-hot attraction is just wrong. So why not give in to a little Josh Pierce temptation? Why not share one amazing, toe-curling night of indescribable, head-scrambling passion and then walk away, no hard feelings? But the night they spend together is beyond amazing. It’s sheer bliss. Not that it could ever happen again. Could it?
What was supposed to be a one-time deal is quickly becoming a very tempting habit—one they could stop at any time, of course. Like after the next time. Or maybe next week—no rush. Suddenly, two bounty hunters who never believed in anything are open to everything, scared of it all, and ready to discover what happens when you go after the biggest catch out there… true love…
Something of a mix of standard here… bounty hunter, just one night of hot, steamy, burn the house down sex, scared of love… will be interesting to see what Kelley does with it.
I have her bad boy book out to read! STILL!
And can’t WAIT for Texas Bad Boys. —>
Her site is here and her blog here. Karen Kelley and Dianne Castell are two authors that will be guest blogging during Bad Boy Week! (more info to come!) 
It all sounds like great fun and hopefully we will have some nifty authors come play, answer some questions, do some contests and maybe get a few sneak peaks at upcoming books.
WoOT!
Perfect Timing by Julie Kenner, Nancy Warren, Jo Leigh
April 29, 2006
Perfect Timing : Those Were The Days, Pistols At Dawn, Time After Time - Comes out in May 2006. Great cover!
expand for summary
What if the best sex you ever had was . . .
200 Years Ago? After breaking off her engagement, Natalie Bowman finds herself in the 1800s being auctioned off as a sex slave! She’s even more shocked when the highest bidder is Andrew Greenwood — the fiance she dumped.80 Years Ago?
Uptight Sylvia Preston is terrified when she time travels to a twenties party. But when Tucker Green gets her dirty dancing, Sylvia wants to see just how uninhibited she can be — in bed with Tucker.60 Years Ago?
When history student Betty Kroger is transported to WWII, it feels right — and even more right to show sailor John Stevens what sex is like twenty-first-century style!
This sounds great and just might make me rethink my TT dislike. I guess it is kicking off a new blaze series. Not sure if Blaze will have lines within itself or what. I hope they have symbols and are clearly marked. Not sure though… maybe Alison or Jo can stop in and tell us more about it.
either way sqqqqqeeeeeeeeeeeee can’t wait to read… my mail person is gonna hate me. WoOT! AAR has a great review up for this if you are looking for more info now.
INFO: The Grail King by Joy Nash
April 29, 2006
Am I the only one who is shocked that Love Spell did this cover?
click for The Grail King Summary
The Holy Grail of legend unites a Druid hermit and the daughter of his Roman enemy in The Grail King…Follow the magical Holy Grail and its Druid Keepers two centuries before King Arthur. Owein, a cursed Druid Seer, lives alone in the ruins of a mountain village. When Clara arrives seeking aid, Owein’s first impulse is to turn her away…until he discovers she seeks a Druid Grail that could be the key to driving the Romans from the hills of Britannia forever…
Joy Nash talks a little about the book on her blog.
LIMITED TIME EXCERPT from chapter ten and now character interviews!
very cool… I love nifty extras!
This and That take III or so
April 28, 2006
Dear Author has picked some great ebooks to review. Keep an eye on the site for upcoming reviews! And if you are Dane or Devon, email me your book *g*.
Alison Kent has some interesting questions up regarding categories She is drawing names on May 5 for copies of Deep Breath! So do post on her blog if you want to win a copy!
Jo Leigh has a great post up at RtB. Go read it! Do you agree or disagree? It has always been one of those things that has struck me as odd. Of course it doesn’t have anything to do with my lil readerself.
My Texas Gold books are on the way to my home! I would tell you which six books I am judging but I don’t think I can. hee
I am currently reading The Bounty by Beth Williamson! Very cool if I do say so myself ;). Then I get to start Lorie O’Clare’s new Werewolves of Malta series! Book one is Elements Unbound.
Ebuzz reviews will be up tonight after work. I must go now… and stop putting it off…
OH! It looks like the smartquotes will have to be manually fixed. So I will catch them as I can. Sorry!
Moonlight Whispers and then some….
April 28, 2006
Interesting article focusing on Teresa Bodwell.
I was surprised by the quotes from the book they used. The book being My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys.
I want this book! But I am still broke and annoyed with Gentry… but my love of a Heath western and enjoyment of Bodwell’s books will override those points I am sure.
love this from Kensington editor Hilary Sares:
“Romance publishing supports all publishing. We pretty much pay the bills,” says Sares, who’s used to defending her trade. “However, historically speaking, we don’t get much respect. More recently, that’s not the case.”
But this makes me sad… well the first part is sqqqeee the second such a bummer and the third makes me want to scream.
Bodwell’s proposals run the gamut: She’s proposed a historical sequel to “Moonlight Whispers” that spins off one of the novella’s secondary characters. She’s also proposed a sexy contemporary with the working title Hot Lips, which involves a jazz trombone player (pulling from her experience playing in the Army band in the mid-’70s). And she’s been working on a third idea about a paranormal romance involving ghosts and spirits in Hawaii.
I mean don’t get me wrong, I wish Bodwell the best for whatever she writes. I just hope they are westerns :).
Moonlight Whispers and then some….
April 28, 2006
Interesting article focusing on Teresa Bodwell.
I was surprised by the quotes from the book they used. The book being My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys.
I want this book! But I am still broke and annoyed with Gentry… but my love of a Heath western and enjoyment of Bodwell’s books will override those points I am sure.
love this from Kensington editor Hilary Sares:
“Romance publishing supports all publishing. We pretty much pay the bills,” says Sares, who’s used to defending her trade. “However, historically speaking, we don’t get much respect. More recently, that’s not the case.”
But this makes me sad… well the first part is sqqqeee the second such a bummer and the third makes me want to scream.
Bodwell’s proposals run the gamut: She’s proposed a historical sequel to “Moonlight Whispers” that spins off one of the novella’s secondary characters. She’s also proposed a sexy contemporary with the working title Hot Lips, which involves a jazz trombone player (pulling from her experience playing in the Army band in the mid-’70s). And she’s been working on a third idea about a paranormal romance involving ghosts and spirits in Hawaii.
I mean don’t get me wrong, I wish Bodwell the best for whatever she writes. I just hope they are westerns :).
Beyond A Shadow by Alison Kent
April 27, 2006
Strangers in the night-what could be hotter? With this newest addition to her dangerously sexy SG-5 series, Alison Kent delivers a sizzling story of one woman in search of excitement, a man all too willing to provide it, and a love worth risking everything for…
Most people come to Comfort Bay, Oregon in search of a little peace and quiet. But neither is on the agenda for undercover operative Ezra Moore. He’s got ten days to unload a shipment of illegal weapons - and take down Spectra IT, the international crime syndicate he’s managed to infiltrate. He knows Spectra’s man, Warren Aceveda, is playing dirty pool, and if he’s going to beat him and stay alive, he’s got to play even dirtier. But even the best-laid crimes can blow up in your face, and Ezra is about to find out just how badly…
Alexa Counsel likes her calm, and ok, sometimes, boring life in Comfort Bay. But there’s nothing boring about the hot new handyman who’s just started working at the Bed and Breakfast. Great with his hands? Oh, yes. But there’s something much deeper running under those still waters. Something she’s not sure she understands or she can trust. No one is going to use her as a cover, no matter how irresistible he may be. But Ezra is the only man who’s ever made her feel like a real woman, and she’s already in way too deep to turn back now…
Playing cat and mouse with one of the world’s fiercest criminals, Alexa and Ezra are about to find out just how dangerous and delicious starting a new life - and finding a new love - can be…
I want!
_1_ Game of Chance by Linda Howard (SIM 1021, August 2000)
_2_ Get Lucky by Suzanne Brockmann (SIM 991, March 2000)
_3_ Daddy by Choice by Paula Detmer Riggs (SIM 998, April 2000)
A Man Like Mac by Fay Robinson (HSR 911)
The Temptation of Sean MacNeil by Virginia Kantra (SIM 1032)
————————————————————–
I have GoC to read but haven’t gotten to it yet. Hell my current Howard binge is being cut into by ebuzz, book reviews and contest books to read. But I did finish SC - will post more on that in a bit.
2. Best Contemporary Single Title Romance:
_1_ In the Midnight Rain by Ruth Wind
_2_ Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard
_3_ The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann
It Must Be Love by Rachel Gibson
The Burning Point by Mary Jo Putney
——————————————–
Mr Perfect is the only one I have done to get but that is because I think I need them all now
3. Best Historical Single Title Romance:
_1_ The Hostage by Susan Wiggs
_2_ Where Dreams Begin by Lisa Kleypas
_3_ The Stone Maiden by Susan King
Here Comes the Bride by Pamela Morsi
The Lover by Robin Schone
———————————————
The Lover! Great book but I am a big fan of Robin’s and am mucho excited to see what her new book is like. Hope it is great and we see more of her now. Have the Kleypas to be read along with the Wigg and Morsi. Susan King is the only one I am not familiar with.
4. Best Regency Romance (Traditional of Nontraditional):
_1_ More than a Mistress by Mary Balogh
_2_ Lord Stanhope’s Proposal by Jessica Benson
_3_ A Scandalous Proposal by Julia Justiss
The Prodigal Hero by Nancy Butler
Lady Delafont’s Dilemma by Donna Simpson
————————————————————
wonder if that of is suppose to be or… More than a Mistress isn’t a trad. Is it? Loved the book though. hmmmm and I do have A Scandalous Proposal to be read.
5. Best Romantic Suspense/Mystery/Adventure:
_1_ Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard
_2_ Heartbreaker by Julie Garwood
_3_ Renegade Heart by Gayle Wilson
Midnight in Ruby Bayou by Elizabeth Lowell
Riptide by Catherine Coulter
————————————————-
le sigh…. not interested in the garwood, lowell (but have this one, go figure) or Coulter. Is this the time that RS started to suck in the good historical writers?
6. Best Alternative Realities or Time Travel Romance:
_1_ Witness in Death by J.D. Robb
_2_ Prince of Hearts by Katy Cooper
_3_ Once a Pirate by Susan Grant
The Inscription by Pam Binder
The Trickster by Kathleen Nance
——————————————————–
I have Once a Pirate! And for some reason Pam Binder sound way familiar.
7. Best Love and Laughter Romance Award:
_1_ Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie
_2_ The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn
_3_ (tie) Against His Will by Trish Jensen
(tie) Silver Lining by Maggie Osborne
I Waxed My Legs for This? by Holly Jacobs
————————————————-
Never read Quinn, Jensen, Jacobs or Crusie (although I do plan for this to be my first crusie). Don’t think I have read this Osborne but I will.
8. Best Romantic Novel outside the Romance Genre:
_1_Hot Six by Janet Evanovich
_2_ (tie) Ashes to Ashes by Tami Hoag
(tie) The Killing Game by Iris Johansen
_3_ The First Time by Joy Fielding
Crazy for Cornelia by Chris Gilson
9. Best All-Around 2000 Romance:
_1_ Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard
_2_ (tie) By arrangement by Madeline Hunter
(tie) The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann
_3_ First Lady by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
The Lover by Robin Schone
————————————
ooohhhhhh LOVE By arrangement. One of my favorite Hunter books.