Dec 6 2009
Top Romance Books of 2009 by Sarah Frantz
We will be posting our Top 10 of 2009 this entire week. Today’s list is from Dr. Sarah Frantz aka Joan. The list is unranked. You can find more of her reviews here.
- Alex Beecroft, False Colors
- Alex Beecroft, “Hidden Isle” in Hidden Conflict anthology
- James Buchanan, Hard Fall
- Victoria Dahl, The Wicked West
- Jane Davitt and Alexa Snow, Bound and Determined
- Matthew Haldeman-Time, An Affair in Paradise
- Rowan Larke, A Love Neverending*
- Z.A. Maxfield, ePistols at Dawn
- Ann Somerville, Remastering Jerna
- Sarah Wendell and Candy Tan, Beyond Heaving Bosoms: Smart Bitches’ Guide to Romance
In the interests of full disclosure, Rowan Larke is a close friend. That said, however, A Love Neverending takes risks, plays with romance conventions, is generally beautifully written, and haunts me, so it belongs on my list of the Best of 2009, even if I can’t in all good conscience review it.
Send to Kindle
Dec 06, 2009 @ 17:16:55
I haven’t read anything on the list except Rowan’s work (and, also in the name of full disclosure, she’s my critique partner), but I’m so glad she made this list. Her willingness to go out on a limb with the themes she addresses, and her beautiful writing voice, make her an amazing talent. And, yes, I’m completely biased. She still rocks.
Dec 06, 2009 @ 17:46:06
Is ZA Maxfield’s book missing a review link b/c it wasn’t reviewed? I searched but didn’t find a review on the site, so just double-checking.
Dec 06, 2009 @ 18:59:04
No, Chris, I’ve just been lazy and haven’t reviewed it yet. I’ll be doing it in a week or two.
Dec 06, 2009 @ 19:14:29
Thanks for the list and the many new reads for me. I’ve only read BHB and The Wicked West both of which I loved.
Dec 06, 2009 @ 19:38:40
In the interest of full disclosure, I’m totally effing flattered to be on a best of 2009 list. Thank you!!
Dec 06, 2009 @ 22:18:52
@SB Sarah: Well, thanks for such a wonderful book! I loved it and it totally belongs on my list. :)
Dec 06, 2009 @ 22:41:04
I’m with SB Sarah on this. Wow, thanks. I also sent ZAM the post link. She’s biting nails now about ePistols.
Dec 07, 2009 @ 04:35:00
Oh fantastic! Put me down as another ‘over the moon’ :) Thank you!
Dec 07, 2009 @ 07:46:21
Well. Damn.
I…am completely at a loss for words.
Thank you.
Dec 07, 2009 @ 08:27:15
I gave my cousin (she is an English professor at AUM) the Smart Bitches Guide for her birthday, and she spent all Thanksgiving quoting it to me and my sisters (and my mom, who was hilariously amused and shocked, at the same time). It’s a great book.
I’ll be picking up the Victoria Dahl later this month, once I’m done glomming Nalini Singh’s series. I remember the review to this day, and I’m glad you reminded me that I want it.
Dec 07, 2009 @ 08:39:25
Huge thrill to see Bound and Determined on the list; thank you!
Dec 07, 2009 @ 09:04:14
I’ve only read the Smart Bitches book. Other than that, never heard of the others.
Dec 07, 2009 @ 11:44:03
Great list! I also really enjoyed the Dahl novella.
Dec 07, 2009 @ 12:34:20
I’m looking forward to reading your review of ePistols at Dawn…which I loved :D Z.A. Maxfield is one of the best new authors I found last year.
ETA: Um, Alex Beecroft and James Buchanan, too. But ZAM probably is my favorite among the three for new-to-me authors this year.
Remastering Jerna by Ann Somerville - Book Thingo
Jan 18, 2010 @ 17:34:07
[...] All I can say is that they’d be missing out on one of my most unexpected keepers of 2009. (And I’m not the only one who thinks so.) [...]
Jan 25, 2010 @ 09:55:41
Ah, the land of the free!
You have the right to free speech as long as you speak English.
–