Congratulations!

I read and write romance in all its various subgenres. Voraciously. So, every year around this time I wait with baited breath to see if my favorite authors make the cut for the romance publishing industry's most prestigious award - the RITA.

This year some of my favorite authors did make the cut, a few of them in the same categories. I won't bore you with the categories, but here are the books (and authors) I read last year and loved! Some of the authors below have more than one book nominated, but if they only show up once in my list, it's because I haven't yet read their other book(s). So many books to read, so little time!

Congratulations, ladies!

Private Arrangements by Sherry Thomas
Bantam Dell Publishing Group (ISBN: 978-0-440-24431-8)
Caitlin Alexander, editor

Twin Targets by Jessica Anderson
Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Intrigue (ISBN: 9780373693283)
Allison Lyons, editor

Snowfall at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs
Harlequin Enterprises, MIRA Books (ISBN: 9780778324935)
Margaret O'Neill Marbury, editor

Sweet Talk by Susan Mallery
Harlequin Enterprises, HQN (ISBN: 978-0-373-77297-1)
Tara Parsons, editors

Private Arrangements by Sherry Thomas
Bantam Dell Publishing Group (ISBN: 978-0-440-24431-8)
Caitlin Alexander, editor

Seduce Me at Sunrise by Lisa Kleypas
St. Martin's Press (ISBN: 0312949812)
Jennifer Enderlin, editor

The Spymaster's Lady by Joanna Bourne
Penguin Group USA, Berkley Sensation (ISBN: 9780425219607)
Wendy McCurdy, editor

The Paper Marriage by Susan Kay Law
Penguin Group USA, Berkley (ISBN: 978-0-425-21935-5)
Jackie Cantor, editor

Tribute by Nora Roberts
Penguin Group USA, Putnam (ISBN: 978-0-399-15491-1)
Leslie Gelbman, editor

Where Serpents Sleep by C.S. Harris
Penguin Group USA, NAL Obsidian (ISBN: 9780451225122)
Ellen Edwards, editor

Mine to Possess by Nalini Singh
Penguin Group USA, Berkley Sensation (ISBN: 978-0-425-22016-0)
Cindy Hwang, editor

To see the complete list, go to the RWA National website and click on the RITA/Golden Heart icon in the bottom left. Congratulations to all the authors who made it through the first rounds of judging and I wish you all the best.

In These Tough Economic Times

I was reading through one of my publishing industry newsletters and found an interesting article on how romance continues to sell well during this particular economy.

According to various news outlets, romance fiction is selling well despite the economic downturn. Harlequin Enterprises reports revenue rose 2.2 percent in 2008 to $379 million U.S., with sales up in both the North American retail and overseas segments. (Publishers Weekly, 26 Feb. 2009) And, the Chicago Sun-Times says sales have increased at Borders for American history, “romance novels and science fiction and fantasy books.” (Chicago Sun-Times, 28 Feb. 2009) The USA Today best-seller list reflects the success of romance fiction. For the week of March 4, “one-quarter of the list’s top 50 books are romance novels, and 20 percent of the books new to the list are in that category.” (USA Today, 4 Mar. 2009)

What dose this mean?

Some would posit that people are looking for something optimistic to escape into during these hard times. I know that's part of why I read, and write, romance fiction. I want to know that love conquers all and will triumph in the end. I want to see people work through difficulties and come out the other side healing and a little more whole than when they went into the story. I want to believe in the goodness within people and the power of trust and vulnerability.

I don't know that all who read romance feel the same way, but from the chatter in some online communities I spend time at, I have to believe there are many who read romance because they want the happily ever after and the joy of a relationship that makes it. And as much as people claim they read romance for the escapism, there is a part of me who believes they also read romance for the hope it offers. And what is more important during uncertain, even dark times than hope.

So, to all you romance writers out there, thank you for bringing hope and love and the belief that we can live happily ever after. This is a wonderful gift. Thank you.