When I sat down to compile my personal top 10 historical romances for 2011, I quickly realized it wasn’t really possible to come up with a comprehensive list.

After all, my TBR pile is stacked high with releases from both well-loved and new-to-me authors. One of my favorites for 2011 could be among them, waiting to be discovered. Only I won’t know it until well into 2012.

So, instead, I’ve settled for a Top 10ish List. Below are my favorite books of 2011…so far.

 

 

Waking Up With the Duke by Lorraine Heath
Hero does his incapacitated best friend the favor
of impregnating his wife. Need I say more?

 

Captured by a Highlander by Julianne MacLean

Fierce warrior + stolen bride = one of the books I 

enjoyed reading most this year

A Wedding Wager by Jane Feather 

 2011 was the year I discovered Jane Feather

and I spent a good part of the year devouring her backlist

The Guardian by Margaret Mallory
Loved Mallory’s medieval Knight series and
her foray into Scottish historicals doesn’t disappoint

What I Did for a Duke by Julie Anne Long
Revenge turns to romance with Long’s signature singular characterizations 

Secrets of a Proper Countess by Lecia Cornwall …
A sexy, heartfelt debut which gets off to a shockingly sensual start

 

An Unlikely Countess by Jo Beverley

Because, really, this talented author isn’t capable of writing a bad book

Did you have favorites this year that I totally missed? Let me know what’s on your personal top 10. I’m always looking for great new titles to add to my TBR list!  

USA Today’s book critics have named the top 10 books they enjoyed reading the most this year. Deirdre Donahue, Jocelyn McClurg, Carol Memmott, Bob Minzesheimer and Craig Wilson selected a diverse group of titles for their list.

One of them, Death Comes to Pemberley, is already on my TBR list. This is one book I want in the paper version to add to my library. I love the cover design and the title. Below is a complete list of the USA Today top 10.

 

I’ve got some happy news to share going into the new year.

I received an email from Linda Andrews, coordinator of the Valley of the Sun Romance Writers‘ “Hot Prospects” contest, informing me that my manuscript, Tempting Bella, won the historical category in the 2011 contest.

Both published and unpublished writers vied for the top spots in this contest. Katharine Pelz, of the Berkley Publishing Group, was the final round judge in my category.

My thanks to coordinator Linda Andrews and all of the judges for a well-run, professional contest. Congratulations to all of the finalists!

Below are the complete contest results:

2011 Hot Prospects Contest Winners

Historical
1st Tempting Bella  Diana Quincy **
2nd Paths of Desire Shannon Donnelly
3rd The Caged Heart Carla Swafford

Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal
1st Last Time Sharon Forret **
tie 2nd Return to Celio Polly Cain
tie 2nd Edge Walkers Shannon Dee

Romantic Suspense
1st Forever Alicia Lienhart
2nd Redemption Diane Garner **
tie 3rd Night Hush Leslie Jones
tie 3rd The Cell Diane Garner

Contemporary Single Title
1st Legally Mastered Sarah Castille **
2nd How to Say No and Mean It Abby Gaines**
3rd Perfect Summer Katie Graykowski
4th Man Overboard Carrie C Spencer

Contemporary Series
1st His Forgotten Wife Susanna Rogers **
2nd Snow Job Kelly Fitzpatrick
3rd Hitting the High Note Karen Rock

Grand Prize Winner:  Legally Mastered by Sarah Castille