The best of the year - 2008
2008 was a bit of a tumultuous year for the industry - it was just over a year ago that another genre website, Smart Bitches who Love Trashy Books, started an investigation into plagiarism in the novels of a well known, and well loved, author. Some called it trial by internet, some called it fair, some called it just plain mean, but whatever your stance, it changed the way publishers, editors, and authors do their research.
Australians had a big year, making a record number of RITA nominations (though, unfortunately, no winners), including debut novelist Anna Campbell who was nominated twice in the same category.
The Romance Writers of Australia conference was held this year in Melbourne, and welcomed writers Jo Beverley and Barbara Samuel as guests. The conference was deemed a grand success by the organisers, and will be held in Brisbane in 2009.
Other changes included long-time romance lover and founder of industry super-site All About Romance, Laurie Gold, stepping aside to take more time for her family. The site continues under the helm of a committee made up of long time associates of the site.
Finally, 2008 was a year of books. Here's my top 10 for the year.
Coming in at number 10:
Your Captive Lady - Anne Gracie
I know that Ms. Gracie has graced this list before, notably for the Perfect series. I thought that Gideon from The Perfect Rake would long reign as the hero of my heart, but Harry could well give him a run for his money. This story is poignant, strong and lovely, and held me utterly captive.
Number 9:
All the fangirls are going crazy about Twilight (their nickname around the 'net? Twi-hards), but we true paranormal fans just don't accept vampires that sparkle. This sideproject of a science fiction novel, however, is something we can all get excited about. Still in Stephenie's signature super-fast style, The Host tells the story of an alien invasion, with one of the most interesting and captivating love triangles I've ever read.
Number 8:
I'm the first person to admit that I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to romantic suspense. I read one Anne Stuart Ice novel and had to huddle under my blankets for a week. But Rose builds her suspense and romance in equal parts, her novels replete with real, likeable characters. The forensic science is used judiciously, providing information without slowing down the plot. If she refers to characters from other books, it only makes me want to chase them up. A strong example of the genre, and a darned good read.
Lucky number 7:
Being a Canadian ex-pat with no access to proper hockey here in Australia (proper hockey...none of that grass stuff!), I try and get my fix whereever I can. Martin's New York Blades has been hit and miss for me in the past, but this is a definite hit. The romance between a soap star and a hockey player started under false pretences becomes all too real - and is an absolute delight from start to finish. It's been a long time since I read a book that can still make me smile, months later, just by writing about it. And really, who can't love an author who puts together a video like this?
Number 6:
Pleasure Unbound - Larissa Ione
I've had my eye on this author for awhile, since reviewing her short stories in the Secrets volumes. She co-writes under the name Sydney Croft, whose books are good, don't get me wrong, but never quite punched it for me like her shorts. This debut full-length novel of hers, though, Wow. Combing paranormal and medical with a side order of serious heat, Pleasure Unbound has world building, moral ambiguity, strong characterisation, and really, really good sex. She didn't let me down.
And into the top 5:
Number 5
The Shomi line set out to revolutionise romance, mixing steam punk elements with anime, action and romance. If this novel is anything to go by, they've succeeded. Not your average road romance, Driven takes place above the arctic circle, in a post-apocalyptic future where those who rule the road, rule. Our heroine is a truck driver, our hero a mystery. It's adrenaline pumping and imaginative, and it's not the cold arctic temperatures that will take your breath away.
Number 4:
Your Scandalous Ways - Loretta Chase
I said it last year - and I certainy wasn't alone: historicals are back in a big way. No sign of slow down from their paranormal cousins, it's true, but our historicals have made a huge comeback and are regaining their once waning popularity. Your Scandalous Ways is one of 3 historicals in my top 4.
No one can deny that Chase is a master of her genre; her novels regularly make readers' favourite lists, and I'm no different. She is able to take conventions, play with them, write stories that no other author could. This latest, set in Italy, between a courtesan and a spy, is funny, witty, smooth, and heart-meltingly romantic. One of her very best - one of the very best.
Top 3:
Number 3
Mine to Possess - Nalini Singh
This author just goes from strength to strength. Her world-building is flawless, each novel in the series putting together one more piece of a highly complex puzzle, yet never making logic leaps or dubious connections. Mine is the first romance to step outside the Psy/Changeling pairings, and readers don't need to fear the change. It works. Beautifully crafted, this is, at heart, a best friend's becoming more romance that just works. It's a tough call, but it just might be my favourite of the series.
Readers unfamiliar with Singh's work would do well to start this series from the beginning with the wonderful Slave to Sensation. You can find a book order here.
Number 2:
Private Arrangements - Sherry Thomas
We really shouldn't like Gigi, the heroine of Private Arrangements. Lest I sink into spoilers, just let me say that she does a very bad thing. But there's the reason this book leaves others behind, and warrants comparisons to Gone with the Wind. Strong, complex, intelligent, near-Machiavellian heroines who are intensely compelling - heroines you just know are going to lead interesting lives. And how lucky for us that Thomas writes such a story. Like GWTW, this novel features regret, remorse, and ultimately redemption. We shouldn't like Gigi - it's a tribute to Thomas's enormous skill that we take her and her story into our hearts. Extraordinary.
Number one
The Spymaster's Lady - Joanna Bourne
I'm not the only one that's going to finish a top ten list off this way. The buzz for this novel started at a low hum and soon reached a fever pitch, and with very very good reason. This was the first 2008 novel I read, and nothing, nothing could catch it. Set in France and England during the Napoleonic wars, TSL's main characters are both spies. Real spies. Not spies that spend all their time in the ballroom spies. They hold secrets and alliances and dangerous information and spend as much of their time together trying to escape as trying to get closer. The plot is exquisitely set out, and Annique is a heroine to die for. I can't say enough about this book - in fact, I can't find the words. Go. Read it. Thank me later.