first published in the Brisbane Courier-Mail 22 September 2007
Like films and television, romance novels have rhythms to release dates. Many publishers release big sellers in May and June to take advantage of the northern summer and beach reading. Contrarily, relatively few novels get released in late July or August. Expect some big name releases in December, but not much through January or February.
Luckily, September marks an upsweep in releases, and there are lots of lovely novels coming out this month that I can highly recommend, including some authors from our own backyards.
Around this time last year, Elizabeth Hoyt was making a well-deserved splash with her debut novel The Raven Prince. This month she finishes up her Prince trilogy with The Serpent Prince, Simon’s story. The elements that made Raven and Leopard Prince so unique are still here: a high level of sensuality and the distinctive hero, but there’s a more mature feel to Serpent. The relationship is as well-developed as any I’ve ever seen, and the story poignant and unforgettable. Mark this as a forerunner in my top ten novels of 2007.
Poignant is also an excellent description for Kiwi Nalini Singh’s latest paranormal, Caressed by Ice. Her third Psy/Changeling novel, Caressed sees the most compelling of previously secondary characters move forward to take lead roles. The wounded hero/heroine is an oft-used convention in romance novels (after all, the genre does celebrate the power of love), but Singh’s novel turns this standard on its head, showing through characters how we, all of us, are broken in some places but strong in others.
Brisbane author Christine Wells’ debut novel Scandal’s Daughter is a regency-set romance that won the Golden Heart at last year’s Romance Writers of America conference – the first author from the southern hemisphere to do so. Wells has created a lovely story about best friends finding something more, built within a strong historical context, written with laughter and an eye for detail.
Finally, I was delighted to see that Australian superstar Stephanie Laurens’ novel Beyond Seduction debuted at number 6 on the New York Time’s Bestsellers list this month. This makes the 20th NYT best-selling novel for Laurens. Best known for her sexy regencies, she is probably Australia’s best known romance author. Her Bar Cynster novels remain a perennial favourite, and I like Scandal’s Bride best. But with 14 to choose from—not counting her Bastion Club—I’m sure you’ll have fun finding your own.
Don’t worry if none of these novels suit. October is shaping up to be a wonderful month too – watch out for Lover Unbound, the next BDB from JR Ward and Hope Tarr’s Enslaved, the follow up to her beautiful Vanquished.
