"I'll be seeing you
In all the old familiar places
That this heart of mine embraces
All day through
In that small cafe
The park across the way
The children's carousel
The chestnut trees
The wishing well
I'll be seeing you
In every lovely summer's day
In everything that's light and gay
I'll always think of you that way
I'll find you in the morning sun
And when the night is new
I'll be looking at the moon
But I'll be seeing you
I'll be seeing you
In every lovely summer's day
In everything that's light and gay
I'll always think of you that way
I'll find you in the morning sun
And when the night is new
I'll be looking at the moon
But I'll be seeing you"
Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal - 1938
This year has been a pip. 2022 has forced me to make some hard choices. After a long, torturous brain-think, I have come to the decision, that for now, I must take a break from my much, beloved blog. There are times when life becomes a priority. So for now, I will still maintain a presence at Goodreads, but I must turn my full attention to life concerns, and the health issues of the voice across the room.
A special thanks to all of you who have dropped by over the years. It’s been a delight, and you just never know, this might be a temporary break. I love this genre, it’s been my joy since I spotted Regency Buck, by Georgette Heyer in 1975.
In all the old familiar places
That this heart of mine embraces
All day through
In that small cafe
The park across the way
The children's carousel
The chestnut trees
The wishing well
I'll be seeing you
In every lovely summer's day
In everything that's light and gay
I'll always think of you that way
I'll find you in the morning sun
And when the night is new
I'll be looking at the moon
But I'll be seeing you
I'll be seeing you
In every lovely summer's day
In everything that's light and gay
I'll always think of you that way
I'll find you in the morning sun
And when the night is new
I'll be looking at the moon
But I'll be seeing you"
Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal - 1938
This year has been a pip. 2022 has forced me to make some hard choices. After a long, torturous brain-think, I have come to the decision, that for now, I must take a break from my much, beloved blog. There are times when life becomes a priority. So for now, I will still maintain a presence at Goodreads, but I must turn my full attention to life concerns, and the health issues of the voice across the room.
A special thanks to all of you who have dropped by over the years. It’s been a delight, and you just never know, this might be a temporary break. I love this genre, it’s been my joy since I spotted Regency Buck, by Georgette Heyer in 1975.
So, this year I will be taking a look back at the year end reviews I’ve done for the past 20 years, and pick my all-time favorites from that group. I have chosen “my” best of the best. As I looked through my years in reviews, I noticed that they have gone through some changes. I have added categories, dropped categories, and become even mouthier. Let’s take a dive into my favorite genre, the Historical Romance novel.
My Outstanding List from 2008-2021.
The rules for this list are I have chosen only the books which I scored A or better, no measly A- in this group. In descending order from 2021.
2021 – After Dark with the Duke, by Julie Anne Long
2019 – Angel in a Devil’s Arms, by Julie Anne Long
2018 – The Governess Game, by Tessa Dare
2016 – Duke of Sin, by Elizabeth Hoyt
2015 – Luck Be a Lady, by Meredith Duran
2015 – It Started with a Scandal, by Julie Anne Long
2014 – The Traitor, by Grace Burrowes
2013 – The Mad Earls Bride, by Loretta Chase
2012 – The Governess Affair, by Courtney Milan
2012 – Rules to Catch a Devilish Duke, by Suzanne Enoch
2011 – Unraveled, by Courtney Milan
2011 – Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke’s Heart, by Sarah Maclean
2010 – Mad About the Duke, by Elizabeth Boyle
2010 – A Lady’s Guide to Improper Behavior, by Suzanne Enoch
2010 – In for a Penny, by Rose Lerner
2010 – His Christmas Pleasure, by Cathy Maxwell
2009 – Make Me Yours, by Betina Krahn
2009 – What Happens in London, by Julia Quinn
2009 – Tempted by Midnight, by Jacquie D’Alessandro
2009 – Always a Scoundrel, by Suzanne Enoch
2009 – The Madness of Ian MacKenzie, by Jennifer Ashley
2009 – First Comes Marriage, by Mary Balogh
2009 – So Enchanting, by Connie Brockway
2009 – Scandal, by Carol Jewel
2008 – The Spymaster’s Lady, by Joanne Bourne
A lot of these authors are still writing in this genre, some have moved on to other genres, and some are no longer writing. But, I thank them all for giving us something wonderful to sigh over.
Now, I must include my all-time favorite historical romance books ever! And, if you’ve never read them, you should – if you can find them. A word of warning, some of them show their age, but I have fond memories of all of the following…Except for number 1, which by the way, will always be my number 1! The rest of my favorites are in descending order by publishing date.
1. Lord of Scoundrels, by Loretta Chase, 1995
2. Matter of Class, by Mary Balogh, 2009
3. Silken Threads, by Patricia Ryan, 1999
4. The Rake, 1998 aka The Rake and the Reformer, 1988, by Mary Jo Putney
5. The Proposition, by Judith Ivory, 1998
6. Beyond Sunrise, by Candice Proctor aka C.S. Harris, 1997
7. The Vicar’s Daughter, by Deborah Simmons, 1995
8. Bewitching, by Jill Barnett, 1995
9. Dreaming of You, by Lisa Kleypas, 1994
10. The Secret, by Julie Garwood, 1990
11. Lady with a Black Umbrella, by Mary Balogh, 1989
12. The Houseparty, by Anne Stuart, 1985
13. The Windflower, by Laura London, 1984
14. The Clergyman’s Daughter, by Julia Jeffries, 1983
15. The Tenacious Miss Tamerlane, by Kasey Michaels aka Michelle Kasey, 1982
16. Lady Jane, by Norma Lee Clark, 1982
17. The Elsingham Portrait, by Elizabeth Chater, 1980, (a little time travel thrown in)
18. The Reluctant Lady, by Iona Charles aka Carolyn Nichols aka Carolyn McKnight, 1976
19. Spring Gambit, by Claudette Williams, 1976
20. Venetia, by Georgette Heyer, 1958
While some of these books may be dated, and a few may contain Bonehead Heroes, they are all books that turned corners, lead me down different paths, and gave me a love of Historical Romance.
On to my categories
So, let’s take a look at some horrendous relatives that won this prestigious award through the years. Authors, you should be proud of these stinky characters you created. This category was introduced in 2012; someone must have made me really mad that year.
Olivia, from The Duke is Mine, by Eloisa James, 2012; Sir Clement Carnell, from A Little Folly by Jude Morgan, 2013; the obnoxious mother from, Three Weeks with Lady X, by Eloisa James, 2014; Lady Eleanor from 50 Ways to Ruin a Rake, by Jade Lee, 2015; two horrible fathers in 2016, one from Duke of Sin, by Elizabeth Hoyt and another from How to Manage a Marquess, by Kelly MacKenzie; the Earl of Riverdale, from Someone to Love, by Mary Balogh, 2017; Clarissa, from The Wedding Gamble, by Julia Justiss; Jeannie, from Vanessa Kelly’s, The Highlander’s Irish Bride, 2021… and the winners for my all time stinker relatives are two characters. Francesca, from Suzanne Enoch series, Wild Wicked Highlanders (MacTaggerts) 2019-2022. Francesca was one of the absolute worst mothers ever. And then there was the slimy toad, stinker brother Mathew from the same author, Suzanne Enoch introduced in Scot Under the Covers, 2020.
When I first started this category, it quickly became one of my favorites to write about. There is just nothing better than a bonehead to start one ranting. And, there are a lot of them out there, just smirking their way through our books.
The brother from Diane Gaston’s, Her Gallant Captain at Waterloo, 2021; Coln from Elisa Braden’s, Desperately Seeking a Scoundrel; Harry from Lisa Kleypas, Temp me at Twilight, (read in 2019); Kerrich, from Christina Dodds, Rules of Engagement, written in 2000 (reread 2018); Lady Chatwick (females can be boneheads too), from Julia London’s, Sinful Scottish Laird, 2017; Jack, from Cathy Maxwell’s, The Fairest of Them All, 2016; Ranulf de Warbrooke, from The Black Lyon, by Jude Deveraux, written in 1980, (reread, 2014). But the biggest Bonehead goes to Lyon Redmond, from The Legend of Lyon Redmond, by Julia Anne Long, 2015. This guy is what we waited for?! He’s a whiner, a liar, a possessive, dominating jerk. This guy really burned me, and the heroine should have stayed with the nice guy. Sometimes waiting for our hero doesn’t work.
2021, a place not a person, the Battle of Waterloo, from Diane Gaston’s, Her Gallant Captain; 2020, Bazzle, from Lisa Kleypas’, Chasing Cassandra; 2019, Mr. Delacorte, from Julie Anne Long’s, Angel in a Devil’s Arms. Nothing better than a dried testicle salesperson; 2018 - King, from Kelly Bowen’s, Devils of Dover series. He did get his own book (short story); 2017, dead Thomas, from Julia Quinn’s, The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband; 2016, lemonade, Grace Burrowes, True Gentlemen series; 2015, Danny, from Daniel’s True Desires, by Grace Burrowes; Apollo, from Elizabeth Hoyt’s, Duke of Midnight; 2012, Rupert, from Eloisa James’, The Duke is Mine; 2011, Daniel, from Jennifer Ashley’s, The Many Sins of Lord Cameron; And my favorite secondary character…well, of course there were the hairpins from Unraveled, by Courtney Milan, 2011…but…I know this isn’t fair to the other secondary characters…but, since I reread these books during the time period I’m covering my all time favorite secondary characters are: Derek Craven, from Then Came You, by Lisa Kleypas, 1998, and Cat, from The Windflower, by Laura London, 1984. Derek got his own book, but sad to say Cat never did.
Now for some categories which were either new or were allowed to just fade away. 2021 saw the introduction of Emma Wodehouse/Scarlett O’Hara Annoying Heroine Award. That category had promise. Last years winner was the annoying Joan Wilde from Eloisa James’, Wilde Child.
Romanceland Plan 2020-2021. Once again Joan Wilde, from Wilde Child became a winner for one of the most ridiculous plans ever. 2020, Aden’s plan, from Suzanne Enoch’s, Scot Under Covers
Garlic Breath Award 2010 - 2019
Love animal scene stealers, I just wish authors would use more of them. This ones been spotty through the years. 2019, one of the best was the fictitious Orange Blossom, created by Virginia Heath, from A Warriner to Rescue Her. Stories told through the eyes of a horse. 2018, shape-shifter Raven, from Josie Litton’s, Believe in Me (2001). 2017, Cato the dog, from Loretta Chase’s, A Duke in Shining Armor; 2015, Peter Francis Danforth, a cat, from Grace Burrowes’ The Traitor; 2014, Daffodil, the Italian Greyhound from Elizabeth Hoyt’s, Darling Beast; 2013, Beezle, the hair chewer, from Jill Barnett’s, 1995 Bewitching; 2012, Ghost the dog, from Courtney Milan’s, Unraveled; 2011, the foul-mouthed parrot from Tessa Dare’s, Night to Remember; My favorite: 2010, when this category began: Gus, the dog that started it all. From Jill Barnett’s, Dreaming. He was the best part of this book written in 1994
Once upon a time, I had a Cover Award. That lasted only two years, 2010 and 2011. Historical romance covers have gone through a lot over the years. From naked guys in the snow to headless women. And, who can forget Fabio. I also kicked around favorite families, or series, but I think that was going to be too much work, so we let it slide.
That just about wraps it up. There have been a lot of paths, and changes that have happened to the world of Romanceland through my years here. I like to think we have come through it all together. Regardless of whether the changes were for our good, or not, I will always love the Historical Romance genre. It’s been my pleasure to spout my voice, and I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I have, my little Petunia’s. Now, I must bid a fond “see you later,” and take a pause. But to all of you romance book lover’s out there, and not just the historicals…keep on truckin’
