The Romantic Novelists’ Association (RNA) has announced the shortlists for their much-coveted annual awards. Rebranded and redesigned as the RoNAs, these awards reflect the modern appetite for romantic fiction which encompasses a variety of genres.
Deborah Lawrenson’s The Lantern has been shortlisted for the RoNA for an Epic Romantic Novel, a category which recognises romantic novels containing serious issues or themes, including gritty, multi-generational tales. ‘It's a real honour to be noticed by the Romantic Novelists’ Association whose members have included so many wonderful authors who have entranced millions of readers down the years, and I'm very grateful indeed. The only way this could be more exciting is if the news had been delivered by a bronzed god of a dispatch rider, dew still sparkling on his hair, eyes dancing with promise...!’ says Deborah.
Jean Fullerton’s Perhaps Tomorrowhas been shortlisted for the RoNA for a Historical Romantic Novel, open to novels set in a period prior to 1960. Despite a previous nomination for the Romantic Novel of the Year Award, Jean says “I had to read the email four times before the penny dropped that my novel had been nominated and I can’t even begin to tell you how thrilled I am.”
The category winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on 5 March. Each category winner will then be shortlisted for the 2012 Romantic Novel of the Year Award, to be announced at the RNA’s Summer Party on 17 May.
The Romantic Novel of the Year Award was launched in 1960, the same year as the RNA, to recognise excellence in romantic novels and thereby enhance the standing of the genre. Previous winners include Julia Gregson’s East of the Sun, Erica James’s Gardens of Delight and Maureen Lee’s Dancing in the Dark.
