Jojo Moyes has won the Romantic Novel of the Year with The Last Letter from Your Lover.
RNA chair Katie Fforde (pictured above with Jojo Moyes) said of the winning book: "the judges unanimously agreed that 'this novel combines exquisite writing, a truly romantic yet original theme and a blissfully satisfying ending. A worthy winner in a very strong list."
Romantic fiction is big news. Not only is it the most widely read genre but it provides more pleasure and escapism than any other.
51 years ago, the RNA was formed to promote the status of this broad and varied genre which now includes romantic comedy, chick lit, romantic suspense, sagas, family dilemmas and even vampire novels.
‘This year's short list represents the whole gamut of romantic fiction,’ said Katie Fforde, RNA Chair. ‘We have royalty, love letters, history and humour, from both newcomers and established authors. A truly impressive list.’
The Awards are in the following categories and the winners are announced on 7 March 2011.
Romantic Novel of the Year
Won by Jojo Moyes for The Last Letter from Your Lover.
This award, to recognise excellence in romantic novels, is chosen
from a shortlist of six titles which have been selected by the reading
public from more than 150 nominated books. From spies to speed dating;
war-time turmoil to modern manners - a broad array of titles and
authors were put forward for selection.
Romantic Comedy of the Year
Won by Jill Mansell for Take a Chance Me.
To mark its 50th Anniversary Year, in 2010 the RNA decided to broaden the scope of its awards, introducing new ways to honour the best of romantic fiction. This year sees the second presentation of the award for Romantic Comedy of the Year with nominations made by the RNA’s team of readers, who were asked to score the books on their comedy element, from mildly amusing to side-splittingly funny.
Historical Novel of the Year
Won by Elizabeth Chadwick for To Defy a King.
This award is open to all romantic novels set before 1960 – the year the RNA was formed. The winner will be chosen from a shortlist of six original works. This year’s titles have settings as diverse as 18th century Sweden, Regency England and turn of the 20th century Russia – written with love, of course.
Love Story of the Year
Won by Louise Allen for The Piratical Miss Ravenhurst.
This is for a shorter romance where there is a strong emphasis on the developing central relationship. A shortlist of six is again chosen by the reading public, with the winner selected by three judges. The judges are Philippa Ashley, freelance copywriter, journalist and award winning author of five romantic novels, Penny Jordan, author of more than 200 novels with sales of over 80m across the globe and Jane Mathieson, regional coordinator of Time to Read, a network of people working to develop the adult reading audience in public libraries in NW England.
Credits text:
The RNA is proud to be associated with libraries in promoting romantic fiction. In 2007, we joined forces with the Time To Read network of North West Libraries for a promotion called Pure Passion, which saw readers voting for their favourite romantic novel of the past ten years. The shared love of romantic fiction, which was at the heart of that successful initiative, continues to inspire our new Pure Passion Awards and we welcome the involvement of libraries in this national promotion
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Christina Courtenay 
