2016 Swoony Award Winners

 

2016 was a busy year for me and I wasn't able to spend as much time on the Swoony Awards as I would have liked, add to that a little behind-the-scenes drama and my heart wasn't quite into the awards this year. I still love the Swoony Awards and I'm deciding whether I will continue doing it for 2017. Anyway, I wanted to give the results for 2016 for all those who have participated and we did get a lot of great books on the list (Click here to view the full 2017 list).

 

 

Best Novel of the Year

& Best Regency

The Painters Daughter by Julie Klassen

 

 

Best Contemporary Romance

Her One and Only by Becky Wade

 

Best YA Contemporary Romance

P.S. I Like You by Kasie West

 

Best Novella

One Enchanted Christmas by Melissa Tagg

 

Best New Adult Contemporary

Double Play by Ranee S Clark

 

Best Western Historical

The Sheriffs of Savage Wells by Sarah M Eden

 

Best Medieval Romance

Baron of Emberly by Tamara Leigh

 

 

Best High Fantasy

Painting Rain by Annette K Larsen

 

Best Dystopian

Escape to Eden by Rachel McClellan

 

Best Mystery

Always Watching by Lynette Eason

 

Kathy's Choice

The Fall of Lord Drayson by Rachael Anderson

 

Kathy Jo's Choice

A Season to Love by Nicole Deese

 

Katie's Choice

Just a Kiss in the Moonlight by Cindy Roland Anderson

 

Heidi's Choice

My Fair Gentleman by Nancy Campbell Allen

 

 

 

 

 The 2017 Swoony Award list is up and you can start adding books (books published December 1 2016 - November 30 2017) Pease feel free to join our groups (Goodreads and Facebook) and follow us on Twitter (@swoonyawards)! Help us spread the word about good, clean, swoony romance books!

Happy New Year and Happy Reading!

The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen

Review: This book just matched my mood today I guess. I got caught up in the story of Mariah and the atmosphere of the book, like I was transported back in time to Regency England. I really liked Mariah and thought she was a great leading lady. The book starts soon after her father banishes her after a mistake she has made. Alone in the world except for her companion, Miss Dixon, she finds a place to stay at her aunt’s gatehouse. I really liked the setting; the quaint gatehouse seemed cozy and inviting. I liked how over the course of the book Mariah makes genuine friends and learns forgiveness. I also really liked our hero in the book, I liked that they started out as friends and slowly built to something more. Normally I like a little more romance, but the amount in this book just seemed to match the story and left me happy. Instead of the story taking place over a short couple week span, it covers a few months. It was nice to see things develop slowly and have a few mysteries thrown in to keep things interesting. The supporting cast was just as fun as the main couple, especially Miss Dixon and Martin. Probably my favorite of Klassen’s books, so far.

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen

GoodReads Synopsis: Fleeing a dishonorable man, Margaret abandons her pampered upper-class world for an anonymous life "below stairs." But will danger or love find her first

Kathy’s Review: This kind of reminded me of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, with a twist. There is a bit of a lost-love story going on, which I’m always a sucker for. Margaret flees her home one evening and finds employment in the home of a man who once proposed to her. She wears a disguise and becomes a housemaid. I liked the changes Margaret goes through during her story. She starts off a bit pampered and kind of self-centered, but as the story progresses and she starts to actual work her personality softens and she begins to see people for who they really are. I thought it was a fun twist to have her working at an old “boyfriends” house. I admit though, I was a little disappointed that there weren’t more interactions between the two. I think it was about halfway through the book before they finally crossed paths. I would have liked more interactions, but the ones we do get were great. Overall, I enjoyed the story. You get to see behind the scenes of what the servants lives were like back then.

The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen

Genre: Historical/Regency

Publication Date: January 2010

One Word Review: Enjoyable

Author Website: www.julieklassen.com

First Line: “For years, I could not recall the day without a smoldering coal of remorse burning within me.”

GoodReads Synopsis: Believing herself guilty of a crime, Olivia Keene flees her home, eventually stumbling upon a grand estate where an elaborate celebration is in progress. But all is not as joyous as it seems…. Lord Bradley has just learned a terrible secret, which, if exposed, will change his life forever. When he glimpses a figure on the grounds, he fears a spy or thief has overheard his devastating news. He is stunned to discover the intruder is a scrap of a woman with her throat badly injured. Fearing she will spread his secret, he gives the girl a post and confines her to his estate. As Olivia and Lord Bradley's secrets catch up with them, will their hidden pasts ruin their hope of finding love?

Kathy’s Review: I was originally drawn to this because of the cover; I love all the covers of Klassen’s books. Anyway, the story started off interesting and there was somewhat of a mystery (actually a couple) throughout the story. I enjoyed that it was a different perspective of the regency setting than I am used to. In this story we follow Olivia as she becomes an under nurse and moves up as a governess. I rather enjoyed getting to know the “servants” and seeing things from their perspective. I also liked Edward, or Lord Bradley. He has a few secrets of his own, but mostly I liked his interactions with Olivia. They have a sweet romance and it was fun to watch it grow. I do wish there had been more, I don’t know, banter or something between them. They kind of lack some of the chemistry that I like, but they did have a very sweet relationship that grew over time. The story was enjoyable and I liked all the characters. Would recommend to any regency fans!

Bookworm Rating: 4