The day your very first book hits the shelves is utterly and completely thrilling. The whole journey leading up to that moment has been so exciting! The first call from your editor, the first time you see your cover, the first time you hold your book in your hands…your first fan letter. (Alana in Wyoming, I will never forget you!).

But these first books have an additional honor. Romance Writers of America, a writers group consisting of 10,000 members with chapters throughout the world, has deemed the following books the best of the best in debut novels in 2009.

Ladies—congratulations! Well done!

One Scream Away by Kate Brady 
Seven years ago Beth Denison was attacked by a killer named Chevy Bankes. Since then, she’s created a new life for herself and her daughter, one far removed from the night that ended in an awful tragedy. But now Bankes is out of prison, and his chilling phone calls tell Beth he’s coming for her.

Ex-FBI agent Neil Sheridan is driven to investigate a chain of murders that are eerily similar to a disturbing case from his past. When the killer’s trail dead-ends at Beth’s doorstep, Neil finds a beautiful woman with a secret she’ll do anything to keep. Yet even as Beth surrenders to Neil’s protection – and then his embrace – she can’t tell him why Bankes hungers to hear her scream, and why she’ll soon consider doing the unthinkable: face Bankes alone.

I admit, I started sucking my thumb again just reading the back cover copy on this one. Mommy! Can I sleep with you tonight? I have to say, I think that’s an excellent sign!  

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He Calls Her Doc by Mary Brady
In her debut novel, Mary Brady takes you to a small valley in the wilds of Montana…helps you root for a pair of wounded doctors who cannot seem to heal themselves…lets you unfold the story of how, with passion, love and forgiveness—these two physicians heal each other and make a home for one very deserving little girl.

Okay, Mary. You got me. Montana. Special needs kid. Doctors. This book sounds like it delivers everything the super-romance brand promises. The heroine returns to her hometown to serve as local doctor, and I loved some of the issues this brought up.

***

 

The Gladiator by Carla Capshaw
Set in ancient Rome, Caros Viriathos is an ex-gladiator who has everything except inner peace. When he buys Christian slave girl, Pelonia, on a whim, he never expects her or her faith to turn his life upside down and win his heart.

This book certainly floods the characters with conflict. After all, this is back in the day when Christians were fed to the lions! Slave and master, different backgrounds, different faiths, completely different times…this book seems to have hit a homer.

***

 

Angel Vindicated by Viola Estrella
Abby Angel doesn’t always enjoy being a law enforcement Angel for Angels, Inc., but she excels at it. Deporting unruly demons back to Hell is her specialty. Her personal life, on the other hand, could use a little work. The virtuous and pristine genes seem to be missing in this particular Angel, getting Abby in more trouble than she likes to admit. To date, her biggest vice has been Siméon Keller, a half demon/half human, who effortlessly managed to seduce Abby five years ago. She’s avoided him ever since but can’t seem to knock the bad reputation the blunder has branded on her. Now, the threat of a demon rebellion has Angels, Inc. overwhelmed, and Abby must trust Siméon to help her find the fiends threatening to destroy Earth’s only salvation. Staying out of Siméon’s bed is the least of her worries as she fights for the lives of Angels and the human race as we know it.

Angels and demons are the “it” girls of today—and what a wicked cool premise this book has! Love the clash between the hero and heroine, love the glorious melodrama of the plot!

***

The Better Part of Darkness by Kelly Gay
Charlie Madigan is a divorced mother of one, and a kick-ass cop trained to take down the toughest human and off-world criminals. She’s recently returned from the dead after a brutal attack, an unexplained revival that has left her plagued by nightmares and random outbursts of strength that make doing her job for Atlanta P.D.’s Integration Task Force even harder. Since the Revelation, the criminal element in Underground Atlanta has grown, leaving Charlie and her partner Hank to keep the chaos to a dull roar. But now an insidious new danger is descending on her city with terrifying speed, threatening innocent lives: a deadly, off-world narcotic known as ash. Charlie is determined to uncover the source of ash before it targets another victim. But can she protect those she loves from a force more powerful than heaven and hell combined?

This book sounded cool even without the “returned from the dead” part. “Off-world criminals”? Methinks Kelly Gay’s tapped into the motherlode of creativity here and set up readers for their newest addiction, as the book is the first in a series. Write faster, Kelly! Write faster!

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Stolen Fury by Elisabeth Naughton
To unearth a centuries-old secret, an archaeologist must team up with the rakish thief who’s stolen both an ancient relic and her heart…Oh, is he handsome. And charming. And sexy as all get out. Dr. Lisa Maxwell isn’t the type to go home with a guy she barely knows. But, hey, this is Italy and the red-blooded Rafe Sullivan seems much more enticing than cataloging a bunch of dusty artifacts.

Oh, so cool! An archeologist and a thief and an ancient relic. Makes me think Indiana Jones meets The Mummy meets Roman Holiday. Setting, plot, multifaceted characters…can’t miss with this one.

***

Nothing Like You by Lauren Strasnick
“You think he’s yours but he’s not, I thought. You think he’s yours but really he’s mine.”
When Holly loses her virginity to Paul, a guy she barely knows, she assumes their encounter is a one-night stand. After all, Paul is too popular to even be speaking to Holly, and he happens to have a long-term girlfriend, Saskia. But ever since Holly’s mom died six months ago, Holly has been numb to the world, and she’s getting desperate to feel something, anything—so when Paul keeps pursuing her, Holly relents. Paul’s kisses are a welcome diversion, and it’s nice to feel like the kind of girl that a guy like Paul would choose.

Even the back cover copy on this book made my heart ache for the heroine. Such a poignant plot, such real-life issues. Gorgeously written, too.

***

The Last Will of Moira Leahy by Therese Walsh
Moira Leahy struggled growing up in her prodigious twin’s shadow; Maeve was always more talented, more daring, more fun. Inthe autumn of the girls’ sixteenth year, a secret love tempted Moira, allowing her to have her own taste of adventure, but it also damaged the intimate, intuitive relationship she’d always shared with her sister. Though Moira’s adolescent struggles came to a tragic end nearly a decade ago, her brief flirtation with independence will haunt her sister for years to come. 

I have to say, the title alone grabbed me. Then I read the first paragraph. My goodness! My bet is that RWA won’t be the only organization scrambling to honor this book. The writing is haunting, evocative and eerily beautiful.

What I love about the finalists this year is that they run the gamut—from straight romance to literary fiction. All have romantic elements, and all promise to be a fantastic read. Kudos to the members of RWA for nominating such a variety of wonderful stories, and once again, congratulations to the authors! Even if you don’t win…well, you already have.