Let the drums roll. And the winners of the ROMANCE IN COLOR 2000 REVIEWERS' AWARD are...
AUTHOR OF THE YEAR - Rochelle Alers
It has been a busy year for Rochelle Alers. She is the only author whose work has appeared in all four St. Martin's Press anthologies. Three anthologies -- DELLA'S HOUSE OF STYLE (5), ISLAND MAGIC (4) and WELCOME TO LEO'S (4) -- were released this year. JUST BEFORE DAWN (4+), the second book in the second generation of her popular Hideaway series was issued in May. The third, PRIVATE PASSIONS (4+), is a January 2001 book that hit some bookstore shelves in late December. In addition, Arabesque/BET Books re-issued the LOVE LETTERS anthology that included an Alers story. Her consistent body of work this year has earned her my author of the year nomination.
Runner up: Brenda Jackson
BOOK OF THE YEAR - SECRET LOVE - Brenda Jackson
If there is perfect in writing the romance novel, Brenda Jackson's SECRET LOVE comes closest to our definition of perfect. A wonderful romance, SECRET LOVE is one of the two books given AWARD OF EXCELLENCE this year by ROMANCE IN COLOR. A 5-star rating defines a book that not only demonstration in the writer's craft, but a book that touches the soul.
Runner-up: NEVER TO LATE TO LOVE - Monica Jackson
BEST NEW AUTHOR - Seressia Glass - Genesis Press
With the award for GENESIS BOOK OF THE YEAR, and a runner-up for INTERRACIAL BOOK OF THE YEAR, this award is no surprise. In just one book, Ms. Glass has established herself as one of the best of the new authors, and ROMANCE IN COLOR is sure that fans are already waiting anxiously for her next release.
Runner-up: Niobia Bryant - ADMISSION OF LOVE - Arabesque
BEST ANTHOLOGY - DELLA'S HOUSE OF STYLE - St. Martin's Press
Authors - Donna Hill, Francis Ray, Rochelle Alers, Felicia Mason.
The mark of a good anthology is to create a collection of stories around a single concept with authors and stories that are equally weighted in terms of quality. With this in mind, St. Martin's Press must be complemented on its innovation and the consistent quality of their anthologies. This was a difficult category to judge, but DELLA'S HOUSE OF STYLE, a fitting sequel to ROSIE'S CURL AND WEAVE, received the award.
"Keys to My Heart" - Janice Sims - A VERY SPECIAL LOVE
Each of the stories nominated were complete romances that a reader could easily read and re-read. The Janice Sims story, however, stand our as the novella in this category because it carried the anthology as the strongest story in the book and is, by itself, worth the purchase price. The level of emotional intensity that Ms. Sims is able to reach in this short format is truly amazing.
Runner-up: "Far From Home" - Rochelle Alers - ISLAND MAGIC
BET/ARABESQUE OF THE YEAR - SECOND LOVE - Brenda Jackson
If there is perfect in writing, Brenda Jackson's SECRET LOVE is an example of it. The intense sexual tension and the perfect hero and heroine makes this a memorable read that is sure to be placed on the shelves of every romance reader.
Runner-up: NEVER TOO LATE FOR LOVE - Monica Jackson
Sereesia Glass' debut novel NO COMMITMENT REQUIRED is a wonderful debut book from an author who demonstrates immense talent. With her first book, not only has Ms. Glass gained numerous fans but she has also won two awards. What more could a newly published author as for?
Runner-up: A DANGEROUS LOVE - J. M. Jeffries
SINGLE TITLE OF THE YEAR - CLOSE ENCOUNTER - Sandra Kitt
In a year that gave rise to a large number of contemporary black books in which the romance is central, Sandra Kitt's CLOSE ENCOUNTERS stands out as a significant contribution to the romance genre. It not deals with the difficulties of finding true love, but forces the reader to take a look at how specific incidents in our lives can affect us in so profound a way that an inner probing takes place. One that makes us look deep inside and acknowledge the weaknesses in our characters, and personalities. It is this acknowledgement of our weakness that makes us strong, and able to face our demons.
Runner-up: IF I COULD - Donna Hill - Kensington Books
INTERRACIAL BOOK OF THE YEAR - CLOSE ENCOUNTER - SANDRA KITT
There is no one who does the interracial romance as well as Ms. Kitt and 2000 is no exception. In CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, Ms. Kitt takes two of the most appealing characters of this year and teach them how to love.
Runner-up: NO COMMITMENT REQUIRED - Seressia Glass - Genesis Press
HISTORICAL ROMANCE OF THE YEAR - ALWAYS AND FOREVER - Beverly Jenkins
ALWAYS AND FOREVER is Beverly Jenkins' second spin-off from one of MS. Jenkins', TOPAZ. It tells what happened before, during and after Katherine and Dixon Wildhorse hooked up with Grace Atwood, Jackson Blake and 35 mail-order brides bound for Kansas. It is what fans of Ms. Jenkins expected and much much more. As always we're amazed by the historical accuracy and detail in Ms. Jenkins' books.
PUBLISHER OF THE YEAR - Genesis Press
In the 2000, there was a significant improvement in the quality of the releases from Genesis Press. Along with this, the company give voice to a few excellent new authors. 2001 promises even more new authors.
In 2000, Genesis Press proved to be innovated and continued to emphasise diversity. From the innovative interracial historical, MY BUFFALO SOLDIER, to the almost perfect work Seressia Glass, NO COMMITMENT REQUIRED, Genesis Press has proven itself a force to be reckoned with. Add MIDNIGHT CLEAR edited by Donna Hill and its mystic originality, and the controversial SIN by Crystal Rhodes and you have a publisher who's not afraid to be different.