[fusion_builder_container background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_title size=”1″ content_align=”center” style_type=”none” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Top 100 Romances Poll for 1998[/fusion_title][fusion_text]

As Determined by AAR’s Readers in October 1998

Introduction | Results | Analysis

Introduction:

Shelley Dodge, AARList member, had a terrific idea after this summer’s 100 Best Books of the Century list was released. She decided to poll readers for their 100 favorite romances. Unfortunately, after number 83 on the list, she ran into a 69-vote tie! As a result, we opened up the voting to be Internet-wide. The shortest list sent in by a reader had one title and the longest contained 100 titles. There were a total of 3,346 “votes”, and 1,733 titles were included in her database. Historicals dominate the list – they comprise 52% of the final choices.

As you’ll see from the list below, the list is in order, but there were several ties. We ended up with 105 titles on our list; the last group of titles tied with six votes each. The number one ranked book received 22 votes. A very diverse group voted – Shelley’s database includes many books which received only one or two votes.

I was surprised by the final tally – I expected many titles to show up on the list which did not. I did not expect so many Judith McNaught titles to be included and thought Mary Balogh and Laura London (aka Tom and Sharon Curtis) would have more titles on the final list. The showings of Nora Roberts (aka J.D. Robb), Jude Deveraux, and Elizabeth Lowell were as to be expected, but I was surprised at how few times Jayne Ann Krentz (aka Amanda Quick) and Johanna Lindsey showed up on the list. I could go on and on, but I won’t. Take a look for yourself and let Shelley know what you think about the results.

Results:[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]

1.
A Knight In Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux – Time Travel
2.
The Secret by Julie Garwood – Historical
3.
Nobody’s Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips – Contemporary
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon – Time Travel
5.
Dream Man by Linda Howard – Romantic Suspense
Heaven, Texas by Susan Elizabeth Phillips – Contemporary
Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase – Historical
The Gift by Julie Garwood – Historical
Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught – Historical
10.
It Had To Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips – Contemporary
The Bride by Julie Garwood – Historical
12.
Almost Heaven by Judith McNaught – Historical
Dream A Little Dream by Susan Elizabeth Phillips – Contemporary
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen – Classic
15.
Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale – Historical
Paradise by Judith McNaught – Contemporary
Perfect by Judith McNaught – Contemporary
Saving Grace by Julie Garwood – Historical
The Prize by Julie Garwood – Historical
20.
Bewitching by Jill Barnett – Paranormal Historical
Born In Fire by Nora Roberts – Contemporary
22.
After the Night by Linda Howard – Contemporary
Born In Shame by Nora Roberts – Contemporary
Ravished by Amanda Quick – Historical
The Rake by Mary Jo Putney – Historical
Thunder and Roses by Mary Jo Putney – History
Velvet Angel by Jude Deveraux – Historical
28.
Castles by Julie Garwood – Historical
Mackenzie’s Mountain by Linda Howard – SIM#261
Naked In Death by J. D. Robb – Futuristic Romantic Suspense
Scandal by Amanda Quick – Historical
Shanna by Kathleen Woodiwiss – Historical
Sweet Liar by Jude Deveraux – Contemporary
The Wolf & the Dove by Kathleen Woodiwiss – Historical
35.
Born In Ice by Nora Roberts – Contemporary
Forbidden by Elizabeth Lowell – Historical
Only His by Elizabeth Lowell – Historical
Minx by Julia Quinn – Historical
Rising Tides by Nora Roberts – Contemporary
Sea Swept by Nora Roberts – Contemporary
Shades of Twilight by Linda Howard – Contemporary
Something Wonderful by Judith McNaught – Historical
The Flame & the Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss – Historical
Untamed by Elizabeth Lowell – Historical
Velvet Song by Jude Deveraux – Historical
46.
Glory In Death by J. D. Robb – Futuristic Romantic Suspense
Highland Velvet by Jude Deveraux – Historical
Kill & Tell by Linda Howard – Romantic Suspense
My Lady Notorious by Jo Beverley – Historical
Once and Always by Judith McNaught – Historical
Only Mine by Elizabeth Lowell – Historical
Perfect Partners by Jayne Ann Krentz – Contemporary
Simple Jess by Pamela Morsi – Historical
Texas Destiny by Lorraine Heath – Historical
Trust Me by Jayne Ann Krentz – Contemporary
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56.
A Rose For Maggie by Kathleen Korbel – SIM #602
A Rose In Winter by Kathleen Woodiwiss – Historical
Always To Remember by Lorraine Heath – Historical
Annie’s Song by Catherine Anderson – Historical
Ashes In the Wind by Kathleen Woodiwiss – Historical
Daring To Dream by Nora Roberts – Contemporary
Double Standards by Judith McNaught – Contemporary
Dragonfly In Amber by Diana Gabaldon – Time Travel
Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon – Time Travel
Enchanted by Elizabeth Lowell – Historical
Gentle Warrior by Johanna Lindsey – Historical
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell – Classic
Grand Passion by Jayne Ann Krentz – Contemporary
Hidden Riches by Nora Roberts – Contemporary
Honor’s Splendor by Julie Garwood – Historical
Immortal In Death by J. D. Robb – Futuristic Romantic Suspense
Kiss An Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips – Contemporary
Mirror Image by Sandra Brown – Contemporary
Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer – Contemporary
One Perfect Rose by Mary Jo Putney – Historical
Only Love by Elizabeth Lowell – Historical
Sarah’s Child by Linda Howard – SSE#230
Surrender by Amanda Quick – Historical
The Shadow & the Star by Laura Kinsale – Historical
The Sherbrooke Bride by Catherine Coulter – Historical
Voyager by Diana Gabaldon – Time Travel
Wildest Hearts by Jayne Ann Krentz
83.
Ceremony In Death by J. D. Robb – Futuristic Romantic Suspense
Dancing At Midnight by Julia Quinn – Historical
Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas – Historical
Gentle Rogue by Johanna Lindsey – Historical
Holiday In Death by J. D. Robb – Futuristic Romantic Suspense
Knight of a Trillion Stars by Dara Joy – Futuristic
Lion’s Lady by Julie Garwood – Historical
Lord Carew’s Bride by Mary Balogh – Regency
Only You by Elizabeth Lowell – Historical
Public Secrets by Nora Roberts – Contemporary
Rapture In Death by J. D. Robb – Futuristic Romantic Suspense
Scoundrel by Elizabeth Elliott – Historical
Shattered Rainbows by Mary Jo Putney – Historical
Sleeping Beauty by Judith Ivory – Historical
Son of the Morning by Linda Howard – Time Travel
Splendid by Julia Quinn – Historical
Sweet Baby by Sharon Sala – Contemporary
The Outsider by Penelope Williamson – Historical
The Promise of Jenny Jones by Maggie Osborne – Historical
The Windflower by Laura London – Historical
Velvet Promise by Jude Deveraux – Historical
Vengeance In Death by J. D. Robb – Futuristic Romantic Suspense
Walking At Midnight by Karen Robards – Romantic Suspense
[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]Analysis:

After Shelley tallied the votes and presented the above list, we received numerous queries about authors, both mid-list and lead, who did not make the final list. As a result, Shelley went back and sorted her database a bit differently. She came up with a list of authors who received at least 25 votes, many of whom did not make the final cut. The reason why? They received votes for a multitude of releases, not one (or more) specifically.

We want to share with you this list of authors who, by virtue of the body of their work, should not be forgotten by readers. Again, some of these authors received enough votes for a particular title that they made the final list while others received many votes, but not enough for any particular title.

Author
# of Votes
# of Titles
Title from the Top 100 list
Jennifer Cruisie
25
8
none
Anne Stuart
26
17
none
Pamela Morsi
27
9
Simple Jess
Joan Wolf
30
17
none
Heather Graham
31
18
none
Loretta Chase
32
9
Lord of Scoundrels
Jo Beverley
33
12
My Lady Notorious
Sandra Brown
34
19
Slow Heat in Heaven
Julia Quinn
36
6
Splendid
Dancing at Midnight
Minx
Diana Gabaldon
38
4
Outlander
Voyager
Dragonfly in Amber
Drums of Autumn
Kathleen Woodiwiss
42
5
The Wolf & the Dove
The Flame & the Flower
Shanna
Ashes in the Wind
J.D. Robb
44
7
Glory in Death
Naked in Death
Immortal in Death
Rapture in Death
Vengeance in Death
Laura Kinsale
44
10
The Shadow & the Star
Flowers from the Storm
LaVyrle Spencer
47
10
Morning Glory
Mary Balogh
47
26
Lord Carew’s Bride
Catherine Coulter
47
20
The Sherbrooke Bride
Johanna Lindsey
55
25
none
Amanda Quick
56
15
Ravished
Scandal
Jayne Ann Krentz
62
20
Grand Passion
Perfect Partners

Trust Me
Georgette Heyer
63
29
These Old Shades
The Devil’s Cub
Mary Jo Putney
70
19
The Rake
One Perfect Rose
Thunder & Roses
Susan Elizabeth Phillips
77
8
It Had To Be You
Dream a Little Dream
Heaven, Texas
Kiss an Angel
Nobody’s Baby But Mine
Elizabeth Lowell
88
25
Enchanted
Forbidden
Only His
Only Love
Only Mine
Only You

Untamed
Judith McNaught
96
10
A Kingdom of Dreams
Almost Heaven
Double Standards
Once and Always
Paradise
Perfect
Something Wonderful
Whitney, My Love
Linda Howard
103
21
After the Night
Dream Man
Mackenzie’s Mountain
Sarah’s Child
Shades of Twilight
Son of the Morning
Jude Deveraux
117
28
A Knight in Shining Armor
Highland Velvet
Sweet Liar
Velvet Promise
Velvet Angel
Velvet Song
Julie Garwood
124
12
Castles
Honor’s Splendor
Lion’s Lady
Saving Grace
The Bride
The Gift
The Prize
The Secret
Gentle Warrior
Nora Roberts
145
46
Born in Fire
Rising Tides
Born in Ice
Born in Shame
Daring to Dream
Hidden Riches
Public Secrets

 

Results of our 2007 Top 100 Romances Poll
Results of our 2004 Top 100 Romances Poll
Results of our 2000 Top 100 Romances Poll
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