Today, we're going to take a look back at some of the things we've done over the past year and get your input on where you'd like to see us go in the future. Last November, our readers told us they wanted the primary focus of The Romance Dish to remain on reviews and author visits with the occasional non-book blog. They also told us they preferred historical and contemporary romance over other sub-genres. We listened and tried to take reader preferences into account when scheduling reviews, author blogs and interviews while still offering authors and books that stretch the boundaries of our reading comfort zones. You never know which book might turn you on to a new favorite author, trope or genre.
We reviewed a total of 167 books in our second year. Here's a breakdown by sub-genre:
Historical: 69
Contemporary: 51
Paranormal: 20
Western: 9
Urban Fantasy: 5
Erotica: 2
Young Adult: 1 (does not include YA reviewed in Trish Milburn's monthly Teen Menu)
Romantic Suspense: 10
We also implemented our new Top Dish rating for those extra-special books we review. The first two books to receive this honor were The Black Hawk by Joanna Bourne and Scandalous Desires by Elizabeth Hoyt.
Janga wrote twenty-seven guest reviews for us this year. She writes some of the best reviews around (in my totally unbiased opinion) and has introduced me to many authors who are now on my auto-buy list. I hope you have been enjoying her thoughtful, and often thought-provoking, reviews. We are honored, and thankful, to have her on our team! (Be sure to stop by next Tuesday when Janga and Molly O'Keefe offer up a unique twist on an author interview!)
Sixty-five authors guest blogged with us during our second year and sixteen more were interviewed by the Dishes. They covered a broad range of experience, from debut authors (including our own Karyn Gerrard!) to multiple Rita winners, and brought us blogs that were informative, entertaining and frequently inspiring.
We brought you twenty Dish blogs this year covering a range of topics from Andrea's visits to Washington, DC and the WizardingWorld of Harry Potter to my Bronchial Blues (where you all excelled at turning my whines into giggles) and my Second Chances (where you inspired me with your own second chance stories). Our Dish blogs also included on-the-spot reports and photos from two conferences and a three-day Birthday Bash that I won't soon forget!
This year, the Dishes gave back by donating baskets to two important online auctions connected to the romance community. In March, we participated in Operation Auction to raise money for a fellow romance blogger whose husband was murdered and in May, we again participated in Brenda Novak's Online Auction for Diabetes Research. We've said it before and it remains true. The romance community is one of the most supportive and generous groups around and we are honored to be able to participate in these worthy events.
Have you noticed the News & Notes section on our sidebar? We added that this year to keep you up to date on announcements and breaking news within the romance industry. We hope you've found it useful!
The 24th has become one of my favorite days of the month because that's when Anna Campbell comes to play! With her deep well of knowledge, irrepressible joie de vivre, and insightful reviews, she continues to enlighten, enchant and entertain all of us here at The Romance Dish. Thank you, Anna for brightening the place up every month and giving us all something to look forward to.
I'm buying books for two teen girls now so Trish Milburn's Teen Menu is my first stop on the 10th of every month. As an award-winning YA author (she just won the Georgia Romance Writers' Maggie Award of Excellence for her YA book, Winter Longing, written as Tricia Mills), Trish has her finger on the pulse of YA fiction and brings us all the latest and greatest news in that world. Thinking of dipping your reading fingers in Young Adult waters? If so, you won't want to miss Trish's column!
I'm happy to announce that both Anna and Trish will be returning for another year of monthly blogs here at The Romance Dish!
This is a good time to once more say "Thank You!" to you, our readers, who make us a regular stop on your personal cyber-browsing highway. Whether you visit daily, weekly or just every now and then; whether you leave a comment or lurk behind the scenes, we appreciate you and hope that we help to make your day a little brighter.
So, that's a look back at our second year. Now it's time to turn our attention to the future and to do that, we want to know what you think. Don't be shy. Tell us what you'd like to see in the year ahead. More author blogs? Interviews? Do we have a good mix of sub-genres in our reviews? Would you like to see more books in any of the sub-genres? Are there any particular authors you'd like us to host here at TRD? We can't make any promises but tell us who you want and we'll do our very best to get them here.
**NOTE: Today is the last day to leave a comment for a chance to win one of our Anniversary Celebration prizes. Please put U.S. (if your mailing address is in the United States) or INT (if you live in another country) at the end of each of your comments so we can put your name in the right draw. The more comments you leave, the more chances you have to win!**
Don't forget to check back on Saturday to find out if you're one of our Anniversary Week winners!
~PJ
The year did fly by. I can see we'll have fun in year three. I do hope you'll review more romantic suspense novels. I love a good mystery with lots of action and drama. Some authors I would love to see at The Romance Dish are Shannon McKenna and Lisa Marie Rice.
ReplyDeleteU.S.
Ladies
ReplyDeleteI have to say that you have given me some great recomendations over the last couple of years and I know there will be many more through the wonderful reviews. There was time not so long ago that I only read historical but that has changed and now I read all genres and am loving them all. I love the author interviews and getting to know the authors and love learning more about my internet friends (that one day I hope to meet in person). I love all the news and totally agree that the people connected to romance books are the lovliest people around.
Congrats on a fantastic 2 years and I know that there will be many more to come you all have put in a lot of hard work and it has paid off love visiting.
I can't think of anything more that you could do I really am not an ideas person LOL but love it as is.
Have Fun
Helen
I love the blog and enjoy the mix of subgenres you feature. I enjoy steampunk and I always like to see more of those books featured, but I know the pickings are fairly slim. So I'm happy with whatever you choose to feature.
ReplyDeleteJust finished Thursday's comment so better do this one now. Our internet has been cutting off all day.
ReplyDeleteI have thoroughly enjoyed The Dish since I first found it about a year ago. It is one of two sites I try not to miss every day. I like your reviews best of all I have found online.
I think you have a good balance of interviews, reviews,etc. I would like to see a bit more Romantic Suspense reviews and author visits. Western Historicals are making a comeback, especially in Christian Fiction. There are many good authors that write straight western romance and good ones that write the Christian Fiction version. The Fillies at Petticoats and Pistols all write western and any one of them would make a good guest.
Don't change too much. I like you just the way you are.
U. S.
Aww, aren't you girls lovely? Oh, that's right I said that before! Thanks so much for saying such nice things. I love swinging by and talking about my fave books or new discoveries every month. And I always pick up some more additions to the TBR pile every month as well when people come on and recommend their own faves. Keep it up, guys! I love visiting the Romance Dish and maybe I'm biased but I've got to say historical reviews ROCK!!! Maybe stone age rock but still rock! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'm with Pat, I think you already have a good balance and would keep doing the same. I'm very into historicals and anything paranormal or fantasy, lots of UF now, so I like to see lots of reviews for those, but also other genres along with them as I mix in a few other genres with my faves (like finding Julie James for contemps who I never miss now). Glad to see Anna still doing her posts, she does a great job talking books.
ReplyDeleteTime indeed flies at the romance dish, for I always have the best of fun when I visit. Though I haven't been coming round for that long, I love the interviews and the reviews are more than helpful. Before deciding if I want to buy a book, I check here to see what you girls have to say about it. The pictures are also great and there is a lot of variety in the type of books featured. So I often come across books I might not have looked at twice, but now do. I don't know if I would change anything or have something to add. I love it here, so keep up the good work :D INT
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the Dishies for keeping up such a wonderful blogs for readers and authors a like. This blog is a great resource for finding new reads and seeing the numbers I didn't realize how dominant the contemporary and historical book reviews are. I'm surprised seeing the number for romantic suspense though and hope to see more :) I read from all genres and look forward to another great year. There's still two months to go and yet it feels like it's January already.
ReplyDeleteINT
I think you all are so kind, i know giveaway is something you do to help author to promote their book and to give a reader a chance to read a new book from the author and really appreciate it.
ReplyDeletemore interview and review especially from new author from all genre are more great, even i personal love HR, but i think we all love to know other genre
more giveaway is good too, who is not love a giveaway =D
and I love game, so dont forget to make a game like as guess author pic, haha
love all of you dishies to do this good job ;)
INT
I think you've got a great formula as it is ladies,I particularly enjoy the historical Romance reviews and recommendations and I love that you throw the occasional fun post or game into the mix.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work!
INT
Though books brought us together I do enjoy little side trips from time to time. The blogs that give us a personal look at the dishes and the authors we love. I enjoy it greatly when the conferences are covered with all the pictures and thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI am more of a historical person myself but have found my tastes growing for other sub genre, a little more paranormal would not be bad. This and one other is are the only blogs I visit daily, that is not to say I haven't been up to my elbows in craziness and haven't missed a day or two but usually here every morning and evening.
Hi Jane! I love romantic suspense too. I honestly thought that I had reviewed more R/S and was surprised when I added up the numbers. I'll try to up that number in year three!
ReplyDeleteI think TRD and you gals have done a fabulous job with the site! I like the personal blogs. I'm surprised that Dishies didn't want more of that. I enjoy reading insights of others on a variety of topics. Keep up the super work, TRD!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Helen! I've enjoyed the author interviews too. We've discovered some fascinating tidbits about our favorite authors, haven't we? :)
ReplyDeleteI hope we have that in-person meeting too!
Thanks for letting us know about your enjoyment of steampunk, Barbara. I haven't read any yet but I think Gannon may have. I know they're gathering a following. Are there any authors or books in particular that you would recommend?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pat! Another vote for more romantic suspense noted!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy Westerns too and have been happy to see western romances making a bit of a comeback. Being in NYC to see Kaki Warner win the RITA for her western romance was a particular thrill.
I used to visit Petticoats and Pistols regularly but haven't had the time to hit all my old sites since starting the Dish. I need to pop over there and check things out. Thanks for the reminder!
LOL @ Anna and your Stone Age reviews! Love you too, Darlin'!
ReplyDeleteWe're all thrilled that you're going to be dishing with us for another year, especially knowing how very busy you are!
Thanks for weighing in, Pam P! All of this feedback will be very helpful as we go forward with our planning for Year Three!
ReplyDeleteJo's Daughter said, Before deciding if I want to buy a book, I check here to see what you girls have to say about it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely compliment! Thank you! We're glad you found us and hope you continue to find us helpful and entertaining. We'll do our best to make it so!
Na said, I'm surprised seeing the number for romantic suspense though and hope to see more :)
ReplyDeleteNa, as I mentioned above, I was surprised by that number too as I love to read romantic suspense. I'll be working on writing more reviews for those r/s books I love to read. :)
Hi Eli! (waving) I'm so glad you found us here at Romance Dish. We enjoy "seeing" you here!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you like our games. We'll try to remember to schedule some "fun" in the midst of all the reviews, blogs and interviews. :)
Beebs said, I love that you throw the occasional fun post or game into the mix.
ReplyDeleteThanks,Beebs! We like the fun games too.
If y'all have any ideas for fun games to play here at the Romance Dish, let us know. Either post in the comments or send us an email. (our address is in the sidebar)
Dianna, I can't begin to tell you how much we appreciate our loyal readers...like you! Even though we've never met, I feel that we've become friends through our postings here and at other sites where some of us also post. When I don't see someone online for a few days I begin to become concerned, just as I would with frinds I know off the web.
ReplyDeleteIsn't this an amazing world that's been created for us where we can make friends with people from every corner of the world and share our love of romance and so much more?
Hi Deb! Thanks for saying you've enjoyed the personal blogs. We'll continue to keep the main focus of the Dish on the books but, never fear, we promise personal blogs too!
ReplyDeleteJust stopping by to say Happy Anniversary Dishes!!!
ReplyDeleteI've got the Dishes bookmarked and stop by almost every day. I don't always have the time to comment, but I just want you to know that I love your site and wouldn't change a thing. I especially love the reviews.
Here's to another fabulous year - 2012 (3 new contemps by Lisa Kleypas!!! Yay!!!) She's one author you have to try to snag, PJ.
I love the author interviews. we love their books, so it's nice to get to know them too. my favorite genre is romantic suspense, i like a little excitement with my HEA. I LOVE the Dish.
ReplyDeleteHi Irish! Glad to hear you're enjoying the site. I hear you on not having time to comment. I think we all have that problem. I know I do! :)
ReplyDeleteHere's to another fabulous year - 2012 (3 new contemps by Lisa Kleypas!!! Yay!!!) She's one author you have to try to snag, PJ.
I'm working on that! ::grin::
Another romantic suspense vote from Trish J. Thank you! Do you have favorite R/S authors?
ReplyDeleteLadies, I think you've done a superb job with The Dish this past year. I love the emphasis on your positive, thoughtful, and informative reviews. The author interviews are fun, too! My two favorite genres are contemporary and historical but I'd love to see a little more emphasis on romantic suspense, too. So many people in publishing say RS is dead, but I don't believe it for a minute!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations again, and thank you so much for all the support you give to the romance genre. You ladies truly rock!!
well happy Anniversary i like reading all the little thing you put out that keep up the good work
ReplyDeleteSome incredible statistics. A busy & productive year.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words, PJ, and thanks for giving me an opportunity to add my two cents about some of the books I've read to the mix.
ReplyDeleteI love the mix of reviews, guest authors, and personal sharing that make up the Dishes' offerings. TRD is one of the warmest, smartest, most fun communities in the romance world, and I'm happy to be a small part of it.
PJ, if you don't mind, i like to recommend Jason Pinter's book (genre Thriller). His book is
ReplyDelete1. The Mark, this is the best for me, i think
2. The Guilty
3. The Stolen
4. The Fury
5. The Darkness
6. The Invitation
I really love this series =D
This is one of my favorite sites to visit. You have a perfect mix of reviews, interviews, giveaways, and games. This site feels personal, too. In a way, we all become friends here. Thanks for all the time and hard work that you put into The Dish.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I forgot to put US at the end of my comment.
ReplyDeleteI'd like a bit less historical and more urban fantasy and paranormal. I realize it's the Romance Dish, but a mystery now and then would be good, many have a strong romance component.
ReplyDeleteI follow so many blogs already, I'm starting to weed them out, so I'm not too interested (don't need the temptation to add another)in blog introductions/interviews.
U.S.
I think you ladies are doing a great job! I enjoy reading the posts even if I don't always comment. Perhaps you can add some steampunk books for next year? Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteUS
Love the blog and the reviews really help me pick out my next books - love excerpts. Thanks for the author interviews, it's so nice to get to know the people behind the books we love. Keep it coming, gals!
ReplyDelete:) USA
Your coverage is wonderful and I enjoy everything about your blog, the authors, books and iteresting interviews. keep it up and best wishes.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great year and a wonderful place to visit. Your reviews, authors and giveaways are always the best ever. Love the historical, and contemporary novels very much. Continue to enjoy this site.
ReplyDeleteI also forgot to put US at the bottom of my comment. Sorry :(
ReplyDeleteI also wanted to say thank you for including the Western genre in your reviews. I love it and it is so hard to find good reviews for the books out there. It seems to be a forgotten/overlooked genre. With Kaki Warner throwing her hat into the ring I'm hoping it will find a new audience. I've been researching old category lines to see if I can find any established and/or overlooked authors worth glomming. So far, Cheryl St. John has been the only one that's caught my eye.
This year has been a quick one for sure, I love this blog. I would love to see more review on western romances other then that things are great here. This is one of my favorite blogs.
ReplyDeleteSorry forgot to put US again. Man I am getting old.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't change a thing about The Romance Dish! I think you all have a good mix of reviews, interviews, and personal blogs. Any book that is reviewed on here and catches my attention, I immediately add it to my list. Can't wait for another year at The Romance Dish! :)
ReplyDeleteThe Romance Dish is one of my go-to blogs. I really like the variety that you offer. I think you four gals do a great job and I don't want to mess with anything! Keep it up. And, once more, Happy 2nd Anniversary.
ReplyDeleteUS
Your recommendations have always been great and they`ve helped me a lot when it came to picking what books to read.
ReplyDeleteI love the interviews and the reviews and I am always looking forward to the author visits.
I would really love to see comparisons in the end of the review. Like "If you liked this book or this author you would like the book reviewed". It helps a lot to understand if I want to try this book or not. Also tag cloud on the sidebar will help. I'm a big fan of spy romances or time travel romances - if I can click on a tag "time travel" or "spies" and read all the reviews connected, that would be a delight ;) Love you blog and happy anniversary again!
ReplyDeleteINT
impy80 at hotmail dot com
I'm running errands this afternoon but will be back to respond to everyone in a little while.
ReplyDeleteKara-karina, great suggestions! Thank you!
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ReplyDeleteI think y'all have a great mix already and do a fabulous job. I wouldn't mind seeing a few more paranormals. I would love to see C. L. Wilson featured.
ReplyDeleteHappy continuing anniversary!
I think you have a good balance between reviews and interviews. I also like your recommendations for the next month. I wouldn't change a thing, really, besides that I wish you'd review some more genres like western. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for doing such a great job! Love coming here!
INT
Thanks for all the hard work that the individual Dishes do for readers and the romance community. Happy anniversary!!
ReplyDeleteI never really paid attention to your side bar. I enjoy news on the industry and never knew it was there. It could be because of the page set-up, but I'll be sure to look at it from now on.
I like the mix of reviews and interviews that you do. I've discovered a few new-to-me authors that way.
Have you given any thought to highlighting a promising new author a couple times a year? Every now and then I read a book by a debut author and can't believe it's her first effort. A few past examples are the first books by Sherry Thomas, Julie James, Sarah Maclean and Beverley Kendall. You could tell from their debut efforts that they had immense talent.
Finally, Sherry Thomas has 3 books coming out in 2012. Any chance of snagging an interview with her? I also just discovered Rachel Gibson's contemporaries. Has she ever been interviewed here?
US
Thanks, PJ. I, too, thought there were more romantic suspense reviews than 10. So cool that we're be seeing more of Anna and Trish.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had known about this blog sooner, but better late than never I've been visiting for several months, but missed the beginning of the year. I think everything you've been doing is great, so keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteUS
I forgot to add INT to my post. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see Jane Porter and Sarah Pekkanen interviews.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog.
Raising a cyber toast to the fabulous ladies of The Romance Dish. Happy 2nd Anniversary, and here's to many more.
ReplyDeleteINT
I like historical romances so I have been very happy with the reviews and authors this yr. Anna Campbell, Elizabeth Hoyt, Julie Anne Long, Joanna Borne, Julia Quinn and Eloisa James are my favorites so any reviews are good with them! They were the reasons that I find out about the blog actually. :)
ReplyDeleteInternational
I enjoy all the genres you cover. A little more erotic Romance would be interesting!
ReplyDeleteGood luck everyone in the prize wins!
I do hope you'll review more romantic suspense novels.
ReplyDeleteJane, romantic suspense is a new genre for me, but I have to say that I have really enjoyed some of them this year. Have you ever read Cynthia Eden's DEADLY series? It's really good. I reviewed a couple of them. You may want to check them out.
The Fillies at Petticoats and Pistols all write western and any one of them would make a good guest.
ReplyDeleteGreat suggestion, Librarypat!! I know there are a few of us that enjoy a good western. Rugged cowboys ... what's not to love?
Though books brought us together I do enjoy little side trips from time to time. The blogs that give us a personal look at the dishes and the authors we love.
ReplyDeleteDianna, I really enjoy the daily life blogs too. It's always nice to see a connection beyond our love of books.
I love the author interviews and getting to know the authors and love learning more about my internet friends (that one day I hope to meet in person).
ReplyDeleteHelen, you need to come to the Moonlight and Magnolias Conference next year (October 2012). It is held in Atlanta every year and next year Julia Quinn is the Keynote Speaker. You would be surrounded by Dish love :-)
This site feels personal, too. In a way, we all become friends here.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cheryl C. We all try really hard to make this a warm, inviting site. And we are all friends here!! :-)
The Romance Dish is one of my go-to blogs. I really like the variety that you offer. I think you four gals do a great job and I don't want to mess with anything!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, LSU Reader! We really appreciate the comment.
I love this blog!! I especially like when you tell us what books are coming out for the month and the reviews I have found several books that I would never have know about with coming to this website.. Please feature more comptempary books tho I am not that much of a historical romance fan and I am not crazy about vampires either... BUT i LOVE YOU GIRLS and sometime will go and look at the books anyway...thank you!
ReplyDeleteDonna US
Oh! I forgot I love romance suspense too count me in with that count too...lol
ReplyDeleteAww, May, how lovely! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteKara-Karina, I think that's a great idea of if you like this, you might like that. I always check out recommendations like that.
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ReplyDeleteI love this Blog! I like the historical reviews, Inspirational reviews would be great also.
ReplyDeleteSherry U.S.
There are two reasons why I read your blog faithfully. One: the reviews which are generally insightful and thoughtful and Two: the interviews with authors that offer often fascinating background on their stories, literary and personal. Okay, I'll fess up--there are three--I love the chance to win books. Here's to another great year!
ReplyDeleteUS
I would love to see you guys review more urban fantasy. And maybe some Sci Fi.
ReplyDeleteINT
What a great 2 years you have had. Looking forward to the next year now. Historical romance is still my favorite, closely followed by western romance, so I'd like to still see a lot of those. I also like mystery/suspense romances. Normally don't like to read paranormals unless they involve vampires that fall in love. I think you have the right balance for everything in your blog and have made a lot of wonderful changes. I have found so many new authors here and am grateful for all you do. Thanks for a wonderful 2 years!
ReplyDeleteWow, you guys are awesome! Thanks to everyone for the lovely compliments and suggestions on the site. It really means a lot. I'm super excited for our third year!!
ReplyDeleteWow! We have been really busy this year. *g*
ReplyDeleteI love all the giveaways, and I would love to see visits from Sherry Thomas, Meredith Duran, Carrie Lofty, and Laura Kinsale.
ReplyDeleteUS
one final "happy anniv" (I so enjoy spreading the celebration of good things over several days) :D I think you have a pretty good mix of genres, authors, reveiws & guests. enjoy the lists of new releases at the start of the month (even if my wallet doesn't) & always enjoy a good giveaway. All I can say is keep up the good work & thanks for fun year, looking forward to another one coming up :D
ReplyDeleteHappy 2 years!!
ReplyDeleteLove more author blogs. May have missed some last year. Ones I'd love to read.....
Roxanne St Claire
Lori Foster
Ilona Andrews
Sophie Littlefield
Nalini Singh
Susan Andersen
Julie Garwood
Debra Webb
Christina Dodd
Emily March
Just to name a few! looking forward to the years to come!!
Buffie, yes, I have read Cynthia's Deadly series and I loved it. I do hope she'll write more romantic suspense.
ReplyDeleteU.S.
Sorry I'm so late ot the party!
ReplyDeleteAs y'all can probably tell, I love what you guys have going so far and wouldn't change a thing-just keep on doing what you're doing, it's definitely working for me! :) Authors I'd love to see here:
Maya Rodale
NR
JQ
Eloisa James
LLG
Katharine Ashe
Julie James
Tessa Dare
SEP
and the list goes on and on...........
I enjoy the blog the way it is now!
ReplyDeleteHistoricals are my favorite but I enjoy hearing about a variety of books. This seems to be a great site that I've just recently found.
ReplyDeleteu.s.
I would love to see more paranormal reviews (I am on a paranormal kick right now, lol). I do really like that you all have a variety of books and authors. Hope your next year is even better.
ReplyDeleteforgot...US resident
ReplyDeleteI discovered the Dish within the last year and I am so glad I did! While I don't stop in every day, I am here often checking up on the new releases and fun author blogs. Many new to me authors have been reviewed and I've really enjoyed hearing about them.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see more romantic suspense and paranormal discussed too as now I seem to read EVERYTHING where before I limited myself (silly me!)
Thank you for bringing all the fun and great information to all of us out here!
Congratulations! I hope there are many more years to come. I really enjoy your blog. Keep up the good work!
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