i  read historical romance debuts, of course. In part it’s research–what’s selling, and why? But in part it’s just good plain fun. There are very few debut novels that are absolutely perfect (off the top of my head, I can think of only twothree “first novels” that I would describe as absolute perfection–Watership Down, by Richard Adams, Bridge of Birds, by Barry Hughart, and The Chosen, by Chaim Potok). But this month I’ve been delighted to read two that are pretty darned close–and yet nothing at all alike!

The first book I read was an ARC of Private Arrangements, by Sherry Thomas. These were floating around Nationals. I started reading it in the hall after Chris Journal kindly gave me a copy; I then walked to my room (still reading) and sat on my bed. And then I read, and read, and read. Sherry Thomas is a gorgeous writer. Every moment when I was reading, I felt as if I were in a gorgeously-decorated classical house. Everywhere I looked there was something beautiful and unexpected. And there were parts that were absolutely heart-wrenching. It was definitely a powerful, emotional read.
The second book I picked up was To Tempt a Scotsman by Victoria Dahl. It was out in my Borders early. This book was cleverly witty without being self-conscious. The characters seemed like people I could have met just off the street, and I liked them both almost instantly. I found myself turning the pages faster and faster, with a smile on my face.

Neither of these books were perfect, but they both had something perfect about them: The author’s voice. In each case, the voice was atmospheric. In Sherry Thomas’s case, the voice was clever and classically beautiful, cool as a mountain stream. In Victoria Dahl’s case, it was warm and witty, soft, like a favorite blanket. In both cases, I ended the book with a sigh and a smile. What more could you ask?
What debuts have you read recently? What’s struck you about them?

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