Henry wins Romantic Novel of the Year Award

Veronica Henry has won the 2014 Romantic Novelists Association’s Romantic Novel of the Year Award, pocketing a cheque for £5,000.

Her novel, A Night on the Orient Express (Orion) set amid a group of passengers travelling from London to Venice, was described as “epitomizing romance” by a panel of five judges, which included The Bookseller’s Sarah Broadhurst, The Guardian’s Alison Flood, The Daily Mail’s Jane Mays, former editorial direct of Harlequin Books Karin Stoecker and Chris White, fiction buyer of Waterstones.

Helen Fielding, author of the Bridget Jones novels, was given an Outstanding Achievement award along with long time friend and sponsor of the RNA, Dr David Hessayon.

The Romantic Novel of the Year category winners were Jennifer McVeigh’s The Fever Tree (Penguin), which won in the ‘epic’ section,  Christina Courtenay’s The Gilded Fan, (Choc Lit) which won in the "historical" category, Milly Johnson’s It's Raining Men (Simon & Schuster), which won in the "romantic comedy" category and Imogen Howson’s Linked, (Quercus), which claimed the title in the Young Adult section.

A special RNA Rose award was presented by guest author Darcey Bussell to Kate Hardy for Bound By A Baby (Harlequin Mills & Boon), receiving a star-shaped trophy and a cheque for £1,000.

Katie Fforde, president of the RNA said: "Every year we are astounded by the quality of writing and enthusiasm from our entrants. Their passion is evident in their writing and all can be proud of having been part of the awards this year. Our congratulations go to Veronica Henry, who is thoroughly deserving of her win and provided the judges with an intriguing plot with some twisty turns that delivered what can only be described as a page-turning novel. All in all a very well-earned win."

The RNA was founded in 1960 to promote romantic fiction and now represents more than 700 writers, agents, editors and other publishing professionals.