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All-Time Classics & Favorites |
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RT'S ALL-TIME FAVORITES
RT's all-time favorite books compiled from RT reviewers' favorites (years 1982 - 2000) plus books with 4 1/2 GOLD ratings (years 2001 and after).
» RT's All-Time Favorites
ROMANTIC TIMES 5 STAR ALL-TIME CLASSICS
» All-Time Classics
Our friend and longtime senior reviewer Melinda Helfer, who
passed away in August 2000, set the standard for the 5-star
rating and reserved it for very rare and special books that
transcend the boundaries of the romance genre.
Any reviewer who wanted to bestow the coveted 5-star rating on a
book had to first send it to Melinda. If Melinda felt the book
met the rigid standard she set for the 5, then the book received
a 5. Melinda was determined to maintain the integrity of the
5-star rating and would not allow it to be given out freely.
Although there are between 120 and 150 new romances published
each month, Melinda had given only 25 books a 5 rating throughout
the past two decades!
Our Historical Romance senior reviewer Kathe Robin gave her first
five rating to Roberta Gellis for her novel ROSELYNDE, in January
1994.
She is very conservative with what she determines a
classic--a book that stands the test of time--and has only given a
total of six 5-star ratings in two decades. All six were read by
Melinda who agreed and approved the rating.
Shortly after Melinda's death, we retired the five-star rating in
order to maintain the integrity of its high standard.
Today our reviewers use the 4 1/2 Gold to spotlight those books they
feel go beyond our 4 1/2 stars (Exceptional) rating. (Today's 4 1/2
Gold rating is used more frequently than the 5 rating ever was
and in no way takes the place of a 5 rating.)
We sincerely hope that those authors whose books have received a
5-star rating appreciate the honor and the recognition, knowing
that their books will forever remain classics for all romance
fans.
» All-Time Classics
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