Egypt novel wins romantic prize

This is the second time Thomas has won the award

The winner of the Romantic Novel of the Year has been announced as Rosie Thomas for her book Iris & Ruby.

The story centres on a woman and her grand-daughter, who are drawn together by their experience of love affairs in Cairo 60 years apart.

This is Thomas's second success in this competition, having won the award 22 years ago with Sunrise.

Chair of the judges, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, described the book as "beautifully written".

Powerful impression

Other shortlisted authors included Judith Lennox for Saga, Carole Matthews for Welcome to the Real World and Matt Dunn for The Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook.

Rosie Thomas writes so beautifully about the feelings of people in war, the imminence of death and the importance of passionate and romantic love Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson Guess the male romantic novelist

Rosie Thomas grew up in Wales but now lives in London. She is the author of a number of novels, including White, The Potter's House, If My Father Loved Me and Sun at Midnight.

Dame Tanni said: "I have to feel connected with the people; the story has to be stomach-wrenching and, when it's over, stay with me, almost like part of my life.

"Rosie Thomas writes so beautifully about the feelings of people in war, the imminence of death and the importance of passionate and romantic love."

The award, worth £5,000 to the winner, was inaugurated in 1960 by the Romantic Novelists' Association to recognise excellence in romantic fiction and enhance the standing of the genre.