Great Big Blog Party 17 - Nell Dixon

I'm extra proud to introduce the next Guest Blogger because not only is Nell Dixon one of my 'ex virgins' and a very dear friend, she's also the winner of this years' RNA Romance Prize. One of my favourite memories of this year so far will be the completely stunned and disbelieving look on Nell's face when the result of the contest was announced and her book Marrying Max was declared the winner. I'm wondering if she's recovered yet.



As Nell tells in her blog, she and I met at the RNA Conference in Guildford when she was one of my original group of 'Virgins' - ahem Conference First Timers. They were a great bunch those Guildford Virgins and I've just about lost count of how many of them have gone on to be published - Nell being one of them. And now Nell has won the Romance Prize Award, beating off some stiff competition - including yours truly! But I won't hold that against her.

Nell with me just after her win at the Savoy ->



One of my favourite memories of last year's Conference in Penrith was the long late night talk that several of us - Nell included - shared in one of the kitchens after the Saturday night dinner. it's at times like that the I really appreciate the way that writing - and writing Romance in particular - has brought so many friends into my life. Amongst whom, I'm delighted to include Nell.(Who is another one who seems determined to make me blush)



So here is the current holder of the Betty Neels Rose Bowl trophy - Nell Dixon

Hi, I’m Nell Dixon and Kate has kindly invited me to be one of her guest bloggers for her celebratory party. For those who don’t know me I write contemporary women’s fiction for a number of publishers and I recently won the RNA’s Romance Prize for my book, Marrying Max.

Wow! It’s so exciting that Kate is celebrating her 50th book. I had been reading Kate’s books for a number of years before I first got to ‘know’ her. I joined a site called eharlequin and discovered to my huge delight that there were real authors on there, like Kate. Not only were there real authors, but they would talk to you and answer your questions. I always seemed to have lots of questions.

One of the authors who always took the time to answer those questions was of course, Kate. She also held a very helpful workshop for another on line group I belonged to called Gonna-beez. The workshop and Kate’s advice made a huge difference to my writing. Not to mention her twelve point guide to writing romance which for a while when we chatted had the moniker, the twelve pint guide due to a typo!

I went on to join the Romantic Novelist’s Association and subsequently met Kate for the first time in person when I went to their conference. I was in a lovely group of people nicknamed the virgins. Many of Kate’s ‘virgins’ have subsequently gone on to great success and I’m sure her advice and most importantly, her encouragement, has helped many of us.
Kate is as lovely in real life as she is in cyber space and I know I’m making her blush by writing this (he he) but what else are parties for if not a little embarrassment for the hostess? Ever since I’ve met Kate I’ve felt very privileged to count her as a friend.

A Kate Walker book is always a treat for readers, sexy heroes, interesting heroines and a great plot that draws you into another world. She has a huge following and deservedly so. I’m looking forward to the next fifty books from Kate.

More info about Nell and her books can be found on her website or her blog

GIVEAWAY:

Nell's prize is a signed copy of her book Things to Do

QUESTION:

Which romance that you've read in the last year would you give a prize to?

As always, answers in the comments section please and Nell will pick a winner soon