Next Course coming up:

First of all - huge congratulations to  my friend Iona  Grey whose novel Letters To The Lost won  the RNA's Romantic Novel of The Year last week,  I'm only sorry I couldn't be there to congratulate her in person. 

I spent the weekend away in Halifax, where I grew up. Meeting with my family - husband, son, about-to-

be daughter in law sisters, brother in law, niece . . . we all got together to celebrate what would have been my Mother's 100th birthday!  We had a wonderful reunion and a fun, nostalgic time.

Now I'm back  and trying to organise the next few weeks  and there seems to be a lot  to do,.

New contract to sign - check!

New book (s) to plan . . .working on that

New wardrobes to plan for the bedroom - semi-check. . .we've planned and organised that  - now all we need is for the  wardrobes to be  built in - and then  I'll have  to move everything from one room to another and (hopefully) organise it fully.

Web site to update . . .  still working on that

And  - next course(s) to plan and organise for April and May

So - as I promised to let people know just what was coming up for me in my teaching schedule - here are the details of the next course coming up in April . There are still some places available on this one so if you'vre interested please contact Relax and Write for details or to book.

15 - 17 APRIL 2016 at THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY CIRENCESTER

 Beginning Middle and End with Kate Walker

This weekend course will introduce you to writing that novel you have always wanted to see in print.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?  Do you plan out your book to the last detail or ‘set out hopefully into the mist’?

You could easily find your original plan is too rigid to work - or  lose your way as you write.   There are some things you need to think out even before you start.

 Did you start out hopefully, wanting to write the story that was burning in your head ... only to find that now you've slowed down. This course will teach you how to plan out your novel so that you have a much better idea of where you're going and how to create the best read possible.

Topics to be covered:

Starting  well

Opening hooks

Sustain conflict

Pace your story and  avoid the ‘sagging middle’

Write a satisfying end – making the reader want more from you

Come and join a group and gain new inspiration.

All inclusive fee £245 includes Sunday Lunch.

Also at the same venue, that weekend:

 Writing the Past with Stephen Wade

This course is intended to help both fiction and non-fiction writers at all stages of their writing lives. The aim is to provide help and guidance in all areas of writing which is concerned with the past. The course topics include the full range of writing and research skills you need to write in any category about the past. All inclusive fee £245 and includes Sunday Lunch.


Oh -  and  do you read my books in a language other than English? To celebrate the acceptance of my 65th title, I'll have some foreign language translations on offer for a give away just as soon as I get organised . . . watch this space.

And the winners were -

Veronica Henry triumphed over her fellow competing authors to win the Romantic Novelists' Association's highest accolade, the Romantic Novel of the Year with A Night on the Orient Express, published by Orion. Darcey Bussell, CBE presented Veronica with her trophies and a cheque for £5000.

 Veronica’s novel won the Contemporary Romantic Novel of the Year Category, for which she also received a specially engraved star-shaped trophy. Her book then went forward, along with those of the four other category winners - Epic, Historical, Romantic Comedy and Young Adult - to contest the Romantic Novelists' Association’s (RNA) most coveted award, the Romantic Novel of the Year.

The RoNA Rose Award

  This Award is for shorter category/series fiction and while it does not go forward to contest the main award, the authors are recognised through the presentation of a trophy and, this year, a cheque for £1000.These were presented by Darcey Bussell to Kate Hardy for her book Bound By A Baby, published by Harlequin Mills & Boon.

 Romantic Novel of the Year Category Winners

. The winners were:

 Winner Epic Category Romantic Novel of the Year

  Jennifer McVeigh, The Fever Tree, Penguin

  (for mainstream romantic novels set post 1960 and can include genres such as chic lit,  paranormal and romantic suspense)

  Winner Historical Category Romantic Novel of the Year

  Christina Courtenay, The Gilded Fan, Choc Lit

  (for novels set in a period before 1960)

  Winner Romantic Comedy Category Romantic Novel of the Year

  Milly Johnson, It's Raining Men, Simon & Schuster

 (for consistently humorous or amusing novels)

  Winner Young Adult Category Romantic Novel of the Year

 Imogen Howson, Linked, Quercus

  (features protagonists who are teenagers or young adults)

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."

 Outstanding Achievement Awards

 Helen Fielding, author of the popular Bridget Jones novels, who defined the romantic angst of a generation, and Dr. David Hessayon were both presented with outstanding achievement awards.

 Dr. David Hessayon is a long-time friend of the RNA, having sponsored for many years the association's annual award recognising the best in new writing. The Joan Hessayon Award is named in memory of his late wife, an ardent and longstanding member of the RNA and great supporter of New Writers' Scheme (NWS).

  

Congratulations to all the winners -   and to everyone who was nominated. 

RONA AWARDS

Today's a big day for  writers of romantic fiction and all members of the Romantic Novelists' Association.
This evening  in London, the RoNA  - Romantic Novel of the Year  -  awards will be presented.

The shortlists were announced on February 14th and tonight  the winners of the shortlist categories for the Romantic Novel of the Year and the winner of the RoNA Rose Award for shorter fiction will be announced during a glittering ceremony in the Gladstone Library, One Whitehall Place, London SW1.   Former ballerina  Darcy Bussell  will present the prizes.

If you want to remind yourself  who was on the shortlist, there are detailed lists here on the RNA's web site.  You can pick you own winners from all these amazing novels.

I can't be there in person myself tonight but I'll be watching from the wings and cheering on so many friends and great writers. And I'll let you know what the results were just as soon as I know myself.

If you're on Twitter you can keep up with all the news at #RoNAs2014

Good luck tyo everyone -  I'm just glad that I don't have to choose from all those great reads!

Romantic Novel of the Year Shortlists

Romantic Novel of the Year 2014 Shortlist announced

Darcey Bussell CBE to present Awards on 17th March

Wednesday 12 February 2014

Darcey Bussell CBE, herself the author of several children’s books, will present the Romantic Novelists' Association (RNA) Awards for 2014.

The winners of the shortlist categories for the Romantic Novel of the Year and the winner of the RoNA Rose Award for shorter fiction will be announced during a glittering ceremony in the Gladstone Library, One Whitehall Place, London SW1 on 17th March.

Once the category winners and RoNA Rose winner have been announced, and elegant star-shaped crystal trophies presented to mark their success, Darcey Bussell will reveal the overall author whose book has won the RNA's most prestigious and coveted award, the Romantic Novel of the Year.  In addition to the crystal trophy, the winner of the Romantic Novel of the Year will also receive a cheque for £5000 (five thousand pounds).

The RoNA Rose Award recognises authors of works of shorter fiction that focus on developing a love affair between the hero and heroine in category/series and magazine serials. Six books are competing for this award and the winner will receive a star shaped crystal trophy plus a cheque for £1000 (one thousand pounds). A silver rose bowl, which is kept for a year, will also be presented. This author does not go forward to contest the overall Romantic Novel of the Year Award.

The five category winners competing for the Romantic Novel of the Year are drawn from 30 finalists' books; six each from the five categories - Contemporary Romantic Novel, Epic Romantic Novel, Historical Romantic Novel, Romantic Comedy Novel and Young Adult Romantic Novel.

The novels submitted this year cover a wide spectrum of topics and subjects and readers can expect anything from a hilarious comedy or a hot, steamy romance to bold, fearless heroines in highly charged dramatic situations.


Each book was read by a panel of three independent readers drawn from a list of approximately 100 volunteers. The readers, who are not members of the RNA, come from a variety of backgrounds and range in age from 20 to 85. All have one thing in common: they are passionate about romantic novels.
Since its inception in 1960 the RNA has set the benchmark in romantic fiction and its President, Katie Fforde commented, "The RNA came into being to encourage good writing of romantic fiction in all of its many forms.
"This year we've seen a record number of books submitted for our Awards, and this clearly demonstrates that romantic fiction plays a big part in the UK book industry. We are exceptionally proud to be part of such a dynamic industry sector and I'd like to thank those publishers who put their authors forward for these awards. We are also extremely proud of the shortlisted authors and congratulate them all."

In previous years winners have included such well known and much loved names as Philippa Gregory, Joanna Trollope, Freya North and Rosamunde Pilcher.

The 2014 RNA Awards will be announced and presented by Darcey Bussell on 17th March in the Reading and Writing Room of the Gladstone Library in London.

The Category Shortlists
Listed in alphabetical order
The Contemporary Romantic Novel category is for mainstream romantic novels set post-1960 and includes genres such as chick lit, paranormal and romantic suspense.
Helen Chandler, Two for Joy, Hodder & Stoughton
Susan Elliot Wright, The Things We Never Said, Simon & Schuster
Veronica Henry, A Night On The Orient Express, Orion
Lisa J Hobman, Bridge Over The Atlantic, 5 Prince Publishing
Lisa Jewell, Before I Met You, Arrow
Pippa Wright, The Foster Husband, Pan

The Epic Romantic Novel category contains serious issues or themes, including gritty, multi-generational stories.
Jessica Blair, The Road Beneath Me, Piatkus
Mary Fitzgerald, The Love Of A Lifetime, Arrow
Emma Fraser, When Dawn Breaks, Sphere
Kate Lord Brown, The Perfume Garden, Atlantic (Corvus)
Jennifer McVeigh, The Fever Tree, Penguin
Lucinda Riley, The Midnight Rose, Pan

The Historical Romantic Novel category is for novels set in a period before 1960.
Charlotte Betts, The Painter's Apprentice, Piatkus
Christina Courtenay, The Gilded Fan, Choc Lit
Liz Harris, A Bargain Struck, Choc Lit
Joanna Hickson, The Agincourt Bride, Harper Collins
Carol McGrath, The Handfasted Wife, Accent Press
Annie Murray, The Women Of Lilac Street, Pan

The Romantic Comedy Novel is for consistently humorous or amusing novels.
Jenny Colgan, Christmas At The Cupcake Café, Little, Brown
Jenny Colgan, The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris, Little, Brown
Margaret James, The Wedding Diary, Choc Lit
Milly Johnson, It's Raining Men, Simon and Schuster
Ali McNamara, Step Back In Time, Little, Brown
Fiona Walker, The Summer Wedding, Sphere

The Young Adult Romantic Novel features protagonists who are teenagers or young adults.
Liz Bankes, Irresistible, Piccadilly Press
Christina Courtney, New England Rocks, Choc Lit
Alex Gutteridge, Last Chance Angel, Templar Publishing.
Imogen Howson, Linked, Quercus
Marie-Louise Jensen, Smuggler's Kiss, Oxford University Press
Beth Reekles, The Kissing Booth, Corgi


RoNA Rose Award - the finalists do not contest the Romantic Novel of the Year Award - recognises the best in category/series and shorter romance that focus on developing a love affair between the hero and heroine.
Louise Allen, Forbidden Jewel of India, Harlequin Mills & Boon
Caroline Anderson, Snowed in with the Billionaire, Harlequin Mills & Boon
Liz Fielding, Anything But Vanilla, Harlequin Mills & Boon
Joanna Fulford, His Lady of Castlemora, Harlequin Mills & Boon
Kate Hardy, Bound by a Baby, Harlequin Mills & Boon
Kate Hardy, Her Real Family Christmas, Harlequin Mills & Boon

 Cover images of all of the above mentioned novels and author pictures can be found one our Activities page – as a photo gallery.
http://www.romanticnovelistsassociation.org/activities/photo_galleries

Congratulations to everyone on these shortlists!

And the winners were . . .

Judy Finnigan and Richard Madeley announced the five category winners who will contest the prestigious Romantic Novel of the Year during a glittering reception in London.

The winning novels will now be read and judged by five independent industry experts, and the overall winner will be revealed at the Romantic Novelists' Association's (RNA) Summer Party on 16 May 2013.

Katie Fforde has won the Contemporary Category for the second year running with Recipe for Love. This category is for mainstream romantic novels set after 1960. The other competing authors included Veronica Henry, Mhairi McFarlane, Monica McInerney, Sue Moorcroft and Polly Williams.
In the Epic Category, which deals with issues or themes including multi-generational novels, Rowan Coleman triumphed with Dearest Rose. Other finalists included Madeline Miller, Dilly Court, Kate Moreton, Gill Paul and Liz Trenow.

Finalists in the Historical Category (set before 1960) included Charlotte Betts, Christina Courtenay, Kate Furnivall, Pamela Hartshorne, Susanne Kearsley and Mary Nichols. Charlotte Betts was declared the winner with her novel The Apothecary's Daughter.

In the Romantic Comedy Category, for consistently humorous or amusing novels, the finalists included Jenny Colgan, Victoria Connelly, Jane Costello, Nicola Doherty, Belinda Jones and Jane Wenham-Jones. Jenny Colgan claimed victory with Welcome to Rosie Hopkins’ Sweetshop of Dreams.

The Young Adult Category features protagonists who are teenagers or young adults and the shortlist this year included Jo Cotterill, Laura Jarratt, Marie-Louise Jensen, Victoria Lamb, Sarra Manning and Susan Waggoner. Victoria Lamb was declared winner with her book Witchstruck.

The RoNA Rose Award, which recognises the best in category/series and shorter romance that focuses on a developing love affair between hero and heroine, was presented for the second year running to Sarah Mallory, author of Beneath the Major's Scars. Her rivals included: Fiona Harper, Heidi Rice, Carol Townend, and Scarlett Wilson, who had two books nominated. This category does not go forward to contest the Romantic Novel of the Year.

Long-time RNA member, Sophie Kinsella, was honoured with an Outstanding Achievement Award for her continued contribution to the world of romantic fiction.

Back in routine - I hope!

I love being  in Fishguard, love having the view of the sea right outside my window.  The hotel is comfortable and friendly, and I love exploring the village. And it’s wonderful to meet up again with special friends  Anne and Gerry who run Caerleon  Writers’ Holidays, fellow tutors Alison Chisolm and Della Galton,  and all the students, some of whom I’ve known for a few years, other I only just met this time.

  The teaching I do is  such fun too. And this year, the course was a particularly great one to run.  Everyone in the group  jelled together so well – we  had lots of  fascinating discussions,  great writing exercises  and a lot of laughter. I’ve rarely known  a  weekend fly by as fast as this one did.

And you know what they say about time flying when you’re having fun. I barely seemed to have arrived at the Fishguard Bay Hotel before it was  time to say goodbye and  think about coming home.  But already I know that so many people have booked for next year.  ( I need to check on this because  the last I heard the 2014 course was already filling up fast – if not already sold out!)

So to the class of Fishguard 2013 – Rachael, Marie, Jo , Johanna, Melanie, Sarah, Sarah, Sarah, Sarahjane, Daphne, Fiona, Jenni,  Karen, Kate, and Sallyann – thank you all for being such a great group and for making the teaching so much fun. I really believe that  on a writing course like this, the feedback from the group adds to the teaching experience as a whole and  you get the course you deserve. I can’t wait for next  year.

I  was so involved and having so much fun   that I forgot to take photos but there is one record of a special event  - it was  Rachael’s birthday on Valentine’s Day  so we provided a cake for her (special thanks to Anne & Gerry’s daughter in law who did the baking and the icing). It was a rather special cake – Rachael herself has blogged about it here.  And there is one photo of Rachael with me.

Going away for a few days is wonderful. And we had a couple of extra days at the end of the course – staying in Fishguard and then on to Malvern where the Babe Magnet was thrilled to find that his favourite second-hand bookshop had a half price sale! There were several ‘vital’ volumes that added to our luggage on the way back.  But I’m sure  that things multiply and mount up whenever you’re not in the house so  I’ve been chasing  my tail dealing with things since I got back.  I now hope  to get back into some sort of routine before I even think about my next course – at Caerleon . (There’s news on that too but I’ll save that for another post.)

So where did I put that list of Things to Do . . .?

PS Today is the day that the RNA announces the winners of their RONA awards and the  RONA Rose for short romances.  I can't be there but I will be with everyone in spirit - and so, looking forward to seeing the winners announced so I can share the news with you here.

RNA Awards Shortlists:

The 2013 RoNA AwardsCategory Shortlist Announced for 2013 Romantic Novelists’ Association Awards

The Contemporary Romantic Novel category is for mainstream romantic novels set post-1960 and includes genres such as chick-lit, paranormal and romantic suspense. The shortlist, in alphabetical order by author name, is:
Katie Fforde, Recipe for Love, Arrow
Veronica Henry, The Long Weekend, Orion
Mhairi McFarlane, You Had Me At Hello, Avon
Monica McInerny, The House of Memories, Pan Macmillan
Sue Moorcroft, Dream a Little Dream, Choc Lit
Polly Williams, The Angel at No. 33, Headline

 
The Epic Romantic Novel category contains serious issues or themes, including gritty, multi-generational stories. The shortlist is:
Rowan Coleman, Dearest Rose, Arrow
Dilly Court, The Lady's Maid, Arrow
Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles, Bloomsbury
Kate Morton, The Secret Keeper, Pan Macmillan
Gill Paul, Women and Children First, Avon
Liz Trenow, The Last Telegram, Avon

The Historical Romantic Novel category is for novels set in a period before 1960. The shortlist is:
Charlotte Betts, The Apothecary's Daughter, Piatkus (Little Brown)
Christina Courtenay, The Silent Touch of Shadows, Choc Lit
Kate Furnivall, The White Pearl, Sphere (Little Brown)
Pamela Hartshorne , Time's Echo, Pan Macmillan
Susanna Kearsley, The Rose Garden, Allison & Busby
Mary Nichols, The Kirilov Star, Allison & Busby
 
The Romantic Comedy Novel is for consistently humorous or amusing novels. The shortlist is:
Jenny Colgan, Welcome to Rosie Hopkin's Sweetshop of Dreams, Sphere (Little Brown)
Victoria Connelly, The Runaway Actress, Avon
Jane Costello, All the Single Ladies, Simon & Schuster UK
Nicola Doherty, The Out of Office Girl, Headline
Belinda Jones, Winter Wonderland, Hodder & Stoughton
Jane Wenham-Jones, Prime Time, Accent Press Ltd.

 
The Young Adult Romantic Novel features protagonists who are teenagers or young adults. The shortlist is:
Jo Cotterill, Sweet Hearts: Model Behaviour, Red Fox (RHCP)
Laura Jarratt, Skin Deep, Electric Monkey/Egmont
Marie-Louise Jensen, The Girl in the Mask, OUP
Victoria Lamb, Witchstruck, Corgi (RHCP)
Sarra Manning, Adorkable, Atom (Little Brown)
Susan Waggoner, Neptune's Tears, Piccadilly Press

 
The winners of each of the above categories form the overall shortlist for the Romantic Novel of the Year Award, which will be announced on 16th May.


Also being presented on 26th February is the RoNA Rose Award , which recognises the best in category/series and shorter romance that focus on a developing love affair between the hero and heroine. The shortlist is:

Fiona Harper, Always the Best Man, Harlequin Mills & Boon Riva
Sarah Mallory, Beneath the Major's Scars, Harlequin Historical
Heidi Rice, The Good, the Bad and the Wild, Harlequin Mills & Boon Riva
Carol Townend, Betrothed to the Barbarian, Harlequin Historical
Scarlet Wilson, West Wing to Maternity Wing, Harlequin Mills & Boon Medical
Scarlet Wilson, Her Christmas Eve Diamond, Harlequin Mills & Boon Medical

Cover images for all of the above novels can be found at:
http://www.romanticnovelistsassociation.org/index.php/activities/photo_galleries
Download a list of the books shortlisted for the 2013 Romantic Novelists' Association Awards, the RoNAs. Take it to the bookstore or library and check them out.
2013 RoNA Awards Reading List. (pdf)
Download descriptions of the of the books shortlisted for the 2013 Romantic Novelists' Association Awards, the RoNAs.
2013 RoNA Awards Books. (pdf)
A list of past winners can be found at http://www.romanticnovelistsassociation.org/index.php/awards

Congratulations to  everyone on the shortlist.
Anyone got any favourites in this list ?

Things to celebrate . . .

Today's a day for celebrating -  several things  worth mentioning.

First of all, there's the UK publication of The Devil and Miss Jones.

Of course the official publication date was March 2nd - Friday - but I was blogging elsewhere then so I'm making today the special publication day to celebrate.  A new book is always worth celebrating and this one is one of those special number books -  my 60th title!  I find it hard to believe I've written that many - but as I always say, I wrote them one word at a time.

Another thing well worth celebrating is the fact that over on the Mills & Boon website,  The Devil and Miss Jones is currently atr #3 in the top ten sales on that site. So thank you so very much to everyone who bought a copy to  put it there.

Finally, today is the day when the Romantic Novelists' Association presented their awards - the RONA. Sadly I wasn't able to  get to London to be at the ceremony -  I would have loved to be at such a celbration of romantic fiction in all its variety. There are awards for contemporary novels, historical novels, sagas, romantic comedies, young adult romances, and shorter-length romances. There’s also the Harry Bowling prize for unpublished novels.  You can see the full shortlists here

And the winners were _

CONTEMPORARY ROMANTIC NOVEL

Summer of Love    By Katie Fforde

EPIC ROMANTIC NOVEL

The Kashmir Shawl   By Rosie Thomas

HISTORICAL ROMANTIC NOVEL

 Highland Storms     By Christina Courtenay

ROMANTIC COMEDY NOVEL

Please Don’t Stop the Music      By Jane Lovering

YOUNG ADULT ROMANTIC NOVEL

Dark Ride  By Caroline Green

THE RoNA ROSE AWARD

The Dangerous Lord Darrington   By Sarah Mallory

THE HARRY BOWLING PRIZE WINNER

A Dark Flowering by Natalie Lloyd-Evans

Congratulations to all the winners - and to everyone on the shortlist. There's a rfeal treasure trove of romantic reading there.

And the winners were . . . .

Winner of the 2011 Romantic Novel of the Year – recognising the best of the year’s novels exploring the deep mysteries of the human heart – is Jojo Moyes for her book The Last Letter from your Lover.
Also honoured  at the Pure Passion Awards were two of the world’s best-selling and much-loved authors - Josephine Cox and Penny Jordan. Both authors were presented with Outstanding Achievement Awards for their contributions to the ever popular genre.


Author of 43 novels in the last 23 years, selling 24 million copies in the UK alone, Josephine Cox has had six number one, and sixteen top five, Sunday Times bestsellers since 2004. Josephine Cox said: “I am thrilled and delighted to be receiving such a prestigious award. It’s something I never expected and I would like to thank all those concerned for thinking I am deserving of it.”


Penny Jordan was first published by Mills & Boon thirty years ago in 1981, after entering a writing competition run by the RNA. Since then her books have been translated into 26 languages and have sold 85 million copies worldwide. “To receive this award from the RNA – the organisation that helped me toward my first publication via its New Writers’ programme – reinforces for me everything that the RNA is and does for the writing community,” Penny Jordan said. “I am thrilled and honoured to be recognised with this award”


The RNA Pure Passion Awards celebrate the very best in romantic fiction, encompassing the breadth of the genre. Three further and equally coveted awards were presented – the Historical Novel Prize, Romantic Comedy Prize, and Love Story of the Year.
Winner of the Historical Novel Prize was Elizabeth Chadwick with To Defy a King, published by Sphere. The judges all agreed that “the history is deeply felt and conveyed, and is essential and integral to the plot.”
The Romantic Comedy Prize went to Jill Mansell with her book Take a Chance on Me, published by Headline. The judges said the book has “beautifully understated humour” and is “an utter delight.”
Winner of the Love Story of the Year for a shorter romance with a strong emphasis on the developing central relationship was Louise Allen with The Piratical Miss Ravenhurst published by Mills & Boon.


Katie Fforde, Chair of the RNA said: “Once again, in our 51st year, the Romantic Novel of the Year Award has produced a sensational winner. Of Jojo Moyes’ The Last Letter from your Lover the judges unanimously agreed that ‘this novel combines exquisite writing, a truly romantic yet original theme and a blissfully satisfying ending. A worthy winner in a very strong list.’”


Of the outstanding achievement awards, Katie Fforde said: “Penny Jordan has written over 180 novels for Mills & Boon, selling 85 million copies worldwide. Her wonderfully crafted novels bring happiness and romance to millions of women every year and she is truly worthy of this award. Josephine Cox, another recipient of our special Outstanding Achievement award, is a legend. From humble beginnings she fought her way to become a writer of 43 books which not only sell in millions but are among the top of the ‘most borrowed’ list in libraries. It’s likely that she’s the favourite author of more people than any other writer.”

You can see a selection of photographs of the event here.

Covers Contests and Kudos

I posted about covers over on Tote Bags 'N' Blogs yesterday, showing the UK  and the USA cover of The Proud Wife, and Nas very kindly connected me to the Australian cover which is   a much fuller version of the USA  Presents Extra cover and  actually the one that best represents a scene in the book - the board room setting, the passion between the hero and heroine. The purple dress is all wrong - that's just not the impression that my heroine Marina was trying to give - but  you can't have everything!

Anyway, I thought I'd share it with you all here.

Kudos - well, I'd completely forgotten - I've been  so busy that the fact that it's March 7th hadn't registered. So today is the day that the RNA's Pure Passion Awards are handed out. And right about now in London the ceremony is  under way. I have no idea yet who has won anything but as soon as I do know, I'll pass the information on to you - and I'll raise a glass in a toast to all the winners - and all the entrants - later tonight.

If you missed the lists of the books nominated for each of the Pure Passion Awards  then you'll find it here.

And finally - contests -

One of the things I've noticed is how many of you are trying to collect up past books of mine, from my backlist.  The Advent Calendar giveaway created a lot of interest and people were trying to win copies of the older books that they'd missed or didn't have  copies of. So  to celebrate the publication of The Proud Wife - and to mark that 3 weeks at the #1 slot - I've got together with Lee Hyat of  My Tote Bag.

In the run up to the USA publication of The Proud Wife ( April 12th I think!)  we're running a series of contests where the prizes are collectable backlist books of mine. Each  contest, there will be a chance to win different title.   This time the books you can win are: 

A copy of Cordero's Forced Bride & The Sicilian's Red-Hot Revenge.
You will find the details and the question you need to answer here.  Please respond to Leena and not to me!

And look out for more such contests coming up - I'll let you know too.

RNA Pure Passion Awards - and those darn extracts!

The RNA Pure Passion Awards celebrate the very best in romantic fiction. Over 200 titles were submitted for this year’s four categories, from the long-standing and hotly-contested Romantic Novel of the Year, to more recent additions which recognise the breadth of romantic fiction – the Historical Novel Prize, Romantic Comedy Award, and Love Story of the Year.

‘This year's short list represents the whole gamut of romantic fiction,’ said Katie Fforde, RNA Chair. ‘We have royalty, love letters, history and humour, from both newcomers and established authors. A truly impressive list.’

The shortlists

Over 200 books were submitted for the greatly-prized Romantic Novel of the Year. The shortlist of six titles have been selected by a panel of 85 readers from the general public. The winner will be selected by three independent judges – Amanda Craig, author and book reviewer, Foyle’s War actor and contributor to the blog Vulpes Libris, Jay Benedict, and fiction buyer for Waterstone’s, Janine Cook. The shortlist, in alphabetical order by author name, is:

To Defy a King Elizabeth Chadwick Sphere

The Golden Prince Rebecca Dean HarperCollins

Kissing Mr Wrong Sarah Duncan Headline Review

The Jewel of St. Petersburg Kate Furnivall Sphere

Amazir Tom Gamble Beautiful Books

The Last Letter From Your Lover JoJo Moyes Hodder & Stoughton



The Romantic Comedy Prize is organised and administered in the same way as the Romantic Novel of the Year. To reach the shortlist, the books must be laugh-out-loud funny. The winner is chosen by a panel of judges - Jane Wenham-Jones, author and columnist in magazine Booktime, Glenda Wood, Head of Libraries, Culture and Learning for Hertfordshire County Council, and Sara Craven, author of over 80 books for Mills & Boon. The shortlist is:


The Way to a Woman’s Heart Christina Jones Piatkus

I Heart Paris Lindsey Kelk HarperCollins

Mini Shopaholic Sophie Kinsella Bantam Press

Take a Chance on Me Jill Mansell Headline Review

Katy Carter Wants A Hero Ruth Saberton Orion

A Date in your Diary Jules Stanbridge Little Black Dress


Fiction submitted which is set pre-1960 is eligible for the Historical Novel Prize. As with Romantic Novel of the Year and Romantic Comedy Prize, a shortlist of six is selected by a panel of readers, and the winner selected by three judges – Richard Lee, founder of the Historical Novel Association, Elizabeth Hawksley, author and creative writing teacher, and Diane Pearson, president of the RNA since 1987. The shortlist is:
To Defy a King Elizabeth Chadwick Sphere

Trade Winds Christina Courtenay Choc Lit

The Golden Prince Rebecca Dean HarperCollins

The Wayward Governess Joanna Fulford Mills & Boon Historical

The Jewel of St. Petersburg Kate Furnivall Sphere

Heart of Stone Jane Jackson Severn House


The Love Story of the Year is for a shorter romance where there is a strong emphasis on the developing central relationship. A shortlist of six is again chosen by the reading public, with the winner selected by three judges. The shortlist is:

The Piratical Miss Ravenhurst Louise Allen Mills & Boon Historical

Mother of the Bride Caroline Anderson Mills & Boon Romance

Bride in a Gilded Cage Abby Green Mills & Boon Modern

Moving On Valerie Holmes Linford Romance

Fortunate Wager Jan Jones Robert Hale

The Captain’s Mysterious Lady Mary Nichols Mills & Boon Historical


Two Lifetime Achievement Awards will be presented to two people who have made outstanding contributions to romantic fiction and the Romantic Novelists' Association.
The winners for each award will be named at the Pure Passion Awards 2011, Monday, 7th March 2011 at a champagne reception at One Whitehall Place, Westminster.

Many Congratulations to all the nominees.

And the good news is - that thanks to the lovely Heather those extracts from my books are finally up on my web site!

So if you're still looking for the answer to my question on the Here Come The Grooms Contest - you should find it there!  Thank you Heather.  I'm still trying - and failing - to get the link into the sidebar so it's great to know  the extract from  The Proud Wife - is now available along  extracts from The Good Greek Wife, Kept for Her Baby, The Konstantos Marriage Demand  and - because of the  reprints in the new collections   - The Greek Tycoon's Unwilling Wife (from Mediterranean Tycoons) and Spanish Billionaire, Innocent Wife from One Night in Madrid)

Cheating

I'm wrestling the Sicilian to - I hope - a finish. So I'm too busy to post much.

But there are two interesting articles to distract you/occupy you while I'm working

1. Yesterday in the Daily Mail, an article declared: Mills & Boon boom sparked by young fans in rush to download romances

I'm not sure it's embarrassment that means younger readers are downloading their books rather than buying them in print - more that the ebook readers appeal to them. But are you embarrassed to be seen reading your romances in public? Do you prefer them in print or on a 'reader'?

Enquiring minds would like to know. Of course, to illustrate the article they had to use the cover of a book that was first published in 1986 - 24 years ago! But why let reality get in the way of a good story?


2. Again in the Daily Mail - today Danuta Kean is talking about Heroes. After the announcement of the Romantic Novel of the Year Award, she says that : The new men of modern romantic fiction are about as sexy as socks

I've not read the books she's talking about - but with other stories I have read in mind, I've half a mind to agree. If I had the time

So what about you? what do you think? Comments welcome

Happy St Patrick's Day

A Happy St Patrick's Day to everyone - specially my two Irish writer friends Abby Green and Trish Wylie. And of course to all the Irish side of my own family. Just the thought of the celebrations in the 'Emerald Isle' makes me think about going back to Dublin again and sharing a special drink with Abby to mark the day.

I'm sure you've spotted that I actually dedicated my current Presents EXTRA title The Konstantos Marriage Demand to Abby as a thank you for her company and generous chauffering duties when the Babe Magnet and I have visted Dublin in the past and when she and I went on writers' retreat to Delphi Lodge in spring last year. Happy St Paddy's Day Abby!

Today I'm celebrating St Patrick's Day with another guest blog in the company of the Mamawriters. It's a long time since I combined writing with fulltime motherhood, but I remember it only too well. And that's what we'll be talking about over there if you'd like to come and join us.

Oh - and the winners of yesterdays RNA prizes were:

Romantic Novel of the Year

Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts - Lucy Dillon

Love Story of the Year

Animal Instincts - Nell Dixon

Maeve Binchy and Joanna Trollope were presented with Lifetime Achievement Awards for their contribution to romantic fiction, as the Romantic Novelists' Association marked its 50th anniversary.

Many congratulations to all the winners - and to the RNA on this very special anniversary.

Publication and Prizes

Today is the RNA's Awards lunch in the Royal Garden Hotel Kensington London. Sadly I can't be there this year but in the past I've always run a small prize for the person who can name the two winners of the Romantic Novel of The Year Award and The Love Story of the Year Award.

So post your guesses in the comments sction and I have a copy of Mistresses Shackled By Rubies to give to the winner.

The Romantic Novel of the Year

The Romantic Novel of the Year is chosen from a shortlist of six titles which have been selected by the reading public from more than 150 nominated books.

The winner is selected by three independent judges.

The shortlist, in alphabetical order by author name, is:

Passion, Louise Bagshawe, Headline Review

Fairytale of New York, Miranda Dickinson, Avon (Harper Collins)

Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts, Lucy Dillon, Hodder & Stoughton

A Glimpse at Happiness, Jean Fullerton, Orion

The Glass Painter’s Daughter, Rachel Hore, Pocket (Simon & Schuster)

The Italian Matchmaker, Santa Montefiore, Hodder & Stoughton

The Love Story of the Year

The Love Story of the Year is for a shorter romance where there is a strong emphasis on the developing central relationship.

A shortlist of six is again chosen by the reading public, with the winner selected by three judges. The shortlist is:

The Notorious Mr Hurst, Louise Allen, Harlequin Mills & Boon

Animal Instincts, Nell Dixon, Little Black Dress

Always the Bridesmaid, Nina Harrington, Harlequin Mills & Boon

Fair Deception, Jan Jones, Robert Hale

The Wedding Party, Sophie King, Hodder

Claimed for the Italian’s Revenge, Natalie Rivers, Harlequin Mills & Boon

Today is also publication day for The Konstantos Marriage Demand in the Presents EXTRA line-up in American bookshops.

So look out for that.

RNA Awards shortlists announced

Public vote for PASSION in the RNA’s 50th anniversary year

The Romantic Novelists’ Association (RNA) is pleased to announce the creation of the RNA‘s Pure Passion Awards, in celebration of the Golden Anniversary of the founding of the Association.

Each year, the very finest romantic fiction has been recognised by the long-standing and hotly-contested Romantic Novel of the Year and Love Story of the Year awards. The Romantic Novelists’ Association is proud to offer more chances to salute the best writers and best stories through a number of new awards and a major national promotion in retail outlets and in libraries.

The initiative has the support of leading publishers and high street retailers and will see posters and stickered books in shops and supermarkets and coverage in the press, reinforcing the RNA Pure Passion Awards as a major industry event.

RNA Chair Katie Fforde said, “In our 50th year we are celebrating with more awards and more opportunities which provide a wonderful opportunity for readers to be introduced to writers they may not yet have heard of.

“We are proud to showcase contemporary women’s fiction, chic lit, sagas, and historical fiction. Some are written by newcomers and some by more established authors. What links them all is that they have been selected by discerning readers to be loved by everyone.”

The 50th Anniversary celebration will include the presentation of the much-loved Romantic Novel of the Year and Love Story of the Year awards. The new awards introduced this year are The People’s Choice Award, The Rom Com Award, and the Romantic Film of the Year. The RNA is pleased to include The Harry Bowling Prize for New Writing as part of its celebration. Two RNA Lifetime Achievement Awards will also be presented at the Anniversary event.

The Romantic Novel of the Year
The Romantic Novel of the Year is chosen from a shortlist of six titles which have been selected by the reading public from more than 150 nominated books. The winner is selected by three independent judges. The shortlist, in alphabetical order by author name, is:

Passion, Louise Bagshawe, Headline Review
Fairytale of New York, Miranda Dickinson, Avon (Harper Collins
Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts, Lucy Dillon, Hodder & Stoughton
A Glimpse at Happiness, Jean Fullerton, Orion
The Glass Painter’s Daughter, Rachel Hore, Pocket (Simon & Schuster)
The Italian Matchmaker, Santa Montefiore, Hodder & Stoughton

The Love Story of the Year
The Love Story of the Year is for a shorter romance where there is a strong emphasis on the developing central relationship. A shortlist of six is again chosen by the reading public, with the winner selected by three judges. The shortlist is:

The Notorious Mr Hurst, Louise Allen, Harlequin Mills & Boon
Animal Instincts, Nell Dixon, Little Black Dress
Always the Bridesmaid, Nina Harrington, Harlequin Mills & Boon
Fair Deception, Jan Jones, Robert Hale
The Wedding Party, Sophie King, Hodder
Claimed for the Italian’s Revenge, Natalie Rivers, Harlequin Mills & Boon

The People’s Choice Award
To celebrate the modern nature of the Pure Passion Awards, the RNA has created a special ‘current award’ to recognise key new or developing authors in the romantic genre with paperbacks out in the spring.

In keeping with the RNA‘s desire to help good new romantic writers achieve prominence, publishers were invited to submit books by authors in whom they believe passionately and who would benefit from being part of the 50th Anniversary Awards event. Expert romantic writing buyers at key retailers were then asked to select their favourite six for the shortlist.

The winner of this award is chosen by the public. Readers are invited to read as many of the new paperbacks as possible and vote for their favourite at the poll website www.lovereading.co.uk/purepassion. The shortlist is:

Missing You, Louise Douglas, Pan
Remembrance Day, Leah Fleming, Avon
I Heart Hollywood, Lindsey Kelk, Harper
Rich Girl Poor Girl, Lesley Lokko, Orion
Heiresses, Lulu Taylor, Arrow

The Romantic Comedy Award
The Rom Com Award is organised and administered in the same way as the Romantic Novel of the Year. To reach the shortlist, the books must really tickle readers’ funny-bones. The winner is chosen by a panel of writers and readers selected by the RNA. The shortlist is:

Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend, Jenny Colgan, Sphere
The Nearly-Weds, Jane Costello, Simon & Schuster
50 Ways to Find a Lover, Lucy-Anne Holmes, Pan
Rumour Has It, Jill Mansell, Headline Review


RNA Romantic Film of the Year
Romance is a theme that moves easily from the printed page to film. The RNA celebrates this shared love of romance by selecting the finest romantic adaptations released as a film in the UK during 2009.

Once again the public will help select their favourite adaptation on the partner website www.lovereading.co.uk/purepassion. These votes will be added to the views of the RNA expert panel to select the winner. The shortlist is:

Confessions of a Shopaholic, Sophie Kinsella, Black Swan (Transworld)
An Education, Lyn Barber, Penguin
The Time Traveller’s Wife, Audrey Niffenegger, Vintage (Random House)
Twilight: New Moon, Stephanie Meyer, Atom, Little Brown


The Harry Bowling Prize for New Writing
Awarded every two years, and now for the first time included in the RNA Awards, this prize is given to the best first chapter and synopsis submitted by an author who has not yet had an adult novel published. The setting must be urban, and the book should contain a strong romantic element. The prize, organised and administered by the MBA Literary Agency in conjunction with the RNA, offers a great opportunity for a budding writer. Please visit the Harry Bowling Prize website for more details.

Lifetime Achievement
Two awards will be presented at the Pure Passion Awards to two people who have made outstanding contributions to romantic fiction and the Romantic Novelists’ Association.

Awards presentation
The winners of all awards will be announced on Tuesday 16 March 2010 at the Award lunch at the Royal Garden Hotel, in Kensington, London.

Open House and Longlist

Today is the annual eHarlequin Open House where all day long authors and readers can get together, talk about books, share cyber goodies and maybe win a prize or two. So why don't you join us all over there?

And over on the RNA website the longlist for the Romantic Novel of the Year Award 2010 has been announced.

Here's a list of the contenders:

The Very Thought of You, Rosie Alison

Passion, Louise Bagshawe

Beachcombing, Maggie Dana

Fairytale of New York, Miranda Dickinson

Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts, Lucy Dillon

A Single to Rome, Sarah Duncan

A Mother's Hope, Katie Flynn

A Glimpse at Happiness, Jean Fullerton

10 Reasons Not to Fall in Love, Linda Green

Marriage and Other Games, Veronica Henry

The Glass Painter's Daughter, Rachel Hore

It's the Little Things, Erica James

I Heart New York, Lindsey Kelk

The Heart of the Night, Judith Lennox

The Italian Matchmaker, Santa Montefiore

The Summer House, Mary Nichols

One Thing Led to Another, Katy Regan

The Last Song, Nicholas Sparks

Last Christmas, Julia Williams

The Hidden Dance, Susan Wooldridge

I'll admit that the effect this list has on me is to make me realise how much I wish I could have a 'reading time token' from Santa this year - preferably LOTS of them!

What about you?

And the winners are

The results from yesterday's awards lunch are that Julia Gregson won the Romantic Novel of the Year award with East of the Sun



Chair of the judges Alice O'Keeffe, books editor at The Bookseller, said East of the Sun was about "lots of different kinds of love". "There's the true love they're looking for, the love they develop for India the country, and the deep friendships they establish."


And - appropriately enough after that mention of India - the winner of the Romance Prize for 2009 was lovely India Grey with her book Mistress, Hired for The Billionaire's Pleasure.

I'm thrilled for India as she is a dear friend and this book is a great read. USA readers may want to know that Mistress, Hired For The Billionaire's Pleasure is on sales in Presents Extra this month.

The judges said that they were impressed by the "sheer verve and style" of the book which they described as "a model of romance, well-written and memorable with a clever plot featuring a lovely heroine and a gorgeous hero."

Congratulations, India!

And if you want to go and offer India your congratulations personally, you can visit her blog here

No one got both winners right but Jane did pick India's book so Jane if you get in touch with me (kate AT kate-walker.com) I'll send you a little something to celebrate too

Romantic Novel of the Year

Tomorrow the winner of the Romantic Novel of the Year award given by the Romantic Novelists' Association will be announced at the posh lunch in The Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, London

This year's short list is

Before the Storm by Judith Lennox (Headline)

East of the Sun by Julia Gregson (Orion)

Sophia's Secret by Susanna Kearsley (Allison & Busby)

Stargazing by Linda Gillard (Little Brown)

Thanks for the Memories by Cecelia Aherne (Harper Collins)

The Last Concubine by Lesley Downer (Transworld)

At the same event, the special Romance Prize will be awarded to one of these authors:

Mistress, Hired for the Billionaire's Pleasure by India Grey (M&B)

Promoted to Wife and Mother by Jessica Hart (M&B)

Saying Yes to The Millionaire by Fiona Harper (M&B)

Sold to the Highest Bidder by Kate Hardy (M&B)

The Wild Card by Beth Elliott (Robert Hale)

What's Love Got to Do With It? by Lucy Broadbent (Little Black Dress)

Congratulations to all the shortlist nominees and good luck for tomorrow

For the past couple of years I've run a little challenge for people to try and guess who will win - so why should this year be any different.

So pick the winner for each prize - one for the Romantic Novel of the Year and one for the Romance Prize. Post your selections in the comments section before midday (UK time) tomorrow and when I know who has won, I'll give a small prize to whoever got it right.

And the winner is . . .

Many many congratulations are due today to a lovely and very special friend of mine - someone who already scares me stupid with just her work rate and her ability to do so many things, her knowledge of history and her ability to write emotional and warm romances for two different lines.

Have you guessed yet? I'm really happy to be able to say that the RNA Romance Prize for 2008 went to Scary Kate aka Kate Hardy for her Modern Extra (well they were Modern Extra when it was published - Breakfast at Giovanni's .

For American readers, this book will be released in Presents Extra as In Bed With Her Italian Boss so look out for that.

I'm really really pleased for her. I just wish I could have been there at the lunch to share her very special moment with her. And Kate - I told you the black pearls would look great with that lovely outfit. You looked fabulous.

Interestingly, this was not one of the books that anyone picked as a potential winner. But someone - Chris, I think - got the winner of the main award right - and that was Freya North with her novel Pillow Talk. Chris - contact me and we'll talk prize books!

Many congratulations go to Freya too . The blurb of her book sounds intriguing - I suspect that on my visit to London I'm going to have to visit a bookshop . . . but then I would also need the time to read it and as my TBR pile is already toppling over . .. But I can resists everything but temptation.

And the temptation to add to my TBR is going to get even worse because today is definitely a great day to celebrate with friends.

I'd like to congratulate another friend - Karen Maitland - on the publication of her book Company of Liars. Here's another book that has a truly intriguing back 'blurb' . Here's what The Mail Books section says about it:

The year is 1348. As the Black Death spreads inexorably across southern England, nine people fleeing north meet on the road. Comprising a seller of fake religious relics, a conjuror, two wandering minstrels, a storyteller, a teenage couple on the run, a herbalist and a beautiful but sinister soothsaying child, it's a motley crew.
But its members have one thing in common: each is not what he or she seems, and as their journey progresses, so the various lies they have told begin to unravel with deadly consequences. For it's not just the pestilence snapping at their heels, but also a mysterious unseen beast — perhaps wolf, perhaps werewolf — which begins to pick them off one by one.
Karen Maitland has dug into some obscure corners of medieval history to produce an almost parallel universe; a place where myth, magic and superstition take over as the established order breaks down, but a world that nevertheless rings true. On top of that, she has fashioned a compelling mystery story that should appeal to a much wider readership than historical fiction fans; indeed, anyone looking for an engrossing, bulky fireside read.

Congratulations, Karen! And enjoy every moment of your launch party! I just can't wait till I finish with my deadline and can get a little extra uninterrupted reading time.

Finally, I have to let you know that I'm sharing in Nicola Marsh's special Be My Valentine Celebration today. There's a copy of my March book Spanish Billionaire, Innocent Wife on offer for you to win - and don't forget that Nicola is also offering that wonderful major prize of a goody bag of 14 novels at the end of the celebration - that's on Valentine's Day of course.

RNA Awards

Today is the day that the RNA holds its awards lunch at the Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington. This is the first time in some years that I haven't been able to attend, but pressure of work and the fact that I have to be in London for the party to launch the start of Mills & Boon's Centenary Celebrations, sadly mean that I can't make it this year.

There are two awards presented today - firstly the one for Romantic Novel of the Year

The titles on the shortlist for this award are these:

One Last Summer
by Catrin Collier
(Orion)

Pillow Talk
by Freya North
(Harper Collins)

Silk and Steel
by Catherine King
(Little Brown)

Silver Bay
by Jojo Moyes
(Hodder & Stoughton)

The Leaving of Liverpool
by Maureen Lee
(Orion)

Young Wives' Tales
by Adele Parks
(Penguin)

As I said when I first talked about this list, lack of time has meant that I haven't (sadly) read a single one of these so I have no hope at all of being able to say who might win. But I'll be interested to see who does.

And then there is the Romance Prize which is for the shorter 'category romances' and this is the shortlist for this award.

Breakfast at Giovanni's
by Kate Hardy

Driving Him Wild
by Julie Cohen


English Lord, Ordinary Lady
by Fiona Harper

Her Parenthood Assignment
by Fiona Harper


The Mediterranean Rebel's Bride
by Lucy Gordon

The Secret Life of Lady Gabriella
by Liz Fielding

I'm not even going to try to predict a winner - or to choose a favourite of these because I know every one of the authors and they are all excellent writers. So it would be impossible to choose - and wrong to declare any sort of paritality. Except to say that they're all winners already, just to be nominated in this special Centenary Year.

And to send everyone on the list Congratulations for being there - and good luck wishes for the awards ceremony today.

In past years I've run a small contest on this award and this year is no exception. If you'd like to pick the two books you think will win - one from the Romantic Novel of the Year Award list, and one from the Romance Prize - the post your selections in the Comments section, if someone picks the right two then I'll send them their choice of a signed book as a prize.

And if more than one person gets it right - or no one - then I'll get Sid on the job and let him pick a winner from all the entries.