Monday 9 February 2009

Romantic Novel of the Year Award 2009

Tomorrow is the Romantic Novelists Association, Romantic Novel of the Year Award Lunch, which is being held at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington. This is always a fabulous occasion, and it's wonderful to catch up with people I haven't seen for a while, and meet new friends.

I'm trying to ignore the weather forecast (strong winds and possibly snow) as I'm flying to London tomorrow morning, after dropping S & J off to catch their bus, and then back again in the evening. I've discounted the shoes I was going to wear and replaced them with a pair of boots, and gloves have already been placed in my bag so that I don't forget them. I've also packed The Farmer Needs A Wife, by Janet Gover (who won the Elizabeth Goudge Award at the RNA 2007 Conference), so that if I do get delayed, I'll have something great to read.

The shortlist for the Romantic Novel of the Year Award 2009 is as follows:

Before the Storm by Judith Lennox (Headline)
East of the Sun by Julia Gregson (Orion)
Sophia's Secret by Susanna Kearsley (Allison & Busby)
Star Gazing by Linda Gillard (Little Brown)
Thanks for the Memories by Cecelia Ahern (Harper Collins)
The Last Concubine by Lesley Downer (Transworld)

Romantic Novelists, RNA Romance Prize 2009 shortlist is:

Mistress: Hired for the Billionaire's Pleasure by India Grey (Harlequin Mills & Boon)
Promoted to Wife and Mother by Jessica Hart (Harlequin Mills & Boon)
Saying Yes to the Millionaire by Fiona Harper (Harlequin Mills & Boon)
Sold to the Highest Bidder by Kate Hardy (Harlequin Mills & Boon)
The Wild Card by Beth Elliott (Robert Hale)
What's Love Got to Do With It? by Lucy Broadbent (Headline)

21 comments:

Chris Stovell said...

Lucky, lucky you! Have a great time and tell us all about it.

HelenMWalters said...

It all sounds really exciting! Have a good time x

Jenny Beattie said...

Ooh, I'm not at all jealous... Have a wonderful time - please take lots of pictures.

Karen said...

Sounds great fun. I'll keep my fingers crossed for decent weather :o))

DAB said...

Have fun m'dear TFx

Troy said...

So who do you think is going to win?
(PS: Enjoy your day out)

CL Taylor said...

Oooh didn't realise how fancy the venue is until I just googled it! I'll be easy to spot..just look for the tall lost woman wandering round in awe.

Unknown said...

It's ages since I went to a RNA do and I'm very, very jealous.

Hope you have a super time!

Jayne said...

Can't wait to hear all about it! Keep safe and have fun xx

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

chrish - thanks, I will.

helen - it's great fun, I'm looking forward to it.

jj - I'll pack my camera and try to remember to take pics too.

karen - thanks, I just hope it's less windy than today, shiver!

tf - thanks, will do.

troy - I've no idea, they all seem so good.

calistro - and you look out for the shorter, blonde, one with the bemused look on her face.

shirley - I would have love to have met you, maybe next time.

mummy - thanks, will do.

Lane Mathias said...

Have a lovely debs. Safe trip. x

Pat Posner said...

Have a great time, Debs. I've ordered good weather.

xxPat

Anonymous said...

Have a great time Debs! will be worth braving the weather.

Fionnuala said...

I am SO Jealous! How does one get to go? Is it invite only? The weathers been lovely so hope you had a great day. Fx

French Fancy... said...

Hope you had a good day and that the boots did not make your legs too hot.

More importantly - have you kept off the midget gems?

Kat W said...

OOoooh - that all sounds really exciting & of course I know you'll write a fab post telling us all about it (no pressure ;-)) which will give us something to look forward to.

Oh I wish I was going..............

Kat :-)

Flowerpot said...

hope you have a great time nad look forward to hearing all about it.

Carol said...

That sounds fantastic!! I hope you have a fab day and I'm already looking forward to reading all about it!!

C x

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

lane - thanks.

pat - your good weather arrived, as ordered, thank you.

motherx - it was fab.

fionnuala - it was fab. You can go if you're a member of the RNA (see link on bottom of my blog), or as a guest. So, if you want to come next year, let me know and I'll take you as my guest.

french fancy - they were ankle boots (wore trousers), so were fine, thanks.

I have stayed off the Midget Gems, but it's hard going!

katw - it was fab, and will try and write a post asap, but my photos were disastrous.

flowerpot - it was great fun.

carol - I had a great time, will post soon

Phillipa said...

It sounded like a fabulous do, Debs - wish I could have been there and I hope our paths will cross one day. Thanks for the report. :) P x

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

phillipa - it was a lovely day. I'm sure we'll meet up at some point in time :)