RNA Romantic Novel of Year Awards Lunch

What happens when you place a large group of romantic novelists together? There is a queue at the bar and buzz of conversation that is amazing. The publishing industry gathered to celebrated the joys of romance and did so with style and more than a touch of glamour! The event began with a reception where most of these photos were snapped. Please forgive for I have forgotten some name (pls don't be shy if it's you or someone you know - let me know).

Blogger is playing up so I will just list the pictures in order.

Roger Sanderson (aka Gill Sanderson) and Anne Ashurst (aka Sara Craven)

Louise Allenand Evelyn Ryle

Jenny Haddon, Catherine King and Trisha Ashley






Carol Townend and Kate Hardy (who has a great write of the lunch on her blog)



Julie Cohen(who also has a wonderful write on her blog) and another author

Judy Astley

Susie Vereker, Brigid Coady and Carol

Biddy and moi!

Jane Wenham-Jones and you know who

Mary Zacaroli, Carol Sheldon (agent) and Elizabeth Harris

Emma Beswetherick (editor Piatkus) with Paola Ehrlich (Piatkus) and Cath Burke (editor MIRA)

Jane Wenham-Jones and Katie Fforde

Julia Gregson receiving the Romantic Novel of the Year Award for East of the Sun

Julia celebrating.

Judy Piatkus shortly after she received the Life Time achievement award

Jan Jone Jan Jonesand Catherine JonesCatherine Jones (aka Kate Lace)

Victoria Connelly and Jean Fullerton

The winner of the Romance Prize, India Grey

The pub afterwards!

Fellow Novel Racer Cally Taylor and I - amazingly still standing!

Katie Fforde, Susannah Kearsley (short listed author for the main award) and Janet Gover

I have run out of steam I'm afraid................ will post links to other blogs with more detail.

As Promised - My Writing Room

It's done and it's pristine! I now need to christen the room with some writing! What a thought - each night I have been falling asleep with ideas tumbling over in my head yet nothing has been put to the page. This has been to to circumstance - yes but now I have no excuse. I have a near perfect space to BE in and ideas queing to come out. I just needd to follow my own advice and just write!!!! (Rebecca, it is very tidy and unused at the moment. Once work commences disaster will pour forth in the form of bits of paper, research books, tea cups..............)

On another note I was persuing the current issue of TimeOut Dubai as one does - looking for the best restaurant deals to be honest and came to the book review section. The lead review is of Lucie Whitehouse's book - The House At Midnight. It was a brilliant review (not yet online) and just might make me move the book closer to the top of the towering TBR pile!!!

NEWS FLASH

The short list for the Romantic Novelist Association Romance Prize is out here. It is a fantastic list (all fabulous writers) but it all the more wonderful because my friends Fiona Harper , who has not only one but two books on the list, and Julie Cohen Julie Cohen are on it. I am so pleased that I will be making it to the lunch!!! It will be worth leaving Dubai at 3 in the morning to arrive at LHR at 7:30 for the lunch at 11:45! Is that dedication for you you or what!!!!!