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| Andrea & PJ |
It's Sunday morning and we're busy preparing for the journey to our respective homes. Well, some of us are. Others (like my three roomies) are still snug in their beds. ;-) It's been another wonderful RWA conference. Andrea and I will be blogging about it in more detail throughout the coming week but, for now, I'll leave you with some images of last night's festivities, the Golden Heart and RITA awards ceremony!
RITA winners Sarah MacLean and Eloisa James!
Eloisa won the Rita for Best Novella with "Seduced by a Pirate"
and Sarah took home the lovely statuette for Best Historical Romance
with A Rogue by Any Other Name.
My friend, Joanne Lockyer was a Golden Heart finalist for "The Last Light of Dusk."
RITA finalist Tracy Brogan rocking the red carpet!
Romance Bandits, Nancy Northcott and Jeanne Adams.
Molly O'Keefe and PJ.
RITA winner and RWA Hall of Fame inductee Kresley Cole.
Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Mary Jo Putney.
The joy of winning! Eloisa James embraces her longtime assistant and good friend, Kim Castillo.
Courtney Milan, Eloisa James and PJ
Andrea, PJ and Terri Osburn.
Toni Blake and PJ.
Historical author Vanessa Kelly and her husband, Randy (together they write as V.K. Sykes) along with PJ at the Rita/Golden Heart ceremony.
2013 Rita Finalist Sabrina Jeffries with Deb Marlowe, Claudia Dain/Claudia Welch and publicists Kim and Becky.
Romance icon Sharon Sala and 2013 RITA finalist Jean Brashear. My apologies to the person on the far left but I don't remember your name.
PJ and Rita finalist Roxanne "Rocki" St. Claire.
Some goodies at the fun and fabulous Samhain post-Rita party!
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| Chocolate Mousse |
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| Mini Cupcakes |
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| Cheesecake pops. Yes, they are just as decadently delicious as they sound! |
2013 Romance Writers of America RITA Winners
Best First Book: The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James
Contemporary Single Title Romance: The Way Back Home by Barbara Freethy
Historical Romance: A Rogue By Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean
Inspirational Romance: Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden
Long Contemporary Series Romance: A Gift for All Seasons by Karen Templeton
Novel with Strong Romantic Elements: The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James
Paranormal Romance: Shadow's Claim by Kresley Cole
Romance Novella: "Seduced by a Pirate" by Eloisa James
Romantic Suspense: Scorched by Laura Griffin
Short Contemporary Series Romance: A Night of No Return by Sarah Morgan
Young Adult Romance: The Farm by Emily McKay
Do you enjoy dressing up? Are you a basic black person or do you prefer a splash of color?
Did your Rita favorites win?
Are you drooling over those post-Rita chocolate goodies as much as I did?
Someone (chosen randomly) who leaves a comment will receive a pack of signed books and swag from our conference stash. (U.S. addresses only) Please indicate in your comment if your address is in the United States.
~PJ
Thanks so very much for all the great photos. Everyone looks so lovely and it looks like everyone was having a wonderful time!!
ReplyDeleteLooked like great fun - Thanks for the pictures!
ReplyDeleteI live in the U.S. And thanks for another giveaway. Loved The Way Back Home, glad Barbara won.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the great photos.
I never feel under or over dressed in a little black dress and pearls! Congrats to all the winners. Your books make us all very happy!
ReplyDeleteLoved the joy on Eloisa's face when hugging Kim. Congrats to all nominated and winners. Thanks, PJ, for the great pics!
ReplyDeleteand if you can't tell from my profile name, yes I live in the US!
DeleteI love that shot too, Amy. I sat next to Kim at the awards ceremony and it was almost as much of a thrill watching her reaction to Eloisa's win as it was watching Eloisa on the stage.
DeleteThank you for keeping us all updated via Twitter and Facebook last night, PJ. I'm happy for all of the winners, but I'm extra thrilled for Eloisa!!! The picture of her hugging Kim is priceless. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Gannon! It was a huge thrill for all of us when Eloisa won!
DeleteThank you for all the updates! I live in the US.
ReplyDeleteAwww... such great photos. :) The photos of the cupcakes and mousse got me drooling! :) And no... I don't live in the US.. :( I live in Canada...
ReplyDeleteI wanted to taste every dessert up there! I was so busy talking and taking pictures though that I ended up only eating a piece of German Chocolate cake and a cheesecake pop!
DeleteI loved the red dress Tracy was wearing. I am soo HAPPY for Eloisa. I could hardly contain myself last night came down to tell mom and granny. Congrats to other winners as well. Historical romance was a tough category for me as I loved many of the nominees.
ReplyDeleteThat dress was absolutely stunning!
DeleteI enjoy dressing up occasionally and I do like a splash of color. I think I look better in bright colors rather than black. :D
ReplyDeleteI'm very happy Eloisa James won for Seduced by a Pirate, I loved that novella. I'm so happy for Sarah MacLean as well. And yes, I'm drooling over those chocolate goodies, especially knowing that even if I were there I couldn't have any. I've worked too hard to lose weight to give in to temptation.
Good for you on not giving in to temptation! You should be very proud of that.
DeleteI was so happy for Eloisa. I also loved that novella!
Great pics!! It is so wonderful to see some of my favorite authors enjoying each other! What a great way to become empowered and motivated to write even more great books!!
ReplyDeleteThat's one of the most positive aspects of this conference, Betty. We all come away from it empowered and motivated.
DeleteThanks for the pictures. Those desserts look delicious.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed reading Sarah Maclean's new series, so I'm glad she won. I've never read Sarah Morgan's Harlequin's, but her last book got such good reviews, that I bought it. Now I have to find the time to read it. (I'm from the US).
I love Sarah MacLean's books too. She's an amazing writer. Hope you enjoy Sarah Morgan's book. She's very talented.
Deletelooks like everyone had a lovely time, so happy for Sarah's win (really enjoyed her book, it's the only winner I've read so glad I at least read one of them) :) Now I think I just want to crawl into those desert pics -- yummy! (US)
ReplyDeleteThose desserts looked even better in person!
DeleteCongrats to all the winners. Yes those desserts are to die for. Were they as good as they looked? LOL.
ReplyDeleteI do live in the U.S.
lovesthemets@yahoo.com
Yes, they were just as good as they looked in the pictures. Even better!
DeleteCongrats to the winners. I am glad for Laura Griffin's win. Love her books. I HATE to dress up. But I would have sacrificed if I could have gone!! Everyone looked so happy in the pictures. I do live in the USA.
ReplyDeleteI was happy for Laura Griffin's win too. She writes great books!
DeleteLooks like loads of fun! Have a few books to add to my tbr pile!
ReplyDeleteYay! We like adding books to people's tbr piles! :)
DeleteGreat to see all the photos. I'm so glad Eloisa James won! And I'm definitely going to have to read The Haunting of Maddy Clare.
ReplyDeleteMary Dieterich
United States
I haven't read The Haunting of Maddy Clare yet but it's gotten great reviews and lots of people at the conference were raving about it.
DeleteWhat a great pic and congrts to all Authors :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not live in US. So don't count me, just want to say 'congrts' :)
Hi Eli! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI'm definitely basic black. I'm thrilled that Eloisa James won. I'm also delighted that Karen Templeton is now a Hall of Famer and Mary Jo Putney a Lifetime Achievement winner. Congrats to all the winners.
ReplyDeleteI've loved all your pics, PJ, but the one of EJ and Kim is special indeed.
I was happy for Karen Templeton too, Janga. I share your love of her books.
DeleteMary Jo Putney gave a lovely acceptance speech. She's a legend!
EJ's excitement and sheer joy when she saw Kim after the awards ceremony brought tears to my eyes.
The photos were great, loved the cupcakes. Congrats to the winners! I do live in the United States!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to the RITA winners! It was fun seeing everyone all dressed up in the pictures. I really want to try a cheesecake pop after seeing the picture!
ReplyDeleteI want to figure out how to make those cheesecake pops. They were awesome!
DeleteSo nice to see all these wonderful authors all dressed up and having fun! :) And I do, indeed, live in the US!
ReplyDeletenanarogue@comcast.net
Thanks for dropping in!
Deletethe photos are great! I'd definitely wear "color" over black. The desserts make me drool.
ReplyDeleteyes, I live in the U.S.
The desserts made us all drool! ::grin::
DeleteI love color. I do like black, but something added is always great.
ReplyDeleteLots of great pictures and lots of great authors. Love Sabrina Jeffries and Roxanne St Clair. Love Mary Jo Putney and deserved the lifetime award.
Also the Chessecake pops look awesome and want several of them.
christinebails at yahoo dot com
LOL at wanting several cheesecake pops. We all felt that way!
Delete*Swooning over pictures*
ReplyDeleteI love dressing up. LOVE IT!
We saw gorgeous dresses! Oh, and the shoes! Swoon!
DeleteI was happy to see Barbara Freethy and Laura Griffin win. I usually choose black because it's slimming. I'm in the US.
ReplyDeleteBarbara Freethy is a doll and writes wonderful books. Her's was a very popular win.
DeleteI'm so happy to see that Sarah MacLean and Laura Griffin won. Thanks for all the great info and photos you posted. At this point, I'm more comfortable in my comfy clothes and shoes, just looking at pics of other folks dressed up!
ReplyDeleteWe have lots more pics to come!
DeleteCongrats to all the winners, wish Jill won, but contra, live the food whoo, so jealous
ReplyDeleteKimh
It would have been so cool if Jill had won as Krisan Higgins (one of her best friends) was the presenter for that category's award.
DeleteI love dressing up, but rarely have anyplace to go that requires it. Depending on my mood it is basic black or a bit of color.
ReplyDeleteYes some of my favorites did win. All the awards were well deserved.
the goodies look scrumptious. The cheesecake pops would be the first I'd try, but not the last.
I'm glad you had such a wonderful time.
I don't get that many chances to dress up either which is why I enjoy it so much at conference.
DeleteDressing up in basic black is nice, but I enjoy adding some color. I spend 3/7 of my week wearing navy scrubs to my RN job. Thanks for sharing all the great pics. I was not able to get time off from work to attend the conference this year but next year - a different story! Congrats to all the RITA winners.
ReplyDeleteLet us know if you go to next year's conference, Rachel. We love to meet you!
DeleteI don't enjoy dressing up like I used to. I am not used the high heels anymore since I don't wear them every day. I do lean toward the basic black for dress up though.
ReplyDeleteHigh heels got tossed out of my wardrobe the day prescription orthotics waltzed in. :(
DeleteI tend towards black when I dress up but I do like to add a little color with it if I can. Thanks for all the great pictures.
ReplyDeleteLooks like everyone was having a great time!! Love the photos and wish some of those goodies were in my kitchen!!
ReplyDeleteI live in Indiana!
Now that I'm home from conference, I'll be keeping goodies like those far, far away from my kitchen. It's back to fruits, veggies and fish for awhile! :)
DeleteThanks so much for all the pictures and updates of RWA! When I get dressed up, I'm usually in black. I accessorize with sparkly jewelry.
ReplyDeleteSo happy Eloisa won!
Hi SuzyQ! Missed you at the Goddess party!
DeleteMissed everyone too! I'm waiting for it to come back to the Northeast so I can see everyone again!
DeletePJ, you take the best pictures - and make the BEST chocolates! Randy and I certainly enjoyed them on the long trek back to Ottawa. We so enjoyed spending the evening with you and Andrea at the RITAS - so much fun, and so great to share in the joy of all the winners. Miss you gals already!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had an "adventure" on your journey home, Vanessa. Glad the chocolate helped. ;-)
DeleteAs always, I so enjoyed spending time with you and Randy. Wish we had had more time to chat!
Whoot go Eloisa James :)!!! As for dressing up I'm an all black kinda person, I'm horrible with matching clothing (My poor kids).... I discovered long ago if you wear all black you match :)
ReplyDeleteI discovered long ago if you wear all black you match :)
DeleteLOL! Love that!
PJ, Thanks for sharing the wonderful pics! I was able to attend in 2006, my very first book related conference and it was overwhelmingly fabulous! That conference is a romance readers dream come true!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you remember, Deb but we met at the Literacy Signing at the Atlanta 2006 RWA conference. That was my first signing too.
DeletePJ, of course I remember! Meeting and chatting with you was a highlight in my trip. You continue to inspire me with your beautiful smile and personality. You are just a joy to be around! Hugs!
DeletePs I am still in the US.
I'm an all or nothing gal. I'm either looking scrubby or I'm dressed UP. I prefer black usually, but am drawn to RED dresses as well...and anything that glitters or shows off the girls, I'm all about. And ridiculous shoes. I'm all about ridiculous shoes. I'm barefoot most of the year mind you.
ReplyDeleteI adored Sarah Maclean's book, so I'm very very happy she won! And I'm so so so glad Eloisa finally won, though I think she should have won way long ago. *LOL*
I am a US resident... :)
Hellie, I saw a lot of red at the conference. I think red ROCKS! Laughing at "showing off the girls." There were some "girls" being shown off and looking darn good while doing it! ;-)
DeleteThis has been such a fun week. Even though I wasn’t there physically, it was a ball reading everyone’s blogs and seeing all of the pictures.
ReplyDeleteAs for clothes, basic black doesn’t work on me. It washes me out. I like a pretty color. Since I’ve been retired for a few years and live year round wearing shorts here in Florida, I have to admit that I really don’t get too excited about getting dressed up. However, I have loved seeing the gorgeous dresses, hot shoes and creative handbags on all of the authors.
I’m so happy for all of the winners. Those who did not win this time, will probably win next time. I think it’s fabulous how all of the authors are sincerely happy for each other.
Um...would I be a total pig if I said I would like one of each of those delicious goodies? ;-)
Again, I live the US in Florida.
Connie Fischer
conniecape@aol.com
I think the romance community is very unique. It's heartening to see the support, mentoring and genuine happiness for the successes of fellow writers that goes on within this community of writers.
DeleteI'm looking forward to reading the winners. I don't like dressing up. I live in the US.
ReplyDeleteLove the splash of color and those desserts are to die for.
ReplyDeletegmapeony@yahoo.com
I love, love the splash of color! Sarah MacLean and Eloisa James are phenomenal writers and truly deserved the honors! I would have scoffed up all those deserts!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry we didn't get a chance to meet, Annie! I did meet some of your chapter mates at one of the signings and told them I was sorry I hadn't met you yet. One of these days!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures, PJ and Andrea! I'm sorry I did not take more, but I knew I could count on you to get some great shots!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos and thanks for posting RD ladies.
ReplyDeleteWell, I would have to say no, I don't like dressing up, and IF I really.. really.. really have too, I don't know if I would choose black outright, but definitely would be some dark colour(s).
Yes, my RITA faves won: Eloisa James and Sarah MacLean.
Are you drooling over those post-Rita chocolate goodies as much as I did?
Of course, who wouldn't. But here's my lineup: cheesecake pop, chocolate mousse and cupcakes. :P
I
ReplyDeletedo enjoy dressing up, I love shoes and bags. I LOVED THE CUPCAKES.
Cathie p.
Loved sharing the RITA Ceremony with PJ and Andrea! I'm usually a basic black dresser upper, but I'll occasionally bring out the color, usually a vivid blue or red. And Yeah! Eloisa finally got her RITA!
ReplyDelete