Six years ago, four women who shared a love of reading romance took a leap of faith. Huddled in a hotel room in Atlanta, during the Georgia Romance Writers Moonlight and Magnolias Conference, they let their imaginations take flight and the result was a blog called The Romance Dish. One month later, on Monday, November 2, 2009, we opened the cyber-doors and welcomed readers and authors into our new home on the web. I'm not sure any of us envisioned a blog that would still be going strong six years later. Though Andrea, Buffie and Gannon are no longer part of the Dish, it wouldn't be what it is today without their hard work and invaluable contributions over the years. And, speaking of contributions, I'd like to give a big thank-you shout out to Anna Campbell and Trish Milburn for offering their talents through monthly posts for our first four and five years, respectively. You're both awesome!
While I'm thanking people, next up on my list is Janga. Her decision to close her own blog was a stroke of good fortune for us. Thank you, Janga for your beautifully written, insightful reviews, your love of lists (we all love Janga's book lists, right?), your tireless efforts on behalf of the romance reading community, and your willingness to share your talents with us here at the Dish.
Another big thank you to the other reviewers who share their thoughts and opinions about the books they read with us here at The Romance Dish. Hellie, J Perry Stone, Lisa Lin, Manda Collins and Nancy Northcott, you are all awesome! I hope I thank you often enough for your contributions!
Graphics by Sharlene created the special 6th Anniversary graphic for me this year. Thank you, Sharlene! I love it!
I have lots of anniversary fun planned for today so check back often. There will be reviews, spotlights, and giveaways. Many, many giveaways. There will be packages of books, signed books, newly released books, a Kindle Fire 7", and a special shirt. A very special shirt!
Let's kick things off with some giveaways.
When did you start visiting The Romance Dish?
Do you have a favorite post from the past six years or however long you've been visiting?
What sub-genre of romance do you most enjoy? Are you a single sub-genre reader (historical, contemporary, etc.) or do you cross boundaries?
Three randomly chosen readers will receive a package of books. (U.S. only)
Five randomly chosen readers will receive a Kindle copy of A Pirate for Christmas, a new regency holiday novella by Anna Campbell. (open to everyone)
Deadline for comments to be entered in giveaway is 11:59 pm (PST) today.
Readers, be sure to check out all the 6th Anniversary posts and giveaways!
I have been visiting The Romance Dish since at least early 2011, if not longer. Some author linked to your site for a post or giveaway. After reading several reviews by you wonderful ladies, I realized I had found people who had similar tastes to mine and who wrote insightful, good reviews.
ReplyDeleteOff hand, I can't think of any favorite post. I did enjoy Anna Campbell's posts and am sorry she had to cut back on her visits.
I enjoy Historical romance, but will try most sub-genre. I have found many good authors that write in multiple sub-grenre. Trying authors I read about here, has opened up my reading world to many more good reads in sub-genre I may not otherwise have tried. As a result, my TBR shelf has grown into a TBR Mountain. That is not really a complaint. I now have many good books to look forward to.
Congratulations on your 6 years with wishes for many more successful years ahead.
Pat, I really miss being a part of the blog too! I think I was a bit worried I was starting to repeat myself so after five years, the Dishes needed some new blood. Thanks for saying such nice things. And yes, I agree with you about Janga being a diamond of the first water!
DeleteI can't say when I visited but its been a long time. I have been signed by email for ages too :) i love historicals. I haven't read much lately but this blog always has great review's and authors !!! Congratulations on 6 years !! Happy Reading
ReplyDeleteI can't remember exactly when I discovered you, but it's been at least 3 years ago. I love reading historicals and contemporaries. I love this site and all the great reviews and authors and giveaways you offer. Congratulations on your 6th year anniversary! May you have many more.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteHappy 6th Anniversary!!
No absolute favorite post, but very happy to drop in each day.
I'm not sure how long I have been visiting.
I read across all genres, but Historical is my absolute favorite.
I don't have a lot of time for blogs but since discovering the joy of reading romance novels I usually have a favourite site that I check out a couple of times each week. I started with the Eloisa James BB and when it closed migrated to Romance Writer's Revenge. After that sank I moved in with JustJanga. Thought I had found my Shangri-La there but after closure I anchored here at the Dish ..... Congrats on your 6th anniversary .... Please don't close down any time soon!!!
ReplyDeleteFavourite posts are those that introduce me to new-to-me authors that become auto-buys. I have Janga to thank for many of those but also Hellie and Nancy. To pick a recent one it would be Nancy's review of C L Wilson's Fading Lands. After reading her review I then read the complete series.I also particularly like 'meet the author' posts where one has a chance to raise points with an author one loves.
I enjoy a romantic thread in most genres. Currently I'm devouring Rosanne Bittner's Western romances.
Quantum, I'm glad the review was helpful and you enjoyed C.L. Wilson's books. I love discovering new-to-me authors and am happy to help others do the same.
DeleteCongratulations on 6 great years on your blog. My all time favorite is Historical romance and reead many different sub-genres. I loved Anna. Campbells posts. I also love reading your recaps & the pictures of the conventions you've been to. I can't forget all the wonderful new Authors and their books. Thank you for the work you put into one of my favorite blogs.
ReplyDeleteCarol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
Oops, forgot to say I don't remenber exactly when I started visiting here but it's been a long time since I startd following.A few years.
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DeleteCarol, thank you so much for those kind words!!!!
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ReplyDeleteHi and Happy Anniversary Romance Dish!
ReplyDeleteIf I remember correctly, I have been along since the very beginning. I used to follow Julia Quinn and (later) & Eloisa James Bulletin Board and I found my way to this blog from there. I visit here daily, but unfortunately I am very lazy to comment, shame on me!
One of my favourite posts has been a Halloween one with lots of photos. PJ, You had really cute pictures of your Halloweens throughout the years. The photos were so lovely and so were the stories around them as well. If I remember it correctly, Your husband´s head scared every child who saw him and You cooking!
I read mainly historical and occasionaly contemporary romances. But one can never say never about something new coming toyou.
Thank You PJ for Your six-years-work for The Romance Dish! May many more years to follow!
Good morning, All! It's a rainy day here in my corner of the world and I'm having computer issues. Eeeep! Today, of all days! I've dragged out the old, slow, very slow laptop and am keeping my fingers crossed it plays nice while I try to fix the bright, shiny, new one that refuses to connect to windows. ::sigh:: Wish me luck! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by to help celebrate Anniversary #6! It's hard to believe I've been at this for six years. Thanks to all of you for coming along for the ride!
Librarypat, I miss Anna's posts too but I love that she has more time to write stories. Her recent novellas have been wonderful!
BookJunkee, thanks for following! I love historicals too. Have you discovered Eva Leigh and Anna Bradley yet? They are two new historical authors who are exceptionally good.
CathyP, thank you for loving the site! I appreciate your support!
MaryPreston, I always enjoy "seeing" you pop in from sunny Australia!
Happy Anniversary, PJ! I've been a visitor from the beginning and love the upbeat coverage of the genre you offer. My favorite posts are your recaps of conferences. I love those! I also enjoy the listings of upcoming books, which I use to be sure I don't miss anything.
ReplyDeleteI read most of the romance subgenres and most types of genre fiction, so I like the variety in the books featured here.
Thanks, Nancy! I'm so glad you're a part of the Romance Dish family!
DeletePJ, I also want to thank you for allowing me to be part of the party here on the Dish. I've enjoyed it and look forward to another fun year.
ReplyDeleteQuantum, no plans to go anywhere! I hope to continue blogging as long as people enjoy what we're doing here at the Dish. Glad to hear you're enjoying Rosanne Bittner. I met her in person during a visit to family last year and discovered we grew up a few miles apart. We went to rival high schools and there's just enough age difference so that our paths didn't cross at parties, etc. Fun to finally meet though. She's delightful!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carol! It's nice to hear that you enjoy my conference posts. Those are some of my favorites to write and, as you all probably have guessed by now, I do love my camera! *grin*
Serenissima! Thank you for stopping by! You have been with us from the beginning and I so appreciate that. I have wonderful Halloween memories. That photo of me as chef and my husband as dinner was the undisputed champion of all our costumes. And yes, it did scare a few children but it fascinated even more. I still chuckle over the little one who wanted to know what kind of batteries I used (to make him talk), the one who wanted to know how long it took me to "bake" him, and the neighbor girl who insisted I lift the table cloth and prove that the rest of him was still there! :)
Not sure a few yrs ago fab genre contemporary rom
ReplyDeleteForgot to wish you a happy anniversary here's to many more.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patoct!
DeleteHappy Blogaversary to you! Six years is quite a feat and you have done a truly amazing and dedicated job of it. I enjoy The Romance Dish and thank you for your hard work. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Connie!
DeleteHappy 6th Blogaversary... You do a amazing post of everything. You bring us great authors and books.. I have been visiting a few years now and I love contemporary and historical and I especially love a western themed book..
ReplyDeleteWe try our hardest, Kathleen! :)
DeleteI'm with you on the western themed books. Love them!
Hi Annie! When we met in DC I was still reviewing for RNTV. It was later that year, when RNTV closed, that we decided to create The Romance Dish. Some days it seems much longer than six years! lol!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary! I don't know how long I've been coming here, but I enjoy all your posts! I read mostly contemporary now, with some RS, paranormal and historical/western thrown in.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
Sounds like a good mix! Thanks for hanging out with us, Nikki!
DeleteHappy Anniversary, PJ! I've been reading the Dish since 2011, but I'm not sure how I found you. While I love your RWA recaps and pics, I love all the author features. As for my fave romance sub-genre, I'm a historical romance reader--always have been. It's my love of history that inspires my own books, and I love traveling back in time. Okay, have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy you found us, Barbara and I'm happy I found you! I'm looking forward to your post coming up this afternoon. Thanks again for your generosity!
DeleteI think I've been here since the beginning or close to it. I do like a bit of everything but definitely enjoy historicals the most and then suspense. I also love variety so mixed genres are fun too such has historical fantasy so I do cross boundarie. Probably the ones I stay away from usually (still read them occasionally) are inspirational and erotica. The only thing I really haven't got on board with so far are ebooks. I love being surrounded by books and seeing the covers and knowing I can share it with others that enjoy reading. I can't think of any particular post but an overall knowing that I love coming here and enjoy the variety of posts and you guys and fellow readers. Thanks for a great 6 years.
ReplyDeleteThank you, catslady. I really appreciate your support of the blog!
DeleteHappy 6th Anniversary. What a significant accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn Baron
Thanks, Marilyn!
DeleteHappy Anniversary! I don't have a clue when I started visiting and I don't have the opportunity to visit as often as I like but I always enjoy it when I do get the chance to pop in. Hope you have many more years of reading enjoyment!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debbie! It's always good to see you when you have time to stop by!
DeleteHappy 6th Anniversary to you and TRD, dear PJ! I've been here since the doors opened, enjoying every visit. Your conference posts top my list of favorite TRD posts. The next best thing to first-hand experience is experiencing conferences virtually through your posts. I also love the recipe posts, and I do miss Anna Campbell wonderful, personality-infused posts. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of TRD. You add joy to my life.
ReplyDeleteJanga, I always look forward to reading your reviews! You are a special part of what makes this an interesting and entertaining blog.
DeleteThanks, Cheryl. You made my day. :)
DeleteJanga, what a lovely thing to say. thank you. As you know, I've picked up a stack of my favourite authors thanks to you. It's wonderful when you strike someone who shares your reading tastes so closely - with just enough variation to add spice! Keep reviewing!!!!
DeleteHappy Anniversary! I'm not sure when I started reading your blog, but I know all four of you were still involved in it. Favorite posts that I can recall are your interview(s) with Lisa Kleypas & Julie Anne Long and your guess the shoe posts at the conventions.
ReplyDeleteThose shoe posts are popular! :)
DeleteHappy 6th Anniversary! I have been visiting since you began and love each and every visit. Wonderful books, reviews and authors. The posts about your life, travels and photos.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sticking with us for six years!
DeleteHappy Anniversary! I enjoy your fabulous conferences, anecdotes and all the features which are very interesting and special. I have been here for at least 5 years.
ReplyDeleteThanks, petite! Hope you'll continue to visit us here at the Dish.
DeleteHappy Anniversary, PJ! I have been here since the beginning, and this spot is one of my favorite places to visit. I am grateful that you have kept it going. I have made friends here whom I have never met in person. Is it strange that I feel like I know you, PJ?
ReplyDeleteI read both contemporary and historical romances. I think that historicals are a slight favorite. I enjoy the reviews, author interviews, personal stories, pictures from the events you attend, and pretty much everything you do here. I miss Buffie, Gannon, and especially Andrea. It would be fun if they did an occasional appearance here!
Is it strange that I feel like I know you, PJ?
DeleteI know what you mean, Cheryl. I feel the same way!
Happy Anniversary, PJ. You know I love you and the other dishes dearly.
ReplyDeleteSo I first started visiting the Dish when you opened. I remember you all in the conception stage. It was exciting.
As for my favorite post, the yellow roses tops all for me.
And because of you, I am no longer relegated to Historical Romance only.
Much love,
J Perry Stone
Love you right back, J! Thank you for your contributions to the Dish. I love your reviews!
DeleteYeah, that yellow rose post is one of my favorites too. For obvious reasons. :)
Congratulations on six years! I found the Romance Dish about two years ago and have been visiting almost daily since. My favorite is historical romance, but I am reading more and more contemporaries as time goes on.
ReplyDeleteAlways good to see you here, Laura! Thanks for supporting us!
DeleteHappy Anniversary! I was one of the first ones to visit six years ago, and when I started to receive publishing contracts, sadly, my blog visits diminished. But I lurked a lot and kept up to date. I will try and comment more. I have to say this blog gave me the courage to actually submit a manuscript. How? Five years ago, you had contests, asking people to submit a few paragraphs of writing, and I won one of the contests! The Romance Dish and the judges were so complimentary and positive it gave me that extra push to submit. I always adored the positive atmosphere here and the obvious love for romance books. Here's to many more years! *raises glass*
ReplyDeleteWow, I had no idea we had a hand in you submitting your manuscript. I'm glad you decided to take that step. I'm so happy for you and your success!
DeleteLove Hawaii Karen t.
ReplyDeletediscovered your blog a year or so ago--love it!
ReplyDeletedenise
Thanks, Denise! Happy you found us!
DeleteI think I stumbled here shortly after you appeared. I was a silent lurker for a long time. I love the reviews most of all. I have found so many authors here. I read mostly contemporary or romantic suspense. And I do love to read!! Here's to many more years!!
ReplyDeleteI think I stumbled here shortly after you appeared. I was a silent lurker for a long time. I love the reviews most of all. I have found so many authors here. I read mostly contemporary or romantic suspense. And I do love to read!! Here's to many more years!!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you decided to leave lurkdom, Trish! Thanks for supporting us!
DeleteHappy anniversary! I've been here with you for several years. I enjoy many, many Dish posts. I especially look forward to the ones that key me in to new authors and new books. My favorite romance sub-genre is historical. I also enjoy contemporary, romantic suspense and some PNR/UF books. Thanks for all the great giveaways.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sticking with us, LSUReader!
DeleteTo tell the truth, I just don't remember the first time I visited The Romance Dish, but it has been a long, long time. Quite possibly around the time you opened the doors for visits. Love reading the author's posts, excerpts, reviews and meeting new-to-me authors.
ReplyDeleteI like reading historical romances primarily set in the 19th century and early 20th century. Within the historical romance genre, I like reading mysteries (thriller and suspense) such as stories written by C. S. Harris, Victoria Thompson and Ashley Gardner.
Congratulations on your 6th year anniversary. Thanks for all you do and hope to continue visiting for another 6 years (or more)!
I know you've been here a long time, Karen. I like thrillers too. I haven't read Victoria Thompson. Must check her out. Thanks!
DeleteHey guys!
ReplyDeleteHuge congratulations to you!
How's this for an answer? I have been coming to this blog since Jan 29, 2010. Yes, I'm anal like that.
No favourite post; they're all enjoyable, of course!
I prefer contemporaries. Light reading gives me the most amazingly sweet dreams. If I read historicals, I can't hit the sack for hours on end when I finally finish the books, so short contemporaries do the trick instead. I read the historicals first thing in the morning so I can finish long before bedtime. (There's more than one way to skin a cat, so to speak, LOL! Maybe I should have thought of a different phrase, hehe....)
International (Canada)....
Hi Laney! Okay, I'm officially impressed. You know the exact date! That's pretty awesome!
DeleteCongrats on the 6 years... I've been retired 6 years and I suspect that I found you right away. I read all over the map... my dad got me started on science fiction when I was little, but I found romance early on... along with westerns.... I read the Hobbit and then the Trilogy on a vacation in the middle of the back seat... when you're short.... you can't see out any of the windows...
ReplyDeleteI know you've been here for quite a while! Laughing at your reason for reading in the car. I often ended up in the middle of the back seat too. ;-)
DeleteI've been visiting The Romance Dish 3-4 years (sorry I missed the first few). Thank you for all the time you put in to share the world of books with us.
ReplyDeleteI love all genres of romance, but Historicals are probably my favorites. My main requirement is a happy ending, and I do love some humor in the story.
I'm glad you found us, Di! I read a lot of different genres too but historicals were my first love so they hold a special place in my reader's heart.
DeleteHappy 6th Anniversary to you lovely ladies. I'm not sure how long I've been visiting your blog, but I'm glad to have found you. I only read Historical Romance.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diane! I'm glad you found us too! :)
DeleteI started visiting your site after you were part of Read-A-Romance-Month a year ago. So thank you for being part of that special month. I love to read all kinds of romance. The post I loved the best was recently. You posted about keepsakes. I loved reading everyone's answers.
ReplyDeleteI had so much fun writing the post for Read-A-Romance-Month. Bobbi does a great job of promoting romance!
DeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed my Keepsakes post. I really enjoyed writing that one and reading everyone's comments.
Happy Anniversary! My fave posts are reviews and finding new authors. I also love the interviews. Hmmm I think I like all the genres. What's not to love?
ReplyDeleteI'm kind of the same way. If it's well written and I like the characters it can be just about any genre. :)
DeleteHappy Six years!! I think I've only been following for about three or so, but have enjoyed finding many new authors and seeing interviews and info about familiar ones! I like contemporary romances, with some historical thrown in for variety!
ReplyDeleteThanks and congrats again on such a great milestone!
Always happy to introduce readers to new authors and books!
DeleteI have following for about 2 years. I love contemporary and historical romance. Congratulations on your anniversary!
ReplyDeleteThanks, kmannrn!
DeleteHappy anniversary!!! I can't even remember when I started visiting the blog but it has to be a year or two after it had started. So like 5 - 4 years! WOW How the years go by! I started with Historical romances and it has crossed genres, so I thank you ladies for the reviews and introduction to authors and books!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, kipha. Always nice to see you here!
DeleteHAPPY ANNIVERSARY, LADIES!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI only discovered The Romance Dish a couple years ago, but have been visiting ever since. I love all the reviews and spotlights! The giveaways are just bonus. :-) I do tend to read a lot more historical romance than others, but I do read a good bit of contemporary as well as some paranormal and fantasy. I actually wish there was more historical paranormal out there. :-)
Have you read Zoe Archer? Her Hellraisers series is historical paranormal.
DeleteToday is my first visit so I don't have anything that's a favorite, yet. I love paranormal books and some sci-fi. Some good old fashioned is nice, too.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Cathie! I hope you'll visit again!
DeleteToday is my first visit so I don't have anything that's a favorite, yet. I love paranormal books and some sci-fi. Some good old fashioned is nice, too.
ReplyDeleteNot that long really. not sure how long but hasn't been that many years. I love many sub genres. I have no fave
ReplyDeleteI believe I've been here from the very beginning, and I can't name a favorite post, there have been so many wonderful ones. I read many sub-genres of romance, but it's a tie for favorite between historical and paranormal.
ReplyDeleteI have been coming here so long I can't even remember when it started! I love reading the reviews you ladies post and have found several favorite authors by reading your reviews!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love all books!! I cross boundaries :)!!
I think it's been about a year since I first started visiting this blog?! I can't remember how I found PJ but I visit almost daily now :) thanks so much for sharing and HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY!!! here's wishing you many, many more!
ReplyDeleteHappy 6th Anniversary! I began visiting The Romance Dish this year and enjoy the reviews, interviews, general posts and contests. I don't have a favorite post. Since I love reading romance in general, I don't hold to one genre only but pick up what strikes my mood at the time. It has often been paranormal or urban fantasy in recent months, but mixed with historical, suspense, sci fi, and contemporary romance.
ReplyDeleteHappy 6th Anniversary! I began visiting The Romance Dish this year and enjoy the reviews, interviews, general posts and contests. I don't have a favorite post. Since I love reading romance in general, I don't hold to one genre only but pick up what strikes my mood at the time. It has often been paranormal or urban fantasy in recent months, but mixed with historical, suspense, sci fi, and contemporary romance.
ReplyDeletejust wanted to drop in real quick (I don't know where today, er yesterday, went) to wish you happy anniversary! and to say thanks for regularly providing those of us who follow with something interesting and entertaining to brighten our day :) will look forward to year 7 :)
ReplyDeletejust wanted to drop in real quick (I don't know where today, er yesterday, went) to wish you happy anniversary! and to say thanks for regularly providing those of us who follow with something interesting and entertaining to brighten our day :) will look forward to year 7 :)
ReplyDeleteNot sure when I started. But am enjoying it.
ReplyDeletePattyb
PJ, congratulations to you and everyone at the Romance Dish on your 6th anniversary. That is such a major achievement! And how cool that five of your visitors are going to get a chance to meet my pirate! Thanks so much for all the support and friendship over the years. You're the best!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary, Romance Dish! It's been so nice knowing all of you over the years. Here's to many, many more! <3
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary! I first met you ladies years ago on the forum managed by Kim Castillo and have been following ever since, usually lurking but always checking in to see what everyone thinks about the new romances. I'm usually reading historicals and paranormals/UF and scifi, and always looking to find another good new author.
ReplyDelete