On Saturday, we went to Leighton Buzzard so that I could attend the Award Ceremony. Here’s the list for the new talent section.
To celebrate me getting on to the shortlist of 11, here’s my writing buddy Jan, modeling her stylish hat, in support for Hats off to Love… Click on the picture to go to Jan’s blog.
New Talent Award Shortlist
An Infamous Seduction by Glenda Cooper
Country Strife by Debbie Fuller-White
Fancy Cakes and Skinny Lattes by Melanie Griffiths
For One Last Time by Louise Hall
The Gossamer Trail by Brenda Hawkey
Who Does He Think He Is? by Emily Kerr
Hats Off To Love by Susan Jones
Meeting Halfway by Mairibeth MacMillan
The Perfect Blend by Catherine Meadows
True Colours by Caroline Rayner
Maggie’s Child by Glynis Smy
It was lovely to meet the others on the shortlist. Brenda had traveled all the way from Cornwall, and I thought we’d had quite a journey. Her story sounded interesting, and so did lots of others, like Louise’s One Last TIme, and Glynis’s Maggie’s Child. Then I met Debbie Fuller White, who told me about Country Strife.
Congratulations to Caroline Rayner who won with True Colours. She told me it’s a story about second chances, because everyone deserves a second chance. Look forward to reading that.
The children dancing before and in between the awards were a real treat, and some brought a tear to the eye. I especially liked the lad dancing to ‘why do fools fall in love’ and the little girl singing ‘where is love’ from Oliver Twist, and dressed in rags.
Click on Samantha’s photo to go to her website.
I met Samantha Tonge, who was also shortlisted for her e-book, and two lovely Irish ladies, Carmel Harrington who won last years e-book category, she was presenting an award; and Louise Hall who was on the same shortlist as me. The editors from Carina are lovely as well. They won their section.
Sophie, in the middle of the two lovely Irish ladies, Carmel and Louise, won the blogger award for reviewedthebook blog.
So now I’m busy getting the novel finished, edited, polished and up to scratch to send in… also I’m working on The Ghost of Windmill Walk for Creative Frontiers.
Right after the award ceremony, we had a visit to Wales to visit Alan’s mum. She was her usual welcoming self, and more about that on my giggle blog in a week or so…
Even though I didn’t win, (in some ways I’m glad as I’d have been a nervous wreck going up on the stage) I know now that the story of Denise will be published one day. She is waiting for me to get fingers on keyboard, and put the whole thing together…..
One thing that stayed in my mind from the weekend, is that the lady who won, Caroline, had a lovely smile and she turned to me and said, ‘what lovely friendly people romantic novelists are.’ She is truly smashing, and looking forward to reading her story.
Susan Jones 
It sounds as if you had a lovely time at the award ceremony, Sue – how exciting for you! I’m sorry my ‘hat wishes’ didn’t work this time but the whole experience can only be good. As I’ve said, I think your title ‘Hats Off To Love’ is a great one. Thank you for the link to my blog. by the way. 🙂
It was lovely Jan, and your picture gave some style to how I felt, and to this blog post, so thank you for sending it. Now I need to get down to it and sort the whole thing out to completion. Easier to say than do, as you know:))
How lovely to meet all those talented authors and you must have been thrilled to be short listed, Susan.
Yes, Wendy, and really pleased for my characters and the story. Now I know it will be published one day.
How lovely to be shortlisted in the Romance Festival new talent award, Suzy – well done. Hope you get that novel finished and out there at some point!
I will Rosemary, perhaps I need to focus a bit more on just that.
Glad you had a great time, Susan. Good luck with finishing the novel.
Thanks Keith, that’s the hard part, but I’ve done too much on it now not to get it done. Then start on the sequel:)))
I look forward to reading the novel when it’s out and glad you had such a lovely time!
Thanks Sally, ditto for yours as well. Good luck with the next stage of your competition.
I’m glad everything was lovely and you enjoyed yourselves so much. Hope I get to read this novel one day. x
I hope you do as well Joanne. Glad you called by. x
What a fantastic experience and how lovely to see so many familiar names on that list! Good luck and I hope you get the novel out there soon 🙂 x
Thanks Teresa, will be working on it full steam ahead now, and thanks for all your support. xx:))
I’d love to read your novel too, Susan. You have done so well to write it. And so well to have got onto that short-list. Clever girl! And when you’re a famous novelist you can wear big hats all day long, if you want. Even in the bath!
Ha ha, that sounds good Lynne, I’ll be the big hat lady, in the bath with chocolates. Though, no, that sounds like the title of a murder story. I do love hats though, and would be a good excuse to wear one at my book launch. Speaking of which, must get on with it…… Glad you’d like to read it, and you shall have your wish one day. Here’s me sprinkling fairy dust across the computer. xx
Not surprised you enjoyed the event and congrats again on making the shortlist.
Thank you Linda for your kind words. Hope your special holiday went to plan, and you had a great time as well.