On Saturday night, Sarah, Anna and I got all glammed up to go to the 2011 Australian Romance Readers Association Awards at the Castlereagh Hotel in Sydney.
The night started off with a bookish bang when Sarah and I both won lucky door prizes (romance novels, surprise surprise). Poor Anna’s ticket number was read out in error. After jumping up with excitement she then had to sit back down again awkwardly, and empty-handed. Her door prize karma evened out at the end of the night when she finally scored her own stack of tantalizing tales. Hurrah! More books, just what every publisher needs!
The awards were presented between each of the delicious courses and a few lucky ARRA members got to accept awards on behalf of their favourite authors. Queensland author Helene Young was there in person to accept the award for Favourite Romantic Suspense – she was definitely a crowd pleaser.
Thank you to all the members of the ARRA who nominated their favourite books and authors for 2011. Avon was lucky enough to have three authors nominated: Anna Campbell, Stephanie Laurens and Julie Anne Long. Congratulations to all three authors, particularly Anna Campbell who won the coveted Favourite Historical Romance award for Midnight’s Wild Passion and Favourite Australian Romance Author for the third year in a row. Even though she was slightly terrified, our Avon publisher, Anna, proudly accepted Anna Campbell’s awards on her behalf.
Congratulations to all the winners of the night.
Favourite Paranormal Romance – Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh
Favourite Sci-Fi, Fantasy or Futuristic Romance – Archangel’s Blade by Nalini Singh
Favourite Short Category Romance – With This Fling by Kelly Hunter
Favourite Historical Romance – Midnight’s Wild Passion by Anna Campbell
Favourite Contemporary Romance – A Lot Like Love by Julie James
Favourite Erotic Romance – The Lone Warrior by Denise Rosetti
Favourite Romantic Suspense – Shattered Sky by Helene Young
Favourite Continuing Romance Series – Psy/Changeling Series by Nalini Singh
Favourite Australian Romance Author – Anna Campbell
The night finished with a ‘Bling-Off’ – and I must admit that I got in there myself and had a little strut. Everyone’s sparkles were so blinding that it proved so hard to pick a winner. This year’s Queen of Bling title was shared by the spectacular Tracey O’Hara and Mel Haffner.
The special guest speaker of the night was the fabulous Paula Roe who entertained us all of with the tale of becoming a romance reader at the tender age of twelve, taking us on a hilarious journey through the classic novels she used to read aloud to her friends at school, complete with big-haired, big shoulder-padded 1980s covers, and ultimately how her love of reading turned into a dream-come-true of writing romance.
Check out the ARRA blog for a blow-by-blow account of the evening
Romance Awards Night Part 1
Romance Awards Night Part 2
Romance Awards Night Part 3
- Kate F
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- Anna Valdinger and Tracey O’Hara
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- ARRA Awards dinner
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- ‘Bling Off’ Parade
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- Winner of the ‘Bling Off’ Tracey O’Hara and Mel Haffner
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Hi Every one
It was a great night I had a ball
Have Fun
Helen
Thank you for joining us on Saturday night. We were thrilled to have you there.
Hey, love the new-look website. And what a fun post to launch with. Thanks so much for the congrats. I’m still smiling! And yes, Anna, you DO have to send me those trophies. Hand ‘em over and nobody gets hurt!
Anna V was such a hoot, reading out both of Anna C’s speeches, and her dramatics upon not winning, and then winning, a door prize! It was great to meet you all, I’m looking forward to doing it all again next year!
ooh, I like the sound of my new title, “The Fabulous Paula Roe”
Great write-up, thanks, Avon gals!
I had such a great time as always and such fun seeing Anna V accept Anna C’s trophies – you did a fabulous job. And finally I got to win the bling crown – and sharing it with Melissa Craig was just the icing on the cake