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 boogie. 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

Love romance? Have strong opinions? Want to get exclusive First Look at Avon books for an entire year? Sign up here to win the chance to be our regular Guest Reviewer. You will receive early copies of hand-selected Avon titles with a special invitation to write blurbs and reviews for our blog. If you think you have what it takes, sign up below and send us a review of your favourite romance novel in 200 words or less. Apply now!

Twas a bright and sunny morning, and fellow publisher Anna and I could not think of anything more pleasant than joining our fellow romance buffs on the Pyrmont Bridge for a good old romance reading flash mob. Armed with our trusty romance novels, some keen friends and even a couple of man folk, we found a shady spot and enjoyed the fresh air and romance. It didn’t matter that we almost got trampled by tourists, or that the ground was slightly harder than, say, a cosy couch – the day was all about togetherness, solidarity and reading sex scenes in a public place.

Thank you Australian Romance Readers Association, we had a lovely (and lascivious) time!

The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae – Stephanie Laurens

NEWSFLASH! Stephanie Laurens has just shot to the top of the bestseller lists with The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae, hitting the #1 spot on both the New York Times and Publishers Weekly mass-market fiction lists, and #5 on USA Today’s list of all books. An Australian woman has not reached such dizzy heights since Colleen McCullough in 1981. Plus she’s come in on the Australian bestseller list at #10 on the fiction charts. We are so proud! Congratulations, Stephanie!

The third and final instalment of Stephanie’s latest Cynster trilogy is a fitting conclusion to a fantastic series. After his failed attempts to kidnap first Heather (Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue) and then Eliza (In Pursuit of Eliza Cynster), the youngest Cynster sister is the mysterious highland laird’s last chance. Without her he has no hope of thwarting his vindictive mother’s plan for vengeance and saving his clan from destitution and ruin. But Angelica is as fiery as her hair and will prove more than a match for the Earl of Glencrae … Filled with all the action, adventure, suspense and steamy romance that fans have come to expect from bestselling author Stephanie Laurens, the Queen of Regency romance, this is one not to miss.  This determined heroine and her brave hero will be forced to risk all – love, reputation, honour, and even their lives – to defeat the odds and secure their future.