This week saw the annual Romantic Novelist Association Awards – the RoNAS. It’s THE event of the year for a lot of us. A time when the RNA honours the best of the best.
As always, I was one of the workers… which means I was so frantically busy, I didn’t get to talk to as many people as I wanted to. That’s all right. I like knowing I am giving back to the organisation that has given me so much in terms of friendship, support and a help in my career.
Two things from the night really stand out for me….
The first was the table settings.
During the setup phase, there are two teams at work in the room. The venue team are laying out tables and glasses, climbing ladders to erect a stage and lighting. They are experienced at such events, and give the night that lovely professional polish.
The second team consists of RNA people who are working because of their love for the organisation.
For me, this year, that was epitomised in the table settings. The lovely silver candelabra provided by the venue, and dressed with ivy and snowdrops, picked in the garden of our Chair, Eileen Ramsay by her granddaughter – and lovingly carried from Scotland to London.
The second high point of the evening for me was the presentation of an Outstanding Achievement awards to two remarkable authors, Claire Lorrimer and Anita Burgh.
Both women are fabulous writers. Anita was my mentor when I was just starting out. Both spoke with warmth and wit and intelligence of their careers and their lives. Yes – I got a bit teary.
As for the books… I confess I haven’t read them all. In fact, I have only read a couple of them.
Winner of the contemporary category was The Wedding cake Tree by Melanie Hudson. I read this just a couple of weeks ago and loved it. It was warm and intelligent and touching and I really enjoyed it. A very worthy winner.
And I am currently reading The Years of Loving You – a book shortlisted for the Epic Category. I’m always unsure of just what Epic means, but this book steps outside the boundaries of traditional romance. It’s going to make me cry. I know it will. If a book this good was NOT the winner – I can’t wait to read that one.
So – my goal now is to read as many of the shortlisted books as I can before next year’s candidates are announced. Then read those. The best of the best….
