Hi everyone,
By this time most of you will know that Beyond Graces Rainbow has won the Book Award for Best Romantic eBook 2013 at the recent Festival of Romance, held in the UK.
I cannot find the words really to explain how much this award means to me and also how shocked I was to win! I know that people often say in similar situations that to be nominated is enough and I can assure you that for me this was so true. I attended the Festival with no expectation, only joy at being shortlisted in such a strong category. I smiled my way through the Romance Book Fair on Saturday, delighted to be with my fellow Harper Impulse colleagues and chatting to other authors, readers and book bloggers.
Here is a photo of me at the fair with my friend Jane Linfoot, author of How to Win a Date in 10 days, also shortlisted as Best Romantic eBook read.
Can you see the beautiful book cover bags? They were made by the talented author Lorraine Wilson, shortlisted for her book Confessions Of A Chalet Girl.
Later that night, I happily joined my fellow authors at the Book Awards with Mr H by my side, ready to cheer on all of the deserved winners.
Here is a photograph taken just before the awards started with my fellow shortlisted nominees, Jane Linfoot, Lorraine Wilson, Laura James & Phillipa Ashley.
I was extremely excited to see Harper Impulse shortlisted 7 times and when Harper Impulse won the industry award for Innovation in Romantic Fiction Publisher Award, I think my cheers must have been heard here in Ireland, because I was so proud and happy for Content Developer Charlotte Ledger and Digital Marketing Manager Katie Sadler who are pictured here!
Also picking up an award was Harper Impulse author Linn B Halton, author of the Angels Among Us series, who won the author award for Innovation in Romantic Fiction for evolving the loveahappyending.com author/reader initiative into an interactive lifestyle magazine.
When they came to my award category, my eyes were flitting to the other candidates because i truly wasn’t expecting to hear my name called. When they announced me as the winner, I actually didn’t believe my ears and had to look to Rog for confirmation that it wasn’t a hallucination! But the smile on his face made me realise that Grace really had done it!
My legs were like jelly walking to the stage and my hands shaking taking the beautiful crystal award.
Here’s a picture that my friend author Jane Lark captured, just as I had won. I think my shocked face says it all!
And here is a picture of me a little later in the night, a little less emotional but still a bit dazed and stunned!
The following day with a slightly hoarse voice I attended the Romance Conference where I was one of the speakers, discussing author platforms and no I don’t mean the kind you wear on your feet! Think more twitter, Facebook, blogging!
This past year has been magical for me. I’ve had many highlights throughout this journey, signing with my agent Tracy Brennan, my book contact with Harper Collins, my first PUB day, TV, Radio and Newspaper interviews (me!! still incredulous!) holding my paperback for the first time, but without doubt the most exciting moment was winning that award.
There really aren’t enough words to thank every single person who has read Beyond Grace’s Rainbow. I am constantly in awe at how supportive you, the readers all are. The reviews and feedback you all have given me has truly made such a huge impact and I’ll be forever grateful.
So for that reason I dedicate this award to you all
Thank you
Carmel xxxxx
