If any of you watch VH-1, you'll know they have a show called The Best Week Ever. They go over all the events (and non-events, like what Britney Spears ate for lunch) of the past week, poke fun at it, and talk about why this past week was the best week ever. Well, around here, this week - at least for Lynn Raye Harris and Maven Linda Winstead Jones -WAS the Best Week Ever.Lynn won the Harlequin Presents Instant Seduction contest last Friday with her entry for THE SPANISH MAGNATE'S REVENGE. She beat out 599 other entries to take the prize. Then, she found out Tuesday that she is a Golden Heart Finalist in the Adventure/Suspense category with her book HOT PURSUIT.
Maven Linda was named the 2008 recipient of the Emma Merritt Service Award to be presented at Nationals this year. She also got the call Tuesday to find she is a double RITA finalist in the paranormal category with PRINCE OF MAGIC and RAINTREE: HAUNTED!
Congratulations to them both! Also, special congrats go out to Playground friends who've picked up RITA nominations - Kristi Gold, Allison Brennan, Maureen Child, Cheryl St. John and fellow HOD Member Debra Webb. Also, a big SQUEEE for all the RT nominees, including Maven Linda Howard and Maven Beverly Barton!
So much good news around here. Of course, this means we're having a party. If there's one thing we do well on the Playground - its celebrating. We'll take all the positive energy we can get. The margarita machine is buzzing (lime = fruit, perfectly acceptable for breakfast). The chocolate fountain is flowing, the petit-fours are plated. The shirtless hunks will be here any second to cater to our every whim. Grab a Teeter Totter at the bar and celebrate with us.
One well-wisher today will receive a prize pack that includes chocolate and books by RITA and Emma Merritt winning or nominated authors. Put the phrase "SQUUEEEE" in your comments to win. (UPDATE - The prize just got sweeter! Kristi Gold has graciously offered a copy of her Rita nominated book - Fall from Grace. Thanks, Kristi!)
SP
85 comments:
wtg winner and nominees. that is great news. SQUUEEEE"
love your books.
happy friday, have a nice weekend all
kim h
"SQUUEEEE" Wonderful news all the way around! Congratulations to all!
Cheryl S.
Happy days! Don't you love good news?
And, I'm not eligible to win anything of course, but I never pass up the opportunity to SQUEEEE!!!!!!!!
I wanted to stop by to say Congratulations again to Linda. And now that I've seen all the GREAT news for the other members a big congratulations to all of them too.
I can't wait to get to San Francisco and celebrate with LJ!
I'll see y'all next week!
Lori Handeland
Congratulations Lynn and Linda! Fabulous news all the way around and so VERY rightly deserved!
I know that I'm not supposed to eat sugar for breakfast, but I want a petit four. :-)
I won't win, of course, but I'll SQUUEEEE anyway. What fun -- a cyber party! I'm starting off with real coffee, but in a while I'll add cyber chocolate and Teeter Totters to the menu.
It's been an exciting week!
Congrats to Lynn, and to all the other finalists. Here's another SQUUEEEE! :-)
LJ
Congrats on the win! SQUUEEEE"
Glad it's Friday
Cheryl K
WooHoo! Congratulations Lynn & Maven Linda *Cheers*
Don't you love good news & a good party with shirtless hunks *Drools* to early for me to have a drink but I wouldn't mind just looking at them right now *g*
The Soapbox Queen’s sent me here :-)
Have a wonderful & safe weekend.
Hugssss
LindaH
Congratulations to everyone!
I just love a party :-) Send over a hunk with a petit four and a teeter totter. :-D
Instigator
My heart is still thumping after hearing all the good news on Tuesday. Congrats to all the finalists. Boy are we going to have a party in San Francisco!
I had my own good news yesterday. My orthopedic surgeon released me and I will have 4 physical therapy sessions over the next two weeks. I still have to just shuffle along for another six weeks, which means I can't start the aerobic program I'd planned until May. But he said my foot is healing very well. So I'm happy about that.
Let me get a cup of tea and I'll have a petit four to go with it.
PM
Congratulations ladies!!!! SQUUEEEE
Ya'll have been quite productive/successful already this year. It's good to see that all your hard work is paying off.
Glad your foot is doing so much better, PM!
You don't want to take any chances with that foot, PM. Better have the shirtless hunks wait on you and carry you everywhere...
The Soapbox Queen’s sent me over here to wish you congratulations to the winners and nominees.
Happy Friday everyone.
Wow there's alot to be celebrated!! Congratulations!
Queen Rhonda, suggested we stop by today to send good wishes and I'm always up for a party so I've brought some godiva martini's and I've borrowed the shirtless waiters from the castle to serve you...please remember to return them when your done!!
Yes, Queen Rhonda suggested that I visit, so here I am. Congratulations ladies!!! And for the party, I am bringing rich, chocolate brownies, let's all enjoy!
Ginger/BSOB
Congrats to you all and huge SQUUEEE!!!
Soapbox Queen’s sent me.
Aye-Caramba!!! SQUEEEEE!!!
Major congrats to Lynn and Maven Linda! Shout out to all the finalists and to Mavens Linda and Beverly too. Aye-Chiwawa!! Dis iz quite a partee!
And how marvelous it is. Chocolate, margaritas, petit fours... now all we need is Jack.
Come out, come out wherever you are! (I've got a dram of rum for you.) And I have a playfriend who needs your winsome touch. PM, are you ready for him? I only ask that you share. This will be a long party.
Wanted to stop by the party and thank WP and everyone else for the congrats on the RITA nom! After a very late night of writing, nothing gets me out of bed faster than margaritas and shirtless hunks. However,even a tiny bit of tequila puts me out, so I best hold off...for now. But I am currently drinking a Godiva Belgian Blend Milk Chocolate Mocha. Yum.:)
PM, take care of that foot! You need to be able to dance the night away in SF.:)
Have a great day,everyone!
Kristi G.
SQUEEEEEEE! (But I can't win, LOL, and that's fine -- I've got lots of good stuff this past week!)
Thank you everyone for the congrats! And congratulations to Maven LJ for her fabulous double nomination!!! And to Maven Linda and Maven Beverly on their RT nominations!!!
Just, man, congrats all around to all the nominees and to everyone with something to celebrate. :)
I'm late getting here this morning because the hubby had to get up at 5AM for an appt in Birmingham. What does any good arteest do when her spouse heads out the door so early? Goes right back to bed of course! ;)
San Francisco is going to be so much fun! I don't expect to win, but I sure intend to have a good time. :)
Okay, pass me a Teeter Totter, that scantily clad hunk over there, and a petit four (so he can feed me...).
Word verif: dowax. Does it taste good?
Congratulations to all the winners and nominees. SQUUEEEE!
Dowax must be a varied form of doowop. I think it's some sort of dance or... something that comes out of someone's ear.
Sorry, I guess that reply to Lynn's veri. word was gross. I claim the rum made me do it.
Where's Jack?
Wow - huge congratulations to all the winners!! What fabulous news! SQUUEEEE :D
I'm so glad I found this site through the SoapBoxQueens!
wow so much good news.. i thought i heard alot of Sqweees coming from somewhere..lol.. congrats to you all.. everybody loves a party with chocolates and hunky guys..
Hopped over from the Soapbox Queens when I heard there was a par-tay!
Major SQUUEEEE for all the celebratory news!
Now...where are the dancin' boys??? The shirtless ones, please!!!
You rang? *hic*
Where are the lovely dancing girls?
Your loyal servant,
Jack Sparrow
I think I'm ready for a teeter totter. Liquor is supposed to be good for a cold, right? :-)
You-hoo??? Shirtless waiter?
Hey things are happening on the playground today!! Thanks very much for the big congrats, and pass that champagne! Let's not be stingy. Here on the playground, we learn to share! =)
Forget the waiter--I want Jack to serve me. :-)
CONGATULATIONS LINDA!!! and LYNN!!!
SQUUEEEE!!!
Also, many congratulations and applause to all the other winners and finalists!
I was on SoapBox Queens and they posted about your fantastic award!
Part-ee! Have a fantabulous time celebrating! Here are some delicious cookies and cakes to add to the mix! Oh,I can't forget to bring big, juicy, cocktail shrimp, and lobster claws! Yum!
Just have loads of fun you guys!
Michele L.
Yes! Oh, yes! Captain Jack Sparrow, this is devine. You are a most welcome swaggering devil. I knew, once the call for rum went out, you'd come to the partay.
A beautiful young lady with a foot ailment is about. She's drinking tea and eating petit fours by the chocolate fountain but what she really needs/wants is a lively gentleman caller to ease her solitude. Can you help us out? In fact, if you'll look around, you'll find many a willing wench to make our celebration worth your while.
SQUUEEEE!!!! ;) Wow, congrats to everyone, everywhere! Totally terrific news folks! :)
Lois
Rhonda, I think the old saying goes - feed a fever, drown a cold with rum and champagne. You should be on the right track. :)
:: goes to check out the shrimp cocktail that just got set out. girl needs her protein ::
Thanks for the news abou the nominees and the RlTAs. SQUUEEEE
JWIsley@aol.com
I loves me a good party. ::hick:: Oops, need another drink....
Congrats to all! And "SQUUEEEE!"
Soapbox Queen’s sent me.
Karen B
I love celebrations! Thanks for all the good wishes. It's an incredible rush to be nominated alongside the other fabulous nominees.
Congrats to all who are up for the gold! I have a place above my work area ready for that golden lady.
Writing Playground throws a great party!
And hi to Jack! You're lookin' fine.
What fantastic news! Congratulations and SQUUEEEE.
Fabulous news and wonderful congrats to all. Well deserved. SQUUEEEE. Enjoy.
The Soapbox Queen told me to come here!! :)
SQUUEEE. Congrats on this great win. Have a great celebration.
SQUUEEEE and I'm going to say the Soapbox Queens sent me :)
Big congratulations to everyone - so much good news!
SQUUEEE. How special and wonderful! Congratulations on this wonderful achievement.
Congratulations to all! Have a wonderful weekend. SQUUEEEE
I hate to rain on Lynn's party but it's time to cut her off. She has massive chores to do this afternoon and GH or no GH, I'm not doing it alone.
Someone bring her a cup of coffee...
PC, you're making Lynn work? When there are half dressed men, Captain Jack, and Gerard Butler present? Not to mentioned alcohol, petit fors, and shrimp. How unfair. :-)
PM, glad your foot is doing so much better. You have to be ready to dance in San Francisco!
LJ
*hic*
Buzzkill.
*hic*
Jack, darling, could you help me off the floor? Either that or I can help you get down here with me.
"SQUUEEEE" what great new and congratulations, I just came over from the soapbox queens blog!
Captain Jack! Wow I'm very impressed! You ladies know how to party!
I'm indulging in one more teeter totter before venturing out for bunny day at the school. I'll be back in a little while. No one do anything I wouldn't do...
Instigator
Psst, Lynn! Hide! Hide! You're supposed to party today, not work.
:-)
Huge congratulations Lynn and Linda! Best wishes and good luck! SQUUEEE! Here's a toast to all the nominees and the great Playground gals for putting on such a fabulous Friday!
Congratulations!!!!!
I saw the list of Golden Heart finalist but it just said, Lynn Harris, and I wasn't completely sure it was you. What a totally awesome couple of days!!
Congrats to both of you!
Jodie
Don't hide the rummmm and the teeter totterz, Jack!
*hic*
Gerard? Where for art thou?
*hic*
Thanks for the RITA mention! I'm thrilled, to say the least. Following in another playmate's talented shoes with the double, though . . . Roxanne St. Claire was in this spot last year! And I suspect next year will be a very good year for Rocki as well . . .
And CONGRATS to ALL the finalists and all the other good news this week. Wow!
Since it's now past noon, I'm taking a break from writing a synopsis (eeewww) so I can have a few drinks before I go back to it. Pass me some rum and some Gerard Butler, please.:)
On my way over here, I decided to stop by and check out the stellar Soap Box Queen site... and came away with cover envy. Rhonda, I've been fanning myself nonstop over your Hell Raiser. Holy Smoke, that one's going to fly off the shelves for sure! PM, if you haven't checked out his tattoo, I suggest you do so now (if you can tear your eyes away from his butt.) But then you know how much I love those tats.:)
I also forgot to congratulate all the fellow RITA finalists and the RT nominees. My sincerest apologies. Did I mention my head didn't hit the pillow until 4 a.m. Maybe I should have only one drink....:)
Kristi
SQUUEE! Congrats to all! The Soapbox Queens sent me over. Have to love a great party. Shirtless guys and drinks only make the party better!
awesome! Sounds like it was the "Best week ever' over here (I haven't been in awhile, sorry!).
MOM23boys
Katie A.
I forgot to say the soapbox queens sent me (Augh) I am so slow today....
MOM23BOYS
Katie A.
Congratulations to everyone!
Okay, I know I posted earlier, but for some reason it didn't appear....
Luckily I've gotten work over with for the day. I brought along some BBQ for everyone, we don't need to be drinking on empty stomachs.
Squeeee!!!! to all my lovely friends. Lynn, don't let PC work you too hard.
Angel
Kristi, thanks so much on the cover congrats! I have been getting some seriously good covers lately. Of course, I've started asking for hero-only covers please, with the note that these heroes are MEN not BOYS. :-)
Congrats on your nomination!
SQUUEEEE
The soapbox queens sent me!
Congratulations everyone!
Rhonda's cover guy has a tat? I've been too busy watching and waiting for him to drop the towel.
PM
Congratulations all around! I love the best week ever. Look, Marilyn is dancing on her new foot! More margaritas for all. And, um, where's Jack?
So happy for Linda and Lynn (and heard you won a good book yesterday!)
And more congrats to the regulars whose names are in lights here - especially my buddies Kristi (she rocked with that book), Allison (a double shot for her - she's fun when she drinks!), and Debra Webb, another fantastic writer and all around great girl! SF is going to be a blast.
xoxo
Rocki
I heard about the party over at The Soapbox Queens and so wanted to stop by and offer my congratulations to you both. Way to go!
Congratulations to Linda, Lynn and all of the nominees! Having read many of the books written by you wonderful ladies I'd say the nominations and wins are well deserved. SQUUEEEE!!!
The Soapbox Queen’s sent me. :)
Nothing like a party to celebrate all the good news this week!
SQUUEEEE!
Congrats, everyone! And happy Friday! (popping over from The SBQs to say hi!)
Congratulations (SQUUEEEE) Lynn and Linda.
I heard the news from the Soapbox Queens that there was a celebration happening over here.
Lifting my glass high to you.
Congratulations!
SQUEEEEEEEEE! How awesome for you all!!! Congratulations!!
Laura J.
SQUUEEEE!! Wow! Impressive and wonderful. Congratulations and great.
Thanks to everyone who joined our party today. Check back on Monday for our prize winner!
Oh Jack, could you be a dear and help me home...
SQUUEEEE
CONGRATS!!!!!!!
Jack Nicholson is waiting for you at the door, SP. Captain Jack is going home with me. I've got plenty of rum in me stash. :-)
One more time all around, SQUEEEE!!! for all the fine ladies on the playground for throwing such a spectular bash!
FYI... the party's continuing at my place. Plenty of pirates to go around and the rum's still flowing freely.
Thank you, ladies, for your lovely attention. It's so nice to be appreciated.
Your loyal and intoxicated servant,
Jack Sparrow
Wahhh! Thanks again for all the congrats (Rocki, I'm THRILLED about the book!!!!). I'm waaaay late because PC dragged me away and made me WORK. Evil, evil, evil wench!!!!
But there was free booze (for real), and we had a dancing lesson. Not that PC needs it. I sucked though. :) Can't wait to continue the party in SF!!!
Lynn, honey, someone has to keep you grounded, you know.
Can't let all that success go to your head...
Please SQUUEEE me in for the contest.
Congrats to all. Thanks for sharing with us in the celebration.
Pat L.
I am so late...I suppose all the chocolate's gone. :(
Well, super congrats to Lynn and Linda. I can't wait for RWA to see you all glammed up for the big night.
Good Luck!!
Hope everyone is enjoying a terrific week-end.
Congratulations and am happy to hear all the great news.
FANTASTIC NEWS!!
"SQUUEEEE" I'm visiting from "the Soapbox Queens" website!!
As usual, I'm running late for the party because visitors have been with me from Wisconsin!!
Congrats to all of you writers!!! I enjoy your books!
I forgot to write SQUUEEE!
Lynn and I went to college in Germany together. I am so happy to see her successes. I expect to buy her first book soon. Yahoo!
Oh,oh! When I checked back on my comment, I noticed I forgot to add: SQUUEEEE, so here it is now.
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