Happy Anniversary, Romance Bandits!

It’s hard to believe that we’ve been blogging here at the Romance Bandits for a year already. I guess it’s true what they say — time flies when you’re having fun! And since we Banditas love a party, we’re having a month-long celebration to mark our anniversary and to launch ourselves — and you, our wonderful and loyal readers — into our second year.

Each week, we’re going to have two drawings. One will be for a bevy of cool prizes like bookstore gift cards, yummy treats, Bandita merchandise, and signed books written by the Banditas. The second prize will be a critique offered by one of the Banditas. This is for the writers among our readers, so when you post this week please note if you’re a writer and want to be in the running for the critiques. These critiques will be of a first chapter, not to exceed 30 double-spaced pages. The winners will be able to tell the critiquer what she’s looking for — overall impressions, line editing, thorough and honest critique, etc.

We’re also going to have an extra giveaway on May 4, our anniversary date, and two grand prizes to be given away May 31. So, take a look at the prizes listed at the end of this post, and make plans to comment on the blog posts throughout the month. That’s how you place yourself in the running to win!

As if tons of prizes weren’t enough, in addition to the Banditas’ witty and insightful posts we’ve got another stellar lineup of guests this month. And we’re kicking off things with a bang tomorrow with Eloisa James! Yes, you heard that right. The New York Times best-selling author will be here in the Bandit lair to take your questions. Feel free to squee now, fangirls. 

Other fabulous guests this month are:

Esri Rose (and her hot elves), here to celebrate her debut novel, Bound to Love Her -- May 2
Claudia Dain, who’ll be hanging out to celebrate the release of her newest fabulous tale, The Courtesan’s Secret -- May 5
Inspirational author Missy Tippens -- May 6
Harlequin Presents author Annie West -- May 10
Brenda Novak – MIRA and Superromance author, not to mention the force behind her popular annual online auction to benefit diabetes research (Bid between May 1 and May 31 at http://www.brendanovak.com/) -- May 12
Cerridwen Press author Eilis Flynn – May 19
Silhouette Nocturne author Pamela Palmer – May 21
Historical author Terri Brisbin – May 22
Kimber Chin, debut author and marketing guru -- May 24
RITA winner Beth Pattillo, here to celebrate the release of The Sweetgum Knit Lit Society -- May 27

And, finally, on May 30 we’ll be having a launch party for our very own Jeanne Adams, whose debut novel, Dark and Dangerous, will be hitting bookstore shelves everywhere!

And now for the list of weekly prizes:

Week 1 (May 1-11)
Kirsten Scott -- Bandita mug and T-shirt
Nancy Northcott -- $10 Borders card, pretty bookmark
Christie Kelley -- signed copy of Every Night I’m Yours

Weekly giveaway of critique of first chapter (not to exceed 30, double-spaced pages) courtesy of Christie Kelley

May 4 – Special Extra Giveaway to Mark the Anniversary of our Official Launch into Cyberspace!
Loucinda McGary -- chocolates, skull-and-crossbones T-shirt
Cassondra Murray -- $10 Barnes & Noble gift card, Romance Bandits pin, Romance Bandits mug
Beth Andrews -- signed copy of Not Without Her Family, chocolate-covered sunflower seeds

Special first-chapter critique giveaway courtesy of Loucinda McGary

Week 2 (May 12-18)
Kate Carlisle -- Romance Bandits baseball cap and Sees Candy suckers
Christine Wells -- signed copy of Scandal's Daughter and a Dangerous Duke journal
KJ Howe -- $10 Barnes & Noble gift card

Weekly giveaway of critique of first chapter (not to exceed 30, double-spaced pages) courtesy of KJ Howe

Week 3 (May 19-25)
Trish Milburn – Mug that says "Caution. Writer at Work."
Suzanne Welsh -- $15 gift card to Borders, Godivas
Anna Sugden -- Romance Bandits bear
Tawny Weber -- signed copies of Double Dare and Does She Dare

Weekly giveaway of critique of first chapter (not to exceed 30, double-spaced pages) courtesy of Trish Milburn

Week 4 (May 26-31)
Jeanne Adams -- copy of Dark and Dangerous, chocolates
Caren Crane -- $10 Amazon gift card, Bandita journal
Joan Kayse -- Romance Bandits mouse pad

Weekly giveaway of critique of first chapter (not to exceed 30, double-spaced pages) courtesy of Jeanne Adams

Grand Prize #1 (to be given away May 31 at end of day)
Anna Campbell -- Tim Tams, Anna Campbell stationery, signed copies of Claiming the Courtesan and Untouched
Donna MacMeans -- signed copy of The Education of Mrs. Brimley, Romantic Times tote bag
Susan Seyfarth -- $15 Amazon gift certificate

Grand Prize #2 (to be given away May 31 at end of day)
Critique of first chapter and synopsis courtesy of Anna Campbell
Jo Lewis-Robertson -- Anne Bonny action figure and $10 Borders gift card

Good luck, everyone!