Wednesday, April 30, 2008

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!

42 comments:

Anna Campbell said...

Wow, that's seriously going to deplete the lair's treasure vault! Get commenting, girls! We want all these prizes to go to good homes!

Fedora said...

Wow--what a month to look forward to!! I can't believe it's been a year!

Joan said...

Woohoo!!!!!

Hooray for us!

This force of nature known as The Romance Bandits is ready to rock and roll.

Pull up a cabana boy, a gladiator or your favorite fowl friend and celebrate with us!

Wendy said...

Yeah! this is gonna be so fun. :)

Kate Carlisle said...

And of course, all month long you'll have your choice of tropical beverages to choose from, hand delivered by the aforementioned cabana boys! ;-)

jo robertson said...

Whhhoooott! Great prizes and fun for all this anniversary month. Thanks for lining it all up, Trish!

Gillian Layne said...

Whoa....look at those prizes! Christmas in May! :)

Jill James said...

What great prizes and Happy Anniversary Banditas!!!

Lexi said...

I'm so glad I found this blog! You all look like you have loads of fun here!

Esri Rose said...

Wow! What fun!

Considering the great community you gals have built here, it astonishes me that you've only been at it for a year. Big congratulations, and thanks for all you do!

Anonymous said...

I'm feelin' the love already, and May hasn't even begun! Thanks for hanging out with us, BBs! (that's Bandita Buddies, to those who don't know!)

Count me as a huge Eloisa fan-girl. Can't wait for that -- but there's so much fun to come this month. Maybe it will help take our mind off of the THREE MONTHS to go before SF!

Tawny said...

Happy birthday to us
Happy birthday to us
Happy Birrrthdaaaaaay Dear Banditas
Happy Birthday to ussssssssssssss

and to all of our awesome readers and friends who have made this year amazing - thank you!!!!!

doglady said...

Do the Banditas know how to throw a party or what???? How many party's do you attend that last an ENTIRE month!! The Banditas put the "PARTY" in Party Animal. I guess that means the GR puts the "ANIMAL" in Party Animal. He needs new feathers for this festive occasion!

Oh and SQUEEEEEEEE on Eloisa James being in the Lair!

Kim Castillo said...

WOW! When you guys throw a party you really throw a party!

Happy Birthday Banditas!

ReadingIsSoMuchFun said...

WooHoo! Happy Anniversary Romance Bandits :-) YaY! Tossing lots of *confetti's* everywhere. Now we need a hunky Man to clean it up lol.

So many great prizes and lots of great fun going to be happening here as always :-)

Yous sure know how to have a party WooHoo! Shake shake shake. Shake ya booty *g*

Hugssss
LindaH

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Celebrate good times...come on!! There's a party goin on down here...Lots of laughter and good cheer....Celebrate good times...come on!!

Got your disco shoes?
We've got brisket on the bar-be-que down here in TEXAS!!
The Tequilla is flowing!
Banditas have been here one full year!!

We're so happy we want to....

C-E-L-E-B-R-A-T-E!!!

Kay Thomas said...

Happy Anniversary, Banditas!
Congratulations on a fabulous first year. May it be the first of many more.
Cheers!

Jane said...

Happy Anniversary, Banditas. Woohoo, the party is a month long. I love open bars.

Christine Wells said...

What a great year it's been! And so much of that has been down to you, our wonderful readers! Thanks so much for being regulars at the lair.

Thanks for getting all that bandit booty together, Trish!

pjpuppymom said...

Happy Anniversary, Banditas! I'm so happy I found you. :)

Looks like May is going to be one big party and, oooooh, look at all those fabu prizes! Y'all really know how to celebrate around here!

Here's to another fantastic year and many, many more!

~PJ (reader and novice reviewer)

Helen said...

What a fantastic month this is going to be
Thanks Guys you are the best.
Happy Birthday everyone
Have fun
Helen

Maureen said...

Happy Anniversary!! It's been a pleasure to visit with you and your celebration looks like great fun.

Christie Kelley said...

Wow!! A whole year together! YAY for us and all of our commentors! The past year has been a blast and I can't wait to see what this year brings.

peggy said...

happy anniversary bandits
and the prizes are great.
sounds like a fun month

Dina said...

Happy Anniversary, Romance Bandits!

CrystalGB said...

What great prizes. :)

Eva S said...

Happy Anniversary Romance Bandits, what a wonderful year it's have been!

Savanna Kougar said...

Hi Trish & Anna, just a quick Happy, Happy Anniversary! Blowing a big Kougar Kiss to All!

Unknown said...

Happy Anniversary!!!

What an amazing month you all have planned! Well, I love a party, so count me in. :)

Cherie J said...

Sounds like it is going to be a blast around here this month.

cheryl c said...

Wow! How exciting! I love blogging AND winning prizes!

Caren Crane said...

*sniff* I love you guys! Oh, okay, I love Y'ALL. *g* I can't believe it's been a year, either. It's been so much fun, it has flown by! Thank you, our beloved readers, for hanging out and partying with us!

limecello said...

Wow - that's so exciting. Happy Anniversary, Banditas!!

Trish Milburn said...

I'm glad everyone is so excited about our month o' partying, because we sure are. Everyone have your party hats on?

Jennifer Y. said...

Happy Blog-iversary!!!

danetteb said...

Happy Anniversary Banditas!

Party!pArty!Party!

Hugs, Danette

Buffie said...

Sounds like May is going to be a bang-up month! Congrats on the success!!!

Keira Soleore said...

HOW did I miss this post? How??? Please sign me up as a reader, because if by any teensy chance I win, I'm hoping to scare up some Bandita booty to sport proudly in July.

Unknown said...

Wow I just found this post. This is one heck of a party. Where have you been all my life. This is some great prizes. Happy Anniversary, Romance Bandits!

robynl said...

Wow, happy anniversary Romance Bandits!!! *throwing confetti*

This is a new place to me, also. How did I miss it(but so glad I found it now).

I love the prizes mentioned and I have a good home some could go to.
LOL.

Pat Cochran said...

I'm a newbie - this my first time
in this site! My home will be awaiting one of these grand prizes!
LOL!! Good luck to us all! Happy
Anniversary to the Romance Bandits!!

Pat Cochran

dlynnpen said...

Happy Anniversary!!!
This is a wonderful site and I am sooo glad to have found it.
What great prizes and again Happy Anniversary Banditas!!!