by Suzanne Welsh
Wow, we've been together for another whole year! This time last year, we'd had 4 books reach the book shelves. Now, we have sales by more than half of our Banditas with 14 books on the shelves and 5 more coming out by April of next year...and more to follow!
At the RWA National Conference in San Francisco this past July, for the first time ever, 19 of the Banditas made it to the conference at once. Believe me, the Banditas took the place by storm and created our own kind of special commotion. And even the Golden Rooster was out and about in SF!
Speaking of the GR, it was just after the first of the year that the wily bird made his first appearance in the Lair. He's been back and forth between the hemispheres and continents so much he should have enough frequent flyer miles for a trip to the space station. When he took over the blog one day we discovered he is a fowl spy who is bent on not only infiltrating the lair, but revealing many of the Banditas' secrets as well. I wonder what other antics he'll be up for in the coming year?
We've had many guest bloggers this year. NYT Bestselling authors, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Eloisa James and Lorraine Heath all drew lots of attention. We've had editors from Source Books and NAL. Michelle Buonfiglio from Lifetime.com visited, too. We were invaded by firemen, knights, dukes and ladies...we even got a masseuse named Swen!!
And the Bandits raided RomanceNovelTV for an entire fortnight, (er, two weeks for those not into British historical time periods). What great fun that was! Rumor has it another raid may be in the planning for next year. Stay tuned for details.
Another thing the Bandits have become involved with is raffle baskets. These are packed full of Bandit booty, including signed copies of the Bandit books. The proceeds from these have gone to various charities or readers/commentors. Here are some of the places you might have seen them: Dreamin In Dallas conference, Buns & Roses Tea for adult literacy, Brenda Novak's auction for Diabetes research, the Heart of Dixie Readers Luncheon, Washington Romance Writers, RWA National Conference for literacy, RT, Lori Foster's reader event, Lora Leigh's RAW, COFW's conference, the Jo Leigh Fundraiser, and of course, our Christmas one just given away by Kate!
Here are some individual achievements by the Banditas this past year:
Jeanne: Dark and Dangerous, June 2008 and second book DARK AND DEADLY, June 2009 with two more books sold to Kensington in 2008. Dark and Dangerous, A Romantic Times TOP PICK (4.5 Stars!), Just nominated for an RT Reviewer's Choice Award! Acquired an agent. And a new member of the family...Diver, the Irish Water Spaniel!
Beth: Sold 2 books to Harlequin Superromance Not Without Her Family came out in June. NWHF finaled in the Golden Leaf contest. Acquired an agent.
Anna C:Best New Author of 2007 in the All About Romance Annual Reader Poll.
Claiming the Courtesan:* Finalist, Mainstream Category, 2008 Romance Writers of Australia Romantic Book of the Year Award * Finalist, Best Regency Historical Romance, 2008 Romance Writers of America RITA Awards * Best Debut of 2007, Michelle Buonfiglio's Lifetime TV Romance: B(u)y the Book * Book of the Year 2007, Michelle Buonfiglio's Lifetime TV Romance: B(u)y the Book * Best First Single Title Romance of 2007 (Debut Author) in the Single Titles.com Readers Choice poll * Winner of Best First Historical Romance in the Romantic Times Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Awards 2007 * Best Long Historical Romance, Greater Detroit Romance Writers of America 2008 Booksellers' Best Awards.
Untouched: * Romantic Times Top Pick and winner of January 2008 K.I.S.S. (Knight in Shining Silver) Award * Finalist, Best Regency Historical Romance, 2008 Romance Writers of America RITA Awards * Realms Shooting Star Award for a book "that changed our universe" from Realms on our Bookshelves
Tempt the Devil: * Romantic Times Top Pick and winner of January 2009 K.I.S.S. (Knight in Shining Silver) Award
First two short stories published this year. Lady Kate's Scoundrel was in the Australian Women's Weekly in April and The Return which was in the Woman's Day in November.
Kate: HOMICIDE IN HARDCOVER: A Bibliophile Mystery, NAL, February 2009...just received a 4 1/2 star review from RT, and she recently sold to Silhouette Desire. Be watching for her books to come!
Caren: Won Indiana's Golden Opportunity and the Golden Pen and finaled in the Heart Of the Rockies.
KJ: 2008 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense, Unpublished Division:Romantic Mystery/Suspense The Matador - First Place
Joan: Her Romans continued taking honors with The Patrician's Fortune winning The Suzannah and placing 3rd in The Maggies! Whoot, Joanie!!!
Christie: Every Night I'm Yours 2/08, debut release. Won NJ Golden Leaf in the Historical Category. Contracted for 3 more books with Kensington. Finished her whole house remodel and of course, acquired a Siberian Cat!
Jo: Had another granddaughter and that makes the count 15 grandbabies for our JoMama!! When she isn't busy getting her baby fix, Jo is currently submitting her Romantic Suspense and Historical Suspense books and anticipating a sale.
Donna: THE EDUCATION OF MRS. BRIMLEY won the More than Magic contest, earned a certificate of merit from the Holt medallion contest, and was a finalist in the Golden Quill contest all for Best First Book. It tied for second place in the Barclay Gold and finaled in the Maggies for Best Historical. It was a finalist in the 2008 RT award for Best First Historical and was featured by Gina Bernal in her RNTV video.
THE TROUBLE WITH MOONLIGHT came out in 2008 to a 4.5 TOP PICK review in Romantic Times Bookreviews. Just recently it was nominated for 2009 Romantic Times award for Historical Love and Laughter (Winners to be announced in April).
Cindy: Debut release "The Wild Sight" came out in Oct. and received a starred review from Publishers Weekly. THE WILD SIGHT is nominated for a "Cupid and Psyche Award" (CAPA) by The Romance Studio. Sold two more romantic suspenses to Sourcebooks, one is her 2006 Golden Heart final. Tentative release dates are Fall, 2009 and Spring, 2010.
Trish: first book (A Firefighter in the Family, Harlequin American) came out in September. Sold two more to H.A. in November. Yippee, Trish!
Cassondra: While working on some secret plans in the Lair, she also changed jobs in her non-writing career and adopted a new family member, Thor...a four-year-old, African Pied Crow, whom y'all met earlier this month on the blog!
Nancy: Won the Maggie and finaled in the Daphne and the Orange Rose. Had a feature article in the UNC-Charlotte magazine, Exchange.
Kirsten: Spent 2008 hard at work editing her YA book (scheduled for publication in winter 2009) and is currently starting on the second book in the two-book series. She's also got several works in progress in adult romance and is dreaming of sales in 2009!
Susan: Won the Golden Heart for for Best Contemporary Single Title Romance with "Money, Honey". Sold two books, including Money, Honey to Berkeley. Release dates yet to be announced.
Anna S: Had manuscripts place second in the Fab Five and Touch of Magic contests. Alas, she also moved home to England. (Missed greatly in the states by the Bandits!)
Tawny: Our spiciest pubbed author so far, has sold 9 books now, this time last year it was 6. Her 3rd Blaze, Risque Business garnered 4 1/2 stars from RT. Her first Blaze, Double Dare took 3rd place in the Laurel Wreath contest. Look for more sexy fun from her this year!!
Christine: Her second book THE DANGEROUS DUKE hit the shelves to widespread acclaim (it's Anna here pretending to be Christine so I'm allowed to say that!). She handed in her next book WICKED LITTLE GAME and was contracted to write three more historical romances for Berkley Sensation! Huzzah! Christine made it to her first RWA conference, met all her Bandita sisters, flirted with the GR and generally had a ball!
Suz: As for me? I became a grandmother!! Managed to survive being President of Dallas Area Romance Authors, (DARA) and my first Erotica finaled in the Unpublished Beacon contest.
It's been quite a year!
In fact, this year we not only talked about a special treat from Australia, Tim Tam's and had them at the Bandit bash, BUT the Pepperridge Farms company has sent us some Tim Tam's as a thank you for all the talk about them by us and our Bandit Buddies. In celebration of our fantastic year, the Bandits would like to give them to one of our commenters today!!
So, in honor of such a momentous give away, write us a limerick as to what the Bandits and their blog mean to you. Include Tim Tams somewhere in the poem!
Wow, we've been together for another whole year! This time last year, we'd had 4 books reach the book shelves. Now, we have sales by more than half of our Banditas with 14 books on the shelves and 5 more coming out by April of next year...and more to follow!
At the RWA National Conference in San Francisco this past July, for the first time ever, 19 of the Banditas made it to the conference at once. Believe me, the Banditas took the place by storm and created our own kind of special commotion. And even the Golden Rooster was out and about in SF!
Speaking of the GR, it was just after the first of the year that the wily bird made his first appearance in the Lair. He's been back and forth between the hemispheres and continents so much he should have enough frequent flyer miles for a trip to the space station. When he took over the blog one day we discovered he is a fowl spy who is bent on not only infiltrating the lair, but revealing many of the Banditas' secrets as well. I wonder what other antics he'll be up for in the coming year?We've had many guest bloggers this year. NYT Bestselling authors, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Eloisa James and Lorraine Heath all drew lots of attention. We've had editors from Source Books and NAL. Michelle Buonfiglio from Lifetime.com visited, too. We were invaded by firemen, knights, dukes and ladies...we even got a masseuse named Swen!!
And the Bandits raided RomanceNovelTV for an entire fortnight, (er, two weeks for those not into British historical time periods). What great fun that was! Rumor has it another raid may be in the planning for next year. Stay tuned for details.
Another thing the Bandits have become involved with is raffle baskets. These are packed full of Bandit booty, including signed copies of the Bandit books. The proceeds from these have gone to various charities or readers/commentors. Here are some of the places you might have seen them: Dreamin In Dallas conference, Buns & Roses Tea for adult literacy, Brenda Novak's auction for Diabetes research, the Heart of Dixie Readers Luncheon, Washington Romance Writers, RWA National Conference for literacy, RT, Lori Foster's reader event, Lora Leigh's RAW, COFW's conference, the Jo Leigh Fundraiser, and of course, our Christmas one just given away by Kate!Here are some individual achievements by the Banditas this past year:
Jeanne: Dark and Dangerous, June 2008 and second book DARK AND DEADLY, June 2009 with two more books sold to Kensington in 2008. Dark and Dangerous, A Romantic Times TOP PICK (4.5 Stars!), Just nominated for an RT Reviewer's Choice Award! Acquired an agent. And a new member of the family...Diver, the Irish Water Spaniel!
Beth: Sold 2 books to Harlequin Superromance Not Without Her Family came out in June. NWHF finaled in the Golden Leaf contest. Acquired an agent.
Anna C:Best New Author of 2007 in the All About Romance Annual Reader Poll.
Claiming the Courtesan:* Finalist, Mainstream Category, 2008 Romance Writers of Australia Romantic Book of the Year Award * Finalist, Best Regency Historical Romance, 2008 Romance Writers of America RITA Awards * Best Debut of 2007, Michelle Buonfiglio's Lifetime TV Romance: B(u)y the Book * Book of the Year 2007, Michelle Buonfiglio's Lifetime TV Romance: B(u)y the Book * Best First Single Title Romance of 2007 (Debut Author) in the Single Titles.com Readers Choice poll * Winner of Best First Historical Romance in the Romantic Times Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Awards 2007 * Best Long Historical Romance, Greater Detroit Romance Writers of America 2008 Booksellers' Best Awards.
Untouched: * Romantic Times Top Pick and winner of January 2008 K.I.S.S. (Knight in Shining Silver) Award * Finalist, Best Regency Historical Romance, 2008 Romance Writers of America RITA Awards * Realms Shooting Star Award for a book "that changed our universe" from Realms on our Bookshelves
Tempt the Devil: * Romantic Times Top Pick and winner of January 2009 K.I.S.S. (Knight in Shining Silver) Award
First two short stories published this year. Lady Kate's Scoundrel was in the Australian Women's Weekly in April and The Return which was in the Woman's Day in November.
Kate: HOMICIDE IN HARDCOVER: A Bibliophile Mystery, NAL, February 2009...just received a 4 1/2 star review from RT, and she recently sold to Silhouette Desire. Be watching for her books to come!
Caren: Won Indiana's Golden Opportunity and the Golden Pen and finaled in the Heart Of the Rockies.
KJ: 2008 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense, Unpublished Division:Romantic Mystery/Suspense The Matador - First Place
Joan: Her Romans continued taking honors with The Patrician's Fortune winning The Suzannah and placing 3rd in The Maggies! Whoot, Joanie!!!
Christie: Every Night I'm Yours 2/08, debut release. Won NJ Golden Leaf in the Historical Category. Contracted for 3 more books with Kensington. Finished her whole house remodel and of course, acquired a Siberian Cat!
Jo: Had another granddaughter and that makes the count 15 grandbabies for our JoMama!! When she isn't busy getting her baby fix, Jo is currently submitting her Romantic Suspense and Historical Suspense books and anticipating a sale.
Donna: THE EDUCATION OF MRS. BRIMLEY won the More than Magic contest, earned a certificate of merit from the Holt medallion contest, and was a finalist in the Golden Quill contest all for Best First Book. It tied for second place in the Barclay Gold and finaled in the Maggies for Best Historical. It was a finalist in the 2008 RT award for Best First Historical and was featured by Gina Bernal in her RNTV video.
THE TROUBLE WITH MOONLIGHT came out in 2008 to a 4.5 TOP PICK review in Romantic Times Bookreviews. Just recently it was nominated for 2009 Romantic Times award for Historical Love and Laughter (Winners to be announced in April).
Cindy: Debut release "The Wild Sight" came out in Oct. and received a starred review from Publishers Weekly. THE WILD SIGHT is nominated for a "Cupid and Psyche Award" (CAPA) by The Romance Studio. Sold two more romantic suspenses to Sourcebooks, one is her 2006 Golden Heart final. Tentative release dates are Fall, 2009 and Spring, 2010.
Trish: first book (A Firefighter in the Family, Harlequin American) came out in September. Sold two more to H.A. in November. Yippee, Trish!
Cassondra: While working on some secret plans in the Lair, she also changed jobs in her non-writing career and adopted a new family member, Thor...a four-year-old, African Pied Crow, whom y'all met earlier this month on the blog!
Nancy: Won the Maggie and finaled in the Daphne and the Orange Rose. Had a feature article in the UNC-Charlotte magazine, Exchange.
Kirsten: Spent 2008 hard at work editing her YA book (scheduled for publication in winter 2009) and is currently starting on the second book in the two-book series. She's also got several works in progress in adult romance and is dreaming of sales in 2009!
Susan: Won the Golden Heart for for Best Contemporary Single Title Romance with "Money, Honey". Sold two books, including Money, Honey to Berkeley. Release dates yet to be announced.
Anna S: Had manuscripts place second in the Fab Five and Touch of Magic contests. Alas, she also moved home to England. (Missed greatly in the states by the Bandits!)
Tawny: Our spiciest pubbed author so far, has sold 9 books now, this time last year it was 6. Her 3rd Blaze, Risque Business garnered 4 1/2 stars from RT. Her first Blaze, Double Dare took 3rd place in the Laurel Wreath contest. Look for more sexy fun from her this year!!
Christine: Her second book THE DANGEROUS DUKE hit the shelves to widespread acclaim (it's Anna here pretending to be Christine so I'm allowed to say that!). She handed in her next book WICKED LITTLE GAME and was contracted to write three more historical romances for Berkley Sensation! Huzzah! Christine made it to her first RWA conference, met all her Bandita sisters, flirted with the GR and generally had a ball!
Suz: As for me? I became a grandmother!! Managed to survive being President of Dallas Area Romance Authors, (DARA) and my first Erotica finaled in the Unpublished Beacon contest.
It's been quite a year!
In fact, this year we not only talked about a special treat from Australia, Tim Tam's and had them at the Bandit bash, BUT the Pepperridge Farms company has sent us some Tim Tam's as a thank you for all the talk about them by us and our Bandit Buddies. In celebration of our fantastic year, the Bandits would like to give them to one of our commenters today!!So, in honor of such a momentous give away, write us a limerick as to what the Bandits and their blog mean to you. Include Tim Tams somewhere in the poem!
Is he coming to my place
ReplyDeleteHave Fun
Helen
Suz
ReplyDeleteWhat a great blog you Guys have done so well and you all deserve it so much I am so happy for you all and I am sure 2009 will bring lots more sales and more books for me to read.
The GR and I are going to try and relax again watching the cricket and reading.
Now as for a limerick I will try let me have a think and I will be back.
Have Fun
Helen
Hooray!
ReplyDeleteThe Banditas' lair can't be beat!
With books and good news and a treat
Tim Tams and the GR
won't be going very far--
We know they'll be at Helen's tout de suite!
Hmm... better get out the thinking cap ;) Suz, I can't believe it's been two years! There's been so much good news from you Banditas and so many delightful guests--I look forward to visiting every day!
Congrats on the GR, Helen!
Happy anniversary, Banditas! Congrats on the GR, Helen! As for a limerick... I'm going to have to think about it. I LOVE Tim Tams. I went to Target today in search of them -after all there are all these articles saying Tim Tams are available in American nationwide until March. No deal, no go. I could have cried.
ReplyDelete:P well it's not that clever (I blame the late hour of 2 AM) - and I [unfortunately?] can't think of anything dirty... so here goes:
ReplyDeleteThe Banditas blog has reached two years of age
The author contributors have readers eagerly turning the page
Plus the behavior is nice
If tim tams are the price
And the posts here are often quite sage
Great limericks Fedora and limecello I will have a go now
ReplyDeleteThere is a group of Bandits
Who keep a golden roster
Beware the golden rooster
As a hunting he will go
Travelling the world
To collect the national treasures
Including the Aussie Tam Tams
And information too.
Not real good but I tried LOL.
The Bandits rock big time you Guys are the best. Each and everyone should be so proud of your accomplishments well done and thank you all for all of the fun.
Have Fun
Helen
Hey, Helen! Congrats on nabbing the GR this morning! (By the way I love the picture of you and your two new grandbabies.)
ReplyDeleteIt has been a great year, hasn't it? And more new books and guest bloggers are on the way in 2009!
Hey, Fedora! Love the limerick!! It's hard to believe two years have just flown by. And we've met so many new friends in all our Bandit Buddies like you guys. This place wouldn't be the same without y'all!
ReplyDeleteHey, Limecello!
ReplyDeleteWe were so surprised to be offered a chance to give away Tim Tams from the Pepperidge Farms people. And they arrived safely at my house just yesterday afternoon.
I put them up where Rocky-the-wonder-dog couldn't get to them!
LOL, Limecello! Cute limerick, too. Not only did you get Tim Tams in it, but I love the part of the posts being "quite sage".
ReplyDeleteNice try, Helen! And we've all fallen in love with the Tim Tams especially after Anna and Christine brought them to the National conference this past summer.
ReplyDeleteThanks I like that picture as well Suz my kinda twins in their Santa suits that I bought for them before they were born. They are so adorable even when they cry.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read everyones limericks this is going to be lots of fun and laughs
Have Fun
Helen
Congrats on the all successes of the Banditas. I can't think straight right now, but I'll try to come back later with a limerick.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the GR, Helen.
Congratulations! It's been a great pleasure to visit with you each day. Here's my limerick:
ReplyDeleteThe Bandits anniversary is here
They begin each day with fun posts and good cheer
There's a rooster to win
Fantastic books to begin
Here's to another exciting great year
I frequent the home of some bandits.
ReplyDeleteRoosters greet, delicious Tim Tam treats
Ladies of romance.
Crafty and cunning
I encourage all to come running!!
To the lair I come a running
ReplyDeleteEvery single morning
For laughs and good cheer
The GR, Tim Tams, an occasional tear
The best place to be is HERE!
Congrats on the GR, Helen!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on all your wonderful accomplishments of the past year, Banditas! Here's to another fabulous year ahead for us all!
Limecello, my Target stores don't have them either. I asked the store managers and they had never heard of Tim Tams. Grrrr.
ReplyDeleteHey, Jane!Thanks for the congrats on the blog year and for being one of our buddies on here.
ReplyDeleteHey, Maureen!
ReplyDeleteVery nice limerick. You got lots of good stuff in it. Want to try one with Tim Tams in it?
(I know,I'm being very demanding on a Sunday mornin, aren't I?)
Hey, Laurie!
ReplyDeleteI love your limerick, too!!
Y'all are quite clever this early on a Sunday!
Hey, PJ! I love your limerick,too! And I have to agree, the Lair is a great place of good cheer.
ReplyDeleteI love dropping by the Lair each day
ReplyDeleteTo hear what the Banditas have to say
There's always a laugh, maybe a tear
And books and Tim Tams for all far and near
It's no wonder it's a popular place to play!
Congrats on the GR again, Helen. I think you should set up a permanent guest room for him. ;)
I went to Target yesterday and there were no Tim Tams in sight. BOO HOO!!
Great blog, Great Year!!
ReplyDeleteOk, limerick?? Yikes, no can do - but I will say happy anniversary to you.
What a fantastic group of women and authors. One of my FAVORITE places on the web. And yes the Bandits will be raiding RNTV very early in 2009 and we can't wait.
Congratulations on all you've accomplished. AND a big thank you for making the lair a very special place where each day I can come and visit with friends and read wonderful posts that alternately make me laugh, ponder, giggle, snort, cry, sigh, commiserate, contemplate and converse. Oh, and I finally did get a box of Tim Tams from the fabulous Anna Campbell. I thought they were an Urban Legend until I received them. Now I’m not only a convert but an addict. Here’s to 2009 another great year filled with joy, love, writing, musing and romance!
Huzzah for Helen! He is coming back to see those babies!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Banditas !! Look at all you have accomplished. The Banditas are a force to be reckoned with in the world of romance writing! More important they are a force for fun, laughter, support, wisdom and comraderie that can't be beat! Each and every one of you means the world to me. This really is my home away from home and I would not have gotten through this last crazy year or so without you!
Now, I am off to wake up my brain and try to come up with a limerick.
Okay this is truly awful, but here it goes !
ReplyDeleteThere once was a crew of Banditas
All future winners of Ritas
Their parties are legend
With cabana boys, margueritas and Romans
And the GR and Aunty Cindy to crack the whip over them.
Another one. I really need to have my first cup of tea before I try this!
ReplyDeleteThere once was a Rooster named Golden,
Who loved Tim Tams, you really can't scold him.
The Banditas and Buddies
Fight over him and bribe him
With Tam Tams - Can you really blame him?
Great review of the year, Suz! My, what a list of awards, accomplishments, and events. Kudos to all!
ReplyDeleteGreat limericks, everyone, and Helen, congrats on having the rooster visit you today.
What a fantastic group of women and authors.
ReplyDeleteAwww, thank you so much, Marisa. We feel the same way about our BB's.
Ya'll have truly become a family to us Banditas. We have laughed and cried and cheered and celebrated with all of you and we look forward to being there for more in 2009.
{Raising a glass of Sangria...No, Demetrius, you can't have any..you're in training for shield sledding} Here's to all the BB's and Banditas!
"What, D? You'll settle for Tim Tams? Well, those are for our BB's so ok, you can have ONE glass...."
ReplyDelete{Muscled, sculpted arm raises goblet, baritone voice; "We who are about to sled, salute you!"}
Tsk, gladiators.
(Yup, I re-posted. I'm in revision mode and needed to do spell check
:-)
I suck at limericks so I'll leave those to others more talented than I. But I had to congratulate all you amazing Banditas -- what an amazing body of work you've produced! (And, since I've read a lot of the books on the list, I know they're worth reading, too!)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and best wishes for an even more prolific 2009!
I haven't been able to find Tim Tams at our Target either! *sniff*
ReplyDeleteHmm...
Gladiators and cabana boys strong and tall,
Fete with fab guests and Bandita Buddies one and all,
The rooster some Tim Tams may bring
As we all wait for the phone to ring
'Cuz it won't be long before ALL the Banditas get that first "call"!
Uh, not a poet! ;p
Thanks everyone who has stopped by and visited, and commented and joined our little community here on the web! We love hanging out together (could you tell, LOL?) and we love it even more with all our friends and BBs around us. You all make this such a fun and happy place to be. Thanks to YOU for being part of our never-ending PAR-TAY!
ReplyDelete(and thank goodness I don't have to come up with a limerick! whew! You all are much more talented than I am) :-)
Helen, the GR seems to like Australia lately! Congratulations. :-)
ReplyDeleteSuz, you did a great job of pulling together the tidbits everyone sent you. It really was a fun year in the Lair, wasn't it?
I'm impressed by everyone's limericks. When Suz said she'd set that as the contest, I was sooo glad to be ineligible (not that I wouldn't love free Tim Tams) because I'm with Treethyme--I'm terrible at these. I love everyone else's, though!
Thanks, everyone, for your kind words about the blog. I've enjoyed getting acquainted with y'all and have been delighted when I've been able to meet you in person.
ReplyDeleteFor me, writing blog entries uses different gray matter than writing fiction or preparing for my classes. I enjoy it not only as a fun way to interact with people I seldom (never, in some cases) get to see but as a way to stretch my brain in new directions.
It's December 28 already? Wow, the year has flown!
Congrats on getting the GR Helen and your new grandbabies are adorable!
ReplyDeleteCongrats banditas for being together for two years. This is one of my favorite blogs to visit, there is always something going on. You ladies always have great post everyday and of course there is the GR to get.
I have never had a TIM TAM, you can't get them here. As far as the limericks go I am really empressed with everyones, but I am really bad at this sort of thing but will think on it.
This is Chōka:
ReplyDeleteFor the Banditas
Another year is now gone
Books on the shelves
And more books to come
So now its time
To have a fun party
And for the GR to
Travel around the world and
To bring Tim Tams for us all!
Happy Anniversary, Banditas!
ReplyDeleteNo limerick from me. I couldn't write one if my life depended on it. Kudos to the brilliant offerings, though. They're all cute.
I like looking in here because you're all such a fun and happy group. Otherwise, I read very few blogs and don't have one myself. So peeking in here is a highlight before I begin my work day.
Here's wishing you many more great years and much success.
Congrats to the Banditas
ReplyDeleteTo their glory and fame
Forever shall they reign
Special and sweet
As good as a tam tam treat
Thanks for all the fun.
'Cuz it won't be long before ALL the Banditas get that first "call"!
ReplyDeleteFrom your Limerick to the publishing god's ear, flchen!
:-)
OK here goes my limerick which I am not good at, but what the heck!!
ReplyDeleteThe Banditas are into year two
With the GR still using their loo
The Tim Tams are fine
But none of them mine
Because where I can find them no clue.
Congrats on the second year and on all the great news! I'm positive there'll be more to come in 2009.
ReplyDeleteThe Banditas stole my heart
ReplyDeleteWith their books and their larks
A new year of fun and games
Congratulations and much acclaim
Tam Tams are a work of art
Thanks for this enjoyable time and place.
Virginia, I love your limerick, especially the line about the GR using the loo. LOL!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary, Banditas!
ReplyDeleteI had to pop online today and visit the lair. I've been out of cyberspace due to general Christmas chaos and the aftermath of a chimney fire here just before Christmas, but today I took my youngest to Target and what did we find? Not just Tim Tams, but *caramel* Tim Tams! Had to pop on here and share!
Nice try, Deb Marlowe but we STILL expect a limerick from you!
ReplyDeleteAnd Virginia....I too love the loo...er, love the MENTION of the loo.
I'm suspecting with all her little ones and his many trips to Helen's that the GR just got caught up and became "loo trained"
Hey, Helen, looks like you've lured him there with your love smile and Tim Tams!
ReplyDeleteSuz, what a fun post! It's great sometimes to stop and look back and see what's changed! Wow, the Banditas are rockin'!!!
Oh, Limecello, how disappointing about the Tim Tams. Perhaps Bandita promotion has meant they've already sold out! By the way, I'm glad you had thyme to mention sage! Groan!
Hey, I'm loving all the limericks. Especially Louisa's which managed very cleverly to rhyme RITA and Bandita. Works for me!!!!
Hey, Gannon! Nicely done limerick. I didn't know they were marketing Tim Tams all over the US already. I thought they were starting out on the west coast first. (No insider info here, just a rumor I heard.)
ReplyDeleteThere once was a place called the lair
ReplyDeleteWith Tim Tams and big dreams to share
We made lots of chums
Sweet as pink sugarplums (sorry, P226!)
And made Aussie bics US top fare!
All right, perhaps I should go back to the day job...
Hey, Marissa! It was a pretty fantastic year in the Lair, wasn't it?
ReplyDeleteQuite honestly our Bandit raid on RNTV was two weeks of great fun for all of us. We can't wait to stage another one!
And we do love all the people who visit daily, those that visit when they can, and those that just lurk in the dark recesses of the lair...
We love ya man!!
Hey, Louisa!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the kind words and kudos. It's been great fun getting to know you and all the other Bandit buddies. And it's always fun seeing what zaniness is going on in the Lair, isn't it?
By the way, my hubby, who never reads the blog, was looking over my shoulder the other day as I was compiling the post, and he asked, "What's the Lair?"
What insued was a 20 minute explanation about the blog taking on a cyber world of it's own. The man's known about the blog since it's inception, marveled about raffle items and cards arriving from the Banditas all over the world, but a cyber world? Threw him for a loop....(uh did I ever mention the man doesn't read fiction of any kind? Sad, I know.)
OMG, Lousia!!!
ReplyDeleteYou rhymed Banditas with Ritas!! (Is that predestined, do you think? A conincidence? I think not!)
And a second one about the GR? The bird's head is really going to swell!
Hey, Jo! It's been a busy, productive year for the Bandits, hasn't it? I'm thinking we need to add more published Bandits to the list in 2009, don't you?
ReplyDeleteJoan said: Raising a glass of Sangria...
ReplyDeleteOoooooooooooo, I like the way you think, Joanie!!
I'm off tonight...and I have some Ziffandel in the fridge...be back in a minute!!
Eyeing Joanie's gladiators...."Am I going to have to put you guys in time out?"
ReplyDelete(oooooooo idea...me and the Gladiators in time out....)
Hey, Treethyme!
ReplyDeleteThose are some really good reads, aren't they? And Anna's third single title comes out on Tuesday!! Yahoo!!
fedora said: As we all wait for the phone to ring
ReplyDelete'Cuz it won't be long before ALL the Banditas get that first "call"!
OH I love how lyrical that sounds!!!!
It's music to MY ears!!
Virginia, love any limerick that has a rooster going to the loo! Too funny!
ReplyDeleteAnd Yankee Lady (aka Deb Marlowe) CARAMEL TIM TAMS????? THUNK!!!!
Great limerick from you too, La Campbell.
This really is the most fantastic online community around!!
It is not hard for me to make the leap from Banditas to Ritas and I hope it won't be hard for any of you to make that leap in the months and years to come!
Okay, Nancy...I have a thing for limericks, because when Lyndsey was in the first grade she had to write a book of poetry or a story in a book to qualify for a day at the local college for young writers. She wanted to do limericks. One on each page...and there was 20 pages in the dange book. Her daddy and I helped her and it turned out quite cute.
ReplyDeleteSo, I never ask someone to do something I'm not willing to do, so here is my effort. (Still not elligible for Tim Tams!)
There once was a group of Banditas
Who dreamt of winning Ritas
Their stories they told
With heroes stong and bold,
While eating Tim Tams and drinking Margaritas!
I am loving these limericks and yes every time the GR has been here is is helping with the "loo" training for Jayden LOL
ReplyDeleteThe GR is rolling around the floor laughing with the limericks he is really feeling like a movie star seeing as how he is getting lots of hype about him.
Have Fun
Helen
Hey, Virginia!
ReplyDeleteIt's been wonderful getting to know y'all, too.
As y'all know occassionally we have a smal SNAFU and the post is mid morning ET getting posted. What is amazing is sometimes y'all are on here posting on the day before and coaxing the GR to come out and play!!
Makes us feel great, believe me.
Hey, Minna!
ReplyDeleteChoka...is that a type of Finnish poetry? I liked the rhythm of it.
Hey, Crianlarich! Good to see you today.
ReplyDeleteThat seems to be the best draw of this blog, is the fun, happy camaraderie of the Banditas and all our Bandit buddies!
Hey, Traveler!
ReplyDeleteNice to see you today and cute limerick!!
We're glad you enjoy our Lair.
Hey, Anna!!
ReplyDeleteIt's really weird having Tim Tams in my house. And yes, that lead to a whole other discussion with hubby about a promotional item for a cookie treat for a blog...AND he wasn't to touch them!
VIRGINIA!! Very,very good limerick.
ReplyDeleteSee, people, it isn't THAT hard to do! And think of the rewards.
Hey, Elyssa!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kudos and well wishes. We're hoping to make year three even better.
Hey, Pearl!
ReplyDeleteVery eloquent limerick!!
And we love having y'all spend time with us each day.
By the way, NYT Bestselling author, Lorraine Heath is back with us tomorrow, to talk about her newest historical. It's being released on Tuesday along with Tempt The Devil by our own Anna Campbell, who is having a launch party on Tuesday here in the lair!
ReplyDeleteOMG, Deb Marlowe!! Please tell me your whole Christmas wasn't ruined and that everyone is okay. Chimeney fires are so scary, especially in cold weather.
ReplyDeleteGlad you found some Tim Tams to ease the pain a little!
Nope. Japanese. I just like playing with the haiku editor. And those poems don't even have to rhyme.
ReplyDeleteAnna, I thought your limerick quite catchy. But do stick to the day job, we LOVE your books!!
ReplyDeleteSuz, it's a big week in the lair, isn't it? I love Lorraine's visits! Can't wait to find out all about her new release Between the Devil and Desire. Isn't that a great title? Oh, and make sure you all come by for my launch party on Tuesday! There will be hijinks in the lair, believe me!
ReplyDelete(oooooooo idea...me and the Gladiators in time out....)
ReplyDeleteThey can handle you, Suz...they have WEAPONS!
Hmmmmm...a gleam just came into Demetrius' eyes......
{Raises a brow at Suz} Do you need to tell me something,missy???
Wow Suz, great post! It's been another fabulous year in the Lair! Thanks for chronicling it for us.
ReplyDeleteHelen, congrats on nabbing the Golden One. And the photo of you and the babies is so cute!
Love the limericks, y'all! And I love that Bandita rhymes with RITA!! And of course, year two rhymes with loo. We can't emphasize that too much, can we? :-)
And next week in the Lair sounds fabulous. I wouldn't miss it for the world!
Tim Tams you say??
ReplyDeleteYippee, hooray.
With Banditas and GR,
BB's near and far,
I can't wait for the next day.
Congrats on the GR Helen, have the new grandbabies met him yet??
Oh yes Dianna they have met him he kinda pulls a face when they cry and goes to see if Jayden and Hayley are here to play with LOL
ReplyDeleteHave Fun
Helen
I am LURVING all the limmericks! Esp. the ones that talk about sales and awards. I'm with Suz, I do NOT think it a coincidence that Bandita rhymes with Rita! As for the GR in the loo... SO NOT GOING THERE!
ReplyDeleteGREAT JOB on the post, Suz! When all our accomplishments for 2008 are gathered together like that, they really are impressive! I'm sooo proud of all of us and of our wonderful BBs too.
Technically, it is not our anniversary, that happens at the beginning of May. But 2008 does mark our second year together in the Lair, since we were here for most of 2007. You can be sure we will have another HUGE BLOW OUT PARTY for our anniversary!
Aw heck! We have HUGE BLOW OUT PARTIES most every week. That's part of the charm of the Lair. ;-)
Looking forward to MORE FUN and GOOD TIMES with everyone in 2009!!!
AC
who has now exceeded her daily quota of exclamation marks
Congratulations on your year 'two'...the word is out we've heard.
ReplyDeleteWe love getting news on various authors and books plus following the GR, that wily bird.
So best wishes to the Romance Bandits, each and everyone,
on all your great stories, your postings, contests and prizes (including Tim Tams)and many interesting things you've done.
We, your fans, enjoy following your postings and each new book,
so we spend time on the internet as we log on and look.
I'm always so envious of those who can rhyme. It's just not in me.
ReplyDeleteThanks to all our bandita buddies who make this blog so much fun for us!
Ok, here's mine.
ReplyDeleteI love to stop by the Bandits blog,
Whose wit and charming posts keeps my head out of a fog,
Tim Tams is a treat I need to taste,
With just one bite for none will go to waste,
That is for sure, if I keep them away from my dog. ;)
Dina, love the line about the dog! Made me laugh out loud!
ReplyDeleteHey, this is fun! We should do this again sometime!
Here's one more !
ReplyDeleteThere once were some GH honor winners,
Rowdy pirate girls, not really sinners
They crave bounteous booty
Contracts, Ritas and Tim Tams looty
And hardy muscled heroes who ARE sinners!
Here goes:
ReplyDeleteThere soon will be love in the air
As Banditas rest in the Lair
They all will contend
In the Ritas and win
And the GR will Tim Tams not share!
Oh, well, I tried!!!
Congratulations and all the best
to the Banditas, the Buddies, and
to the GR, too!
Pat Cochran
Hey, Kate!!
ReplyDeleteHope you had a fabulous day playing Santa in the Lair!
It truly has been a fantastic year here with all our buddies and each other, hasn't it?
Hey, Diana!
ReplyDeleteVery good limerick!!
Y'all are pretty good at this.
Hey, Aunty Cindy!!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right. The end of the year marks the Bandits time together as two years, while the blog anniversary and our entering the blog world is in May.
We'll be planning another huge party for then, I'm sure!!
Shari, your whole post is a lovely poem!! Thank you so much. We do love spending time with each and everyone of you.
ReplyDeleteOne more attempt:
ReplyDeleteThere once was a rooster so golden,
Which the ladies were caused to
embolden,
Through the wide world he'd fly,
With those Tim Tams on high,
A rarity not of days so olden !
Pat Cochran
Hey, Christie!
ReplyDeleteI am limited in my rhyming experience, hubby and kids do much better around here.
Do y'all remember that scene in the Princess Bride, where the bad guy says,
"Stop rhyming and I mean it!"
and Andre the Giant's charachter says, "Anybody want a peanut?"
Yep repeated at many a dinner table at our house when the kids were growing up!
Pat, cute!!!
ReplyDeleteHey, Dina!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anna about the line about the dog. And I do have the Tim Tams on the high bookshelf in my office where Rocky-the-wonder-dog can't get to them. hehehe
Suz, I don't envy you choosing a winner. These have all been brilliant!
ReplyDeleteThere once was a blog about words
And Tim Tams and Bandits and nerds
The chocolate was scrummy
Demetrius was yummy!
Now the poets are coming in herds!
oooooooooooooo Louisa!!
ReplyDeleteScore another one for you!!
I like the Sinners part. hehehe
Y'all are pretty good. I may have to let my hubby choose the winner as he's spouting off about idamic pentameter meters or something like that!
ReplyDeleteHey, Pat!
ReplyDeleteThose are both great limericks.
This is really going to take some studying!!
Oh, Lorraine is going to be here tomorrow?!! Yay! I was fortunate to be able to read an ARC of Between the Devil and Desire and it was absolutely fabulous! In fact I reviewed it for RNTV--it was posted on the 26th. Check it out:
ReplyDeletewww.romancenovel.tv
Jack Dodger is a truly yummy hero!
One more....
ReplyDeleteOnce upon a time in the Bandita Lair
They were giving Tim Tams to share
Those ladies are always rowdy and fun
It's one for all and all for one
I'm hoping Hugh Jackman will be there...bare!
ROTFL, Gannon...
ReplyDeleteYou and me both!
Anna and Suzanne, my dog got into some chocolate bars on the counter when I was on vac once, she's a small dog and used the kitchen chair to get them, she is so lucky she didn't get sick or worse!
ReplyDeleteSuz wrote: Okay, Nancy...I have a thing for limericks,
ReplyDeleteI was not impugning your honor--at least not deliberately. :-) I think the idea is brilliant, and everyone has come up with marvelous efforts, including yours. It's just too bad YOU aren't eligible.
What with those lovely Tim Tams up on the shelf and all . . .
I salute you, oh custodian of the Tim Tams! So I decided to have a go as well, with a tip of the cap to you, as it were:
There was a young lady named Suz
Who held Tim Tams and so had to choose--
To give them away
Or eat them and play.
In the end, she held to the rules.
Deb Marlowe--what?!! Caramel Tim Tams? My two favorite flavors in one package? I think I may be heading your way soon. Though I should maybe check the Target here before I hop in the car.
ReplyDeleteApparently "nationwide" means only in SOME locations. Aaargh!
Reading over everyone's limericks and comments is very touching. Thanks, everyone.
ReplyDeleteY'all have done a wonderful job with the limericks, and I think Joan speaks for us all (except maybe the gladiators and the cabana boys) in seconding Gannon's sentiments about Hugh Jackman.
Who brought Tim Tams for everyone in the audience for the Oprah show, just BTW.
Nancy...that was truly inspired. Too bad you're not elligible either, hehehe
ReplyDeleteI think that "nationwide" must also mean in those limited stores if you're speedy enough to get there right when they put them out! ;) I may have to take up stalking the local Target...
ReplyDeleteAnd my, we surely do have a surfeit of rhyming prowess in this lair!
WHoOOHoooooo and cheers to another year together!!! Thanks to all the Banditas for being so incredibly awesome, and to the lovely BB's for being so fabulously supportive. You all rock!!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, I have never written a limerick before but I will give it a try.
ReplyDeleteA blogging we will go,
A partying we will go,
Over to Romance Bandits,
home of the Golden Rooster and funny tangents,
with many good laughs, great advice, and Tim Tams as the prize for the end of the year!
WOOHOO! Happy Early New Year everybody! I am shouting it early in case I forget!
Hurray Banditas! I love your blog! I am sending many wishes for a blessed New Year! Congratulations on all your awards, new books that came out this year, and wonderful reviews you had on all your books!
Hugs,
Michele L.