5th Anniversary Bash: Romance Blowout

Barbara Vey -- March 10th, 2012
8,430 Replies

I can’t believe we’re at the end of the week already.  This party has been incredible and today is no exception.  We’re in Venice for the Romance Blowout!  These incredible authors have gotten together to to give you readers a sendoff to remember.  There’s great prizes and lots of party stuff.  There’s food, entertainment and great atmosphere.

 

Which one is Sven?

Which one is Sven?

WARNING: Romance Bandits bloggers are INVADING Venice. That’s right – watch for major surprises throughout the day.  (Hint: think “instant win”) They’re walking in now with a giant silver punchbowl of the Goddess Sangria’s secret recipe (a potent, Champagne-laced potion and credited with at least three magical love affairs) and all of the Bandit lair’s swarthy male staff..including the famous Bandita Cabana Boys, the Gladiators, the  Hockey Hunks, and yes….they’re even bringing Sven, who will give his incredible massages to guests until his amazing hands are worn out.  Just remember, what happens at Barbara’s bash STAYS at Barbara’s bash, and the Banditas will hold you to that…after all, they do have their party reputations to consider.  They promise to NOT bring the Golden Rooster…well, not if they can catch him anyway.

Allie Boniface is carrying in beautiful bouquets of Venetian Roses and Anju Gattani is bringing in a designer sari from India’s leading fashion designer (for women), Anita Dongre who designed the wedding trousseau for Sheetal Dhanraj.  Desiree Holt was thinking flowers also with two dozen roses, a case of champagne and scented oils.

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To go along with the champagne, Jennifer Haymore stumbled upon the Donovan sister’s secret stash of Antiguan rum, so she’s bringing over a couple cases!  It’s not a party without wine, so good thing Roxanne St. Claire is bringing over a few more bottles.

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For food, the ladies of The Ballroom Blog — Katharine Ashe, Sabrina Darby, Tessa Dare, Gaelen Foley, Sarah MacLean and Miranda Neville — will bring their favorite party delights to share, spiked ratafia and lobster patties!  Barbara Monajem has lots of Eccles Cakes.  Casey Crow says, “I’m bringing an empty stomach so I can eat tons of pizza and pasta.”  Well, nobody’s brought any pizza or pasta yet, but the day is young.  Jill Shalvis is bringing gourmet chocolates to make sure our party ends on a sweet note.

 

Carla Swafford  I’ll bring balloons. For there’s nothing better than dozens upon dozens of floating bright colored balloons to make a party…well, feel like a party!

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Nic

Nic

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Sabrina Jeffries   No party is complete without proper entertainment. Sabrina Jeffries will bring her Regency dance moves to kick off the day of revelry.  While Lauren Hunter feels that bringing Josh Groban is definitely a good party move.  Kristine Cayne & Dana Delamar feel Nic “The Lover” Lamoureux will thrill the romance readers.

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Josh Groban

Ever logical Joan Swan says, “Dramamine, for those of us who get motion sick but who wouldn’t miss a serenade on a gondola by a sexy Venetian gondolier for a anything.”

 

Becky Barker wants to know, “So ladies, if you could choose a fantasy hero for your Saturday night date, would it be an all-American guy with blond hair and light eyes? Or a dark-haired, dark-eyed guy who’s just a bit dangerous? No cheating, you have to pick just one.”

 

Bottom Line:  Best 5th Anniversary Party ever!!

Here’s the rules.  Leave any comment and get an entry to win one of the fabulous prizes.  You can comment more than once for more chances.  Winners will be picked daily and posted on the blog March 12th.  Winners will have one week to claim their prize.

Many thanks to the following for their generous prizes:

Grace Burrowes   A Nook

Becky Barker  Kindle E-Reader and a free copy of my latest release, STOWAWAY

From Liz Maverick, Carolyn Jewel, Patti O’Shea, and Jade Lee:  To celebrate the ebook re-release of the Crimson City paranormal romance series, Crimson authors Carolyn Jewel, Patti O’Shea, Jade Lee, and Liz Maverick are giving away one set of the “endangered species” versions (the print editions!) of their Crimson City series books, Crimson City, Through a Crimson Veil, Seduced by Crimson, Shards of Crimson, Crimson Rogue and Crimson & Steam.

From Heroes & Heartbreakers  Two St. Martin’s Press Prize Packs (All books unless otherwise noted  are paperback):Two (2) sets of: Forbidden Pleasure by Lora Leigh, Vampire Dead Ahead by Cheyenne McCray Stroke of Midnight anthology by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Amanda Ashley, L.A. Banks, and Lori Handeland

Heroes & Heartbreakers  – One “Hot” Prize Pack including Live Wire by Lora Leigh, Wings of Fire by Caris Roane, Vampires Dead Ahead by Cheyenne McCray, Legally Hot anthology by Lora Leigh, Cheyenne McCray, and Red Garnier.

Heroes & Heartbreakers – Six copies of Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah.

Heroes & Heartbreakers – Four copies of the gorgeous photo-rich hardcover William and Catherine: Their Story by Andrew Morton.

Heroes & Heartbreakers – Two Women’s Fiction Prize Packs including hardcover editions of The Orchard by Jeffrey Stepakoff and Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews.

Heroes & Heartbreakers -Four Lora Leigh Prize Packs including Forbidden Pleasure and Live Wire by Lora Leigh.

Heroes & Heartbreakers – Two “Spitfire Heroine” Prize Packs including a signed copy of the audiobook First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones, and Goddess of Vengeance by Jackie Collins.
Heroes & Heartbreakers – Eleven Dark Hunters Prize Packs including a Heroes & Heartbreakers T-shirt and volumes 1-4 of The Dark Hunters manga series by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Romance at Random:

Ruthie Knox – RIDE WITH ME, Arc Giveaway -
Jessica Scott – BECAUSE OF YOU Arc giveaway -
Suzanne Brockmann – Born To Darkness – 3/20 on sale -
Monica McCarty – The Saint – 3/27 on sale -
Lara Adrian – Darker After Midnight -
Laura Moore – Trouble Me – March 27 -
Molly O’Keefe – Can’t Buy Me Love – 6/26 on sale but I’m giving away an arc – /
Mariah Stewart – Hometown Girl -
Emily March – Lover’s Leap -
Shawntelle Madison – Coveted -
HP Mallory – Witchful Thinking -
Christy Reece – Sweet Reward -
Stephanie Tyler – Night Moves -
Nicole Jordan – Princess Charming -
Shiloh Walker – If You Know Her

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Allie Boniface  Winner’s choice of any of my ebooks

Anju Gattani  A copy of DUTY AND DESIRE and the following:  one matching bookmark, one wedding invitation (made in India) from golden, silk fabric, inviting the reader to the fictitious wedding of Sanjeet and Sheetal ‘The wedding of the decade’ (the opening of the story).

Barbara Monajem  Two historical e-novellas, The Wanton Governess and The Unrepentant Rake.

Carla Swafford  5 BOOKS of Circle of Desire  (One for each year you’ve been writing your blog! Congratulations, Barbara.)

Casey Crow  ebook copy of CAN’T FAKE THIS (INT, f/m contemporary erotic)

Catherine Mann  My March and April books– PROTECTOR, HONORABLE INTENTIONS

Desiree Holt  Signed copy of Finding Julia

Jennifer Haymore  5 copies of SECRETS OF AN ACCIDENTAL DUCHESS (provided by publisher)

Jill Shalvis 5 ARCs of LUCKY IN LOVE (provided by publisher)

Judith Glynn Ereader or POD: “A Collector of Affections: Tales from a Woman’s Heart”

Julia London  Revenge of Lord Eberlin for that romance day.

Lauren Hunter  1 copy of my time travel romance ebook  ‘The Coffee Shop’

Lexi George  1 copy of Demon Hunting in Dixie and 1 copy of So I Married A Demon Slayer

Penguin Publishing  3 romance books

Romance at Random  Roxanne St. Claire  same  5 ARCs of BAREFOOT IN THE SAND with wine coaster (provided by publisher)

Sabrina Jeffries  Hellions have more fun! Experience the fun first hand by winning the entire Hellions of Halstead Hall Regency romance series from Sabrina Jeffries—The Truth About Lord Stoneville, A Hellion in Her Bed, How to Woo a Reluctant Lady, To Wed a Wild Lord and A Lady Never Surrenders.

Shanon Grey  digital upload for Kindle (.prc) and Nook (epub) of The Shoppe of Spells

Teresa Medeiros  2 autographed copy of THE PLEASURE OF YOUR KISS

Susan Elizabeth Phillips  New Mass Market Paperback of CALL ME IRRESISTIBLE

Murder She Writes 3 digital copies of GUNS AND ROSES: A MURDER SHE WRITES ANTHOLOGY

Sophia Knightly  WILD FOR YOU (Tropical Heat Series, Book 1) and SOLD ON YOU (Tropical Heat Series, Book 2)

Joan Swan  Print Copy of FEVER and $10 Amazon Gift Card

Kristine Cayne & Dana Delamar  – one signed print copy of “Deadly Obsession” by Kristine Cayne (US-only – International will get an ebook) – one signed print copy of “Revenge” by Dana Delamar  (US-only – International will get an ebook)  – one $10 USD Amazon Gift Card. (US-only – International will get it electronically)

The Ballroom Blog (Katharine Ashe, Sabrina Darby, Tessa Dare, Gaelen Foley, Sarah MacLean and Miranda Neville ) A basket of fourteen books — two each from the six of us, plus books from our two soon-to-be-revealed new members. The winner will be the first to find out who these two authors are!

Dianna Love  signed copies of Phantom In the Night, Whispered Lies and Silent Truth
Catherine Mann  Renegade (signed)
Trinity Faegen The Mephisto Covenant (signed)
Thread of Fear (signed) by  Laura Griffin
Cover of Night by  Linda Howard
Kiss of Snow by  Nalini Singh (hardback)
The Betrayal of the Blood Lily by Lauren Willig
Devil’s Bride by  Stephanie Laurens
The Summer Garden by Paulina Simons
Awaken the Highland Warrior by Anita Clenney
The Eagle and the Dove by Victoria Morrow
Midsummer Moon by  Laura Kinsale
The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker by Leanna Renee Hieber
The Mammoth book of Paranormal Romance 2 (anthology)
Lakeside Cottage by  Susan Wiggs
Blood on Silk by Marie Treanor
Anybody Out There by Marian Keyes
Dead After Dark anthology by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Dianna Love, JR Ward and Susan Squires

 

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8,430 thoughts on “5th Anniversary Bash: Romance Blowout”

  1. Joyce S

    Better late than never!

    And, may I say that 8,367 comments makes for one hell of a good party!!

    Congratulations Barbara for 5 great years and we’re looking forward to many, many more!!!

    Reply ↓
  2. George

    Happy anniversary all! An amazing amount of comments which we have learned are in excess of WordPress capabilities and were out of the reach of our IT departments ability to adjust. In one week you amassed as many comments as we see all year across the regular PW site all year. That’s an amazing amount of enthusiasm and partying!
    If we’re gone set yet another new record next year and I’m sure you will, we will need another outlet. Congrats to Barbara and friends on breaking all of the records and blowing out the software. I enjoyed my brief encounter and am only sorry that we couldn’t impact the software glitch. Until next year… :)

    Reply ↓
          1. Bri V

            I had a blast and met amazing, new friends. Better set up more than one new outlet as a backup ’cause I’m sure we’ll break that first one as well :)

      2. BHB Fan

        Thanks for a terrific party – amazing turn out but I’m sure that didn’t surprise anyone. Getting ready for another smashing year :)

        Reply ↓
    2. Isis Nocturne

      Thanks for sharing George. This party is the BEST one I attend in ANY form (physical or digital) every year! Barbara is just an angel and we all love to help her break records from previous years. :) We’ll see you guys again next year! Hopefully you can join in a bit more and really get a taste of the fun we have!

      Reply ↓
    3. Chelsea Rafferty

      Just wanted to say THANK YOU AGAIN Barbara! You’re an amazing woman and I’m really glad I discovered you last year :) This is an amazing party and I really enjoy hanging out with my friends for the week. I’m sure my HOUSE doesn’t appreciate me hanging out here the whole week *eyes dishes* but I liked it nonetheless :) Thanks so much again for hosting/putting together an amazing party :)

      Also, thank you to George and PW :) And of course all the amazing authors/bloggers/readers who joined in on it as well! you girls are like my family online so its fun meeting you here to chat like crazy and meet new people :)

      Reply ↓
    4. Toni

      Thank you George for at least trying. Once the dust settled and we seen the pattern, we adapted and moved on. We are a clever and fun group.

      I have no doubt that we would have hit 10K today. The frustration got the best of me for a few minutes, but I came back, unfortunately I believe we lost quite a few because of the glitch. I’m still pleasantly floored by the 8300 that we did pull off. We all had a blast. The prizes may draw the crowd in, but it is the interaction between the participants that keeps us going.

      You have a treasure in Barbara. She has brought a lot of people together and I am one major fan of hers. Just seeing the people she brought together on our FB page alone is an accomplishment. People stepped out of their comfort zones and blossomed this year alone. It is only going to get better.

      Good luck finding us a different outlet for next year. I have a feeling it’s just going to get bigger and bigger. She has a loyal following of authors, bloggers and readers.

      Thanks again for trying this afternoon/evening. I did say if you fixed the problem I’d bake you cookies, well….it really didn’t get fixed, but if you find us another outlet…I might just upgrade it to a cake. Cheers!

      Reply ↓
      1. kym

        Beautifully said Toni, I dont think I could of said it better !

        Many thanks to Barb, even tho we got stuck out the window, It didnt let us stop enjoying each other…and I agree, it may be the love of books that draws us here, but the fun and friendships is what keeps us connected.

        George, thanks for trying to fix the problem..looking forward to trying to crash the site three years in a row :D JK

        Reply ↓
    5. Yami

      Thank you George for housing Barbara’s blog and giving her a server that we’re able to chat on. We really have to hand it to you all for being able to host us, even if we broke wordpress. We were able to pass it and we continued having fun. We’re a strong group and we love being able to chat here. Just being able to have a place to come together made it count. Next year I’m sure will get it up again and pass our new record..

      Reply ↓
    6. Leannegagnon

      Thank you for the wonderful time :) I’m glad that we were able to beat last year’s count and that your not too upset that we glitched the system. Barbara was a wonderful hostess!
      See you next year when we make a new record! Be prepared for another epic amount of comments lol

      CHEERS! Leanne

      Reply ↓
    7. Dianna Love

      This has been one heck of a week. Thank you, Barbara for all that you do for the book community and thank you, George, for providing us a place to visit and for giving us Barbara! Huge thanks to everyone who came out here this week!

      Reply ↓
      1. Kat Corouch

        Congrats again Barbara! We love you. I am not surprised at all the fanfare the blog has received this year. It will continue to grow because of the type of person you are. You are amazing and we love to share in your adventures. Here’s to more years to come!

        Reply ↓
    8. Debbie Kaufman

      At least now I understand what happened! So proud of Barbara, our Ambassador of Romance! Really appreciate the fact that we’ll get an upgrade next year. This is THE blog I follow religiously and can’t tell you how much I appreciate you, Barbara. And thank you, George, for giving us a reader for a romance blogger!

      Reply ↓
    9. Joanie

      Thank you so much for providing this outlet. Evidence suggests that the GR was NOT responsible as he was found sound asleep in the corner with his wings wrapped around an empty bottle of Pepto Bismol :D

      Reply ↓
    10. Jeanne AKA The Duchesse

      George, thank you so much! We are all big fans of Barbara and Beyond Her Book. She’s brought a wonderful voice to the millions of readers of romance who have continued to keep Romance the largest and most thriving slice of the market. All throughout this economic downturn, Romance readers have continued to support their favorite authors, and new ones like me too. And Barbara’s been integral to introducing readers to writers and vice versa.

      Thanks for taking a chance on this blog, and seeing it and Barbara for the gem they are.

      The Romance Bandits are looking forward to Invading again next year, and we promise to keep our Golden Rooster under better watch so he doesn’t tamper. I’m not sayin it was HIM causing the ruckus….but I’m not sayin’ it wasn’t either. Grins.

      Barbara, here’s a toast (coffee, thank goodness!) and a hope for five MORE fabulous years and BEYOND!

      Reply ↓
    11. Nancy Northcott

      Barbara, congratulations again on your ongoing success, and thank you for providing such a fun day yesterday! Glitches notwithstanding, it was a blast. The Romance Bandits thoroughly enjoyed our invasion.

      George, thank you for hosting Barbara’s wonderful blog.

      Reply ↓
  6. Dina S

    justot home, now will lose 1 hr sleep. won 2 auction jerseys, no more auctions, I’m getting addicted……….oh wait Brenda Novak is coming soon, oooohhh nooooo ;)

    Reply ↓
  16. Lora

    Good Morning Everyone:

    Just my usually thing to do this week, have coffee and get on the forum. Thanks again to Barbara who is finally getting some sleep. can’t wait to see the finally tally for post.

    Reply ↓
  17. Lora

    Off to work again…See you on Facebook……and the blog Beyond her Books!

    Thanks Everyone…What a week……Is it next year yet:}

    Reply ↓
  19. Linda Block

    Congratulations on your 5 year Anniversary. I love reading all your books, without them I do not know how I would fill my time. You have helped me get thru some difficult days and nights. Thank you for the amazing reads.

    Reply ↓
  24. Sherri Myers

    OH wow, what a busy, busy place!! Sooo many comments. I’d love to have my name thrown in the pot for a chance to win a goodie. :)

    Reply ↓
  25. Na S.

    Wishing Barbara a very Happy Fifth Anniversary! Thank you to everyone who came out! It was my first time attending the bash and I had a blast.

    Enjoy the day. Sleep well and happy reading!

    Reply ↓
  27. Regina Hughes

    Am I shallow if I say that I followed the link because of the picture of the hunks? Okay, I’m shallow. I do read a lot of romance though.

    Reply ↓
  32. Lora

    Just home from work and wanted to say again that I had a great week. Thanks to all the authors, friends, and new friends, Barbara you are so good to all of us.

    Reply ↓
  42. Barbara

    I always enjoy the week but Romance Day is always my favorite. Fantastic venue and decorations. You know the men are everything you would want in a leading man. And Josh Groban – talented and good looking. Another great year, Barbara

    Reply ↓
  79. The Vampire Raphael

    The important thing is that Ryan opened the window because I ordered him to toss out the unnecessary item for the ritual. (See above links that temporarily vanished, causing the confusion.)

    We are now good and whole.

    Reply ↓
  105. Cassondra Murray

    I’m gonna try to post this here under Kym since it’s appearing WAY at the top..

    Okay let’s see where this shows up.

    Roamance Bandit BOOTY WINNER!!!!!!

    The winner of Tawny Weber’s awesome book/gift card prize is……drum rolllll…….

    Rebeca C!

    Rebeca, email me at banditabooty@gmail.com with your snail mail info.

    Reply ↓
  118. Tawnya Peltonen

    Congrats Rebecca!

    It looks like I missed some cool stuff again lol…that’s okay though! I just need to stop going AFK!

    Reply ↓
  136. Tawny Weber

    Oh no!!! Can you imagine the Rooster with a potion? What a scary thing. He’d be dosing the hens and causing chaos everywhere.

    Oh wait, he does that already. The chaos part, I mean :-)

    Reply ↓
  154. BHB Fan

    I’m so sad – none of my posts are showing up in the right place. But it is fun trying to figure out what everyone is saying.

    Reply ↓
  162. Tawny Weber

    Well, the party was derailed and the Rooster was here, so yeah, he probably did it. He’s such a brat! I don’t think we were paying enough attention to him so he had a tantrum. Or just as likely, he was just stirring up trouble. You know how he is.

    Reply ↓
  172. Donna Coe-Velleman

    This is funny reading the comments so out of order. I thought it was crazy trying to keep up and respond but this…wow.

    Reply ↓
  173. Donna Coe-Velleman

    I put the above in as a reply and it came up as a separate comment. I put in a separate comment and I don’t know where it went. lol

    Reply ↓
  179. Donna C

    This is toooooo strange. I asked where everyone was at around 7 It’s now 7:30 and the end comments are gone and replaced with this. AHHHHHHH!

    Reply ↓
  185. Nichole B

    mine are too! whats up? lol i can’t keep up and don’t know whats going on. Just got here lol thinking I may have to disapear for a while again

    Reply ↓
  192. Stacy Hodgson

    Stacy Hodgson says:
    March 10, 2012 at 11:12 pm
    Okies. I am giving up trying to figure out what is going on or trying to post. Just wanted to say that I adore you all and you were wonderful fun this week!!! It was such a joy to get to know everybody! If anyone is interested in adding me to FB please feel free to do so https://www.facebook.com/stacy.hodgson1 as I would be happy to keep in contact!!!

    Thank you to all the wonderful authors and folks and the Romance Bandits for giving away such stellar material! We are well and truly blessed!

    And a special thank you to Barbara Vey!!! Without you none of this could be possible, meeting new ppl, having such a blast with like-minded individuals and let’s not forget the giveaways! I will surely be checking in on your blog from here on out as you are very talented and genuine for sure!

    Goodnight my lovelies!!! May your weekend move slowly so you can get all the rest and relaxation you want! And may your imaginations soar with all the new reading material and goodies you receive this week!!! MUAH! XOXO

    Much love,
    Stacy aka Julianna (or Jules to some. LOL)

    Reply ↓

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