by editor Lucy Gilmour
Last Friday was the annual Harlequin Mills & Boon celebratory toast to our fabulously talented authors. And so, following the usual flurry of sending last-minute e-mails, attempts to un-crease our once smart outfits, and much borrowing of mascara amongst the London editors, we made our way (slowly in our high heels!) to the suitably glamorous Charing Cross hotel.
I’d like to say that it was a very sensible affair…but when you’re surrounded by that many brilliant (and hugely fun!) authors, it’s doesn’t take long for the party to get into a real swing! Conversations ranged from the new Mills & Boon covers (gorgeous) to authors’ utterly divine shoes (even more gorgeous) and leg-waxing (ouch!)
It’s always brilliant fun to see so many authors all together – and this year was no exception, especially as we had so many authors who had come over to the UK especially for party (the lure of champagne should never be under-estimated…)
For all those that couldn’t make it this year, I thought you might like to take a peek at a few photos:
Editor Sheila Hodgson, Presents author Sandra Marton’s wonderful husband Marty, Sandra herself and Susan Stephens. It’s always a pleasure to meet with Sandra, and we were thrilled she made it over for the toast.
Harlequin Romance author Fiona Harper with Lynn Raye Harris, Editors Sally Williamson and Lucy Gilmour, and Presents author Jennie Lucas. Lynn and Jennie flew in from the US and spent a very glitzy (and very Presents!) week in London – it was so lovely to see them at the party.
Editor Sally Williamson and Harlequin Presents legend Carole Mortimer with the plaque she was awarded at this year’s RWA conference in Orlando for writing over 100 books – what an achievement!
Authors Natasha Oakley and Maggie Cox – Maggie received her pin for writing 25 books at the party. Presents authors Sarah Morgan and Catherine George also received pins for milestone books, 50 and 75 respectively. Definitely a reason to celebrate!
A Presents force to be reckoned with; authors Michelle Reid and Sara Craven on either side of Harlequin Presents Executive Editor Tessa Shapcott!
Editor Jenny Hutton with authors India Grey, Fiona Harper and Sharon Kendrick. I’d have loved to know what these four were talking about… 
Authors Sophie Weston, Kate Walker and Joanna Maitland – it took a few attempts to get this photo…but I’ve made sure to save the outtakes!
Great fun was had all round, and we’re already looking forward to next year. We hope to see you there…!
Lucy x
Thanks for posting those great photos, Lucy! Just look at the big smiles on all our faces… Did we have a great time, or what???
The party and the company were wonderful.
In fact, I’m already planning ahead for next year–and from what some of my sister writers have said, I’m not the only one!
Thank you, HMB, for givine us all a marvelous celebratory toast.
Sandra
xxxx
Oh Yay! Sandra, was lovely to see you again, as it was with everyone there.
Fab to hear we just might be tempting you back next september!!
Love
Lucy x
amazing pictures, let me dream one day i’ll be there sipping on the free champagne after writing my fingers to the bone like these talented authors.
Glad to see they all had fun
Lovely photos Lucy (I’m saying nothing about those ‘attempts’) – and yes, Sandra we had a wonderful time. It was amazing to have so many authors in the same room together. The buzz of conversation was amazing.
Thank you to M&B for the party – like Sandra I’m looking forward to next year.
Oh, it looks like so much fun! I’m so sorry I missed it!
Maybe someday!
Great pictures, Lucy! Wow, what an amazing trip. I’ll never forget the week of fun, glamour and adventure!
Lynn and I rented an apartment rather than staying at a hotel and it was so cool – I’d never done that before. I can still hear the church bells from St. Paul’s and see the view on the river. The food was divine and the conversations even better. So many memories… visiting Sharon Kendrick, taking the train with Kate Walker and Abby Green, having dinner with so many Presents authors and also Romance author Fiona Harper, meeting Sara Craven, touring Winchester and Windsor, having dinner in Soho with Abby and Heidi Rice, Lynn and I just walking around London in search of great restaurants and letting the energy of the city envelop us…. *sigh* Pure bliss.
As Kate and Sandra said, huge thanks to Mills & Boon for an amazing party, and for giving me a reason to cross the Atlantic. It was truly one of the best trips of my life.
This is lovely! Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos of your wonderful M&B authors! Heroines in their own right…and of course, their Heroes on the sidelines waiting for their cue…and never missing a beat! May the fun continue…
How fun! It really made me miss all of you.
Even those of you I haven’t met! (Sandra, I heard so many good things about your husband at RWA…and I have to say, he’s very handsome!)
Here’s hoping I’ll get to go one of these days…until then…perhaps I’ll see you all in New York?
The party was great indeed all the more so because so many of the writers I’ve met do really embody the term ‘heroic’ coming through the trials and tribulations of life with the kind of fortitude and courage that takes my breath away! I would particularly like to mention Natasha Oakley, Julia James and Michelle Reid. As well as writing from the heart they are incredible role models for me too. Long may they entertain and bless us with their books.
And I’d just like to say hi to Jennie Lucas who I saw there but didn’t get the chance to talk to. I’m so glad you had a good time visiting London. It’s the city I grew up in and it’s always been a diverse and exciting place to be. I’m afraid I was a bit like a rabbit in the headlights on the day of the party as I was having a little trouble with my balance due to a sight problem however it didnt spoil my enjoyment of the occasion in any way. I’d also like to add my thanks to all at Harlequin Mills and Boon for organising a great party and giving me the chance to mingle with the people who are so dedicated to writing and promoting romance. The world needs more love!
Maggie
x
It’s lovely to see all the pics! I had so much fun! I can’t say it better than Jennie did about all the adventures we had. My biggest regret is that I didn’t meet everyone! How did I miss some of the other authors in the room that day? But I did. Very disappointing.
Though I guess I’ll just have to come back next year! In fact, I’m already blocking it off my calendar. So much fun, and so worth the long flight. Loved, loved, loved spending time with all of you!
Yes, it was a great day spent in wonderful company. Like lots of you, I’m already looking forward to next year!
Hi Lucy,
It looks like everyone had a ball. Maybe one day I’ll get to join the party!
One of the most fantastic things about the photo’s you posted is getting to see what everyone looks like. I’ve heard the names and read the books but it was great to be able to put a face to the name and in your case it was delightful to be able to put a face to the voice and the emails.
Regards
Tina
What a FABULOUS day/evening it was. (And they’re great photos, Lucy).
Putting on the glad-rags, mixing with so many dynamic and talented women (and Roger!) – made me feel like a “real” author.
Instead of the one who is sitting in a dressing gown, surrounded by a trio of empty coffee cups, while outside my window – the world turns…..
Everyone looks rather rosy cheeked.
Looks like everyone had a great time. How fabulous that some American authors got to join the fun. And big congrats to Carole Mortimer–one of my all time faves!