Emily Bell – This Year’s for Me and You

Image credit: The Picture House London (Derek Miller)

Dublin author, Emily Bell, has been shortlisted in the Christmas/Festive Holiday Romantic Novel Award category with her novel, This Year’s for Me and You, for the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s (RNA) annual Romantic Novel Awards for 2023. The awards celebrate excellence in romantic fiction in all its forms.

Emily grew up in Dublin. She has had various jobs including bookseller and tour guide and now writes full time. Her first book Baby It’s Cold Outside was an Irish Times bestseller. She lives in North London with her husband and daughter.

She commented, ‘The RNA has a special place in my heart for its championing of stories by and for women. I’m so thrilled to be included in this stellar list of authors.’

THIS YEAR’S FOR ME AND YOU (Publisher: Penguin Michael Joseph)
When Celeste discovers a list of New Year’s resolutions left behind by her late best friend, she is determined to complete them. Through Hannah’s last wishes Celeste begins to rediscover life – and love.

Cathy Bramley – Merrily Ever After

Nottingham author, Cathy Bramley, has been shortlisted in the Christmas/Festive Holiday Romantic Novel Award category with her novel, Merrily Ever After, for the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s (RNA) annual Romantic Novel Awards for 2023. The awards celebrate excellence in romantic fiction in all its forms.

Cathy is a Sunday Times best-selling storyteller of fifteen novels. She writes stories about ordinary women doing extraordinary things, full of joy, kindness and love. Her novels are the perfect way to relax and escape the stresses of life.

She commented, ‘The competition is extremely tough, with a huge number of worthy entrants and I’m truly flattered that Merrily Ever After, my second festive novel, has made it onto the shortlist. It’s a huge honour to be recognised for my work by the Romantic Novelists’ Association who do so much for this wonderful genre.’

MERRILY EVER AFTER(Publisher: Orion Fiction)
As Merry juggles her business and her Christmas wedding, she is stretched to breaking point. Emily’s father’s dementia is worsening and she struggles to care for him. She discovers a photograph in his belongings that changes everything. As secrets from Ray’s past resurface, will Christmas make or break Emily and Merry?

Facebook: @CathyBramleyAuthor
Twitter: @CathyBramley
Instagram: @CathyBramley
Website: www.cathybramley.co.uk

Jessica Gilmore – Christmas with his Ballerina

Mills & Boon True Love author, Jessica Gilmore, has been shortlisted in the Christmas/Festive Holiday Romantic Novel Award category with her novel, Christmas with his Ballerina, for the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s (RNA) annual Romantic Novel Awards for 2023. The awards celebrate excellence in romantic fiction in all its forms.

A former bookseller, Jessica now works full time in Arts fundraising. She first started writing ten years ago and has written thirty romances for Mills & Boon and other publishers during that time. After seventeen years in York, Jessica moved to the Chilterns in 2021 and loves walking her dogs, reading and watching dance. She is married with one teenage daughter.

She commented, ‘I’m thrilled to have been nominated for my first RNA Award. It’s a huge honour to be included with so many authors I admire and adore.’

CHRISTMAS WITH HIS BALLERINA (Publisher: Mills & Boon True Love)

Widower Joshua is excited about his first family Christmas with his grown-up children in years. While readying his Vermont cabin he meets temporary neighbour, ex-ballerina Rebecca. Welcoming any distraction from her high-profile divorce, she offers to help. Romance is not on their agendas, and yet they find something completely unexpected in one another…

Sarah Morgan – Snowed in for Christmas

Image credit: Ev Sekkides

HQ author, Sarah Morgan, has been shortlisted in the Christmas/Festive Holiday Romantic Novel Award category with her novel, Snowed in for Christmas, for the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s (RNA) annual Romantic Novel Awards for 2023. The awards celebrate excellence in romantic fiction in all its forms.

Sarah is a Sunday Times and USA Today bestselling author of romance and women’s fiction. She has sold over 21 million copies of her books and her trademark humour and warmth have gained her fans across the globe. Sarah lives near London, and when she isn’t writing or reading, she likes to spend time outdoors.

She commented, ‘Snowed in for Christmas was so much fun to write, and I’m delighted and honoured that it has been shortlisted for the Christmas/Festive Holiday Romantic Novel Award. Hopeful, uplifting books have never been more necessary and I’m proud that my book has been chosen by the judges, and grateful to the RNA who do so much to celebrate and champion romantic fiction.’

SNOWED IN FOR CHRISTMAS (Publisher: HQ)
Lucy is facing Christmas alone and the prospect of losing her job unless she can win a major piece of business from Ross Miller. Arriving at the Miller family’s Highland home, she is mistaken for Ross’s girlfriend. By the time the confusion is cleared up, a storm has hit and Lucy is snowed in with a family that isn’t hers.

Sophie Ranald – Santa, Please Bring Me a Boyfriend

Lewisham-based author, Sophie Ranald, has been shortlisted in the Christmas/Festive Holiday Romantic Novel Award category with her novel, Santa, Please Bring Me a Boyfriend, for the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s (RNA) annual Romantic Novel Awards for 2023. The awards celebrate excellence in romantic fiction in all its forms.

Sophie Ranald is the youngest of five sisters. She was born in Zimbabwe and lived in South Africa until an acute case of itchy feet brought her to the UK in her mid-20s. In 2011, she decided to disregard all the good advice given to aspiring novelists and attempt to write full-time. Santa, Please Bring Me a Boyfriend is her thirteenth novel. She lives in London with her partner and much-adored cats.

She commented, ‘I am so thrilled that Santa, Please Bring Me a Boyfriend has been shortlisted for an RNA award. It’s extra special because the shortlist was chosen by readers, and I’m delighted that this festive romance has touched their hearts and given them a shot of the Christmas spirit.’

SANTA, PLEASE BRING ME A BOYFRIEND (Publisher: Bookouture)
With Christmas approaching, Rowan is starting to think that real love is just wishful thinking. Then her friends arrange an advent calendar to help get her spark back – and Rowan begins to realise that what she really wants in her stocking is handsome Alex, the driver who delivers her daily surprise.

Twitter: @sophieranald