Kristen Bailey – Great Sexpectations

Fleet author, Kristen Bailey, has been shortlisted in the Jane Wenham-Jones Award for Romantic Comedy category with her novel, Great Sexpectations, for the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s (RNA) annual Romantic Novel Awards for 2023. The awards celebrate excellence in romantic fiction in all its forms.

The first piece of fiction Kristen ever wrote was a chapter about a woman giving birth. It was based on her own experiences where she got drunk on the gas and air, and her husband had to wrestle her back into bed. That baby is now 16 years old. Since then, she’s written eight novels about love, modern life and family, and most recently was longlisted for the Comedy Women In Print Prize. She currently lives in Hampshire with four kids, a Northern husband and a dog who all think she’s as funny as toothache.

She commented, ‘Did I fall off the sofa when I got the email from the organisers to say I was shortlisted for this award? Of course I did! What an honour to be recognised in this category and by industry champions who appreciate how this genre delivers so much joy, fun and spark into the world. I am so proud of Josie and Cameron’s story, and I am truly excited and grateful that their story has this spotlight.’

GREAT SEXPECTATIONS (Publisher: Bookouture)
When Josie meets the very perfect Cameron, she holds back from telling him what she does for a living. She works for a sex toy empire. And her parents? They used to be porn stars. As secrets unfold and lies unravel, what lessons will Josie learn about love, life and herself?

Facebook – Kristen Bailey (www.facebook.com/kristenbaileywrites)
Twitter – @mrsbaileywrites
Instagram – @kristenbaileywrites
Website – www.kristenbaileywrites.com

Jeevani Charika –  Playing for Love

Beverley resident, author Jeevani Charika, has been shortlisted in the Jane Wenham-Jones Award for Romantic Comedy category with her novel, Playing For Love, for the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s (RNA) annual Romantic Novel Awards for 2023. The awards celebrate excellence in romantic fiction in all its forms.

Jeevani writes heart-warming romcoms and multicultural women’s fiction. A former microbiologist, she also writes as Rhoda Baxter – named after the bacterium she used to study.  She loves cake and Lego. She lives in Yorkshire with her young family. You can find out more about her (and get a free book) on her website: www.jeevanicharika.com.

She commented, ‘I’m so excited to be shortlisted for the romantic comedy award. I think in these difficult times, a lot of people, myself included, turn to romcoms for comfort and escape. I’ve always wanted to write fun books featuring people who look like me and it’s great to know that other people love them, too.’

PLAYING FOR LOVE (Publisher: HQ Digital)

Sam  is thrilled when she’s teamed with famous video gamer Blaze in a virtual tournament.
But Sam doesn’t know that Blaze is the secret alter ego of Luke, her shy colleague.
Luke has a crush on Sam.
Sam has a crush on Blaze.
How will this game of love play out?

Twitter: @rhodabaxter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeevani.charika/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeevanicharikaauthor
All the links in one place:  https://linktr.ee/JeevaniC

Fiona Gibson – The Woman who Took a Chance

Glasgow resident, author Fiona Gibson, has been shortlisted in the Jane Wenham-Jones Award for Romantic Comedy category with her novel, The Woman Who Took a Chance, for the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s (RNA) annual Romantic Novel Awards for 2023. The awards celebrate excellence in romantic fiction in all its forms.

Fiona was born in a youth hotel in Malton, North Yorkshire. Obsessed with magazines, she left school at 17 and landed a job at Jackie magazine where her first task was to write the horoscopes. She went on to work on Just Seventeen and later edited more! magazine. Fiona has written 19 novels and lives with her husband Jimmy in Glasgow.

She commented, ‘I’m absolutely thrilled that The Woman Who Took a Chance has been shortlisted for the RNA’s romantic comedy award. It was great fun to write, as I wanted to pack it with laughs and cringeworthy moments. It’s such a boost to know that the judges enjoyed it so much.’

THE WOMAN WHO TOOK A CHANCE (Publisher: Avon)

When flight attendant Jen’s airline goes bust, she is devastated. At 51, redundant and grounded, she’s urged by friends to sign up to a dating site – as she finally has time to meet a man. But the turbulent world of midlife dating turns out to be her bumpiest ride yet.

www.facebook.com/fionagibsonauthor
Instagram: @fiona_gib
Twitter: @FionaGibson
website: www.fionagibson.com

Emily Kerr – Take a Chance on Greece

Television journalist and author, Emily Kerr, who lives near Harrogate, has been shortlisted in the Jane Wenham-Jones Award for Romantic Comedy category with her novel, Take a Chance on Greece, 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 is an author of feel-good romantic comedies and has been scribbling stories on bits of paper ever since she could write. She studied Classics at the University of Oxford, then did an MA in Broadcast Journalism. She juggles writing fiction with her day job as a television journalist based in Yorkshire. She loves travelling, and Greece in particular has a special place in her heart.

She commented, ‘I am hugely honoured and absolutely thrilled that Take a Chance on Greece has been shortlisted for the Jane Wenham-Jones Award for Romantic Comedy. I had so much fun writing the book and I’m delighted at the response from readers. It’s a privilege to write stories which hopefully put a smile on people’s faces.’

TAKE A CHANCE ON GREECE (Publisher: One More Chapter)

When Lydia wakes after a night out in Kefalonia with a tattoo saying ‘Awesome Andreas’ she sets out to find the man who inspired her inking. But perhaps she’s looking in the wrong places, and Mr Right is closer than she realises, if only she’d take a chance on him …

Website: emilykerrwrites.com
Twitter: @emilykerrwrites
Instagram: @emilykerrwrites
Facebook: facebook.com/emilykerrwrites

Bella Osbourne – A Wedding at Sandy Cove

Rugby resident, author Bella Osborne, has been shortlisted in the Jane Wenham-Jones Award for Romantic Comedy category with her novel, A Wedding at Sandy Cove, for the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s (RNA) annual Romantic Novel Awards for 2023. The awards celebrate excellence in romantic fiction in all its forms.

Bella’s stories are about friendship, love and coping with what life throws at you. She likes to find the humour in the darker moments of life and weaves these into her stories. She lives in Warwickshire with her husband, daughter and a cat who thinks she’s a dog. When not writing, Bella is usually eating custard creams and planning holidays.

She commented, ‘I’m over the moon as it’s such an honour to be shortlisted. It means the world to know that readers have enjoyed my story.’

A WEDDING AT SANDY COVE (Publisher: Avon)

Ella is a seamstress who makes brides’ dreams come true but Ella’s own love life couldn’t be further from a fairy tale. Recently dumped and with her best friend’s wedding imminent, Ella  finally accepts her friends’ offers to set her up on a blind date.

Website – www.bellaosborne.com
Twitter – https://twitter.com/osborne_bella
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BellaOsborneAuthor/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/bellaosborneauthor/