Romantic Novel Poll and Amelia

ROMANTIC NOVELISTS' ASSOCIATION Press Release
The Best Love Story of the Last 50 Years

'Linda Gillard's book Star Gazing topped a poll to find the most romantic novel of the last 50 years. She beat Barbara Taylor-Bradford's classic book, A Woman of Substance and Trisha Ashley's Every Woman for Herself, who were both runners-up. The poll was organised by Woman's Weekly in conjunction with the Romantic Novelists' Association and the awards were presented at a champagne breakfast by best-selling author and Chair of the RNA, Katie Fforde.'   Many congratulations, Linda.  Linda was a Transita author too so am basking at a distance in her reflected glory!

Here is the longlist: A Horseman Riding By, A Woman Of Substance, An Absolute Scandal - Penny Vincenzi, Bridget Jones' Diary, Checkmate - Dorothy Dunnett, Chocolat, Consider The Lily Elizabeth Buchan, Every Woman For Herself Tricia Ashley, Light A Penny Candle, Miss M and Me Jemme Forte, Penmarric - Susan Howatch, Possession, Riders, Scarlet Ribbons - Emma Blair, Someday, Somewhere Eileeen Ramsay, Star Gazing - Linda Gillard , Tell It To The Skies Erica James

Far Pavilions, French Lieut's Woman, The Island, Labyrinth

The Nearness Of You - Mike Hutton, The Nonesuch - Georgette Heyer

The Other Boleyn Girl, The Rector's Wife - J Trollope, The Shell Seekers, The Tamarind Seed - Evelyn Anthony, Tilly Trotter, Touch Not The Cat - Mary Stewart

Film

I order DVDs so far in avance from Love Film that when they actually arrive I've forgotten all about them. Sometime this is a good surprise, occasionally not.  But we did much enjoy Amelia, the life of Amelia Earhart starring Hilary Swank and Richard Gere.  I remembered that Amelia was a pioneer of early flying, the first woman across the Atlantic etc, but fortunately I didn't remember much more, so this film was all the more gripping.  Hilary Swank actually looks rather like Amelia and is well cast.  Do watch it. I'm not giving any links as the less you know in advance the better.