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<\/a>Ralph-Spaniel has been poorly with an ear infection and then became really<\/em> poorly. He went downhill rapidly, threw up a huge fistful of grass (oh the delights of dog owning) and refused to eat. This is very unlike Ralph as he\u2019s a foodie and permanently starving so we knew it was serious. Lots of visits to the vet and expensive but thankfully effective treatment saw him beginning to perk up by Friday morning. Not wanting to leave him when he was so ill, I left the decision until the last minute, caught a later train than planned and headed off to That There London Town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The occasion? The glittering and glamorous Romantic Novelists\u2019 Association Winter Party. It included the publishing industry awards, a sumptuous buffet and free-flowing wine. No wonder I didn\u2019t want to miss out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A while\u00a0ago, the RNA asked for volunteers to be on the judging panel for the awards, so I applied. My supporting statement met with\u00a0approval\u00a0so we\u00a0gathered on Zoom to go through those nominated and decide on the winners. It was at once extremely difficult (as it was such a strong field) and fascinating. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although the judging panel disagreed at times, we all combed through the candidates\u2019 evidence\u00a0before eventually deciding. Then we were all sworn to secrecy until the winners were announced on the night. As we met in early August and the party was last week, this was some ask. I\u2019m hopeless with secrets (don\u2019t ever tell me one) but am blessed with the ability to only hold information in my head on a need to know at the time basis. I promptly and genuinely forgot who the winners were. When they were announced it was as much of a surprise to me as it was to them.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Huge<\/em> congratulations to all<\/em> those nominated and to the winners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We were also treated to some wonderfully rousing speeches by Sue Moorcroft the chair of the judging panel, Sara-Jade Virtue from Simon and Schuster and a sweet speech from Sharon Whitehouse who won Librarian of the Year and who had thought the initial telephone call was a prank!<\/p>\n\n\n\n As well as an awards ceremony, it was also a chance to party and network. I talked to lots of people new and old, drank too much (for me \u2013 I\u2019ve been alcohol free for a while) and ate some delicious food. Apparently, I also stole someone\u2019s fries. Never trust a woman on a diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was a treat to be in London again and in such an old and fascinating part. Bland office blocks butted up against one another and in between was squeezed the occasional seventeenth century church. The hotel was luxurious and sat just behind the Tower of London and the Thames. Apparently, some rooms had fine views. Not mine. I had sad urban pigeons and Fenchurch Street Station!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/a><\/a>