Christy Award finalist. . .and more!

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555043.post-2937463931822088522008-06-15T19:09:00.000-07:002008-06-16T07:36:03.742-07:00Christy Award finalist. . .and more!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_psS6ylsxdd8/SBUy1LKwsoI/AAAAAAAAB1M/aJjrhPL_7_o/s1600-h/Picture+1.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_psS6ylsxdd8/SBUy1LKwsoI/AAAAAAAAB1M/aJjrhPL_7_o/s320/Picture+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194113634354115202" border="0" /></a>I recently learned from my editor, Dave Lambert at Howard/Simon & Schuster, that the first Clayburn novel, Remember to Forget, is a finalist for <a href="http://christyawards.com/">the Christy Award</a>. I am still pinching myself over the news! I was a finalist once before with my novel Playing by Heart, but this year it's been all the more fun to celebrate because my critique partner, Tamera Alexander, is also a finalist (same category!) with her wonderful novel, Remembered. I guess having the word remember in the title held some charm with the judges this year.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_psS6ylsxdd8/SBU0ZrKwspI/AAAAAAAAB1U/4zkoPLzToik/s1600-h/Picture+2.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_psS6ylsxdd8/SBU0ZrKwspI/AAAAAAAAB1U/4zkoPLzToik/s320/Picture+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194115360930968210" border="0" /></a> Winners will be announced at an awards banquet July 12 in Orlando. This is the ninth year for the Christy Awards, and I've been able to attend every one so far. At right, Tammy and I are decked out for the banquet two years ago when it was held in Denver.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.christyawards.com/"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_psS6ylsxdd8/SBU4hrKwstI/AAAAAAAAB10/tY42gnB8us4/s200/Picture+3.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194119896416432850" border="0" /></a><div>Remember to Forget also is a finalist for the <a href="http://www.faithhopelove-rwa.org/contests.htm#ircc">Inspirational Reader's Choice Contest</a> and was named a <a href="http://www.virginiaromancewriters.com/Contests/holtwinners.html">HOLT Medallion Award of Merit</a>...and on both counts, so was Tammy's Remembered!</div> <a href="mailto:debraney@mac.com?subject=I%20FOUND%20THE%20SECRET%20LINK%21&Body=Below,%20please%20type%20the%20answer%20to%20the%20test%20question%20%28Where%20did%20Maggie%20live%20before%20coming%20to%20Clayburn?%29%20along%20with%20your%20mailing%20address%20in%20case%20you%20are%20a%20winner.%20Thanks%20for%20entering%21%20And%20Happy%20Valentine%27s%20Day%21"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_psS6ylsxdd8/R6vVVYdqNyI/AAAAAAAABjs/D8r4RmsPu9U/s200/Picture+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164455961031227170" border="0" /></a>Romantic Times Book Club gave Leaving November 4 Stars!<div> <blockquote>"The second book in Raney's Clayburn series is meaningful, with realistic characters whose fears and dreams will touch the hearts of readers. Larger themes of forgiveness and looking toward the future after addiction are significant."</blockquote></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://debiraney.blogspot.com/2007/01/wrens-peaches-and-cream-cheesecake.html"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 55px; height: 65px;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_psS6ylsxdd8/RsLapFT_-XI/AAAAAAAAAs4/X5TS2KkmWk8/s200/peaches.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5098878127472376178" border="0" /></a>Oh, and by the way, for those of you who have asked, there is a real recipe for Wren's Peaches-and-Cream Cheesecake! It just happens to be a long-time Raney family favorite and I'm delighted to be able to share the recipe with you. (Click on the peaches.)Deborah Raneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04252126648118644451noreply@blogger.com