Monday, September 26, 2011

Top of the Morning!

Just picture me saying that with an Irish twang... :)

Bad accents aside, I am feeling pretty tops right now. Why? Because I just found out The Hating Game has been short-listed for Best Romantic Read at the upcoming Festival of Romance Awards! Okay, so the novel might not be your typical romance, but to me (and hopefully to the judges) nothing is more romantic than two people who decide to be together not because they need to be, but because they want to be. I'm so thrilled to be in the running with the likes of Carole Matthews, Fiona Harper, Sue Moorcroft and Juliet Archer.

And just look where I found out the good news:

The Treetop Walkway at Kew Gardens -- 180 steps up!

In the treetops! Fabulous location for great news, eh? And even better, Mama and Papa TR were by my side -- they're here in London for a visit after a rainy few days in Scotland. We spent a lovely morning at Kew. Here are a few more photos:

The Mediterranean Garden.
Kew Palace.
And in other news, I've been over at lovely Mariam Kobras' blog, spouting off about... you guessed it, chick lit! And the winners of Kate Walkers' Bedded by the Greek Billionaire are Glynis Smy and Janice Horton! Kate decided to throw in an extra copy -- thank so much, Kate.  Congrats, ladies.

I won't be around much until Thursday when M&P TR head back to Canada, although I'll try to visit as much as possible! Have a fantastic Monday, all.

85 comments:

  1. CONGRATULATIONS TALLI!! That's so exciting! I loved The Hating Game and I'm so glad it's in the running! I'm glad to see your over the moon (with your newly added Irish accent)!

    Happy Monday fabulous!

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  2. Nice pics and HUGEEEEE congratulations!!!!!

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  3. Your blog doesn't like me this morning. :-(

    Try again with my congratulations on THG being listed on Best Romantic Read.

    I LOVE that walkway! Best it feels wonderful to have the parents visiting. Did you go to Scotland too? Looks like sunshine for the Kew visit.

    Hugs, Talli!

    Sia McKye's Thoughts...OVER COFFEE

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  4. Wow, I love the treetops! What a perfect setting to get such good news. Congrats, Talli!

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  5. Yay! What great news to find out in the treetops! So exciting!

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  6. Thanks, everyone! It was FAB news to find out in the treetops - yay!

    Sia, sadly, not I wasn't along for the Scotland bit. Next time!

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  7. Congratulations - I bet you felt as though you could float down from the treetop walk. Lovely for your parents to be with you to share the news:-)

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  8. 'Just picture me saying that with an Irish twang... :)'

    I just did!

    Lovely images of the architecture.

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  9. Talli, that's so wonderful! Congrats! And what a great place to get the news. Hope your visit with your parents continues to be wonderful!

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  10. Congratulations Talli! Beat that competition.

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  11. Congratulations for being shortlisted and good luck.

    Those pictures are lovely. What a gorgeous place to visit!

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  12. Faith and begorrah! Raise a glass of the Guinness (if ye partake) for a job well done!

    *steps out of the Irish persona*

    Terrific pictures, Talli! Looks like just the right place to visit!

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  13. Have a fantastic visit with your parental units!! Looks like y'all are already having a lot of fun!

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  14. Woohoo! Congrats to ya. Gotta love that romance stuff. :) Lovely photos, too, thanks for sharing them!

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  15. Congrats to you, Talli! It is always so inspiring to see your successes! To see an author have the strength to go after their dreams and succeed = so encouraging! Congrats to you! Couldn't happen to a kinder person!!

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  16. That has just made my heart ping! I am thrilled, oh, how wonderful! Congratulations and a well deserved result!! XX

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  17. Well Done:) (and great accent!)

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  18. Congratulations on your good news. You're on a roll. :) And how proud your parents must be of you. Lovely pictures and the perfect spot for good news.
    Manzanita@Wannabuyaduck

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  19. Congratulations Talli! That's fabulous news x

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  20. Congrats! So cool!! Enjoy your time with your parents. Looks beautiful.

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  21. What wonderful news! The setting, the company, the weather, just everything is conspiring to give you the best day ever! I love it when things just fall together like that.

    Hoping you take home top honors!

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  22. Lovely pictures, Talli and congrats. Hope you win.

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  23. Beautiful photos. This trip must have been inspirational for you.

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  24. Oh wow, Talli, congratulations!!! That's such great news. :) And what gorgeous pictures too. :)

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  25. Brilliant news - congratulations!

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  26. Congratulations on your wonderful news! I will keep my fingers and toes crossed! The Treetops look beautiful, and I hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday with your parents! Julie

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  27. YAYAYAYA!! Talli! Fabulous news and amazing pictures to match. Congrats!

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  28. hi miss talli! woweee!!! hooray for you!!! i hope you could be the big winner. neat pictures!
    ...hugs from lenny

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  29. YAAAAAYYYYYYYYY! I'll keep my fingers crossed. :)

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  30. Congrats, Talli, and top of this wet morning from Seattle to you too!

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  31. Congrats on your Best Romantic Read nomination ... It's wonderful to start out a new week with great news :)

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  32. Congrats, Talli! And how great to have your folks with you when you got the call! (hate to tell you, but I've never heard anyone actually say top of the morning, the more usual greeting is 'howaya?')

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  33. Happy dance, happy dance, happy dance!!!!

    Yayayayayyayayayayayyay!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! All the best with this and good luck!!!!

    Woo-hoo!!

    Hello to Mama and Papa TR too!

    Awwww isn't the Kew Gardens tree top walkway just fabulous?!?!

    Take care
    x

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  34. That's brilliant news. I'll keep my fingers crossed :-)

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  35. Massive congrats from me, and very well deserved too. What wonderful new and what a beautiful place to hear it. Well done, Talli! x

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  36. Congratulations, Talli! And extra special to be able to share getting the news with your parents too. Hope you have a lovely week with them x

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  37. OMG! Congratulations! That is so exciting! And I don't think there is a better place to get that good news. Absolutely beautiful photos. Enjoy your time with fam. Congrats again!

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  38. Congratulations Talli! Although I've never actually heard an Irish person say Top of the Morning,I hope you win. I loved The Hating Game :)

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  39. Congratulations! And it's a damn good place to find out too :)

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  40. Congratulations Talli, I read it and thoroughly enjoyed it, Good luck.

    Yvonne.

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  41. Congratulations on your exciting news! Kew is one of my favorite spots. Sigh.

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  42. Congratulations, Talli. I can't wait to read it when I get my Kindle! Cheers to you!!!

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  43. Congratulations on being short-listed, whoo hoo!!! And what a beautiful place to get the news. Thank you for sharing it with us. :)

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  44. Yay! Super congrats to you!!! I loved the Hating Game, so it's certainly well-deserved. Whoot~ :D

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  45. Congratulations! That's fantastic! :)

    I love the pictures.

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  46. Congrats!! That's wonderful news!!

    The pics are gorgeous. I might have been sick walking across that (I have a problem with heights lol)

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  47. Many, many congrats to you!!! Very exciting.

    I love your beautiful photos, by the way.

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  48. Woot!!! That's completely awesome! I'm SO thrilled for you!! :)

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  49. It DESERVES to be because it wasn't the typical "damsel in distress" romance I've grown so tired of reading. Too awesome! So happy for you. :)

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  50. That is some fabulous news. Congratulations. And what a beautiful place you were when you received it.


    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  51. Congrats!! That is great news! And so lovely to have your parents there to share it. :)

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  52. CONGRATULATIONS, Talli! It's so lovely that your parents were there too.

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  53. Congrats, Talli!! YAY am jumping up and down for you.
    Thanks for posting the fun pictures. Have a great time with your family. Cheers~

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  54. Congrats to you!!!
    And those pictures are beautiful.

    Good work!

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  55. how absolutely absolutely awesome! good for you! that is such a wonderful accomplishment!

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  56. Congratulations on THE HATING GAME being listed on Best Romantic Read.

    And thanks for these lovely photos, very nice!

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  57. Very well done, Talli - have a wonderful time with your parents. Lovely photos. By the way, I was delighted to win a copy of Watching Willow Watts on the Choc Lit plus site - so looking forward to reading it.

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  58. Hi Talli .. fantastic news that your parents are here - beautiful weather they've brought with them .. and then to be around when you heard the news re the Best Romantic Read list .. brilliant .. happy times ahead .. enjoy - cheers Hilary

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  59. I am so excited for you - what wonderful news! Congratulations!!!

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  60. As if you haven't heard it before..CONGRATULATIONS! And how awesome that your parents were there to share.

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  61. Congrats on the news!! And those photos are TDF. Have fun with your parents.

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  63. Ooh pretty! And also congratulations!!! :)

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  64. Oooh so pretty! Definitely an awesome place to get hold of some fantastic news... and CONGRATULATIONS! I'm so happy for you, Talli!

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  65. Congratulations, Talli you deserve it.... big fluffy hugs xx

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  66. Congrats on the book being nominated! That's exciting!

    Love the pictures. They're beautiful. Makes me wish I was touring some lovely gardens instead of doing (avoiding) my public speaking class homework :).

    Cheers!
    Jen

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  67. I'm so thrilled for you, Talli! What excellent news, and you deserve it, too. I loved the garden pictures. You can't beat getting good news in a beautiful spot.

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  68. brilliant news Talli - well done you!

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  69. Hi Talli! CONGRATS on the book nomination! Thanks for sharing the pictures. What a view.

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  70. Talli - Wow! Beautiful pics. And congrats. Hope yours wins!!!

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  71. That's exciting Talli. Congrats on that. And congrats on your upcoming book, Build a Man. Just saw that on the side here. Good job!

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  72. THE HATING GAME was a spectacular RomCom romp -- surprised any of tne characters survived what you put them through. With the right actors, it would make a fun Chik Flik.

    So happy for you.

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  73. Congratulations Talli, that's amazing.

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  74. Wonderful! Congrats, Talli. You deserve it!

    BTW, I spotlighted you on my blog last week. Come see. :)

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  75. Congrats! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

    And great pics!

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  76. Congratulations!! That's amazing, and what a wonderful place to get the news at!

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  77. Wow! Congratulations! You must be over the moon thrilled!

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  78. Congratulations, Talli!

    Lovely pictures, too. :)

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  79. Congratulations Talli, how exciting. Love the pics and would like to visit those lovely gardens someday. Enjoy!!

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  80. Little late to the party, but congratulations Talli! I can't think of a more perfect place and time to get news like that.

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  81. Yay! That's amazing news, Talli! A huge congrats! And beautiful pics, too!

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  82. CONGRATS! That's pretty awesome news.

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  83. Congrats on having a book considered Best Romantic Read! :)

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  84. Oh fantastic news! Just catching up a little - this is brilliant. Well done - when do you hear more (reads press release) - ooo not long to wait, which is nice! Oodles of good luck to you. x

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Coffee and wine for all!