Jane, yes, I know, but the ranking was done by you guys not us. I know this might make the logistics harder, but I think it would be more fun if we had gotten to submit a list for all categories ranked 1-8.

The computation then would figure out which four were the most picked in each category (assign numerical values 1-8 for position 1-8 and then the four with the lowest number in each category are advanced. You still end up with 4 YA, Erotica, Historica, etc. books.

At that point, you pit the four best YA against the 4 best Novels with Rom Elements, and so on.

I understand that part of the fun for you guys is to see which high seated book kicks out which other high seated one early one, but if this is about which book is truly the most liked, that kind of match shouldn’t come until the end.

Sorry, I wasn’t clear, Nora.

And I’m tanking on the picks today, so far I might get one… sniffle.

Oh and I am going on reader buzz for anything that I didn’t read which is a lot. Also, looking at the books winning each round makes me want to read them, too.

The slates don’t start competing until the Elite 8 when the category v. contemporary winners face off against each other.

You might be disagreeing with the seeding of the slates. For example, in the highly competitive contemporary category the seed was as follows:

1. Mad Dash
2. High Noon
3. Natural Born Charmer
4. Erotic Secrets of a French Maid
5. Your Mouth Makes Me Crazy
6. Whispering Rock
7. Agnes & the Hitman
8. Topaz

Topaz was a mistake as Dr. Laura V pointed out. We’ll have to do a better job at this next time.

But keep the suggestions coming. We do plan to do this annually and have made ALOT of mistakes this time. We’ll probably have to have a post mortem post where everyone can throw out some ideas about making changes. But I am sooo glad everyone is having fun because that really is the whole point.

Jane — I tried voting with a different browser/computer last night. This time when I clicked on something I got “You have already voted for this category” even though I hadn’t, and it still wouldn’t show me the results. I don’t know what else to do. I can vote over at Smart Bitches just fine. I think my computer just hates me. Sigh.

And hey! Fourteen points yesterday. Woo!

Today, I fear I crash. As I said on SB, I don't read much in today's categories so picked on buzz or because the names of the books appealed. Just like I pick the horses.

I have no idea what GC's talking about in #15–but fine with me. Whatever. As long as we do this all again next year!

I can't help but mention that anybody who wants to read one of the funniest, most tender and sensual love scene out there just *has* to pick up Legacy. It's a treat.

Yep. And I will be a happy bunny when Passage comes out.

Sorry, Meljean. :) I think your book will be strong competition for my pick (Bujold), I’ve seen what folks say about it around here and it’s had more buzz than the Bujold…

I can’t help but mention that anybody who wants to read one of the funniest, most tender and sensual love scene out there just *has* to pick up Legacy. It’s a treat.

I'm on the road tomorrow, so voting will require some trickery and hopeful some wi-fi hotspots along the way!

I didn’t fill out a bracket, but I’ve totally got your back voting for that one, GC!

*crossing fingers in hopes that GrowlyCub wins*

yeah, I’m tickled! :) Except these were the rounds where I had a vague idea what folks would most likely go for (I’ve only read 6 of the 64 contenders, I think).

Now we are going into unknown aka real guess territory. Will see if my luck holds up. First, my final pick has to make it by Meljean Brooks, which could be a bit of an issue and I’m on the road tomorrow, so voting will require some trickery and hopeful some wi-fi hotspots along the way!

And yes, it *is* most definitely fun and I hope we do it again next year, with a few adjustments, maybe.

I’m also very competitive, so once things go south (if they do), I’ll have to make sure my good twin comes out to play and not the evil witch one… he he. Down cougar, down… nice cubbie, nice. ;)

Hey, Whey, go look at the projected standings and voila, all of a sudden you don't look bad at all any more. :)

Motivation for me to start a campaign to “Vote Contrarian.” It’s my evil plan — reverse-reverse psychology.

whey ’08