 | 24 Aug 11 |
So, last Friday I’m in Florida with my family, getting ready to hit the beach, when I get a text message from my buddy Jeff S. that said…CONGRATS!! Puzzling, right? I hadn’t been online for a couple days, I tend to pick the sun and sand over the computer when I’m on vacation. I texted him back and said…Congrats on what? That’s when he told me that the first book in my Mercy Gunderson series, NO MERCY, was nominated for a Shamus Award for Best Hardcover Fiction, by the Private Eye Writers of America.
I was stunned. I’m still stunned. Excited. Humbled because WOW, look at the list of other nominees in this category:
Best Hardcover Novel
No Mercy by Lori Armstrong (Touchstone / Simon & Schuster)
The First Rule by Robert Crais (Putnam)
Voyeur by Daniel Judson (Minotaur/St. Martin’s)
If the Dead Rise Not by Philip Kerr (Putnam)
Naked Moon by Domenic Stansberry (Minotaur/St. Martin’s)
Luckily, I’ll be at Bouchercon in St. Louis for the award ceremony. Although this is my 4th Shamus nomination, I’ve only been to the banquet once. When I won the Shamus in 2009 for SNOW BLIND, I was under heavy deadline and couldn’t attend the award ceremony, but I sort of accepted via cell phone. In my sweats. I’m pretty sure I’ll have to wear something a little more formal to this gig this time. Yeah, it’s given me an excuse to buy a new pair of boots 
To share in my excitement, I’m giving away a signed copy of NO MERCY to some lucky commenter!
© 2011 – 2012, Lori G. Armstrong. All rights reserved.
Lori G. Armstrong left the firearms industry in 2000. Her first mystery novel, BLOOD TIES, published in 2005, was nominated in 2006 for a Shamus Award for Best First Novel by the Private Eye Writers of America. The second book in the Julie Collins mystery series, HALLOWED GROUND, released Nov. 2006, was nominated for a 2007 Shamus Award for Best Paperback Original, a Daphne du Maurier Award and won the 2007 WILLA Cather Literary Award for Best Original Softcover Fiction. SHALLOW GRAVE, released in Nov. 2007, was nominated for a 2008 High Plains Book Award, a Daphne du Maurier Award and was a finalist for the 2008 WILLA Cather Literary Award. The fourth book, SNOW BLIND, released in Oct. 2008, won the 2009 Shamus Award, from the Private Eye Writers of America, for Best Paperback Original. Lori is a proud fourth generation South Dakotan and lives in Rapid City with her family.
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YAY!!!! Congratulations!
Use the award well. I figure it should get you a couple of celebration dinners and maybe a new outfit to go along with the boots.
by Shannon August 24th, 2011 at 9:04 amSo exciting Lori! We will be rooting for you. What a fabulous, well-deserved honor for you and your book.
by Laura Griffin August 24th, 2011 at 9:15 amCongratulations and best wishes. Enjoy this special celebration.
by Annie August 24th, 2011 at 9:32 amOh, LORI! This is me squeeing and happy dancing for you! That’s awesome news! Congrats, congrats, congrats!!!!
by Silver James August 24th, 2011 at 10:00 am[...] CONTEST AND POST at Murder She Writes [...]
by Lori Armstrong » Blog Archive » NO MERCY nominated for a SHAMUS Award! August 24th, 2011 at 10:01 amCongrats on the nomination!
P.S. Formal dress is overrated, says the scientist-in-training who lives in trackies and sneakers
by Cris August 24th, 2011 at 10:07 amCongrats!!!!!!!!! And I agree that formal wear is overrated. Then again I’m a t-shirt and jeans kind of girl. And I have enough flip flops to start my own store. But any excuse for a new pair of boots is nice!!!!!!!!
by Crystal H. August 24th, 2011 at 10:15 amCongratulations on the nomination and all I can say is knock ‘em dead sista in a pair of killer boots!!! Mercy style!!! I am so very happy for you Lori, you are an incredible writer and an amazing talent.
by Katiedee August 24th, 2011 at 10:22 amCongrats L! You so deserve the award! and it doesn’t matter what you wear, I’m sure you will look Fantastic!!
by Liz Montondo August 24th, 2011 at 10:31 amHuge congrats! Here’s hoping you get a chance to accept in person. Ooh, love Robert Crais also but I’m rooting for you.
by HollyD August 24th, 2011 at 10:38 amCogratulations what an honor! This is fabulous news.
by Quilt Lady August 24th, 2011 at 10:50 amCongratulations. Have fun on your night and kick up those boots.
by Carol shenold August 24th, 2011 at 10:52 amCongratulation! Can’t wait to see the new boots.
by mbot565 August 24th, 2011 at 10:54 amYeah! congrats!
I’m so glad you get to attend this time.
Have fun!
Lisa B
by Lisa B August 24th, 2011 at 11:08 amWow, a huge Congratulations. that is wonderful. i love your books so i know you deserve it and i am positive you will win. again congrats and good luck !
by Tammy Ramey August 24th, 2011 at 11:41 amOh wow! Congrats. Hope you find a pair of killer boots. Have a wonderful time at the award ceremony.
by TrishJ August 24th, 2011 at 11:44 amCongratulations Lori. That’s great.
by CrystalGB August 24th, 2011 at 12:35 pmHave fun picking out a new pair of boots! I am so happy for your success since it is so well deserved!
by Angie M August 24th, 2011 at 12:52 pmLori, mega-congratulations!! Fine company you are in there.
by Jill James August 24th, 2011 at 12:52 pmCongratulations Lori!
by Na August 24th, 2011 at 12:59 pmThe Shamus Award was new to me but after some quick googling found it’s an award for private eye mystery writers. That’s awesome! I learn something new everyday
Congrats! You’re right up there next to Robert Crais. That’s right, Mercy’s hanging out with Elvis Cole and Joe Pike! And I know she doesn’t intimidate easilly, so that’s cool.
No Mercy was a great read. Congratulations on well-deserved recognition.
by LSUReader August 24th, 2011 at 1:03 pmCongrats and Good Luck!!
by donnas August 24th, 2011 at 1:18 pmCongrats!
by Shanae August 24th, 2011 at 1:21 pmCongratulations on nomination. Exciting that you’ll be at the banquet.
P.S.: Please excuse if this comment appears twice. Had trouble bringing up site (a not uncommon occurrence), then message that comment would not post.
by Liz August 24th, 2011 at 1:24 pmMercy kicks butt, as will you at the awards with your new boots! Contratulations on a well deserved nomination!
by Donna G August 24th, 2011 at 2:42 pmI am so, so, so happy for you!!! Good luck, I’m totally rooting for you. And you’re in amazing company, Robert Crais is one of my favorites. I haven’t read Judson, but I heard he’s good, too.
by Allison Brennan August 24th, 2011 at 2:48 pmCongratulations on a well deserved nomination, Lori!
by MaryC August 24th, 2011 at 3:13 pmCongratulations! Out of the 5 books nominated, yours is the only one I’ve read (and heard of).
by Anne August 24th, 2011 at 3:25 pmCongrats!!!! No Mercy so deserves this nomination. I love Mercy. I hope so many more people discover Mercy because of this nomination. I would love to win a signed copy!!!!!
by Jen B. August 24th, 2011 at 6:53 pmCongratulations! Hard work and dedication do pay off!
by Diane Sadler August 24th, 2011 at 7:12 pmCongratulations, Lori! What an honor!
by DarcyO August 24th, 2011 at 7:45 pmCONGRATULATIONS!!!! A wonderful surprise for you.
by Mary Preston August 24th, 2011 at 10:21 pmCongratulations and good luck!
by Maureen August 25th, 2011 at 5:55 amMajor congrats on this coup, Lori!!! You’re in good company, but you blow them away. Just sayin’. xo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 25th, 2011 at 8:02 amCongrats, Lori, and best of luck. I really enjoyed No Mercy and then listened to the audio book of Mercy Kill while on the beach this summer – also a great read. Make sure to post a picture of those new boots!
by Frannie August 25th, 2011 at 10:00 amAlways great to see a local gal do so well.
by Kate August 25th, 2011 at 10:24 pm