Sunday, July 29, 2012

And the Award Goes to...


Another year is in the books!  Congratulations to this year's recipients of the Romance Writers of America awards for published books and unpublished manuscripts.  Below is a list of all finalists with the winners in blue.  A heartfelt thank you to RWA and all the authors, readers and bloggers in attendance who tweeted the results live.  You helped us feel like we were right there with you!

RITA®

Best First Book:
Warped by Maurissa Guibord
Hourglass by Myra McEntire
Beautiful Disaster by Laura Spinella
First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones
How to Marry a Duke by Vicky Dreiling
The Devil in Disguise by Stefanie Sloane
I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtier
The Darling Strumpet by Gillian Bagwell



Contemporary Series Romance:
How a Cowboy Stole Her Heart by Donna Alward
A Bravo Homecoming by Christine Rimmer
Donovan's Child by Christine Rimmer
A Mother's Homecoming by Tanya Michaels
I'll Catch You by Farrah Rochon
Rancher's Twins: Mom Needed by Barbara Hannay
The Texan's Bride by Linda Warren
Dukakis's Apprentice by Sarah Morgan



Contemporary Series Romance-Suspense/Adventure:
Cooper Vengeance by by Paula Graves
The Man from Gossamer Ridge by Paula Graves
Soldier's Last Stand by Cindy Dees
Nothing But the Truth by Kara Lennox
Stranded With Her Ex by Jill Sorenson
Taken to the Edge by Kara Lennox
The Doctor's Deadly Affair by Stephanie Doyle




Historical Romance:
Scandalous Desires by Elizabeth Hoyt
Silk is For Seduction by Loretta Chase
Always a Temptress by Eileen Dreyer
The Danger of Desire by Elizabeth Essex
The Black Hawk by Joanna Bourne
Heartbreak Creek by Kaki Warner
Unveiled by Courtney Milan
The Many Sins of Lord Cameron by Jennifer Ashley



Inspirational Romance:
Katie's Way by Marta Perry
The Measure of Katie Calloway by Serena Miller
My Foolish Heart by Susan May Warren
Deadly Pursuit by Irene Hannon
Love on the Line by Deanne Gist
The Ladies' Room by Carolyn Brown
Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones
The Christmas Child by Linda Goodnight
To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer



Novel with Strong Romantic Elements:
Spider's Revenge by Jennifer Estep
The Dark Enquiry by Deanna Raybourn
Death Magic by Eileen Wilks
First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones
Goodnight Tweetheart by Teresa Medeiros
The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley
How to Bake a Perfect Life by Barbara O'Neal
 * This is the third win in this category for Barbara O'Neal which puts her in the RWA Hall of Fame.
Song of the Nile by Stephanie Dray 
Shadow Walker by Allyson James


Paranormal Romance:
Nightfall by Ellen Connor
Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison
The Restorer by Amanda Stevens
Changeling Moon by Dani Harper
Envy by J.R. Ward
The Lost by Caridad Pineiro 
Archangel's Blade by Nalini Singh
Lord of the Abyss by Nalini Singh



Regency Historical Romance:
When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James
Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish by by Grace Burrowes
How to Marry a Duke by Vicky Dreiling
How to Seduce a Scoundrel by Vicky Dreiling
A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare
The Devil in Disguise by Stefanie Sloane
Heiress in Love by Christina Brooke 
To Seduce an Angel by Kate Moore


Romance Novella:
"Chaos in Death" by J.D. Robb from The Unquiet
"Compassion Can Wait" in More Than Words, Vol. 7 
"I Love the Earl" by Caroline Linden
"Resolution" by Linda Winstead Jones in The Heart of Winter
"One Wish: a Christmas Story" by Jodi Thomas in A Texas Christmas
"Unforgiven" by Ruth Ryan Langan in The Unquiet
"Angel's Wolf" by Nalini Singh in Angels of Darkness
"The Storm Within" by Trish Morey in A Royal Engagement



Romantic Suspense:
New York to Dallas by J.D. Robb
True Colors by Joyce Lamb
True Shot by Joyce Lamb
Where All the Dead Lie by J.T. Ellison
Hidden Away by Maya Banks
Hot Zone by Catherine Mann
Secrets of Bella Terra by Christina Dodd
Hush by Cherry Adair








Young Adult Romance:
Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep
I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtier
Hourglass by Myra McEntire
Warped by Maurissa Guibord
Enclave by Ann Aguirre
Flawless by Lara Chapman






Contemporary Single Title:
Black Ties and Lullabies by Jane Graves
Heartstrings and Diamond Rings by Jane Graves
Silver Sparks by Starr Ambrose
Slow Dancing on Price's Pier by Lisa Dale
At Hidden Falls by Barbara Freethy
The Welcome Home Garden Club by Lori Wilde
Boomerang Bride by Fiona Lowe
Summer at Seaside Cove by Jacquie D'Alessandro








GOLDEN HEART®


Regency Historical Romance:
"Scandal in Spades" by Wendy La Capra
"A Whisper to the Wind" by Eileen Emerson
"King of Swords" by Anne Kenney
"The Last Light of Dusk" by Joanne Lockyer
"The Perfect Heiress" by Kimberly Ohara w/a April Bennet



Historical Romance:
"Highland Promise" by Tracy Brogan
"A Private Affair" by Jennifer McQuiston
"A Knight of Her Own" by Wonch Oberon
"Love in the Music Room" by Moriah Densley
"A Duke's Wicked Kiss" by Kathleen Bittner Roth
"A Hero to Hold" by Sheri Humphreys
"Notorious" by Alison Atwater
"The Devil May Care" by Elise Marks (writing as Elise Beatty)

Inspirational Romance:
"Language of Love" by Dristen Ethridge
"Love's Advocate" by Karen Fleming w/a KD Flemming
"Powerless Consent" by Jan Nash
"Whispers in the Night" by Carol Post


Young Adult Romance:
"The Matter of Souls" by Stephanie Winkelhake
"Canvas Crossers" by Natalie Vawter
"Pandora's Clock" by Natalie Vawter
"Forget Tomorrow" by Pintup Dunn
"The Silent Sister" by Megan Macijausk (writing as M. Kassel)
"Angel Academy" by Cecily White
"The Suspicions of Cairo Jones" by Mary Danielson
"Wired" by Romily Bernard


Contemporary Series Romance:
"Second-Chance Bride" by Ami Weaver
"The Divorce Deal" by Kat Cantrell
"Montana Cherries" by Kim Law
"Cyrano at Your Service" by Tamra Baumann
"Tell Me Something Good" by Jamie Wesley
"A Perfect Wife" by Caro LaFever
"Bachelor:  Baited, Hooked and Bedded" by Lexi Greene
"His Perfect Partner" by Priscilla Kissinger


Novel with Strong Elements:
"Low Country Boil" by Susan Boyer
"Beulah Land and the Happy Hour Choir" by Sally Kilpatrick
"Song Without Words" by Lisa Laing
"A Tangled Season" by Natalie Meg Evans
"The Devil She Knows" by Anna Stewart (writing as AJ Stewart)
"Taking Wall Street by Disguise" by Terri Bolyard
"The Lazarus Gambit" by Deborah Wright
"Faking It" by Nikki Figueiredo
"Mere Mortals" by Catherine Villalobos


Romantic Suspense:
"Edge of Deception" by Elizabeth Bemis
"In Wolf's Clothing" by Sally Eggert
"Spy in the Harem" by Donna Belchase 
"Rescuing Rembrandt" by Jean Willett
"Rogue's Return" by Sharon Wray
"Chemical Attraction" by Mary Oldham
"Exposure" by Robena Grant
"Body of Evidence" by Rachel Grant


Paranormal Romance:
"Never Deal with Dragons" by Lorenda Christensen
"Trouble in Mind" by Donna Frelick
"Unchained Memory" by Donna Frelick
"Bathtub Jimn" by Kay Hudson
"Better Dead" by Pamela Kopfler
"Draxis" by Laurie A. Green
"Figs from Thistles" by A.J. Larrieu
"Flannigan's Grace" by Marni Donnelly

Contemporary Single Title:
"Meant to Be" by Terri Osborn (Terri Osburn)
"All Beautiful Things" by Nicki Salcedo
"No Peeking" by Tamar Bihari w/a Talia Quinn Daniels
"Blackjack & Moonlight" by Magdalen Braden
"You Had Me at Habari" by Maggie McConnell
"Thrown" by Colette Auclair
"Cat on a Hot Steel Flight Deck" by Heather Nockodem
"Earning Wings" by Laurie Sanchez




Have you read any of the winning books?  Did you follow along on Twitter or Facebook during tonight's ceremony?  Happy with the results?  Leave a comment and you might win a box of books!  (yes, I'm cleaning again) ::grin::


~PJ

48 comments:

  1. I haven't read any of the RITA winners, but I have read many of the finalists in the romantic suspense and historical categories. Barbara Freethy is one of my favorite authors and I was rooting for her as well as Jill Sorenson.

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  2. Freethy is a wonderful author. I'm glad to see her getting the recognition she deserves.

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  3. Like Jane, I too haven't read any of the RITA-winning books but have read (or have in my TBR pile) many of the nominees' books. I am still eager to read them all and would welcome any new ones to the fold. One can never have too many books (although my husband might disagree, LOL)!

    BTW, I thought that Jane Graves' Black Ties & Lullabies was one of my favourite books to read last year. I LOL in several places (which could have been embarrassing, since I wasn't home when I read most of it) and I absolutely loved every word. The HEA was written much better than most I have read (and since I read over 250 books a year, that's saying something), and I would highly recommend it to all!

    Thanks for the update. I have been waiting to "hear" how everyone did....

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    1. I have Black Ties & Lullabies in my tbr, Laney. Jane Graves can always be counted upon to have me laughing. She's a wonderful writer!

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  4. I've read both New York to Dallas and the Tessa Dare book. Love them ladies!

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    1. I adore Tessa Dare, Tory - both the lady and her books. She has another terrific one coming out in September: A Lady By Midnight.

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  5. Had a watch party and was too late. Was glad Caroline Linden won, but was sad Eloisa didn't. I love Tessa Dare though

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    1. Eloisa's time will come, I'm sure. A writer that talented has to win at some point.

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  6. Congrts : Darynda Jones (love her book so much :)), Joanna Bourne, Tessa Dare --> author that i read their book and congrts to all winners.

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    1. I need to read Darynda's books. I've heard so many wonderful things about them.

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  7. I am delighted that The Black Hawk won. I read all the books in that series and hope there will be more. Bourne creates wonderful characters. I was disappointed that Eloisa James did not win. Her book This Duke is Mine was quite poignant.
    Catherine

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    1. I waited a long time for Adrian's story and The Black Hawk was everything I had hoped it would be. So glad for Jo Bourne!

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  8. Good memory, Annie! That was me and Gannon. :)

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  9. I am so thrilled for all of the winners! Now, I wish I had a bag with a copy of each winner's novel. Wouldn't that be a treasure? Of course, all of the authors are winners. I wish I could tell all authors out there how much I appreciate the joy and pleasure they add to my life. Books are my passion!

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    1. Now, I wish I had a bag with a copy of each winner's novel.

      Don't we all? :)

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  10. I've read a some of the books that were nominated but I'm afraid none of the ones that won. Looks like that means more books for my tbb list lol. Congratulations to all the winners and the nominees.

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    1. I've only read two of the winners. Looking forward to reading the others!

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  11. I should proofread my comments - I sound like I was talking with an Italian accent (all my grandparents came from Sicily so maybe I was lol).

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    1. lol! Okay by me. I happen to love Italian accents! ;)

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  12. I read How To Bake a Perfect Life. What wonderful books and the winners deserve congratulations.

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    1. There were so many wonderful books among the finalists this year.

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  13. Congratulations to all. I read The Rose Garden and First Grave which was wonderful.

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    1. Another rec for First Grave... I'm definitely going to have to move that one up my tbr list.

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  14. The winner I'm most excited about is Darynda Jones--First Grave on the Right. I really loved that book. I've enjoyed a few other winners on the list--NY to Dallas, A Night to Surrender--and a few are still on my TBR list! Thanks for the information.

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    1. I have yet to read a J.D. Robb. I really should but the backlist terrifies me! lol!

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  15. I'm still sleepy after staying up last night and following everything on Twitter. ;-)

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    1. Me too, Gannon. Tried to take a nap this afternoon and somebody rang the doorbell. Figures! ;-)

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  16. Thanks for supplying the list, PJ!

    I didn't read every book nominated so I can't say whether the best won :) I do know that I've read Barbara O'Neal, Joanna Bourne and Tessa Dare and they deserve every award they get! I'm glad I'm not voting, a couple of those categories had some really stiff competition.

    Kinda sad Terri didn't win her Golden Heart but I'm sure she had a blast anyway.

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    1. You're welcome, Irish!

      I would have loved to see Terri win too. I was pulling for her and for another good friend in the same category. Neither of them took home the Golden Heart but both are winners in my book.

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  17. I've read forty-one of the finalists, six of the winners. I was sad that some of my favorites didn't win, but the six books I've read were all great and their authors deserving.

    I love Jo Bourne's books and think The Black Hawk is her best yet, and so I was thrilled to see her win again. Having known Tessa since before she had an agent and cheered her at every stage of her career, seeing her win a RITA was special. And I'm still celebrating Barbara O'Neal's entry into the Hall of Fame. Her win was great, but I would also have been happy to see Teresa Medeiros win a RITA at last. However, I really, really , really wanted the Hall of Fame for O'Neal, who already had six RITAs.

    I wanted Terri and Mary Danielson to win their GH categories, but they both made great contacts. And I'm convinced we'll be buying their books soon. They are still winners IMO.

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    1. Janga, like you, I was thrilled to see Jo Bourne win for The Black Hawk. I thought it was brilliant!

      Happy for O'Neal too but have to agree on Teresa. One of these days...

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  18. Congrats to all the winners! I was following on Twitter while watching the Olympics. Both were thrilling.

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  19. I have three of the books (Eloisa James, Tessa Dare & Caroline Linden) on my TBR shelves but haven't read them yet. Too bad Eloisa hasn't won a RITA yet. Sort of like she's the Susan Lucie of the RWA. Maybe next year!

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    1. Next year would be lovely as the conference is in Atlanta and I'll be there. Would love to celebrate a win for Eloisa! :)

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  20. I did read most of the books but definitely not all. I found out on FB about the winners. But there really were a lot of terrific books on the list!

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    1. There were so many terrific books. Glad I didn't have to judge them!

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  21. Did not follow congrats to all the winners whoo
    Kimh

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  22. I haven't read any of the winning books yet. Congratulations to all the winners!

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  23. Congratulations to all the winners. there were no losers. Just to be nominated is an honor.

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  24. Librarypat, you are absolutely correct! I was rooting for some favorites. I even had lunch with Christina Dodd yesterday afternoon just several hours befor the Awards Ceremony and she said very much the same thing.

    Congratulations to them all: winners and nominees. I'll root for my favorites again next year and get started on reading some of the winners; if I haven't read them already.

    Here's to RWA/Atlanta 2013!

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  25. Some of the books I've read and am glad to see winners. Others are new to me and I am adding them to my TBR. It's fun discovering new books!
    Congratulations to all the winners and nominees :)

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  26. Congratulations to all. I have not yet read any of the winning books. I will though. I have added so many more to my reading list.

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  27. yay! darynda jones!! i love that series!

    congrats for all winners and nominee.

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  28. Congratulations to all the winners! I read The Black Hawk and A Night to Surrender and they were wonderful stories.

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  29. How satisfying it is to see many of the same books I have already read and enjoyed very much chosen as winners. I am not surprised to find that Barbara O'Neal is now in the RWA Hall of Fame. Well deserved; I haven't read a title by her (aka Barbara Samuel and Ruth Wind) yet that I haven't felt was well worth my time and attention. On another note, is there a website to find out more about the Golden Heart winners and their works? I like to find writers that are new to me.

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    1. The Golden Heart awards are given for unpublished manuscripts to writers who have not yet sold a book. This year's GH class has a facebook page that you can access here:

      http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Firebirds-2012/316084865151527

      They are also building a website that will go live on August 20th. It's url is:

      http://www.ghfirebirds.com/

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