Friday, July 21, 2017

Spotlight on 2017 RITA Finalists - - Historical Romance: Long





On Thursday, July 27th, the Romance Writers of America® will announce the 2017 recipients of their prestigious RITA®. The award, given in recognition of excellence in romance publishing, is named for RWA's first president, Rita Clay Estrada and the annual award ceremony, held this year at the Walt Disney World® Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida, is a highlight of RWA's national conference. I'll be there and will be taking lots of photos to share with all of you after the conference. If you want to follow along with the announcements of the winners on the 27th, you can do so on these RWA social media platforms: 


instagram.com/romancewriters



RWA will also be once again streaming the ceremony live for everyone who can't be in Orlando. Go to www.rwa.org at 7:00 p.m. (Eastern), Thursday, July 27th to watch.  

For more information about the RITA® award, click here.  For a full list of this year's RITA® finalists, click here.


Today, we're spotlighting the four books that are finalists in the Historical Romance:Long category. 



Historical Romance: Long



Dukes Prefer Blondes by Loretta Chase
Avon Books
May Chen, Editor

Biweekly marriage proposals from men who can't see beyond her (admittedly breathtaking) looks are starting to get on Lady Clara Fairfax's nerves. Desperate to be something more than ornamental, she escapes to her favorite charity. When a child is in trouble, she turns to tall, dark, and annoying barrister Oliver Radford.

Though he's unexpectedly found himself in line to inherit a dukedom, Radford's never been part of fashionable society, and the blonde beauty, though not entirely bereft of brains, isn't part of his plans. But Clara overwhelms even his infallible logic, and when wedlock looms, all he can do is try not to lose his head over her . . .

It's an inconvenient marriage by ordinary standards, but these two are far from ordinary. Can the ton's most adored heiress and London's most difficult bachelor fall victim to their own unruly desires?







Loretta Chase has worked in academe, retail, and the visual arts, as well as on the street—as a meter maid—and in video, as a scriptwriter. She might have developed an excitingly checkered career had her spouse not nagged her into writing fiction. Her bestselling historical romances, set in the Regency and Romantic eras of the early nineteenth century, have won a number of awards, including the Romance Writers of America's RITA®.

Where to Buy:
Kobo 





HOW I MARRIED A MARQUESS by Anna Harrington
Grand Central Publishing, Forever
Michele Bidelspach, Editor

Josephine Carlisle, adopted daughter of a baron, is officially on the shelf. But the silly, marriage-minded misses in the ton can have their frilly dresses and their seasons in London, for all she cares. Josie has her freedom and her family . . . until an encounter with a dark, devilishly handsome stranger leaves her utterly breathless at a house party. His wicked charm intrigues her, but that's where it ends. For Josie has a little secret . . . 

Espionage was Thomas Matteson, Marquess of Chesney's game-until a tragic accident cost him his career. Now to salvage his reputation and return to the life he loves, the marquess must find the criminal who's been robbing London's rich and powerful. He's no fool-he knows Josie, with her wild chestnut hair and rapier-sharp wit, is hiding something and he won't rest until he unravels her mysteries, one by one. But he never expected to be the one under arrest-body and soul . . . 



Anna Harrington fell in love with historical romances--and all those dashing Regency heroes--while living in London, where she studied literature and theatre. She loves to travel, fly airplanes, and hike, and when she isn't busy writing her next novel, she loves fussing over her roses in her garden. Visit her website at www.AnnaHarringtonBooks.com or follow her at @aharrington2875.

Where to Buy:
Kobo 





NO MISTRESS OF MINE 
by Laura Lee Guhrke
Avon Books
Erika Tsang, Editor

After spending his youth as one of the wildest rakes in the ton, Lord Denys Somerton has devoted the past six years to putting his past behind him. He is determined to fulfill his duties, find a suitable wife, and start a family, but that plan changes when Lola Valentine—the red-haired temptress from his past—returns to London, sparking the same irresistible desires that almost ruined his life once before.

Lola is a woman with no romantic illusions. She knew love would never be enough for a British lord and an American girl from the wrong side of the tracks. For Denys’s sake, she walked away from him and the glittering life he offered. But when an unexpected inheritance brings her back to London, Lola discovers the passion between them is as hot as ever. Can they vanquish it, or will it burn out of control again and destroy them both?


Laura Lee Guhrke spent seven years in advertising, had a successful catering business, and managed a construction company before she decided writing novels was more fun. A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Laura has penned more than twenty historical romances. Her books have received many award nominations, and she is the recipient of romance fiction's highest honor: the Romance Writers of America RITA® Award. She lives in the Northwest with her husband (or, as she calls him, her very own romance hero), along with two diva cats and a Golden Retriever happy to be their slave.

Where to Buy:
Kobo 




SUSANA AND THE SCOT 
by Sabrina York
St. Martin's Press
Monique Patterson, Editor

Andrew Lochlannach is famous for his conquests, on and off the battlefield. When a fellow warrior challenges him to a kissing contest, he wastes no time in planting his lips on ninety-nine lovely lasses-an impressive feat of seduction that gets him banished to the hinterlands. Still, Andrew has no regrets about his exploits-especially his embrace with the most beguiling woman he's ever met...

With flaming red hair and a temper to match, Susana is not some innocent farmgirl who gives herself over easily to a man, even one as ruggedly handsome as Andrew. The wicked Scot may have won a kiss from the headstrong beauty in a moment of mutual desire, but Susana refuses to be just another one of his conquests. Andrew must convince the fiery lass that even though he is not playing a game, losing her is not an option...




Her Royal Hotness, Sabrina York, is the New York Times and USA 

Today Bestselling author of steamy, humorous romance. Her titles range from sweet & snarky to scorching romance-historical, contemporary & paranormal. Visit her webpage at www.sabrinayork.com to check out her books, excerpts and contests.

Where to Buy:
Kobo 




Click bit.ly/RITA17BlogTour to visit the other stops on the tour. 



Have you read any of the books in this category? 
Do you have a favorite?
Will you be in Orlando for the RWA Conference or watching the live stream?

One person leaving a comment before 11:00 PM, July 22, 2017 will receive a package of historical novels from my conference stash.  (U.S. only)


31 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. I have it on my TBR pile. Glad to hear you enjoyed it, Natasha!

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  2. Welcome back, PJ! Do we get a post with amazing pictures from your trip?

    I own all these ebooks. The only one I have no read is Susanna and the Scott. The others are all terrific!

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    1. She's been putting some wonderful ones up on her FB page!

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    2. Thanks, Glenda! As catslady said, I've posted several photos on facebook and also on instagram. I will be doing a post here as well (I might have brought home some goodies for Dish giveaways) but it won't be until after RWA as I only have a couple days home before I head for Florida and jet lag is kicking me but good. :)

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    3. Thanks Catslady and PJ!

      Have a wonderful time at RWA!

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  3. I look forward to enjoying these captivating historicals.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, traveler. They all sound good, don't they?

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  4. These novels are wonderful and give me great enjoyment.

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  5. I've read all these authors but not these particular books - all sound and look wonderful!

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    1. Same here, catslady. I have these but haven't had a chance to read them yet. Good stories to look forward to! :)

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  6. It surprised me to find that I haven't read any of the LONG historical romances, but I did read a few of the SHORT. Of the shorts, I am rooting for Margaret Brownley or Tessa Dare to win. Do you have a favorite among the nominees?

    By the way, I have enjoyed your Italy pictures on FB.

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    1. I haven't read the long historical finalists yet, cheryl. I've read most of the short finalists. Among those, my favorites would be Do You Want to Start a Scandal by Tessa Dare, A Duke to Remember by Kelly Bowen, and The Study of Seduction by Sabrina Jeffries. While Duke of Sin by Elizabeth Hoyt isn't one of my favorites by her there's no denying that the writing is exceptional. I wouldn't be upset if she won. I haven't read the other two.

      Thanks for saying you've enjoyed my photos. I sure had a lot of fun taking them! *grin*

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  7. I've read some of them, and of course, enjoyed them. Good luck to them all. It's my birthday today, so I will keep my fingers and everything else crossed.

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  8. I usually can claim 100 percent read or close to it in the historical categories, but that is not true this year. I've only read the Chase and the Guhrke among these. Both authors are on my autobuy list. I've read four of the six short historical finalists, so I did a bit better there. I'm always happy for the winner whoever she may be, but I admit I'd be particularly pleased to see Loretta Chase win for Dukes Prefer Blondes. Like many of her readers, I longed for Lady Clara's story and it was a wonderful book.

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  9. Welcome back. I think this is the first year that I haven't read any of the long or short historical entrants. I think some very good books were left off the list.

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  10. I have read Dukes Prefer Blondes and I loved it. I love whatever Ms Chase writes. Now, I think I may HAVE to get the other 3. I am sure that any book which is nominated is a book I must have. Right? And when my TBR pile falls on me and smashes me like a bug, it will be inevitable.

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  11. I've read several of Laura Lee's books and have No Mistress of Mine on my TBR shelf. Loved the rest of this series so this one should be just as good, if not better, than the others. Love her work.

    I have not yet read any of the books by the other authors. Slap my head for being a bad romance reader and missing some really good sounding books! Must fix that soon!

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  12. I have been to the RWA national conference the last three years. I love the literacy signing where I can fangirl over my favorite authors and meet new ones. Hoping to meet some of these finalists this year. I'm packing today for Orlando and will be at the awards ceremony. PJ, you're right about it being a highlight, the room buzzes with energy and excitement. I must remember to take one empty suitcase because it's always a struggle to fit all those books in with my clothes. I have considered leaving clothes behind!

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  13. Unfortunately I won't be attending the RWA, but look forward to hearing all about it!
    I have read Dukes Prefer Blondes (but need to re-read as there have been too many since then), but I haven't read the others. Thanks for providing the list to add to my TBR list!

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  14. i don't read as much historical romance as i use to and haven't read any of the above books. in fact i think chase is the only one of those authors I've read at all, in fact have a number of her books on my keeper shelf. hmm, might need to revisit one of them soon :)

    have fune at RWA and good luck to all the nominees

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  15. I haven't read any of these four books yet, but I'm sure I will be reading them - I love Historical Romance books! I'll look forward to finding out the winners at RWA - but those nominated are already winners for us readers.

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  16. I have read two of these books and want to read the other two. I am so excited that they will be live streaming the awards on July 27th. I won't miss that for sure!

    For you, PJ: Thanks for sharing the pictures of your trip to Italy. They are absolutely glorious and I felt like I was right there with you. :-)

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  17. I loved Loretta Chase's Dukes Prefer Blondes. The banter between Clara and Raven was wonderful. The plot was unique and enjoyable. I haven't read the other three yet, but I look forward to doing so. Glad to have you back!

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  18. I've only read LLG and I loved it! I'm on the list at the library for the LC and AH as we speak. I'll be watching via live stream like I did last year. I actually cheered out loud when Julie Anne Long won for her book. :) Have a great time, PJ!

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  19. I love historical romance and am familiar with these authors, but I haven't read these exact books

    denise

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  20. Oh, darn missed this - forgot when you guys came back. Anyway, just wanted to say all great authors and my favorite genre!

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