We'll fill in the finalists for each of the categories below as they are announced but I'm sure we all have our own thoughts about what books published in 2012 should be in those slots. Tell me about your favorite books of 2012 and which of them you'd like to see listed below. I'm celebrating romance by giving away boxes of books to randomly chosen people leaving comments today! (U.S. addresses only)
RITA® FINALISTS
CONTEMPORARY SINGLE TITLE ROMANCE
Zoe's Muster by Barbara Hannay
About Last Night by Ruthie Knox
Barefoot in the Sand by Roxanne St. Claire
Sugar Springs by Kim Law
Lucky in Love by Jill Shalvis
Forever and a Day by Jill Shalvis
The Way Back Home by Barbara Freethy
Melt into You by Roni Loren
HISTORICAL ROMANCE
Beauty and the Bounty Hunter by Lori Austin
Bride by Mistake by Anne Gracie
Wedded in Sin by Jade Lee
A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean
Defiant by Pamela Clare
The Recruit by Monica McCarty
Too Dangerous to Desire by Cara Elliott
A Lady Never Surrenders by Sabrina Jeffries
INSPIRATIONAL ROMANCE
Naomi's Christmas by Marta Perry
The Soldier's Wife by Cheryl Reavis
A House Full of Hope by Missy Tippens
An Heiress at Heart by Jennifer Delamere
Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden
Betrayal by Robin Lee Hatcher
My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade
The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck
LONG CONTEMPORARY SERIES ROMANCE
Out of the Depths by Pamela Hearon
A Life Rebuilt by Jean Brashear
No Ordinary Joe by Michelle Celmer
A Texas Chance by Jean Brashear
A Gift for All Seasons by Karen Templeton
A Cold Creek Noel by RaeAnne Thayne
NOVEL WITH STRONG ROMANTIC ELEMENTS
A Girl Like You by Maria Geraci
Time's Echo by Pamela Hartshorne
Before and Ever Since by Sharla Lovelace
The Welcome Committee of Butternut Creek by Jane Myers Perrine
The Anatomist's Wife by Anna Lee Huber
The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James
Bridge of Scarlet Leaves by Kristina McMorris
PARANORMAL ROMANCE
Angel in Chains by Cynthia Eden
Immortally Yours by Angie Fox
Mark of the Witch by Maggie Shayne
Rogue Rider by Larissa Ione
Moonglow by Kristen Callihan
Lothaire by Kresley Cole
Shadow's Claim by Kresley Cole
Edge of Oblivion by J.T. Geissinger
ROMANCE NOVELLA
"Sleeping With a Beauty" by Leslie Kelly in Once Upon a Valentine
"The Valentine's Curse" by Jodi Thomas in Be My Texas Valentine
"The Duchess of Love" by Sally MacKenzie in Bedding Lord Ned
Breathless by Sophie Jordan
Seduced by a Pirate by Eloisa James
"Room at the Inn" by Ruthie Knox in Naughty & Nice
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
Dead Heat by Bronwyn Parry
Celebrity in Death by J.D. Robb
Scorched by Laura Griffin
Twisted by Laura Griffin
Last Man Standing by Cindy Gerard
Don't Cry for Me by Sharon Sala
Forged in Fire by Trish McCallan
Vortex by Cherry Adair
SHORT CONTEMPORARY SERIES ROMANCE
The Tycoon's Secret Daughter by Susan Meier
A Marriage Worth Fighting For by Lilian Darcy
We'll Always Have Paris by Jessica Hart
Becoming Dante by Day Leclaire
Cowboy in the Crossfire by Robin Perini
A Night of No Return by Sarah Morgan
The Last Single Maverick by Christine Rimmer
Surgeon Sheik's Rescue by Loreth Anne White
YOUNG ADULT ROMANCE
The Farm by Emily McKay
Bound by Erica O'Rourke
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
BEST FIRST BOOK
Crazy Little Thing by Tracy Brogan
The Anatomist's Wife by Anna Lee Huber
The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James
Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
Ghost Planet by Sharon Lynn Fisher
Forged in Fire by Trish McCallan
Firelight by Kristen Callahan
My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
GOLDEN HEART® FINALISTS
CONTEMPORARY SERIES ROMANCE
"Baby on Board - Help!" by Miranda Liasson
"The Billionaire's Hypnotized Mistress" by Greta MacEachern
"Confessions of the World's Oldest Shotgun Bride" by Gail Hart
"Jayhawk Down" by Sharon Calvin
"Southern Comforts" by Nan Dixon
"Her Soldier Returns" by Kristin Noel Fischer
CONTEMPORARY SINGLE TITLE ROMANCE
"What's Yours is Mine" by Tamar Bihari writing as Talia Quinn Daniel
"Between Love and Lies" by Jacqui Nelson
"The Bollywood Bad Boy" by Sonali Thatte
"Climb to Freedom" by Sheila Athens
"Everybody Knows..." by Jacqueline Floyd
"Clean Sweep" by Nan Dixon
"Hijacked" by Leslie Lynch
"Objection Overruled" by Jane O'Hanlon
HISTORICAL ROMANCE
"Drawn to the Earl" by Joanna Schupe
"The Last Light of Dusk" by Joanne Lockyer
"Come to Me" by Oberon Wonch
"A Champion's Heart" by Piper Huguley
"The Rake's Handbook" by Sally Orr
INSPIRATIONAL ROMANCE
PARANORMAL ROMANCE
"Mind Sweeper" by Amy Jones
"Dark Secret" by Mariah Ankenman
"Demon's Bane" by India Powers
"Sea Panther" by Dawn Wolzein
"Shadows in the Deep" by Lark Howard
"Unbroken" by Lea Ann Schafer
"Jinn & Tonic" by Kay Hudson
"Guardian" by Tara Sheets
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
"Crazy for Her" by Sandra Owens
"The Shadow Hour" by Jacqui Nelson
"The Predator" by Chris Taylor
"Spies, Lies and Debutantes" by Miranda Liasson
"Rogue's Redemption" by Sharon Wray
"Broken Places" by Krista Hall Reynolds
"Juliet's Rogue" by Sharon Wray
YOUNG ADULT ROMANCE
"Miranda Perry's Imported Prom Date" by Sheri Adkins
"Sticks and Stones" by Kimberly MacCarron
"Summer of Supernova" by Darcy Woods
"Camp Awakening" by Bonnie Staring
"Leath'Dhia/Birthright" by Kari Miller
"Ten" by Holly Bodger
"Hidden Deep" by Amy DeLuca
Congratulations in advance to all the authors whose books and manuscripts make the RITA® and Golden Heart® finals, respectively. Winners will be announced at the RWA National Conference in Atlanta this July.
My favorite reads of 2012 include Julie James' About That Night, Sarah Mayberry's Her Best Worst Mistake, Courtney Milan's The Duchess Affair and Karen Rose's No One Left To Tell.
ReplyDeleteGreat books, Jane! I'd love to see all of them make the list.
DeleteCongrats to all the authors. Some of my fav 2012 books are:
ReplyDeleteShannon Stacey's Kowalski series
Holly Lane - Toni Blake
Serendipity - Carly Phillips
Carolyn Brown - One Hot Cowboy Wedding
Amanda Usen - Scrumptious
Deb Macomber - The Inn at Rose Harbor
Louisa Edwards - Hot Under Pressure - great ending
And I love anything by Susan Mallery and Robyn Carr.
Thanks for the great giveaway.
patoct@yahoo.com
I really need to get started on Shannon Stacey's Kowalski series. I've heard so many great things about it.
DeletePJ, you definitely need to meet the Kowalskis. I gurantee you'll fall in love. :)
DeleteYep, really like Shannon Stacey, also, Kristan Higgins. Just "found" both of them when I got a Kindle...read everything by both of them in the last couple of weeks! lol.
DeleteOh, gosh! I love so many of them! Well, Kristan Higgins, Robyn Carr, Jill Shalvis, Tracy Brogan, Lauren Clark, Shannon Stacey, Kathleen O'Brien, Kathrine Garbera, PJ Sharon, Nancy R. Thompson. These are among the ones I've read their latest that enjoyed so much! Great authors, good luck to all finalists! And thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteI have an ARC of Robyn Carr's new one waiting for me and I can't wait to dive into the latest from Kristan Higgins!
DeleteI do, too! (The Wanderer by RCarr) and Kristan's The Best Man was just great, typical Higgins magic, plus in this one my name was picked for a secondary character ;) Hope you enjoy it!
DeleteI am hoping that Julie Anne Long gets the recognition she so richly deserves. A Notorious Countess Confesses!
ReplyDeleteI hope so too, Kellianne. She's one of my favorite writers. I would love to see her talent recognized!
DeleteGood Morning PJ and Andrea I am here and ready!! Go Eloisa!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree. If JAL doesn't get nominated this year, there is something SERIOUSLY wrong. I loved ANCC!!! I hope Julie James get a nomination, too!!'
ReplyDeleteMy problem is there are so many awesome authors that I want them all to win
ReplyDeleteLOL! I think we all share that problem!
DeleteI agree. If JAL doesn't get nominated this year, there is something SERIOUSLY wrong. I loved ANCC!!! I hope Julie James get a nomination, too!!'
ReplyDeleteWould love Maya Banks to get a nod for her historicals. Trying to think of contemps that came out this year. Mary Connealy had a great book in inspirational
ReplyDeleteI like Susan Meir I just finished a couple of her books yesterday
ReplyDeleteSo happy to see BRIDE BY MISTAKE on the list for Best Historical!
ReplyDeleteAnd very happy for my friend, Joanne Lockyer on her Golden Heart nomination!
ReplyDeleteHaven't read Anne Gracie I am like 5th in line on the hold list at the library, but I like her other books. Have been reading some of Barbara Hannay and like them
ReplyDeleteI love Grace Burrowes' books. The dialogue is refreshing and believable. I hope her name is among the finalists.
ReplyDeleteI love Grace's books, too. Would be very happy to see a nomination.
DeleteI'd be happy to see Grace's name on the list too!
DeleteJust read an excerpt from the inspirational book nominated A Soldier's Wife wow if the whole book is that emotional I think she should get it
ReplyDeleteGoing to have to pick up a copy of that one.
DeleteThanks for doing this, PJ and Andrea! So thrilled to see Lori Austin/Handeland!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Kim! I'm very happy for Lori too!
DeleteCheering wildly for Anne Gracie and for Cynthia Eden! Just saw Cheryl Reavis's name; she;a a long-time fave. Yay!
ReplyDeleteOthers I'm looking to see on the list--Eloisa James for The Ugly Duchess, Julie Anne Long for A Notorious Countess Confesses, Tessa Dare for A Week to Be Wicked, Sherry Thomas for any one of her trilogy, Miranda Neville for The Importance of Being Wicked. I'd love to see Roxanne St. Claire's Barefoot in the Rain on the contemporary list and one of Molly O'Keefe's. And Sarah Mayberry--any title. So many good books this year!
I'd love to see every book you named, Janga!
DeleteI would love Eloisa James for The Ugly Duchess!!!
ReplyDeleteMe too, Amy. It's such a wonderful book!
DeleteHave you read the With This Kiss serialized novella???? It was so fun, she has a Facebook Book Club and we've all discussed it and EJ would comment and it's been great fun!
DeleteLove the book club. It has added so much to the story.
DeleteLove Sally Makenzie....her naked series is great. I am about to start yelling at computer Nominate The Ugly Duchess already!! I have not read Sherry Thomas I don't think. If Tessa isn't on there I will be shocked. I agree Sarah Mayberry is great. Love Molly O'Keefe too
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah, Jill Shalvis and Susan Mallery, too!
ReplyDeleteYay, Sarah MacLean! Nominated for A Rogue by Any Other Name!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah! I forgot how much I liked that book! Good going, Sarah MacLean!
DeleteVery happy to see Wedded in Sin. Completely sweet, enjoyable book.
ReplyDeleteVery happy for Jade Lee who is one of the nicest people around - in addition to being a very talented writer!
DeleteYeah Eloisa Seduced by a Pirate
ReplyDeleteYay!!!!
DeleteSo happy for this one!
DeleteYay for Sarah MacLean and fir Cheryl Reavis, a long-time favorite! I'm also pleased to see Tracy Brogan get a nod for Best First Book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the info in one spot! So many good titles nominated and still some to add to my TBR! Good luck to all!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Mindy!
DeleteUmm! That would be "for Cheryl Reavis." I'm too excited to type.
ReplyDeleteLOL! I understand!
DeleteSo happy to see BAREFOOT IN THE SAND by Roxanne St. Claire!
ReplyDeleteIf you haven't read it yet, the e-book is only $1.99 this week!
DeleteSo am I, PJ! And so-o-o-o excited for Eloisa James's "Seduced by a Pirate" to be included. It's lovely to see Kim Law's Sugar Springs on the list too.
DeleteGoing back and forth between you ladies and my RWA Blog they are posting too. How many do they usually nominate in each category? I have been getting nervous some cats are really filling up
ReplyDeleteSo many books were great in 2012. I was glad to see Sarah Maclean make the list.
ReplyDeleteSeduced by a Pirate by Eloisa James Very happy to see this.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to see Monica Macrthy's The Recruit got a nom too, I love her books.....But I am still waiting for TUD Eloisa James
ReplyDeleteSo excited for Monica! I've been a fan since her debut.
DeleteCannot believe we haven't seen TUD, or JAL, or Tessa yet.....
ReplyDeleteMe either. Beginning to worry.
Deleteme too. I don't know how many each category gets. Cara Elliott just got nominated so that category is at 7
DeleteI was just going to ask if anyone knew how many get nominated! I am on pins and needles like I was the author instead of a reader!
DeleteI know there were nine finalists in a couple of categories last year--eight in most.
DeleteJust read that all the nominations are announced by 2:00 CST. No word on how many per category, though.
DeleteCara Elliott congrats
ReplyDeleteI saw on Twitter that Jill Shalvis is a double RITA nominee, but it's not on the RWA site yet.
ReplyDeleteSo excited for all the announcements so far. My Golden Heart sisters from last year are kicking butt in both the GH AND the RITA. So proud and cannot wait to cheer for everyone in July.
Me too, Terri!
DeleteI saw that too ladies still haven't seen it posted yet
DeleteJill Shalvis' 2 nominees are posted now.
DeleteWish Kristan Higgins were on too. Maybe next yr w/ "The Best Man".
Sure to see some fun banters between them after this. :D
I hope Sherry Thomas, Julie James and Julie Anne Long make the list. It's hard to believe that Julie James has never been nominated. Sherry should be nominated for all 3 books in her series, but the final 2 were really special.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to all! I'm happy for Eloisa James' nomination for Seduced by a Pirate. This year, Jane Porter's Brennan Sisters books (The Good Woman and The Good Daughter) have been my favorites. I've also loved Shana Galen's When You Give a Duke a Diamond, and The Rogue Pirate's Bride; and Julia Quinn's A Night Like This.
ReplyDeleteLots of great nominees listed here. My personal favorites didn't make the list: ABOUT THAT NIGHT by Julie James, DREAM LAKE BY Lisa Kleypas, THE WARRIOR by Margaret Mallory, WHAT HAPPENS AT CHRISTMAS by Victoria Alexander, and WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES by Brenda Novak.
ReplyDeleteSince I live in the Atlanta area, I am excited that the RWA Convention is going to be in Atlanta this year. I am hoping to make it to the literacy signing.
DeleteI thought JAL and Tessa Dare would be nominated, Julia Quinn, of coarse Eloisa James. I liked Brenda Novak's too and Dream Lake. Surprised Sarah Mayberry hasn't been nominated. Was glad for several in historical cat, I love Monica Macarthy. I like Christine Rimmer she got a nom for her Montana Maverick book, I have read one of the inspirational ones. Glad for Jill Shalvis too.
ReplyDeleteI am THRILLED for Maria Geraci's A GIRL LIKE YOU!!! Loved that book!! And of course I'm thrilled for Sarah MacLean's, Eloisa James's, and both of Jill Shalvis's--woohoo!!!
ReplyDeleteStill would like to see JAL and Julie James nominated....
Was hoping The Ugly Duchess by Eloisa James would be nominated. I really enjoyed that story!
ReplyDeleteme too
DeleteHopefully With This Kiss will get nominated next year.
DeleteI was hoping "The Ugly Duchess" by Eloisa James would make the list, also from Kristan Higgins. Molly O'Keefe, Rachel Gibson, Laura Lee Guhrke, Gaelen Foley, Dakota Cassidy, Pineiro's "The Claimed" for paranormal romance. Wouldn't mind seeing Tessa Dare's back on the list again either. I really can't decide!! :P
ReplyDeleteThere are so many good ones. But, I am very surprised that Tessa, Julie Anne Long, Eloisa James, and Kristin Higgins are not on the list. I bet Kristin will be next year for The Best Man
DeleteI sure hope so for Kristin Higgins. Her buddy, Jill Shalvis got 2 nominees in CR this yr. I'll expect some fun banters from them on FB soon.
DeleteI love Tessa, JAL and EJ books, they're my faves, wished their names on the list, alas.....
lots of new names I don't know though this yr.
But I'm glad to see Cara Elliotts on there, she's become one of my faves. S. MacLean, M. McCarty, S. Jeffries also.
Have A. Gracie and Jade Lee's books but haven't read them yet.
Have all the nominations been posted?
ReplyDeleteThere may be more. RWA said they would all be posted by 2:00pm CST.
DeleteI really didnt answer your question, sorry.
ReplyDeleteI havent read many on the list - read the 2 Shalvis books, so would be happy if either won.
I would have liked to have seen Louisa Edwards - Hot Under Pressure - I loved that book.
Well shame on me and how can it be! I haven't read any of them but I have read other books by many of these authors and enjoyed them (especially the historical authors). I just finished two books by Elizabeth Essex also a couple by Grace Burrowes that I really enjoyed. I even read my first Nora Roberts which, of course, were also very enjoyable. It looks like I have a lot of catching up (seems like I'm always doing that because there are so many great books out there).
ReplyDeleteI have seen several that were nominated that I want to read. I have read about 10 of them I think
DeleteSome of my favorites from 2012 were nominated. I wish The Duchess War by Courtney Milan was nominated. Love her books.
ReplyDeleteWell, I have to say I am shocked. I read 120 historical romances last year and only 2 of them are nominees. I must be reading the wrong books! I had been so in tune with the choices the past 3 years. What happened? Oh, well. I will read the ones I haven't and hope for some great ones.
ReplyDeleteOnly a handful that I read have been nominated - boo hoo -I am happy to see a few more may go on the list.
ReplyDeleteI would have liked to have seen some of Susan Mallery's and Robyn Carr's make the list I loved Barbara Freethy's The Long Way Back Home so very happy to see that one nominated.
Also Julie James' About that Night would have been nice to be included.
gmapeony
So happy for Sabrina Jeffries! A Lady Never Surrenders finals in Best Historical category!
ReplyDeleteMe too, I squeed
DeleteAlright I am now boo hooing my ELoisa wan't on the list for The Ugly Duchess
ReplyDeleteI am sooooo disappointed. I like/love a few of the authors nominated, but Eloisa is my top pick. sigh.
DeleteI am surprised. the Ugly Duchess was so good.
DeleteCongrats to all. So glad Jill Shalvis was in there although historical are my favorite.
ReplyDeleteSo many great authors were nominated this year in all the different genres but I must admit I have my fingers crossed for the wonderful Sarh McLeana nd the nomination for her bookA Rogue by Any Other Name! Sarah MacLean
ReplyDeleteLoved most, read a great deal, downloading the rest LOL....So excited for so many!!! PS Sarah MacLean rocks!
ReplyDeleteThese are all award winners. Love so many. I have read a few but will read many more.
ReplyDeleteI hope that Kristina Morris wins as her books are fabulous and memorable. The authors are all deserving.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to all the nominees. Although I haven't read a lot of the nominated books (some are still on my TBR pile), I have read and would love to see Seduced by a Pirate by Eloisa James win the Rita. Ghost Planet by Sharon Lynn Fisher was outstanding and I hope it wins as well. Loved Firelight by Kristen Callahan too, so if Sharon Lynn Fisher doesn't win, then I'm hoping for her book to win. :D
ReplyDeleteI loved "Lucky in Love" and "Forever and a Day" by Jill Shalvis. I'm also rooting for the wonderful novella, "Seduced by a Pirate" by Eloisa James!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to all the nominees!
Marcy Shuler
bmndshuler(at)hotmail(dot)com
I also loved "A Rogue by Any Other Name" by Sarah MacLean, "A Cold Creek Noel" by RaeAnne Thayne, and "The Last Single Maverick" by Christine Rimmer.
DeleteSo many good ones this year!
Marcy Shuler
Soooo many of my favorite authors on here! Cynthia Eden, Kresley Cole, Sabrina Jeffries... *Excited and nervous!* :-)
ReplyDeleteWow congrats Greta books
ReplyDeleteLove Jill shaves books whoo
Kimh
So many worthy books nominated this year! However, I'm sorry to see that Eloisa James' "The Ugly Duchess" did not make the finals in Historical Romance. I do hope she wins for her novella "Seduced by a Pirate," which is based on a character from that book. Also, happy for her win in the special category RITA for her work with others to promote the genre. Most of all I am so excited to be attending the RWA Conference this year and get to see the awards in person!
ReplyDeleteI noticed 3 names of paranormal romance authors made the list: Maggie Shayne, Larissa Ione, Kresley Cole (2) that I like. Although, I wish "The Claimed" from Caridad Pineiro made the list, really cool para series.
ReplyDeleteI see a lot of books to check out; I cannot believe I havent read any. Was sorry to see Shannon Stacey did not make the list as I loved her Kowalski family books.
ReplyDeleteLynn R Megtom