Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Here Comes "Vivian"

 



It's about this time every year that Romance Writers of America (RWA) announces the finalists for the prestigious RITA award, honoring the best in romance fiction published the previous year. In 2020, the RITA was retired, with thanks to Rita Clay Estrada, the woman for whom the award was named. Since then, the contest has been re-worked with new categories (click for new category definitions) and in-depth training to ensure fair and equitable judging. Last week, RWA revealed their new award, the Vivian, honoring Vivian Stephens, the founder of RWA. (Read more about Ms. Stephens and her many contributions to the romance fiction industry in this Texas Monthly article) It is the hope that this new award will honor today's diversity in publishing and inclusion of all romance voices. 

Today, RWA announced the 2021 finalists for the inaugural Vivian Award. Congratulations to all! I don't know about you but I have lots of new titles to add to my summer reading list. :)

The award winners will be announced at a ceremony later this year.


BEST FIRST PUBLISHED BOOK

Cherokee Summer by Susan Antony

Choosing Theo: The Clecanian Series (Book One) by Victoria Aveline

Greedy Heart by A. P. Murray

Her Outback Driver by Giulia Skye

How to Stay by Christina Mitchell

Love Me Like a Love Song by Annmarie Boyle

Lovely Digits by Jeanine Englert

Painting the Lines by Ashley R. King

Perfect Distraction by Allison Ashley

A Song of Secrets by Robyn Chalmers



CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE - LONG

The Boy Toy by Nicola Marsh

Cherokee Summer by Susan Antony

False Start by Jessica Ruddick

A Fast Woman by Laralyn Doran

Like Lovers Do by Tracey Livesay

Lovestruck by Bronwyn Sell

The Marriage Game by Sarah Desai


CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE - MID

Heartthrob by Robin Bielman

Pilot Down by Kimberley Troutte

Roughing by Michaela Grey

The Secret Ingredient by Kilby Blades

Swipe Right for a Cowboy by Karen Foley

Tempting Taste by Sara Whitney

Under His Protection by LaQuette


CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE - SHORT

Engaging the Enemy by Reese Ryan

Marriage by Arrangement by Sophia Singh Sasson

There Galapagos My Heart by Philip William Stover

Worth Fighting For by Laura Kaye


EROTIC ROMANCE

Pure Satisfaction by Rebecca Hunter

The Redemption by Nikki Sloane


HISTORICAL ROMANCE - LONG

The Clothier's Daughter by Bronwyn Parry

His Secret Mistress by Cathy Maxwell

Once a Spy by Mary Jo Putney

Ten Things I Hate About the Duke by Loretta Chase


HISTORICAL ROMANCE - MID

For This Knight Only by Barbara Bettis

The Footman and I by Valerie Bowman

A Song of Secrets by Robyn Chalmers

A Study in Passion by Louisa Cornell


MAINSTREAM FICTION WITH A CENTRAL ROMANCE

Accidentally Family by Sasha Summers

Every Last Drop by Sarah Robinson

An Everyday Hero by Laura Trentham

The Last Goodbye by Fiona Lucas


MOST ANTICIPATED ROMANCE

23 and You and Me by Michelle McCraw

Burning Caine by Janet Oppedisano

The Compound by Deena Short

Love, With Complications by Kyl Dinsio

Trivial Pursuit by Ingrid Pierce


ROMANCE WITH RELIGIOUS OR SPIRITUAL ELEMENTS

At Love's Command by Karen Witemeyer

Hadley Beckett's Next Dish by Bethany Turner

Small Town Faith by Michelle Lindo-Rice

Stay with Me by Becky Wade



ROMANTIC SUSPENSE - LONG

Burn by Stephanie Rowe

Code of Conduct by April White

Cold Wicked Lies by Toni Anderson

Hail Mary by Hope Anika

Honor Avenged by Tonya Burrows


ROMANTIC SUSPENSE - MID

Harbour by Claire Boston

K-9 Protector by Julie Miller

Lovely Digits by Jeanine Englert

Storm by Janie Crouch


SPECULATIVE ROMANCE - LONG

Curse of Seduction by Claire Robertson

Echoes of the Runes by Christina Courtenay

A Stitch in Time by Kelley Armstrong

Written in Water by Elizabeth Schechter


SPECULATIVE ROMANCE - MID

Betwixt by Darynda Jones



4 comments:

  1. I read the Texas Monthly article about Ms Stephens. I reckon, since I am just a reader, the fact that I missed a good portion of what has been happening, is OK. Or Not.

    I will say, that I have evidently been rather dense. I never realized that there were so many authors who were not getting opportunities. I grew up in Dallas. I saw how things were. Segregation was right there....all around. I guess I just figured things were better now. As a formerly employed woman, I saw how women were treated and "handled:". I am glad that things are better. I probably will not live long enough to see a truly level playing field.....I just hope the tilt gets to be less and less....soon.

    Yes, I know about the assaults and shootings. But, I really thought that the business of writing and publishing would be better than that. Surely intelligence and calm would be in charge. I was very wrong.

    I hope everyone is well and taking care.

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  2. Congratulations to all the nominees! While I thought I read a great deal, I've only managed to read about 10 of the books on the list. I will have to bring more into my world.

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  3. I am glad that they are back to giving out well-earned awards. I have only read 4 of these, so I have lots to look into.

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  4. Congratulations to all the finalists!

    denise

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