Bookreporter.com - RITA Award Winners

• 2008 Finalists

• 2007 Winners

• 2007 Finalists

• 2006 Winners

• 2005 Winners

• 2004 Winners

• 2003 Winners

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2008 Rita Award Winners

At a ceremony held on August 2, the Romance Writers of America announced the winners of the 2008 Rita Awards. The Awards --- the romance-publishing industry's highest prize of distinction --- is named for Rita Clay Estrada, the RWA's first president. This year's winners are:

Contemporary Series Romance: Suspense / Adventure
TREASURE by Helen Brenna (Harlequin Superromance)

Best Young Adult Romance
WICKED LOVELY by Melissa Marr (HarperCollins / HarperTeen)

Best Historical Romance
THE SECRET DIARIES OF MISS MIRANDA CHEEVER by Julia Quinn (HarperCollins / Avon)

Best Contemporary Series Romance
SNOWBOUND by Janice Johnson (Harlequin Superromance)

Best Inspirational Romance
A TOUCH OF GRACE by Linda Goodnight (Harlequin / Steeple Hill Love Inspired)

Best Romance Novella
"Born in My Heart" in LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER by Jennifer Greene (Harlequin NEXT)

Best Paranormal Romance
LOVER REVEALED by J. R. Ward (Penguin / Signet / Onyx)

Best Novel with Strong Romantic Elements
SILENT IN THE GRAVE by Deanna Raybourn (Harlequin / MIRA)

Best Romantic Suspense
ICE BLUE by Anne Stuart (Harlequin / MIRA)

Best First Book
DEAD GIRLS ARE EASY by Terri Garey (HarperCollins / Avon)

Best Contemporary Single Title Romance
CATCH OF THE DAY by Kristan Higgins (Harlequin / HQN)

2008 Rita Awards Finalists

The nominees for the 2008 Rita Awards, which honor the best in romance fiction published in 2007, were announced recently by the Romance Writers of America (RWA). The winners --- to be selected from over 1,000 novels and novellas in 12 categories --- will be announced on August 2nd, at the RITA and Golden Heart Awards Ceremony, which will be held during RWA's 28th Annual National Conference in San Francisco, CA.

The nominees for this year's Rita Awards are:

Best First Book
DEAD GIRLS ARE EASY by Terri Garey (HarperCollins / Avon Books)
GRAFFITI GIRL by Kelly Parra (Simon & Schuster / MTV / Pocket Books)
PRIME TIME by Hank Phillippi Ryan (NEXT / Harlequin)
PROM DATES FROM HELL by Rosemary Clement-Moore (Random House / Delacorte Press)
SILENT IN THE GRAVE by Deanna Raybourn (Harlequin / MIRA)
SNOW ANGEL by Jamie Carie (B&H Fiction)
THIEF WITH NO SHADOWS by Emily Gee (BL Publishing / Solaris)
TREASURE by Helen Brenna (Harlequin Superromance)

Best Contemporary Series Romance Finalists
ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID by Kristin Hardy (Silhouette)
FALL FROM GRACE by Kristi Gold (Harlequin / Everlasting Love)
MAKE-BELIEVE MOM by Elaine Grant (Harlequin Superromance)
NIGHT MISCHIEF by Nina Bruhns (Harlequin / Silhouette Nocturne)
SLEEPING PARTNER by Kelly Hunter (Harlequin / Sexy Sensation)
SNOWBOUND by Janis Johnson (Harlequin Superromance)
THE MILE HIGH CLUB by Heidi Rice (Harlequin / Hills and Boon Modern Extra)
THE TYCOON'S PRINCESS BRIDE by Natasha Oakley (Harlequin Presents)

Best Contemporary Series Romance: Suspense / Adventure
HIGH-RISK AFFAIR by RaeAnne Thayne (Harlequin / Wilhouette Romantic Suspense)
MIDNIGHT PRINCE by Dani Sinclair (Harlequin Intrigue)
SARA'S SON by Tara Taylor Quinn (Harlequin Superromance)
STRANDED WITH A SPY by Merline Lovelace (Harlequin / Silhouette Romantic Suspense)
THE MEDUSA AFFAIR by Cindy Dees (Harlequin / Silhouette Romantic Suspense)
THE MEDUSA SEDUCTION by Cindy Dees (Harlequin / Silhouette Romantic Suspense)
TREASURE by Helen Brenna (Harlequin Superromance)
UNTOUCHED by Samantha HUnter (Harlequin / Blaze Extreme)

Best Contemporary Single Title Romance
BLAME IT ON CUPID by Jennifer Greene (Harlequin / HQN)
CATCH OF THE DAY by Kristan Higgins (Harlequin / HQN)
COMING UNDONE by Susan Anderson (Harlequin / HQN)
SEXIEST MAN ALIVE by Diana Holquist (Grand Central Publishing / Forever)
SHE'S NO ANGEL by Leslie Kelly (Harlequin / HQN)
TANGLED UP IN YOU by Rachel Gibson (HarperCollins / Avon Books)
TEMPT ME TONIGHT by Toni Blake (HarperCollins / Avon Books / Red)
THE SLEEPING BEAUTY PROPOSAL by Sarah Strohmeyer (Penguin / Dutton)

Best Historical Romance
AND THEN HE KISSED HER by Laura Lee Guhrke (HarperCollins / Avon)
BELOVED WARRIOR by Patricia Potter (Penguin / Berkley Sensation)
LESSONS OF DESIRE by Madeline Hunter (Bantam Dell)
MINE TILL MIDNIGHT by Lisa Kleypas (St. Martin's Press)
SURRENDER TO A SCOUNDREL by Julianne MacLean (HarperCollins / Avon)
TEMPTED TIGRESS by Jade Lee (Dorchester / Leisure Books)
THE LEOPARD PRINCE by Elizabeth Hoyt (Grand Central / Forever)
THE PERFECT KISS by Anne Gracie (Penguin / Berkley Sensation)

Best Inspirational Romance
A TOUCH OF GRACE by Linda Goodnight (Harlequin / Steeple Hill Love Inspired)
AUTUMN BLUE by Karen Harter (Center Street)
PURSUIT OF JUSTICE by Pamela Tracy (Harlequin / Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense)
RAINBOW'S END by Irene Hannon (Harlequin / Steeple Hill Love Inspired)
RANSOMED DREAMS by Amy Wallace (Random House / WaterBrook Multnomah)
SPLITTING HARRIET by Tamara Leigh (Random House / WaterBrook Multnomah)
TAMING RAFE by Susan May Warren (Tyndale)
WHEN THE MORNING COMES by Cindy Woodsmall (Random House / WaterBrook Multnomah)

Best Novel With Strong Romantic Elements
A GENTLE RAIN by Deborah Smith (BelleBooks)
HIGH NOON by Nora Roberts (Penguin / Putnam)
LEARNING TO BREATHE by Karen White (Penguin / NAL Accent)
ODD MOM OUT by Jane Porter (Grand Central / 5 Spot)
SEE NO EVIL by Allison Brennan (Ballantine)
SILENT IN THE GRAVE by Deanna Raybourn (Harlequin / Mira)
SUGAR DADDY by Lisa Kleypas (St. Martin's Press)
THIEF WITH NO SHADOW by Emily Gee (BL Publishing / Solaris)

Best Paranormal
DEAD GIRLS ARE EASY by Terri Garey (HarperCollins / Avon)
DEMON'S KISS by Maggie Shayne (Harlequin / MIRA)
GAMES OF COMMAND by Linnea Sinclair (Bantam Dell / Spectra)
HE LOVES ME, HE LOVES ME HOT by Stephanie Rowe (Grand Central / Forever)
LOVER REVEALED by J. R. Ward (Penguin / Signet / Onyx)
PRINCE OF MAGIC by Linda Winstead Jones (Penguin / Berkley Sensation)
RAINTREE: HAUNTED by Linda Winstead Jones (Harlequin / Silhouette Nocturne)
TOUCH OF DARKNESS by Christina Dodd (Penguin / NAL)

Best Regency Historical Romance
BLACKTHORNE'S BRIDE by Shana Glen (HarperCollins / Avon)
CLAIMING THE COURTESAN by Anna Campbell (HarperCollins / Avon)
LORD OF SCANDAL by Nicola Cornick (Harlequin / HQN)
THE SECRET DIARIES OF MISS MIRANDA CHEEVER by Julia Quinn (HarperCollins / Avon)
UNTOUCHED by Anna Campbell (HarperCollins / Avon)

Best Romance Novella
"Angel and the Hellraiser" in DEMON'S DELIGHT by Vickie Taylor (Penguin / Berkley Sensation)
"Born in My Heart" in LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER by Jennifer Greene (Harlequin / NEXT)
"Christmas Cravings" in HOLIDAY WITH A VAMPIRE by Maureen Child (Harlequin / Silhouette Nocturne)
"Christmas Day Family" in A WESTERN WINTER WONDERLAND by Cheryl St. John (Harlequin Historical)
"Eternity in Death" in DEAD OF NIGHT by J. D. Robb (Penguin / Putnam)
"Fallen Angel" in A WESTERN WINTER WONDERLAND by Jenna Kernan (Harlequin Historical)
"Mischief and the Marquess" in PERFECT KISSES by Sylvia Day (Kensington / Brava)
"On The Fringe" in DEAD OF NIGHT by Mary Kay McComas (Penguin / Berkley Jove)

Best Romantic Suspense
DIE FOR ME by Karen Rose (Grand Central / Vision)
ICE BLUE by Anne Stuart (Harlequin / MIRA)
ICE STORM by Anne Stewart (Harlequin / MIRA)
PRIME TIME by Hank Phillippi Ryan (Harlequin NEXT)
SPEAK NO EVIL by Allison Brennan (Ballantine)
TRACELESS by Debra Webb (St. Martin's Press)
WHITE HEAT by Cherry Adair (Ballantine)

Best Young Adult
GIRL AT SEA by Maureen Johnson (HarperCollins / HarperTeen)
GRAFFITI GIRL by Kelly Para (Simon & Schuster / MTV Books / Pocket)
LEAVING PARADISE by Simone Elkeles (Llewellyn Worldwide / Flux)
WICKED LOVELY by Melissa Marr (HarperCollins / HarperTeen)

2007 RITA Award Winners

The winners of this year's RITA Awards --- the romance-publishing industry's highest award of distinction --- were announced on July 14th, during the Romance Writers of America's (RWA) Annual National Conference, held in Dallas, Texas.

The 2007 RITA Award winners are:

Best First Book
THE HUSBAND TRAP by Tracy Anne Warren (Ballantine)

Best Contemporary Single Title Romance
ADIÓS TO MY OLD LIFE by Caridad Ferrer (Pocket Books / MTV Books)

Best Inspirational Romance
REVEALED by Tamera Alexander (Bethany House Publishers)

Best Long Contemporary Romance
THE MOMMY QUEST by Lori Handeland (Harlequin Enterprises)

Best Long Historical Romance Finalists
ON THE WAY TO THE WEDDING by Julia Quinn (Avon Books)

Best Romantic Novella
"Til the Silly Season" in A NASCAR HOLIDAY by Roxanne St. Claire (Harlequin Enterprises / HQN)

Best Paranormal Romance
A HUNGER LIKE NO OTHER by Kresley Cole)

Best Romantic Suspense
BLACKOUT by Annie Solomon (Warner Books)

Best short Contemporary Romance
FROM THE FIRST by Jessica Bird (Harlequin Enterprises)

Best Short Historical Romance
THE BOOK OF TRUE DESIRES by Betina Krahn (Berkley / Jove)

Best Novel with Strong Romantic Elements
A LADY RAISED HIGH by Larien Gardner (Berkley)

Best Traditional Romance Finalists
CLAIMING HIS FAMILY by Barbara Hannay (Harlequin Mills & Boon)

2007 RITA Awards Finalists

Members of the Romance Writers of America (RWA) recently announced the finalists of their annual RITA Award, the highest and most sought-after achievement in the Romance genre today. Of the 1,100 entries submitted, nearly 100 titles were nominated in 12 categories. A panel of judges comprised of published romance authors will select the final winners, to be revealed on July 14th, 2007 at RWA's 27th Annual Conference in Dallas, TX.

The finalists for the 2007 RITA Awards are:

Best First Book
A KILLING TIDE by P. J. Alderman (Dorchester Publishing / Love Spell)
REKINDLED by Tamera Alexander (Bethany House Publishers)
ADIÓS TO MY OLD LIFE by Caridad Ferrer (MTV Books / Pocket Books)
SPYING IN HIGH HEELS by Gemma Halliday (Dorchester Publishing / Making It)
BLIND-DATE MARRIAGE by Fiona Harper (Harlequin Mills & Boon / Silhouette)
TEN THOUSAND CHARMS by Allison Pittman (Random House / Multnomah)
EYES OF CROW by Jeri Lynn Smith-Ready (Harlequin Enterprises / Luna)
THE HUSBAND TRAP by Tracy Anne Warren (Ballantine)

Best Contemporary Single Title Romance
THE KEPT WOMAN by Susan Donovan (St. Martin's Press)
RIDE A PAINTED PONY by Kathleen Eagle (Harlequin Enterprises / MIRA)
ADIÓS TO MY OLD LIFE by Caridad Ferrer (Pocket Books / MTV Books)
LUCY GETS HER LIFE BACK by Stef Ann Holm (Harlequin Enterprises / MIRA)
IRRESISTIBLE by Susan Mallery (Harlequin Enterprises / HQN)
HEIRESS FOR HIRE by Erin McCarthy (Berkley / Sensation)
MUST LOVE MISTLETOE by Christie Ridgway (Avon Books)
AUSSIE RULES by Jill Shalvis (Kensington Books / Brava)
SUMMER AT WILLOW LAKE by Susan Wiggs (Harlequin Enterprises / MIRA)

Best Inspirational Romance
REVEALED by Tamera Alexander (Bethany House Publishers)
REKINDLED by Tamera Alexander (Bethany House Publishers)
BE MY NEAT-HEART by Judy Baer (Harlequin Enterprises / Steeple Hill)
A FAMILY FOREVER by Brenda Coulter (Harlequin Enterprises / Steeple Hill)
THE MEASURE OF A LADY by Deeanne Gist (Bethany House Publishers)
TEN THOUSAND CHARMS by Allison Pittman (Random House / Multnomah)
MY SO-CALLED LOVE LIFE by Allie Pleiter (Harlequin Enterprises / Steeple Hill)
VIOLETTE BETWEEN by Alison Strobel (Random House / Multnomah)

Best Long Contemporary Romance
ENEMY HUSBAND by Nina Bruhns (Harlequin Enterprises / Silhouette)
HEAT OF THE MOMENT by Diana Duncan (Harlequin Enterprises / Silhouette)
THE MOMMY QUEST by Lori Handeland (Harlequin Enterprises)
UNDER HIS SPELL by Kristin Hardy (Harlequin Enterprises / Silhouette)
MAKE-BELIEVE COWBOY by Terry McLaughlin (Harlequin Enterprises)
UP ALL NIGHT by Joanne Rock (Harlequin Enterprises)
MAN WITH A PAST by Kay Stockham (Harlequin Enterprises)
FAMILY FIRST by Margaret Watson (Harlequin Enterprises)

Best Long Historical Romance Finalists
SURRENDER by Pamela Clare (Dorcester Publishing)
LADY OF SIN by Madeline Hunter (Bantam Dell)
THE MARRIAGE SPELL by Mary Jo Putney (Ballantine)
ON THE WAY TO THE WEDDING by Julia Quinn (Avon Books)
THE SLIGHTEST PROVOCATION by Pam Rosenthal (Signet)
THE HUSBAND TRAP by Tracy Anne Warren (Ballantine)

Best Romantic Novella
"Summer Breeze" in COME SEPTEMBER by Jacquie D'Alessandro (Harlequin Enterprises)
"Her Mad Grace" in BAD BOYS AHOY! by Sylvia Day (Kensington Books / Brava)
"Somebody's Lover" in SOMEBODY'S LOVER by Jasmine Haynes (Berkley)
"Reluctant Hero" in MY HEROES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN COWBOYS by Lorraine Heath (Kensington / Brava)
"Ready & Willing" in THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN by Tanya Michaels (Harlequin Enterprises)
"An Affair to Remember" in AND THE ENVELOPE, PLEASE by Emilie Rose (Harlequin Enterprises)
"Til the Silly Season" in A NASCAR HOLIDAY by Roxanne St. Claire (Harlequin Enterprises / HQN)
"You Can Count On Me" in I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS by Roxanne St. Claire (Pocket Books)

Best Paranormal Romance
THE DREAM THIEF by Shana Abe (Bantam Dell)
HIS MISTRESS BY MORNING by Elizabeth Boyle (Avon Books)
A HUNGER LIKE NO OTHER by Kresley Cole)
EYE OF HEAVEN by Marjorie M. Liu (Dorchester Publishing)
SHADOW TOUCH by Marjorie M. Liu (Dorchester Publishing / Love Spell)
SECRETS OF THE HIGHWAYMAN by Sara Mackenzie (Avon Books)
DATE ME, BABY, ONE MORE TIME by Stephanie Rowe (Warner Forever)
MAGIC STUDY by Maria V. Snyder (Harlequin Enterprises / Luna)

Best Romantic Suspense
THE KILL by Allison Brennan (Ballantine)
UNDER THE WIRE by Cindy Gerard (St. Martin's Press)
RELENTLESS by Jo Leigh (Harlequin Enterprises / Blaze)
DEADLY GAMBLE by Linda Lael Miller (Harlequin Enterprises / HQN)
QUIET AS THE GRAVE by Kathleen O'Brien (Harlequin Enterprises)
TEMPTING THE DEVIL by Patricia Potter (Berkley)
BORN IN DEATH by J. D. Robb (Penguin Putnam)
BLACKOUT by Annie Solomon (Warner Books)
THE BACHELOR TRAP by Elizabeth Thornton (Bantam Dell)

Best short Contemporary Romance
RAPID FIRE by Jessica Andersen (Harlequin Enterprises)
FROM THE FIRST by Jessica Bird (Harlequin Enterprises)
THE LOST PRINCE by Cindy Dees (Harlequin Enterprises)
THE PERFECT BOYFRIEND by Barbara Dunlop (Harlequin Mills & Boon)
HOUSE OF MIDNIGHT FANTASIES by Kristi GOld (Harlequin Enterprises)
THE SPECIALIST by Rhonda Nelson (Harlequin Enterprises)
MARRIED IN HASTE by Christine Rimmer (Harlequin Enterprises)
THE BOSS AND MISS BAXTER by Wendy Warren (Harlequin Enterprises)

Best Short Historical Romance
THE BAREFOOT PRINCESS by Christina Dodd (Avon Books)
SHE'S NO PRINCESS by Laura Lee Guhrke (Avon Books)
A DUKE OF HER OWN by Lorraine Heath (Avon Books)
THE TAMING OF THE DUKE by Avon Books)
DEVIL IN WINTER by Lisa Kleypas (Avon Books)
SCANDAL IN SPRING by Lisa Kleypas (Avon Books)
THE BOOK OF TRUE DESIRES by Betina Krahn (Berkley / Jove)
THE DEVIL'S WALTZ by Anne Stuart (Harlequin Enterprises / MIRA)

Best Novel with Strong Romantic Elements
ON BLUE FALLS POND by Susan Crandall (Warner Forever)
A LADY RAISED HIGH by Larien Gardner (Berkley)
SPYING IN HIGH HEELS by Gemma Halliday (Dorchester Publishing / Making It)
MAGIC HOUR by Kristin Hanna (Ballantine)
HER PERFECT LIFE by Vicki Hinze (Harlequin Enterprises)
CALIFORNIA DEMON by Julie Kenner (Berkley Trade)
DEAD END DATING by Kimberley Rae (Ballantine)
EYES OF CROW by Jeri Lynne Smith-Ready (Harlequin Enterprises / Luna)

Best Traditional Romance Finalists
A WOMAN WORTH LOVING by Jackie Braun (Harlequin Enterprises)
CLAIMING HIS FAMILY by Barbara Hannay (Harlequin Mills & Boon)
BLIND-DATE MARRIAGE by Fiona Harper (Harelquin Mills & Boon)
THE DOCTOR'S PROPOSAL by Marion Lennox (Harlequin Enterprises)
THE SURGEON'S FAMILY MIRACLE by Marion Lennox (Harlequin Mills & Boon)
DOMESTICATING LUC by Sandra Paul (Harlequin Enterprises)

2006 RITA Awards Winners/Nominees

At the 26th Annual Romance Writers of America (RWA) Conference, held in Atlanta, GA from July 26-29, 2006, the winners of this year's RITA Awards were announced. The Awards --- presented in 13 different categories to compare books of similar lengths, settings, and story elements --- are the highest honors given in the romance fiction genre.

Best First Book
SHOW HER THE MONEY by Stephanie Feagan (Silhouette Books)
THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY MEN I'VE DATED by Shane Bolks (Avon Books)
A TEXAS STATE OF MIND by Ann Defee (Harlequin Books)
CHARMED & DANGEROUS by Candace Havens (Berkley Books)
SPIRITED AWAY by Pamela Labud (Kensington Books)
WORTH EVERY RISK by Dianna Love Snell (Silhouette Books)
FINDERS KEEPERS by Linnea Sinclair (Bantam Books)
POISON STUDY by Maria V. Snyder (Luna Books)

Best Contemporary Single Title
LAKESIDE COTTAGE by Susan Wiggs (MIRA Books)
YOU'VE GOT MALE by Elizabeth Bevarly (HQN Books)
PICKET FENCE by Kimberly Cates (HQN Books)
A CRAZY KIND OF LOVE by Maureen Child (St. Martin's Press)
TURN MY WORLD UPSIDE DOWN by Maureen Child (St. Martin's Press)
HEARTBREAK HOTEL by Julia Landon (Berkley Books)
ALMOST PERFECT by Julie Orton (NAL)

Best Inspirational Romance
HEAVENS TO BETSY by Beth Patillo (WaterBrook Press)
POCKETFUL OF PEARLS by Shelley Bates
REMEMBER ME by Deborah Bedford (Warner Books)
CLOE by Lyn Cote (Warner Books)
A SHELTERING LOVE by Terri Reed (Steeple Hill)

Best Long Contemporary Romance
WORTH EVERY RISK by Dianna Love Snell (Silhouette Books)
THE BUSINESS OF STRANGERS by Kylie Brant (Silhouette Books)
THE FATHER FACTOR by Lilian Darcy (Silhouette Books)
A TEXAS STATE OF MIND by Ann Defee (Harlequin Books)
UNDER THE MISTLETOE by Kristin Hardy (Silhouette Books)
BLACKBERRY WINTER by Cheryl Reavis
HER LAST DEFENSE by Vickie Taylor (Silhouette Books)
HOMETOWN GIRLS by Margaret Watson (Harlequin Books)
THE SECRET WIFE by Carrie Weaver (Harlequin Books)

Best Long Historical Romance
THE DEVIL TO PAY by Liz Carlyle (Pocket Books)
A MOST UNSUITABLE MAN by Jo Beverly (NAL)
THIS RAKE OF MINE by Elizabeth Boyle (Avon Books)
THE DARK QUEEN by Susan Carroll (Ballantine)
MR. IMPOSSIBLE by Loretta Chase (Berkley Books)
SIN AND SENSIBILITY by Suzanne Enoch (Avon Books)
THE PERFECT RAKE by Anne Gracie (Berkley Books)
TO PLEASURE A PRINCE by Sabrina Jeffries (Pocket Books)

Best Novella
"The Naked Truth About Guys" in THE NAKED TRUTH by Alesia Holliday (Berkley Books)
"Playing for Keeps" in DARE ME by Cherry Adair (NAL)
"Glad Rags" in THE TRUE LOVE WEDDING DRESS by Constance Brockway (NAL)
"A Proper Englishwoman" in TALK OF THE TON by Eloisa James
"Highland Handfast" in THE BETROTHAL by Joanne Rock
"Blood Lust" in BITE by Vickie Taylor (Berkley Books)
"Simon Says" in SECRETS, VOLUME 15 by Jane Thompson (Red Sage)

Best Paranormal Romance
GABRIEL'S GHOST by Linnea Sinclair (Bantam Books)
THE MISTED CLIFFS by Catherine Asaro (Luna Books)
GHOST WALK by Heather Graham (MIRA Books)
MY SHADOW WARRIOR by Jenn Holling (Pocket Books)
SPIRITED AWAY by Pamela Labud (Kensington Books)
A TASTE OF CRIMSON by Marjorie Liu (Dorchester Publishing)
AFTER MIDNIGHT by Teresa Medeiros (Avon Books)
DARK LOVER by J. R. Ward (NAL)

Best Regency Romance
A REPUTABLE RAKE by Diane Gaston (Harlequin Mills & Boon Limited)
MISS WHITLOW'S TURN by Jenna Mindel (NAL)
JUST SAY YES by Myretta Robens (Kensington Books)
THE HOUSE PARTY by Jeanne Savery (Kensington)

Best Romantic Suspense
SURVIVOR IN DEATH by J. D. Robb
IN DEEP VOODOO by Stephanie Bond (Avon Books)
CLOSE-UP by Virginia Kantra (Berkley Books)
CRAZY HOT by Tara Janzen (Bantam Books)
TANGLE OF LIES by Patricia Potter (Berkley Books)
NOTHING TO FEAR by Karen Rose (Warner Books)
DARKER THAN MIDNIGHT by Maggie Shayne (MIRA Books)
THE MARRIAGE TRAP by Elizabeth Thornton (Bantam Books)

Best Short Contemporary Romance
THE MARRIAGE MIRACLE by Liz Fielding (Harlequin Mills & Boon)
BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND MORNING by Cindy Gerard (Silhouette Books)
SUSPICIOUS by Heather Graham (Silhouette Books)
HOT TO THE TOUCH by Jennifer Greene (Silhouette Books)
THE RICH STRANGER by Bronwyn Jameson (Silhouette Books)
THE RUGGED LONER by Bronwyn Jameson (Silhouette Books)
THE RUTHLESS GROOM by Bronwyn Jameson (Silhouette Books)
REALLY HOT! by Jennifer LaBrecque (Harlequin Books)
ONE NIGHT IN TEXAS by Jane Sullivan (Harlequin Books)

Best Short Historical Romance
THE TEXAN'S REWARD by Jodi Thomas (Berkley Books)
WHEN WE MEET AGAIN by Victoria Alexander (Avon Books)
THE KING'S MISTRESS by Terri Brisbin (Harlequin Books)
ABBIE'S OUTLAW by Victoria Bylin (Harlequin Books)
IT HAPPENED ONE AUTUMN by Lisa Kleypas (Avon Books)
HIGHLANDER IN LOVE by Julia London
TO LOVE A THIEF by Julie Ann Long (Warner Books)
HIS SECOND HAND WIFE by Cheryl St. John (Harlequin Books)

Novel with Strong Romantic Elements
LADY LUCK'S MAP OF VEGAS by Barbara Samuel (Ballantine)
THE ME I USED TO BE by Jennifer Archer (Harlequin Books)
THE TIARA CLUB by Beverly Brandt (St. Martin's Press)
CHARMED & DANGEROUS by Candace Havens (Berkley Books)
SWEETGRASS by Mary Alice Monroe (MIRA Books)
EX AND THE SINGLE GIRL by Lani Diane Rich
BLUE SMOKE by Nora Roberts
TABLE FOR FIVE by Susan Wiggs (MIRA Books)

2006 RITA For Best Traditional Romance
PRINCES OF CONVENIENCE by Marion Lennox (Harlequin Books)
SMART BOYS & FAST GIRLS by Stephie Davis (Dorchester Publishing)
WHO NEEDS BOYS by Stephie Davis (Dorchester Publishing)
THE DOCTOR'S RESCUE MISSION by Marion Lennox (Harlequin Books)

2005 RITA Awards

On July 30, 2005, the winners of this year's RITA Awards --- presented by the Romance Writers of America (RWA) --- were announced in Reno, Nevada. Categories and winners included:

Best Traditional Romance
CHRISTMAS EVE MARRIAGE by Jessica Hart (Harlequin)

Best Short Contemporary Series
MISS PRUITT'S PRIVATE LIFE by Barbara McCauley (Silhouette)

Best Long Contemporary Series
JOHN RILEY'S GIRL by Inglath Cooper (Harlequin)

Best Paranormal Romance
BLUE MOON by Lori Handeland (St. Martin's Press)

Best Inspirational Romance
GROUNDS TO BELIEVE by Shelley Bates (Steeple Hill)

Best Romantic Novella
"Her Best Enemy" in NIGHT'S EDGE by Maggie Shayne (Harlequin)

Best First Book
TIME OFF FOR GOOD BEHAVIOR by Lani Diane Rich (Warner)

Best Regency Romance
A PASSIONATE ENDEAVOR by Sophie Nash (Signet)

Best Short Historical Romance
A WANTED MAN by Susan Kay Law (Avon)

Best Long Historical Romance
SHADOWHEART by Laura Kinsale (Berkley)

Best Romantic Suspense
I'M WATCHING YOU by Karen Rose (Warner)

Best Contemporary Single Title
BET ME by Jennifer Crusie (St. Martin's Press)

Novel with Strong Romantic Elements
A.K.A. GODDESS by Evelyn Vaughn (Silhouette)

2004 RITA Awards

The winners of the 2004 Romance Writers of America RITA Awards were announced at a black-tie Award Ceremony in Dallas, Texas on July 28th. Categories and winners included:

Best Traditional Romance
HER ROYAL BABY by Marion Lennox (Harlequin Mills & Boon)

Best Short Contemporary Series
THE KNIGHT'S KISS by Nicole Burnham (Silhouette)

Best Long Contemporary Series
THE TOP GUN'S RETURN by Kathleen Creighton (Harlequin)

Best Paranormal Romance
SHADES OF MIDNIGHT by Linda Fallon (Kensington)

Best Inspirational Romance
AUTUMN DREAMS by Gayle Roper (Multnomah Publishers)

Best Romantic Novella
"Prisoner of the Tower" in THE WEDDING CHASE by Gayle Wilson (Harlequin)

Best First Book
BACK ROADS by Susan Crandall (Warner Books)

Best Regency Romance
PROSPERO'S DAUGHTER by Nancy Butler (Signet)

Best Short Historical Romance
WORTH ANY PRICE by Lisa Kleypas (Avon)

Best Long Historical Romance
THE DESTINY by Kathleen Givens (Warner)

Best Romantic Suspense
REMEMBER WHEN-PART 1 by Nora Roberts (G.P. Putnam & Sons)

Best Contemporary Single Title
BIRTHRIGHT by Nora Roberts (G.P. Putnam & Sons)

Novel with Strong Romantic Elements
BETWEEN SISTERS by Kristin Hannah (Ballantine)

2003 RITA Awards

The winners of the 2003 Romance Writers of America RITA Awards were recently announced. Categories and winners included:

Best Traditional Romance
THE BASKET CASE by Debbie Macomber (Harlequin)

Best Short Contemporary Series
TAMING THE OUTLAW by Cindy Gerard (Silhouette)

Best Long Contemporary Series
TAKING COVER by Catherine Mann (Silhouette)

Best Paranormal Romance
CONTACT by Susan Grant (Dorchester)

Best Inspirational Romance
NEVER SAY GOOD-BYE by Irene Hannon (Steeple Hill)

Best Romantic Novella
"To Kiss in the Shadows" in TAPESTRY by Lynn Kurland (Berkley)

Best First Book
SHADES OF HONOR by Wendy Lindstrom (St. Martin's Press)

Best Regency Romance
A DEBT TO DELIA by Barbara Metzger (NAL/Penguin Putnam)

Best Short Historical Romance
THE BRIDE FAIR by Cheryl Reavis (Harlequin Historicals)

Best Long Historical Romance
STEALING HEAVEN by Madeline Hunter (Bantam Dell)

Best Romantic Suspense
THREE FATES by Nora Roberts (Putnam)

Best Contemporary Single Title
NO PLACE LIKE HOME by Barbara Ann Samuel (Ballantine)