And the RITA Goes To...

Everyone's talking about it, some are planning on which books to read before the awards ceremony, and if they're not betting on DABWAHA contestants, than they're betting on who will win RITAs this year at RWA. At the very least, a lot of fans and bloggers are discussing the nominees and whether they deserve to be on this list or not or ranting at the powers that be for not nominating other authors. Wendy is truly dedicated -- she provided links to each book at Amazon AND to the author's web page. Me, I'm not so patient or detail-oriented. But I still have a lot of love for many of these authors and congratulate them all on their nominations. Especially to two of my faves -- one is a new-to-me author, Kate Brady, and the other is a personal fave, Karen Rose. In Katiebabs' honor, I've got PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT already on deck to read asap.

In an effort to cull the TBR see just what made them a nominee, I'm hosting a self-imposed challenge of my own before RWA to read at least three or more of the books that have been nominated. This year, I think I've already read three, and I'd like to up that number. I'm not sure I can keep up with AnimeJune and her personal challenge of 15 books, but who knows. Maybe I can read 4 or 5 since there is some time between now and RWA.

Below, of course, is the list of nominations.  I've highlighted in blue 4 books that I'm planning on reading (not including PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT).  Ha - my own "homework reading"!  How did I miss a Tudor-related romance this year?!  (hello, Jeane Westin!)  Of course, it's on the list since I consider myself a Tudor fanatic.    



2010 RITA for Best First Book Finalists

• One Scream Away by Kate Brady
• He Calls Her Doc by Mary Brady
• The Gladiator by Carla Capshaw
• Angel Vindicated by Viola Estrella
• The Better Part of Darkness by Kelly Gay
• Stolen Fury by Elisabeth Naughton
• Nothing Like You by Lauren Strasnick
• The Last Will of Moira Leahy by Therese Walsh

2010 RITA for Contemporary Series Romance Finalists

• A Not-So-Perfect Past by Beth Andrews
• From the Outside by Helen Brenna
• The Snow-Kissed Bride by Linda Goodnight
• Single Mom Seeks... by Teresa Hill
• Revealed: a Prince and a Pregnancy by Kelly Hunter
• The Christmas Love-Child by Jennie Lucas
• One-Night Mistress...Convenient Wife by Anne McAllister
• Duty, Desire, and the Desert King by Jane Porter
• I Still Do by Christie Ridgway

2010 RITA for Contemporary Series Romance: Suspense/Adventure Finalists

• Mountain Investigation by Jessica Andersen
• The Christmas Stranger by Beth Cornelison
• The Soldier's Secret Daughter by Cindy Dees
• In Care of Sam Beaudry by Kathleen Eagle
• Silent Watch by Elle Kennedy
• Cold Case Affair by Loreth Anne White
• The Christmas Present by Tracy Wolff

2010 RITA for Contemporary Single Title Romance Finalists

• Talk Me Down by Victoria Dahl
• True Love and Other Disasters by Rachel Gibson
• For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper
• Too Good to Be True by Kristan Higgins
• A Little Light Magic by Joy Nash
• Dirty Sexy Knitting by Christie Ridgway
• Instant Attraction by Jill Shalvis
• Fireside by Susan Wiggs

2010 RITA for Historical Romance Finalists

• Wicked All Day by Liz Carlyle
• With Seduction in Mind by Laura Lee Guhrke
• To Beguile a Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt
• Make Me Yours by Betina Krahn
• Knight of Pleasure by Margaret Mallory
• The Lone Texan by Jodi Thomas
• Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas
• Taming Her Irish Warrior by Michelle Willingham

2010 RITA for Inspirational Romance Finalists

• The Inheritance by Tamera Alexander
• A Lady Like Sarah by Margaret Brownley
• The Gladiator by Carla Capshaw
• Entertaining Angels by Judy Duarte
• An Eye for an Eye by Irene Hannon
• The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen
• Breach of Trust by Diann Mills
• The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper by Kathleen Y'Barbo

2010 RITA for Novel with Strong Romantic Elements Finalists

• The Better Part of Darkness by Kelly Gay
• Scandal Sheet by Gemma Halliday
• Red's Hot Honky Tonk Bar by Pamela Morsi
• The Lost Recipe for Happiness by Barbara O'Neal
• Silent on the Moor by Deanna Raybourn
• The Accidental Bestseller by Wendy Wax
• The Virgin's Daughters: In the Court of Elizabeth I by Jeane Westin 
• Lakeshore Christmas by Susan Wiggs

2010 RITA for Paranormal Romance Finalists

• What Would Jane Austen Do? by Laurie Brown
• Untouchable in Deep Kiss of Winter by Kresley Cole
• Kiss of a Demon King by Kresley Cole
• My Forbidden Desire by Carolyn Jewel
• The Fire King by Marjorie M. Liu
• For the Earl's Pleasure by Anne Mallory
• Darkness Unknown by Alexis Morgan
• Covet by J.R. Ward
• Mortal Sins by Eileen Wilks

2010 RITA for Regency Historical Romance Finalists

• Surrender of a Siren by Tessa Dare
• Scandal by Carolyn Jewel
• Tempting Fate by Alissa Johnson
• A View to a Kiss by Caroline Linden
• Revealed by Kate Noble
• What Happens in London by Julia Quinn
• Lord Braybrook's Penniless Bride by Elizabeth Rolls

2010 RITA for Romance Novella Finalists

• "A Little Night Magic" by Allyson James in Hot for the Holidays
• “The Robber Bride” by Marjorie M. Liu in Huntress
• “Annalise and the Scandalous Rake” by Deb Marlowe in The Diamonds of Welbourne Manor
• "Charlotte and the Wicked Lord" by Amanda McCabe in The Diamonds of Welbourne Manor
• “This Wicked Gift” by Courtney Milan in The Heart of Christmas
• “On a Snowy Christmas” by Brenda Novak in The Night Before Christmas
• “The Christmas Eve Promise” by Molly O'Keefe in The Night Before Christmas

2010 RITA for Romantic Suspense Finalists

• One Scream Away by Kate Brady
• Waking the Dead by Kylie Brant
• A Dark Love by Margaret Carroll
• Whisper of Warning by Laura Griffin
• Stolen Fury by Elisabeth Naughton
• Dark Country by Bronwyn Parry
• Promises in Death by J.D. Robb
• Kill for Me by Karen Rose

2010 RITA for Young Adult Romance

• Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog
• Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover by Ally Carter
• Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
• Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols
• The ABC's of Kissing Boys by Tina Ferraro
• Nothing Like You by Lauren Strasnick