Rita Award

RITA AWARD 2007

Best First Book

The Husband Trap by Tracy Anne Warren
Ballantine - (345483081)
Charlotte Herscher, editor

Here comes the substitute bride. . . .

Violet Brantford has always longed for the passionate embrace of Adrian Winter, the wealthy Duke of Raeburn. Problem is, he's set to marry Violet's vivacious, more socially polished look-alike twin sister, Jeannette. But when Jeannette refuses to go through with the ceremony mere minutes before it is to begin, soft-spoken Violet finds herself walking down the aisle and taking vows in her sister's place. Soon shy Violet is a high-society wife, trying to keep her real identity a secret while living out the fantasies of her wildest dreams.

Adrian thinks he knows exactly what he's gotten himself into: Jeannette may be flighty and, well, a bit self-involved, but she's the picture-perfect wife to carry on the Winter name. Yet this marriage of convenience brings the groom more than he bargained for when he finds his sweet, innocent wife surprising him at every turn. And though he never planned on true love, Adrian is definitely in danger of losing his heart.

Best First Book Finalists

A Killing Tide by P.J. Alderman
Dorchester Publishing, Love Spell - (0505526964)
Alicia Condon, editor

Rekindled by Tamera Alexander
Bethany House Publishers - (0764201085)
Karen Schurrer, editor

Adiós to My Old Life by Caridad Ferrer
Pocket Books, MTV Books - (1416524738)
Lauren McKenna, editor

Spying in High Heels by Gemma Halliday
Dorchester Publishing, Making It - (0843957352)
Leah Hultenschmidt, editor

Blind-Date Marriage by Fiona Harper
Harlequin Mills & Boon, Romance - (9780263849417)
Kimberley Young, editor

Ten Thousand Charms by Allison Pittman
Random House, Waterbrook Multnomah - (1590525752)
Rod Morris, editor

Eyes of Crow by Jeri Smith-Ready
Harlequin Enterprises, Luna - (373802586)
Stacy Boyd, editor

Best Contemporary Single Title Romance

Adiós to My Old Life by Caridad Ferrer
Pocket Books, MTV Books - (1416524738)
Lauren McKenna, editor

Does a seventeen-year-old from Miami have what it takes to be the next big Latin superstar? And does she really want it?

As a talented singer-guitarist with a dream of going pro, Alegría Montero is getting fed up with the endless, boring parade of quinceañeras and other family party gigs. She's longing for something bigger. And Oye Mi Canto -- a new reality TV show that's searching for the next Latin superstar -- is definitely that. Ali figures she'll never make the cut, but auditioning seems like a good way to get her overprotective father to take her ambitions seriously.

To Ali's complete shock, she passes her audition. Next thing she knows, she's dealing with wardrobe fittings, cameras, reporters, vocal coaches, and websites designed by lovestruck fanboys. She's also dealing with jealousy, malice, and sabotage among the contestants, all of which has her wondering: Is it really time to shoot for the stars and try to win the whole competition, or is it time to say "Cut!" and become a normal teenager again?

Best Contemporary Single Title Romance Finalists

The Kept Woman by Susan Donovan
St. Martin's Press - (0312939507)
Monique Patterson, editor

Ride a Painted Pony by Kathleen Eagle
Harlequin Enterprises, MIRA - (778323595)
Leslie Wainger, editor

Lucy Gets Her Life Back by Stef Ann Holm
Harlequin Enterprises, MIRA - (0778323447)
Valerie Gray, editor

Irresistible by Susan Mallery
Harlequin Enterprises, HQN - (3737711772)
Abby Zidle, editor

Heiress For Hire by Erin McCarthy
Berkley, Sensation - (0425207617)
Cindy Hwang, editor

Must Love Mistletoe by Christie Ridgway
Avon Books - (0061140201)
Lucia Macro, editor

Aussie Rules by Jill Shalvis
Kensington Books, Brava - (0758211392)
Kate Duffy, editor

Summer at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs
Harlequin Enterprises, MIRA - (0778323250)
Margaret Marbury, editor

Best Inspirational Romance

Revealed by Tamera Alexander
Bethany House Publishers - (0764201093)
Karen Schurrer, editor

Annabelle Grayson has been given a second chance at life, but she can't claim it with the cloud of her past hanging over her in Willow Springs. After her husband dies, she advertises for a trail guide to accompany her to land waiting for her in Idaho- and a most unlikely candidate applies for the job. Matthew Taylor is a man on the run, with consequences of past mistakes pursuing him at every turn. Meeting Annabelle Grayson the first time was unpleasant enough, but when she crosses his path again, her presence in his life- and what she reveals- is devastating. If given a single wish, Matthew would turn back time and right a grievous wrong. If given a second wish, he would make Annabelle Grayson pay.

2007 RITA for Best Inspirational Romance Finalists

Rekindled by Tamera Alexander
Bethany House Publishers - (0764201085)
Karen Schurrer, editor

Be My Neat-Heart by Judy Baer
Harlequin Enterprises, Steeple Hill Love Inspired - (373873670)
Joan Marlowe Golan, editor

A Family Forever by Brenda Coulter
Harlequin Enterprises, Steeple Hill Love Inspired - (0373873581)
Krista Stroever, editor

The Measure of a Lady by Deeanne Gist
Bethany House Publishers - (0764200739)
David Long and Julie Klassen, editors

Ten Thousand Charms by Allison Pittman
Random House, Waterbrook Multnomah - (1590525752)
Rod Morris, editor

My So-Called Love Life by Allie Pleiter
Harlequin Enterprises, Steeple Hill Love Inspired - (9780373873852)
Krista Stroever, editor

Violette Between by Alison Strobel
Random House, Waterbrook Multnomah - (9781578567942)
Shannon Hill, editor

Best Long Contemporary Romance

The Mommy Quest by Lori Handeland
Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Superromance - (373713347)
Johanna Raisanen, editor

Life has never been easy for Tim. Abandoned and left to fend for himself, he's finally found a home with Dean Luchetti. But something's missing. Tim's convinced that what he needs is a mother and what Dean needs is a wife. And he thinks he's got the perfect candidate in Stella O'Connell, his school's principal.

The last person Stella expects to encounter at her new school is Dean Luchetti, the man who broke her heart as a teenager. Dean and Stella may have a difficult past, but they feel the same strong attraction they always did -- and if they're not careful, history could repeat itself. Breaking each other's hearts is one thing, but breaking Tim's is an altogether different matter.

2007 RITA for Best Long Contemporary Romance Finalists

Enemy Husband by Nina Bruhns
Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Intimate Moments - (0373274726)
Jessica Alvarez and Patience Smith, editors

Heat Of The Moment by Diana Duncan
Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Intimate Moments - (0373275048)
Susan Litman, editor

Under His Spell by Kristin Hardy
Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Special Edition - (0373280343)
Gail Chasan, editor

Make-Believe Cowboy by Terry McLaughlin
Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Superromance - (037371372X)
Laura Shin, editor

Up All Night by Joanne Rock
Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Blaze - (373792441)
Wanda Ottewell, editor

Man With A Past by Kay Stockham
Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Superromance - (0373713479)
Johanna Raisanen, editor

Family First by Margaret Watson
Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Superromance - (373713371)
Victoria Curran, editor

Best Long Historical Romance

On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn
Avon Books - (0060531258)
Lyssa Keusch, editor

A funny thing happened...

Unlike most men of his acquaintance, Gregory Bridgerton believes in true love. And he is convinced that when he finds the woman of his dreams, he will know in an instant that she is the one. And that is exactly what happened. Except...

She wasn’t the one. In fact, the ravishing Miss Hermione Watson is in love with another. But her best friend, the ever-practical Lady Lucinda Abernathy, wants to save Hermione from a disastrous alliance, so she offers to help Gregory win her over. But in the process, Lucy falls in love. With Gregory! Except...

Lucy is engaged. And her uncle is not inclined to let her back out of the betrothal, even once Gregory comes to his senses and realizes that it is Lucy, with her sharp wit and sunny smile, who makes his heart sing. And now, on the way to the wedding, Gregory must risk everything to ensure that when it comes time to kiss the bride, he is the only man standing at the altar...

E' successa una cosa divertente...

A differenza di molti uomini di sua conoscenza, Gregory Bridgerton crede nel vero amore. Ed è convinto che quando troverà la donna dei suoi sogni, saprà in un istante che lei è "la predestinata". E questo è esattamente quello che succede. Eccetto che...

Lei non era la predestinata. Infatti, l'affascinante Miss Hermione Watson è innamorata di un altro. Ma la sua migliore amica, la sempre pratica Lady Lucinda Abernathy, vuole salvare Hermione da una disastrosa alleanza, così si offre di aiutare Gregory nel conquistarla. Ma nel processo, Lucy si innamora. Di Gregory! Eccetto che...

Lucy è fidanzata. E suo zio non era incline a lasciarla libera dal suo fidanzamento, anche quando Gregory ritorna in se e realizza che è Lucy, con il suo spirito acuto e il sorriso sorale, che fa cantare il suo cuore. E ora, sulla strada del matrimonio, Gregory deve mettere a rischio tutto per assicurarsi che quando arriverà il momento di baciare la sposa, lui sia l'unico uomo in piedi davanti all'altare...

2007 RITA for Best Long Historical Romance Finalists

Surrender by Pamela Clare
Dorchester Publishing, Leisure - (0843954884)
Alicia Condon, editor

Lady of Sin by Madeline Hunter
Bantam Dell - (553587315)
Shauna Summers, editor

The Marriage Spell by Mary Jo Putney
Ballantine - (0345449185)
Charlotte Herscher, editor

The Slightest Provocation by Pam Rosenthal
Signet, Eclipse - (451219473)
Laura Cifelli, editor

The Husband Trap by Tracy Anne Warren
Ballantine - (345483081)
Charlotte Herscher, editor

Best Romantic Novella

"'Tis the Silly Season" in A NASCAR Holiday by Roxanne St. Claire
Harlequin Enterprises, HQN - (373771568)
Abby Zidle, editor

Look what's under the tree . . .
Three red-hot NASCAR romances
That are sure to get your pulse racing!

'Tis the Silly Season . . . by Roxanne St. Claire: NASCAR Busch Series racer Clay Slater needs a ready-made family -- fast -- to impress a potential sponsor. Lisa Mahoney can't resist the chance to give her kids the storybook Christmas she's never been able to . . . and if that includes a kiss under the mistletoe, so much the better!

Guarda cosa c'è sotto l'albero...
Tre romanzi sensuali di NASCAR
Di sicuro ti faranno accelerare il battito del cuore!

'Tis the Silly Season... di Roxanne St. Claire: il corridore della NASCAR Busch Series Clay Slater ha bisogno di una famiglia già pronta, velocemente, per impressionare un potenziale finanziatore. Lisa Mahoney non può resistere alla possibilità di dare ai suoi bambini il Natale da favola che non è mai stata capace di dare loro... e se questo significa un bacio sotto il vischio, ancora meglio!

2007 RITA for Best Romantic Novella Finalists

"Summer Breeze" in Come September by Jacquie D'Alessandro
Harlequin Enterprises, Signature Select - (0373837232)
Alethea Spiridon, editor

"Her Mad Grace" in Bad Boys Ahoy! by Sylvia Day
Kensington Books, Brava - (0758212518)
Kate Duffy, editor

"Somebody's Lover" in Somebody's Lover by Jasmine Haynes
Berkley, Sensation - (425209962)
Christine Zika, editor

"Reluctant Hero" in My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys by Lorraine Heath
Kensington Books - (758213018)
Audrey LeFehr, editor

"Ready & Willing" in The Boys Are Back in Town by Tanya Michaels
Harlequin Enterprises, Signature Select - (373837135)
Jennifer Green, editor

"An Affair to Remember" in And the Envelope, Please by Emilie Rose
Harlequin Enterprises, Signature Select - (373836937)
Tina Colombo, editor

"You Can Count on Me" in I'll Be Home for Christmas by Roxanne St. Claire
Pocket Books - (074344227X)
Micki Nuding, editor

Best Paranormal Romance

A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole
Pocket Books, Star - (1416509879)
Lauren McKenna, editor

Acclaimed author Kresley Cole introduces a sizzling new series with this tale of a fierce werewolf and a bewitching vampire -- unlikely soul mates whose passion will test the boundaries of life and death. A mythic warrior who'll stop at nothing to possess her . . . After enduring years of torture from the vampire horde, Lachlain MacRieve, leader of the Lykae Clan, is enraged to find the predestined mate he's waited millennia for is a vampire. Or partly one. This Emmaline is a small, ethereal half Valkyrie/half vampire, who somehow begins to soothe the fury burning within him. A vampire captured by her wildest fantasy . . . Sheltered Emmaline Troy finally sets out to uncover the truth about her deceased parents -- until a powerful Lykae claims her as his mate and forces her back to his ancestral Scottish castle. There, her fear of the Lykae -- and their notorious dark desires -- ebbs as he begins a slow, wicked seduction to sate her own dark cravings. An all-consuming desire . . . Yet when an ancient evil from her past resurfaces, will their desire deepen into a love that can bring a proud warrior to his knees and turn a gentle beauty into the fighter she was born to be? Includes an excerpt from Kresley Cole's next romance novel, No Rest for the Wicked.

L'acclamata autrice Kresley Cole introduce una nuova serie eccitante con questo racconto di un licantropo feroce e di una vampira affascinante, compagni improbabili la cui passione testerà i limiti della vita e della morte. Un guerriero mitico che non si fermerà di fronte a niente per possederla. . . Dopo avere sopportato anni di tortura da orde di vampiri, Lachlain MacRieve, capo del Clan di Lykae, è fuori per trovare la compagna predestinata che sta aspettando da millenni come vampiro. O parzialmente uno. Questa Emmaline è una piccola, eterea mezzo valchiria/mezza vampira, che in qualche modo comincia ad alleviare la furia che brucia in lui. Un vampiro bloccato dalla sua fantasia più selvaggia. . . Emmaline Troy è uscita allo scoperto per scoprire la verità sulla morte dei suoi genitori, fino a che un Lykae potente la esige come sua compagna e la riporta indietro al suo avito castello scozzese. Là, la sua paura dei Lykae, e dei loro famigerati desideri oscuri, diminuisce mentre lui comincia una lenta e peccaminosa seduzione per sedare i propri desideri oscuri. Un desiderio bruciante... Tuttavia quando una malvagità antica dal suo passato riappare, il loro desiderio si approfondirà in amore che può portare un guerriero fiero alle sue ginocchia e trasformare una bellezza delicata nella combattente che è nata per essere? Include un brano dal romanzo seguente di Kresley Cole, No Rest for the Wicked.

2007 RITA for Best Paranormal Romance Finalists

The Dream Thief by Shana Abe
Bantam Dell - (0553804936)
Shauna Summers, editor

His Mistress By Morning by Elizabeth Boyle
Avon Books, Treasure - (60784024)
Lyssa Keusch, editor

Eye of Heaven by Marjorie M. Liu
Dorchester Publishing, Leisure - (0843957654)
Chris Keeslar, editor

Shadow Touch by Marjorie M. Liu
Dorchester Publishing, Love Spell - (0505526301)
Chris Keeslar, editor

Secrets of the Highwayman by Sara MacKenzie
Avon Books - (0060795522)
Erika Tsang, editor

Date Me, Baby, One More Time by Stephanie Rowe
Warner, Forever - (0446617660)
Melanie Murray, editor

Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder
Harlequin Enterprises, LUNA - (0373802498)
Mary-Theresa Hussey, editor

Best Romantic Suspense

Blackout by Annie Solomon
Warner Books - (446616311)
Melanie Murray, editor

Living Nightmare

A month ago Margo Scott was a book dealer with family and friends. Now, suddenly, she can't remember the last four weeks of her life, everyone close to her has disappeared, and she's the prime suspect in a murder. When an intruder attacks, she responds with lightning-quick moves she has no memory of ever learning.

Undercover agent Jake Wise has her in his sights and can't decide if this mysterious woman is an assassin or a pawn. Is he tempted to protect her because she's innocent or because he's falling for her? Thrust together, these two loners realize that trusting each other is their only hope of survival. Because the good guys and the bad guys have one thing in common. They all want Margo Scott dead-the sooner, the better.

2007 RITA for Best Romantic Suspense Finalists

The Kill by Allison Brennan
Ballantine - (0345485238)
Charlotte Herscher, editor

Under The Wire by Cindy Gerard
St. Martin's Press - (031298104X)
Monique Patterson, editor

Relentless by Jo Leigh
Harlequin Enterprises, Blaze - (037379293X)
Birgit Davis-Todd, editor

Deadly Gamble by Linda Lael Miller
Harlequin Enterprises, HQN - (037377141X)
Joan Marlowe Golan, editor

Quiet as the Grave by Kathleen O'Brien
Harlequin Enterprises, Signature Select - (373836953)
Laura Shin, editor

Tempting The Devil by Patricia Potter
Berkley, Sensation - (425212580)
Christine Zika, editor

Born in Death by J.D. Robb
Penguin Putnam - (0399153470)
Leslie Gelbman, editor

The Bachelor Trap by Elizabeth Thornton
Bantam Dell - (553587544)
Shauna Summers, editor

Best Short Contemporary Romance

From the First by Jessica Bird
Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Special Edition - (0373247508)
Stacy Boyd, editor

Surviving the sailing accident that killed his partner leaves professional sailor Alex Moorehouse badly damaged, both physically and emotionally. Healing only begins once Alex faces contractor Cassandra Cutler, his friend's widow -- and the woman he despises himself for loving. Then Alex's sisters hire Cassandra to rebuild their BandB, and her proximity forces Alex to go one step further. By accepting some difficult truths about himself, Cassandra and her late husband, he opens himself up to the possibility of a relationship with her. Jessica Bird concludes the Moorehouse Legacy with From the First, an edgy, intensely sensual and occasionally wryly humorous story. Not easily forgotten. (Catherine Witmer )

2007 RITA for Best Short Contemporary Romance Finalists

Rapid Fire by Jessica Andersen
Harlequin Enterprises, Intrigue - (0373229283)
Allison Lyons, editor

The Lost Prince by Cindy Dees
Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Intimate Moments/Romantic Suspense - (373275110)
Demetria Lucas, editor

The Perfect Boyfriend by Barbara Dunlop
Harlequin Mills & Boon, Modern Extra - (0263849899)
Kathryn Lye, editor

House of Midnight Fantasies by Kristi Gold
Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Desire - (0373767285)
Patience Smith, editor

The Specialist by Rhonda Nelson
Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Blaze - (0373792816)
Brenda Chin, editor

Married in Haste by Christine Rimmer
Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Special Edition - (9780373247776)
Gail Chasan, editor

The Boss and Miss Baxter by Wendy Warren
Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Special Edition - (373247370)
Susan Litman, editor

Best Short Historical Romance

The Book of True Desires by Betina Krahn
Berkley, Jove - (515141704)
Christine Zika, editor

Cordelia O'Keefe Blackburn strikes a deal with her crusty old tycoon of a grandfather to fund an expedition that will make her name as an explorer. But first, he requires she prove herself by locating three Mayan stone carvings and something known as "the gift of the jaguar."

To make matters worse, he insists on sending along someone-- his arrogant butler!-- to authenticate her findings, and it becomes clear that a powerful and ruthless third party is set on finding the fabled stones and treasure first.

As the trail leads them across the Caribbean and into Mexico, Cordelia learns that tall, sardonic Hartford Goodnight is far more than just a butler. And Goodnight learns that beautiful, provocative Cordelia is as tough as she is tempting. Soon, the pair is hip deep in danger and desire, racing the competition to the prize-- and trying to keep the sparks between them from setting the rain forest ablaze!

Cordelia O'Keefe Blackburn fa un patto con il suo vecchio e decrepito nonno, vecchio magnate, per organizzare una spedizione che la riconoscerà come esploratrice. Ma prima, lui le chiede di dimostrare le sue capacità localizzando tre pietre incise dell'epoca Maya e qualcosa conosciuto come "il dono del giaguaro".

Per peggiorare le cose, lui insiste nel mandare con lei qualcuno, il suo arrogante maggiordomo!, per autentificare le sue scoperte, e diventa chiaro che un potente e spietata terza parte si è messa per prima alla ricerca delle favolose pietre e del tesoro.

Mentre il percorso li conduce attraverso i Caraibi fino in Messico, Cordelia impara che l'alto, sardonico Hartford Goodnight è molto più che un semplice maggiordomo. E Goodnight impara che la bellissima, provocante Cordelia è tosta quanto tentatrice. Presto, la coppia è immersa nel pericolo e nel desiderio, competendo per il premio, e cercando di impedire che le scintille che sprizzano tra loro incendino la foresta pluviale!

2007 RITA for Best Short Historical Romance Finalists

The Barefoot Princess by Christina Dodd
Avon Books - (60561178)
Carrie Feron, editor

She's No Princess by Laura Lee Guhrke
Avon Books - (60774746)
Erika Tsang, editor

A Duke of Her Own by Lorraine Heath
Avon Books - (61129631)
Lucia Macro, editor

The Taming of the Duke by Eloisa James
Avon Books - (0060781580)
Lucia Macro, editor

Devil In Winter by Lisa Kleypas
Avon Books - (006056251X)
Lucia Macro, editor

Scandal In Spring by Lisa Kleypas
Avon Books - (60562536)
Lucia Macro, editor

The Devil's Waltz by Anne Stuart
Harlequin Enterprises, MIRA - (0778322734)
Margaret Marbury, editor

Novel with Strong Romantic Elements

A Lady Raised High by Jennifer Ashley writing as Laurien Gardner
Berkley - (515140899)
Ginjer Buchanon, editor

Young Anne Boleyn entranced the most powerful man of his time, King Henry VIII. But she would not yield to him unless he offered her marriage and the Crown.
To win her, Henry would challenge the powers of Heaven--and create upheaval on Earth.

2007 RITA Finalists for a Novel with Strong Romantic Elements

On Blue Falls Pond by Susan Crandall
Warner, Forever - (446616397)
Karen Kosztolnyik, editor

Spying in High Heels by Gemma Halliday
Dorchester Publishing, Making It - (0843957352)
Leah Hultenschmidt, editor

Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah
Ballantine - (0345467523)
Linda Marrow, editor

Her Perfect Life by Vicki Hinze
Harlequin Enterprises, Signature Select - (373836829)
Susan Litman, editor

California Demon by Julie Kenner
Berkley, Trade - (042521043x)
Ginjer Buchanon, editor

Dead End Dating by Kimberly Raye
Ballantine - (0345492161)
Charlotte Herscher, editor

Eyes of Crow by Jeri Smith-Ready
Harlequin Enterprises, Luna - (373802586)
Stacy Boyd, editor

Best Traditional Romance

Claiming His Family by Barbara Hannay
Harlequin Mills & Boon, Romance - (373039077)
Kimberley Young, editor

Un amore che sboccia, la scelta di passare la vita insieme, un figlio in arrivo... Poi qualcosa s'incrina. Per cinque lunghi anni. Fino a ora.

C'è un'unica persona che Erin Reilly ama più di quanto abbia amato il suo ex marito, Luke Manning: il figlio che ha avuto da lui, Joey. E proprio per il bene del bambino, disperatamente bisognoso di una figura paterna, decide che è tempo che i due si conoscano. Appena Erin arriva nella tenuta di Luke, dalla quale è fuggita cinque anni prima, timorosa di vivere una vita troppo isolata, i ricordi l'assalgono. E sono dolcissimi e struggenti. Quando poi il suo sguardo incontra quello dell'ex marito, la scintilla scocca di nuovo, come se non si fosse mai spenta. È veramente cambiato qualcosa, da allora? Un modo per saperlo potrebbe essere...