RITA 2010 Winners
The following are your 2010 RITA Winners.
2010 RITA for Best First Book Finalists
- * WINNER * One Scream Away
by Kate Brady, Grand Central Publishing, Forever, Editor: Celia Johnson (ISBN: 978-0-446-54152-7). Reviewed here by Jane.
- He Calls Her Doc
by Mary Brady, Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Superromance, Editor: Kathryn Lye (ISBN: 978-0-373-71561-9)
- The Gladiator
by Carla Capshaw, Harlequin Enterprises, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical, Editor: Melissa Endlich, (ISBN: 978-0-373-82824-1)
- Angel Vindicated
by Viola Estrella, Ellora's Cave, Cerridwen Press, Editor: Helen Woodall, (ISBN: 978-1-419-92068-4) (NOTE: this book is cheaper if you buy direct from the Cerridwen site which is different than Jasmine Jade. It took me about 10 minutes last night to find the ebook to purchase).
- The Better Part of Darkness
by Kelly Gay, Simon & Schuster, Pocket Books, Editor: Ed Schlesinger, (ISBN: 978-1-439-10965-6)
- Stolen Fury
by Elisabeth Naughton, Dorchester Publishing, Love Spell, Editor: Leah Hultenschmidt, (ISBN: 978-0-505-52793-6)
- Nothing Like You
by Lauren Strasnick, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, Editor: Anica Rissi, (ISBN: 978-1-416-98264-7)
- The Last Will of Moira Leahy
by Therese Walsh, Random House Group, Shaye Areheart Books, Editor: Sarah Knight, (ISBN: 978-0-230-746157-5)
We have reviewed One Scream Away by Kate Brady, Angel Vindicated by Viola Estrella, and The Last Will of Moira Leahy by Therese Walsh.
2010 RITA for Contemporary Series Romance Finalists
- *WINNER * A Not-So-Perfect Past
by Beth Andrews, Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Superromance, Editor: Victoria Curran, (ISBN: 978-0-373-71556-5)
- From The Outside
by Helen Brenna, Harlequin Enterprises, NASCAR, Editor: Tina James, (ISBN: 978-0-373-18522-1)
- The Snow-Kissed Bride
by Linda Goodnight, Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Romance, Editor: Allison Lyons, (ISBN: 978-0-373-17561-1)
- Single Mom Seeks…
” by Teresa Hill, Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Special Edition, Editor: Melissa Jeglinski, (ISBN: 978-0373654314)
- Revealed: A Prince and a Pregnancy
by Kelly Hunter, Harlequin Enterprises, Mills and Boon Modern Heat, Editor: Joanne Grant, (ISBN: 978-0-263-87252-1)
- The Christmas Love-Child
by Jennie Lucas, Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Presents, Editor: Kimberly Young, (ISBN: 978-0-373-52742-7)
- One-Night Mistress…Convenient Wife
by Anne McAllister, Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Presents, Editor: Jenny Hutton, (ISBN: 978-0-373-12871-6)
- Duty, Desire and the Desert King
by Jane Porter, Harlequin Enterprises, Mills and Boon Modern, Editor: Kim Young, (ISBN: 978-0-263-87447-1)
- I Still Do
by Christie Ridgway, Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Special Edition, Editor: Patience Smith, (ISBN: 978-0-373-65432-1)
We have reviewed none of these but I have read the McAllister since the nomination and enjoyed it.
2010 RITA for Contemporary Series Romance: Suspense/Adventure Finalists
- Mountain Investigation
by Jessica Andersen, Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Intrigue, Editor: Allison Lyons, (ISBN: 978-0-373-69414-3)
- The Christmas Stranger
by Beth Cornelison, Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Romantic Suspense, Editor: Allison Lyons, (ISBN: 978-0-373-27651-6)
- * WINNER* The Soldier’s Secret Daughter
by Cindy Dees, Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Romantic Suspense, Editor: Patience Smith, (ISBN: 978-0-373-27658-5)
- In Care Of Sam Beaudry
by Kathleen Eagle, Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Special Edition, Editors: Leslie Wainger and Charles Griesman, (ISBN: 978-0-373-65451-2)
- Silent Watch
by Elle Kennedy, Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Romantic Suspense, Editor: Diana Ventimiglia, (ISBN: 978-0-373-27644-8)
- Cold Case Affair
by Loreth Anne White, Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Romantic Suspense, Editor: Susan Litman, (ISBN: 978-0-373-27652-3)
- The Christmas Present
The Christmas Present by Tracy Wolff, Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Superromance, Editor: Wanda Ottewell, (ISBN: 978-0-373-71607-4)
We have not reviewed any of these books.
2010 RITA for Contemporary Single Title Romance Finalists
- Talk Me Down
by Victoria Dahl, Harlequin Enterprises, HQN, Editor: Tara Parsons, (ISBN: 978-0-373-77356-5)
- True Love and Other Disasters
by Rachel Gibson, HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books, Editor: Lucia Macro, (ISBN: 978-0-061-57906-6)
- For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper, Grand Central Publishing, Forever, Editor: Amy Pierpont, (ISBN: 978-0-446-61918-9)
- *WINNER* Too Good To Be True
Kristan Higgins, Harlequin Enterprises, HQN, Editors: Keyren Gerlach and Tracy Farrell, (ISBN: 978-0-373-77355-8)
- A Little Light Magic
by Joy Nash, Dorchester Publishing, Leisure Fiction, Editor: Alicia Condon, (ISBN: 978-0-505-52693-9)
- Dirty Sexy Knitting
by Christie Ridgway, Penguin Group USA, Berkley, Editor: Cindy Hwang, (ISBN: 978-0-425-22829-6)
- Instant Attraction
by Jill Shalvis, Kensington Publishing Corp., Brava, Editor: Kate Duffy, (ISBN: 978-0-758-23123-9)
- Fireside
Fireside by Susan Wiggs, Harlequin Enterprises, MIRA Books, Editor: Margaret O’Neill Marbury, (ISBN: 978-0-778-32910-7)
We have Haiku reviews of Talk Me Down by Victoria Dahl and True Love and Other Disasters by Rachel Gibson; Too Good to Be True by Kristan Higgins, For The Love of Pete by Julia Harper, and Instant Attraction by Jill Shalvis.
2010 RITA for Historical Romance Finalists
- Wicked All Day
by Liz Carlyle, Simon & Schuster, Pocket Books Romance, Editor: Lauren McKenna, (ISBN: 978-0-4165-9492-5)
- With Seduction in Mind
by Laura Lee Guhrke, HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books, Editor: Erika Tsang, (ISBN: 978-0-06-145683-1)
- To Beguile A Beast
by Elizabeth Hoyt, Grand Central Publishing, Forever, Editor: Amy Pierpont, (ISBN: 978-0-446-40693-2)
- Make Me Yours
by Betina Krahn, Harlequin Enterprises, Blaze, Editor: Brenda Chin, (ISBN: 978-0-373-79483-6)
- Knight of Pleasure
by Margaret Mallory, Grand Central Publishing, Forever, Editor: Alex Logan, (ISBN: 978-0-446-55338-4)
- The Lone Texan
by Jodi Thomas, Penguin Group USA, Berkley, Editor: Wendy McCurdy, (ISBN: 978-0-425-23062-6)
- *WINNER* Not Quite a Husband
by Sherry Thomas, Bantam Dell Publishing Group, Editor: Caitlin Alexander, (ISBN: 978-0-553-59243-6)
- Taming Her Irish Warrior
by Michelle Willingham, Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Historical, Editor: Joanne Grant, (ISBN: 978-0-373-29566-1)
We reviewed Wicked All Day by Liz Carlyle, Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas (here and here), Make Me Yours by Betina Krahn (reviews here and here), To Beguile a Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt, and Knight of Pleasure by Margaret Mallory.
2010 RITA for Inspirational Romance Finalists
- *WINNER * The Inheritance (Women of Faith Fiction)
by Tamera Alexander, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Women of Faith Fiction, Editors: Ami McConnell and Natalie Hanemann, (ISBN: 978-1-59554-632-6). Alexander won in 2007 for Revealed.
- A Lady Like Sarah
by Margaret Brownley, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Editor: Natalie Hanemann, (ISBN: 978-0-59554-809-2)
- The Gladiator
by Carla Capshaw, Harlequin Enterprises, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical, Editor: Melissa Endlich, (ISBN: 978-0-373-82824-1)
- Entertaining Angels
by Judy Duarte, Kensington Publishing Corp., Editor: John Scognamiglio, (ISBN: 978-0-7582-2016-5)
- An Eye for an Eye
by Irene Hannon, Baker Publishing Group, Revell Books, Editor: Jennifer Leep, (ISBN: 978-0-8007-3311-7)
- The Silent Governess
by Julie Klassen, Bethany House Publishers, Editor: Karen Schurrer, (ISBN: 978-0-7642-0707-5)
- Breach of Trust
by Diann Mills, Tyndale House Publishers, Editor: Stephanie Boerne, (ISBN: 978-1-414-32047-2)
- The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper
by Kathleen Y’Barbo, Random House Publishing, WaterBrook Multnomah, Editor: Jessica Barnes, (ISBN: 978-0-307-44474-5)
I don’t read inspirationals so I haven’t a clue here although I believe that Tamera Alexander has won before. Jayne did read and review the Capshaw book here.
2010 RITA for Novel with Strong Romantic Elements Finalists
- The Better Part of Darkness
by Kelly Gay, Simon & Schuster, Pocket Books, Editor: Ed Schlesinger, (ISBN: 978-1-439-10965-6)
- Scandal Sheet
by Gemma Halliday, Dorchester Publishing, Editor Leah Hultenschmidt, (ISBN: 978-0-505-52805-6)
- Red’s Hot Honky-Tonk Bar
by Pamela Morsi, Harlequin Enterprises, MIRA Books, Editor: Valerie Gray, (ISBN: 978-0-7783-2729-5)
- *WINNER * The Lost Recipe for Happiness
by Barbara O’Neal, Bantam Dell Publishing Group, Discovery, Editor: Shauna Summers, (ISBN: 978-0-553-38551-9) (this is Barbara Samuels for those not familiar with the author)
- Silent On The Moor
by Deanna Raybourn, Harlequin Enterprises, MIRA Books, Editor: Valerie Gray, (ISBN: 978-0-7783-2614-4)
- The Accidental Bestseller
by Wendy Wax, Penguin Group USA, Berkley, Editor: Wendy McCurdy, (ISBN: 978-0-425-22767-1)
- The Virgin’s Daughters: In the Court of Elizabeth I
by Jeane Westin, Penguin Group, USA, NAL Trade, Editor: Ellen Edwards, (ISBN: 978-0-451-22667-9)
- Lakeshore Christmas
by Susan Wiggs, Harlequin Enterprises, MIRA Books, Editor: Margaret O’Neill Marbury, (ISBN: 978-0-778-32689-2)
Jayne reviewed Silent on the Moor.
2010 RITA for Paranormal Romance Finalists
- What Would Jane Austen Do?
by Laurie Brown, Sourcebooks, Inc., Casablanca, Editor: Deb Werksman, (ISBN: 978-1-4022-1831-6)
- Untouchable in Deep Kiss of Winter
by Kresley Cole, Simon & Schuster, Pocket Books, Editor: Lauren McKenna, (ISBN: 978-1-439-15966-8)
- *WINNER* Kiss Of A Demon King
by Kresley Cole, Simon & Schuster, Pocket Books, Editor: Lauren McKenna, (ISBN: 978-1-416-58094-2). Cole won in 2007 for A Hunger Like No Other (reviewed here and here).
- My Forbidden Desire
by Carolyn Jewel, Grand Central Publishing, Forever, Editor: Michele Bidelspach, (ISBN: 978-0-446-17824-2)
- The Fire King
by Marjorie M. Liu, Dorchester Publishing, Leisure Books, Editor: Chris Keeslar, (ISBN: 978-0-843-95940-6)
- For the Earl’s Pleasure
by Anne Mallory, HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books, Editor: May Chen, (ISBN: 978-0-061-57914-1)
- Darkness Unknown
by Alexis Morgan, Simon & Schuster, Pocket Books, Pocket Star, Editor: Micki Nuding, (ISBN: 978-1-4165-634-3)
- Covet
by J.R. Ward, Penguin Group USA, Signet, Editor: Kara Cesare, (ISBN: 978-0-451-22821-5)
- Mortal Sins
by Eileen Wilks, Penguin Group USA, Berkley Sensation, Editor: Cindy Hwang, (ISBN: 978-0-425-22552-3,
I did review Kiss of a Demon King. We also reviewed My Forbidden Desire by Carolyn Jewel, Mortal Sins by Eileen Wilks, and Covet by J.R. Ward.
2010 RITA for Regency Historical Romance Finalists
- Surrender of a Siren
by Tessa Dare, Ballantine/Bantam Dell, Editor: Kate Collins, (ISBN: 978-0-345-50687-0)
- Scandal (Berkley Sensation)
by Carolyn Jewel, Penguin Group USA, Berkley Sensation, Editor: Kate Seaver, (ISBN: 978-0-425-22551-6)
- Tempting Fate
by Alissa Johnson, Dorchester Publishing, Leisure Books, Editor: Leah Hultenschmidt, (ISBN: 978-0-843-96156-0)
- A View to a Kiss
by Caroline Linden, HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books, Editor: Lyssa Keusch, (ISBN: 978-0-061-70635-6)
- Revealed
by Kate Noble, Penguin Group USA, Berkley Sensation, Editor: Cindy Hwang, (ISBN: 978-0-425-22174-7)
- * WINNER * What Happens in London
by Julia Quinn, HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books, Editor: Lyssa Keusch, (ISBN: 978-0-061-49188-7). This is the third win in a row for Quinn. Prior to 2007, she had been nominated but never won. She is now part of the RITA hall of fame.
- Lord Braybrook’s Penniless Bride
by Elizabeth Rolls, Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Historical, Editor: Linda Fildew, (ISBN: 978-0-373-29548-7)
We reviewed Surrender of a Siren by Tessa Dare, Scandal by Carolyn Jewel, and What Happens In London by Julia Quinn.
2010 RITA for Romance Novella Finalists
- “A Little Night Magic” by Allyson James in Hot for the Holidays
, Penguin Group USA, Berkley, Jove, Editor: Kate Seaver, (ISBN: 978-0515-14700-1)
- "The Robber Bride" by Marjorie M. Liu in Huntress
, St. Martin's Press, Editor:, (ISBN: 978-0-312-94382-0)
- "Annalise and the Scandalous Rake" by Deb Marlowe in The Diamonds Of Welbourne Manor
, Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Historical, Editor: Linda Fildew, (ISBN: 978-0-373-29543-2)
- “Charlotte and the Wicked Lord” by Amanda McCabe in The Diamonds Of Welbourne Manor
, Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Historical, Editor: Joanne Grant, (ISBN: 978-0-373-29543-2)
- "This Wicked Gift" by Courtney Milan in The Heart of Christmas
, Harlequin Enterprises, HQN, Editor: Ann Leslie Tuttle, (ISBN: 978-0-373-77427-2)
- "On a Snowy Christmas" by Brenda Novak in The Night Before Christmas
, Harlequin Enterprises, Editor: Paula Eykelhof, (ISBN: 978-0-373-83736-6)
- * WINNER * "The Christmas Eve Promise" by Molly O’Keefe in The Night Before Christmas
, Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Special Releases, Editor: Stacy Boyd, (ISBN: 978-0-373-83736-6)
2010 RITA for Romantic Suspense Finalists
- One Scream Away
by Kate Brady, Grand Central Publishing, Forever, Editor: Celia Johnson, (ISBN: 978-0-446-54152-7)
- Waking the Dead (Mindhunters)
by Kylie Brant, Penguin Group USA, Berkley Sensation, Editor: Cindy Hwang, (ISBN: 978-0-425-23114-2)
- A Dark Love
by Margaret Carroll, HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books, Editor: Carrie Feron, (ISBN: 978-0-06-165278-3)
- * WINNER * Whisper of Warning
by Laura Griffin, Simon & Schuster, Pocket Books, Pocket Star, Editor: Abby Zidle, (ISBN: 978-1-416-57064-6)
- Stolen Fury
by Elisabeth Naughton, Dorchester Publishing, Love Spell, Editor: Leah Hultenschmidt, (ISBN: 978-0-505-52793-6)
- Dark Country by Bronwyn Parry, Hachette Livre, Hachette Australia, Editor: Bernadette Foley, (ISBN: 978-0-733-62323-3)
- Promises in Death (In Death, No. 28)
by J.D. Robb, Penguin Group USA, Putnam, Editor: Leslie Gelbman, (ISBN: 978-0-399-15548-2)
- Kill for Me
by Karen Rose, Grand Central Publishing, Vision, Editor: Karen Kosztolnyik, (ISBN: 978-0-446-51030-1)
We reviewed A Dark Love by Margaret Carroll, Whisper of Warning by Laura Griffen, Promises in Death by J.D. Robb, and recently I reviewed As Darkness Falls by Bronwyn Parry (not her RITA nominated book, though).
2010 RITA for Young Adult Romance
- Fairy Tale
by Cyn Balog, Random House Group, Delacorte Press, Editor:, (ISBN: 978-0-385-738494)
- Don’t Judge a Girl by Her Cover
by Ally Carter, Hyperion Books for Children, Editor: Jennifer Besser, (ISBN: 978-1-423-11638-7)
- * WINNER * Perfect Chemistry
by Simone Elkeles, Walker Books for Young Readers, Editor: Emily Easton, (ISBN: 978-0-8027-9823-7)
- Going Too Far
by Jennifer Echols, Simon & Schuster, Pocket Books, MTV Books, Editor: Jennifer Heddle, (ISBN: 978-1-416-57173-5)
- The ABC’s of Kissing Boys
by Tina Ferraro, Random House Group, Delacorte Press, Editor: Krista Marino, (ISBN: 978-0-385-73582-7)
- Nothing Like You
by Lauren Strasnick, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, Editor: Anica Rissi, (ISBN: 978-1-416-98264-7)
Will you be buying any of the winners or the nominees? Have thoughts about what went down?
I’m so thrilled for Sherry Thomas!
I am really excited about the Kresley Cole win. I am kind of disappointed with the contemporary category because Victoria Dahl’s Talk Me Down is amazing.
Looks like there was some stiff competition in some of those categories. I do wonder how an author being a popular favorite affects scoring. It seems like it would take extra effort to score books by those authors. I can imagine myself relaxing into “known quantity” mode rather than a more critical “I hope this isn’t crap” mode.
I actually recognize quite a few of the nominated books this year. There’ve been years I’ve never heard of most of them. I am going to try to read the ones I’ve heard of, whether they won or not.
Nice wins! Congratulations to all including the nominees.
What’s the difference between “Contemporary Series: Suspense/Adventure” and “Romantic Suspense”, by the way?
I hope they will introduce a category for LGBT romances to their RITA contest next year if they still aren’t willing to mix those with the usual categories.
The “talk” is that you aren’t likely to win on your first nomination in the “big” categories (including single title contemporary, historical or Regency). Many of my favorites were first time nominees, with the exception of Sherry Thomas — and I’m thrilled for her.
I’m so excited for the authors who were nominated for the first time, even though they didn’t win. It’s a huge validation of what they’re doing. And it sounds like the ceremony was a great party; hope I’m there next year.
@Maili:
Maili, I think “contemporary series” is RWA code for category.
Oh, and I totally agree about LGBT romance. Although as long as they exclude digital pubs, that will be a thin category.
Super happy for Kristan Higgins!
@ SonomaLass
Actually, e-pubs are NOT excluded. In fact, one of the Best First Book nominees was an e-book from Ellora’s Cave. So there you go. Things are changing. :)
HUGE congrats to all the finalists, and the winners. I hope Sherry Thomas is celebrating huge!!
Congratulations to all the winners. I have to admit that I only one of the of books that won.
Congratulations to the all the RITA winners, particularly my favorites Sherry Thomas and Laura Griffin.
Congrats to all the winners & nominees….
I have quite a few listed above & yes, there are others I’ll be getting, regardless of my huge tbr mountain. Yes, I’m a biblioholic…
Totally gross that a JQ standard-issue rehash beat out the fabulous Scandal.
@Ridley
I’m so with you on that. I hated that JQ book and Scandal was one of my favorite reads of last year, and will be in my Top 10 romances list.
I’m bummed for Carolyn, because she so deserved it, not that JQ isn’t wonderful, but I really hated What Happens in London.
I’m happy for Julia Quinn and Sherry Thomas. With this being the third win for JQ, she’s now inducted into the RWA Hall of Fame. That’s a well-deserved achievement.
I’m so thrilled for Sherry. What great news to wake up to (I’d forgotten it was RITA day yesterday and hadn’t been online for almost 24 hours). Now I wish I had been there in person, and not decided to skip RWA this year. It would totally have been worth going for this.
Congratulations to all the other winners, too.
@Ridley:
LOL, Ridley. Tell us how you really feel. But seriously, I have to agree. I thought Scandal was so exquisitely written.
I love Julia Quinn but I thought What Happened in London was a bit of a phone in effort, imo. Actually, I think even the Kate Noble book was better. But I still think Scandal got robbed.
And I adore anything Kristan Higgins so I am happy about her win, but I actually thought Jill Shalvis’ could have also won. I liked it a tick better.
I am so happy to see Sherry Thomas’s win in a tough category, congratulations to her! I thought a number of the categories had multiple deserving books. And I hope that Bronwyn Parry’s nomination means her books will be easier to come by.
Congratulations to all the winners – I’m stoked for Sherry Thomas and Kristan Higgins especially!
@Janine I heard she thanked you in her acceptance speech.
@Jane: Wow. Very cool and very generous.
I’ll echo the congrats for Sherry Thomas (well deserved!) and the disappointment that the Quinn book won over the fabulous SCANDAL by Carolyn Jewel. I also think Victoria Dahl got robbed – TALK ME DOWN was a really fun read!
I haven’t read the Julia Quinn book so I can’t compare them, but I did think Scandal was wonderful.