Last night at the 2012 Romance Writers of America conference, the winners of the RITA (Rita was the name of the first RWA president) Awards were announced. You can read more about the process of this contest here.
Winner for Paranormal Romance: Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison.
Smexy Books Review l Goodreads l Amazon.
This is the first book in Thea Harrison’s Elder Races series which I loved. There are currently four books out, with the fifth due out this fall. While each book can be read as a stand alone, I think this whole series is really fun and definitely recommend.
Winner for Romance Novella: I Love the Earl by Caroline Linden
We haven’t reviewed this one at Smexy yet. The author has written two full novels, One Night in London and Blame it on Bath, with a third due out this August.
Winner for Novel with Strong Romantic Elements: How to Bake a Perfect Life by Barbara O’Neal
I’m not familiar with Barbara O’Neal – here is a list of her books. I might have to try this one.
Winner for Best First Book – First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones
We haven’t reviewed this book, but Tori has read it and has reviewed the subsequent books in this series (she really enjoys them). I have them waiting for me on audio!
Winner for Historical Romance – The Black Hawk by Joanna Bourne
Smexy Books Review l Goodreads l Amazon
I. Love. This. Book. It can be read as a stand alone but Adrian (the hero) does show up in previous books. Joanna Bourne has a fabulous voice and I recommend all of her work.
Winner for Contemporary Series Romance: Suspense/Adventure – Soldier’s Last Stand by Cindy Dees
I’m very interested in this book and series. Seems like my kind of book.
Winner for Contemporary Single Title Romance – Boomerang Bride by Fiona Lowe
oooh..a jilted bride. I’m going to have to pick this one up. Looks good!
Winner for Regency Historical Romance – A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare
Smexy Books Review l Goodreads l Amazon
May loves and adores this series (this is book one). She sent me an email in all capital letters last night after this win was announced that I MUST read it. And I will! I have it on my kindle. I have loved all of Tessa Dare’s previous work and this book and series looks fab.
Winner for Contemporary Series Romance – Doukakis’s Apprentice by Sarah Morgan
Smexy Books Review l Goodreads l Amazon
This is an adorable book! Damon Doukakis is a very uptight, strict businessman and then Polly Prince waltzes into his life. Such a cute romance! Highly recommend this one.
Winner for Romantic Suspense – New York to Dallas by JD Robb
Smexy Books Review l Goodreads l Amazon
Book 33 in this series, and still going strong! Is there a better hero than Roarke out there?
Winner for Young Adult Romance – Enclave by Ann Aguirre
Smexy Books Review l Goodreads l Amazon (Currently only $2.99)
Tori really enjoyed this book. Book two, Outpost will be out this September.
Winner for Inspirational Romance – The Measure of Katie Calloway by Serena Miller
Congrats to all the winners!!
To answer your question about Roarke, no hero better than him. At last for me, lol!
I want to see Nalini Singh won, but seems likes its not her best day. Congrats for all winner!!
haha..he is a fab hero. *dreamy sigh*
I agree Nalini has excellent books :)
I can only buy one book this week (required for finances) and I can’t decide between Boomerang and Dare. This is a predicament.
This IS a challenge. I would lean towards the Dare – but that is just my personal preference…
Well, they’re both new authors to me. It’s that gamble thing. Whichever one I don’t get today, I’ll get next Sunday. So it’s a matter of predicting my mood this week since I have to wait a couple days to start (have to finish a few books first).
Boomerang Bride was a fun read! I really enjoyed it.. I have Tessa’s book on my e-reader, hopefully I’ll get to it soon!
Oh good to know! I have to get it
I just discovered Barbara O’Neal last year. I really enjoyed How to Bake a Perfect Life and The Secret of Everything. Both books feature strong heroines of all ages. Warning: she will make you cry.
oooh…ok…next time I need to cry I’ll pick this one up ;)
I just looked and that is one of those “paperback now cheaper than kindle” deal… so I’ve added her to my watch list.
I noticed that too…..
BaI also loved “How To Bake A Perfect Life.” but the phenomenal “The Lost Recipe For Happiness” is still my favorite Barbara O’Neal book (she won a RITA for that one previously, as well).
Also,
Whoops, I was fighting with caps lock and accidentally double-posted. Sorry about that.
Barbara O’Neal also writes as Barbara Samuel and between the two pseudonyms has won a handful of RITAs.
http://www.barbarasamuel.com/bookshelf
I loved How To Bake A Perfect Life but the phenomenal The Lost Recipe For Happiness is still my favorite Barbara O’Neal book.
Oh wow – this is not the type of book I would normally pick up – It sounds more fiction…than romance. But I’m def intrigued.
Thanks for the round up Mandi. I’m still upset that a convention finally hits California and I was unable to attend. I think I’ve mentally blocked out everything about it. Though not the most “reader friendly” there were several authors I love in attendance. It just wasn’t meant to be!
Don’t feel bad Helyce- I am bummed too. It’s a long haul and way too much $ for me to do (unless it was REAL local as in I could hop over for the day)… I couldn’t afford the time, $, or anything to make the full day drive down to where it was. But I swear someday I want to meet more of my fave authors – esp. those living in CA!!!
Congrats to winners! I’m very happy for Joanna Bourne, love Hawker…
Hawker is the best :)
Yikes, I haven’t read a few of these. *breaks out credit card*