The 2009 RITA and Golden Hearts Awards have been announced at the Romance Writers of America® National Conference in Washington, D. C. Full list of finalists below. Awardees are highlighted in green and bold:
2009 RITA Finalists for Best First Book
No Good Girls by Jean Marie Pierson Dorchester Publishing, Love Spell (ISBN: 0505527561) Alicia Condon, editor
Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs Penguin Group USA, Dutton (ISBN: 9780525479420) Sarah Shumway, editor (Awardee)
Passionate by Anthea Lawson Kensington Publishing Corp., Zebra Debut (ISBN: 142010456X) Hilary Sares, editor
Private Arrangements by Sherry Thomas Bantam Dell Publishing Group (ISBN: 9780440-244318) Caitlin Alexander, editor
Strangers in the Night by Kerry Connor Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Intrigue (ISBN: 0373693346) Sean Mackiewicz, editor
The Secret Soldier by Jennifer Morey Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Romantic Suspense (ISBN: 9780373275960) Natashya Wilson, editor
Your Roots Are Showing by Elise Chidley Grand Central Publishing, 5 Spot (ISBN: 9780446178143) Alex Logan, editor
2009 RITA Finalists for Contemporary Series Romance
A Mother’s Wish by Karen Templeton Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Special Edition (ISBN: 9780373249169) Gail Chasan, editor (Awardee)
Adopted: Outback Baby by Barbara Hannay Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Romance (ISBN: 0373175264) Meg Lewis, editor
Antonides’ Forbidden Wife by Anne McAllister Harlequin Enterprises, Mills and Boon Modern (ISBN: 9780263864786) Jenny Hutton, editor
Falling for the Lone Wolf by Crystal Green Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Special Edition (ISBN: 9780373249329) Susan Litman, editor
Last-Minute Proposal by Jessica Hart Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Romance (ISBN: 9780373175444) Maddie Rowe, editor
Texas Heir by Linda Warren Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin American Romance (ISBN: 9780373752300) Kathleen Scheibling, editor
The Children’s Doctor and the Single Mum by Lilian Darcy Harlequin Enterprises, Medical Romance (ISBN: 0733588190) Bryony Green, editor
The Cowboy’s Christmas Miracle by RaeAnne Thayne Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Special Edition (ISBN: 0373249330) Gail Chasan, editor
The Right Mr. Wrong by Cindi Myers Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin American Romance (ISBN: 0373752032) Wanda Ottewell, editor
2009 RITA Finalists for Contemporary Series Romance: Suspense/Adventure
A Sexy Time of It by Cara Summers Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Blaze (ISBN: 0373794002) Brenda Chin, editor
Cold Case Connection by Kathleen Long Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Intrigue (ISBN: 9780373693276) Allison Lyons, editor
Danger Signals by Kathleen Creighton Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Romantic Suspense (ISBN: 0373275773) Gail Chasan, editor (Awardee)
Lethal Attraction by Diana Duncan Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Romantic Suspense (ISBN: 0373275803) Susan Litman, editor
Strangers in the Night by Kerry Connor Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Intrigue (ISBN: 0373693346) Sean Mackiewicz, editor
Tall, Dark and Lethal by Dana Marton Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Intrigue (ISBN: 0373693729) Allison Lyons, editor
The Man Behind the Cop by Janice Kay Johnson Harlequin Enterprises, Superromance (ISBN: 0373714890) Wanda Ottewell, editor
The Secret Soldier by Jennifer Morey Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Romantic Suspense (ISBN: 9780373275960) Natashya Wilson, editor
Twin Targets by Jessica Andersen Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Intrigue (ISBN: 9780373693283) Allison Lyons, editor
2009 RITA Finalists for Contemporary Single Title Romance
No Good Girls by Jean Marie Pierson Dorchester Publishing, Love Spell (ISBN: 0505527561) Alicia Condon, editor
Not Another Bad Date by Rachel Gibson HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books (ISBN: 0061178047) Lucia Macro, editor (Awardee)
Out of Time by Samantha Graves Grand Central Publishing, Forever (ISBN: 0446618373) Frances Jalet-Miller, editor
Snowfall at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs Harlequin Enterprises, MIRA Books (ISBN: 9780778324935) Margaret O’Neill Marbury, editor
Sweet Talk by Susan Mallery Harlequin Enterprises, HQN (ISBN: 9780373772971) Tara Parsons, editors
Tall Tales and Wedding Veils by Jane Graves Grand Central Publishing, Forever (ISBN: 9780446617871) Michele Bidelspach, editor
Twenty Wishes by Debbie Macomber Harlequin Enterprises, MIRA Books (ISBN: 9780778325505) Paula Eykelhof, editor
Your Roots Are Showing by Elise Chidley Grand Central Publishing, 5 Spot (ISBN: 9780446178143) Alex Logan, editor
2009 RITA Finalists for Historical Romance
Duchess by Night by Eloisa James HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books (ISBN: 9780061245572) Carrie Feron, editor
In Bed with the Devil by Lorraine Heath HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books (ISBN: 9780061355578) Lucia Macro and May Chen, editors
Private Arrangements by Sherry Thomas Bantam Dell Publishing Group (ISBN: 9780440244318) Caitlin Alexander, editor
Seduce Me at Sunrise by Lisa Kleypas St. Martin’s Press (ISBN: 0312949812) Jennifer Enderlin, editor
The Edge of Impropriety by Pam Rosenthal Penguin Group USA, NAL, Signet Eclipse (ISBN: 045122230X) Laura Cifelli, editor (Awardee)
The Spymaster’s Lady by Joanna Bourne Penguin Group USA, Berkley Sensation (ISBN: 9780425219607) Wendy McCurdy, editor
To Seduce a Sinner by Elizabeth Hoyt Grand Central Publishing, Forever (ISBN: 0446406929) Amy Pierpont, editor
Where the Heart Leads by Stephanie Laurens HarperCollins Publishers, Morrow Books (ISBN: 9780061243394) Lucia Macro, editor
2009 RITA Finalists for Inspirational Romance
Deep in the Heart of Trouble by Deeanne Gist Bethany House Publishers (ISBN: 076420226X) David Long and Julie Klasseneditor, editors
Faking Grace by Tamara Leigh Random House Publishing, WaterBrook Multnomah (ISBN: 9781590529294) Julee Schwarzburg, editor (Awardee)
Finding Stefanie by Susan May Warren Tyndale House Publishers (ISBN: 1414310196) Karen Watson, editor
Love Starts with Elle by Rachel Hauck Thomas Nelson Inc. (ISBN: 1595543384) Ami McConnell, editor
Mulberry Park by Judy Duarte Kensington Publishing Corp. (ISBN: 9780758220158)John Scognamiglio, editor
The Convenient Groom by Denise Hunter Thomas Nelson Inc. (ISBN: 9781595542588) Amanda Bostic and Leslie Peterson, editors
The Perfect Life by Robin Lee Hatcher Thomas Nelson Inc., Women of Faith Fiction (ISBN: 9781595541482) Ami McConnell and Leslie Peterson, editors
Where Love Abides by Irene Hannon Harlequin Enterprises, Steeple Hill Love Inspired (ISBN: 9780373874798) Melissa Endlich, editor
2009 RITA Finalists for Novel with Strong Romantic Elements
Last Dance at Jitterbug Lounge by Pamela Morsi Harlequin Enterprises, MIRA Books (ISBN: 9780778325192) Valerie Gray, editor
The House on Tradd Street by Karen White Penguin Group USA, NAL (ISBN: 978-0-451-22509-2) Cindy Hwang, editor
The Paper Marriage by Susan Kay Law Penguin Group USA, Berkley (ISBN: 9780425219355) Jackie Cantor, editor
The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner Random House Publishing, WaterBrook Multnomah (ISBN: 9781400074563) Shannon Marchese, editor
The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley Allison & Busby (ISBN: 9780749079857) Lara Crisp, editor
Tribute by Nora Roberts Penguin Group USA, Putnam (ISBN: 9780399154911) Leslie Gelbman, editor (Awardee)
Where Serpents Sleep by C.S. Harris Penguin Group USA, NAL Obsidian (ISBN: 9780451225122) Ellen Edwards, editor
2009 RITA Finalists for Paranormal Romance
Dragon Wytch by Yasmine Galenorn Penguin Group USA, Berkley (ISBN: 9780425222393) Kate Seaver, editor
Mine to Possess by Nalini Singh Penguin Group USA, Berkley Sensation (ISBN: 9780425220160)Cindy Hwang, editor
Moonstruck by Susan Grant Harlequin Enterprises, HQN (ISBN: 0373772599)Tara Parsons, editor
Seducing Mr. Darcy by Gwyn Cready Simon & Schuster, Pocket (ISBN: 9781416541165) (Awardee)
The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter Harlequin Enterprises, HQN (ISBN: 0373772467)Tracy Farrell and Margo Lipschultz, editors
The Healer by Sharon Sala Harlequin Enterprises, HQN (ISBN: 978077825444)Leslie Wainger, editor
The Undead Next Door by Kerrelyn Sparks HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books (ISBN: 9780061118456) Erika Tsang, editor
Thunder Moon by Lori Handeland St. Martin’s Press (ISBN: 0312949189) Jennifer Enderlin, editor
2009 RITA Finalists for Regency Historical Romance
Duke Most Wanted by Celeste Bradley St. Martin’s Press (ISBN: 0-312-93970-1) Monique Patterson, editor
Mr. Cavendish, I Presume by Julia Quinn HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books (ISBN: 0060876115) Lyssa Keusch, editor
My Lord and Spymaster by Joanna Bourne Penguin Group USA, Berkley Sensation (ISBN: 9780425222461) Wendy McCurdy, editor (Awardee)
The Dangerous Duke by Christine Wells Penguin Group USA, Berkley Sensation (ISBN: 9780425223260) Leis Pederson, editor
The Edge of Desire by Stephanie Laurens HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books (ISBN: 9780061246364) Lucia Macro, editor
Three Nights of Sin by Anne Mallory HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books (ISBN: 9780061242410) May Chen, editor
2009 RITA Finalists for Romance Novella
“All He Wants for Christmas” by Jill Shalvis in Heating Up the Holidays Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Blaze (ISBN: 0373794398) Brenda Chin, editor
“Blame It on the Mistletoe” by Terri Brisbin in One Candlelit Christmas Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Historical (ISBN: 9780373295197) Joanne Carr Grant, editor
“Only You” by Jacquie D’Alessandro in It Happened One Night HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books (ISBN: 9780061354168) Lucia Macro, editor
“Our Day” by Jean Brashear in The Valentine Gift Harlequin Enterprises, Superromance, Everlasting Love (ISBN: 9780373714650) Beverley Sotolov, editor
“Penance” by Sharon Sala in Aftershock Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Nocturne (ISBN: 9780373617968) Leslie Wainger, editor
“Snowy Night with a Highlander” by Julia London in Snowy Night with a Stranger Simon & Schuster, Pocket Books (ISBN: 1416578226) Maggie Crawford, editor
“The Fall of Rogue Gerard” by Stephanie Laurens in It Happened One Night HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books (ISBN: 9780061354168) Lucia Macro, editor (Awardee)
“Thicker Than Blood” by Meljean Brook in First Blood Penguin Group USA, Berkley (ISBN: 9780425224007) Cindy Hwang, editor
2009 RITA Finalists for Romantic Suspense
Killing Fear by Allison Brennan Random House Group, Ballantine (ISBN: 9780345502711) Charlotte Herscher, editor
Night Secrets by Cherry Adair Random House Group, Ballantine (ISBN: 9780345499912) Charlotte Herscher, editor
Now You Die by Roxanne St. Claire Simon & Schuster, Pocket Books (ISBN: 9781416552448) Micki Nuding, editor
Scream for Me by Karen Rose Grand Central Publishing, Vision (ISBN: 0446509205) Karen Kosztolnyik, editor
Stop Me by Brenda Novak Harlequin Enterprises, MIRA Books (ISBN: 0778324605) Paula Eykelhof, editor
Take No Prisoners by Cindy Gerard Simon & Schuster, Pocket Books (ISBN: 9781416566748) Maggie Crawford, editor (Awardee)
The Angel by Carla Neggers Harlequin Enterprises, MIRA Books (ISBN: 0778324834) Margaret Marbury, editor
Triple Exposure by Colleen Thompson Dorchester Publishing, Leisure Romantic Suspense (ISBN: 0843961430) Alicia Condon, editor
2009 RITA Finalists for Young Adult Romance
Hell Week by Rosemary Clement-Moore Random House Group, Delacorte Press (ISBN: 9780385734141) Krista Marino, editor (Awardee)
How to Hook a Hottie by Tina Ferraro Random House Group, Delacorte Press (ISBN: 9780385734387) Krista Marino, editor
Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs Penguin Group USA, Dutton (ISBN: 9780525479420) Sarah Shumway, editor
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2009 Golden Heart Finalists for Contemporary Series Romance
- Angel in Training by Lindsey Brookes
- Beneath the Surface by Danniele Worsham
- For Love or Ravioli by Laurie D. DeSalvo
- Into the Night by Melissa Jackson Brister
- Meet Your Mateby Jacqueline M. Floyd
- Second Chance for a Family by Kim Law (Awardee)
- The Great Bedroom War by Laurie Kellogg
- The Greek’s Mistress Revenge by Anastasia Huff
2009 Golden Heart Finalists for Contemporary Series Romance Suspense/Adventure
- Breathless by Kimberley Ann Howe
- His Witness by Autumn Jordon
- Romance or Retribution by Jamie Michele (Awardee)
2009 Golden Heart Finalists for Contemporary Single Title
- Easy Money by Vivi Andrews (Awardee)
- For Love or Money by Hope Ramsay
- Island Healing by Virginia E. McCullough
- Lights…Camera…Marriage! by Elizabeth Bemis
- Love & Oreos by Elizabeth Bemis
- Operation: Date Escape by Lindsey Brookes
- Summer in Austin by Katie Graykowski
- Texas Hold’er by June Love
2009 Golden Heart Finalists for Historical Romance
- Butterfly Swords by Jeannie Lin (Awardee)
- Forfeit’s Lady by Patricia Jean Detweiler
- Highland Honor by Jenna Stuart
- Lily’s Outlaw by Tatia Talbot
- My Lady Knight by Carol Lise Hayes
- The Art of a Lady by Kate Parker
- The Devil’s Virtue by Xenia Navarre
- The Other Brother by Cynthia J. Eernisse Chase
- Upon a Moonlit Sea by Jennifer Whitney Bray-Weber
2009 Golden Heart Finalists for Inspirational Romance
- Kasey’s Secret by Kayla Lynn Westra
- Kitty’s Fire by Kelly Ann Riley (Awardee)
- Love On A Dime by Cara Slaughter
- Montana Rainbow by Yvonne L. Harris
2009 Golden Heart Finalists for Novel with Strong Romantic Elements
- Call Sign Scarlett by Julia Whitby
- Color My Horse by Bev A. Pettersen
- Dark Secrets by Sherri Buerkle
- Death, Taxes, and a French Manicure by Diane O’Brien Kelly (Awardee)
- Home Waters by Elizabeth Devlin
- One Shot, Two Kills by Kimberley Ann Howe
- Pleasant Lake P.D. by Kelly Fitzpatrick
- Until Midnight by L.A. Mitchell
2009 Golden Heart Finalists for Paranormal Romance
- First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones (Awardee)
- Ghost Planet by Sharon Lynn Fisher
- Heart of the Dragon by Morgan R. Karpiel
- Just in Time by Nancy J. Litzau
- Kismet’s Kiss by Cate Rowan
- Magic Man by Jacqui Jacoby
- Magick by Heather McCollum
- Underbelly by Tammy L Hoganson
2009 Golden Heart Finalists for Regency Historical Romance
- An Inconvenient Marriage by Sara Ramsey (Awardee)
- Defiant by Elizabeth Robinson Baldwin
- The Raven’s Heart by Pamela Lynn Bolton-Holifield
- Midnight Promises by Anne Barton
- Shameless by Elisa Griffith Beatty
- No Shrinking Violet by Amy Talley
2009 Golden Heart Finalists for Romantic Suspense
- Guardian Angel by Rita O. Henuber
- Intrusion by Cynthia Noel Mealer
- Only Fear by Anne Marie Becker (Awardee)
- Safe in Enemy Arms by Joan M. Swan
- The Broken by Shelley S. Coriell
- The Surrogate by Tina Joyce Butts
- Trust Fall by Sally Randel Eggert
- Trust No One by Diana Layne
2009 Golden Heart Finalists for Young Adult Romance
- Call Me Crazy by Vanessa Barneveld
- Codename: Dancer by Amanda Brice
- I Wished by Elizabeth C. Langston
- My Big Fat Rockin’ Reality by Addison Fox
- Stage Fright by Shoshana Dawn Brown (Awardee)
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