Congrats to all the nominees and the winners of the prestigious RITA’s this year.
As Monica, so very astutely points out, the winners seem to be a little more of the same. She dubbed them Stepford romance authors, and I’ve gotta say, I can’t really disagree with her assessment.
I thought that the assortment of publishers was also quite interesting.
The winners were from the following publishing houses:
Silhouette
Avon
Harlequin
Berkley
Warner
St Martin’s Press
Signet
Do ya see what I see? Yep, much of the same muchness. I wonder what the judging criteria is?
Anyway, never mind all that, I know that I’m probably not likely to read books by any of the authors below (with the exception of Crusie), just cuz they won. I generally tend to stay away from books and films that have won major awards, I put it down to the purist in me.
Anyway, drumroll please….this years winners are:
Best Traditional Romance
Christmas Eve Marriage, Jessica Hart Harlequin Books, Kimberley Young, editor
Best Short Contemporary Series
Miss Pruitt’s Private Life, Barbara McCauley, Silhouette Books, Melissa Jeglinski, editor
Best Long Contemporary Series
John Riley’s Girl, Inglath Cooper, Harlequin Books, Johanna Raisanen, editor
Best Inspirational Romance
Grounds To Believe, Shelley Bates, Steeple Hill Books, Krista Stroever , editor
(sorry Brenda, not this year doll…)
Best Romantic Novella
“Her Best Enemy” in Night’s Edge, Maggie Shayne, Harlequin Books, Leslie Wainger, editor
Best First Book
Time Off for Good Behavior, Lani Diane Rich, Warner Books, Beth de Guzman , editor
Best Regency Romance
A Passionate Endeavor, Sophia Nash, Signet, Laura Cifelli , editor
Best Long Historical Romance
Shadowheart, Laura Kinsale, Berkley Publishing, Leslie Gelbman, editor
Best Romantic Suspense
I’m Watching You, Karen Rose, Warner Books Karen Kosztolnyik , editor
Best Contemporary Single Title
Bet Me, Jennifer Crusie, St. Martin’s Press, Jennifer Enderlin, editor
Novel with Strong Romantic Elements (what does this mean anyway?)
A.K.A. Goddess, Evelyn Vaughn, Silhouette Books, Natashya Wilson & Stephanie Maurer, editors
I’ve been meaning to read Evelyn Vaughn’s A.K.A Goddess, but I’ still going through my historical phase, so until I get to a stage where I think I’m well-versed in all things historical, I’ll not be reading any other genres.
So, what do you think of the winners this year, and more to the point, apart from Kinsale and Crusie, have you read any of the winner’s books?
Tammy
August 2
3:38 pm
I’ve read a couple of books by Barbara Macaulay, but I don’t recognise many of the other authors. Look see, no Nora Roberts*g*
Anne
August 2
3:45 pm
I’ve read Barbara Macaulay and Karen Rose and they are good. Haven’t heard of any of the others.
Sarah McCarty
August 2
4:29 pm
Judges judge Rita entrants against what would be considered an average book for each genre. Average is determined by that judge’s interpretation of what’s the norm for the genre.
Anonymous
August 3
12:41 pm
Evelyn Vaughn deserved her Rita.
byrdloves2read
August 3
3:08 pm
I read Shadow Heart but didn’t think it was at all remarkable. Much prefer Sarah McCarty (Promises series) and Stephanie Laurens (Bastion Club series) for long historical novels.