2007 RITA® Winners

The 2007 RITA awards will be held in Dallas on July 14, 2007. The 2007 RITA Finalists are:

Best First Book

• Finalists:
  • A Killing Tide - P.J. Alderman, Dorchester Publishing (Love Spell), Alicia Condon, editor
  • Rekindled - Tamera Alexander, Bethany House Publishers, Karen Schurrer, editor
  • Adiós to My Old Life - Caridad Ferrer, Pocket Books (MTV Books), Lauren McKenna, editor
  • Spying in High Heels - Gemma Halliday, Dorchester Publishing (Making It), Leah Hultenschmidt, editor
  • Blind-Date Marriage - Fiona Harper, Harlequin Mills & Boon (Romance), Kimberley Young, editor
  • Ten Thousand Charms - Allison Pittman, Random House (Waterbrook Multnomah), Rod Morris, editor
  • Eyes of Crow - Jeri Smith-Ready, Harlequin Enterprises (Luna), Stacy Boyd, editor
  • The Husband Trap - Tracy Anne Warren, Ballantine, Charlotte Herscher, editor

Best Contemporary Single Title

• Finalists:
  • The Kept Woman - Susan Donovan, St. Martin's Press, Monique Patterson, editor
  • Ride a Painted Pony - Kathleen Eagle, Harlequin Enterprises (MIRA), Leslie Wainger, editor
  • Adiós to My Old Life - Caridad Ferrer, Pocket Books (MTV Books), Lauren McKenna, editor
  • Lucy Gets Her Life Back - Stef Ann Holm, Harlequin Enterprises (MIRA), Valerie Gray, editor
  • Irresistible - Susan Mallery, Harlequin Enterprises (HQN), Abby Zidle, editor
  • Heiress For Hire - Erin McCarthy, Berkley (Sensation), Cindy Hwang, editor
  • Must Love Mistletoe - Christie Ridgway, Avon Books, Lucia Macro, editor
  • Aussie Rules - Jill Shalvis, Kensington Books (Brava), Kate Duffy, editor
  • Summer at Willow Lake - Susan Wiggs, Harlequin Enterprises (MIRA), Margaret Marbury, editor

Best Inspirational Romance

• Finalists:
  • Revealed - Tamera Alexander, Bethany House Publishers, Karen Schurrer, editor
  • Rekindled - Tamera Alexander, Bethany House Publishers, Karen Schurrer, editor
  • Be My Neat-Heart - Judy Baer, Harlequin Enterprises (Steeple Hill Love Inspired), Joan Marlowe Golan, editor
  • A Family Forever - Brenda Coulter, Harlequin Enterprises (Steeple Hill Love Inspired), Krista Stroever, editor
  • The Measure of a Lady - Deeanne Gist, Bethany House Publishers, David Long and Julie Klassen, editors
  • Ten Thousand Charms - Allison Pittman, Random House (Waterbrook Multnomah), Rod Morris, editor
  • My So-Called Love Life - Allie Pleiter, Harlequin Enterprises (Steeple Hill Love Inspired), Krista Stroever, editor
  • Violette Between - Alison Strobel, Random House (Waterbrook Multnomah), Shannon Hill, editor

Best Long Contemporary Romance

• Finalists:
  • Enemy Husband - Nina Bruhns, Harlequin Enterprises (Silhouette Intimate Moments), Jessica Alvarez and Patience Smith, editors
  • Heat Of The Moment - Diana Duncan, Harlequin Enterprises (Silhouette Intimate Moments), Susan Litman, editor
  • The Mommy Quest - Lori Handeland, Harlequin Enterprises (Harlequin Superromance), Johanna Raisanen, editor
  • Under His Spell - Kristin Hardy, Harlequin Enterprises (Silhouette Special Edition), Gail Chasan, editor
  • Make-Believe Cowboy - Terry McLaughlin, Harlequin Enterprises (Harlequin Superromance), Laura Shin, editor
  • Up All Night - Joanne Rock, Harlequin Enterprises (Harlequin Blaze), Wanda Ottewell, editor
  • Man With A Past - Kay Stockham, Harlequin Enterprises (Harlequin Superromance), Johanna Raisanen, editor
  • Family First - Margaret Watson, Harlequin Enterprises (Harlequin Superromance), Victoria Curran, editor

Best Long Historical Romance

• Finalists:
  • Surrender - Pamela Clare, Dorchester Publishing (Leisure), Alicia Condon, editor
  • Lady Of Sin - Madeline Hunter, Bantam Dell, Shauna Summers, editor
  • The Marriage Spell - Mary Jo Putney, Ballantine, Charlotte Herscher, editor
  • On The Way To The Wedding - Julia Quinn, Avon Books, Lyssa Keusch, editor
  • The Slightest Provocation - Pam Rosenthal, Signet (Eclipse), Laura Cifelli, editor
  • The Husband Trap - Tracy Anne Warren, Ballantine, Charlotte Herscher, editor

Best Romantic Novella

• Finalists
  • "Summer Breeze" in Come September - Jacquie D'Alessandro, Harlequin Enterprises (Signature Select), Alethea Spiridon, editor
  • "Her Mad Grace" in Bad Boys Ahoy! - Sylvia Day, Kensington Books (Brava), Kate Duffy, editor
  • "Somebody's Lover" in Somebody's Lover - Jasmine Haynes, Berkley (Sensation), Christine Zika, editor
  • "Reluctant Hero" in My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys - Lorraine Heath, Kensington Books, Audrey LeFehr, editor
  • "Ready & Willing" in The Boys Are Back in Town - Tanya Michaels, Harlequin Enterprises (Signature Select), Jennifer Green, editor
  • "An Affair to Remember" in And the Envelope, Please - Emilie Rose, Harlequin Enterprises (Signature Select), Tina Colombo, editor
  • "'Tis the Silly Season" in A NASCAR Holiday - Roxanne St.Claire, Harlequin Enterprises (HQN), Abby Zidle, editor
  • "You Can Count on Me" in I'll Be Home for Christmas - Roxanne St.Claire, Pocket Books, Micki Nuding, editor

Best Paranormal Romance

• Finalists
  • The Dream Thief - Shana Abe, Bantam Dell, Shauna Summers, editor
  • His Mistress By Morning - Elizabeth Boyle, Avon Books (Treasure), Lyssa Keusch, editor
  • A Hunger Like No Other - Kresley Cole, Pocket Books (Star), Lauren McKenna, editor
  • Eye of Heaven - Marjorie M. Liu, Dorchester Publishing (Leisure), Chris Keeslar, editor
  • Shadow Touch - Marjorie M. Liu, Dorchester Publishing (Love Spell), Chris Keeslar, editor
  • Secrets Of The Highwayman - Sara Mackenzie, Avon Books, Erika Tsang, editor
  • Date Me, Baby, One More Time - Stephanie Rowe Warner (Forever), Melanie Murray, editor
  • Magic Study - Maria V. Snyder, Harlequin Enterprises (Luna), Mary-Theresa Hussey, editor

Best Romantic Suspense

• Finalists:
  • The Kill - Allison Brennan, Ballantine, Charlotte Herscher, editor
  • Under The Wire - Cindy Gerard, St. Martin's Press, Monique Patterson, editor
  • Relentless - Jo Leigh, Harlequin Enterprises (Blaze), Birgit Davis-Todd, editor
  • Deadly Gamble - Linda Lael Miller, Harlequin Enterprises (HQN), Joan Marlowe Golan, editor
  • Quiet As The Grave - Kathleen O'Brien, Harlequin Enterprises (Signature Select), Laura Shin, editor
  • Tempting The Devil - Patricia Potter, Berkley (Sensation), Christine Zika, editor
  • Born In Death - J.D. Robb, Penguin Putnam, Leslie Gelbman, editor
  • Blackout - Annie Solomon, Warner Books, Melanie Murray, editor
  • The Bachelor Trap - Elizabeth Thornton, Bantam Dell, Shauna Summers, editor

Best Short Contemporary Romance

• Finalists:
  • Rapid Fire - Jessica Andersen, Harlequin Enterprises (Intrigue), Allison Lyons, editor
  • From The First - Jessica Bird, Harlequin Enterprises (Silhouette Special Edition), Stacy Boyd, editor
  • The Lost Prince - Cindy Dees, Harlequin Enterprises (Silhouette Intimate Moments/Romantic Suspense), Demetria Lucas, editor
  • The Perfect Boyfriend - Barbara Dunlop, Harlequin Mills & Boon (Modern Extra), Kathryn Lye, editor
  • House Of Midnight Fantasies - Kristi Gold, Harlequin Enterprises (Silhouette Desire), Patience Smith, editor
  • The Specialist - Rhonda Nelson, Harlequin Enterprises (Harlequin Blaze), Brenda Chin, editor
  • Married In Haste - Christine Rimmer, Harlequin Enterprises (Silhouette Special Edition), Gail Chasan, editor
  • The Boss And Miss Baxter - Wendy Warren, Harlequin Enterprises (Silhouette Special Edition), Susan Litman, editor

Best Short Historical Romance

• Finalists:
  • The Barefoot Princess - Christina Dodd, Avon Books, Carrie Feron, editor
  • She's No Princess - Laura Lee Guhrke Avon Books, Erika Tsang, editor
  • A Duke Of Her Own - Lorraine Heath, Avon Books, Lucia Macro, editor
  • The Taming Of The Duke - Eloisa James, Avon Books, Lucia Macro, editor
  • Devil in Winter - Lisa Kleypas, Avon Books, Lucia Macro, editor
  • Scandal In Spring - Lisa Kleypas, Avon Books, Lucia Macro, editor
  • The Book Of True Desires - Betina Krahn, Berkley, Jove, Christine Zika, editor
  • The Devil's Waltz - Anne Stuart, Harlequin Enterprises (MIRA), Margaret Marbury, editor

Novel With Strong Romantic Elements

• Finalists:
  • On Blue Falls Pond - Susan Crandall, Warner (Forever), Karen Kosztolnyik, editor
  • A Lady Raised High - Jennifer Ashley writing as Laurien Gardner, Berkley, Ginjer Buchanon, editor
  • Spying In High Heels - Gemma Halliday, Dorchester Publishing (Making It), Leah Hultenschmidt, editor
  • Magic Hour - Kristin Hannah, Ballantine, Linda Marrow, editor
  • Her Perfect Life - Vicki Hinze, Harlequin Enterprises (Signature Select), Susan Litman, editor
  • California Demon - Julie Kenner, Berkley (Trade), Ginjer Buchanon, editor
  • Dead End Dating - Kimberly Rae, Ballantine, Charlotte Herscher, editor
  • Eyes Of Crow - Jeri Smith-Ready, Harlequin Enterprises (Luna), Stacy Boyd, editor

Best Traditional Romance

• Finalists:
  • A Woman Worth Loving - Jackie Braun, Harlequin Enterprises (Romance), Stacy Boyd, editor
  • Claiming His Family - Barbara Hannay, Harlequin Mills & Boon (Romance), Kimberley Young, editor
  • Blind-Date Marriage - Fiona Harper, Harlequin Mills & Boon (Romance), Kimberley Young, editor
  • The Doctor's Proposal - Marion Lennox, Harlequin Enterprises (Romance), Sheila Hodgson, editor
  • The Surgeon's Family Miracle - Marion Lennox, Harlequin Mills & Boon (Medical Romance), Sheila Hodgson, editor
  • Domesticating Luc - Sandra Paul, Harlequin Enterprises (Silhouette Romance), Mary-Theresa Hussey, editor