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 by Shana Abe Bantam Dell - (0553804936) Shauna Summers, editor

His Mistress By Morning by Elizabeth Boyle Avon Books, Treasure - (60784024) Lyssa Keusch, editor

A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole Pocket Books, Star - (1416509879) Lauren McKenna, editor

Eye of Heaven by Marjorie M. Liu Dorchester Publishing, Leisure - (0843957654) Chris Keeslar, editor

Shadow Touch by Marjorie M. Liu Dorchester Publishing, Love Spell - (0505526301) Chris Keeslar, editor

Secrets of the Highwayman by Sara Mackenzie Avon Books - (0060795522) Erika Tsang, editor

Date Me, Baby, One More Time by Stephanie Rowe Warner, Forever - (0446617660) Melanie Murray, editor

Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder Harlequin Enterprises, LUNA - (0373802498) Mary-Theresa Hussey, editor

Best Romantic Suspense

Finalists The Kill by Allison Brennan Ballantine - (0345485238) Charlotte Herscher, editor

Under The Wire by Cindy Gerard St. Martin's Press - (031298104X) Monique Patterson, editor Relentless by Jo Leigh Harlequin Enterprises, Blaze - (037379293X) Birgit Davis-Todd, editor

Deadly Gamble by Linda Lael Miller Harlequin Enterprises, HQN - (037377141X) Joan Marlowe Golan, editor

Quiet as the Grave by Kathleen O'Brien Harlequin Enterprises, Signature Select - (373836953) Laura Shin, editor

Tempting The Devil by Patricia Potter Berkley, Sensation - (425212580) Christine Zika, editor

Born in Death by J.D. Robb Penguin Putnam - (0399153470) Leslie Gelbman, editor

Blackout by Annie Solomon Warner Books - (446616311) Melanie Murray, editor

The Bachelor Trap by Elizabeth Thornton Bantam Dell - (553587544) Shauna Summers, editor

Best Short Contemporary Romance

Finalists Rapid Fire by Jessica Andersen Harlequin Enterprises, Intrigue - (0373229283) Allison Lyons, editor

From the First by Jessica Bird Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Special Edition - (0373247508) Stacy Boyd, editor

The Lost Prince by Cindy Dees Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Intimate Moments/Romantic Suspense - (373275110) Demetria Lucas, editor

The Perfect Boyfriend by Barbara Dunlop Harlequin Mills & Boon, Modern Extra - (0263849899) Kathryn Lye, editor

House of Midnight Fantasies by Kristi Gold Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Desire - (0373767285) Patience Smith, editor The Specialist by Rhonda Nelson Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Blaze - (0373792816) Brenda Chin, editor

Married in Haste by Christine Rimmer Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Special Edition - (9780373247776) Gail Chasan, editor

The Boss and Miss Baxter by Wendy Warren Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Special Edition - (373247370) Susan Litman, editor

Best Short Historical Romance

Finalists The Barefoot Princess by Christina Dodd Avon Books - (60561178) Carrie Feron, editor

She's No Princess by Laura Lee Guhrke Avon Books - (60774746) Erika Tsang, editor

A Duke of Her Own by Lorraine Heath Avon Books - (61129631) Lucia Macro, editor

The Taming of the Duke by Eloisa James Avon Books - (0060781580) Lucia Macro, editor

Devil In Winter by Lisa Kleypas Avon Books - (006056251X) Lucia Macro, editor

Scandal In Spring by Lisa Kleypas Avon Books - (60562536) Lucia Macro, editor

The Book of True Desires by Betina Krahn Berkley, Jove - (515141704) Christine Zika, editor

The Devil's Waltz by Anne Stuart Harlequin Enterprises, MIRA - (0778322734) Margaret Marbury, editor

Novel With Strong Romantic Elements

On Blue Falls Pond by Susan Crandall Warner, Forever - (446616397) Karen Kosztolnyik, editor

A Lady Raised High by Jennifer Ashley writing as Laurien Gardner Berkley - (515140899) Ginjer Buchanon, editor

Spying in High Heels by Gemma Halliday Dorchester Publishing, Making It - (0843957352) Leah Hultenschmidt, editor

Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah Ballantine - (0345467523) Linda Marrow, editor

Her Perfect Life by Vicki Hinze Harlequin Enterprises, Signature Select - (373836829) Susan Litman, editor

California Demon by Julie Kenner Berkley, Trade - (042521043x) Ginjer Buchanon, editor

Dead End Dating by Kimberly Rae Ballantine - (0345492161) Charlotte Herscher, editor

Eyes of Crow by Jeri Smith-Ready Harlequin Enterprises, Luna - (373802586) Stacy Boyd, editor

Best Traditional Romance

A Woman Worth Loving by Jackie Braun Harlequin Enterprises, Romance - (0373038976) Stacy Boyd, editor

Claiming His Family by Barbara Hannay Harlequin Mills & Boon, Romance - (373039077) Kimberley Young, editor

Blind-Date Marriage by Fiona Harper Harlequin Mills & Boon, Romance - (9780263849417) Kimberley Young, editor The Doctor's Proposal by Marion Lennox Harlequin Enterprises, Romance - (373038968) Sheila Hodgson, editor

The Surgeon's Family Miracle by Marion Lennox Harlequin Mills & Boon, Medical Romance - (9780263852196) Sheila Hodgson, editor

Domesticating Luc by Sandra Paul Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Romance - (0373198027) Mary-Theresa Hussey, editor