Congratulations to the Avon authors named finalists for this year's RITA® Awards! Sponsored by the Romance Writers of America® (RWA®), the RITA® is the highest award of distinction and is the most sought-after award in romance publishing. The winners of the RITA® Awards will be revealed on July 14, 2007 at RWA’s 27th Annual National Conference in Dallas, TX. For a complete list of nominees, please click HERE.

Our 2007 RITA® Finalists:

Finalist - Best Contemporary Single Title Romance

MUST LOVE MISTLETOE
by Christie Ridgway (Editor: Lucia Macro)


Finalist - Best Long Historical Romance

ON THE WAY TO THE WEDDING
by Julia Quinn (Editor: Lyssa Keusch)


Finalist - Best Paranormal Romance

HIS MISTRESS BY MORNING
by Elizabeth Boyle (Editor: Lyssa Keusch)

SECRETS OF THE HIGHWAYMAN
by Sara Mackenzie (Editor: Erika Tsang)


Finalist - Best Short Historical Romance

THE BAREFOOT PRINCESS
by Christina Dodd (Editor: Carrie Feron)

SHE'S NO PRINCESS
by Laura Lee Guhrke (Editor: Erika Tsang)

A DUKE OF HER OWN
by Lorraine Heath (Editor: Lucia Macro)

THE TAMING OF THE DUKE
by Eloisa James (Editor: Lucia Macro)

DEVIL IN WINTER
by Lisa Kleypas (Editor: Lucia Macro)

SCANDAL IN SPRING
by Lisa Kleypas (Editor: Lucia Macro)


Again, congratulations to all for your nominations--and good luck!!!