A SALUTE TO OUR RITA FINALISTS!

Most of us are taking off to San Francisco tomorrow or Wednesday and, before we leave, we want to remind everyone about our 2008 RWA RITA finalists!

The RITA Awards will be presented Saturday night at the last big event of the Romance Writers of America national conference--a gala ceremony, one which involves big gowns, some big hair, and a few really big moments as some authors take home a really big gold statue.

So, congratulations to all the authors below. We're proud of you and your achievements. And while we're at it, let's take this moment to remind you that there will be live blogging here Thursday from the conference. You'll have the chance to win some free books, and also learn just what's going on at the conference. Don't miss it!

2008 RITA for Best First Book Finalist

DEAD GIRLS ARE EASY by Terri Garey
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books
(978-0-06-113615-3)
Erika Tsang, editor


2008 RITA for Best Regency Historical Romance Finalists

BLACKTHORNE'S BRIDE by Shana Galen
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books
(978-0-06-112497-6)
May Chen, editor

CLAIMING THE COURTESAN by Anna Campbell
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books
(978-0-06-123491-0)
Lucia Macro, editor


2008 RITA for Best Contemporary Single Title Romance Finalists

TANGLED UP IN YOU by Rachel Gibson
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books
(978-0-06-117803-0)
Lucia Macro, editor

TEMPT ME TONIGHT by Toni Blake
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books, Red
(978-0-06-113609-2)
Lucia Macro, editor


2008 RITA for Best Historical Romance Finalists

AND THEN HE KISSED HER by Laura Lee Guhrke
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books
(978-0-06-114360-1)
Erika Tsang, editor

SURRENDER TO A SCOUNDREL by Julianne MacLean
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books
(0-06-081936-7)
Erika Tsang, editor


2008 RITA for Best Paranormal Finalist

DEAD GIRLS ARE EASY by Terri Garey
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books
(978-0-06-113615-3)
Erika Tsang, editor


2008 RITA for Best First Book Finalist

DEAD GIRLS ARE EASY by Terri Garey
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books
(978-0-06-113615-3)
Erika Tsang, editor


2008 RITA for Best Contemporary Single Title Romance Finalists

TANGLED UP IN YOU by Rachel Gibson
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books
(978-0-06-117803-0)
Lucia Macro, editor

TEMPT ME TONIGHT by Toni Blake
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books, Red
(978-0-06-113609-2)
Lucia Macro, editor


2008 RITA for Best Historical Romance Finalists

AND THEN HE KISSED HER by Laura Lee Guhrke
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books
(978-0-06-114360-1)
Erika Tsang, editor

SURRENDER TO A SCOUNDREL by Julianne MacLean
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books
(0-06-081936-7)
Erika Tsang, editor


2008 RITA for Best Paranormal Finalist

DEAD GIRLS ARE EASY by Terri Garey
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books
(978-0-06-113615-3)
Erika Tsang, editor


2008 RITA for Best Regency Historical Romance Finalists

BLACKTHORNE'S BRIDE by Shana Galen
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books
(978-0-06-112497-6)
May Chen, editor

CLAIMING THE COURTESAN by Anna Campbell
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books
(978-0-06-123491-0)
Lucia Macro, editor

THE SECRET DIARIES OF MISS MIRANDA CHEEVER by Julia Quinn
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books
(0061230839)
Lyssa Keusch, editor

UNTOUCHED by Anna Campbell
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books
(978-0-06-123492-7)
Lucia Macro, editor


2008 RITA for Young Adult Finalists

GIRL AT SEA by Maureen Johnson
HarperCollins Publishers, HarperTeen
(978-0-06-054144-6)
Farrin Jacobs, editor

WICKED LOVELY by Melissa Marr
HarperCollins Publishers, HarperTeen
(978-0-06-121465-3)
Anne Hoppe and Nick Lake, editors