Romance Writers of America proudly sponsors the romance-publishing industry’s highest award of distinction — the RITA Award.
RITA awards are presented annually to the best published romance novels of the year. The award itself is a golden statuette named after RWA’s first president, Rita Clay Estrada, and has become the symbol for the best in published romance fiction. The RITA and Golden Heart Award Ceremony is a formal event similar to the Oscars where the winners are finally revealed and honored.
We’re plum proud to have two of our very own talented Fillies among this year’s Rita Finalists!
Patricia Potter and Cheryl St. John!
Beloved Warrior by Patricia Potter
2008 Best Historical Romance Rita Finalist!
From the USA Today bestselling author with a special gift comes the highly anticipated conclusion to her Scottish Highland trilogy. Here is the story of Patrick Maclean-a bold warrior who must rethink his strategy for defeating the enemy if he is to rescue the woman he loves from doom.
Christmas Day Family by Cheryl St.John
2008 Best Romance Novella Rita Finalist!
Marvel Henley thought she was content until the new handsome doctor, Seth Paxton, and his adorable kids crashed into her life! Suddenly she began to yearn for things she had long stopped wishing for….
Click here to view Cheryl’s book trailer!
We’ll be giving a whoop and a holler this Saturday night as our gals chew their fingernails down to the nubbins at the awards ceremony, hoping and praying that their names are called. And back here in Wildflower Junction, we’ll sip on a little cider and get ready to dance a jig. Already got my dancing shoes on!
We’re downright proud of our gals! They’re smart as whips and pretty to boot. Ah think you’ll agree.
When I'm not keepin' all these Fillies in line, I'm practicing my roping so I can catch me a cowboy. Me and Jasper (my mule) are two peas in a pod. Both of us are as crotchety as all get-out.
Congratulations to two great storytellers!
Congratulations, ladies! Good luck Saturday night.
Congratulations!!!Great stories!
Thanks bunches! My friend Holly Jakobs will be calling me Saturday night. This is my third time as a finalist and a call one way or the other is appreciated, so she promised. Thank you, Holly!
I’m not much of a conference goer, so I usually work double time at home the week of national.
And I’m taking my late evening hours to work on a new website.
Thanks to Felicia for the kudos!
Here’s what Wikipedia says about the RITA:
The most prominent award given throughout the genre of romantic fiction is the RWA’s RITA Award. Named for the RWA’s first president, Rita Clay Estrada, the award signifies excellence in one of 13 categories of romantic fiction. Authors and editors submit manuscripts for consideration in the fall. In mid-spring, 100 finalists are announced. The winners are presented with a statuette in a ceremony held on the last day of the RWA National Conference each July.
They are two amazing authors and I wish them the best of luck.
Congrats ladies and good luck!!! 😀
Congratuations, Cheryl and Pat!! Yippee! This is wonderful and I can’t think of more deserving authors. You’re both hard-working and very talented. I’ll be saying lots of prayers and crossing fingers and toes that you’ll both win in your categories. What a feather in your caps just to final in this very prestigious contest.
Cheryl, I love your trailer for Christmas Day Family! It really shows what your story is about and in a very entertaining way. I’m wondering if there’s anything you CAN’T do. Hmmmmm.
Again, congratulations!!!! 🙂
Linda, anything I can’t do? Lots. Trust me, you wouldn’t want me balancing your checkbook! LOL
Every so often I kid that I’m going to run for treasurer of my chapter, and they all cringe in horror. I’m hopeless with numbers. When my daughter Kristin–the ACCOUNTANT–starts talking about her job, all I hear is bluh bluh bluh bluh. God bless her; she does my taxes for me!
Cheryl, I’m sooooo glad to know that you’re somewhat human. You know, you’d give Superwoman a run for her money! lol
Now, we find out your weakness is finances. Lots of people have trouble balancing a checkbook. I can see why your chapter doesn’t want you for treasurer. Too funny! Yes, I imagine your accountant daughter puts you right to sleep. Strange that she chose that field since you have no interest in it. Maybe she took after her dad.
I’m just so proud of you and your accomplishments. And I’m really proud to be your Filly sister!
Congratulations to Cheryl and Patricia on their
outstanding accomplishments and their nominations!
Good luck on Saturday! We’ll be waiting to hear
the Rita results!!
Pat Cochran
I’m so proud of you ladies.
GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!
Congrats on the RITA nominations, ladies!
Congratulations to both of you. Lucky me has one of your books 🙂 That was interesting finding out where “Rita” came from. Good Luck.
Congratulations and good luck Saturday Night we will be waiting to hear.. You both are such great writers we are all so lucky to have you both. Love the stories
Cheryl glad to hear that you have one thing you are not great at. LOL Kristen and I would get along great I love numbers and accounting is in my blood to but not writing books we will leave that to you guys.
Good luck again.
Congrats to you both! I’m hoping to squeeze the ceremony in before I have to leave San Francisco… Fingers crossed for such talented authors.