NOTE: It’s Wednesday. If you’re participating in the Sweat Challenge, head on over and check in with Sven.
In case you missed it, the Golden Heart (unpublished) and RITA (published) contest nominations have been announced. These are a huge deal. Congratulations to all!!
I’ll point out just a few finalists in case you missed them. I visit Kerry Allen’s blog just about every day (see my sidebar). She’s very funny and insightful…and she’s a Golden Heart finalist!! Yay for Kerry!! Also Fellow Brava author Sylvia Day is a finalist for the second year in a row in the RITA novella category. Wahoo for Sylvia!!! And her newest release – DON’T TEMPT ME - is out. Go buy it.
From reading through the RITA finalists, I do have a few general thoughts to pass on:
1. Whenever I’m asked to speak about writing, someone inevitably asks about the death of romantic comedy novels. I’m always a bit stunned by the question because there are a heap of funny, witty romances out there. Maybe they’re not billed as romantic comedies (mine aren’t), but they’re out there. If you don’t believe me, check out the contemporary single title finalist list.
2. While I don’t think we need 42 categories in the RITAs, I do wonder if it’s fair to bunch every otherworldly and futuristic title in one paranormal category.
3. The romantic suspense titles are of the deep and serious variety. There are some lighter romantic suspense books out there (see: Stephanie Bond), but the finalist list is made up mostly of the gritty stuff. I like the gritty type, so I’m not complaining. Merely pointing it out.
4. I don’t understand why some of the titles that are finalists in the “Novel With Romantic Elements” category were entered in that category. I’m thinking I don’t understand what that category is.
I have many books to check out, but I did read a bunch of the RITA finalist books. For example:
-Dead Girls Are Easy by Terri Garey
-Prime Time by Hank Phillippi Ryan
-Prom Dates From Hell by Rosemary Clement-Moore
-The Medusa Affair by Cindy Dees
-The Medusa Seduction by Cindy Dees
-Untouched by Samantha Hunter
-Sexiest Man Alive by Diana Holquist
-Tempt Me Tonight by Toni Blake
-The Sleeping Beauty Proposal by Sarah Strohmeyer
-High Noon by Nora Roberts
-Lover Revealed by J.R. Ward
-“Mischief and the Marquess” in Perfect Kisses by Sylvia Day
-Ice Blue by Anne Stuart
-White Heat by Cherry Adair
Have you guys read any of the finalists?
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Awesome finalist list! You need to read Kristan Higgins Catch of the Day. Rockin awesome contemp author. Funny and emotional. Great voice. I really loved her book and was so excited to see it made the finals.
by Jaci Burton March 26th, 2008 at 11:09 amWhat Jaci said!
Someone on one of my lists figured out that by lumping all series romances together (with the exception of series romantic suspense), the category could have 700 books in it if everyone entered – seeing as how there are 11 or so lines here and in the UK with 4 – 12 books out every month. Interesting how few did enter since the number of finalists is 10% of the total entered, right?
by Alison March 26th, 2008 at 11:14 amThe way they’ve cut up the historicals (regency and whatever-the-other-one-is have overlapping dates, for pete’s sake), I wouldn’t be surprised if paranormal eventually gets divided more along supernatural vs. SF/futuristic lines. But you know any decision by committee takes a while to happen, and they get such flak every time they change something, I wouldn’t expect it anytime soon.
My memory is awful, but I’m pretty sure I’ve read the Rachel Gibson, Elizabeth Hoyt, Allison Brennan, and Maureen Johnson. I bought Claiming the Courtesan out of spite because someone who sets my teeth on edge made such a stink about it (“here, Anna Campbell, take your 50 cents of the proceeds in support of pushing the writing envelope”), but I haven’t read it.
Much to my surprise, the only paranormal finalist I’ve read is the J.R. Ward. I haven’t been keen on two of those authors in the past, but I’ll have to check out the others, since they triumphed over some excellent competition.
by Kerry Allen March 26th, 2008 at 11:24 amI love Anne Stuart and have recently discovered Allison Brennan. It’s great to see these authors recognized for romantic suspense. I also enjoyed The Serpent Prince and Lover Revealed. I’ve been meaning to check out some more titles by Cherry Adair, and Samantha Hunter is on my list, too.
Uh-oh. Reading jones. Must…get back…to work. (dragging my feet)
by Jill Sorenson March 26th, 2008 at 12:18 pmGreat authors and great books on the list. I enjoyed reading your comments.
by Debra Guyette March 26th, 2008 at 2:24 pmI’ve read the titles by Ryan, Hunter and Day. They were fabulous! Great list and thanks for the announcement! Also, I appreciate you stopping by my blog today. I needed the push.
by Dawn Montgomery March 26th, 2008 at 2:57 pmI just wanted to thank you for stopping by my blog, Helen! Congrats to all the finalists.
by Jerri March 26th, 2008 at 3:33 pmI read Tempt Me Tonite and I have The Sexiest Man Alive on my tbr.
by Pat L. March 26th, 2008 at 4:51 pmI’ ve read theToni Blake, Sylvia Day and JR Ward stories. I have the Diana Holquist in my pile.
by Stacy ~ March 27th, 2008 at 3:35 amWell for heaven’s sake, Helen, go out and read Sexiest Man Alive! Send me your snailmail and I’ll shoot you a copy.
Kudos on the “romantic comedy lives” comment. It’s so very true. And did you notice how many of the paranormal finalists were comedies? Are we entering a new cycle…?
–Diana
by Diana Holquist March 27th, 2008 at 4:36 amP.S.–thanks Stacy and Pat for reading Sexiest Man Alive! Hope you like it!
I’m going to try to read all the finalists. Good thing I don’t have a book due or anything… :- )
–Diana
by Diana Holquist March 27th, 2008 at 4:41 amThere are several of the finalists that I’ve read most of their work – Toni Blake, Rachel Gibson, Sylvia Day, Allison Brennan and Cherry Adair. I have the Diana Holquist in my cart at Amazon. Lots of temptations on the list for those of us who are weak when it comes to books, aren’t there?
by Laurie March 27th, 2008 at 6:25 amI bought the book When Your Mouth Drives Me Crazy cause I liked the Title
(pervert) that I am !!
3/27/08
by ann marie March 27th, 2008 at 7:20 amthese i have, good year for books. cograts to Leslie kelly, samantha hunter, chery adiar
finally ablaze book, my favorte. Love leslie books, so great. everyoen run to get them.
congrats to all teh nominees.
by kim h March 27th, 2008 at 9:54 pm