Carter Bravo's Christmas Bride is a RITA finalist!

Wahoo!  I'm thrilled to announce that last December's CARTER BRAVO'S CHRISTMAS BRIDE is a 2016 RITA finalist in the Short Contemporary Romance category of Romance Writers of America's RITA awards competition.

The RITA is the romance writer's answer to the Oscar and we all want one.  My books have made the finals seven times in my career.  I hope this is the time that RITA comes home with me!  

You can check out the full list of finalists here: 2016 RITA and Golden Heart finalists

Wish me luck!

I'm a RITA® Finalist!

I'm thrilled to announce that my July 2012 Montana Mavericks Special Edition, THE LAST SINGLE MAVERICK  is a finalist in the Romance Writers of America's^® RITA contest this year in the Short Contemporary Category.

It's always so exciting to be a finalist--and for the second year in a row, too.  I always have such fun working on the Montana Mavericks books with so many of my amazing author pals at Special Edition.  And not only do I get to work with a great crew of authors when I write a Montana Maverick story, I also have the pleasure of working with two of my favorite editors.

The fabulous Marcia Book Adirim writes the over-arching story that connects all the books, as well as the starter notes for each story.  And the insightful and generally brilliant Susan Litman acts as coordinator and continuity-checker as well as editor for each of the books.

It's always a pleasure to write a Montana Maverick book--and it's absolutely lovely to get a RITA finalist nod for one.

THE LAST SINGLE MAVERICK was an especial joy to write because the hero, Jason Traub, just came alive for me from the first line of the book: "Family reunions.  Who needs them?"  Jace was a great guy at a crossroads in life, destined to meet up with his perfect match, runaway bride, Jocelyn Bennings.

Wish me luck at the big awards ceremony at the Romance Writers of America's National Conference to be held in Atlanta in July!

I'm a RITA finalist! Twice!

That would be RITA, there on the left.  We romance writers all covet RITA.  She's the tops awards-wise in our industry.  She's our Oscar, our Emmy, our Golden Globe.  Only better.  Because she's RITA.  We all dream of someday winning at least one of these golden beauties.

I have yet to win a RITA.  But hope springs eternal and every year I enter every book I have published that year.   Before today, I've finaled three times: in 1992 for my Silhouette Desire, MIDSUMMER MADNESS, in 1999 for my Silhouette Single Title, THE TAMING OF BILLY JONES and then in 2007 for my Silhouette Special Edition, MARRIED IN HASTE. The calls go out in the last week of March and I'm telling you, it never gets old to get one of those calls.

This morning, I did get one of those calls.  From Series Romance Category coordinator, Tracy Garrett.  Tracy informed me that not one, but TWO of my 2011 books had made the finals this year!  I'm thrilled.  Excited.  Walking on air.  Maybe I'll win this year.  That would be fabulous.  I must say, though, being a finalist is pretty cool in itself!

DONOVAN'S CHILD is a 2012 RITA finalist



And so is....

A BRAVO HOMECOMING!