RITA-nominated giveaway: Tote #5

[Ed. note: We continue our RITA® giveaway with our next tote. Be sure to leave your comments on the posts for a chance to win. One tote per winner will be awarded, but you can comment on any post throughout the contest period.]

Karen Templeton, A Mother’s Wish
2009 RITA® Finalist for Contemporary Series Romance

“Although making the RITA® cut the first time (in 2002) was a thrill, this time is much sweeter. Getting high enough scores to final from five random judges is no mean feat; to have it happen a second time? Priceless. Especially since A MOTHER'S WISH deals with adoption, a subject near and dear to several close friends. It really is an honor just to make the cut, especially with so many fellow finalists!”

About A Mother’s Wish:

Winnie Porter just couldn't forget the child she'd given up for adoption all those years ago…or the wonderful family that had taken him in. Now it was finally time to see her son one last time.

Still reeling from his wife's untimely death, the last thing Aidan Black needed to deal with was the unwed mother who brought his beloved Robbie into the world. Especially when she was all grown up into a beautiful, vivacious young woman who'd immediately drawn his boy into her spell—not to mention Aidan himself. Would Winnie's secret shatter Aidan's family—or make it whole again?
*********

Anthea Lawson, Passionate [second copy]
2009 RITA® Finalist for Best First Book

“PASSIONATE is a Victorian-set romantic adventure, up for a RITA® in the Best First Book category. We started this story after Anthea read a romance that promised travel, love, and adventure in exotic places, but failed to deliver. ‘We could do better than that!’ she said, and leaped immediately into a sea of words, pulling Lawson headfirst in after her. What a great journey it has been. Not only did we learn how to tell a 320 page story, we learned how to appreciate each other’s strengths as we crafted a novel together.

PASSIONATE is like a beloved child that has grown up, moved out, and made a place for itself in the world. The RITA® nomination is the letter home: ‘Hey, I've found work and made a lot of wonderful new friends. I'm doing ok out here.’
We couldn't be more delighted.”

About Passionate:

TEMPTATION...
Before she must wed, Lily Strathmore decides upon one final adventure--a botanical expedition through the wilds of North Africa with her uncle and his family. In search of a fabled bloom, James Huntington soon joins them. Handsome to a fault and rakish to boot, he has the maddening habit of catching Lily at her most improper. And his sensual kisses are only the beginning of their passionate intimacy...

TRUE LOVE...
Huntington finds the beautiful Miss Strathmore impossible to resist. With each passing day, their desire for each other grows. And in his wildest dreams, Lily is his--and his alone. Forever...

*********

Terri Brisbin, "Blame it on the Mistletoe"/One Candlelit Christmas
2009 RITA® finalist for Romance Novella

“Although this is my third nomination for a RITA®, the excitement and thrill of getting that call and learning the names of the other finalists were no less than the first time for me. Contests are so subjective and an entrant hopes their book is read by judges who 'get it' and finaling says others have taken note of your work.

The other and best part of the nomination for me is to see my name in the same list with some of my own favorite authors as well as some of the top names in the romance genre today! And that is a wonderful feeling to have! So, absolutely I agree that to be nominated is an honor in itself and I am enjoying every moment of the excitement and anticipation of it.....”

About “Blame it on the Mistletoe”:

Julia Fairchild has loved Iain MacLerie forever—but the boy she once knew is now a hardened and aloof man. Amid the festivities and warm cheer of yuletide, can Julia melt Iain's guard and ignite the spark that continues to burn between them…?

*********

Tera Lynn Childs, OH.MY.GODS.
2009 RITA® Finalist for Best First Book
2009 RITA® Finalist for Young Adult Romance

“I was never supposed to be a writer. Growing up I was the left-brained science and math girl, determined to be a biologist or a doctor or (at my most creative) an architect. When I decided to pursue a career as an author, I had this perpetual voice at the back of my head saying, 'You're good at science and math and logical things. What makes you think you can do something as right-brained and linguistic as write books?' The fear didn't stop me, but it didn't go away. It's still there--and I'm glad, because the fear makes me a better writer--but being nominated for two RITAs® with my first book sure put a jumbo-sized muzzle on that voice.”

About Oh.My.Gods.:

When Phoebe’s mom returns from Greece with a new husband and plans to move to an island in the Aegean Sea, Phoebe’s well-plotted senior year becomes ancient history. Now, instead of enjoying a triumphant track season and planning for college with her best friends, Phoebe is trying to keep her head above water at the überexclusive Academy. If it isn’t hard enough being the new kid in school, Phoebe’s classmates are all descendents of the Greek gods! When you’re running against teammates with superpowers, dealing with a stepsister from Hades, and nursing a crush on a boy who is quite literally a god, the drama takes on mythic proportions!

*********

Karen White, The House on Tradd Street
2009 RITA® Finalist for Novel with Strong Romantic Elements

“As of this RITA® nomination (my fourth), I am officially the Susan Lucci of the RITA® awards. My first two were for the same book (nominated for best first book and best paranormal in 2001). I bought a new dress, new shoes, and got my hair done. I didn't win in either category. My third nomination was for my 7th novel, Learning to Breathe (in the Mainstream with Romantic Elements category) in 2008. I bought another new dress, new shoes, had my hair done, and didn't win.

So, for this year, I'm doing things differently. I'm not buying a new dress, shoes or having my hair done. Heck, I might not even shower and am considering showing up at the RITA®/GH® ceremony in my pajamas. That should just about guarantee that I will have to walk up on stage, flopping my fuzzy slippers as I go to collect my golden statue.

Yeah, I want it that badly--and who wouldn't? It's the romance novelist's equivalent to winning an Oscar. It's voted on by your peers, and all of my favorite authors have won at least once. I want to be part of that sorority so badly that I will consider being seen by over a thousand people wearing just my pajamas. So please cross your fingers for me. And if you see a woman giving her acceptance speech wearing flannel pj's with bunnies on them, that'll be me.”

About The House on Tradd Street:

A brilliant, chilling series debut, featuring a Charleston real estate agent who loves old houses—and the secret histories inside them.

Practical Melanie Middleton hates to admit she can see ghosts. But she’s going to have to accept it. An old man she recently met has died, leaving her his historic Tradd Street home, complete with housekeeper, dog—and a family of ghosts anxious to tell her their secrets.

Enter Jack Trenholm, a gorgeous writer obsessed with unsolved mysteries. He has reason to believe that diamonds from the Confederate Treasury are hidden in the house. So he turns the charm on with Melanie, only to discover he’s the smitten one...

It turns out Jack’s search has caught the attention of a malevolent ghost. Now, Jack and Melanie must unravel a mystery of passion, heartbreak—and even murder.

********
IMHO: That's it for today. Be sure to leave a comment for our authors if you want a chance to win this tote and tune in Friday for more featured RITA®-nominated finalists.

TJB