Monday, July 13, 2009

RITA-nominated giveaway: Tote #7

[Ed. note: We continue with Week 3 of 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.]

Brenda Novak, Stop Me
2009 RITA® Finalist for Romantic Suspense

“Having one of my books final in any contest is an honor, but being nominated for the RITA® is especially exciting. This year my book is featured along with the books of so many authors I admire. Many of them are my good friends. I'm sure I can speak for all of us when I say it's wonderful recognition for the hard work that goes into a story. I'll be nervous on awards night but I really can't lose--because I'll be thrilled for anyone who gets to take home that statue.”

About Stop Me:

Who was the real killer?

Romain Fornier lost his reason for living when his daughter was kidnapped and murdered. He used a cop's gun to mete out his own justice and spent the next few years in prison. Once he was freed, he returned to his Cajun roots in small-town Louisiana. But now he learns that he might have killed the wrong man.

Jasmine Stratford, a psychological profiler, is convinced his daughter's killer is still alive—and that she and Romain have something in common. She believes the same man kidnapped her sister, Kimberly, sixteen years ago.

What happens next?

Jasmine is determined to track him down when she receives an anonymous package, postmarked New Orleans—the bracelet she gave Kimberly for her eighth birthday. She approaches Romain because she knows he can help her… if he chooses.

But searching for the man who irrevocably changed both their lives means they have to rise to a killer's challenge:

stop me.

**********

Jennifer Morey, The Secret Soldier
2009 RITA® Finalist for Best First Book
2009 RITA® Finalist for Contemporary Series: Suspense/Adventure

“While many entrants of this prestigious writing contest kept phones nearby on March 25th, 2009, I was at work and the significance of the day had completely dropped off my radar. I had no idea that Romance Writers of America® was going to start notifying the finalists. The RITA® is the romance industry’s highest distinction, sort of like the Oscars for romance writers. I did have a good reason for my distraction, though. Just the day before I received a call from Maureen Walters at New York’s Curtis Brown, who offered me representation. Curtis Brown is one of the most established and respected literary agencies in the business. I was already above the clouds. Nobody could have slapped the smile off my face! Imagine what it felt like to find out about dear RITA®...

On that Wednesday in March, I checked my personal email as I do every day. I was not expecting to see one from Romance Writers of America® telling me my debut novel, THE SECRET SOLDIER, is a finalist. And not only am I a finalist, I am a DOUBLE finalist! I was nominated for Best First Book and best Contemporary Series Romance: Suspense/Adventure. After reading that email, I was amazed and awed and incredulous. All these thoughts went through my head. How crappy of a writer I was when I started doing this 11 years ago and all the hours I spent working to hone my craft—this on top of a 40-hour/week day job. I thought of all the brutal contest comments I forced myself to learn from. All the agent/editor appointments and the subsequent cold-hearted rejection letters. Years and years of heartbreak and hard work had led me to this point. Sitting in front of my computer at work, I started crying. This level of recognition was overwhelming. For the first time since getting published, I felt closer than ever to making my dream a reality—quitting my day job and writing full time. I am hoping the RITA® will give me the boost I need.”

About The Secret Soldier:

The powerful stranger broke down the door and saved Sabine O'Clery from the terrorists holding her hostage. But her secretive hero was forbidden from revealing his identity. Until enemy fire forced them to crash-land.…

Of all the covert military missions, being stranded on a Greek island with a beautiful woman is one that Cullen McQueen never imagined. But their stay in paradise was all too fleeting. He had to take Sabine back to America, or risk blowing his cover and losing everything he'd fought for. Yet memories of one passion-filled night haunted him… and when danger followed Sabine home, the stealth soldier knew he would break all the rules to keep her safe forever.

**********

Joanna Bourne
2009 RITA® Finalist for Historical Romance for The Spymaster's Lady [in tote #7]
2009 RITA® Finalist for Regency Historical Romance for My Lord and Spymaster [in tote #10]

“Getting nominated for the RITA®, I feel like I've joined an elite group -- the SEALs, maybe, or Barnum and Bailey's Clown School or Temperance Brennan's band of dysfunctional forensic examiners on 'Bones'. Have you looked at the names of those RITA® nominees? If we were career criminals, instead of romance writers, this would be the Ten Most Wanted list.

Getting nominated was a pleasure; it was a shock; it was an amazement; it was a fist-pumping War Dance of a moment. It was total weirdness and flopping down in the chair and staring at my dog in profound bemusement.

It's an honor to be in such company. I am so proud.”

About The Spymaster’s Lady:

She's never met a man she couldn't deceive...until now.

She's braved battlefields. She's stolen dispatches from under the noses of heads of state. She's played the worldly courtesan, the naive virgin, the refined British lady, even a Gypsy boy. But Annique Villiers, the elusive spy known as the Fox Cub, has finally met the one man she can't outwit.

**********

Lilian Darcy, The Children's Doctor and the Single Mum
2009 RITA® Finalist for Contemporary Series Romance

“It was a real thrill to be nominated for a RITA® this year, firstly because I’ve now written over fifty Medical Romances for Harlequin, and of all of them this was my personal favorite. I loved creating a heroine who was a little different – she’s plump, and she’s a single mother of five children – and then finding a hero who loved her for exactly who she was. It means a lot to me that the RITA® judges responded to the book’s combination of warmth and humor and medical drama.

The other big reason I’m excited about this nomination is that for the first time, my husband will be attending the Romance Writers of America® conference with me, and will be able to come to the award ceremony and maybe understand just why I was so terrified and actually praying not to win, back in 2003 in New York when I received nominations in two different categories. On that occasion, my prayers were answered, and I was able to remain safely in my seat in the darkened auditorium, rather than having to go up there in front of over 2000 people, take that heavy gold statue without dropping it, and remember to thank everyone without bursting into tears or having to be led trembling from the stage. This time, I feel a little more prepared. I suspect I’ll still be praying not to win, but if I do, my feet may successfully carry me up there, comprehensible words may even flow from my lips, and I’ll be so proud to have my wonderful husband watching.”

About The Children's Doctor and the Single Mum:

The doctor takes a family!

Tammy is an excellent neonatal intensive care nurse – she’s also a single mum of five children! There’s simply no time in her life for relationships – besides, she’s sworn off men for good! Especially her gorgeous colleague – neonatal specialist Laird Burchell – a playboy, way out of her league, and not the kind of man who’d think about taking on five kids.

But Laird’s been bowled over by Tammy’s warmth, her sense of humor and her gorgeous red hair.

He might be daunted by the prospect of fatherhood, but there’s so much about Tammy and her lively young family that makes him think she’s a woman worth risking everything for…

**********

Tamara Leigh, Faking Grace
2009 RITA® Finalist for Inspirational Romance

“What a joy to receive ‘the call’ from Romance Writers of America®. Yes, in the writer’s world, ‘the call’ refers to a publisher on the other end of the line saying they want to publish the breath-holding writer’s work. That ‘call’ can just about send a writer to the moon; however, the call I received from RWA® to tell me that my inspirational romance, Faking Grace, was a RITA® nominee, landed me on the moon. It meant that the story I hoped was worthy of publishing and that my publisher thought was worthy of publishing, had found an audience that believed in its message. But there’s more.

Having had seven mainstream books published before I answered another ‘call’ to write for the inspirational market, the RITA® nomination serves as further confirmation that I’m where God wants me to be (even though it took me a while to pick up the ringing phone). It is an honor to be a member of RWA® and a RITA® nominee. I’m thankful for the judges, the readers, my publisher, my family, and God who made it all possible. And thank you, TJ, for the opportunity to share my joy and excitement.”

[IMHO: You’re welcome, Tamara!]

About Faking Grace:

All she wants is a job. All she needs is religion. How hard can it be?

Maizy Grace Stewart dreams of a career as an investigative journalist, but her last job ended in disaster when her compassion cost her employer a juicy headline. A part-time gig at a Nashville newspaper might be her big break.

A second job at Steeple Side Christian Resources could help pay the bills, but Steeple Side only hires committed Christians. Maizy is sure she can fake it with her Five-Step Program to Authentic Christian Faith–a plan of action that includes changing her first name to Grace, buying Jesus-themed accessories, and learning “Christian Speak.” If only Jack Prentiss, Steeple Side’s managing editor and two-day-stubbled, blue-jean-wearing British hottie wasn’t determined to prove her a fraud.

When Maizy’s boss at the newspaper decides that she should investigate–and expose–any skeletons in Steeple Side’s closet, she must decide whether to deliver the dirt and secure her career or lean on her newfound faith, change the direction of her life, and pray that her Steeple Side colleagues–and Jack–will show her grace.

**********

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 Wednesday for more featured RITA®-nominated finalists.

TJB

52 comments:

Anonymous said...

Another great set of books.

Thanks for the contest and good luck everyone!

Congrats to all the nominated authors!

Terri W.

donnas said...

Great set of books.

Thanks!

bacchus76 at myself dot com

vickyb said...

So many good books to read and so little time! Congratulations to all the nominees.

At Home Mommy Knits said...

Oh my goodness...so many books and so little time. Congratulations to all the authors and i hope you are having a blast this week!

CrystalGB said...

Great set of books. Good luck to the RITA nominees.

delitealex said...

Great set of books congrats to the nominees and good luck.

Judy said...

They all sound fantastic!! My poor TBR file has leaped since this blog has been showing all the books nominated.
Congrats to everyone!!

housemouse88 said...

Love the variety you are sharing with us each day. Congrats to all the nominees. Have a great day.

KELLY FITZPATRICK said...

Fun set of books. Good luck to all.

tetewa said...

This would be great, count me in!

jcp said...

I love the Rita tote contests!

Dina said...

wow, this list is growing. I'll never have to worry about not having anything to do, lol.

JeanMP said...

Congrats to all the nominees.
Another great set of books, my list of books to buy and read is growing longer all the time

TJ Bennett said...

Welcome to our final week, everyone! I know a bunch of the RITA nominees are decamping for Washington, D.C. this week, so we'll keep them in our thoughts. One of the things I love about doing this month's blog is bringing these great quality books to the IMHO readers' attention. Every RITA nominated book deserves the recognition it receives, and I hope you will support the authors (those who participated with the IMHO event and those who could not this year) by checking out their books. I know my own TBR pile has grown HUGE. I discovered several new authors myself (and having just finished Sherry Thomas' PRIVATE ARRANGEMENTS as a result, I can safely say Buy This Book!).

Enjoy!

TJB

chey said...

Congrats to all the nominees! Another great batch of books!

Cheeky Girl said...

I've heard nothing but great things about The Spymaster's Lady and the other books on this list!

Congrats and good luck to all of them!

Babyblue22 said...

Cograts to all the Nominees!!
My TBR pile has definitely grown in the last two weeks, So many books and so little time is such a true statement.

The Spymaster's Lady is definitely a great book CheekyGirl!!

~Afshan
Afshan522@aol.com

Anonymous said...

The Spymaster's lady is on my to get list. The other books look awesome and have been added as well! Congrats and good luck to the authors!

Pam S
pams00@aol.com

The Scarf Princess said...

Good luck to all the nominated authors! These are a great collection of books!

Colleen Thompson said...

What a wonderful group of authors! All the books sound so enticing.

Waving hi and saying thanks to fellow RS nominee Brenda Novak. I love your books and feel the same way.

And Tamara Leigh, I read and loved one of your historicals, so I tried out your debut inspirational and loved your humorous take on faith. :)

Thanks again to TJ for doing this contest and best of luck to all the finalists and commenters! (Please omit me from the drawing.)

Judy said...

I have read Brenda Novak's Stop Me that is nominated. In fact I have read the whole series and would highly recommend the books. She has 3 more in the series coming out shortly.
To all the nominees - good luck.

lrhubble said...

I am really enjoying reading about all the books that have been nominated. Learning about some authors that I hadn't heard before. Enjoying this contest.
:-)

cheryl c said...

Congrats, authors! You are each already a winner in my book. :-)

This is a wonderful collection of books. I would be delighted to win it, and I appreciate the chance.

castings[at]mindspring[dot]com

TJ Bennett said...

Thanks for all your comments and recommendations, everyone. It's really wonderful to share our likes with other readers, isn't it? Keep 'em coming!

And Colleen, wishing both you and Brenda (and everyone else) luck as you head out for the conference and awards ceremony. I wish everyone could win! I truly do!

TJB

Jane said...

Congrats to the nominated authors. I'm a huge fan of Brenda, too. I haven't read any of the other nominated authors.

Robin Kaye said...

Congrats to all the nominated authors! Please count me in for the chance to win this wonderful collection of books!

Robin :)

robin[at]robinkayewrites[dot]com

KR said...

These all sound great!! Congrats to the nominees.
mj.coward[at]gmail.com

Pam P said...

Another great set, good luck to you all. I've read some of Tamara's historicals, not this one yet. Loved Spymaster's Lady, definitely recommend to historical fans.

Estella said...

Congrats to all of the nominated authors.
This is another great set of books!

dag888888 said...

All the best to the nominees!
Count me in!
dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com

LuAnn said...

As a journalist, I've been in the same position as Maizy before. For right or wrong, I always chose my job and wrote the dirt.

TJ Bennett said...

But dag888888! You are no longer eligible, because you've already won Tote #6. Be sure to contact me at my e-mail address by July 18 to claim your prize, or it goes to someone else.

TJB

Unknown said...

These sound like wonderful books. Judging by the descriptions I can see why they were nominated. Good luck to all!

jgbeads at gmail dot com

Jenny N. said...

Wow what a great list of books. Congratulations and good luck to all the authors.

jen4777[at]hotmail.com

dag888888 said...

TJ! Ooops, sorry about that, got so excited, didn't even check that I had won. Thanks so much!

Sue A. said...

Congrats to all the finalists! Awesome collection of books!

Jeanette J said...

Great choices again

M. said...

I can only imagine how nervous the nominees are becoming with each passing day, closer to Nationals! Best of luck to all of them, but I must admit to a special soft spot for Annique, Ms. Bourne's character. I loved Annique and her approach to life and love, and dearly hope she (and her inventor) will be crowned with a Rita.

Unknown said...

Congrats to the nominees! This is another great set of books!

Martha Eskuchen said...

Wow - you have some wonderful books here! Congrats to the finalists! mesreads[at]gmail[dot]com

Beverly said...

Congrats to all of the nominees and good luck.

What a wonderful set of books!

beachlover20855[AT]yahoo[DOT]com

Marie said...

Good luck to everyone! I have read Faking Grace and it was so good -- I loved it!

marielay@gmail.com

leoncia said...

Count me in, thanks!

leonciaf[at]yahoo[dot]com

mrsshukra said...

Please include me!
delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

Carol L. said...

Another great week of Authors and their nominated books. Congratulations ladies and Good luck to all.
Carol L.
Lucky4750@aol.com

LighthouseSandy said...

Wow, I need to get Ms. Bourne's books out and get them read! I'm so behind and I know I missing something terrific. Congrats and good luck to everyone!

Book Video Productions said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Book Video Productions said...

What an interesting line up. :) Tossing my hat in the ring!

Anonymous said...

Congrats to all of the nominees and good luck.
I love reading Brenda Novaks books and Ican't wait to read Joanna Bourne books. Love the cover too.

Erin Radford said...

Just found out about your contest today. Would love to win some of these wonderful books. My Mom has your book The Legacy. The Promise sounds equally as good.

Tess Mallory said...

Good luck to all the nominees!!

hugs,
Tess Mallory

Mozi Esme said...

At the risk of sounding repetitive: awesome set of books!

janemaritz at yahoo dot com