In honor of the Romance Writers of
America® national conference, we're featuring the different nominees for their
highest published honor, THE RITA®, by category each day. We hope some of the
authors will be able to join us, but remember they're getting ready for their
big night July 28th. We'll celebrate the winners here on the 29th along with
our celebration drawings from their gracious donations.
And the nominees are...
The Christmas Child
by Linda Goodnight
Harlequin Love Inspired; Allison Lyons, editor
In Redemption, Oklahoma, a young boy is found huddled in a Dumpster,
clutching a Christmas book. Scared and refusing to speak, he captures
undercover agent Kade McKendrick's guarded heart. Kade brings the child
home until he can track down his family - and his story.
All Kade has is
a name, Davey, and the boy's trust of sweet, pretty teacher Sophie
Bartholomew. With her kindness and faith, Sophie helps both the boy and
the battle-scarred cop to smile again. And as they uncover the mystery
of a very special child, a family is formed - just in time for
Christmas.
Website
Deadly Pursuit
by Irene Hannon
Revell; Jennifer Leep, editor
As a social worker with the Department of Social Services, Alison
Taylor has a passion for protecting children and seeing that justice is
served on their behalf. But now it seems
she needs protecting.
Someone is making harassing phone calls and sending her bizarre gifts.
When her tormentor’s attentions take a violent turn, she calls in
reinforcements. Her brother, Cole, comes to her aid, along with his new
partner, Detective Mitch Morgan. As her relentless stalker turns up the
heat and the danger intensifies, Mitch takes a personal interest in
the case. Because protecting Alison has become more than a job; his
future depends on keeping her safe.
Website
Katie's Way
by Marta Perry
Berkley Publishing Group; Ellen Edwards, editor
Hoping for a distraction after a personal heartbreak, new arrival
Katie Miller sets up her quilt shop on Pleasant Valley’s Main Street,
where Amish and Englisch intermingle. It’s not long before a quilting
circle forms and women from both worlds are crafting together and
sharing their secrets, turning the store into a lively spot for
socializing…much to the consternation of the furniture craftsman next
door. Caleb Brand has kept to himself since he lost his betrothed under
scandalous circumstances, and he could do without all the feminine
chatter—and Katie Miller’s carefree attitude.
When Katie becomes involved in promoting Pennsylvania Dutch Days,
some in town appreciate the new business it brings. But others are upset
about the flood of outsiders it attracts. Katie turns to Caleb for
comfort, and despite his resistance, a fragile friendship forms. Then,
when acts of vandalism suddenly threaten Katie’s shop—and the peace of
Pleasant Valley—Caleb must decide whether to stand by the young woman
who has brought a spring thaw to his frozen heart, and Katie must
question whether her cherished independence may deprive her of one more
chance at love…
GLIAS
interview
Website
The Ladies' Room
by Carolyn Brown
Avalon Books; Lia Brown, editor
Secrets told in the church ladies' room are supposed to stay in the
ladies' room. But that doesn't mean that what Trudy overhears there
during her great-aunt Gertrude's funeral won't change the rest of her
life.
Trudy has a daughter in the middle of a major rebellion; a
two-timing husband who has been cheating for their entire married life;
and a mother with Alzheimer's residing in the local nursing home. She
doesn't really need a crumbling old house about to fall into nothing but
a pile of memories and broken knickknacks.
Billy Lee Tucker,
resident oddball in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, lived next door to Gert, and
in her will she leaves him the funds to help Trudy remodel the old
house. That's fine with Billy Lee, because he's been in love with Trudy
since before they started school. And just spending time with her is
something he'd never ever allowed himself to dream about.
A beautiful
home rises up from the old house on Broadway, and right along with it
rises up a relationship. But is Trudy too scarred from what she heard in
the ladies' room to see a lovely future with Billy Lee?
Website
Love on the Line
by Deeanne Gist
Bethany House Publishers; David Long and Julie Klassen, editors
Is her curiosity dialing up love - or a whole mess of trouble?
Rural switchboard operator Georgie Gail is proud of her independence
in a man's world ... which makes it twice as vexing when the telephone
company sends a
man to look over her shoulder.
Dashing Luke Palmer is more than he appears though. He's a Texas
Ranger working undercover to infiltrate a notorious gang of train
robbers. Repairing telephones and tangling with this tempestuous woman
is the last thing he wants to do. But when his stakeout puts Georgie in
peril, he realizes more than his job is on the line.
Website
The Measure of Katie Calloway
by Serena Miller
Revell; Vicki Crumpton, editor
The Civil War in America is over and former northerner, Katie Calloway,
must flee for her life from Georgia, where her husband, an abusive
Confederate officer, is waging war in their own home. Not only does he
taunt her about her father and brother dying for the Union army, but she
discovers that he is planning to kill her in order to be free to marry a
local widow whose still-intact plantation he covets.
Katie and her
little brother escape north and find refuge in a Michigan lumber camp
where she allows the camp owner to believe she is a widow. The camp
owner, Robert Foster, wonders if the lovely woman he's hired has the
grit to survive the never-ending work and harsh conditions of a remote
pine forest in winter. Katie, worried that Robert will fire her if he
discovers she is not the grieving widow she pretends to be, fights to
keep her past a secret from this good man she is growing to love.
Website
My Foolish Heart
by Susan May Warren
Tyndale House Publishers; Karen Watson, editor
Unknown to her tiny town of Deep Haven, Isadora Presley spends her
nights as Miss Foolish Heart, the star host of a syndicated talk radio
show. Millions tune in to hear her advice on dating and falling in love,
unaware that she’s never really done either. Issy’s ratings soar when
it seems she’s falling in love on-air with a caller. A caller she
doesn’t realize lives right next door.
Caleb Knight served a tour
of duty in Iraq and paid a steep price. The last thing he wants is pity,
so he hides his disability and moves to Deep Haven to land his dream
job as the high school football coach. When his beautiful neighbor
catches his eye, in a moment of desperation he seeks advice from
My Foolish Heart, the show that airs before his favorite sports broadcast.
Before
he knows it, Caleb finds himself drawn to the host—and more confused
than ever. Is his perfect love the woman on the radio . . . or the one
next door?
Website
Save the Date
by Jenny B. Jones
Thomas Nelson; Natalie Hanemann and Jamie Chavez, editors
You are cordially invited to the wedding of the year with the most unlikely bride and groom. Save the date . . . and say your prayers.
When funding for Lucy's non-profit job is pulled, she is determined to find out why. Enter Alex Sinclair, former professional football star and heir to Sinclair Enterprises-the primary donor to Lucy's non-profit organization.
Both Lucy and Alex have something the other desperately wants.
Alex has it all... except the votes he needs to win his bid for Congress. Despite their mutual dislike, Alex makes Lucy a proposition: pose as his fiancee in return for the money she desperately needs. Bound to a man who isn't quite what he seems, Lucy finds her heart - and her future - on the line.
Save the Date is a spunky romance that will have readers laughing out loud as this dubious pair try to save their careers, their dreams... and maybe even a date.
Website
To Win Her Heart
by Karen Witemeyer
Bethany House Publishers; Karen Schurrer, editor
A blacksmith with a criminal past. A librarian with pacifist ideals. Do they have a fighting chance at finding love?
Having completed his sentence for the unintentional crime
that derailed his youthful plans for fame and fortune, Levi Grant looks
to start over in the town of Spencer, Texas. Spencer needs a
blacksmith, a trade he learned at his father’s knee, and he needs a
place where no one knows his past. But small towns leave little room
for secrets. . . .
Eden Spencer has sworn off men, choosing instead to devote
her time to the lending library she runs. When a mountain-sized
stranger walks through her door and asks to borrow a book, she steels
herself against the attraction he provokes. His halting speech and
hesitant manner leave her doubting his intelligence. Yet as the
mysteries of the town’s new blacksmith unfold, Eden discovers hidden
depths in him that tempt her heart.
Levi’s renewed commitment to his faith leads Eden to believe
she’s finally found a man of honor and integrity, a man worthy of her
love. But when the truth about his prodigal past comes to light, can
this tarnished hero find a way to win back the librarian’s affections?
Website
~ ~ ~
JOIN
THE RITA® CELEBRATION by
leaving a comment for each category between July 11th and 28th (multiple
comments = multiple entries). GLIAS will be drawing for winners on Sunday, July
29th and posting along with all the RITA® winners announced Saturday evening in
Anaheim, California.
Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes
will be mailed to North America addresses only unless specifically mentioned in
the post. If an INTERNATIONAL name is drawn, mailing the book or supplying an
electronic version will be the decision of the donator. Odds of winning vary
due to the number of entrants. Winners of drawings are responsible for checking
this site in a timely manner. If prizes are not claimed in a timely manner, the
author may not have a prize available. Get Lost In A Story cannot be
responsible for an author's failure to mail the listed prize. GLIAS does not
automatically pass email addresses to guest authors unless the commenter
publicly posts their email address.
JOIN
US tomorrow as RITA® week
continues with the best NOVEL with STRONG ROMANTIC ELEMENTS category. Don’t
forget to FOLLOW us on Twitter #GetLostStories or LIKE us on Facebook. Good Luck Everyone! Simone
.jpg)
