AND THE WINNER IS . . .

CONGRATULATIONS to the 2012 RITA® WINNERS. And a HUGE THANK YOU to all the authors who have donated books for our readers.

BEST FIRST BOOK
FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT
by Darynda Jones
St. Martin's Press
Jennifer Enderlin, editor

BEST CONTEMPORARY SERIES ROMANCE
BOOMERANG BRIDE
by Fiona Lowe
Carina Press
Charlotte Herscher, editor

BEST CONTEMPORARY SERIES ROMANCE
ACTION/ADVENTURE
SOLDIER'S LAST STAND
by Cindy Dees
Harlequin Romantic Suspense
Patience Bloom, editor

BEST CONTEMPORARY SINGLE TITLE
DOUKAKIS'S APPRENTICE
by Sarah Morgan
Harlequin Presents
Lucy Gilmour, editor

BEST HISTORICAL ROMANCE
THE BLACK HAWK
by Joanna Bourne
Berkley Publishing Group
Wendy McCurdy, editor

BEST INSPIRATIONAL ROMANCE
THE MEASURE OF KATIE CALLOWAY
by Serena Miller
Revell
Vicki Crumpton, editor

BEST NOVEL WITH STRONG ROMANTIC ELEMENTS
HOW TO BAKE A PERFECT LIFE
by Barbara O'Neal
Ballantine Bantam Dell
Shauna Summers, editor

BEST PARANORMAL ROMANCE:
DRAGON BOUND
by Thea Harrison
Berkley Publishing Group
Cindy Hwang, editor

BEST REGENCY HISTORICAL ROMANCE
A NIGHT TO SURRENDER
by Tessa Dare
Avon Books
Tessa Woodward, editor

BEST ROMANCE NOVELLA
I LOVE THE EARL
by Caroline Linden
Avon Impulse
Lyssa Keusch, editor

BEST ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
NEW YORK TO DALLAS
by J.D. Robb
Penguin Putnam
Leslie Gelbman, editor

BEST YOUNG ADULT
ENCLAVE
by Ann Aguirre
Macmillan Feiwel & Friends
Liz Szabla, editor

AND OUR WINNERS OF OUR RITA® CELEBRATION ARE . . .
A SEASON FOR GRACE/THE HEART OF GRACE by Linda Goodnight
WON BY: Lil Miss Molly

ALMOST A SCANDAL by Elizabeth Essez
WON BY: Jennifer L. Bielman   autumnflower6@aol.com

ALWAYS A TEMPTRESS & Romance Trading Cards by Eileen Dryer
WON BY: Maureen  mce1011@aol.com

ANGELS OF DARKNESS by Nalini Singh 
WON BY: Kathleen O

ARCHANGEL'S BLADES by Nalini Singh
WON BY:  Tammy Jackson tammyjackson75@yahoo.com
 
BEAUTIFUL DISASTER by Laura Spinella
WON BY: Na Cambonified@yahoo.com

BLACKSTONE'S BRIDE by Kate Moore
WON BY: Eli Yanti

BRIDE OF THE HIGH COUNTRY by Kaki Warner 
WON BY: Laurie G johnslake@usa.com

CHANGELING MOON by Dani Harper  
WON BY: Sienny smile_1773@yahoo.com

DANGER OF DESIRE by Elizabeth Essez 
WON BY: Tammy Y

DARK AGE DAWNING Trilogy by Ellen Connor
WON BY: Quilt Lady

DARLING STRUMPET by Gillian Bagwell 
WON BY: Jane

ENCLAVE by Ann Aguirre
WON BY: Elisa Beatty

FLAWLESS by Lara Chapman
WON BY: Sharon Stogner

GOODNIGHT TWEETHEART by Teresa Medeiros  
WON BY: BN100  bn100candg@Hotmail.com

HOURGLASS by Myra McEntire
WON BY: Donna S bacchus76@myself.com

HOW TO MARRY A DUKE or HOW TO SEDUCE A SCOUNDREL by Vicky Dreiling (winner’s choice)  WON BY: Maureen  mce1011@aol.com

I’M NOT HER Janet Gurtler
WON BY: Ruth   Ruthacmom@aol.com

LORD OF THE ABYSSS by Nalini Singh 
WON BY: May

SPIDER'S REVENGE  by Jennifer Estep (US only)
WON BY: Denise Z  dz59001@gmail.com

THE ANGEL IN MY ARMS by Stefanie Sloane 
WON BY: Lexi H

THE DEVIL IN DISGUISE by Stefanie Sloane
WON BY: Diane dsadler53@yahoo.ca

THE DOCTOR’S DEADLY AFFAIR by Stephanie Doyle 
WON BY: Squires J  jrs362@hotmail.com

THE CLAIMED by Caridad Piñeir
WON BY: Laney 4 seytype@hotmail.com

THE DARK ENQUIRY by Deanna Raybourn  
WON BY: Loves 2 Read - Laura

THE LADIES' ROOM by Carolyn Brown
WON BY: Ingeborg   Kit3247@aol.com

THE SAINT WHO STOLE MY HEART by Stefanie Sloane
WON BY: Christina Lasswell  cmlass@sbcglobal.net

THE SEPTEMBER QUEEN by Gillian Bagwell 
WON BY: Brenda Rumsey grandmabkr@yahoo.com

THE SINNER WHO SEDUCED ME by Stefanie Sloane
WON BY: Ilona felinewyvern@googlemail.com

TIMEPIECE by Myra McEntire 
WON BY: Gamistress66

TIMEPIECE Poster by Myra McEntire
WON BY: Terri Zinchiak

TO WIN HER HEART by Karen Witemeyer 
WON BY:  Miss_Spell  ahui55@gmail.com

TOUCH OF FROST by Jennifer Estep
WON BY: Debra Simning-Chapman omahablack@yahoo.com
 

WARPED by Maurissa Guibord

WON BY: Cssndr Mks  cssndrmks@gmail.com
 

WHO I KISSED by Janet Gurtler (advanced reading copy)

WON BY: Suzi 1811  suzi1811@fsmail.net
 

Winner’s Backlist Choice by Serena Miller

WON BY: Winnie P  winnie968@yahoo.com

THREE ADDITIONAL WINNERS:
WILD TEXAS ROSE by Jodi Thomas
WON BY: Girly Girl Hoosier 52

I LOVE THE EARL by Caroline Linden
WON BY: Gram

Winner’s Backlist Choice by Trish Morey
WON BY: Erin

The Romantic Suspense drawings will be announced separately by Jillian Stone.

Winners should send an email with contact information to:  GetLostInAStory@gmail.com
Winners have until August 15th to send contact information or a new name will be drawn.

If an international commenter is drawn, the donation may be in the form of an ebook.

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.

THANK YOU for joining us during our RITA® celebration. Don’t forget to FOLLOW us on Twitter #GetLostStories or LIKE us on Facebook.  Join us tomorrow when Susan hosts Terri L. Austin.  ~Ang

Young Adult RITA Nominees

Congratulations to all the nominees for the RITA® in the Young Adult Romance category!

And here are the nominees:

ENCLAVE by Ann Aguirre

Macmillan Feiwel & Freinds

In Deuce’s world, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed ‘brat’ has trained into one of three groups–Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms. Deuce has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember.

As a Huntress, her purpose is clear—to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading ferocious monsters known as Freaks. She’s worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing’s going to stop her, not even a beautiful, brooding Hunter named Fade. When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Deuce’s troubles are just beginning.

Down below, deviation from the rules is punished swiftly and harshly, and Fade doesn’t like following orders. At first she thinks he’s crazy, but as death stalks their sanctuary, and it becomes clear the elders don’t always know best, Deuce wonders if Fade might be telling the truth. Her partner confuses her; she’s never known a boy like him before, as prone to touching her gently as using his knives with feral grace.

As Deuce’s perception shifts, so does the balance in the constant battle for survival. The mindless Freaks, once considered a threat only due to their sheer numbers, show signs of cunning and strategy… but the elders refuse to heed any warnings. Despite imminent disaster, the enclave puts their faith in strictures and sacrifice instead. No matter how she tries, Deuce cannot stem the dark tide that carries her far from the only world she’s ever known.

Find out more on Ann's Website

Ann is giving away a signed copy of ENCLAVE. See entry details below.

FLAWLESS by Lara Chapman


Bloomsbury Publishing

FLAWLESS is a modern retelling of the Cyrano story in which a senior-class salutatorian with a notable nose agrees to help her perfectly gorgeous best friend catch the eye of the new hottie at school, only to discover he’s actually the perfect guy for her.


Check out Lara's website.


Lara is giving away a copy of FLAWLESS. See entry details below.








HOURGLASS by Myra McEntire


Egmont USA

One hour to rewrite the past . . . 
For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn't there; swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She's tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson's willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past. 

Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he's around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

Full of atmosphere, mystery, and romance, Hourglass merges the very best of the paranormal and science-fiction genres in a seductive, remarkable young adult debut.

Find out more at Myra's website.

Myra is giving away a signed copy of HOURGLASS, a signed copy of her new book, TIMEPIECE and a poster for TIMEPIECE. See entry details below.

I'M NOT HER by Janet Gurtler


Sourcebooks Fire

"For the first time in my life, I didn't feel envy..."

Tess is the exact opposite of her beautiful, athletic sister. And that's okay. Kristina is the sporty one, Tess is the smart one, and they each have their place. Until Kristina is diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly Tess is the center of the popular crowd, everyone eager for updates. There are senior boys flirting with her. Yet the smiles of her picture-perfect family are cracking and her sister could be dying. Now Tess has to fill a new role: the strong one. Because if she doesn't hold it together, who will?

Find out more at Janet's website.



Check out Janet's GLIAS interview.

Janet is giving away a copy of I'M NOT HER. See entry details below.







TOUCH OF FROST by Jennifer Estep


Kensington Teen

Gwen Frost is an outsider at Mythos Academy, a school of myths, magic and warrior whiz kids, where even the lowliest geek knows how to chop off somebody's head with a sword. Gwen is an outsider both to the students of the Academy and the rest of the world. But when her gift of psychometry - the ability to know an object's history just by touching it reveals dark undercurrents and danger afoot, she has no choice but to get involved.

Learn more at Jennifer's website.


Jennifer is giving away a copy of TOUCH OF FROST. See entry details below!






WARPED by Maurissa Guibord


Delacorte Press

Tessa Brody doesn't believe in magic. Or Fate. But there is definitely something weird about the dusty unicorn tapestry that she discovers in a box of old books. The wild, handsome creature woven within it draws Tessa, and frightens her too.

Soon after the tapestry comes into her possession strange things begin to happen. Tessa experiences vivid dreams of the past and scenes from a brutal hunt. When she accidentally pulls a thread from the tapestry, Tessa releases a terrible secret-one that has been contained for centuries. She also meets William de Chaucy, a young sixteenth-century nobleman with gorgeous eyes, an odd accent and haughty attitude to spare. His fate is as inextricably tied to the tapestry as Tessa's own. "His Lordship" is pretty hard to get along with but equally hard to resist.

Together with Will, Tessa must correct the wrongs of the past to defeat a cruel and crafty ancient enemy.

But what is she willing to sacrifice in order to do it?

Learn more at Maurissa's website.

Maurissa is giving away a paperback copy of WARPED. See entry details below.





~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

JOIN THE RITA® CELEBRATION by leaving a comment for each category between July 11th and 28th (multiple comments = multiple entries with the exception of Romantic Suspense). 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 CONTEMPORARY SINGLE TITLE category. Don’t forget to FOLLOW us on Twitter #GetLostStories or LIKE us on Facebook.

Spotlight on the RITA® Nominees in Paranormal Romance

Today, the Get Lost in a Story Crew is proud to feature the Romance Writers of America® RITA®Finalists in the Paranormal Romance category. And the nominees are…

Archangel's Blade by Nalini Singh

The severed head marked by a distinctive tattoo on its cheek should have been a Guild case, but dark instincts honed over hundreds of years of life compel the vampire Dmitri to take control. There is something twisted about this death, something that whispers of centuries long past…but Dmitri’s need to discover the truth is nothing to the vicious strength of his response to the hunter assigned to decipher the tattoo.

Savaged in a brutal attack that almost killed her, Honor is nowhere near ready to come face to face with the seductive vampire who is an archangel’s right hand, and who wears his cruelty as boldly as his lethal sensuality…the same vampire who has been her secret obsession since the day she was old enough to understand the inexplicable, violent emotions he aroused in her.

As desire turns into a dangerous compulsion that might destroy them both, it becomes clear the past will not stay buried. Something is hunting…and it will not stop until it brings a blood-soaked nightmare to life once more…

Changeling Moon by Dani Harper

He roams the moonlit wilderness, his every sense and instinct on high alert. Changeling wolf Connor Macleod and his Pack have never feared anything—until the night human Zoey Tyler barely escapes a rogue werewolf’s vicious attack.

As the full moon approaches, Zoey has no idea of the changes that are coming, and only Connor can show her what she is, and help her master the wildness inside. With her initiation into the Pack just days away and a terrifying  predator on the loose, the tentative bonds of trust and tenderness are their only weapons against a force red in tooth, claw…and ultimate evil.

Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison

A Fiery Temper is Not Easily Extinguished

Half-human and half-wyr, Pia Giovanni spent her life keeping a low profile among the wyrkind and avoiding the continuing conflict between them and their Dark Fae enemies. But after being blackmailed into stealing a coin from the hoard of a dragon, Pia finds herself targeted by one of the most powerful–and passionate—of the Elder Races.

As the most feared and respected of the wyrkind, Dragos Cuelebre cannot believe someone had the audacity to steal from him, much less succeed. And when he catches the thief, Dragos spares her life, claiming her as his own to further explore the desire they’ve ignited in one another.

Envy by J.R. Ward

As the son of a serial killer, homicide detective Thomas "Veck" DelVecchio, Jr., grew up in the shadow of evil. Now, on the knife-edge between civic duty and blind retribution, he atones for the sins of his father---while fighting his inner demons. 

Assigned to monitor Veck is Internal Affairs officer Sophia Reilly, whose interest in him is both professional and arousingly personal. And Veck and Sophia have another link: Jim Heron, a mysterious stranger with too many answers...to questions that are deadly. 

When Veck and Sophia are drawn into the ultimate battle between good and evil, their fallen angel savior is the only thing that stands between them and eternal damnation.

Lord of the Abyss by Nalini Singh

Once upon a time…the Blood Sorcerer vanquished the kingdom of Elden. To save their children, the queen scattered them to safety and the king filled them with vengeance. Only a magical timepiece connects the four royal heirs…and time is running out.… 

As the dark Lord who condemns souls to damnation in the Abyss, Micah is nothing but a feared monster wrapped in impenetrable black armor. He has no idea he is the last heir of Elden, its last hope. Only one woman knows—the daughter of his enemy. 

Liliana is nothing like her father, the Blood Sorcerer who'd cursed Micah. She sees past Micah’s armor to the prince inside. A prince whose sinful touch she craves. But first she has to brave his dark, dangerous lair and help him remember. Because they only have till midnight to save Elden.

The Lost by Caridad Piñeiro

Adam Bruno is no ordinary millionaire. The heir to an ancient race possessing a dark, powerful magic, he can shapeshift and create energy. His gifts make him a living weapon and have forced him to live in seclusion. But now an inhuman force hunts down Adam-just when he finds someone who makes him feel more human than he ever imagined possible...

Home from combat in Iraq, Bobbie Carerra wants only peace, yet soon joins Adam in a terrifying battle against paranormal enemies who hide in plain sight. She’s drawn to his strength of mind and body; he’s attracted to her courage and intoxicating energy. Their scorching passion can either transport them to the heights of ecstasy or-if Adam’s powers rage out of control-destroy them. But when an invisible brotherhood tightens its nets and someone Adam trusts betrays him, only a heartrending decision can save them.

Nightfall by Ellen Connor (writing team Ann Aguirre and Carrie Lofty) 

Growing up with an unstable, often absent father who preached about the end of the world, Jenna never thought, in her wildest nightmares, that his predictions would come true. Or that he would have a plan in place to save her–one that includes the strong, stoic man who kidnaps and takes her to a remote cabin in the Pacific Northwest.

The mysterious ex-Marine named Mason owes a life-debt to Jenna’s father. Skilled and steadfast, he’s ready for the Change, but Jenna proves tough to convince. Until the power grid collapses and the mutant dogs attack–vicious things that reek of nature gone wrong.

When five strangers appear, desperate to escape the bloodthirsty packs, Jenna defies her protector and rescues them. As technology fails and the old world falls away, Jenna changes too, forever altered by supernatural forces. To fight for their future, she and Mason must learn to trust their instinctive passion–a flame that will see them through the bitter winter, the endless nights, and the violence of a new Dark Age.

GLIAS interview for Carrie.

The Restorer by Amanda Stevens

Never acknowledge the dead

Never stray far from hallowed ground

Never associate with those who are haunted

Never, ever tempt fate.

My name is Amelia Gray. I'm a cemetery restorer who sees ghosts. In order to protect myself from the parasitic nature of the dead, I've always held fast to the rules passed down from my father. But now a haunted police detective has entered my world and everything is changing, including the rules that have always kept me safe.

It started with the discovery of a young woman's brutalized body in an old Charleston graveyard I've been hired to restore. The clues to the killer--and to his other victims--like in the headstone symbolism that only I can interpret. Devlin needs my help, but his ghosts shadow his every move, feeding off his warmth, sustaining their presence with his energy. To warn him would be to invite them into my life. I’ve vowed to keep my distance, but the pull of his magnetism grows ever stronger even as the symbols lead me closer to the killer and to the gossamer veil that separates this world from the next.

Congratulations to all!

Several of our nominees will be responding to comments today. The following items have been generously donated for a drawing. (Please leave your email address in body of your comment to be entered in the drawing.)

•  an autographed copy of The Dark Age Dawning Trilogy by Ellen Connor (Ann Aguirre and Carrie Lofty)

• an autographed copy of Changeling Moon, by Dani Harper

• a polo shirt for THE CLAIMED (the second book in the Sin Hunters series) and some swag, from Caridad Piñeir

• one copy of each of Nalini Singh's three Rita® nominated books: Archangel's Blade, Lord of the Abyss, and Angels of Darkness (featuring the novella, Angel's Wolf, which is nominated in the Novella category).

JOIN THE RITA® CELEBRATION by leaving a comment for each category between July 11th and 28th (multiple comments = multiple entries with the exception of Romantic Suspense). 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 REGENCY HISTORICAL ROMANCE category. Don’t forget to FOLLOW us on Twitter and LIKE us on Facebook.