Thanks to Robin and whomever posted and updated a page of the RITA finalists, we can announce the 2006 RITA Winners from last night’s gala. We hope it was much better than last year – someone give us an update how it went, please!
And in the meantime, WOO HOO and YAY and all sorts of obnoxious fist pumping and elegant grunting to the 2006 RITA winners.
Best First Book
Show Her the Money
by Stephanie Feagan
Best Contemporary Single Title
Lakeside Cottage
by Susan Wiggs
Best Inspirational Romance
Heavens to Betsy
by Beth Pattillo
Best Long Contemporary Romance
Worth Every Risk
by Dianna Love Snell
Best Long Historical Romance
The Devil to Pay
by Liz Carlyle
Best Novella
‘The Naked Truth About Guys’ in The Naked Truth
by Alesia Holliday
Best Paranormal Romance
Gabriel’s Ghost
by Linnea Sinclair
Best Regency Romance
A Reputable Rake
by Diana Gaston
Best Romantic Suspense
Survivor in Death
by J.D. Robb
Best Short Contemporary Romance
The Marriage Miracle
by Liz Fielding
Best Short Historical Romance
The Texan’s Reward
by Jodi Thomas
Novel with Strong Romantic Elements
Lady Luck’s Map of Vegas
by Barbara Samuel
Best Traditional Romance
Princess of Convenience
by Marion Lennox
I adore Liz Carlyle’s books, so I am very happy that someone I read faithfully won an award!
Liz’s award was INDEED well-deserved. Go get her book NOW. It’s wonderful.
As far as the ceremony, it was well-received. There was a lot of comedy and Nora was a really great emcee. Who knew she was so multi-talented? The RWA president, Gayle Wilson, even got to do a little comedy routine. All in all, a very fun time.
The theme was “Fiction Writers vs. Fictional Writers,” so they used clips from a whole bunch of writer movies. Joan Wilder got the biggest cheer, but Hugh Jackman (clips from Paperback Writer, an Australian film I wish I could get my hands on here in the U.S.) won for the most heartfelt sighs and lusty hoots.
Now that sounds like a fantastic show – I hope Dallas is as good because I am so banking on being there.
Thanks for the reports, SBs and Sonja. I’m going to have to give some serious consideration to going to Dallas.
I’ve been going to the GH/RITA awards since 1996 – except for two different years I had to miss Nationals – and I really do think last night’s was among the very best. It was funny, appropriate, short, and well done. When they gave the Lifetime Achievement Award to Susan Elizabeth Phillips, I nearly peed myself, I laughed so hard. Luckily, I remained continent and all was well.
J.R. Ward was robbed. Not that I’ve actually read the winner, or anything, but I can’t see how it could be better than J.R. Ward. They gave the RITA to Kinsale’s dark SM “Shadowheart” last year, so we know they can do it! ::sigh::
Sarah—
Give GABRIEL’S GHOST a try and see if you still think J.R. Ward was robbed. It was a tough category with several very good books nominated. I liked Ward’s book also and thought it would have been a reasonable winner, too, but…
GABRIEL’S GHOST is a fabulous story, with a strong heroine and a hero who really is to die for.
Karen M.
I’ll add it to my TBR pile! Thanks for the rec. Sorry about the bitching! It’s not like I’ve read any of the others, either!
I thought Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb had withdrawn from the RITAs.
The Rita/Golden Heart ceremony was great. I laughed so damn hard I spilled (and had to lap off of my wrist) the peach martini(s) I smuggled in. Queen Nora was perfect. Gayle was very funny. The film clips were excellent. Well done RWA!
Sarah, you must come to Dallas! This was my first National Conference, and now I totally Heart RWA. The whole thing was very well run.
(Whoops, I almost typed “TWA” but actually I flew Delta, which was also awesome. They give you a choice of snacks! How sad is it that that impresses me?)
Woohoo! Congratulations to all the winners, and an especially big, sloppy hug to Stef Feagan, for yea, she is awesome and richly deserveth her award.
Aw shucks, Candy – thank you very much! I’ve just about rubbed all the gold off this little statue. Okay, not really – that would be kinda sick to sit around rubbing it. But I do look at it, and it blows my mind, all over again.
As for next year in Dallas – I’ve got a couple of thoughts. First off, the Hyatt is a lot smaller than the Adams Mark, which is where it was last time. If Mary Kay is having their convention at the same time again – there won’t be any rooms available to them at the Hyatt, because RWA will be taking up most of them. So if anyone’s paranoid about being overrun by wild-eyed Mary Kay reps and their gobs of ribbons, don’t be.
Second, most of this year’s board (which totally kicks ass, I have to say) will be returning next year, as will the awards chair and the awards liaison. So it’s a pretty safe bet that the awards will be great, once again. Also pretty sure the workshops will be great, the luncheon speakers great – hopefully, a conference equal to this year’s. (Did anyone make the Meg Cabot luncheon? OMG! She blew me away, her speech was so good. Christina Dodd was no slacker, either.) Also have to say, Nora was a marvelous emcee at the awards.
Now, if we can talk Candy and Sarah into coming to Dallas, and presenting a workshop on how to host a blog enjoyed by millions – well, thousands, for sure – I’d say it will most definitely be another kick-butt conference.
On a mushy note, I’d like to say how much I enjoy coming here, every day, and getting a good dose of funny. Okay, sometimes, I get pissed off, and sometimes, I get thoughtful – but no matter what, I always get something from the Bitchery.