Yesterday the Romance Writers of America announced the finalists of the coveted RITA award. Winners of the awards will be announced July 18th at the RITA and Golden Heart Awards Ceremony to be held at RWA’s 29th Annual National Conference in Washington, D.C. (Photo is of Regency romance author Julia Quinn with her RITA win last year for THE SECRET DIARIES OF MISS MIRANDA CHEEVER.)

There are 12 categories and multiple Seattle finalists. The full list of GSRWA member finalists in both the RITA and Golden Heart should be up on the website soon. Congrats to Yasmine Galenorn, Susan Mallery, Anthea Lawson, Vivi Andrews, Cherry Adair, Julia Quinn, Susan Wiggs, Janice Kay Johnson, Debbie Malcomer and Lisa Kleypas (unsubstantiated rumor says she moved to Bellingham). Seatown represent!

So many books, so little time. How will you decide which finalists to read? Here are the 13 you should choose first (in order as they appear on the RITA finalist list):

1. Passionate by Anthea Lawson
   Kensington Publishing Corp., Zebra Debut
   Finalist: Best First Book
   
2. Private Arrangements by Sherry Thomas
   Bantam Dell Publishing Group
   Finalist: Best First Book, Historical Romance
   
3. Strangers in the Night by Kerry Connor
   Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Intrigue
   Finalist: Best First Book, Contemp. series suspense/adventure
4. The Man Behind the Cop by Janice Kay Johnson
   Harlequin Enterprises, Superromance
   Finalist: Contemp. series suspense/adventure
5. Seduce Me at Sunrise by Lisa Kleypas
   St. Martin’s Press
   Finalist: Historical Romance
6. The Spymaster’s Lady by Joanna Bourne
   Penguin Group USA, Berkley Sensation
   Finalist: Historical Romance
7. Dragon Wytch by Yasmine Galenorn
   Penguin Group USA, Berkley
   Finalist: Paranormal Romance
8. Mine to Possess by Nalini Singh
   Penguin Group USA, Berkley Sensation
   Finalist: Paranormal Romance
9. Mr. Cavendish, I Presume by Julia Quinn
   HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books
   Finalist: Regency Historical Romance
10. My Lord and Spymaster by Joanna Bourne
    Penguin Group USA, Berkley Sensation
    Finalist: Regency Historical Romance
11. “Only You” by Jacquie D’Alessandro in It Happened One Night
    HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books
    Finalist: Romance Novella
12. “Thicker Than Blood” by Meljean Brook in First Blood
    Penguin Group USA, Berkley
    Finalist: Romance Novella
13. “The Fall of Rogue Gerard” by Stephanie Laurens in It Happened One Night
    HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books
    Finalist: Romance Novella

Did you miss your chance to bid on the Advanced Reader’s Copy (ARC) of Julia Quinn’s Mr. Cavendish, I Presume? (It went for $320 on Brenda Novak’s Online Auction.) Well never fear, here is your second chance to get your pristine regency gloves on a copy! The auction is a fundraiser for the kids of someone named Alyx. Who is that? No idea.

If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of reading Ms. James or Ms. Quinn, here is your chance. Both ladies write delightfully witty novels set in Regency London. Last night I finished The Lost Duke of Wyndham, which takes place at the same time as Mr. Cavendish, I Presume. It was lovely. Jack is a hero after my own heart.

Eloisa James and Julia Quinn Auction of Regency Goodness click here

Auction ends Midnight EST, Friday, June 27 and all bids start at $5 unless otherwise stated.

Goodies to bid on:

• Critique of a Query Letter by CJ Lyons
• ARC: Julia Quinn’s Mr. Cavendish, I Presume
• ARC: Julianne MacLean’s The Mistress Diaries
• ARC: Eloisa James’s When the Duke Returns
• ARC: Victoria Dahl’s A Rake’s Guide to Pleasure + an Extra!
• ARC: Sophie Jordan’s Surrender To Me
• ARC: Karen Hawkin’s Talk of the Town
• ARC: Colleen Gleason’s When Twilight Burns
• ARC: Elizabeth Hoyt’s To Seduce a Sinner
• ARC: Michelle Marcos’s Gentleman Behaving Badly
• ARC: Alexandra Benedict’s Too Dangerous To Desire
• ARC: Jennifer Ashley’s Immortals: The Redeeming
• Autographed Bridgerton Collection
• Autographed Gardella Vampire Series from Colleen Gleason
• Autographed Splendid Trilogy
• Autographed by Lorraine Heath. From Texas to London 13 books
• Autographed The Dark Gate by Pamela Palmer
• Autographed Templar Trilogy from Mary Reed McCall
• Autographed Unmasqued by Colette Gale Hardback Copy
• Elizabeth Hoyt’s Prince Trilogy Autographed
• To Catch An Heiress and How to Marry a Marquis, signed by JQ
• And more!