Really cool people we know, part 3

Wow! The RITA finalists were announced today. While we congratulate all the finalists, we need to give special shout-outs to the following finalists:

Best First Book:

Worth Every Risk by Dianna Love Snell
Best Long Contemporary Romance:

Worth Every Risk by Dianna Love Snell

Dianna is very cool in many ways. She was a guest author at the HOD Luncheon last year, and will return to sign again this year. She’s also a member of that other chapter Kira, Danniele and I belong to—Southern Magic. She’s a lot of fun and we’ll be hoping for a double win in Atlanta! (If I’m not mistaken, this book also won the Golden Heart in its pre-published days.)

Best Novella:

“The Naked Truth about Guys” in The Naked Truth by Alesia Holliday

Alesia was kind enough to contribute to Marilyn’s article for the Playground on blogging. With a title like that, I need to read that one…

Best Long Historical Romance:

To Pleasure a Prince by Sabrina Jeffries

Sabrina was a guest speaker at HOD’s luncheon in 2004. Great speaker. She also sent a basket for this year’s luncheon—and a copy of that book is in it. Hmmm, I wonder if I can get the basket open without anyone being able to tell…

Best Romantic Suspense:

In Deep Voodoo by Stephanie Bond

Stephanie, of course, is our speaker at the 2006 Readers’ Luncheon (and we’re hoping to get an interview with her for the Playground). I got to meet her in Reno last year—she’s so nice. I’ve heard she’s a fantastic speaker, and I’m really looking forward to this year’s luncheon.

I just love this title, btw.

And now, in the most amazing hat trick ever....

Best Short Contemporary Romance:
The Rich Stranger by Bronwyn Jameson
The Rugged Loner by Bronwyn Jameson

The Ruthless Groom by Bronwyn Jameson

Now, we all know that Bronwyn is fabulous. Just check out her interview in the Sandbox this month. Now, TRIPLE finaling in the RITA is amazing. Triple finaling in ONE category is jawdropping. BUT… these three books are Bronwyn’s “Princes of the Outback” trilogy. As far as we can tell, this is the first time in RWA history that a complete series has finaled in the RITAs.

WAY TO GO BRON!!!

All the Playfriends are beyond impressed, and we’ll be cheering for you in Atlanta.

We told you we know really cool people…