Here is the next TGTBTU Harlequin Insider entry from the fantabulous author Michelle Styles.  Read on and learn more about how Harlequin authors fared in the latest RITA nominations…

TGTBTU Harlequin Insider: Harlequin’s RITA Finalists
by Michelle Styles

One of the more exciting times to be a Harlequin/Silhouette author is when the RITA nominations are coming in. There always seems to be several authors that I know and whose work I have read. Or more importnatly books and authors that I just have to read…  One of the major perks of being an author is being able to write books off against tax.  And Harlequin is really well represented this year.  Earlier I was able to catch up with a few of the finalists and get their reactions as the news came in. After all there is a certain thrill in living vicariously.

Harlequin Historical author Cheryl St.John was one of the first to reveal her success for her story ‘Christmas Day Family’ in A Western Winter Wonderland. Romantic suspense legend Linda Howard called her with the good news. Cheryl said:

“I’m delighted to be nominated for a RITA in the novella category this year.  When I see all the fine authors whose work is recognized, it’s an honor to be counted among them.  This is my third shot at the gold, and I have a spot all ready for that statue above my workspace! My next release is ‘A Baby Blue Christmas’ novella in HH The Magic of Christmas anthology this October.”

As I am a huge of fan of Cheryl and her writing, I can’t wait.  

‘Fallen Angel’, Jenna Kernan‘s novella from the same anthology (AWWW) also made the finals. I did a quick check and Amazon is still showing copies available.

In the Regency Historical category, Nicola Cornick‘s Lord of Scandal was one of the finalists. It took a little while to reach Nicola but she said:

“I am still so stunned and excited! I can’t quite believe it. It’s a huge honour to be nominated along with authors whose writing I admire so much. I love the fact that the RWA encourages romance writers from across the globe and gives them this opportunity. It’s fantastic.”

Nicola’s 25^th book, The Last Rake in London is a Harlequin Historical release in June. Rake is a slight departure for Nicola as it is set in the Edwardian period.

Samantha Hunter is one of the first time nominees. Her Blaze novel Untouched has made the finals for best contemporary series romance -suspense/adventure. Sam had this to say about her nomination, once she could catch her breath:

“What the final means to me is that my writing has been affirmed by my peers, and that means a lot to me. To have my book held up as one of the best among all the wonderful books out there, well. . . there aren’t many words for how incredible that feels. The experience of a lifetime. Beyond that, it also confirms for me that that particular book, Untouched, was very special. It was a very unique book for me, and the nomination has reminded me about what energies I need to tap into to do my best writing, and to trust my instincts, even (maybe especially) when I am going out on a limb with my ideas.”

Sam’s next book is a novella “No Reservations” which is part of the Blaze What I Did for Summer Vacation anthology in July 08.

Heidi Rice‘s The Mile High Club was a March 08 Promotional Presents release. Heidi is one of the bright new Presents Extra stars. She explained why her book was important and why she is so excited to have an excuse to go to  the SF conference:

“The Mile High Club was my second published book and has a lot of stuff close to my heart in it. First off, my hero Jack Devlin – an elusive American crime writer with a dark past – is a bad boy Yank (my favourite type of hero), my heroine Mel Rourke is an editorial assistant at a tabloid magazine (one of the jobs I did back in the dawns of time) and she comes from a big Irish/English family like mine (the Christmas Dinner scene comes directly from my own family Christmases).”

Heidi’s next book, The Tycoon’s Very Personal Assistant, is out September 08 and promises to be an exciting read.

Other Harlequin authors who were called included Nina Bruhns for her Silhouette Nocturne Night Mischief. and Cindy Dees for her double final with both The Medusa Affair and The Medusa Seduction.

You can read the full 2008 RITA list and the full 2008 Golden Heart list at the RWA home page. All the authors listed are to be congratulated.