RITA Finalist!!!
I. Am. A. RITA. Finalist.
Woot!!!! Happy dance!!! Tears of joy!!!Â
For those of you who are unfamiliar with Romance Writers of America’s Golden Girl…
…here she is. Isn’t she lovely? :::sigh:::Â
Anyway, the RITA is RWA’s answer to the Oscar’s. Every year over a thousand books are entered into this contest and on Call Day–which was yesterday–those authors who were brave enough to enter their books are usually waiting by the phone with bated breath to see if one of their ink-and-paper babies made the cut. I knew calls were going out at noon CST, so I prodded the family home rather quickly after church and nervously waited in my office to see if my phone would ring. At 12:14 I decided that I wasn’t going to get a call this year and would go take a nap.Â
At 12:15 Linda Howard called me. The woman is more than a genius, she’s psychic. 
 I squealed in her ear, but I’m pretty sure she’ll forgive me. She has always been my hero, but for obvious reasons I particularly adore her right now.
Naturally, I had to call Precious. The book that is nominated–The Specialist–is one that she particularly liked as the heroine of the story is, well…her.  The conversation went something like this:
“You know, I really like the heroine in this story.”
“Well, I’m glad because she’s you.”  And she is.  The heroine is hardworking, smart, witty, down-to-earth, crafty, a little bit ruthless and seasoned with a bit of smart ass. (Precious, if you are reading this, then you know I mean that in a good way. 
)
This book is also dedicated to two of my very best writing friends–Jennifer LaBrecque and Vicki Lewis Thompson. There is something quite fitting–poetic even–about that, and I am thrilled.Â
Not that ya’ll could tell or anything, eh?
March 26th, 2007 at 6:51 am
You.Deserve.It.
I am thrilled for you, baby!! You are such a gifted writer and you work your butt off.
I’m hoping with everything I’ve got that you bring that gold lady home!
March 26th, 2007 at 7:01 am
Squeeeeeee!!!!! Yay for Rhonda!!!!!!
March 26th, 2007 at 7:31 am
I’ll say it again! SQUEEEEE!!!!!
March 26th, 2007 at 7:52 am
Go Rhonda! Go Rhonda!
March 26th, 2007 at 8:07 am
Congratulations Rhonda!!!
You deserve to win. I just loved that series!
March 26th, 2007 at 8:14 am
Congratulations Rhonda! I love your work so I’m extremely excited for you!!!!!
March 26th, 2007 at 9:45 am
Thanks, everyone! And Kim, congrats to you, too!!! I’ve got Dead End Dating on my enormous TBR pile. I’ll have to move it to the top!
March 26th, 2007 at 10:26 am
March 26th, 2007 at 10:46 am
SQUUUEEEEEE!!!! I’m so excited for you, Rhonda! I absolutely love this book.
Kira
March 26th, 2007 at 11:02 am
March 26th, 2007 at 11:14 am
Thanks, Ginger!
Thanks, Kira! (And I greedily hope I win, too.
)
March 26th, 2007 at 11:30 am
i am so thrilled for you rhonda, whoo party :
March 26th, 2007 at 11:58 am
Thanks, Kim!!
March 26th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
Congrats! I’m so excited for you. Isn’t this your second nomination?
March 26th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
Marilyn, it is.
SHOW AND TELL was an ‘04 finalist.
Thanks!
March 26th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
March 26th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
Contgrats on the nomination. When is that awards presentation?
March 26th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
Congrats Rhonda … I know you worked very hard and deserve it.
March 26th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
great reviews for you blaze books too,from rt
March 26th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
Congratulations! I’ll have to see if Kimberly has a copy I can borrow to read.
You go girl!
March 26th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
Congrats!!!!!!!! I wish you the best of luck and will keep my fingers crossed that you win!!!!!!!!
March 27th, 2007 at 6:54 am
Sheryl, if I get to make a speech, you can bet I will remember ya’ll.
Susan, not until July. I get to be happy about being a finalist right up until they pick a winner, lol.
Thanks Mis, Kim H, Kimberly’s Mom, and Michelle! I appreciate it!
March 27th, 2007 at 9:58 am
Yay, Rhonda!! I’ve been remiss about reading your Blog the last couple of days, so I wasn’t aware!
Congratulations! I’m so thrilled for you!! Whee!!