Romance Awards Announced

The following awards were announced at the Romance Writers of America 2000 National Conference in Washington, D.C., July 26-29.

RITA 2000 Awards

(for Romances Published in 1999)

Traditional: Annie, Get Your Groom

by Kristin Gabriel

Short Contemporary Series: The Stardust Cowboy

by Anne McAllister

Long Contemporary Series: Undercover Princess

by Suzanne Brockmann

Paranormal: Nell

by Jeanette Baker

Inspirational: Danger in the Shadows

by Dee Henderson

Novella: “Starry, Starry Night”

by Marianne Willman, from Once Upon A Star

Best First Book: The Maiden and the Unicorn

by Isolde Martyn

Regency: The Rake’s Retreat

by Nancy Butler

Short Historical: The Proposition

by Judith Ivory

Long Historical: Silken Threads

by Patricia Ryan

Romantic Suspense: The Bride’s Protector

by Gayle Wilson

Contemporary Single Title: Body Guard

by Suzanne Brockmann

Golden Heart Awards

For 1999’s Best Unpublished Manuscripts

Traditional Series Romance: Cruising for Love by Tami Denise Cowden

Short Contemporary Series: Skinny Dipping in the Vedigree River by Barbara Dunlop

Long Contemporary Series: Night Dreams by Carolyn H. LaFever

Contemporary Single Title: Selena’s Revenge by Abigail M. Lederman

Short Historical: Circle of Honor by Carol Lynn Umberger

Long Historical: Shades of Honor by Wendy Sue Bores

Romantic Suspense/Gothic: In Deep Water by Barbara Cool Lee

Paranormal: Hagan’s Pride by Linda S. Rooks

RWA Lifetime Achievement Award

Rita Clay Estrada

(the RWA charter member for whom the RITA was named)

ARTemis Award for Outstanding Romance Cover Art

For books published in 1999

Long Historical: Marietta Anastassatos, art director, Potent Pleasures by Eloisa James

Long Contemporary Series: (no artist listed), Opposites Attract by Shirley Hailstock

Paranormal: Franco Accornero, art director, Flowers by Moonlight by Lynn Bailey

Novella: (no artist listed) Valentine Babies by Anne Stuart, Tara Taylor Quinn, & Jule McBride

Short Contemporary Series: John Monteleone, Artist, Fiance for the Night by Melissa McClone

Short Historical: Jon Paul Ferrara, Artist, Scandalous Virtue by Brenda Hiatt

Inspirational: Michael Dudash, Art Director, Hope by Lori Copeland

Contemporary Single Title: Janice Rossie, Art Director, Half Moon Bay by Meryl Sawyer

Regency: Tom Knobloch, Cover Photo, Miss Thornrose and the Rake by Geraldine Burrows

Traditional: Carol Pringle, Artist, Mr. Wrong by Terry Campbell