Day LAST - Leaving SF, but not without my heart

I thought it only fitting to do one final post before I pack up the laptop with the rest of my stuff. I had to show you what the day looks like.

This has been one heck of a week! From the shaky beginnings of "i missed my plane and am stuck in Cincy for HOURS!", to the CabOfDeath, to dancing at the Four Seasons during the Harlequin party, right up to last night's culmination of Kristan's RITA win, I have been on a roller coaster of emotions.

I've learned a lot this week, but not just about writing. I've learned that this is a tough industry. There are people out there that are not all nice. I've learned that publishing is a whole different creature than writing a book. I've learned that agents, though formidable and sometimes very frightening, are people that take great joy in the personal triumphs of their clients (yes, Donna, I'm talking about you!). I've learned that a week in a hotel room with a RITA nominee (and WINNER!) gives you a whole different perspective on the business.

I also learned that sometimes, with a little luck, a great dress, and an hysterical sex-y speech, a virtual newcomer can charm the pants off of an entire roomful of women. In order for that to happen though, you have to write a great book. And sometimes, just sometimes, all of your hard work pays off in a very big way.

Kristan's win is obviously a personal inspiration to me. Just last year in Dallas, Barb Caridad Ferrar won in the same category. Kristan was sitting right next to me then, and we both screamed our heads off when 'the little book that could' took Top Honors and shocked an organization. I can remember elbowing Kristan and telling her that someday, it would be her up on that stage. Little did either of us know that it would be the very next year.

Really though, being blessed enough to have a husband that said, "Go to San Francisco. Live your dream," and children that treat me like a rock star on a daily basis because I get to meet the people that write the books that are scattered all over our house? That is the true blessing and joy in my life. I cherish the people I've met here, and am thankful for being able to share this extraordinary and surreal week with my friend Kristan...but I'm so glad to be heading home, back into the arms of the people that love me.

Thanks to all of you for sharing this week with me. Thanks for your comments, and your e-mails. Thanks for your enthusiasm.

Signing off now, and will update again when I make it back to home soil.

Farewell, San Francisco... it's time for me to get back to the people that hold my heart.

Day LAST - Kristan's win

This is the glamorous Kristan Higgins, holding her RITA for Contemporary Single Title Romance. She looks like a movie star holding her Oscar, doesn't she?

Kristan's book, CATCH OF THE DAY, is her second novel, first RITA nomination, and first win.

I have a hard time writing about this winner and her award, as most of you know that this is the one award I was really cheering for, and Kristan is the person I most wanted to win out of all of the other entrants in any category. I literally screamed for joy, then cried like a baby, when she won. Except during her speech. I'll post the youtube video clip of that as soon as it's available. But you already know how much I LOVED the book, choosing it as my Book Diet book, and then as Best Book of the Year. I read this book over 50 times. I loved Maggie. I loved Malone. I loved Father Tim. I loved that Kristan broke almost every single "rule" and stayed true to the spirit of her vision.

The thing that I possibly love the most though is that she really deserved this win. I was concerned that some other book would win, some more established author, a bigger name, an industry favorite. I'm very thankful to the people that voted for this category, choosing COTD as the very best in Romance this year.

I will have an exclusive interview with Kristan very soon. Her family arrives here today, and she's driving back to the East coast with them. It will take a few weeks. When she's back home and has had time to find a home for her new golden lady, she's going to answer a few questions here. So if you'd like to ask her anything in particular, ask it in the comments of this post, and I'll make sure to get an answer for you. You can also e-mail me questions at deesbookdish@gmail.com . Please put "Questions for Kristan" in the subject line.

Also, I have signed copies of the RITA-award winning book, CATCH OF THE DAY, for the following people:
Ann M.
Marianne
Diane
Brandy
Larena
If you would each please e-mail me at deesbookdish@gmail.com and put COTD WINNER in the subject line, and please include your mailing address, I will be happy to get your books in the mail as soon as I get home. (Ann - Kristan just told me that she got your e-mail, and she remembers sending you a book. Do you want another copy? Let me know.)

I'll have so much more to write, but not now. Right now, I'm going to breakfast with my roomie. I'm also going to pack up and get to the airport. Once I'm settled back at home, I will do one final recap. I might, of course, blog some of my personal observations on my personal blog. I haven't decided yet.

I'd like to again thank my husband for his help last night. He was updating the site with every winner, and I really appreciate him.

And yes, to those of you wondering, that is ME up there with Kristan. How did I get so close to her? Well duh - she's my roommate.

I'll Keep You Posted!

2008 RITA Winners!

Again, thanks to Shane for keeping you all in the loop during the RITA/GH ceremony!!

And again, this page is borrowed from the original RWA website announcing the RITA contestants, found here.

2008 RITA for Best First Book Finalists
		Dead Girls Are Easy by Terri Garey HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books (978-0-06-113615-3) Erika Tsang, editor
		Graffiti Girl by Kelly Parra Simon & Schuster, MTV Books/Pocket (141653461X) Jennifer Heddle, editor
		Prime Time by Hank Phillippi Ryan Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin NEXT (9780373881352) Ann Leslie Tuttle, editor
		Prom Dates From Hell by Rosemary Clement-Moore Random House Publishing, Delacorte Press (978-0-385-73412-7) Krista Marino, editor
		Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn Harlequin Enterprises, MIRA (978-0-7783-2410-2) Valerie Gray, editor
		Snow Angel by Jamie Carie B&H Publishing Group, B&H Fiction (978-0-8054-4533-6) Thomas Walters and David Webb, editors
		Thief With No Shadow by Emily Gee BL Publishing, Solaris (978 1 84416 469 1) Mark Newton, editor
		Treasure by Helen Brenna Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Superromance (0373714033) Johanna Raisanen, editor
AND THE WINNER IS: Dead Girls Are Easy by Terri Garey
2008 RITA for Best Contemporary Series Romance Finalists
		Always a Bridesmaid by Kristin Hardy Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Special Edition (0-373-24832-6) Gail Chasan, editor
		Fall From Grace by Kristi Gold Harlequin Enterprises, Everlasting Love (0-373-65404-9) Beverley Sotolov and Paula Eykelhof, editors
		Make-Believe Mom by Elaine Grant Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Superromance (0373714459) Victoria Curran, editor
		Night Mischief by Nina Bruhns Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Nocturne (0373617720) Natashya Wilson and Tara Parsons, editor
		Sleeping Partner by Kelly Hunter Harlequin Enterprises, Sexy Sensation (978 0 733 58182 3) Joanne Carr, editor
		Snowbound by Janice Johnson Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Superromance (0-373-71454-8) Laura Shin, editor
		The Mile High Club by Heidi Rice Harlequin Enterprises, Mills and Boon Modern Extra (9780263854008) Bryony Green, editor
		The Tycoon's Princess Bride by Natasha Oakley Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Presents (978-0-373-12667-5) Jenny Hutton, editor
AND THE WINNER IS: Snowbound by Janice Johnson
2008 RITA for Best Contemporary Series Romance: Suspense/Adventure Finalists
		High-Risk Affair by RaeAnne Thayne Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Romantic Suspense (0-373-27518-8) Gail Chasan, editor
		Midnight Prince by Dani Sinclair Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Intrigue (13:978-0-373-69270-5) Natashya Wilson, editor
		Sara's Son by Tara Taylor Quinn Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Superromance (0373714289) Paula Eykelhof, editor
		Stranded With A Spy by Merline Lovelace Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Romantic Suspense (978-0-373-27553-3) Gail Chasan, editor
		The Medusa Affair by Cindy Dees Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Romantic Suspense (978-0-373-27547-2) Patience Smith, editor
		The Medusa Seduction by Cindy Dees Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Romantic Suspense (978-0-373-27564-9) Patience Smith, editor
		Treasure by Helen Brenna Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Superromance - (0373714033) Johanna Raisanen, editor
		Untouched by Samantha Hunter Harlequin Enterprises, Blaze Extreme (978-0373793037) Birgit Davis Todd, editor
AND THE WINNER IS: Treasure by Helen Brenna
2008 RITA for Best Contemporary Single Title Romance Finalists
		Blame It On Cupid by Jennifer Greene Harlequin Enterprises, HQN (0373771770) Melissa Jeglinski, editor
		Catch of the Day by Kristan Higgins Harlequin Enterprises, HQN (0-373-7724-6) Tracy Farrell and Keyren Gerlach, editors
		Coming Undone by Susan Andersen Harlequin Enterprises, HQN (0-373-77213-0) Margo Lipschultz, editor
		Sexiest Man Alive by Diana Holquist Grand Central Publishing, Forever (0-044-61798-9) Michele Bidelspach, editor
		She's No Angel by Leslie Kelly Harlequin Enterprises, HQN (0373772157) Brenda Chin, editor
		Tangled Up In You by Rachel Gibson HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books (978-0-06-117803-0) Lucia Macro, editor
		Tempt Me Tonight by Toni Blake HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books, Red (978-0-06-113609-2) Lucia Macro, editor
		The Sleeping Beauty Proposal by Sarah Strohmeyer Penguin Group USA, Dutton (9780525950189) Julie Doughty, editor
AND THE WINNER IS: Catch of the Day by Kristan Higgins
2008 RITA for Best Historical Romance Finalists
		And Then He Kissed Her by Laura Lee Guhrke HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books (978-0-06-114360-1) Erika Tsang, editor
		Beloved Warrior by Patricia Potter Penguin Group USA, Berkley Sensation (9780425215739) Wendy McCurdy and Christine Zika, editors
		Lessons of Desire by Madeline Hunter Bantam Dell Publishing Group (9780440243946) Shauna Summers, editor
		Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas St. Martin's Press (0-312-94980-4) Jennifer Enderlin, editor
		Surrender to a Scoundrel by Julianne MacLean HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books (0-06-081936-7) Erika Tsang, editor
		Tempted Tigress by Jade Lee Dorchester Publishing, Leisure Books (0-8439-5690-9) Chris Keeslar, editor
		The Leopard Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt Grand Central Publishing, Forever (0446618489) Melanie Murray, editor
		The Perfect Kiss by Anne Gracie Penguin Group USA, Berkley Sensation (9780425213452) Wendy McCurdy and Christine Zika, editors
AND THE WINNER IS: Lessons of Desire by Madeline Hunter
2008 RITA for Best Inspirational Romance Finalists
		A Touch of Grace by Linda Goodnight Harlequin Enterprises, Steeple Hill Love Inspired (978-0-373-87426-2) Allison Lyons, editor
		Autumn Blue by Karen Harter Center Street (1-931722-61-7) Christina Boys, editor
		Pursuit of Justice by Pamela Tracy Harlequin Enterprises, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense (978 0 373 44236) Krista Stroever, editor
		Rainbow's End by Irene Hannon Harlequin Enterprises, Steeple Hill Love Inspired (0-373-87415-4) Melissa Endlich, editor
		Ransomed Dreams by Amy Wallace Random House Publishing, WaterBrook Multnomah (9781590527474) Julee Schwarzburg, editor
		Splitting Harriet by Tamara Leigh Random House Publishing, WaterBrook Multnomah (1590529286) Julee Schwarzburg, editor
		Taming Rafe by Susan May Warren Tyndale House Publishers (1414310188) Karen Watson, editor
		When the Morning Comes by Cindy Woodsmall Random House Publishing, WaterBrook Multnomah (9781400072934) Shannon Hill, editor
AND THE WINNER IS: A Touch of Grace by Linda Goodnight
2008 RITA for Best Novel With Strong Romantic Elements Finalists
		A Gentle Rain by Deborah Smith BelleBooks (978-0-9768760-7-6) Debra Dixon, editor
		High Noon by Nora Roberts Penguin Group USA, Putnam (978-0-399-15434-8) Leslie Gelbman, editor
		Learning to Breathe by Karen White Penguin Group USA, NAL Accent (978-0-451-22034-9) Cindy Hwang, editor
		Odd Mom Out by Jane Porter Grand Central Publishing, 5 Spot (0446699233) Karen Kosztolnyik, editor
		See No Evil by Allison Brennan Ballantine (9780345495037) Charlotte Herscher, editor
		Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn Harlequin Enterprises, MIRA (978-0-7783-2410-2) Valerie Gray, editor
		Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas St. Martin's Press (0-312-35162-3) Jennifer Enderlin, editor
		Thief With No Shadow by Emily Gee BL Publishing, Solaris (978 1 84416 469 1) Mark Newton, editor
AND THE WINNER IS: Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn
2008 RITA for Best Paranormal Finalists
		Dead Girls Are Easy by Terri Garey HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books (978-0-06-113615-3) Erika Tsang, editor
		Demon's Kiss by Maggie Shayne Harlequin Enterprises, MIRA (0-77832497-4) Leslie Wainger, editor
		Games of Command by Linnea Sinclair Bantam Dell Publishing Group, Spectra (978-0-553-58963-4) Anne Groell, editor
		He Loves Me, He Loves Me Hot by Stephanie Rowe Grand Central Publishing, Forever (0446619019) Melanie Murray, editor
		Lover Revealed by J.R. Ward Penguin Group USA, Signet, Onyx (978-0-451-41235-5) Kara Cesare, editor
		Prince of Magic by Linda Winstead Jones Penguin Group USA, Berkley Sensation (978-0-425-21448-0) Christine Zika and Wendy McCurdy, editors
		Raintree: Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Nocturne (0-373-61764-X) Leslie Wainger, editor
		Touch of Darkness by Christina Dodd Penguin Group USA, NAL (0451221842) Kara Cesare, editor
AND THE WINNER IS: Lover Revealed by J.R. Ward
2008 RITA for Best Regency Historical Romance Finalists
		Blackthorne's Bride by Shana Galen HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books (978-0-06-112497-6) May Chen, editor
		Claiming the Courtesan by Anna Campbell HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books (978-0-06-123491-0) Lucia Macro, editor
		Lord of Scandal by Nicola Cornick Harlequin Enterprises, HQN (9780373772117) Kimberley Young, editor
		The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books (0061230839) Lyssa Keusch, editor
		Untouched by Anna Campbell HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books (978-0-06-123492-7) Lucia Macro, editor
AND THE WINNER IS: The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn
2008 RITA for Best Romance Novella Finalists
		“Angel and the Hellraiser” in Demon’s Delight by Vickie Taylor Penguin Group USA, Berkley Sensation (978-0-425-21381-0) Cindy Hwang, editor
		“Born in My Heart” in Like Mother, Like Daughter by Jennifer Greene Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin NEXT (0-373-88134) Melissa Jeglinski, editor
		“Christmas Cravings” in Holiday with a Vampire by Maureen Child Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Nocturne (0-373-61776-3) Melissa Jeglinski, editor
		“Christmas Day Family” in A Western Winter Wonderland by Cheryl St. John Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Historical (0373294670) Ann Leslie Tuttle, editor
		“Eternity in Death” in Dead of Night by J.D. Robb Penguin Group USA, Putnam (978-0515-14367-6) Leslie Gelbman, editor
		“Fallen Angel” in A Western Winter Wonderland by Jenna Kernan Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Historical (0-373-29467-1) Ann Leslie Tuttle, editor
		“Mischief and the Marquess” in Perfect Kisses by Sylvia Day Kensington Publishing Corp., Brava (075820941X) Kate Duffy, editor
		“On the Fringe” in Dead of Night by Mary Kay McComas Penguin Group USA, Berkley Jove (978-0-515-14367-6) Cindy Hwang, editor
AND THE WINNER IS: “Born in My Heart” in Like Mother, Like Daughter by Jennifer Greene
2008 RITA for Best Romantic Suspense Finalists
		Die for Me by Karen Rose Grand Central Publishing, Vision (0446616915) Karen Kosztolnyik, editor Photo Credit: Deborah Finegold
		Ice Blue by Anne Stuart Harlequin Enterprises, MIRA (0778324788) Margaret O'Neil Marbury, editor
		Ice Storm by Anne Stuart Harlequin Enterprises, MIRA (0778325008) Margaret O'Neil Marbury, editor
		Prime Time by Hank Phillippi Ryan Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin NEXT (9780373881352) Ann Leslie Tuttle, editor
		Speak No Evil by Allison Brennan Ballantine (9780345495020) Charlotte Herscher, editor
		Traceless by Debra Webb St. Martin's Press (0312942222) Jennifer Weis, editor
		White Heat by Cherry Adair Ballantine (978-0-345-47644-9) Charlotte Herscher, editor
AND THE WINNER IS: Ice Blue by Anne Stuart
2008 RITA for Young Adult Finalists
		Girl at Sea by Maureen Johnson HarperCollins Publishers, HarperTeen (978-0-06-054144-6) Farrin Jacobs, editor
		Graffiti Girl by Kelly Parra Simon & Schuster, MTV Books/Pocket (141653461X) Jennifer Heddle, editor
		Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles Llewellyn Worldwide, Flux (978-0-7387-1018-1) Andrew Karre, editor
		Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr HarperCollins Publishers, HarperTeen (978-0-06-121465-3) Anne Hoppe and Nick Lake, editors

AND THE WINNER IS:
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr