And the RITA Finalists are...

Yesterday was an exciting day for most romance authors who entered their books in the annual RITA competition. It was for me. I spent the day refreshing my screen, waiting to see the name of each author as they were announced. I don't think there was a Love Inspired author out there who was still sitting in their chair when the Love Inspired authors were announced. It was very exciting to see Love Inspired with such a great showing in the Inspirational category. Here is the list of Inspirational authors who finaled.

2011 RITA Finalists for Inspirational Romance

• A Convenient Wife by Anna Schmidt (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical; Tina James, editor)
• Doctor in Petticoats by Mary Connealy (Barbour Publishing; Rebecca Germany, editor)
• Finding Her Way Home by Linda Goodnight (Steeple Hill Love Inspired; Allison Lyons, editor)
• In Harm's Way by Irene Hannon (Revell; Jennifer Leep, editor)
• Maid to Match by Deeanne Gist (Bethany House Publishers; David Long and Julie Klassen, editors)
• Shades of Morning by Marlo M. Schalesky (WaterBrook Multnomah; Shannon Marchese, editor)
• The Wedding Garden by Linda Goodnight (Steeple Hill Love Inspired; Allison Lyons, editor)
• Whisper on the Wind by Maureen Lang (Tyndale House Publishers; Stephanie Broene, editor)
• Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander (Bethany House Publishers; Karen Schurrer and Charlene Patterson, editors)
  

Congratulations to you all! See you in NYC for the celebration!