Romance Writers of America have two annual awards they bestow. The Golden Heart is for unpublished writers and the RITA is for excellent books that were published that year. The winners are announced at the annual national conference every summer. I got to go to San Antonio in 2014 as a Golden Heart finalist. And I’m going again next month in San Diego to cheer on some fabulous friends who are finalists for both the Golden Heart and the RITA. Not the same friends for both awards though. ๐
I’m currently trying to read all the nominees. They are all fabulous, so far. You can look back here on a Book Talk Tuesday for a review. What’s really crazy for me, is that I personally know five of the finalists! So I’m super excited to share about their books and their upcoming drawing.
Today I amย sharing an incredible giveaway hosted by the 2016 ‘Best First Book’ RITA Nominated Authors! They are giving away 2 $50 Amazon Gift Cards, and a copy of each of the nominated titles. There will be 3 winners total. Be sure to sign up below and check out the authors who are participating and their incredible titles.
NO BETTER MAN by Sara Richardson
Book Blurb: When it comes to business, Avery King always comes out on top. So after a very public breakup, work is the perfect excuse to ๏ฌee the Windy City for the gentle breezes of Aspen, Colorado. Her mission: acquire the land of a rundown mountain ranch. Avery expects an easy win . . . until she meets the rugged and irresistible rancher who won’t give up his property without a ๏ฌght. Bryce Walker is stunned by the stubborn beauty determined to get what she wants. But what she wants is his last connection to the life he used to have. Bryce has plans to return the ranch to its former glory and no way will he sell his family home. Yet the more time he spends with Avery, the more her sweet touch makes him forget his painful memories. Now Bryce must decide whether living in the past is worth losing his future . .
Buy Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1QoauCo ย B&N: http://bit.ly/1RedhQ6 iBooks: http://apple.co/1DSWZ4F GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/1FQhyVB Kobo: http://bit.ly/1Eil2ux BAM: http://bit.ly/1H07asU Indiebound: http://bit.ly/1IPsfbJ
Author Links: Website: http://www.sararichardson.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sararichardsonbooks Twitter: https://twitter.com/SaraR_Books Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarar_books/
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NIGHT HUSH by Leslie Jones
Book Blurb:ย 
Night Hush is a 2016 RITAยฎ nominee for Best First Book, and the winner of the New England RWAโs Readerโs Choice Award. In this gripping and action-packed debut, an Army Intelligence of๏ฌcer and a Delta Force soldier must race against the clock to stop a catastrophic terrorist attack โฆ When Army Intelligence of๏ฌcer Heather Langstrom’s military convoy is ambushed and she’s taken prisoner, she knows she’ll need all her strength and courage to survive, escape her captors, and report the whispers of unrest brewing in the Middle East. Delta Force Captain Jace Reed isn’t one to throw caution to the wind, but when his team stumbles upon beaten and weak Heather ๏ฌeeing the terrorist training camp they’ve been dispatched to destroy, he’ll risk everything to get her to safety. Once back on base, they learn her convoy’s ambush was no accident โฆ she’d been targeted. As the evidence of an impending attack mounts, Jace and Heather uncover a deadly terrorist plot that could kill hundreds of civilians. But Jace’s protective instincts and Heather’s ๏ฌerce independence put them at constant odds. And as they close in on the extremists, they must learn to trust one another in order to save innocent lives โฆ even if it means sacri๏ฌcing their own. Buy Links: Amazon: http://amzn.to/1UIeRs3 Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1Yzbt89 HarperCollins Publishers: http://bit.ly/1rvHIYW Author Links: Website: http://www.lesliejonesbooks.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LeslieJonesBooks Twitter: https://twitter.com/lesliejonesbks LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliejonesbooks Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lesliejonesbks/ Tumblr: http://lesliejonesbooks.tumblr.com
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THE STRONGEST STEEL by Scarlett Cole
Book Blurb: “An incredible story about healing, pain, and trust…you don’t want to miss this one!” –New York Times bestselling author Jen McLaughlin “I know what you’re up to,” she said. “And what would that be?” he asked with a devious smirk. “You know.” “Is it working?” She looked over her shoulder to where he was still reclining against the wall, watching her patiently. All the reasons she’d vowed to stay alone, to remain uninvolved, ๏ฌed as he grinned at her. “Maybe.” In Scarlett Cole’s The Strongest Steel, Harper Connelly never expected to ๏ฌnd herself outside of a tattoo parlor at one in the morning. The scars that decorate her back are just one more reminder of things she’d rather forget, the past she wants to leave far behind her, but before she can move on, she needs him. Trent Andrews has his own reasons for specializing in inking over scars. And there’s no way in hell he’s going to turn Harper away. Not when a swirling mix of tenderness and desire slams into him every time he sees her. Being with Harper is like going ten rounds in the ringโexhilarating,
powerful, and dangerous. She stirs feelings in him he thought were long gone… if he can only get past her carefully constructed defenses. Running was the only thing that saved Harper last time, but each session at Second Circle Tattoos brings her closer and closer to Trent. His lingering touches seduce her, making her believe in a life without fear, where she can be happy, whole, in love. But when cryptic messages start appearing on Harper’s phone, strange deliveries arrive at her door, and Second Circle is vandalized, Harper is convinced that her ex-boyfriend has tracked her down, and worse, that he knows about Trent. She ran from her past once before; this time will she have the strength to ๏ฌght back? “This book gave me so many feels! Angst, passion, and love all set in Miami, my favorite city. I can’t wait for more from this author and I can’t recommend this book enough.” – Sidney Halston,USA Today bestselling author of Against the Cage
Buy Links: Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1YmDEaK Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/23jNQl3 Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1Yzdamc Chapters Indigo: http://bit.ly/1UEf7MU iBooks: http://apple.co/1UVUzOj Author Links Website: http://www.scarlettcole.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/itsscarlettcole Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsscarlettcole Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/scarlettcole โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
ALTERED by Marnee Blake
Book Blurb: When “normal” ends, survival begins… The sickness came on suddenly and violently. When it was done, waitress Blue Michaels was different in a really strange way. And the entire town of Glory was dead…except for her. Only that’s not exactly true. A handful of people made it, including U.S. Army Specialist Seth Campbell, who was caught in the wrong town at the worst time. He’s ๏ฌerce and protective, and way too good-looking. As much as they need a leaderโas much as Blue wants to trust himโ there are too many questions and not enough time for answers. Now they are hunted. But what their pursuers don’t know is each of them has strange new powers. And they’ll use their “gifts” to survive…no matter who stands in their way. Buy Links: Amazon: http://amzn.to/1UVTKVP Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1tvzSQe Kobo: http://bit.ly/26b4FQX Google: http://bit.ly/1sMYHqV iTunes: http://apple.co/265vCJb Author Links: Website: http://www.marneeblake.com Twitter http://www.twitter.com/marneeblake Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorMarneeBlake/
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VIKING WARRIOR RISING by Asa Maria Bradley
Book Blurb:ย Immortal Vikings are among us. Leif Skarsganger and his elite band of immortal warriors have been charged to protect humanity from the evil Norse god Loki. Under attack from Lokiโs minions, Leif is shocked to encounter a dark-haired beauty who fights like a warrior herself. Wounded and feverish, the Viking kisses her, inadvertently triggering an ancient Norse bond. But when Naya Brisbane breaks away and disappears before the bond is completed, Leifโs warrior spirit goes berserk. If Leif doesnโt find her fast, heโs going to lose himself to permanent battle fury. But Naya doesnโt want to be found…and heโll do anything to track her down. Because theyโre both running out of time.
Buy Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1YAMH84 Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/200oczH Books-a-Million: http://bit.ly/1UVW3YW Indie Bound: http://bit.ly/1UEgn2A iTunes: http://apple.co/1UEgYBg
Author Links: Website: http://www.asamariabradley.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AsaMariaBradley Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsaMariaBradley.Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/AsaMariaBradley
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A NOBLE MASQUERADE by Kristi Ann Hunter
Book Blurb:ย Lady Miranda Hawthorne acts every inch the lady, but inside she longs to be bold and carefree. Entering her fourth Season and approaching spinsterhood in the eyes of society, she pours her innermost feelings out not in a diary but in letters to her brother’s old school friend, a duke–with no intention of ever sending these private thoughts to a man she’s heard stories about but never met. Meanwhile, she also finds herself intrigued by Marlow, her brother’s new valet, and although she may wish to break free of the strictures that bind her, falling in love with a servant is more of a rebellion than she planned.
When Marlow accidentally discovers and mails one of the letters to her unwitting confidant, Miranda is beyond mortified. And even more shocked when the duke returns her note with one of his own that initiates a courtship-by-mail. Insecurity about her lack of suitors shifts into confusion at her growing feelings for two men–one she’s never met but whose words deeply resonate with her heart, and one she has come to depend on but whose behavior is more and more suspicious. When it becomes apparent state secrets are at risk and Marlow is right in the thick of the conflict, one thing is certain: Miranda’s heart is far from all that’s at risk for the Hawthornes and those they love.
Buy Links: Amazon: http://amzn.to/23jO7EA Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1UEicMM Books-a-Million: http://bit.ly/1V8e03O Indie Bound: http://bit.ly/1QdXsvs
Author Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KristiAnnHunter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/KristiAnnHunter/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/KristiAnnHunter Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authorkristiann/
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FORGET TOMORROW by Pintip Dunn
Book Blurb: Imagine a world where your destiny has already been decided…by your future self.
It’s Callie’s seventeenth birthday and, like everyone else, she’s eagerly awaiting her vision-a memory sent back in time to sculpt each citizen into the person they’re meant to be. A worldclass swimmer. A renowned scientist.
Or in Callie’s case, a criminal.
In her vision, she sees herself murdering her gifted younger sister. Before she can process what it means, Callie is arrested and placed in Limbo-a hellish prison for those destined to break the law. With the help of her childhood crush, Logan, a boy she hasn’t spoken to in five years, she escapes.
But on the run from her future, as well as the government, Callie sets in motion a chain of events that she hopes will change her fate. If not, she must figure out how to protect her sister from the biggest threat of all-Callie, herself.
Buy Links: Amazon: http://amzn.to/1WWC3Ja Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1Y2I5c2 Kobo: http://bit.ly/23jPMtA Book Depository: http://bit.ly/24Zc9Uy iTunes: http://apple.co/1XxTHmz
Author Links: Website: http://www.pintipdunn.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorPintipDunn Twitter: https://twitter.com/pintipdunn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pintip_dunn/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13442212.Pintip_Dunn
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PAIRING OFF by Elizabeth Harmon
Book Blurb:ย American figure skater Carrie Parkerโs Winter Games dreams were dashed when her philandering partner caused one of the greatest scandals in skating history. Blacklisted from competing in the United States, her career is overโฆuntil she receives a mysterious invitation and is paired with the most infuriating, talentedโand handsome โskater sheโs ever met.
Russian champion Anton Belikov knows sacrifice. He gave up a normal life and any hope of a meaningful relationship to pursue his dream. And heโs come closeโwith a silver medal already under his belt, the next stop is the gold. All he needs is a partner. While heโs never forgotten the young American skater he seduced one longago night in Amsterdam, he never expected to be confronted with their pastโฆnever mind share the ice with her.
When what starts as a publicity stunt grows into something real, Carrie and Antonโs partnership will test their loyalties to family, country and each other. With only a few months to train for the competition of a lifetime, can they master technique and their emotions, or will they lose their footing and fall victim to the heartaches of their pasts?
Buy Links: Amazon: http://amzn.to/265z3iZ Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/265yR3d GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/1UEjaJ3 Kobo: http://bit.ly/1tDgce1 iTunes: http://apple.co/24ZdMBu
Author Links: Website: http://www.romancewriter-girl.com Newsletter Sign-up: http://bit.ly/1UEjcAJ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabethharmonauthor?ref=hl Twitter: https://twitter.com/romanzwrter_grl Google +: http://bit.ly/1V8hK5p Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23440537-elizabeth-harmon Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00RY9SY0S
Thank you to the First Book RITA nominees and good luck to us all!
Enter here: ย ย ย http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/726d2572275/
Meeting my favorite authors, Nora Roberts and Kristan Higgins at the Literacy fundraiser book signing Wednesday evening. This is me and Nora. I loved hearing her talk the next day. My takeaway: โQuit whining and write. Quit fโing around and write. Quit making excuses and write.โ 
Tell us a bit about yourself. Family, hobbies, etc. 
Writer of Sweet Small Town Stories of Love and Family 