The RITA awards are given each year by the Romance Writers of America to recognize the best in romance fiction.  They are given in several categories, here is a list of the winners:


BEST FIRST BOOK

Dead Girls Are Easy by Terri Garey

BEST CONTEMPORARY SERIES ROMANCE

Snowbound by Janice Johnson

BEST CONTEMPORARY SERIES ROMANCE: SUSPENSE/ADVENTURE

Treasure by Helen Brenna

BEST CONTEMPORARY SINGLE TITLE ROMANCE

Catch of the Day by Kristan Higgins

BEST HISTORICAL ROMANCE

Lessons of Desire by Madeline Hunter

BEST INSPIRATIONAL ROMANCE

A Touch of Grace by Linda Goodnight

BEST NOVEL WITH STRONG ROMANTIC ELEMENTS

Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn

BEST PARANORMAL ROMANCE

Lover Revealed by J.R. Ward

BEST REGENCY HISTORICAL ROMANCE

The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn

BEST ROMANCE NOVELLA

"Born in My Heart" in Like Mother, Like Daughter by Jennifer Greene

BEST ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

Ice Blue by Anne Stuart

Check out the Romance Writers of America website for a complete list of the winners and finalists.

Image of the Rita Award courtesy of the Romance Writers of America website.