The BIG Awards 2011

Every year RWA ends their national conference on a splendid note by having a HUGE awards ceremony to announce the winners of the Golden Heart (for unpublished authors) and the Rita award (for published authors).

As you all know, the awards have special significance to the Banditas because we were all Golden Heart finalists back in 2006. That's where we met and bonded and we continue to be attached to the yearly awards ceremony.

Even those of us who were unable to attend the conference this year were gathered round our laptops in eager anticipation. Sven (who stayed home this year so that Lars and Paolo could attend) made us a huge batch of hot buttered popcorn, and there's plenty of bubbly for everyone.

Please join us as we toast this year's Golden Heart and Rita winners:

Golden Heart for Regency Romance: The Proper Miss's Guide to Bad Behavior by Anne Barton

Golden Heart for Historical Romance: The Dark Lady by Maire Shelley

Golden Heart for Inspirational: At His Command by Ruth Kaufman

Golden Heart for Young Adult: Irresistible by Suzanne Kaufman Kalb

Golden Heart for Contemporary Series Romance: Lost and Found by Jo Anne Banker

Golden Heart for Contemporary Series Suspense/Adventure: Stolen Lullaby by Robin Perini

Golden Heart for Romantic Suspense: Spy in the Mirror by Diana Van Dyke

Golden Heart for Novel with Strong Romantic Elements: Nearly Departed in Deadwood by Ann Charles

Golden Heart for Paranormal Romance: The Blood Sworn King by Tirsze Ray

Golden Heart for Contemporary Single Title Romance: The Sinners by Lisa Connelly

Rita for Regency Historical Romance: The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig

Rita for Historical Romance: His at Night by Sherry Thomas

Rita for Inspirational Romance: In Harms Way by Irene Hannon

Rita for Young Adult Romance: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Rita for Contemporary Series Romance: Welcome Home, Cowboy by Karen Templeton

Rita for Series Romance Suspense/Adventure: The Moon that Night by Helen Brenna

Rita for Novel with Strong Romantic Elements: Welcome to Harmony by Jodi Thomas

Rita for Romantic Suspense: Silent Scream by Karen Rose

Rita for Romantic Novella: "Shifting Sea" by Virginia Kantra in Burning Up

Rita for Paranormal Romance: Unchained: The Dark Forgotten by Sharon Ashwood

Rita for Contemporary Single Title: Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis

Rita for Best First Book: Pieces of Sky by Kaki Warner

SUPER CONGRATS to all the winners! It's wonderful to see familiar names and also fun to see brand new authors with great new books to try!

Do you like to watch award shows? Which are your favorites?

How many of the winning books have you read?