Just over two years ago, the awesome Angela James was getting ready to launch Carina Press, the digital-first arm of Harlequin, and she was asked where she saw the publisher in five years time. Her response? "Winning a RITA."
For those of you who don't know, the RITA is awarded by Romance Writers of America and is the Award for romance writers. Really, they don't come any bigger.
As you can imagine, there was huge excitement last week when, after only two years, a Carina Press title, Boomerang Bride by Fiona Lowe, walked off with the RITA for the Contemporary Single Title Romance. Not only was this a first for Carina Press, it was the first time a digital-first title had won a RITA. It's fabulous news. Many, many congratulations to Fiona, Fiona's editor Charlotte Herscher, and everyone at Carina Press.
(If you want to read a RITA winner, Boomerang Bride is currently on sale from Carina Press - until Monday, I think.)
(Not sure if I've mentioned this but Carina Press also publish great mysteries… Ha.)
August crept up and took me completely by surprise - probably because, weather-wise, Lancashire is still stick in April - but the weekend's been a long time coming. I'm sure I have something planned for this weekend - oh yes, I'm bringing a certain puppy home. I expect he's busy packing his bag and saying goodbye to his mum and his brothers and sisters as I type … *sniff*
What do you have planned for the weekend? Something exciting? Whatever you're doing, I hope you have a good one!