‘Dragon Bound’ grabs top romance writers’ award August 4, 2012

The Romance Writers of America recently announced its writing awards and Thea Harrison snagged the top paranormal romance RITA honor for DRAGON BOUND.

I have not read DRAGON BOUND — which I just ordered for my iPad — but here’s the description from Harrison’s website:

Half-human and half-wyr, Pia Giovanni spent her life keeping a low profile among the wyrkind and avoiding the continuing conflict between them and their Dark Fae enemies. But after being blackmailed into stealing a coin from the hoard of a dragon, Pia finds herself targeted by one of the most powerful–and passionate—of the Elder Races.

As the most feared and respected of the wyrkind, Dragos Cuelebre cannot believe someone had the audacity to steal from him, much less succeed. And when he catches the thief, Dragos spares her life, claiming her as his own to further explore the desire they’ve ignited in one another.

Ann Aguirre took top honors in the Young Adult Romance with ENCLAVE.

New York City has been decimated by war and plague, and most of civilization has migrated to underground enclaves, where life expectancy is no more than the early 20s. When Deuce turns 15, she takes on her role as a Huntress, and is paired with Fade, a teenage Hunter who lived Topside as a young boy. When she and Fade discover that the neighboring enclave has been decimated by the tunnel monsters—or Freaks—who seem to be growing more organized, the elders refuse to listen to warnings. And when Deuce and Fade are exiled from the enclave, the girl born in darkness must survive in daylight, in the ruins of a city whose population has dwindled to a few dangerous gangs. As the two are guided by Fade’s long-ago memories, they face dangers, and feelings, unlike any they’ve ever known.

And Lorenda Christensen wins the 2012 Golden Heart for best manuscript with NEVER DEAL WITH DRAGONS by Lorenda Christensen won the 2012 Golden Heart for best manuscript. What’s it about? Here’s what Christensen posted on her website about the manuscript:

Myrna Banks is a lowly assistant in the Tulsa branch of DRACIM , an organization created to provide a reliable liaison between humans and the new race of genetically spawned creatures colloquially dubbed “dragons”. Her job is to do anything necessary to keep humans from being eaten by angry dragons while damage claims are negotiated on their behalf. But her usual schedule of muck boots and pig buffets is interrupted by a visit from Trian Chobardan, an old flame who sneaked out of her bed two years ago with a fist full of classified documents and more than a little piece of her heart.

Myrna would love to show Trian the door – and the bottom of her foot – but he’s at DRACIM by the request of Lord Relobu, North America’s reigning dragon lord. Relobu needs a neutral party to preside over upcoming negotiations between himself and the Chinese dragon court. If the talks fail, war between the dragon nations is certain – an outcome that would be devastating for the human population caught in the middle.

When DRACIM top brass turn down the job, citing employee safety issues, Myrna decides she has no choice but to offer herself as token referee in the high stakes dragon showdown. But the players aren’t all what they seem and Myrna has to learn who she can trust before she loses not only her heart, but her life.

And here’s the list of the rest of the RITA award winners — because we all need a great romance once in a while, eh?! (Did any of your faves get left off the list this year? If so, let me know in the comments section! Happy reading!)