In the year it was originally released, A Wanted Man won the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award for short historical published romance. Surrounded by friends and colleagues and plenty of glitter and sequins, Susan’s name was called at the RWA awards ceremony in Reno on July 30, 2005 as the winner and she headed up to the podium with long-time Avon editor Lyssa Keusch. The short historical category was very competitive this year — along with Susan, Terri Brisbin, Connie Brockway, Mary Burton, Kathryn Caskie, Lois Greiman, Karyn Monk, Deborah Simmons all had fabulous books in the running. Said Susan before the ceremony, “amazing, amazing, amazing to to be included in this group.” After the ceremony she was just all very big smiles.
Photos from the RITA Awards, July 30, 2005 in Reno, NV
Big smiles: dear friend Connie Brockway and Susan celebrating her award.
Susan and editor Lyssa Keusch make the long, exciting walk up to the podium under one of the three the huge big screens.
The Best Short Historical Romance winning screen
For more about Susan’s previous RITA nod, click over to Heaven in West Texas (1998 Best Paranormal Romance RITA finalist). And before she was published, Journey Home won RWA’s top award for unpublished romance, The Golden Heart.