not contain a quill in their hands. These lovely golden ladies will eventually be replaced by those which do contain the quills and the recipients will get to keep the flawed ones as conversation pieces.

The night kicked off with the very talented Christie Craig Emceeing the event. Armed with a devilish gleam in her eye, a charming smile on her face, and a warm and lovely southern accent that could melt an icicle on a cold winter's day, she presided over the event. Using her wonderful humor and quick wit she talked of the perils writers face when attempting to get published. Reading some of her own rejection letters and talking about her struggle with dyslexia, which incidentally, resulted in one sentence's whole meaning being altered when shefinding out who would win. As nominations were read, you'd hear many attendees clapping and displaying their approval and support of the nominations. It was fun seeing whole tables getting excited where nominees were sitting.

Author Sarah Morgan was the evening's first RITA award winner. Unfortunately I could find no picture of her. Her book, "A Night of No Return" (The Private Lives of Public Playboys), won in the category of Short Contemporary Series Romance.

Book Synopsis for 'A Night of No Return':

Money, charm and sensual skills don't make up for a heart colder than ice .

Wild parties, wanton women, relentless work—nothing helps tycoon Lucas Jackson escape his dark and haunting past. Arriving at his rural castle in a snarling snowstorm, he craves only complete isolation. But it seems oblivion