If summer puts you in the mood for romance, snuggle up to one of the new winners of the 2011 RITA Awards.  Given by the Romance Writers of America, the RITA Awards celebrate outstanding published works in diverse categories of the romance genre.  Among this year’s honorees:

Best Regency Historical Romance – The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig

Best Inspirational Romance – In Harm’s Way by Irene Hannon

Best Young Adult Romance – The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Best Romantic Suspense – Silent Scream by Karen Rose

Best First Book – Pieces of Sky by Kaki Warner

Best Novel with Strong Romantic Elements - Welcome to Harmony by Jodi Thomas