She is one of only 13 authors to have won four or more times, according to Allison Kelley, the association's executive director.Ī complete list of finalists is available at www. Thomas has won four RITAs before: best series historical for 'The Tender Texan' in 1992, best historical for 'To Tame a Texan's Heart' in 1995, best short historical for 'The Texan's Reward' in 2006 and best novel with strong romantic elements for 'Welcome to Harmony' in 2011. But nobody knew the real story behind the legend: Granite Westwind was a woman Earthy, vibrant, funny and poignant, To Tame a Texan’s Heart is Jodi Thomas at her besta wonderful, colorful love story. The awards have been given out since the writers association was founded in 1980 and named RITAs in 1990, honoring association co-founder Rita Gallagher and standing for 'Romance Is Treasured Always,' according to the organization's website. TO TAME A TEXAN’S HEART Half the folks in America loved reading the gunslinging tales of Granite Westwind. Up to 1,200 romance novels and novellas in 12 different categories are judged each year in the RITA competition. To Tame a Texans Heart Quotes Showing 1-1 of 1 He’d been rigid for so long, maybe he’d petrified clean through and there was no softness left inside him. And it's a Western, and I always love writing about that time period.' 'It's about two people who think they never have a chance of falling in love or getting married. Half the folks in America love reading the gunslinging tales of Granite Westwind. But nobody knows the real story behind the legend: Granite Westwind is. 'I'm tickled because this was one of my favorite short stories,' Thomas said. To Tame a Texan's Heart by Jodi Thomas: 9781101645178 : Books Half the folks in America love reading the gunslinging tales of Granite Westwind. Thomas' story was published in 'Be My Texas Valentine,' a 2012 anthology that also features works by area authors Linda Broday, Phyliss Miranda and DeWanna Pace.

The awards, considered the romance publishing industry's highest award, are given by the Romance Writers of America and will be handed out July 20 in Atlanta. Amarillo author Jodi Thomas' short story 'The Valentine's Curse' is a finalist in the romance novella category of the 2013 RITA Awards.