Carol Stream, IL —Susan May Warren, the award-winning author of over 20 Christian novels, has received the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Novel for Finding Stefanie (Tyndale House, 2008). Considered the highest award in the genre of mainstream romance fiction, the RITA Award is named after the Romance Writers of America’s first president, Rita Clay Estrada. The RITA Awards were announced during the RWA’s annual conference, held July 15-18 in Washington, D.C.

“Susan May Warren continues to excite her readers with each novel she writes,” said Babette Rea, Tyndale Senior Marketing Manager. “The Noble Legacy has been one of her most popular series so far, and this RITA Award for Finding Stefanie further demonstrates Susan’s ability to captivate and inspire readers.”

Finding Stefanie is the third book in the Noble Legacy trilogy of contemporary inspirational romances about three siblings. Set in Montana ranch country, the Noble Legacy series also includes Reclaiming Nick and Taming Rafe .

Finding Stefanie was also a finalist in the Christy Awards presented in Denver on July 11. Although the book did not receive a Christy, it was recognized as one of three finalists in the Contemporary Romance category. It is also a finalist in the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year contest in the Long Contemporary Romance category; winners will be announced during ACFW’s September 17–20 conference in Denver. Susan’s first novel, Happily Ever After , was a 2003 Christy Award finalist and won the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year in 2003.

Tyndale House released Susan May Warren’s Nothing but Trouble , the first book in her PJ Sugar series, in May 2009. In choosing the book as a “top pick,” the Romantic Times reviewer said, “Warren has done it again with an excellent blend of humor, romance, mystery, and some much needed spiritual lessons.” The second book in the series, Double Trouble , will release in February 2010.

Showing her versatility and ability to write various genres of inspirational fiction, Susan May Warren has also written The Great Christmas Bowl , an entertaining and poignant Christmas novella, set to release from Tyndale House in September 2009.

Susan May Warren grew up in a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and earned a degree in communications from the University of Minnesota. After serving with her husband as missionaries in Russia for eight years, Susan and her family now live in a small town in northern Minnesota. www.susanmaywarren.com .

Located in Carol Stream, Illinois, Tyndale House Publishers was founded in 1962 by Dr. Kenneth N. Taylor as a means of publishing The Living Bible . Tyndale publishes books and other resources, including Bibles in the New Living Translation (NLT) and the NLT Study Bible, launched in the fall of 2008. Tyndale products also include numerous New York Times best sellers, such as the popular Left Behind fiction series. Tyndale House Publishers is substantially owned by Tyndale House Foundation. As a result, the company’s profits help underwrite the foundation’s mission, which is to spread the Good News of Christ around the world. www.tyndale.com.