Author Tina Ferraro a finalist

Local author Tina Ferraro’s book “How to Hook a Hottie” has been named as one of the three finalists for the 2009 RITA Award for Young Adult Romance sponsored by the Romance Writers of America.

The book is the second of three books written by Ferraro, who began her career with “Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress” followed by Hottie and her latest, “ABC’s of Kissing Boys.” The author is a longtime La Crescenta resident and mom of three teenagers.

The RITA Award was named after RWA’s first president Rita Clay Estrada. The award will be announced at the 29th Annual RWA Conference July 15-18 in Washington, D.C.