Romance Writers of America Announces 2017 Contest Finalists
Romance Writers of America (RWA), the trade association for romance fiction authors, announces the finalists for the 2017 RITA® and Golden Heart® Awards. The RITA — the highest award of distinction in romance fiction — recognizes excellence in published romance novels and novellas. The Golden Heart recognizes excellence in unpublished romance manuscripts.
Up to 2,000 romance novels are entered in the RITA competition. A novel may be entered either by the author or by the book’s publisher in one of the contest categories. After the first round of judging by published romance authors, entries that meet the qualifications to become a finalist then advance to the final round.
The winners will be announced July 27 at the 2017 RWA Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida.
Congratulations to the finalists!
RITA Finalists
Best First Book
Alterations by Stephanie Scott
Before Goodbye by Mimi Cross
Close to You by Kara Isaac
The Distance from A to Z by Natalie Blitt
Once and For All: An American Valor Novel by Cheryl Etchison
Summer of Supernovas by Darcy Woods
Contemporary Romance: Long
Always a Bridesmaid by Lizzie Shane
Hot in Hellcat Canyon by Julie Anne Long
Make Me Sin by J. T. Geissinger
Miracle on 5th Avenue by Sarah Morgan
Pansies by Alexis Hall
Snowfall on Haven Point by RaeAnne Thayne
Tender Is the Night by Barbara Freethy
Contemporary Romance: Mid-Length
Back in the Saddle by Karen Templeton
Barefoot at Midnight by Roxanne St. Claire
Carolina Dreaming by Virginia Kantra
Fast Connection by Megan Erickson and Santino Hassell
Lone Heart Pass by Jodi Thomas
Off the Hook by Laura Drewry
Once and For All: An American Valor Novel by Cheryl Etchison
Tell Me How This Ends by Victoria De La O
The Turning Point by Marie Meyer
Wanderlust by Roni Loren
Contemporary Romance: Short
APB: Baby by Julie Miller
Breaking Good by Madeline Ash
Christmas on Crimson Mountain by Michelle Major
Falling for the Rancher by Tanya Michaels
Far from Home by Lorelie Brown
His Stolen Bride by Barbara Dunlop
A Malibu Kind of Romance by Synithia Williams
Overwhelming Force by Janie Crouch
Searching for Disaster by Jennifer Probst
Two Doctors & a Baby by Brenda Harlen
Erotic Romance
The Dirty Secret by Kira A. Gold
The Master by Tara Sue Me
Off the Clock by Roni Loren
Ravenous by M. S. Force
Three Sweet Nothings by Nikki Sloane
Historical Romance: Long
Dukes Prefer Blondes by Loretta Chase
How I Married a Marquess by Anna Harrington
No Mistress of Mine by Laura Lee Guhrke
Susana and the Scot by Sabrina York
Historical Romance: Short
Do You Want to Start a Scandal by Tessa Dare
Duke of Sin by Elizabeth Hoyt
A Duke to Remember by Kelly Bowen
Left at the Altar by Margaret Brownley
The Study of Seduction by Sabrina Jeffries
Taming the Highlander by May McGoldrick
Mainstream Fiction with a Central Romance
The Color of a Promise by Julianne MacLean
The Depth of Beauty by A. B. Michaels
The Moon in the Palace by Weina Dai Randel
Now That It’s You by Tawna Fenske
Paranormal Romance
Bayou Shadow Hunter by Debbie Herbert
The Beast by J R Ward
The Champion of Barésh by Susan Grant
Enchanted Warrior by Sharon Ashwood
Ghost Gifts by Laura Spinella
The Leopard King by Ann Aguirre
The Pages of the Mind by Jeffe Kennedy
Where the Wild Things Bite by Molly Harper
Romance Novella
Her Every Wish by Courtney Milan
“The Husband Maneuver” by Karen Witemeyer
Let It Snow by Jeanette Grey
“Let Us Dream” by Alyssa Cole
Searching for Mine by Jennifer Probst
Tycoon by Joanna Shupe
Wild in Rio by Lyssa Kay Adams
Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements
Close to You by Kara Isaac
Keeper of the Stars by Robin Lee Hatcher
My Hope Next Door by Tammy L. Gray
Trust My Heart by Carol J. Post
Romantic Suspense
All the Dead Girls by Rita Herron
Atone by Beth Yarnall
Field of Graves by J. T. Ellison
Killer Countdown by Amelia Autin
Mr. and Mr. Smith by HelenKay Dimon
One Minute to Midnight by Nico Rosso
Repressed by Elisabeth Naughton
Tall, Dark and Damaged by Sarah Andre
Young Adult Romance
Affective Needs by Rebecca Taylor
The Distance from A to Z by Natalie Blitt
The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Summer of Supernovas by Darcy Woods
Golden Heart Finalists
Contemporary Romance
“Always Sunny” by Kimberly MacCarron
“Far-Fetched Love” by Priscilla Cook
“Framed” by Susan J. Bickford
“Mounting the Marquis” by Kelli Newby
“No Man Left Behind” by Penelope Leas
“Sometimes You Need a Sexy Scot” by Melonie Johnson
“Take the Lead” by Alexis Daria
“Tempting Fate” by Jeri Black
“Things I’ll Never Say” by Christina Hovland
“This Child Is Mine” by Jo Anne Banker
Contemporary Romance: Short
“Job Opening: Billionaire’s Wife” by Susannah Erwin
“A Love Wide Open” by JoAnn Sky
“Princess of Meridian” by Catherine Stuart
“What Would Ginger Do?” by Kimberly MacCarron
Historical Romance
“Confess, Your Grace” by Scarlett Peckham
“The Governess’s Glance” by Jennifer Henderson
“How to Train Your Baron” by Diana Lloyd
“Lord Lion and the Lady Publisher” by Laurel Kerr
“The Lost Chord” by Suzanne M. Turner
“The Price of Desire” by Emily Sullivan
“Unmasked” by Elizabeth Rue
“With Love in Sight” by Christina Britton
Paranormal Romance
“Beryl Blue, Time Cop” by Janet Halpin
“Bless Your Heart and Other Southern Curses” by Heather Leonard
“Constant Craving” by Kari W. Cole
“Fire’s Rising” by Grace Adams
“The Mer Chronicles: Love’s Diplomatic Act” by Kate Ramirez
“Soul Affinity” by A. Y. Chao
Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements
“Dangerous Exposure” by Dianna Shuford
“Fair Haven” by Laura Conner Kestner
“Wings of Love” by Pamela Ferguson
Romantic Suspense
“The Fire Beckons” by Lynnette Labelle
“The Guide” by Sarah Morgenthaler
“Seductive Strokes” by Patty Hoffman
“Semper Fi” by Meta Carroll
“Shot Down” by Tracy Brody
“Vengeance” by Diana Belchase
Young Adult Romance
“All the Feels” by Kimberly MacCarron
“Listen” by Jennifer Camiccia
“Mouthful” by C R Grissom
“Swimming through Fog” by Nicole Hohmann
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