We'll be following the announcements here and at The Romance Dish Facebook page and chatting about the 2017 books that were our favorites. Author notifications will begin at 8:30 AM (Central Time). I'll fill in the finalists for each of the categories below as they are announced but I'm sure we all have our own thoughts about what books published in 2017 should final.
What were your favorite books of 2017?
Which RITA® category is your favorite?
Share your thoughts about the finalists. Which book(s) are you cheering for to win?
Two randomly chosen people who post a comment before 11:00 PM, March 23 will receive a package of books. (U.S. only)
One randomly chosen person posting a comment before 11:00 PM, March 23 will receive their choice of one RITA® nominated book from bookdepository.com (international) or Amazon (U.S.), value not to exceed $10.
2017 RITA® AWARD FINALISTS
Contemporary Romance: Long
Novels that are set from 1950 to the present that focus primarily on the romantic relationship and that are 84,000 or more words.
The Dating Game by Avril Tremayne
Falling Hard by Lexi Ryan
Famous by Jenny Holliday
No One But You by Brenda Novak (Janga's review)
Take the Lead by Alexis Daria
Tougher in Texas by Kari Lynn Dell
The Whys Have It by Amy Matayo
The Wingman by Natasha Anders
Contemporary Romance: Mid-Length
Novels that are set from 1950 to the present that focus primarily on the romantic relationship and that are between 56,000 and 84,000 words in length.
The F-Word by Sandra Marton
His Perfect Partner by Priscilla Oliveras
Lucky Charmed by Sharla Lovelace
New Leash on Life by Roxanne St. Claire
Redemption by Kelly Moran
Royally Wed by Teri Wilson
Summer Stock by Vanessa North
Tell Me by Abigail Strom
This Can't be Love by Maria Geraci
You Do Something to Me (The Sullivans) by Bella Andre
Contemporary Romance: Short
Novels that are set from 1950 to present that focus primarily on the romantic relationship and that are between 40,000 and 56,000 words in length.
The Billionaire's Christmas Baby by Marion Lennox
Christmas at the Graff by Kaylie Newell
A Christmas Miracle by Amy Andrews
The Cowboy Upstairs by Tanya Michaels
The Doctor and the Princess by Scarlet Wilson
Miracle on Chance Avenue by Jane Porter
The Princess Problem by Teri Wilson
Second Chance Summer by Kait Nolan
The Sheikh's Convenient Princess by Liz Fielding
Troy (American Extreme Bullrider Tour #5) by Amy Andrews
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| 2017 - Laura Lee Guhrke - RITA: Historical Romance:Long |
Erotic Romance
Novels in which strong, often explicit, sexual interaction is an inherent part of the love story, character growth and relationship development and could not be removed without damaging the storyline. These novels may contain elements of other romance subgenres (such as paranormal, historical, etc.)
Constant Craving by Tamara Lush
Deposition and a Dare by Evelyn Adams
The Rivalry by Nikki Stone
Stud by Jamie Schmidt
Wicked Dirth by J. Kenner
Historical Romance: Long
Novels that are set prior to 1950 and that are longer than 89,000 words.
Between the Devil and the Duke by Kelly Bowen (one of PJ's Top Ten books of 2017)
The Day of the Duchess by Sarah MacLean (PJ's review and one of PJ's Top Ten books of 2017)
Mad for the Marquess by Jess Russell
The Scandalous Flirt by Olivia Drake
The Scoundrel's Honor by Christi Caldwell (Santa's review)
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| 2013 - Sarah Maclean & Eloisa James - RITA: Historical Romance / Romance Novella |
Historical Romance: Short
Novels that are set prior to 1950 and that are between 40,000 and 89,000 words.
Blame it on the Duke by Lenora Bell (PJ's review)
The Demon Duke by Margaret Locke
The Rogue's Conquest by Lily Maxton
The Scandal of it All by Sophie Jordan (Santa's review)
A Scottish Lord for Christmas by Lauren Smith
Waltzing With the Earl by Catherine Tinley
Within a Captain's Soul by Lisa Olech
Paranormal Romance
Novels in which fantasy worlds or paranormal or science fiction elements are an integral part of the plot.
Bishop by Marie Johnston
The Druid Next Door by E. J. Russell
Eleventh Grave in Moonlight by Darynda Jones
Song of the Nightpiper by Hannah Meredith
Hunt the Darkness by Stephanie Rowe
Spectred Isle by K.J. Charles
To Enthrall the Demon Lord by Nadine Mutas
Wanted and Wired by Vivien Jackson
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| 2015 - Tessa Dare - RITA: Historical Romance:Short |
Romance Novella
Novellas that focus primarily on the romantic relationship.
"Dancing with the Duke's Heir" by Bronwyn Scott in Scandal at the Christmas Ball
Forbidden River by Brynn Kelly
Her Duke at Daybreak by Wendy LaCapra (read our review)
"In His Arms" by Jules Dixon in Falling:Small Town Love Anthology
"The Pursuit of..." by Courtney Milan in Hamilton's Battalion:A Trio of Romances
The Secret of My Seduction by Caroline Linden
"Sweet Home Highlands" by May McGoldrick in Christmas in Kilts:a Highland Holiday Box Set
Until the Sun Sets by Tara Wyatt
Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements
Novels in which religious or spiritual beliefs are an inherent part of the love story, character growth and relationship development and could not be removed without damaging the storyline. These novels may be set in the context of any religious or spiritual belief system of any culture.
Grounded Hearts by Jeanne M. Dickson
A New Shade of Summer by Nicole Deese
A Note Yet Unsung by Tamera Alexander
One Simple Wish by Katy Lee
Then There Was You by Kara Isaac
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| 2015 - Juliana Stone - RITA: Young Adult |
Romantic Suspense
Novels in which suspense, mystery, or thriller elements constitute an integral part of the plot.
Critical Instinct by Janie Crouch
The Fixer by HelenKay Dimon
Guarding Mr. Fine by HelenKay Dimon
Montana Heat:Escape to You by Jennifer Ryan (PJ's review)
Say You're Sorry by Melinda Leigh
Too Wilde to Tame by Tonya Burrows
Touch of Red by Laura Griffin
The Transporter by Liz Maverick
Under Fire by Scarlett Cole
Young Adult Romance
Novels in which young adult life is an integral part of the plot.
Black Bird of the Gallows by Meg Kassel
Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer
Seize Today by Pintip Dunn
The Thing With Feathers by McCall Hoyle
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| 2017 - Cheryl Etchison - RITA: Best First Book |
Best First Book
A novel entered in another contest category. To be eligible, the author (or authors in the case of a writing team) shall not have had any other novel or novella previously commercially available in any format.
Black Bird of the Gallows by Meg Kassel
His Perfect Partner by Priscilla Oliveras
Take the Lead by Alexis Daria
The Thing With Feathers by McCall Hoyle
Waltzing With the Earl by Catherine Tinley
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| 2014 - Susanna Kearsley - RITA: Paranormal |
Mainstream Fiction with a Central Romance
Mainstream Fiction novels in which themes or elements other than the romance are integral to the story even though a central love story and an emotionally satisfying and optimistic resolution to the romance are still present. This category is intended for romances that do not fit neatly into any other category due to their mainstream fiction nature but where the central romance could not be removed without damaging the storyline.
The Night Mark by Tiffany Reisz
Now That You Mention It by Kristan Higgins (Janga's review)
Shelter the Sea by Heidi Cullinan
Unloved, a Love Story by Kate Regnery
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| 2010 - Beth Andrews (and Romance Bandits) - RITA: Contemporary Series Romance |
2017 GOLDEN HEART® FINALISTS
Contemporary Romance
Manuscripts that are set from 1950 to the present that focus primarily on the romantic relationship and that are greater than 65,000 words.
Caught on Film by Arianna James
Duet by Gwynne Jackson
Fighter by Sarah Morganthaler
A Hope to Build on by Josee Telfer
How to Reset a Broken Heart by Amy Katherine Jones
The Instant Family Algorithm by Cheryl Ford
North Star by Katherine Olson
Played by Melanie Edmonds
Thrown by Arianna James
Well-Played by Alexandria Bellefleur
Manuscripts that are set from 1950 to the present that are less than 65,000 words in length.
The Billionaire's Stand-in Wife by Meredith Clark
Cole for Christmas by Janet Raye Stevens
Falling for the Best Man by Jamie Dallas
Out of the Shadows by D. Murphy Ryan
Somebody Like You by Marty Mayberry
Space June: Houston, We Have a Hottie by Sara L. Hudson
Watching by Barbra Campbell
The Billionaire's Stand-in Wife by Meredith Clark
Cole for Christmas by Janet Raye Stevens
Falling for the Best Man by Jamie Dallas
Out of the Shadows by D. Murphy Ryan
Somebody Like You by Marty Mayberry
Space June: Houston, We Have a Hottie by Sara L. Hudson
Watching by Barbra Campbell
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| 2014 - Lenora Bell (with Tessa Dare and Courtney Milan) - Golden Heart: Historical Romance |
Historical Romance
Manuscripts that are set prior to 1950.
The Art of Scandal by Suzanne Turner
The Duke's Seduction by Marsha Levinson
The Duke of Charlotte Street by Scarlett Peckham
The Earl I Ruined by Scarlett Peckham
A Featured Affair by Kate Belli
The Rakess by Scarlet Peckham
Remember Texas by Laura Connor Kestner
An Unloved Earl by Eileen Emerson
Paranormal Romance
Manuscripts in which fantasy worlds or paranormal or science fiction elements are an integral part of the plot.
Awakening the Blades by Alexia Chantel
The Demon's in the Details by Jeanne Oates Estridge
Freeing Eden by Ginger Kenney
House of Ash and Brimstone by Megan Starks
Inherent Lies by Alicia Anthony
Jinn on the Rocks by Kay Hudson
Leap of Fate by Kimberly MacCarron
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| 2009 - Joanna Bourne - RITA: Regency Historical Romance |
Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements
Novels in which religious or spiritual beliefs are an inherent part of the love story, character growth and relationship development and could not be removed without damaging the storyline. These novels may be set in the context of any religious or spiritual belief system of any culture.
Romantic Suspense
Manuscripts in which suspense, mystery, or thriller elements constitute an integral part of the plot.
Deadly Aim by Tracy Brody
Extreme Fear by Pamela Varnado
Fair Haven by Laura Connor Kestner
Fearless by Marty Mayberry
Goode over Evil by Leslie Marshman
Lovely Digits by Jeanine Englert
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| 2011 - Jodi Thomas (with PJ) - RITA: Novel with Strong Romantic Elements |
Mainstream Fiction with a Central Romance
Birds of a Feather by Anna Murray
The Brass Queen by Elizabeth Chatsworth
Circle in Time by Susan Bickford
Jane Darling's Rules of Inheritance by Megan McGee
Keeping the Piece by Brenda Lowder
Midnight on Topanga Canyon Boulevard by Gabrielle Luthy
Veiled Intent by Janet Jimenez
Wild Women and the Blues by Denny S. Bryce
Young Adult Romance
Manuscripts in which young adult life is an integral part of the plot.
All our Broken Pieces by TL Sumner
Engineering Kit Sinclair by Lana Pattinson
Loving Outside the Lines by Kimberly MacCarron
Mouthful by C.R. Grissom
Our Red String by Kimberly MacCarron
Congrats to all the nominees, cannot wait to see who they are.
ReplyDeleteI love any contemp romance category.
One of my favorite books of 2017 is Deb Macomber's Any Dream Will do.
Here we go again, PJ! Excited to see the finalists! I think 2017 was a very good year. One favorite was Loretta Chase's A Duke in Shining Armor, but there are several others I would be happy to see chosen.
ReplyDeleteSo far, three of my Best of 2017 books have finaled. I'm also seeing a lot of new-to-me authors on the lists. More stories to discover! :)
DeleteLots of great ones. I tend to go to the historicals first so very interested in those. For me it's anything by Grace Burrowes.
ReplyDeleteShe's a wonderful writer, catslady.
DeleteSo far, two books on my Best of 2017 list have made the finals: Between the Devil and the Duke and The Day of the Duchess!
ReplyDeleteNot surprised to see The Day of the Duchess. Powerful book.
DeleteIt is always exciting to see who is nominated, but so far I have only read ONE of the nominated books!!!
ReplyDeleteThere is a second book from the nominees that is on my shelf waiting to be read. A couple of others are on my Amazon wish list. I wish I could read faster!
DeleteMad for the Marquess by Jess Russell! So happy. I loved it!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to give this one a try. It hadn't hit my radar yet.
DeleteGees, I have read none of the nominated ones.
ReplyDeleteI like romance, romance suspense and suspense.
Really like Nicholas Sparks (even tho not a 2017 release) The Best of Me.
A 2017 release I really liked was JS Scott's The Billionaire's Secrets.
Karen T.
Congratulations to all the Rita and Golden Heart finalists! I'm pleased to see the books by Roxanne St. Claire and Sarah McLean on the list, but I'm surprised that I have read so few of the finalists. I read several hundred romance novels a year, most of them historical or contemporary.
ReplyDeleteAnd yay for Kristan Higgins! I missed that one.
DeleteI'm surprised by the number I haven't read too, Janga but excited for new stories to discover!
DeleteI am glad that I am not the only one who hasn't read some of these books. You would think that as much as I read, there would be more of my favorites on this list.
DeleteI stick mostly to historicals and am so excited to see Sarah MacLean's Day of the Duchess nominated, I thought it was unlike any other romance I've read and she took a big risk in writing it! One I wished was nominated was Tessa Dare's The Duchess Deal, it was one of my favorite romances of 2017, I loved the characters. Either way, I'm so happy to use these nominations for books to seek out! Not that my TBR list is anywhere close to dwindling...
ReplyDeleteThey don't post the titles until the author has been contacted and they have until 3:00 PM (Eastern) to do that so there's still hope for your favorites!
DeleteLove them all!!! Roxanne St Clair, Jennifer Ryan, can't just pick one!!
ReplyDeletePatricia Bennett Barber
I'm thrilled one of the Dogfather books finaled and so excited for Jennifer Ryan, especially for this story. It was stellar.
DeleteHuge congratulations to all of the Rita finalists. So many of my favorite historical romance writers are on the list. I've read most of the books nominated and have too many favorites to pick one.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the finalists. How many years in a row can the RWA ignore Julie James? Her books are always on my favorite list. I'm also disappointed that Meredith Duran's, A Lady's Code of Misconduct isn't nominated or Joana Bourne's Beauty Like the Night.
ReplyDelete@PJ - Did you see Julie Anne Long is publishing another historical series? It's in her newsletter.
I saw! I'm SO excited!!!!!
DeleteI agree about Beauty Like the Night. It was wonderful.
DeleteI am disappointed with those omissions, too.
DeleteI have certainly added a few books to my wish list today.
ReplyDeleteWow! What a surprise. I've only read 2 of the books on the list... the Kelly Bowen and Kristan Higgins. I don't read nearly as many books as Janga, but I read a lot. I'm really shocked at all the omissions.
ReplyDeleteIt's an interesting year, to be sure.
DeleteWonderful books which I would enjoy greatly. Kristin Higgins and many of the historicals are of interest.
ReplyDeleteAs far as my recall goes, favorites this year were Duke in Shining Armor (Chase), Someone to Wed (Balogh), Duchess Deal (Dare) and Marry in Haste (Gracie). Best wishes to all the nominees!
ReplyDeleteMiracle on Chance Avenue by Jane Porter was a favorite of mine
ReplyDeletedenise
The nominees from last year remind me of how many truly wonderful books are out there. This year - for me there are simply so many books I have loved. I could start naming...One Fine Day by Cindy Kirk, The Little Wedding Island by Jaimie Admans, A Duke in Shining Armor by Loretta Chase and on and on. You get the idea, I loved lots of books.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful that I am not a person in charge of picking one of the best.
I've read the following and those are the ones I am cheering for: No One But You by Brenda Novak, This Can't Be Love by Maria Geraci, Miracle on Chance by Jane Porter, The Day of The Duchess by Sarah MacLean, Blame It on The Duke by Lenora Ball, Touch of Red by Laura Griffin, and Now That You Mention It by Kristin Higgins.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of these books yet, but I will be reading the historicals listed. I don't know anything about lots of these authors, but imagine I'll be hearing more about them if they made it into these categories.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe how many books I haven't read! I can't keep up! Christi Caldwell's book was excellent & I also really liked Lauren Smith's Christmas book. There are a bunch of books up there that I have on my TBR, or by author's whose prior books I have loved.
ReplyDeleteI think I read a lot of romances until I see a list like the one above. Most are new to me. Off to catch up some.
ReplyDeleteAt least three of my favorites are on the list and another is waiting to be read. So many wonderful authors on this list.
ReplyDeleteFor RITA:
ReplyDeleteContemporary Romance: Long - No One But You by Brenda Novak
Contemporary Romance: Mid-Length - New Leash on Life by Roxanne St. Claire
Contemporary Romance: Short - Miracle on Chance Avenue by Jane Porter
Historical Romance: Long - The Day of the Duchess by Sarah MacLean
Historical Romance: Short - The Demon Duke by Margaret Locke
Paranormal Romance - Eleventh Grave in Moonlight by Darynda Jones
Romance Novella - "Sweet Home Highlands" by May McGoldrick in Christmas in Kilts:a Highland Holiday Box Set
Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements - Grounded Hearts by Jeanne M. Dickson
Romantic Suspense - Critical Instinct by Janie Crouch
Best First Book - Waltzing With the Earl by Catherine Tinley
Mainstream Fiction with a Central Romance - The Night Mark by Tiffany Reisz
Wow, what an amazing list of finalists! I usually read the Historical and contemporary categories but I'm surprised there are so many on the list I haven't read yet! Time to put more books on my wish list. LOL
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised that so many of the books I expected to be on the list are not..... usually I've read most of the historical ones and I'm pretty good at guessing the finalists. Guess I'll take a look at some of these now. You can never have too many books on your wish list, right?
ReplyDeleteCongrats to all of the nominees! I have so many favorite authors on this list, I'm cheering for Lenora Bell, Kelly Moran and Sarah MacLean!
ReplyDeleteI don't recognize many of the books listed and it surprised me. Of the titles I have read, I am cheering for The Night Mark by Tiffany Riesz and Day of the Duchess by Sarah MacLean. The favorite books from 2017 that leap to mind are, Joanna Bourne's Beauty Like the Night, and Alisha Rai's Hate to Want You.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to all the nominees. Some of my favorites made the list of nominees (Now That You Mention It by Kristan Higgins and The Day of the Duchess by Sarah MacLean). But I’m really flummoxed at some of those that didn’t get nominated, among them Ilona Andrews’s Wildfire (paranormal,) Loretta Chase’s A Knight in Shining Armour (historical,) and Julie Anne Long’s Dirty Dancing at Devil’s Leap (contemporary.) I’m not sure where to categorize Sherry Thomas’s wonderful Lady Sherlock series (romantic suspense? mainstream with romantic elements?) but I sure hope someone figures it out soon. I’d love to see her among the nominees. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteI did read 2 of the books (looked over lists again as I could not believe I read none - LOL - Brenda Novak No One But You and Bella Andre - You do Something to me. Loved them both, so rooting for them. Am happy that one of the Dogfather books by Roxanne St. Claire is nominated, I read Bad to the Bone and Loved I so will be reading the rest.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Novak's No One But You so rooting for that. Did not read any of the others posted. Congrats to the first book authors.
ReplyDeleteI like the contemp romance Long, Mid and Short categories and thanks for explaning the differences.
I have not read any of the nominees...although I just bought Catherine Tinley's 1st book.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to all the nominees, I'm sure it was hard to pick the finalists from all the fantastic books out there. I'm cheering for Kelly Bowen and Sarah Maclean, two of my favorites, although there are many I haven't had a chance to read yet!
ReplyDelete