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| 2013 RITA Winners Sarah MacLean & Eloisa James |
I look forward to this day every year. Today is the day Romance Writers of America® announces the finalists for the Rita® and Golden Heart® awards, honoring the best published books and unpublished manuscripts of 2018. Winners of the 2019 Golden Heart® will be announced at an awards luncheon Thursday, July 25, 2019 at the RWA national conference in New York City. Winners of the RITA® will be announced at an evening awards ceremony on Friday, July 26, 2019, also during the national conference.
I'll be posting the names of the finalists as they are announced throughout today. All finalists will be revealed by 3:00 PM (Eastern).
What books do you hope to see on the 2019 list?
Which category or categories are your favorites?
Share your thoughts about the finalists. For which books will you be cheering this July?
Two randomly chosen people who post a comment before 11:00 PM (Eastern), March 22 will each receive a package of books. (U.S. addresses only)
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| 2010 RITA Finalist Tessa Dare |
RITA
Contemporary Romance: Long
Novels that are set from 1950 to the present that are 84,000 or more words.A TALL, DARK COWBOY CHRISTMAS by Maisey Yates
BAD BACHELOR by Stefanie London
BEST OF LUCK by Kate Clayborn
LONG SHOT by Kennedy Ryan
MELT FOR YOU by J.T. Geissinger
THE HEARTLESS BOYFRIEND by Erika Kelly
LUCK OF THE DRAW by Kate Clayborn
Contemporary Romance: Mid-Length
Novels that are set from 1950 to the present that are between 56,000 and 84,000 words in length.PART-TIME HUSBAND by Noelle Adams
GIVE AND TAKE by Lee Kilraine
LENNON REBORN by Scarlett Cole
KNOCKED-UP CINDERELLA by Julie Hammerle
LOVING A WARRIOR by Melanie Hansen
NOT QUITE CRAZY by Catherine Bybee
CELEBRITY SPIN DOCTOR by Celia Mulder
RELAY by Layla Reyne
SERGEANT SEXYPANTS by Tawna Fenske
SLEEPOVER by Serena Bell
ADVANCED PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY by Susannah Nix
Contemporary Romance: Short
Novels that are set from 1950 to the present that are between 40,000 and 56,000 words in length.
A BABY TO BIND HIS BRIDE by Caitlin Crews
CLAIM ME, COWBOY by Maisey Yates
FAIR GAME by Amy Andrews
TANNER'S PROMISE by Kaylie Newell
THE MILLION POUND MARRIAGE DEAL by Michelle Douglas
THE CAPTAINS' VEGAS VOWS by Caro Carson
THE BACHELOR'S BABY SURPRISE by Teri Wilson
A SAFE PLACE TO LAND by Dee Ernst
A FOOL AND HIS MANNY by Amy Lane
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| 2014 Rita Finalist Courtney Milan |
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.).THREE-WAY SPLIT by Elia Winters
PICTURE PERFECT COWBOY by Tiffany Reisz
SINFUL GAMES by Shelly Alexander
TOTAL EXPOSURE by JA Huss
Historical Romance: Long
Novels that are set prior to 1950 and that are longer than 89,000 words.A WICKED KIND OF HUSBAND by Mia Vincy
AN EARL LIKE YOU by Caroline Linden
A SCANDALOUS DEAL by Joanna Shupe
LADY IN WAITING by Marie Tremayne
Historical Romance: Short
Novels that are set prior to 1950 and that are between 40,000 and 89,000 words.HELL'S BELLE by Annabelle Anders
NEVER DARE A WICKED EARL by Renee Ann Miller
THE DEVIL TO PAY by K.C. Bateman
A DUKE IN THE NIGHT by Kelly Bowen
WHAT ALES THE EARL by Sally MacKenzie
WITH LOVE IN SIGHT by Christina Britton
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| 2018 Rita Finalist Wendy LaCapra |
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.A GIRL DIVIDED by Ellen Lindseth MORNINGS ON MAIN by Jodi Thomas
BELLEWETHER by Susanna Kearsley
FIVE YEARS GONE by Marie Force
HOW TO KEEP A SECRET by Sarah Morgan
MORNINGS ON MAIN by Jodi Thomas
Paranormal Romance
Novels in which fantasy worlds or paranormal or science fiction elements are an integral part of the plot.DEBRIEFING THE DEAD by Kerry Blaisdell
TO CATCH A ROGUE by Bec McMaster
THE LAST WOLF by Maria Vale
HAUNTED HEARTS by Kimberly Dean
OUT OF BODY by Suzanne Brockmann
DEAREST IVIE by J.R. Ward
WRETCHED by Cara Crescent
Romance Novella
Novellas are between 20,000 and 40,000 words.CATCHING IRISH by Katy Regnery
BAD BLOOD by M. Malone
DRAGON LORD by Dana Marton
"Lead Counsel" by Aurora Rey in THE BOSS OF HER:OFFICE ROMANCE NOVELLAS
LOVING THE SECRET BILLIONAIRE by Adriana Anders
SAVED BY THE COWBOY by A.J. Pine
"The Dragons of Summer" by Jeffe Kennedy in SEASONS OF SORCERY
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.A MOTHER FOR HIS FAMILY by Susanne Dietze
HOME ON HUCKLEBERRY HILL by Jennifer Beckstrand
THEIR AMISH REUNION by Lenora Worth
THE SATURDAY NIGHT SUPPER CLUB by Carla Laureano
Romantic Suspense
Novels in which suspense, mystery, or thriller elements constitute an integral part of the plot.BEFORE WE WERE STRANGERS by Brenda Novak
CUT AND RUN by Mary Burton
FEARLESS by Elizabeth Dyer
RELENTLESS by Elizabeth Dyer
RECKLESS HONOR by Tonya Burrows
CONSUMED by J.R. Ward
THE BASTARD'S BARGAIN by Katee Robert
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| 2018 RITA Winner Kelly Bowen |
Young Adult Romance
Novels in which young adult life is an integral part of the plot.MY SO-CALLED BOLLYWOOD LIFE by Nisha Sharma
CRY BABY by Ginger Scott
LIKE NEVER AND ALWAYS by Ann Aguirre
NOT IF I SAVE YOU FIRST by Ally Carter
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.A WICKED KIND OF HUSBAND by Mia Vincy
LADY IN WAITING by Marie Tremayne
THE LAST WOLF by Maria Vale
CELEBRITY SPIN DOCTOR by Celia Mulder
WITH LOVE IN SIGHT by Christina Britton
GOLDEN HEART
Contemporary Romance
Manuscripts that are set from 1950 to the present that are greater than 65,000 words.THE CINDERELLA FACTOR by Elly Kate
FOCUSED ON A COWBOY by Makenna Lee
HE OWNS MY HEART by Evie Drae
HOME TO YOU by Sandra Marine
HOT RAIDER by Joy Adare
NEVER HAVE I EVER by Rosie Donan
PAGE SIX by Alexis De Girolami
ROUGH AROUND THE EDGES by Margot Pierce
SALT + STILETTOS by Janet Walden-West
TEMPTING TALK by Sara Netzley
THE TO DO LIST by Denise Williams
Contemporary Romance: Short
Manuscripts that are set from 1950 to the present that are less than 65,000 words in length.BILLIONAIRE FOR HIRE by Melanie McCarthy
CHASING HOME by Priscilla Cook
LOVE ON THE BOOKS by Betsy Gray
MURPHY'S DEBT by Becke Turner
WOUNDED MARTYR by Courtney Maguire
YOU'LL NEVER LOVE IN THIS TOWN AGAIN by McKinley Reed
Historical Romance
Manuscripts that are set prior to 1950.A DANGEROUS AFFINITY by Emily Sullivan
A SEASON FOR SCANDAL by Mary Baumhoer
DANGEROUS PURSUIT by Ann Cheney
INTRIGUING THE IRISHMAN by Emily Sullivan
TEMPTING THE HEIRESS by Emily Sullivan
AN UNLOVED EARL by Eileen Emerson
EVERY TIME YOU'RE NEAR by Shannon Gallagher
WYLDE AT HEART by Elizabeth King
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.BROKEN WHITE LINES by Melissa Wiesner
EVERYTHING COMES BACK TO YOU by Melissa Wiesner
JANE DARLING'S RULES OF INHERITANCE by Megan McGee
LEARNING CURVE by Sharon M. Peterson
LOLITA'S MUSE by Claire DeWolf
PLAYING NICE by Evi Kline
RESURRECTING ANNIE WOLFF by Anna Collins
THE SODA FOUNTAIN SISTER AND THE FLOWER LADY by Sheri Taylor-Emery
Paranormal Romance
Manuscripts in which fantasy worlds or paranormal or science fiction elements are an integral part of the plot.BLESS YOUR HEART AND OTHER SOUTHERN CURSES by Heather Leonard
INHERENT LIES by Alicia Anthony
TOUCH 3.3 by Valen Cox
THE TRANSFORMATION OF ALEXIS DOE by Jilly Wood
WARRIOR OF EDEN by Fenley Grant
WITCH WAY DOWN by Chelly Pike
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.COUNTERFEIT LOVE by Crystal Caudill
THE INN AT MILL CREEK by Kellie Parker
THE PROMISE OF SPRING by Mary Hutchens
Romantic Suspense
Manuscripts in which suspense, mystery, or thriller elements constitute an integral part of the plot.ALL YOUR BROKEN PIECES by Evie Drae
DIRTY MONEY by Monique Headley
FREE MY HEART by Diane Wiggs
HIGH HEELS AND HANDGUNS by Lisa Heartman
THE HUSTLER by Angie Hockman
DEADLY AIM by Tracy Brody
Young Adult Romance
Manuscripts in which young adult life is an integral part of the plot.AFTER I BID YOU ADIEU by Sammi Spizziri
DRAGGED! by Susan Lee
SONG OF THE SOPHOS by A. Y. Chao
THE NASCENT BLOOM by Janet Raye Stevens
THE WALLS BETWEEN by Christine Gunderson
Historicals being my favorite, I'd have a hard time choosing but I'll say something written by Grace Burrowes!
ReplyDeleteThere were a lot of great historicals last year. Grace Burrowes has finaled many times.
DeleteCannot wait to see the list. Contemp Romance is my favorite and basically all I read.
ReplyDeleteAre there any particular contemps you're hoping to see on the list?
DeleteSeveral I hoped for did not make it: Susan Mallery, Deb Macomber, Bella Andre, Robyn Carr, Lori Foster.
DeleteContemporary erotic and historical my three favorite genres
ReplyDeleteI read all three though only a few of the erotic titles. I'm excited to see who makes the list!
DeleteGood morning, PJ! We meet again for the announcements! Can't wait to see the finalists!
ReplyDeleteOur annual RITA date! ;-)
DeleteAre you going to NYC?
DeleteYes! Will you be there?
DeleteI will! Also going to BookLoversCon.
DeleteGreat! Looking forward to seeing you again! I'm not going to BookLoversCon. Have to space out the costs.
DeleteI'm most looking forward to the historicals since it's my favorite genre. But I do love contemporaries as well.
ReplyDeleteAny favorite historicals you're keeping your fingers crossed for?
DeleteBorn to be Wilde Eloisa James,
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed.
DeleteAnd toes😀
DeleteAnything by Eloisa James
ReplyDeleteI thought her last two books were wonderful! It's always a toss-up though. There are so many wonderful books out there. Good for us, right? ;-)
DeleteHistoricals which I enjoy greatly. Love all the authors novels.
ReplyDeleteI'm discovering a lot of new to me authors in the titles announced so far.
DeleteRomantic suspense is captivating and contemporary gives me pleasure.
ReplyDeleteI love both of those categories!
DeleteSo excited to see the long format historicals and contemporaries! Love Joanna Shupe and can't wait to read A Scandalous Deal!
ReplyDeleteAlso hope to see Kerrigan Byrne's The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo on the nominee list!
DeleteI enjoy Joanna Shupes' books too. I'm excited to see her on the list!
DeleteMelinda Leigh has great romantic suspense. Happy for Sally McKenzie
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited for Sally MacKenzie. She's such a lovely person.
DeleteI don't usually agree with the RITA nominations. They appear to enjoy certain authors and repeatedly nominate the same ones. Case in point, how is it that Julie James has never been nominated? She's so good, but her books fail to final. She didn't release a book in 2018, so RWA gets a pass this year.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see Sherry Thomas nominated for The Hollow of Fear. Even though it's a mystery, it does have strong romantic elements. I think either of Lauren Layne's two books, Hot Asset and Hard Sell, deserve a nomination, as does Meredith Duran's The Sins of Lord Lockwood. Finally, Sarah Morgan's two books, How to Keep a Secret or The Christmas Sisters deserves a nomination.
I feel like that about Eloisa James, she has great books but doesn't seem to get nominated
DeleteI agree with you on Julie James. What we have to keep in mind is that a book can only final if it's been entered by the author and I don't know if she enters hers. The titles you've listed are all worthy of being finalists, in my opinion.
DeleteI can't be positive, but I'm pretty sure that Julie James has entered her books. She supports RWA by going to the conference, so I doubt that she doesn't enter the contest. I just think the judges are interested in something different. Also, just from things I've picked up on social media, there's been some infighting amongst old and new board members in recent years.
DeleteSo far, none of the books on my Best of 2018 list have made the finals. How are y'all doing?
ReplyDeleteThe historicals are my favorite, and I hope that Joanna or Caroline will be on the list.
ReplyDeleteThanks for listing these. I’m familiar with very few of these titles. I’m surprised that I don’t see any of these nominated:
ReplyDeleteThe Prince--Katharine Ashe (historical romance)
The Hollow of Fear--Sherry Thomas (historical mystery; not sure which category it would suit)
The Kiss Quotient--Helen Hoang (contemporary romance)
The Governess Game--Tessa Dare (historical romance)
Diamond Fire--Ilona Andrews (romance novella)
Sisters Like Us--Susan Mallery (mainstream fiction with central romance)
Dead Girl Running--Christina Dodd (romantic suspense)
Someone to Care--Mary Balogh (historical romance)
Too Wilde to Wed--Eloisa James (historical romance)
First Time at Firelight Falls--Julie Anne Long (contemporary romance)
I could list more romances that I rated either 4 or 5 this year. Oh well. I guess the books I like aren't the kind that win RITAs!
Those titles are all on my list of books that topped my 2018 reading. We still have 2.5 hours to go so some of them may still be announced. So many books are entered into the RITA contest that each title is judged by a small group of peers. It can be an exceptional book but if it doesn't appeal to the judges to whom it's randomly sent then it doesn't final. Doesn't mean it isn't still an exceptional book.
DeleteThere are only four books listed so far in the Historical:Long category and five books in Historical:Short so I'll be surprised if we don't see more titles added to those two categories before the 3:30 deadline.
DeleteYeah AJ Pine, this is the first I read of hers and loved it. Thank you Netgalley for introducing me to her
ReplyDeleteSomebody just recommended that novella to me last week. It's waiting on my Kindle.
DeleteA Match Made in Bed Cathy Maxwell FAmily Gathering Robyn Carr
ReplyDeleteA Duke Like No Other Valerie Bowman The Bride Takes a Groom Lisa Berne
DeleteDisappointed not more in historical categories and inspirational. Congrats to those that were nominated.
ReplyDeleteThere could still be more. They have until 3:30 Eastern to announce them all.
DeleteI see someone else has mentioned it but am surprised not to see The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang. I enjoy contemporary, historical, paranormal, erotic and romantic suspense. Noticed that Picture Perfect Cowboy by Tiffany Reisz is listed. Have not read that but am so impressed with her writing.
ReplyDeleteThere are some glaring omissions in my opinion but, again, as I mentioned above, we don't know for sure that the books were entered into the contest.
DeleteAnd that's it, folks. The list is complete!
ReplyDeleteI love Historical and Contemporary romance. I see a lot of favorite authors on the lists. Best wishes to all.
ReplyDeletedenise
As I was going through the lists, I love that some of my favorites were there. Not Quite Crazy by Catherine Bybee, A Scandalous Deal by Joanne Shupe, Five Years Gone by Marie Force, Catching Irish by Katy Regnery and Before We Were Stangers by Brenda Novak.
ReplyDeleteI am not familiar with all the books. But, right now, Sally MacKenzie's book is my favorite of the listed books I know. She makes me laugh.
ReplyDeleteNow, I am surprised that Mary Balogh and Eloisa James and several others are not on the historical lists. And Cindy Kirk's One Fine Day is not on the contemporary list. But, shoot fire, I am already making lists of books I know I need to read. Thanks.
An interesting list, although I'm sorry I haven't read a single title (although I own a couple). I did just add a few of them to my cart, though. I don't know about all the authors people have been naming, but I did read somewhere that Mary Balogh stopped submitting her books for the RITA several years ago.
ReplyDeleteHistorical romances are my favorite genre. Of the books listed, I read A Scandalous Vow by Joanna Shupe and loved it plus the entire series is great and well worth reading. I'm reading What Ales the Earl by Sally MacKenzie right now. I've read everything Sally has written and loved all her work. This story is excellent...hope it wins!
ReplyDeleteI always circle back to Historicals (I love the medieval period, but there aren;t as many of those); but I mix it up with contemporary (love small town & family series) and romantic suspense - there are some names on this list I am not familiar with - I'll have to check them out.
ReplyDeleteI've read a few of those in the various Contemporary categories!! Loved Stefanie London's Bad Bachelor, Kaylie Newell'sTanner's Promise and Maisey Yates' Claim Me, Cowboy. I also love stories by Caitlin Crews (Megan Crane). I've read a number of historical books also but none made the lists. Thanks for sharing PJ.
ReplyDeleteI read all contemp romance and the only categories/authors I am familiar with are:
ReplyDeleteContemp Long - Maisey Yates - Tall, Dark Christmas Cowboy and Mainstreet Fiction - Jodi Thomas - Mornings on Main - so I will be rooting for them.
Seeing these lists makes me realize how many books I haven't read. A few of the books I would select are A TALL, DARK COWBOY CHRISTMAS by Maisey Yates, CLAIM ME, COWBOY by Maisey Yates, LADY IN WAITING by Marie Tremayne, WHAT ALES THE EARL by Sally MacKenzie, MORNINGS ON MAIN by Jodi Thomas, SAVED BY THE COWBOY by A.J. Pine , THE SATURDAY NIGHT SUPPER CLUB by Carla Laureano, BEFORE WE WERE STRANGERS by Brenda Novak, NOT IF I SAVE YOU FIRST by Ally Carter.
ReplyDeleteI read a variety of genre/ sub-genre, it depends on the blurb and sometimes the author. I like the sound of the listed books and am sure I would enjoy them.
Patricia Barraclough
Quite a few books & Authors listed I haven't read. Historical Romance,Romantic Suspense are my favorites. I was happy to see Joanna Shupe listed as well as Susanna Kearsley & JR Ward. So many great books out there. Nicola Cornic books are awesome reads.
ReplyDeleteCarol Luciano
Lucky4750 at aol dot com
Rooting for Brenda Novak.
ReplyDeleteI love to read romance, contemporary; erotic; historical, I'm not picky. However, I'd love to see some not as well known names up there, too. Dakota Willink, Victoria Vale. Not that these aren't good, but I'd love to see some of the newer authors in there!
ReplyDelete