RITA & Golden Heart - - The Finalists Are...

It's that time again! Today, Romance Writers of America® (RWA) will announce the finalists for the Rita® and Golden Heart® awards, honoring the best published books and unpublished manuscripts of 2017. A winner in each category will be chosen from the finalists and will be announced Thursday, July 19 at the RWA National Conference in Denver, Colorado. 

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

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)

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

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



 

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

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

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

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.

Beauty and the Blackmail by Jessa Gwinn
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

Contemporary Romance: Short

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

 

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

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

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

Spotlight on 2017 RITA Finalists - - Historical Romance: Long

On Thursday, July 27th, the Romance Writers of America® will announce the 2017 recipients of their prestigious RITA®. The award, given in recognition of excellence in romance publishing, is named for RWA's first president, Rita Clay Estrada and the annual award ceremony, held this year at the Walt Disney World® Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida, is a highlight of RWA's national conference. I'll be there and will be taking lots of photos to share with all of you after the conference. If you want to follow along with the announcements of the winners on the 27th, you can do so on these RWA social media platforms: 

facebook.com/romancewriters

twitter.com/romancewriters

instagram.com/romancewriters

RWA will also be once again streaming the ceremony live for everyone who can't be in Orlando. Go to www.rwa.org at 7:00 p.m. (Eastern), Thursday, July 27th to watch.  

For more information about the RITA® award, click here.  For a full list of this year's RITA® finalists, click here.

Today, we're spotlighting the four books that are finalists in the Historical Romance:Long category. 

Historical Romance: Long

Dukes Prefer Blondes by Loretta Chase
Avon Books
May Chen, Editor

Biweekly marriage proposals from men who can't see beyond her (admittedly breathtaking) looks are starting to get on Lady Clara Fairfax's nerves. Desperate to be something more than ornamental, she escapes to her favorite charity. When a child is in trouble, she turns to tall, dark, and annoying barrister Oliver Radford.

Though he's unexpectedly found himself in line to inherit a dukedom, Radford's never been part of fashionable society, and the blonde beauty, though not entirely bereft of brains, isn't part of his plans. But Clara overwhelms even his infallible logic, and when wedlock looms, all he can do is try not to lose his head over her . . .

It's an inconvenient marriage by ordinary standards, but these two are far from ordinary. Can the ton's most adored heiress and London's most difficult bachelor fall victim to their own unruly desires?

Loretta Chase has worked in academe, retail, and the visual arts, as well as on the street—as a meter maid—and in video, as a scriptwriter. She might have developed an excitingly checkered career had her spouse not nagged her into writing fiction. Her bestselling historical romances, set in the Regency and Romantic eras of the early nineteenth century, have won a number of awards, including the Romance Writers of America's RITA®.

Where to Buy:

Avon Books 

Amazon 

Barnes and Noble 

Google Play 

iBooks 

Kobo 

Check it out on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23349989-dukes-prefer-blondes

HOW I MARRIED A MARQUESS by Anna Harrington
Grand Central Publishing, Forever
Michele Bidelspach, Editor

Josephine Carlisle, adopted daughter of a baron, is officially on the shelf. But the silly, marriage-minded misses in the ton can have their frilly dresses and their seasons in London, for all she cares. Josie has her freedom and her family . . . until an encounter with a dark, devilishly handsome stranger leaves her utterly breathless at a house party. His wicked charm intrigues her, but that's where it ends. For Josie has a little secret . . . 

Espionage was Thomas Matteson, Marquess of Chesney's game-until a tragic accident cost him his career. Now to salvage his reputation and return to the life he loves, the marquess must find the criminal who's been robbing London's rich and powerful. He's no fool-he knows Josie, with her wild chestnut hair and rapier-sharp wit, is hiding something and he won't rest until he unravels her mysteries, one by one. But he never expected to be the one under arrest-body and soul . . . 

Anna Harrington fell in love with historical romances--and all those dashing Regency heroes--while living in London, where she studied literature and theatre. She loves to travel, fly airplanes, and hike, and when she isn't busy writing her next novel, she loves fussing over her roses in her garden. Visit her website at www.AnnaHarringtonBooks.com or follow her at @aharrington2875.

Where to Buy:

Forever 

Amazon 

Barnes andNoble 

Google Play 

iBooks

IndieBound 

Kobo 

Check it out on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26031192-how-i-married-a-marquess

NO MISTRESS OF MINE 

by Laura Lee Guhrke
Avon Books
Erika Tsang, Editor

After spending his youth as one of the wildest rakes in the ton, Lord Denys Somerton has devoted the past six years to putting his past behind him. He is determined to fulfill his duties, find a suitable wife, and start a family, but that plan changes when Lola Valentine—the red-haired temptress from his past—returns to London, sparking the same irresistible desires that almost ruined his life once before.

Lola is a woman with no romantic illusions. She knew love would never be enough for a British lord and an American girl from the wrong side of the tracks. For Denys’s sake, she walked away from him and the glittering life he offered. But when an unexpected inheritance brings her back to London, Lola discovers the passion between them is as hot as ever. Can they vanquish it, or will it burn out of control again and destroy them both?

Laura Lee Guhrke spent seven years in advertising, had a successful catering business, and managed a construction company before she decided writing novels was more fun. A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Laura has penned more than twenty historical romances. Her books have received many award nominations, and she is the recipient of romance fiction's highest honor: the Romance Writers of America RITA® Award. She lives in the Northwest with her husband (or, as she calls him, her very own romance hero), along with two diva cats and a Golden Retriever happy to be their slave.

Where to Buy:

Avon Books 

Amazon 

Barnes andNoble 

Google Play 

iBooks 

IndieBound 

Kobo 

Check it out on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20047010-no-mistress-of-mine

SUSANA AND THE SCOT 

by Sabrina York
St. Martin's Press
Monique Patterson, Editor

Andrew Lochlannach is famous for his conquests, on and off the battlefield. When a fellow warrior challenges him to a kissing contest, he wastes no time in planting his lips on ninety-nine lovely lasses-an impressive feat of seduction that gets him banished to the hinterlands. Still, Andrew has no regrets about his exploits-especially his embrace with the most beguiling woman he's ever met...

With flaming red hair and a temper to match, Susana is not some innocent farmgirl who gives herself over easily to a man, even one as ruggedly handsome as Andrew. The wicked Scot may have won a kiss from the headstrong beauty in a moment of mutual desire, but Susana refuses to be just another one of his conquests. Andrew must convince the fiery lass that even though he is not playing a game, losing her is not an option...

Her Royal Hotness, Sabrina York, is the New York Times and USA 

Today Bestselling author of steamy, humorous romance. Her titles range from sweet & snarky to scorching romance-historical, contemporary & paranormal. Visit her webpage at www.sabrinayork.com to check out her books, excerpts and contests.

Where to Buy:

St. Martin’sPress 

Amazon 

Barnes andNoble 

Google Play 

iBooks 

IndieBound 

Kobo 

Check it out on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25101432-susana-and-the-scot

Click bit.ly/RITA17BlogTour to visit the other stops on the tour. 

Have you read any of the books in this category? 
Do you have a favorite?
Will you be in Orlando for the RWA Conference or watching the live stream?

One person leaving a comment before 11:00 PM, July 22, 2017 will receive a package of historical novels from my conference stash.  (U.S. only)