We'll be following the announcements here and at The Romance Dish Facebook page and chatting about the 2016 books that were our favorites. 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 2016 should final.
Tell me about the books you'd like to see honored this year.
Which category is your favorite?
Share your thoughts about the finalists as they are announced. Which titles would you like to see win?
Three randomly chosen people who leave a comment will receive a package of books.
(US only)
(US only)
One randomly chosen international reader leaving a comment will receive their choice of one RITA® nominated book from bookdepository.com. (value not to exceed $10)
Please include US or INT with your comments!
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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 Lorelei Brown
HIS STOLEN BRIDE by Barbara Dunlop
A MALIBU KIND OF ROMANCE by Synithia Williams
OVERWHELMING FORCE by Janie Crouch
SEARCHING FOR DISASTER by by Jennifer Probst
TWO DOCTORS & A BABY by Brenda Harlen
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.)
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
Novels that are set prior to 1950 and that are longer than 89,000 words.
DUKES PREFER BLONDES by Loretta Chase
HOW I MARRIED A MARQUESS by Anna Harrington
SUSANA AND THE SCOT by Sabrina York
NO MISTRESS OF MINE by Laura Lee Guhrke
Historical Romance: Short
Novels that are set prior to 1950 and that are between 40,000 and 89,000 words.
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
Paranormal Romance
Novels in which fantasy worlds or paranormal or science fiction elements are an integral part of the plot.
BAYOU SHADOW HUNTER by Debbie Herbert
THE BEAST by J.R. Ward
THE CHAMPION OF BARESH 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
Novellas that focus primarily on the romantic relationship.
HER EVERY WISH by Courtney Milan
"THE HUSBAND MANEUVER" by Karen Witemeyer in WITH THIS RING
LET IT SNOW by Jeanette Grey
"Let us Dream" by Alyssa Cole in DAUGHTERS OF A NATION
SEARCHING FOR MINE by Jennifer Probst
TYCOON by Joanna Shupe
WILD IN RIO by Lyssa Kay Adams
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.
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
Novels in which suspense, mystery, or thriller elements constitute an integral part of the plot.
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 Mrs. 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
Novels in which young adult life is an integral part of the plot.
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
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.
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
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 MOON IN THE PALACE by Weina Dai Randel
THE DEPTH OF BEAUTY by A.B. Michaels
THE COLOR OF A PROMISE by Julianne MacLean
NOW THAT IT'S YOU by Tawna Fenske
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.
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
Manuscripts that are set from 1950 to the present that are less than 65,000 words in length.
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
Manuscripts that are set prior to 1950.
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
Manuscripts in which fantasy worlds or paranormal or science fiction elements are an integral part of the plot.
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
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.
Fair Haven by Laura Conner Kestner
Romantic Suspense
Manuscripts in which suspense, mystery, or thriller elements constitute an integral part of the plot.
The Fire Beckons by Lynette 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
Manuscripts in which young adult life is an integral part of the plot.
All the Feels by Kimberly MacCarron
Listen by Jennifer Camiccia
Mouthful by C R Grissom
Swimming through Fog by Nicole Hohmann
