These awards are the “Oscars” of the romance writing word, and to be nominated is almost, almost as good as winning. Presented by the Romance Writers of America – 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 The Golden Heart recognizes excellence in unpublished romance manuscripts.
The 2015 winners will be announced at a black-tie awards ceremony on July 25 at the 2015 RWA Annual Conference in New York.
2015 RITA Finalists
Best First Book
A Bollywood Affair
by Sonali Dev
Kensington Publishing
Martin Biro, editor
The Dress Thief
by Natalie Meg Evans
Quercus Publishing
Kathryn Taussig, editor
Fake
by Beck Nicholas
Harlequin, TEEN
Annabel Blay, editor
For Such a Time
by Kate Breslin
Baker Publishing, Bethany House
Raela Schoenherr, editor
Mind Sweeper
by AE Jones
Self-published
Faith Freewoman, editor
Purely Professional
by Elia Winters
Harlequin, Carina Press
Kerri Buckley, editor
Run to You
by Clara Kensie
Harlequin, TEEN
Natashya Wilson, editor
The Smuggler Wore Silk
by Alyssa Alexander
Penguin Group USA, Berkley
Julie Mianecki, editor
To Scotland with Love
by Patience Griffin
New American Library, Signet
Tracy Bernstein, editor
Contemporary Romance: Long
Baby, It’s You
by Jane Graves
Grand Central Publishing, Forever
Michele Bidelshach, editor
The Best Medicine
by Tracy Brogan
Amazon Publishing, Montlake Romance
Kelli Martin, editor
Fever Pitch
by Heidi Cullinan
Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Sasha Knight, editor
It’s in His Kiss
by Jill Shalvis
Grand Central Publishing
Leah Hultenschmidt and Alex Logan, editors
The Place I Belong
by Nancy Herkness
Amazon Publishing, Montlake Romance
JoVon Sotak, editor
Slow Tango with a Prince
by Nicole Burnham
Self-published
Valerie Susan Hayward, editor
Somebody Like You
by Beth Vogt
Simon & Schuster, Howard Books
Jessica Wong, editor
The Sweetest September
by Liz Talley
Harlequin, Superromance
Megan Long and Wanda Ottewell, editors
To Scotland with Love
by Patience Griffin
New American Library, Signet
Tracy Bernstein, editor
The Vixen and the Vet
by Kate Regnery
Self-published
Chris Belden and Melissa Demeo, editors
Contemporary Romance: Mid-Length
Carolina Man
by Virginia Kantra
Penguin Publishing Group USA, Berkley Sensation
Cindy Hwang, editor
Her Cowboy Hero
by Tanya Michaels
Harlequin, American Romance
Johanna Raisanen, editor
Her Kind of Trouble
by Sarah Mayberry
Harlequin, Superromance
Wanda Ottewell, editor
Her Temporary Hero
by Jennifer Apodaca
Entangled Publishing, Indulgence
Kate Fall and Alethea Spiridon Hopson, editors
Love with a Perfect Cowboy
by Lori Wilde
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books
Lucia Macro, editor
Once a Family
by Tara Taylor Quinn
Harlequin, Superromance
Paula Eykelhof, editor
One in a Million
by Jill Shalvis
Grand Central Publishing
Leah Hultenschmidt and Alex Logan, editors
Reforming the Playboy
by Inara Scott
Entangled Publishing, Indulgence
Alethea Spiridon Hopson, editor
Starting with June
by Emilie Rose
Harlequin, Superromance
Wanda Ottewell and Karen Reid, editors
Worth the Fall
by Caitie Quinn
Self-published
Jenn Harris, editor
Contemporary Romance: Short
The Bachelor Doctor’s Bride
by Caro Carson
Harlequin, Special Edition
Gail Chasan, editor
Bad Girl
by Julie Miller
Harlequin, Intrigue NOIR
Allison Lyons, editor
Blueprint for a Kiss
by Nancy Warren
Self-published
Trish Milburn, editor
A Bride for the Blacksheep Brother
by Emily McKay
Harlequin, Desire
Charles Griemsman, editor
Enemies with Benefits
by Louisa George
Harlequin Mills & Boon, Modern Tempted/KISS
Flo Nicoll, editor
The Headmaster
by Tiffany Reisz
Harlequin, E-Shivers
Danielle Padula, editor
Her Unforgettable Royal Lover
by Merline Lovelace
Harlequin, Desire
Gail Chasan, editor
A Texas Rescue Christmas
by Caro Carson
Harlequin, Special Edition
Gail Chasan, editor
What the Greek Can’t Resist
by Maya Blake
Harlequin Mills & Boon, Presents
Suzanne Clarke, editor
Yours Forever
by Farrah Rochon
Harlequin, Kimani Romance
Tara Gavin, editor
Erotic Romance
Bonds of Denial
by Lynda Aicher
Harlequin, Carina Press
Rhonda Helms, editor
Call Me Saffron
by Talia Surova
Self-published
Purely Professional
by Elia Winters
Harlequin, Carina Press
Kerri Buckley, editor
The Saint
by Tiffany Reisz
Harlequin, Mira
Susan Swinwood, editor
Wanted
by J. Kenner
Random House, Ballantine Bantam Dell
Shauna Summers, editor
Historical Romance: Long
Douglas: Lord of Heartache
by Grace Burrowes
Sourcebooks, Casablanca
Deb Werksman, editor
Fool Me Twice
by Meredith Duran
Simon & Schuster, Pocket Books
Lauren McKenna, editor
A Place Called Harmony
by Jodi Thomas
Penguin Group USA, Berkley
Wendy McCurdy, editor
Where the Horses Run
by Kaki Warner
Penguin Group USA, Berkley Sensation
Wendy McCurdy, editor
Worth: Lord of Reckoning
by Grace Burrowes
Self-published
Historical Romance: Short
The Bells of Times Square
by Amy Lane
Riptide Publishing
Sarah Frantz Lyons, editor
The Cowboy’s Reluctant Bride
by Debra Cowan
Harlequin, Historical
Rachel Burkot, editor
Darling Beast
by Elizabeth Hoyt
Grand Central Publishing
Leah Hultenschmidt, editor
The Gentleman Rogue
by Margaret McPhee
Harlequin Mills & Boon, Historical
Pippa Roscoe, editor
In Bed with a Rogue
by Samantha Grace
Sourcebooks
Cat Clyne, editor
Romancing the Duke
by Tessa Dare
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books
Tessa Woodward, editor
Inspirational Romance
Deceived
by Irene Hannon
Baker Publishing Group, Revell
Jennifer Leep, editor
For Such a Time
by Kate Breslin
Baker Publishing Group, Bethany House
Raela Schoenherr, editor
Hope at Dawn
by Stacy Henrie
Grand Central Publishing, Forever
Lauren Plude, editor
Huckleberry Summer
by Jennifer Beckstrand
Kensington Publishing
John Scognamiglio, editor
The Widow’s Suitor
by Rose Ross Zediker
Harlequin, Heartsong Presents
Kathy Davis, editor
Paranormal Romance
Be Careful What You Kiss For
by Jane Lynne Daniels
Boroughs Publishing Group
Jill Limber, editor
Bitter Spirits
by Jenn Bennett
Penguin Group USA, Berkley Sensation
Leis Pedersen, editor
Burn for Me
by Cynthia Eden
Kensington Publishing, Brava
Esi Sogah, editor
The Darkest Touch
by Gena Showalter
Harlequin, HQN
Emily Ohanjanians, editor
Evernight
by Kristen Callihan
Grand Central Publishing, Forever
Alex Logan, editor
Forged By Desire
by Bec McMaster
Sourcebooks, Casablanca
Mary Altman, editor
Mind Sweeper
by AE Jones
Self-published
Faith Freewoman, editor
My Lady, My Lord
by Katharine Ashe
Self-published
Martha Trachtenberg, editor
Romance Novella
10 Rules to Sex Up a Blind Date
by Heidi Rice
Harlequin, Cosmo Red-Hot Reads
Bryony Green, editor
“A Game of Brides”
by Megan Crane
in Love Me True
Tule Publishing Group, LLC
Sinclair Sawhney, editor
Her Best Laid Plans
by Cara McKenna
Harlequin, Cosmo Red-Hot Reads
Malle Vallik, editor
His Road Home
by Anna Richland
Harlequin, Carina Press
Rhonda Helms, editor
Kiss and Tell
by Grace Burrowes
Self-published
The Last Wicked Scoundrel
by Lorraine Heath
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Impulse
May Chen, editor
“A Love Letter to the Editor”
by Robin Lee Hatcher
in Four Weddings & a Kiss
Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Traci Depree and Ami McConnell, editors
Pushing the Line
by Kimberly Kincaid
Self-published
Curtis Brown Digital, editor
“Will You Be My Wi-Fi?”
by Caroline Linden
in At the Billionaire’s Wedding
Self-published, The Lady Authors
Martha Trachtenberg, editor
“A Yorkshire Christmas”
by Kate Hewitt
in All I Want For Christmas
Tule Publishing Group, LLC
Sinclair Sawhney, editor
Romantic Suspense
Concealed in Death
by J. D. Robb
Penguin Group USA, G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Leslie Gelbman, editor
Forged in Ash
by Trish McCallan
Amazon Publishing, Montlake Romance
Charlotte Hersher and JoVon Sotak, editors
Grave Danger
by Katy Lee
Harlequin, Love Inspired Suspense
Emily Rodmell, editor
Honor Reclaimed
by Tonya Burrows
Entangled Publishing, Select
Heather Howland, editor
Into the Shadows
by Carolyn Crane
Self-published
Deb Nemeth and my fabulous critique partners, editors
Lock and Load
by Kimberley Troutte
Self-published
Kimberley Troutte, editor
Midnight Action
by Elle Kennedy
New American Library, Signet
Laura Fazio, editor
You’re Not Safe
by Mary Burton
Kensington Publishing, Zebra
John Scognamiglio, editor
Young Adult Romance
Boys Like You
by Juliana Stone
Sourcebooks, Fire
Leah Hultenschmidt and Aubrey Poole, editors
Plus One
by Elizabeth Fama
Macmillan, Farrar, Straus and Giroux BYR
Simon Boughton, editor
Run to You
by Clara Kensie
Harlequin, TEEN
Natashya Wilson, editor
Some Boys
by Patty Blount
Sourcebooks, Fire
Aubrey Poole, editor
2015 Golden Heart Finalists
Contemporary Romance
“Call Me Mrs. Whitlock”
by Kimberly Buckner
“Caught on Film”
by Arianna James
“Chasing Crazy”
by Kelly Siskind
“Good Girl’s Guide to Talking Dirty”
by Alice Faris
“His Perfect Partner”
by Priscilla Kissinger
“Homecoming”
by Jo Anne Banker
“The House of D’Innocenzi”
by Susan J. Bickford
“Mace, Men, and Margaritas”
by Jennifer Brodie
“Port Fairlight Summer”
by Jen Gilroy
“Puppy Love”
by Kelly Farmer
Erotic Romance
“A Deal for Love”
by Michele Arris
“Indulge My Fantasy”
by Caroline Bradley
“Sorting Out the Kinks”
by Elle Mason
Historical Romance
“A Convenient Engagement”
by Kimberly Bell
“A Dangerous Chemistry”
by Marnee Blake
“Dragon’s Lair”
by Lori Sanders Foley
“Never Dare a Wicked Earl”
by Renee Ann Miller
“A Proper Scandal”
by Laurie Benson
“A Question of Loyalty”
by Ellen Lindseth
“Rescuing Mr. Gracey”
by E K Barnes
“The Reunion”
by Sara Leyton
“Sawyer’s Rose”
by Kim Turner
Paranormal Romance
“Better Dead”
by Pamela Kopfler
“Coyote Walks”
by Maria Powers
“Demons Don’t”
by Jeanne Oates Estridge
“Howlin Hearts”
by Kristal Hollis
“Magic City”
by Heather Leonard
“The Magical Librarian of Tulsa, Oklahoma”
by Nancy Coiner
“Mapping Fate”
by Kimberly MacCarron
“Stone Hunter”
by Tara Sheets
“Undercover Enchanter”
by Melanie McCarthy
Romantic Suspense
“Deception Island”
by Bronwyn McEvoy
“Every Unworthy Thing”
by Sharon Wray
“Hope Craves an Execution”
by Sharon Wray
“Murder, Curlers, and Cream”
by Arlene McFarlane
“Scandal”
by Jessica Darago
“A Shot Worth Taking”
by Tracy Poole
Short Contemporary Romance
“At Her Service”
by Mia Sosa
“A Night at the Rosemont”
by Mary Oldham
“Waiting for Meggie”
by Debra Moser
“Welcome Home, Katie Gallagher”
by Seana Kelly
“Winning Her Over”
by Alexa Rowan
Young Adult Romance
“The Culloden Immortals”
by T L Sumner
“The Jade Quest”
by Mary Sullivan
“Mind Traveler”
by Diana Munoz Stewart
“Our Souls to Keep”
by Stephanie Winkelhake
“Sharing Hunter”
by Julie Glover
“When I Wake”
by Stephanie Winkelhake
