1997 Rita Award (Awarded by Romance Writers of America)

Awards List

Contemporary Single Title

Daniel's Gift
(Winner)
Barbara Freethy

Jackson Rule
(Finalist)
Dinah McCall

Daring To Dream
(Finalist)
Nora Roberts

First Book

Stardust of Yesterday
(Winner)
Lynn Kurland

Traveler
(Finalist)
Elaine Fox

His Secret Side
(Finalist)
Pamela Burford

Shadows in Velvet
(Finalist)
Haywood Smith

Futuristic/Fantasy/Paranormal

Stardust of Yesterday
(Winner)
Lynn Kurland

Inspirational Romance

The Scarlet Thread
(Winner)
Francine Rivers

Dreamers
(Finalist)
Angela Elwell Hunt

Firestorm
(Finalist)
Lisa Tawn Bergren

Long Contemporary Romance

Wild Blood
(Winner)
Naomi Horton

Long Contemporary Series

Having His Baby
(Finalist)
Karen Young

Mackenzie's Pleasure
(Finalist)
Linda Howard

The Fall of Shane MacKade
(Finalist)
Nora Roberts

Expectant Father
(Finalist)
Leanne Banks

His Runaway Son
(Finalist)
Dee Holmes

My Fair Gentleman
(Finalist)
Jan Freed

Megan's Mate
(Finalist)
Nora Roberts

Long Historical Romance

Conor's Way
(Winner)
Laura Lee Guhrke

Shattered Rainbows
(Finalist)
Mary Jo Putney

The Bad Luck Wedding Dress
(Finalist)
Geralyn Dawson

Gold Dust
(Finalist)
Emily Carmichael

Denim & Lace
(Finalist)
Patricia Rice

The Outsider
(Finalist)
Penelope Williamson

The Marshal and the Heiress
(Finalist)
Patricia Potter

The Love Charm
(Finalist)
Pamela Morsi

Paranormal Romance

Dreamcatcher
(Finalist)
Dinah McCall

Breath of Magic
(Finalist)
Teresa Medeiros

The Faery Bride
(Finalist)
Lisa Ann Verge

Now and Forever
(Finalist)
Kimberly Raye

Frankly, My Dear...
(Finalist)
Sandra Hill

A Ghost of a Chance
(Finalist)
Casey Claybourne

The Wolf and the Woman's Touch
(Finalist)
Ingrid Weaver

Regency Romance

The Lady's Companion
(Winner)
Carla Kelly

Step in Time
(Finalist)
Anne Barbour

The Unromantic Lady
(Finalist)
Penelope Stratton

Miss Kendal Sets Her Cap
(Finalist)
Marian Devon

Romantic Suspense

See How They Run
(Winner)
Bethany Campbell

Last Night
(Finalist)
Meryl Sawyer

Reckless Lover
(Finalist)
Carly Bishop

Montana Sky
(Finalist)
Nora Roberts

Woman Without a Name
(Finalist)
Emilie Richards

Short Contemporary Romance

Cowboy Pride
(Winner)
Anne McAllister

Short Contemporary Series Romance

Charlie All Night
(Finalist)
Jennifer Crusie

Angel on a Harley
(Finalist)
Janis Reams Hudson

Family First
(Finalist)
Marcia Evanick

Spring Bride
(Finalist)
Sandra Marton

The Cinderella Deal
(Finalist)
Jennifer Crusie

Christmas with Eve
(Finalist)
Elda Minger

Short Historical Romance

Always to Remember
(Winner)
Lorraine Heath

Sparhawk's Angel
(Finalist)
Miranda Jarrett

The Bartered Bride
(Finalist)
Cheryl Reavis

Sometimes Forever
(Finalist)
Catherine Palmer

Carried Away
(Finalist)
Jill Barnett

Heart of the Hawk
(Finalist)
Justine Dare

The Wedding Raffle
(Finalist)
Geralyn Dawson

Traditional Romance

Her Very Own Husband
(Winner)
Lauryn Chandler

Ending in Marriage
(Finalist)
Debbie Macomber

For the Love of Emma
(Finalist)
Lucy Gordon

The Daddy Trap
(Finalist)
Leigh Michaels

The Honeymoon Quest
(Finalist)
Dana Lindsey

Undercover Daddy
(Finalist)
Lindsay Longford

Temporary Husband
(Finalist)
Day Leclaire

Award Categories

Best Romance

Contemporary Romance: Long

Contemporary Romance: Mid-Length

Contemporary Romance: Short

Contemporary Series Romance

Contemporary Series Romance: Suspense/Adventure

Contemporary Single Title

Erotic Romance

Erotica

First Book

Futuristic/Fantasy/Paranormal

Historical Romance

Historical Romance: Long

Historical Romance: Short

Historical Series

Historical Single Title

Inspirational Romance

Long Contemporary Romance

Long Contemporary Series

Long Historical Romance

Novel with Strong Romantic Elements

Paranormal Romance

Regency Romance

Romance Novella

Romantic Novella

Award Years

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997

1996

1995