Rita Award - Novel with Strong Romantic Elements (Awarded by Romance Writers of America)

Awards List

2019

How to Keep a Secret
(Winner)
Sarah Morgan

Mornings on Main
(Finalist)
Jodi Thomas

A Girl Divided
(Finalist)
Ellen Lindseth

Five Years Gone
(Finalist)
Marie Force

2018

Now That You Mention It
(Winner)
Kristan Higgins

The Night Mark
(Finalist)
Tiffany Reisz

Shelter the Sea
(Finalist)
Heidi Cullinan

Unloved, a Love Story
(Finalist)
Katy Regnery

2017

The Moon in the Palace
(Winner)
Weina Dai Randel

The Depth of Beauty
(Finalist)
A.B. Michaels

The Color of a Promise
(Finalist)
Julianne MacLean

Now That It's You
(Finalist)
Tawna Fenske

2013

The Haunting of Maddy Claire
(Winner)
Simone St. James

Bridge of Scarlet Leaves
(Finalist)
Kristina McMorris

The Welcome Committee of Butternut Creek
(Finalist)
Jane Myers Perrine

A Girl Like You
(Finalist)
Maria Geraci

Time's Echo
(Finalist)
Pamela Hartshorne

The Anatomist's Wife
(Finalist)
Anna Lee Huber

Before and Ever Since
(Finalist)
Sharla Lovelace

The Haunting of Maddy Clare
(Finalist)
Simone St. James

2012

How to Bake a Perfect Life
(Winner)
Barbara O'Neal

Goodnight Tweetheart
(Finalist)
Teresa Medeiros

First Grave on the Right
(Finalist)
Darynda Jones

The Dark Enquiry
(Finalist)
Deanna Raybourn

Shadow Walker
(Finalist)
Allyson James

The Rose Garden
(Finalist)
Susanna Kearsley

Song of the Nile
(Finalist)
Stephanie Dray

Spider's Revenge
(Finalist)
Jennifer Estep

Death Magic
(Finalist)
Eileen Wilks

2011

Welcome to Harmony
(Winner)
Jodi Thomas

Blood Vines
(Finalist)
Erica Spindler

The Dead Travel Fast
(Finalist)
Deanna Raybourn

On Folly Beach
(Finalist)
Karen White

Stormwalker
(Finalist)
Allyson James

Wanna Get Lucky?
(Finalist)
Deborah Coonts

The Search
(Finalist)
Nora Roberts

Killbox
(Finalist)
Ann Aguirre

2010

The Lost Recipe for Happiness
(Winner)
Barbara O'Neal

Silent on the Moor
(Finalist)
Deanna Raybourn

The Accidental Bestseller
(Finalist)
Wendy Wax

Red's Hot Honky-Tonk Bar
(Finalist)
Pamela Morsi

The Virgin's Daughters
(Finalist)
Jeane Westin

Lakeshore Christmas
(Finalist)
Susan Wiggs

The Better Part of Darkness
(Finalist)
Kelly Gay

Scandal Sheet // Hollywood Scandals
(Finalist)
Gemma Halliday

2009

Tribute
(Winner)
Nora Roberts

Last Dance At Jitterbug Lounge
(Finalist)
Pamela Morsi

The Paper Marriage
(Finalist)
Susan Kay Law

The Shape of Mercy
(Finalist)
Susan Meissner

The House on Tradd Street
(Finalist)
Karen White

Where Serpents Sleep
(Finalist)
C.S. Harris

The Winter Sea
(Finalist)
Susanna Kearsley

2008

Silent in the Grave
(Winner)
Deanna Raybourn

Learning to Breathe
(Finalist)
Karen White

See No Evil
(Finalist)
Allison Brennan

Sugar Daddy
(Finalist)
Lisa Kleypas

Thief With No Shadow
(Finalist)
Emily Gee

High Noon
(Finalist)
Nora Roberts

Odd Mom Out
(Finalist)
Jane Porter

A Gentle Rain
(Finalist)
Deborah Smith

2007

A Lady Raised High
(Winner)
Laurien Gardner

On Blue Falls Pond
(Finalist)
Susan Crandall

Magic Hour
(Finalist)
Kristin Hannah

Her Perfect Life
(Finalist)
Vicki Hinze

California Demon
(Finalist)
Julie Kenner

Spying in High Heels
(Finalist)
Gemma Halliday

Dead End Dating
(Finalist)
Kimberly Raye

Eyes of Crow
(Finalist)
Jeri Smith-Ready

2006

Lady Luck's Map of Vegas
(Winner)
Barbara Samuel

Table For Five
(Finalist)
Susan Wiggs

Sweetgrass // The Secrets We Keep
(Finalist)
Mary Alice Monroe

The Tiara Club
(Finalist)
Beverly Brandt

Charmed & Dangerous
(Finalist)
Candace Havens

Blue Smoke
(Finalist)
Nora Roberts

The Me I Used To Be
(Finalist)
Jennifer Archer

Ex and the Single Girl
(Finalist)
Lani Diane Rich

2005

A.K.A. Goddess
(Winner)
Evelyn Vaughn

Do Me, Do My Roots
(Finalist)
Eileen Rendahl

The Ocean Between Us
(Finalist)
Susan Wiggs

American Idle
(Finalist)
Alesia Holliday

Time Off for Good Behavior
(Finalist)
Lani Diane Rich

2004

Between Sisters
(Winner)
Kristin Hannah

A Piece of Heaven
(Finalist)
Barbara Samuel

Shore Lights
(Finalist)
Barbara Bretton

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