Rita Award - Romantic Suspense (Awarded by Romance Writers of America)

Awards List

2019

Fearless
(Winner)
Elizabeth Dyer

The Bastard's Bargain
(Finalist)
Katee Robert

Reckless Honor
(Finalist)
Tonya Burrows

Relentless
(Finalist)
Elizabeth Dyer

Consumed
(Finalist)
J.R. Ward

Cut and Run
(Finalist)
Mary Burton

Before We Were Strangers
(Finalist)
Brenda Novak

2018

The Fixer
(Winner)
Helenkay Dimon

Guarding Mr. Fine
(Finalist)
Helenkay Dimon

Too Wilde to Tame
(Finalist)
Tonya Burrows

Critical Instinct
(Finalist)
Janie Crouch

Say You're Sorry
(Finalist)
Melinda Leigh

The Transporter
(Finalist)
Liz Maverick

Under Fire
(Finalist)
Scarlett Cole

Escape to You
(Finalist)
Jennifer Ryan

Touch of Red
(Finalist)
Laura Griffin

2017

Repressed
(Winner)
Elisabeth Naughton

Atone
(Finalist)
Beth Yarnall

Mr. and Mr. Smith
(Finalist)
Helenkay Dimon

Field of Graves
(Finalist)
J.T. Ellison

Tall, Dark and Damaged
(Finalist)
Sarah Andre

One Minute to Midnight
(Finalist)
Nico Rosso

Killer Countdown
(Finalist)
Amelia Autin

All the Dead Girls
(Finalist)
Rita Herron

2016

Flash Fire
(Winner)
Dana Marton

Barefoot with a Bodyguard
(Finalist)
Roxanne St. Claire

Fatal Frenzy
(Finalist)
Marie Force

Barefoot with a Stranger
(Finalist)
Roxanne St. Claire

Facing Fire
(Finalist)
Helenkay Dimon

In the Waning Light
(Finalist)
Loreth Anne White

The Strongest Steel
(Finalist)
Scarlett Cole

She Can Kill
(Finalist)
Melinda Leigh

Target Engaged
(Finalist)
M.L. Buchman / Matthew Lieber Buchman

2015

Concealed in Death
(Winner)
J.D. Robb

Forged in Ash
(Finalist)
Trish McCallan

You're Not Safe
(Finalist)
Mary Burton

Grave Danger
(Finalist)
Katy Lee

Honor Reclaimed
(Finalist)
Tonya Burrows

Lock and Load
(Finalist)
Kimberley Troutte

Into the Shadows
(Finalist)
Carolyn Crane

Midnight Action
(Finalist)
Elle Kennedy

2014

Off the Edge
(Winner)
Carolyn Crane

The Killing Game
(Finalist)
Toni Anderson

Thrill Ride
(Finalist)
Julie Ann Walker

Justice for Sara
(Finalist)
Erica Spindler

2013

Scorched
(Winner)
Laura Griffin

Last Man Standing
(Finalist)
Cindy Gerard

Celebrity in Death
(Finalist)
J.D. Robb

Dead Heat
(Finalist)
Bronwyn Parry

Twisted
(Finalist)
Laura Griffin

Vortex
(Finalist)
Cherry Adair

Don't Cry for Me
(Finalist)
Sharon Sala

Forged in Fire
(Finalist)
Trish McCallan

2012

New York to Dallas
(Winner)
J.D. Robb

True Colors
(Finalist)
Joyce Lamb

Hidden Away
(Finalist)
Maya Banks

Hush
(Finalist)
Cherry Adair

Secrets of Bella Terra
(Finalist)
Christina Dodd

Where All the Dead Lie
(Finalist)
J.T. Ellison

Hot Zone
(Finalist)
Catherine Mann

True Shot
(Finalist)
Joyce Lamb

2011

Silent Scream
(Winner)
Karen Rose

Deadly Fear
(Finalist)
Cynthia Eden

Kill Me Again
(Finalist)
Maggie Shayne

The Darkest Hour
(Finalist)
Maya Banks

Two Lethal Lies
(Finalist)
Annie Solomon

Edge of Sight
(Finalist)
Roxanne St. Claire

Indulgence in Death
(Finalist)
J.D. Robb

Love Me to Death
(Finalist)
Allison Brennan

2010

Whisper of Warning
(Winner)
Laura Griffin

Stolen Fury
(Finalist)
Elisabeth Naughton

Kill for Me
(Finalist)
Karen Rose

Promises in Death
(Finalist)
J.D. Robb

One Scream Away
(Finalist)
Kate Brady

A Dark Love
(Finalist)
Margaret Carroll

Waking the Dead
(Finalist)
Kylie Brant

Dark Country
(Finalist)
Bronwyn Parry

2009

Take No Prisoners
(Winner)
Cindy Gerard

Killing Fear
(Finalist)
Allison Brennan

The Angel
(Finalist)
Carla Neggers

Scream for Me
(Finalist)
Karen Rose

Stop Me
(Finalist)
Brenda Novak

Triple Exposure
(Finalist)
Colleen Thompson

Now You Die
(Finalist)
Roxanne St. Claire

Night Secrets
(Finalist)
Cherry Adair

2008

Ice Blue
(Winner)
Anne Stuart

Speak No Evil
(Finalist)
Allison Brennan

Prime Time
(Finalist)
Hank Phillippi Ryan

White Heat
(Finalist)
Cherry Adair

Die for Me
(Finalist)
Karen Rose

Traceless
(Finalist)
Debra Webb

Ice Storm
(Finalist)
Anne Stuart

2007

Blackout
(Winner)
Annie Solomon

The Kill
(Finalist)
Allison Brennan

Quiet As The Grave
(Finalist)
Kathleen O'Brien

The Bachelor Trap
(Finalist)
Elizabeth Thornton

Born in Death
(Finalist)
J.D. Robb

Tempting the Devil
(Finalist)
Patricia Potter

Deadly Gamble
(Finalist)
Linda Lael Miller

Relentless
(Finalist)
Jo Leigh

Under the Wire
(Finalist)
Cindy Gerard

2006

Survivor In Death
(Winner)
J.D. Robb

Tangle of Lies
(Finalist)
Patricia Potter

Close-Up
(Finalist)
Virginia Kantra

The Marriage Trap
(Finalist)
Elizabeth Thornton

Nothing To Fear
(Finalist)
Karen Rose

Crazy Hot
(Finalist)
Tara Janzen

In Deep Voodoo
(Finalist)
Stephanie Bond

Darker Than Midnight
(Finalist)
Maggie Shayne

2005

I'm Watching You
(Winner)
Karen Rose

Have You Seen Her?
(Finalist)
Karen Rose

Shady Lady
(Finalist)
Elizabeth Thornton

Mimosa Grove
(Finalist)
Dinah McCall

Body Double
(Finalist)
Vicki Hinze

Code Name: Princess
(Finalist)
Christina Skye

Just Past Midnight
(Finalist)
Amanda Stevens

Colder Than Ice
(Finalist)
Maggie Shayne

Fatal Error
(Finalist)
Colleen Thompson

2004

Remember When: Hot Rocks
(Winner)
Nora Roberts

Caught in the Act
(Finalist)
Joyce Lamb

Cold Ridge
(Finalist)
Carla Neggers

While She Was Sleeping
(Finalist)
Suzanne Forster

Remember When: Big Jack
(Finalist)
J.D. Robb

Kill the Competition
(Finalist)
Stephanie Bond

Thicker Than Water
(Finalist)
Maggie Shayne

2003

Three Fates
(Winner)
Nora Roberts

Reunion in Death
(Finalist)
J.D. Robb

Someone Knows
(Finalist)
Karen Young

Hush
(Finalist)
Anne Frasier

Purity in Death
(Finalist)
J.D. Robb

Wild at Heart
(Finalist)
Jane Graves

2002

The Surgeon
(Winner)
Tess Gerritsen

Blind Faith
(Finalist)
Christiane Heggan

Dark Side of Dawn
(Finalist)
Merline Lovelace

Princess Charming
(Finalist)
Elizabeth Thornton

Betrayal in Death
(Finalist)
J.D. Robb

Darkling, I Listen
(Finalist)
Katherine Sutcliffe

Mercy
(Finalist)
Julie Garwood

The Perfect Princess
(Finalist)
Elizabeth Thornton

2001

Carolina Moon
(Winner)
Nora Roberts

Witness in Death
(Finalist)
J.D. Robb

Brown-Eyed Girl
(Finalist)
Mariah Stewart

Blade's Lady
(Finalist)
Fiona Brand

Renegade Heart
(Finalist)
Gayle Wilson

2000

The Bride's Protector
(Winner)
Gayle Wilson

Conspiracy in Death
(Finalist)
J.D. Robb

Strangers at Dawn
(Finalist)
Elizabeth Thornton

1999

Cool Shade
(Winner)
Theresa Weir

Holiday in Death
(Finalist)
J.D. Robb

1998

On the Way to a Wedding...
(Winner)
Ingrid Weaver

Night Whispers
(Finalist)
Lynn Erickson

For Your Eyes Only
(Finalist)
Rebecca York

Secret Sins
(Finalist)
Jasmine Cresswell

Framed
(Finalist)
Karen Leabo

Until You
(Finalist)
Sandra Marton

Better Watch Out
(Finalist)
Dani Sinclair

1997

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

1996

Winter's Edge
(Winner)
Anne Stuart

1995

Hidden Riches
(Winner)
Nora Roberts

1994

Nightshade
(Winner)
Nora Roberts

1993

Divine Evil
(Winner)
Nora Roberts

1992

Night Shift
(Winner)
Nora Roberts

1991

Night Spice
(Winner)
Karen Keast

1990

Perchance to Dream
(Winner)
Kathleen Korbel

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