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The RITA Awards are given out annually for the best romance
novels in several popular catagories. It began in 1982 as,
"The Golden Medallion Award" and was re-named in 1990.



2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982

2006

CategoryTitleAuthor
First Book Show Her The Money Stephanie Feagan
Contemporary Single Title Lakeside Cottage Susan Wiggs
Inspirational Heavens To Betsy Beth Pattillo
Long Contemporary Worth Every Risk Dianna Love Snell
Long Historical The Devil to Pay Liz Carlyle
Romantic Novella The Naked Truth about Guys Alesia Holliday
Paranormal Gabriel's Ghost Linnea Sinclair
Regency A Reputable Rake Diane Gaston
Romantic Suspense Survivor in Death J. D. Robb
Short Contemporary The Marriage Miracle Liz Fielding
Short Historical The Texan's Reward Jodi Thomas
Novel With
Romantic Elements
Lady Luck's Map of Vegas Barbara Samuel
Traditional Princess of Convenience Marion Lennox
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2005

CategoryTitleAuthor
First Book Time Off For Good Behavior Lani Diane Rich
Contemporary Single Title Bet Me Jennifer Crusie
Inspirational Grounds To Believe Shelley Bates
Long Contemporary John Riley's Girl Inglath Cooper
Long Historical Shadowheart Laura Kinsale
Romantic Novella Her Enemy Maggie Shayne
Paranormal Blue Moon Lori Handeland
Regency A Passionate Endeavor Sophia Nash
Romantic Suspense I'm Watching You Karen Rose
Short Contemporary Miss Pruitt's Private Life Barbara McCauley
Short Historical A Wanted Man Susan Kay Law
Novel With
Romantic Elements
A.K.A. Goddess Evelyn Vaughn
Traditional Christmas Eve Marriage Jessica Hart
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2004

CategoryTitleAuthor
Traditional Her Royal Baby Marion Lennox
Regency Prospero's Daughter Nancy Butler
Short Contemporary Series The Knight's Kiss Nicole Burnham
Short Historical Worth Any Price Lisa Kleypas
Long Contemporary Series The Top Gun's Return Kathleen Creighton
Long Historical The Destiny Kathleen Givens
Paranormal Shades of Midnight Linda Fallon
Contemporary Single Title Birthright Nora Roberts
Romantic Novella Prisoner of the Tower
in The Wedding Chase
Gayle Wilson
Novel with
Romantic Elements
Between Sisters Kristin Hannah
First Book Back Roads Susan Crandall
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2003

CategoryTitleAuthor
Traditional The Christmas Basket Debbie Macomber
Short Contemporary Taming The Outlaw Cindy Kay Gerard
Long Contemporary Series Taking Cover Catherine Mann
Paranormal Contact Susan Grant
Inspirational Never Say Goodbye Irene Hannon
Romantic Novella To Kiss in Shadows Lynn Kurland
First Book Shades of Honor Wendy Lindstrom
Regency A Debt To Delia Barbara Metzger
Short Historical The Bride Fair Cheryl Reavis
Long Historical Stealing Heaven Madeline Hunter
Romantic Suspense Three Fates Nora Roberts
Contemporary Single Title No Place Like Home Barbara Samuel
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2002

CategoryTitleAuthor
Traditional Romance Quinn's Complete Seduction Sandra Steffen
Short Contemporary Series A Long Hot Christmas Barbara Daly
Long Contemporary Series Coming Home To You Fay Robinson
Paranormal Romance Heart Mate Robin D. Owens
Inspirational Romance Beneath a Southern Sky Deborah Raney
Romantic Novella I Will from Wish List Lisa Kleypas
First Book The Border Bride Elizabeth English
Regency Romance Much Obliged Jessica Benson
Short Historical Romance Tempt Me Twice Barbara Dawson Smith
Long Historical Romance The Bridal Season Connie Brockway
Romantic Suspense The Surgeon Tess Gerritsen
Contemporary Single Title True Confessions Rachel Gibson
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2001

CategoryTitleAuthor
Contemporary Single Title First Lady Susan Elizabeth Phillips
First Book A Man Like Mac Fay Robinson
Inspirational The Shepherd's Voice Robin Lee Hatcher
Long Contemporary Rogue's Reform Marilyn Pappano
Long Historical Devilish Jo Beverley
Paranormal The Highlander's Touch Karen Marie Moning
Regency A Grand Design Emma Jensen
Romantic Suspense Carolina Moon Nora Roberts
Short Contemporary It Takes A Rebel Stephanie Bond
Short Historical The Mistress Susan Wiggs
Romantic Novella Final Approach to Forever (fromOnce Upon A Dream) Merline Lovelace
Traditional The Best Man & The Bridesmaid Liz Fielding
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2000

CategoryTitleAuthor
Contemporary Single Title Body Guard Suzanne Brockmann
First Book The Maiden and The Unicorn Isolde Martyn
Inspirational Danger in the Shadows Dee Henderson
Long Contemporary Undercover Princess Suzanne Brockmann
Long Historical Silken Threads Patricia Ryan
Paranormal Nell Jeanette Baker
Regency The Rake's Retreat Nancy Butler
Romantic Suspense The Bride's Protector Gayle Wilson
Short Contemporary The Stardust Cowboy Anne McAllister
Short Historical The Proposition Judith Ivory
Romantic Novella Starry, Starry Night Marianne Willman
Traditional Annie, Get Your Groom Kristin Gabriel
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1999

CategoryTitleAuthor
Contemporary Single Title Dream A Little Dream Susan Elizabeth Phillips
First Book My Darling Caroline Adele Ashworth
Inspirational Patterns of Love Robin Lee Hatcher
Long Contemporary Meant to Be Married Ruth Wind
Long Historical My Dearest Enemy Connie Brockway
Paranormal The Bride Finder Susan Carroll
Regency His Grace Endures Emma Jenson
Romantic Suspense Cool Shade Theresa Weir
Short Contemporary The Notorious Groom Caroline Cross
Short Historical Merely Married Patricia Coughlin
Traditional Monday Man Kristin Gabriel
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1998

CategoryTitleAuthor
Contemporary Single Title Nobody's Baby But Mine Susan Elizabeth Phillips
First Book Brazen Angel Elizabeth Boyle
Inspirational Homeward Melody Carlson
Long Contemporary Series Reckless Ruth Wind
Long Historical Promise of Jenny Jones Maggie Osborne
Paranormal FireHawk Justine Dare
Regency Love's Reward Jean R. Ewing
Romantic Suspense On the Way to a Wedding Ingrid Weaver
RWA's Favorite Book of 1997 Nobody's Baby But Mine Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Short Contemporary Series Nobody's Princess Jennifer Greene
Short Historical Heart of a Knight Barbara Samuel
Traditional His Brother's Child Lucy Gordon
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1997

CategoryTitleAuthor
First Book Stardust of Yesterday Lynn Kurland
Contemporary Single Title Daniel's Gift Barbara Freethy
Inspirational The Scarlet Thread Francine Rivers
Long Contemporary Series Wild Blood Naomi Horton
Long Historical Conor's Way Laura Lee Guhrke
Paranormal Stardust of Yesterday Lynn Kurland
Regency The Lady's Companion Carla Kelly
Romantic Suspense See How They Run Bethany Campbell
Short Contemporary Series Cowboy Pride Anne McAllister
Short Historical Always to Remember Lorraine Heath
Traditional Her Very Own Husband Lauryn Chandler
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1996

CategoryTitleAuthor
Contemporary Single Title Born in Ice Nora Roberts
First Book The Warlord Elizabeth Elliot
Inspirational As Sure as the Dawn Francine Rivers
Long Contemporary The Morning Side of Dawn Justine Davis
Long Historical Something Shady Pamela Morsi
Paranormal The Covenant Modean Moon
Regency Gwen's Christmas Ghost Lynn Kerstan and Alicia Rasley
Romantic Suspense Winter's Edge Anne Stuart
Short Contemporary Single Dad Jennifer Greene
Short Historical Lord of Scoundrels Loretta Chase
Traditional Stranger in Her Arms Elizabeth Sites
Young Adult Runaway Cheryl Zach
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1995

CategoryTitleAuthor
Best Romance of 1994 It Had To Be You Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Contemporary Single Title Again Kathleen Gilles Seidel
First Book Ghostly Enchantment Angie Ray
Historical To Tame a Texan's Heart Jodi Thomas
Inspirational An Echo in the Darkness Francine Rivers
Long Contemporary A Soldier's Heart Kathleen Korbel
Long Historical Dancing on the Wind Mary Jo Putney
Paranormal/Fantasy/Time Travel Lord of the Storm Justine Davis
Regency Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand Carla Kelly
Romantic Suspense Hidden Riches Nora Roberts
Short Contemporary Getting Rid of Bradley Jennifer Crusie
Traditional Oh Baby! Lauryn Chandler
Young Adult Second to None Arleynn Presser
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1994

CategoryTitleAuthor
Best Romance of 1993 Lord of the Night Susan Wiggs
Contemporary Single Title Private Scandals Nora Roberts
First Book A Candle in the Dark Megan Chance
Futuristic/Fantasy/Paranormal Falling Angel Anne Stuart
Historical Series My Lady Notorious Jo Beverley
Historical Single Title Untamed Elizabeth Lowell
Long Contemporary Dragonslayer Emilie Richards
Regency Deidre and Don Juan Jo Beverley
Romantic Suspense Nightshade Nora Roberts
Short Contemporary Avenging Angel Glenna McReynolds
Traditional Annie and the Wise Men Lindsay Longford
Young Adult Summer Lightning Wendy Corsi Staub
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1993

CategoryTitleAuthor
Best Romance of 1992 Come Spring Jill Marie Landis
First Book Trust Me Jeane Renick
Futuristic/Fantasy/Paranormal Emily's Ghost Antoinette Stokenberg
Long Contemporary The Silence of Midnight Karen Young
Regency An Unwilling Bride Jo Beverley
Romantic Suspense Divine Evil Nora Roberts
Series Historical The Prisoner Cheryl Reavis
Short Contemporary Navarrone Helen R. Myers
Single Title Contemporary This Time Forever Kathleen Eagle
Single Title Historical Keeper of the Dream Penelope Williamson
Traditional Father Goose Marie Ferrarella
Young Adult Song of the Buffalo Boy Sherry Garland
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1992

CategoryTitleAuthor
Best Romance of 1991 Outlander Diana Gabaldon
First Novel Candle in the Window Christina Dodd
Futuristic/Fantasy/Paranormal Angel for Hire Justine Davis
Long Contemporary A Rose for Maggie Kathleen Korbel
Regency Emily and the Dark Angel Jo Beverley
Romantic Suspense Night Shift Nora Roberts
Series Historical The Tender Texan Jodi Thomas
Short Contemporary A Human Touch Glenda Sanders
Single Title Contemporary A Man to Die For Eileen Dreyer
Single Title Historical Courting Miss Hattie Pamela Morsi
Traditional Every Kind of Heaven Bethany Campbell
Young Adult Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Lurlene McDaniel
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1991

CategoryTitleAuthor
Best Romance of 1990 The Prince of Midnight Laura Kinsale
First Book Black Horse Island Dee Holmes
Long Contemporary Patrick Gallagher's Widow Cheryl Reavis
Regency The Sandalwood Princess Loretta Chase
Romantic Suspense Night Spice Karen Keast
Series Historical A Wild Yearning Penelope Williamson
Short Contemporary Step Into My Parlor Jan Hudson
Single Title Historical Where Love Dwells Elizabeth Stuart
Traditional Song of the Lorelei Lucy Gordon
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1990

CategoryTitleAuthor
Best Romance of 1989 Morning Glory LaVyrle Spencer
First Book Out of the Blue Alaina Hawthorne
Historical Series Silver Noose Patricia Gardner
Historical Single Title The Bride Julie Garwood
Long Contemporary The Ice Cream Man Kathleen Korbel
Regency The Rake and the Reformer Mary Jo Putney
Romantic Suspense Perchance to Dream Kathleen Korbel
Short Contemporary Night of the Hunter Jennifer Greene
Single Title Contemporary Private Relations Diane Chamberlain
Traditional Rhapsody in Bloom Mona Van Wieren
Young Adult Renee Vivan Schurfranz
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1989

CategoryTitleAuthor
Historical Sunflower Jill Marie Landis
Long Contemporary A Crime of the Heart Cheryl Reavis
Regency Brighton Road Susan Caroll
Short Contemporary Winter's Daughter Kathleen Creighton
Single Title Leaves of Fortune Linda Barlow
Suspense Brazen Virtue Nora Roberts
Traditional Flirtation River Bethany Campbell
Young Adult The Ghosts of Stony Cove Eileen Charbonneau
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1988

CategoryTitleAuthor
Historical The Gamble LaVyrle Spencer
Long Contemporary In the Defense of Love Kathleen Creighton
Regency Sugar Rose Susan Carroll
Short Contemporary Stolen Moments Terri Herrington
Single Title Release Twilight Whispers Barbara Delinsky
Traditional It Takes a Thief Rita Rainville
Young Adult Does Your Nose Get in the Way, Too? Arlene Erlbach
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1987

CategoryTitleAuthor
Historical By Right of Arms Robyn Carr
Long Contemporary One Summer Nora Roberts
Regency Lord Abberley's Nemesis Amanda Scott
Short Contemporary Still Waters Kathleen Creighton
Single Title Release Sunshine and Shadow Tom and Sharon Curtis
Traditional Opal Fire Sandy Dengler
Young Adult Video Fever Kathleen Garvey
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1986

CategoryTitleAuthor
Historical Not So Wild a Dream Francine Rivers
Inspirational From This Day Forward Kathleen Karr
Long Contemporary Today, Tomorrow and Always Georgia Bockoven
Regency The Beauty's Daughter Monette Cummings
Short Contemporary Much Needed Holiday Joan Hohl
Single Title Release Banish Misfortune Anne Stuart
Traditional The Crystal Unicorn Doreen Malek
Young Adult Waiting for Amanda Cheryl Zach
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1985

CategoryTitleAuthor
Historical Twice Loved LaVyrle Spencer
Inspirational For the Love of Mike Charlotte Nichols
Long Contemporary A Matter of Choice Nora Roberts
Mainstream After All These Years Kathleen Gilles Seidel
Regency The Lurid Lady of Lockport Kasey Micheals
Short Contemporary Opposites Attract Nora Roberts
Traditional The Karas Cup Brittany Young
Young Adult The Frog Princess Cheryl Zach
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1984

CategoryTitleAuthor
Category Historical The Clergyman's Daughter Julie Jeffries
Contemporary Under 65,000 words Memory and Desire Eileen Bryan
Contemporary 65-80,000 words(tie) This Magic Moment Nora Roberts
Contemporary 65-80,000 words(tie) Destiny's Sweet Errand Deirdre Mardon
Historical Hummingbird LaVyrle Spencer
Traditional Untamed Nora Roberts
Young Adult Julie's Magic Moment Barbara Bartholomew
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1983

CategoryTitleAuthor
Historical Defiant Love Mara Seger
Contemporary Mainstream The Heart's Victory Nora Roberts
Contemporary Sweet Renegade Player Dixie Browning
Mainstream Historical The Endearment LaVyrle Spencer
Young Adult Andrea Jo Stewart
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1982

CategoryTitleAuthor
Contemporary Winner Take All Brooke Hastings
Historical Rendezvous at Gramercy Constance Ravenlock
Mainstream The Sun Dancers Barbara Faith
Mainstream Historical Day Beyond Destiny Anna James
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