2014 HOLT Medallion Winners

2014 Winners and Awards of Merit of the Virginia Romance Writers' HOLT Medallion Award

Best First Book

Winner: A Hopeful Heart - Amy Clipston

• Finalists:

Five Days In Skye - Carla Laureano

Haven - Celia Breslin

Playing Doctor - Jan Meredith

Temptation - Kathryn Barrett

Best Book by a Virginia Author

Winner: Seeds Of Evidence - Linda J. White

• Finalists:

Avoiding Mr. Right - C.J. Ellisson

No Place Like Rome - [[Julie Moffett[[

Rock Your Soul - Sara Brookes

Up To The Challenge - Terri Osburn

Extra Spicy/Erotic Romance

Winner: Rock Your Soul – Sara Brookes

• Finalists:

Avoiding Mr. Right – C.J. Ellisson

Dare To Be Dirty – Savanna Fox

Programmed To Please – Jenna Ives

Rhythm Of My Heart – Jess Dee

Historical Romance

Winner: Lord Of Wicked Intentions – Lorraine Heath

• Finalists:

Changes – Pamela Nowak

The Last Duchess – Stephanie Feagan

Promise Me Texas – Jodi Thomas

Springtime Pleasures – Sandra Schwab

Long Contemporary Romance

Winner: A Valley Ridge Christmas – Holly Jacobs

• Finalists:

Can’t Stop Believing – Jodi Thomas

Sleepless In Las Vegas – Colleen Collins

The Sweetest Hours – Cathryn Parry

Texas Tango – Cynthia D’Alba

Long Inspirational Romance

Winner: The Face Of The Earth – Deborah Raney

• Finalists:

A Hopeful Heart – Amy Clipston

Vanished – Irene Hannon

Whispers On The Prairie – Vickie McDonough

Wishing On Willows – Katie Ganshert

Mainstream/Single Title Romance

Winner: Temptation – Kathryn Barrett

• Finalists:

The Difference A Day Makes – Barbara Longley

Lost Melody – Dolores W. Maroney

Sanctuary Island – Lily Everett

Up To The Challenge – Terri Osburn

Novel with Strong Romantic Elements

Winner: No Place Like Rome – Julie Moffett

• Finalists:

Elysian Fields – Suzanne Johnson

The Firebird – Susanna Kearsley

It Happened At The Fair – Deeanne Gist

Murder Under The Italian Moon – Maria Grazia Swan

Paranormal/Time Travel/Futuristic Romance

Winner: Heart Of Constantine – Barbara Monajem

• Finalists:

The Five Deaths Of Roxanne Love – Erin Quinn

Moonlight – Lisa Kessler

Omega – Susannah Sandlin

Temptation By Fire – Tiffany Allee

Romance Novella

Winner: My Cupcake, My Love – Carolynn Carey

• Finalists:

Christmas At Copper Mountain – Jane Porter

"Eight Tiny Flames" in A Very Scandalous Holiday – Crista McHugh

Playing Doctor – Jan Meredith

Take Me, Cowboy – Jane Porter

Romantic Suspense

Winner: Sleep With The Lights On – Maggie Shayne

• Finalists:

Deadly Recall – Donnell Ann Bell

Hard Target – Kay Thomas

Secure Location – Beverly Long

Seeds Of Evidence – Linda J. White

Short Contemporary Romance

Winner: The Forgotten Christmas Tree - Carolynn Carey

• Finalists:

The Baby Bump - Jennifer Greene

Never Say No To A Caffarelli –Melanie Milburne

The Rancher She Loved – Ann Roth

Seven Day Fiancé - Rachel Harris

Short Inspirational Romance

Winner: Seaside Blessings – Irene Hannon

• Finalists:

Eventide – Shelley Shepard Gray

Her Valentine’s Hero – Gail Gaymer Martin

The Rancher’s Second Chance – Davalynn Spencer

Yuletide Twins – Renee Andrews