2012 HOLT Medallion Winners

2012 Winners and Awards of Merit of the Virginia Romance Writers' HOLT Medallion Award

Best Book by a Virginia Author

Winner: The Aristocrat's Lady - Mary Moore

• Finalists:

Claimed By The Highland Warrior - Michelle Willingham

Memories Of Murder - Lara Nance

Storm's Interlude - Vonnie Davis

Twice The Chance - Darlene Gardner

Best First Book

Winner: First Grave On The Right - Darynda Jones

• Finalists:

The Aristocrat's Lady - Mary Moore

Her Best Catch - Lindi Peterson

How To Marry A Duke - Vicky Dreiling

Letters From Home - Kristina McMorris

Extra Spicy/Erotic Romance

Winner: Joy Ride - Desiree Holt

• Finalists:

Belong To Me - Shayla Black

His Warrior Bride - Lara Santiago

Unbridled And Unbound - Elle Saint James

The Yearning - Tina Donahue

Historical Romance

Winner: How To Marry A Duke - Vicky Dreiling

• Finalists:

Claimed By The Highland Warrior - Michelle Willingham

It Happened One Christmas - Kaitlin O'Riley

Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish - Grace Burrowes

Redeeming The Rogue - Donna McMeans

Long Contemporary Romance

Winner: A Father's Name - Holly Jacobs

• Finalists:

Because Of You - Jessica Scott

Flashback - Gayle Wilson

Twice The Chance - Darlene Gardner

Whisper - Kathleen Lash

Long Inspirational Romance

Winner: To Win Her Heart - Karen Witemeyer

• Finalists:

The Aristocrat's Lady - Mary Moore

Attracted To Fire - DiAnn Mills

Fatal Judgment - Irene Hannon

A Lasting Impression - Tamera Alexander

Mainstream/Single Title Romance

Winner: The Beach Trees - Karen White

• Finalists:

Bad Blood - Kristen Painter

The Comforts Of Home - Jodi Thomas

How To Knit A Heart Back Home - Rachael Herron

Letters From Home - Kristina McMorris

Paranormal/Time Travel/Futuristic/Fantasy Romance

Winner: First Grave On The Right - Darynda Jones

• Finalists:

Radiant Desire - Inara Scott

The Return of Black Douglas - Elaine Coffman

Vampire Mine - Kerrelyn Sparks

Warrior Of The Isles - Debbie Mazzuca

Romance Novella

Winner: Fatal Destiny - Marie Force

• Finalists:

"All Along" in Smitten - Denise Hunter

"Away In A Manger" in A Texas Christmas - [[{hyliss Miranda]]

Hearts In Darkness - Laura Kaye

I Love The Earl - Caroline Linden

Romantic Suspense

Winner: Where Danger Hides - Terry Odell

• Finalists:

Fashion Victim - Sue Swift

Fatal Justice - Marie Force

In His Protective Custody - Marie Ferrarella

Lies In Disguise - Bernice Layton

Short Contemporary Romance

Winner: Bulletproof Hearts - Kay Thomas

• Finalists:

The Captain's Mission - Debbu Giusti

The Daddy Catch - Leigh Duncan

A Dark Sicilian Secret - Jane Porter

The Man Behind The Badge - Sharon Archer

Short Inspirational Romance

Winner: Daddy In The Making - Lyn Cote

• Finalists:

Buried Truth - Dana Mentink

A Family Of Their Own - Gail Gaymer Martin

Healing Autumn's Heart - Renee Andrews

Proof Of Life - Laura Scott