2021 HOLT Medallion Winners

2021 Winners and Awards of Merit of the Virginia Romance Writers' HOLT Medallion Award

Best Book by a Virginia Author

Winner: Cardinal Virtue - J.R. Lesperance

• Finalists:

The Love Factor - Quinn Ivins

My Heart Before You - Laura Langa

Sweet Talkin' Lover - Tracey Livesay

Tangled Fates - Denise D. Young

Best First Book

Winner: The Seventh Sun - Lani Forbes

• Finalists:

Calypso's Heart - M.C. Solaris

Cardinal Virtue - J.R. Lesperance

My Heart Before You - Laura Langa

Stealing Time - B.W. Haggart

Extra Spicy/Erotic Romance

Winner: The Redemption - Nikki Sloane

• Finalists:

Playing For Keeps - Ashley Bostock

Pure Satisfaction - Rebecca Hunter

Rewrite The Stars - Jean Joachim

Watch Me - Stacey Kennedy

Historical Romance

:Winner: Rags-To-Riches Wife - Catherine Tinley

• Finalists:

A Lady's Revenge - Edie Cay

Nothing But A Rakehell - Deb Marlowe

The Outlaw's Daughter - Margaret Brownley

WolfeSword - Kathryn Le Veque

Long Contemporary Romance

Winner: Rock Star - Leigh Court

• Finalists:

A Christmas Proposal - Linda Warren

Forbidden Promises - Synithia Williams

My Heart Before You - Laura Langa

The Road Home - L.A. Witt

Long Inspirational Romance

Winner:

• Finalists:

Point Of Danger - Irene Hannon

Made In Hollywood - Michelle Keener

Lost Down Deep - Sara Davison

The Solid Grounds Coffee Company - Carla Laureano

At Love's Command - Karen Witemeyer

Mainstream/Single Title Contemporary Romance

Winner: Claiming Carter - Jennifer Bonds

• Finalists:

A Cowboy State Of Mind - Jennie Marts

Head Over Paws - Debbie Burns

Her Cowboy Prince - Madeline Ash

The Marriage Game - Sara Desai

Novel with Romantic Elements

Winner: Cardinal Virtue - J.R. Lesperance

• Finalists:

Christmas Charms - Teri Wilson

Code of Honor - April White

How Lulu Lost Her Mind - Rachel Gibson

The Night's Chosen - E.E. Hornburg

Paranormal/Time Travel/Futuristic/Fantasy Romance

Winner: Hidden In Shadows - Lark Brennan

• Finalists:

Ancient Enemy - Katie Reus

Calypso's Heart - M.C. Solaris

The Seventh Sun - Lani Forbes

Summoned In Time - Barbara Longley

Romance Novella

Winner: Inn For A Surprise - Karen Witemeyer

• Finalists:

Fair As A Star - Mimi Matthews

Love And The Library - Lauren Connolly

Merry MacNaughton Mishap - Aubrey Wynne

Running Wild in Reno - Shirley Hailstock

Romantic Suspense

Winner: Secret Investigation - Elizabeth Heiter

• Finalists:

Cold Wicked Lies - Toni Anderson

Critical Doubt - Barbara Freethy

Hemingway - Zoe Dawson

Holding His Hostage - Amy Gamet

Short Contemporary Romance

Winner: Undercover Billionaire - Amy Andrews

• Finalists:

Changing His Plans - Jo McNally

A Home For The Holidays - Jeannie Watt

A Spark Of Romance - Jamie K. Schmidt

Taking On The Billionaire - Robin Covington

Short Inspirational Romance

Winner: Jocelyn: A Sweet Romantic Comedy - Sarah Monzon

• Finalists:

Alaskan Christmas Redemption - Belle Calhoune

The Rancher's Family Secret - Myra Johnson

Ready To Trust - Tina Radcliffe

The Truth About Fame - Toni Shiloh