2022 HOLT Medallion Winners

2022 Winners and Finalists for the Virginia Romance Writers' HOLT Medallion Award

Note: This was the first year that a HOLT Medallion was awarded in the Young Adult category.

Best Book by a Virginia Author

Winner: On My Terms - Ashley Farley

• Finalists:

Alaskan Christmas Escape - Juno Rushdon

Protecting Her Witness - Sarah Hamaker

When Evil Finds Us - Linda J. White

Wild Chance - Mari Carr

Best First Book

Winner: The Rough Ride - Nonna Henry

• Finalists:

Buried Cold Case Secrets - Sami A. Abrams

Cole For Christmas - Janet Raye Stevens

The Golden Hearts Club - Cinda Swalley

The Viking's Stolen Princess - Sarah Rodi

Extra Spicy/Erotic Romance

Winner: Ruthless Creatures - J.T. Geissinger

• Finalists:

Carnal Urges - J.T. Geissinger

Keep Me - Stacey Kennedy

King Of Battle And Blood - Scarlett St. Clair

Neon Gods - Katee Robert

Historical Romance

Winner: Not Quite A Marriage - Bliss Bennet

• Finalists:

A Cowboy Christmas Legend - Linda Broday

The Scot Who Loved Me - Gina Conkle

Sleepless In Southampton - Chasity Bowlin

Why Do Earls Fall In Love - Deb Marlowe

Long Contemporary Romance

Winner: Yes & I Love You - Roni Loren

• Finalists:

Ancient Winds - Kristy McCaffrey

How To Cowboy: Creedence Horse Rescue Book 3 - Jennie Marts

The Matchmaker Bride - Ginny Baird

A Waterfront Wedding - Leigh Duncan

Long Inspirational Romance

Winner: Beyond The Tides - Liz Johnson

• Finalists:

Blackberry Beach - Irene Hannon

A Deep Divide - Kimberley Woodhouse

Hostile Intent - Lynette Eason

Labyrinth Of Lies - Irene Hannon

Mid-Length Contemporary Romance

Winner: Bride On The Run - Anna J. Stewart

• Finalists:

The Christmas Cruise - Barbara Lohr

Gray Hair Don't Care - Karen Booth

Mr. Write - Catherine Rull

Trusting The Rancher With Christmas - Cari Lynn Webb

Novel with Romantic Elements

Winner: The Keeper Of Happy Endings - Barbara Davis

• Finalists:

The Golden Hearts Club - Cinda Swalley

Summer By The River - Debbie Burns

Under The Italian Sun - Sue Moorcroft

When Evil Finds Us - Linda J. White

Romance Novella

Winner: Unintended Target - Katie Reus

• Finalists:

Falling For Irish - Katie Reus

One More Kiss - Tara September

Seduced By A Selkie - Lauren Connolly

"A Texas Christmas Carol" in Under The Texas Mistletoe - Karen Witemeyer

Romantic Suspense

Winner: Incendiary Attraction - Sarah Andre

• Finalists:

Mountain Rescue - Sandra Owens

On My Terms - Ashley Farley

The Rough Ride - Nonna Henry

Twist My Heart - Brooke Taylor

Short Contemporary Romance

Winner: Home For The Holly Days - Cindy Kirk

• Finalists:

Cinderella And The Brooding Billionaire - Michelle Douglas

In The Key Of Family - Makenna Lee

A Santa Fe Christmas - Cecelia Guzman

V Is For Valentine - Jeannie Watt

Short Inspirational Romance

Winner: Buried Evidence - Kellie VanHorn

• Finalists:

Amish Country Threats - Dana R. Lynn

The Billionaire's Secret: A Christian Romance - Meghann Whistler

Covert Amish Investigation - Dana R. Lynn

Wyoming Mountain Escape - Laura Scott

Speculative Romance

Winner: Honorable Rogue - Linda J. Parisi

• Finalists:

The Duke Is Wicked - Tracy Sumner

A Moment After Dark - Janet Raye Stevens

Night's Illusion - Amanda Ashley

Taming Her Highland Legend - Maeve Greyson

Young Adult Romance

Winner: The Summer Of Broken Rules - K.L. Walther

• Finalists:

Be Dazzled - Ryan La Sala

Please Fall For Me - M.W. McKinley

What Lies Beneath - Marissa Doyle