2017 HOLT Medallion Winners

2017 Winners and Awards of Merit of the Virginia Romance Writers' HOLT Medallion Award

Best First Book

Winner: Highland Deception - Lori Ann Bailey

• Finalists:

Beautiful Crazy - Kasey Lane

A Family For The Farmer - Laurel Blount

The Memory Of Us - Camille Di Maio

To Steal A Heart - K.C. Bateman

Best Book by a Virginia Author

Winner: Bound By One Scandalous Night - Diane Gaston

• Finalists:

Memories Of You - Jennifer Britt

Prince Charming Wears A Badge - Lisa Dyson

Secret Scandal - Mari Carr

Willing Target - Kathleen Mix

Extra Spicy/Erotica Romance

Winner: Flames From Ashes - Caitlyn Willows

• Finalists:

Beautiful Crazy - Kasey Lane

The Best Laid Plans - Lauren Gallagher - Lauren Gallagher

Bound To Submit - Laura Kaye

Seduce Me - Christina James - Christina James

Historical Romance

Winner: Highland Deception - Lori Ann Bailey

• Finalists:

Claimed By A Highlander - Margaret Mallory

The Highlander's Runaway Bride - Terri Brisbin

My Enemy, My Heart - Laurie Alice Eakes

Texas Lonesome - Caroline Fyffe

Long Contemporary Romance

Winner: Size Matters - Alison Bliss

• Finalists:

Dreams Of Her Own - Rebecca Heflin

The Kingmaker - Selena Laurence

Only Her - Sandra Owens

A Taming Season - Claire Gen

Long Inspirational Romance

Winner: Just A Kiss - Denise Hunter

• Finalists:

The Bounty Hunter's Redemption - Janet Dean

Cold Short - Dani Pettrey

Mattie's Pledge - Jan Drexler

Sea Rose Lane - Irene Hannon

Mainstream/Single Title Romance

Winner: Something Borrowed - Louisa George

• Finalists:

Another Notch In The Beltway - L.A. Long

Luxury Model Wife - Adele Downs

Nico - Sarah Castille

Ring Of Fire - Susan Fox

Novel with Strong Romantic Elements

Winner: Catching Preeya - Rissa Brahm

• Finalists:

America's First Daughter - Laura Kamoie & Stephanie Dray

Deadly Scandal - Kate Parker

The Memory Of Us - Camille Di Maio

Seized - Elizabeth Heiter

Paranormal/Time Travel/Futuristic Romance

Winner: Highland Yearning - Dawn Ireland

• Finalists:

Awakening Kiss - Sharon Kay

The Beacon - Cara Crescent

Demon Hunting With A Dixie Deb - Lexi George

From This Fae Forward - A.E. Jones

Romance Novella

Winner: Burnout - Sarah Castille

• Finalists:

Bodyguard - Jessica Linden

Bulletproof - Avery Flynn

"Shadowed" in Sins Of The Past Novella Collection - Dani Pettrey

The Steeple Chase - Carrie Fancett Pagels

Romantic Suspense

Winner: Finding Lyla - Cate Beauman

• Finalists:

Deceiving Bella - Cate Beauman

No Exit - Lena Diaz

Web Of Secrets - Susan Sleeman

Wild Man's Curse - Susannah Sandlin

Short Contemporary Romance

Winner: Texas Lullaby - Cynthia D'Alba

• Finalists:

Catch Me Cowboy - Jeannie Watt

Deep Secrets - Beverly Long

Memories Of You - Jennifer Britt

Steele And Stone - Kay Phoenix

Short Inspirational Romance

Winner: Protecting Her Daughter - Lynette Eason

Christmas Conspiracy - Susan Sleeman

A Family For The Farmer - Laurel Blount

A Rocky Mountain Reunion - Tina Radcliffe

Shielding His Christmas Witness - Laura Scott