2015 HOLT Medallion Winners

2015 Winners and Awards of Merit of the Virginia Romance Writers' HOLT Medallion Award

Best First Book

Winner: The Dollar - Ellie Ashe

• Finalists:

Adirondack Audacity - L.R. Smolarek

"A Perfectly Dreadful Christmas" in Christmas Revels: Four Regency Novellas - Louisa Cornell

The Price Of A Pearl - Laura Carroll Butler

The Winds Of Fate - Elizabeth St. Michel

Best Book by a Virginia Author

Winner: Unexpected Reunion - Carolyn Greene

• Finalists:

High-Heeled Wonder - Avery Flynn

More To Give - Terri Osburn

Primal Instinct - Janie Crouch

The Promise Of Rain - Rula Sinara

Extra Spicy Romance

Winner: Divine Solace - Joey W. Hill

• Finalists:

Drive Me Crazy - Tracy Wolff

No More Mr. Nice Guy - Amy Andrews

Rising Assets - Rebecca Zanetti

Staking His Claim - Tessa Bailey

Historical Romance

Winner: Traitor's Moon - Janet Lane

• Finalists:

Captured By A Laird - Margaret Mallory

Dark Secrets, Deep Bayous - Meg Hennessy

Once Upon A Highland Autumn - Lecia Cornwall

Shadowed By Grace - Cara Putman

Long Contemporary Romance

Winner: Wind Chime Cafe - Sophie Moss

• Finalists:

All For A Cowboy - Jeannie Watt

Christmas In Cupid Falls - Holly Jacobs

Resisting The Hero - Cindi Madsen

That Summer Night - Barbara Freethy

Long Inspirational Romance

Winner: When I Fall In Love - Susan May Warren

• Finalists:

A Dream Of Home - Amy Clipston

Firewall - DiAnn Mills

The Forgiven - Marta Perry

Nowhere To Turn - Lynette Eason

Mainstream/Single Title Romance

Winner: Adirondack Audacity - L.R. Smolarek

• Finalists:

The Red Bikini - Lauren Christopher

A Scandalous Husband - Bev Pettersen

Shoreline Drive - Lily Everett

When Shadows Fall - Barbara Freethy

Novel with Strong Romantic Elements

Winner: Chasing The Dollar - Ellie Ashe

• Finalists:

Cypher - Cathy Perkins

The In-Between Hour - Barbara Claypole White

Sealing The Deal - Sandy James

Waking Up Joy - Tina Ann Forkner

Paranormal/Time Travel/Futuristic Romance

Winner: Taken - Angelina Fortin

• Finalists:

Heart Of Stone - Debra Mullins

Love Potions - Michelle M. Pillow

Never Forget - Heather Ashby

This Weakness For You - Sendy Sparrow

Romance Novella

Winner: "A Perfectly Dreadful Christmas" in Christmas Revels: Four Regency Novellas - Louisa Cornell

• Finalists:

"Dance With A Cowboy" in Wild West Christmas - Kathryn Albright

Dare To Resist - Laura Kaye

The Duke's Shotgun Wedding - Stacy Reid

One Night Of Sin - Elle Kennedy

Romantic Suspense

Winner: Lovely, Dark, And Deep - Susannah Sandlin

• Finalists:

A Cold Dark Place - Toni Anderson

Cold Light Of Day - Toni Anderson

Convicted - Dee Tenorio

Love's Touch Of Justice - Yvonne Kohano

Short Contemporary Romance

Winner: At No Man's Command - Melanie Milburne

• Finalists:

Accidentally Married On Purpose - Rachel Harris

Alaskan Adventure - Crystal Jordan

At Home In Barbourville - Carolynn Carey

Cowboy On Her Doorstep - Pam Mantovani

Short Inspirational Romance

Winner: Unexpected Reunion - Carolyn Greene

• Finalists:

Finally A Mother - Dana Corbit

Hazardous Homecoming - Dana Mentink

Identity Withheld - Sandra Orchard

Small-Town Billionaire - Renee Andrews