1996 RITA® Winners & Finalists

Contemporary Single Title Romance

* Winner: Born In Ice by Nora Roberts

• Finalists:

Heaven, Texas by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Kiss In The Dark by Meryl Sawyer

Reason To Believe by Kathleen Eagle

First Book

* Winner: The Warlord by Elizabeth Elliott

• Finalists:

All That Matters by Elizabeth Mayne

Captured by Victoria Lynne

Fancy-Free by Carrie Alexander

The Flirt by Rachelle Nelson

Knight Of A Trillion Stars by Dara Joy

Texas Outlaw by Adrienne deWolfe

When Midnight Comes by Robin Burcell

Inspirational Romance

* Winner: As Sure As The Dawn by Francine Rivers

• Finalists:

Like A River Glorious by Lawana Blackwell

The Tempering Blaze by Sally Laity, Dianna Crawford

Long Contemporary Series Romance

* Winner: The Morning Side Of Dawn by Justine Davis

• Finalists:

The Adventurer by Diana Whitney

Her Secret, His Child by Paula Detmer Riggs

The Last Chance Ranch by Ruth Wind

A Perfect Marriage by Laurey Bright

The Pride Of Jared MacKade by Nora Roberts

The Return Of Rafe MacKade by Nora Roberts

The Soldier And The Baby by Anne Stuart

Long Historical Romance

* Winner: Something Shady by Pamela Morsi

• Finalists:

Bliss by Judy Cuevas

Bride Of The Lion by Elizabeth Stuart

Heart Of The West by Penelope Williamson

Stealing Heaven by Kimberly Cates

To Love And To Cherish by Patricia Gaffney

Waiting For The Moon by Kristin Hannah

The Warlord by Elizabeth Elliott

Paranormal Romance

* Winner: The Covenant by Modean Moon

• Finalists:

A Basket Of Wishes by Rebecca Paisley

Duncan's Lady by Emilie Richards

Knight Of A Trillion Stars by Dara Joy

Nightwing by Lynn Michaels

Race Against Time by Lynn Turner

Time Without End by Linda Lael Miller

A Window In Time by Carolyn Lampman

Regency Romance

* Winner: Gwen's Christmas Ghost by Lynn Kerstan, Alicia Rasley

• Finalists:

The Bumblebroth by Patricia Wynn

Deck The Halls by Marian Devon

Lord Carew's Bride by Mary Balogh

Reforming Lord Ragsdale by Carla Kelly

Romantic Suspense/Gothic Romance

* Winner: Winter's Edge by Anne Stuart

• Finalists:

Dark Knight by Sheryl Lynn

Iain Ross's Woman by Emilie Richards

The Only Way Out by Susan Mallery

Short Contemporary Series Romance

* Winner: Single Dad by Jennifer Greene

• Finalists:

Almost A Honeymoon by Susan Crosby

Caught In The Act by Janis Reams Hudson

The Disobedient Bride by Joan Johnston

In Praise Of Younger Men by Lyn Ellis

Operation Mommy by Caroline Cross

Passion And Scandal by Candace Schuler

Single Female (Reluctantly) Seeks... by Dixie Browning

Short Historical Romance

* Winner: Lord Of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase

• Finalists:

Captured by Victoria Lynne

Imagine by Jill Barnett

Lucien's Fall by Barbara Samuel

Slow Surrender by Bronwyn Williams

Sparhawk's Lady by Miranda Jarrett

Tempt Me Not by Eve Byron

Texas Outlaw by Adrienne deWolfe

Traditional Romance

* Winner: Stranger In Her Arms by Elizabeth Sites

• Finalists"

The Cowboy, The Baby & The Runaway Bride by Lindsay Longford

Daddy Was A Cowboy by Jodi O'Donnell

The Rogue Who Came To Stay by Arlene James

The Unlikely Santa by Leigh Michaels

Wife Most Unlikely by Linda Varner

Wildcat Wedding by Patricia Thayer

Young Adult Romance

* Winner: Runaway by Cheryl Zach

• Finalists:

Don't Die, My Love by Lurlene McDaniel

Mystery Date: Heart's Desire by Cameron Dokey