2005 RITA® Winners & Finalists
Contents
- 1 Contemporary Single Title Romance
- 2 First Book
- 3 Inspirational Romance
- 4 Long Contemporary Series Romance
- 5 Long Historical Romance
- 6 Novel with Strong Romantic Elements
- 7 Paranormal Romance
- 8 Regency Romance
- 9 Romance Novella
- 10 Romantic Suspense
- 11 Short Contemporary Romance
- 12 Short Historical Romance
- 13 Traditional Romance
Contemporary Single Title Romance
* Winner: Bet Me - Jennifer Crusie
- Finalists:
- Blue Flame - Jill Shalvis
- Daisy's Back In Town - Rachel Gibson
- Golden Lies - Barbara Freethy
- In The Mood - Suzanne Macpherson
- An Irresistible Bachelor - Jessica Bird
- Street Smart - Tara Taylor Quinn
- Summer By The Sea - Susan Wiggs
- This Can't Be Love - Kasey Michaels
First Book
* Winner: Time Off For Good Behavior - Lani Diane Rich
- Finalists:
- American Idle - Alesia Holliday
- Do Me, Do My Roots - Eileen Rendahl
- A Man In A Kilt - Sandy Blair
- Rules Of Engagement - Kathryn Caskie
- The Runaway Duke - Julie Anne Long
Inspirational Romance
* Winner: Grounds To Believe - Shelley Bates
- Finalists:
- At The Scent Of Water - Linda Nichols
- Gabriel's Discovery - Felicia Mason
- Hero In Her Heart - Marta Perry
- A Nest Of Sparrows - Deborah Raney
Long Contemporary Series Romance
* Winner: John Riley's Girl - Inglath Cooper
- Finalists:
- Body Search - Jessica Andersen
- The Cop - Jan Hudson
- A Family Christmas - Carrie Alexander
- Hidden Agenda - Maggie Price
- Joint Forces - Catherine Mann
- A Marriage Of Majors - Elizabeth Ashtree
- A Real Hero - Jean Brashear
Long Historical Romance
* Winner: Shadowheart - Laura Kinsale
- Finalists:
- Beloved Impostor - Patricia Potter
- The Butler Did It - Kasey Michaels
- Highlander Unbound - Julia London
- The Linnet - Elizabeth English
- Moon In The Water - Elizabeth Grayson
- My Pleasure - Connie Brockway
- To Find You Again - Maureen McKade
- Wedded Bliss - Barbara Metzger
Novel with Strong Romantic Elements
* Winner: A.K.A. Goddess - Evelyn Vaughn
- Finalists:
- American Idle - Alesia Holliday
- Do Me, Do My Roots - Eileen Rendahl
- The Ocean Between Us - Susan Wiggs
- Time Off For Good Behavior - Lani Diane Rich
Paranormal Romance
* Winner: Blue Moon - Lori Handeland
- Finalists:
- Come To Me - Lisa Cach
- Divided In Death - J.D. Robb
- Heart Of The Hunter - Tina St. John
- The Immortal Highlander - Karen Marie Moning
- Shadow Fires - Catherine Spangler
- Visions In Death - J.D. Robb
- Wet And Wild - Sandra Hill
Regency Romance
* Winner: A Passionate Endeavor - Sophia Nash
- Finalists:
Romance Novella
* Winner: "Her Best Enemy" in Night's Edge - Maggie Shayne
- Finalists:
- "Daydream Believer" in Man Of My Dreams - Maggie Shayne
- "The Edge Of Memory" in Mysteries Of Lost Angel Inn - Kathleen O'Brien
- "Father And The Notorious Miss Neuman" in A Wife For Papa - Lynn Collum
- "The First Kiss" in Lady Whistledown Strikes Back - Julia Quinn
- "Midsummer's Night's Magic" in Man Of My Dreams - Virginia Kantra
- "Out On A Limb" in Mistletoe And Mayhem - Christie Ridgway
- "Surrender" in Essence Of Midnight - Julie Elizabeth Leto
- "Wolf Moon" in Moon Shadows - Nora Roberts
Romantic Suspense
* Winner: I'm Watching You - Karen Rose
- Finalists:
- Body Double - Vicki Hinze
- Code Name: Princess - Christina Skye
- Colder Than Ice - Maggie Shayne
- Fatal Error - Colleen Thompson
- Have You Seen Her? - Karen Rose
- Just Past Midnight - Amanda Stevens
- Mimosa Grove - Dinah McCall
- Shady Lady - Elizabeth Thornton
Short Contemporary Romance
* Winner: Miss Pruitt's Private Life - Barbara McCauley
- Finalists:
- A Family Of His Own - Liz Fielding
- Hers For The Weekend - Tanya Michaels
- Like A Hurricane - Roxanne St. Claire
- Meeting At Midnight - Eileen Wilks
- Tall, Dark And Texan - Jane Sullivan
- We've Got Tonight - Jacquie D'Alessandro
- When He Was Bad... - Jane Sullivan
Short Historical Romance
* Winner: A Wanted Man - Susan Kay Law
- Finalists:
- The Countess Bride - Terri Brisbin
- A Lady Of Distinction - Deborah Simmons
- My Favorite Thief - Karyn Monk
- My Seduction - Connie Brockway
- The Princess Masquerade - Lois Greiman
- Rules Of Engagement - Kathryn Caskie
- The Unexpected Wife - Mary Burton
Traditional Romance
* Winner: Christmas Eve Marriage - Jessica Hart
- Finalists: