RITA®: Best Long Historical Romance
The Mainstream Historical' category was one of the original Golden Medallion categories when the RWA established their awards. In 1984, RWA dropped the qualifier "Mainstream" from the Historical category. In 1995, the Long Historical category was created. It appears that in that year, the designation Historical applied to shorter historical romances. In 1991, the Historical Single Title category changed to Single Title Historical. The Historical Single Title category was established in 1990. It became the successor to such categories as Historical and Mainstream Historical. The category name was briefly resurrected in 1994. The Long Historical category was introduced in 1995. Because there was also a category called Historical, it appears the Long Historical was a replacement for Single Title Historical. The 2002 RITAs saw the category name Long Historical Romance. In 2004, the category was renamed Best Long Historical Romance.
Winners
- Laura Kinsale - 2005 -Shadowheart; Berkley Publishing
- Kathleen Givens - 2004 - Destiny, The
- Madeline Hunter - 2003 - Stealing Heaven
- Connie Brockway - 2002 - Bridal Season, The
- Jo Beverley - 2001 - Devilish
- Patricia Ryan - 2000 - Silken Threads
- Connie Brockway - 1999 - My Dearest Enemy
- Maggie Osborne - 1998 - Promise of Jenny Jones
- Laura Lee Guhrke - 1997 - Conor’s Way
- Pamela Morsi - 1996- - Something Shady
- Mary Jo Putney - 1995 - Dancing on the Wind
- Elizabeth Lowell - 1994 - Untamed
- Penelope Williamson - 1993 - Keeper of the Dream
- Pamela Morsi - 1992 - Courting Miss Hattie
- Elizabeth Stuart - 1991 - Where Love Dwells
- Julie Garwood - 1990 - The Bride
- Jill Marie Landis - 1989 - Sunflower
- LaVyrle Spencer - 1988 - The Gamble
- Robyn Carr - 1987 - By Right of Arms
- Francine Rivers - 1986 - Not So Wild a Dream
- LaVyrle Spencer - 1985 - Twice Loved
- LaVyrle Spencer - 1984 - Hummingbird
- LaVyrle Spencer - 1983 The Endearment
- Anna James - 1982
