1985 Golden Medallion Winners & Finalists

From its introduction in 1982 until 1989, the RITA® was known as The Golden Medallion. As with previous years, 1985 saw changes to the award categories for the Golden Medallion. Two new categories, Inspirational and Regency, made their debut. The previous year's attempt to break down romances by word count was simplified, creating "long" and "short" contemporary categories.

• Historical: Twice Loved by LaVyrle Spencer
  • Highland Flame by Kathleen Fraser
  • Our Lives, Our Fortunes by Janice Young Brooks
  • Risen Glory (aka Just Imagine) by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
  • Summerfield by Lynda Trent
  • Willow by Linda Lael Miller
• Inspirational: For The Love Of Mike by Charlotte Nichols
  • Greengold Autumn by Donna Fletcher Crow
  • A Mountain to Stand Strong by Peggy Darty
  • A Promise Once Made by Barbara Bartholomew
  • Thanksgiving Prayer by Debbie Macomber
• Long Contemporary: A Matter Of Choice by Nora Roberts
  • Come Lie with Me by Linda Howard
  • The Hellion by LaVyrle Spencer
  • Little by Little by Georgia Bockoven
  • Love on the Line by Anna James
  • Mirrors and Mistakes by Kathleen Gilles Seidel
  • Never Strangers by Lynda Ward
  • Red Midnight by Heather Graham
  • Tangled Lies by Anne Stuart
  • When Morning Comes by Judith Duncan
• Mainstream: After All These Years by Kathleen Gilles Seidel
  • Country Love Songs, City Lies by Irma Walker
  • Lovedance by Madeline Harper
  • Power Play by Andrea Edwards
  • Promise Me Tomorrow by Nora Roberts
  • The Scots by Jane Toombs
  • Vulnerable by Shirley Parenteau
• Regency: The Lurid Lady Lockport by Kasey Michaels
  • The Forgetful Lady by Jacqueline Diamond
  • Lady Sheila's Groom by Monette Cummings
• Short Contemporary: Opposites Attract by Nora Roberts
  • Promise Me Sunshine by Vicki Lewis Thompson
  • Remedies of the Heart by Ariel Berk
  • Silver and Spice by Jeanne Grant
  • Suddenly the Magic by Karen Keast
  • Wilderness Passion by Lindsay McKenna
• Traditional: The Karas Cup by Brittany Young
  • Challenge the Devil by Rita Rainville
  • The Mockingbird Suite by Glenda Sands
  • The Perfect Match by Ginna Gray
  • Sullivan's Woman by Nora Roberts
  • A Tangle of Rainbows by Laurie Paige
  • The Wyomian by Betsy Page
• Young Adult: The Frog Princess by Cheryl Zach
  • First Impression by Harriette S. Abels
  • The Girl Inside by Judy Baer
  • Just the Right Age by Louise Chatterton
  • The Love Vote by Jo Stewart
  • Never Say Never by Ann Boyle