1986 Golden Medallion Winners & Finalists
From its introduction in 1982 until 1989, the RITA® was known as The Golden Medallion. In 1986, the Golden Medallion category changes were minimal, though the Mainstream Category was renamed as Single Title Release.
Historical Romance: Not So Wild A Dream by Francine Rivers - PRH/Penguin, Berkley, Ace - Damaris Rowland
- Gentle Warrior by Julie Garwood - Simon & Schuster, Pocket, Tapestry - Linda Marrow
- Glory by Janice Young Brooks - PRH/Random House, Dell - Lydia Paglio
- The Lady and the Outlaw by Joyce Brandon - PRH/Random House, Ballantine - Cheryl Woodruff
- Legacy of Amber by Alla Crone - PRH/Random House, Dell - Susan Reu
- Nevada Nights by Ruth Ryan Langan - Simon & Schuster, Pocket, Tapestry - Linda Marrow
Inspirational Romance: From This Day Forward by Kathleen Karr - HarperCollins, Zondervan, Serenade - Anne Severance
- Forever Eden by Barbara Bennett - HarperCollins, Zondervan, Serenade - Anne Severance
- Honorable Intentions by Susan Phillips - HarperCollins, Thomas Nelson, Promise - Etta Wilson
- Tender Adversary by Judy Baer - HarperCollins, Zondervan, Serenade - Anne Severance
Long Contemporary Romance: Today, Tomorrow And Always by Georgia Bockoven - HarperCollins, Harlequin, Super Romance - Margaret Learn
- The Heart's Yearning by Ginna Gray - HarperCollins, Harlequin Silhouette, Special Edition, Roz Noonan
- Pursuit in the Wilderness by Jan Michaels - HarperCollins, Harlequin, Intrigue - Reva Kindser
- Star-Crossed by Ruth Ryan Langan - HarperCollins, Harlequin Silhouette, Special Edition - Alicia Condon
- When Angels Dance by Vicki Lewis Thompson - HarperCollins, Harlequin, Super Romance - Marmie Charndoff
- The Wild Rose by Ruth Alana Smith - HarperCollins, Harlequin, Super Romance - Marmie Charndoff
Regency Romance: The Beauty's Daughter by Monette Cummings - Bloomsbury, Walker - Ruth Cavin
- no finalists
Short Contemporary: A Much Needed Holiday by Joan Hohl - HarperCollins, Harlequin Silhouette, Desire - Tara Gavin
- Ain't Misbehaving by Jeanne Grant - PRH/Penguin, Berkley, Jove Second Chance at Love - Joan Marlow
- By Love Possessed by Linda Barlow - PRH/Penguin, Berkley, Jove Second Chance at Love - Leslie Kazanjian
- The Light Side by Joan Bramsch - PRH/Random House, Bantam, Loveswept - Carolyn Nichols
- Shady Lady by Jan Mathews - PRH/Penguin, Berkley, Jove Second Chance at Love - Ellen Edwards
- Swept Away by Jacqueline Topaz - PRH/Penguin, Berkley, Jove Second Chance at Love - Jan Kronstadt
Single Title Release Romance: Banish Misfortune by Anne Stuart - HarperCollins, Harlequin, American Premier Edition - Hilari Cohen
- Arctic Rose by Claire Harrison - Worldwide Romance Library - Jacqui Bianchi
- Separate Beds by LaVyrle Spencer - PRH/Penguin, Berkley, Jove - Star Helmer
Traditional Romance: The Crystal Unicorn by Doreen Owens Malek - HarperCollins, Harlequin Silhouette, Romance - Patricia Smith
- Cassie Come Home by Barbara Turner - HarperCollins, Harlequin Silhouette, Romance - Alicia Condon & Roz Noonan
- A Deeper Meaning by Brittany Young - HarperCollins, Harlequin Silhouette, Romance - Patricia Smith & Roz Noonan
- Lady Moonlight by Rita Rainville - HarperCollins, Harlequin Silhouette, Romance - Leslie Wainger
- Promise Me Forever by Debbie Macomber - HarperCollins, Harlequin Silhouette, Romance - Mary Clare Kersten
- Where the Wind Blows Free by Emily Spenser - HarperCollins, Harlequin, Romance - Elizabeth Johnson
Young Adult Romance: Waiting For Amanda by Cheryl Zach - HarperCollins, Harlequin Silhouette, First Love - Nancy Jackson
- Call Back Yesterday by Doreen Owens Malek - HarperCollins, Harlequin Silhouette, First Love - Nancy Jackson
- Emily by Candice Ransom - Scholastic, Sunfire - Ann Reit
- Learning to Love by Janice Boies - PRH/Penguin, Berkley, Jove Caprice - Marilyn Poe
- Something Out There by Leslie Davis - Simon & Schuster, Pocket, Moonstone Mystery - Helen Pyne
