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 Romance

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

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