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.
Contents
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
