1997 RITA® Winners & Finalists

Contemporary Single Title Romance

* Winner: Daniel's Gift by Barbara Freethy

• Finalists:

Daring To Dream by Nora Roberts

Jackson Rule by Dinah McCall

First Book

* Winner: Stardust of Yesterday by Lynn Kurland

• Finalists:

His Secret Side by Pamela Burford

Shadows In Velvet by Haywood Smith

Traveler by Elaine Fox

Inspirational Romance

* Winner: The Scarlet Thread by Francine Rivers

• Finalists:

Dreamers by Angela Elwell Hunt

Firestorm by Lisa Tawn Bergren

Long Contemporary Series Romance

* Winner: Wild Blood by Naomi Horton

• Finalists:

Expectant Father by Leanne Banks

The Fall Of Shane MacKade by Nora Roberts

Having His Baby by Karen Young

His Runaway Son by Dee Holmes

Mackenzie's Pleasure by Linda Howard

Megan's Mate by Nora Roberts

My Fair Gentleman by Jan Freed

Long Historical Romance

* Winner: Conor's Way - Laura Lee Guhrke

• Finalists:

The Bad Luck Wedding Dress by Geralyn Dawson

Denim And Lace by Patricia Rice

Gold Dust by Emily Carmichael

The Love Charm by Pamela Morsi

The Marshal And The Heiress by Patricia Potter

The Outsider by Penelope Williamson

Shattered Rainbows by Mary Jo Putney

Paranormal Romance

* Winner: Stardust of Yesterday by Lynn Kurland

• Finalists:

Breath Of Magic by Teresa Medeiros

Dreamcatcher by Dinah McCall

The Faery Bride by Lisa Ann Verge

Frankly, My Dear by Sandra Hill

A Ghost Of A Chance by Casey Claybourne

Now And Forever by Kimberly Raye

The Wolf And The Woman's Touch by Ingrid Weaver

Regency Romance

* Winner: The Lady's Companion by Carla Kelly

• Finalists:

Miss Kendal Sets Her Cap by Marian Devon

Step In Time by Anne Barbour

The Unromantic Lady by Penelope Stratton

Romantic Suspense

* Winner: See How They Run by Bethany Campbell

• Finalists:

Last Night by Meryl Sawyer

Montana Sky by Nora Roberts

Reckless Lover by Carly Bishop

Woman Without A Name by Emilie Richards

Short Contemporary Series Romance

* Winner: Cowboy Pride by Anne McAllister

• Finalists:

Angel On A Harley by Janis Reams Hudson

Charlie All Night by Jennifer Crusie

Christmas With Eve by Elda Minger

The Cinderella Deal by Jennifer Crusie

Family First by Marcia Evanick

Spring Bride by Sandra Marton

Short Historical Romance

* Winner: Always to Remember by Lorraine Heath

• Finalists:

The Bartered Bride by Cheryl Reavis

Carried Away by Jill Barnett

Heart Of The Hawk by Justine Dare

Sometimes Forever by Catherine Palmer

Sparhawk's Angel by Miranda Jarrett

The Wedding Raffle by Geralyn Dawson

Traditional Romance

* Winner: Her Very Own Husband by Lauryn Chandler

• Finalists:

The Daddy Trap by Leigh Michaels

Ending In Marriage in Midnight Sons Volume 3 by Debbie Macomber

For The Love Of Emma by Lucy Gordon

The Honeymoon Quest by Dana Lindsey

Temporary Husband by Day Leclaire

Undercover Daddy by Lindsay Longford