2005 RITA® Winners

The Romance Writers of America award the RITA each year.

Best First Book

• Time Off For Good Behavior by Lani Diane Rich, Warner Books

• Finalists:
  • A Man In A Kilt by Sandy Blair
  • Rules Of Engagement by Kathryn Caskie
  • American Idle by Alesia Holliday
  • The Runaway Duke by Julie Ann Long
  • Do Me, Do My Roots by Eileen Rendahl

Best Traditional Romance

• Christmas Eve Marriage by Jessica Hart, Harlequin Books
• Finalists:
  • The Game Show Bride by Jackie Braun
  • The Bowen Bride by Nicole Burnham
  • Gino's Arranged Bride by Lucy Gordon
  • The Last Minute Marriage by Marion Lennox

Best Regency Romance

• A Passionate Endeavor by Sophia Nash, Signet

• Finalists:
  • Rules Of Love by Amanda McCabe
  • Moonlight And Mischief by Rhonda Woodward

Best Short Contemporary Series

• Miss Pruitt's Private Life by Barbara McCauley, Silhouette Books

• Finalists:
  • We've Got Tonight by Jacquie D'Alessandro
  • A Family Of His Own by Liz Fielding
  • Hers For The Weekend by Tanya Michaels
  • Like A Hurricane by Roxanne St. Claire
  • Tall, Dark And Texan by Jane Sullivan
  • When He Was Bad... by Jane Sullivan
  • Meeting At Midnight by Eileen Wilks

Best Short Historical Romance

• A Wanted Man by Susan Kay Law, Avon Books

• Finalists:
  • The Countess Bride by Terri Brisbin
  • My Seduction by Connie Brockway
  • The Unexpected Wife by Mary Burton
  • Rules Of Engagement by Kathryn Caskie
  • Princess Masquerade by Lois Greiman
  • My Favorite Thief by Karyn Monk
  • A Lady Of Distinction by Deborah Simmons

Best Long Contemporary Series

• John Riley's Girl by Inglath Cooper, Harlequin Superromance

• Finalists:
  • A Family Christmas by Carrie Alexander
  • Body Search by Jessica Andersen
  • A Marriage Of Majors by Elizabeth Ashtree
  • A Real Hero by Jean Brashear
  • The Cop by Jan Hudson
  • Joint Forces by Catherine Mann
  • Hidden Agenda by Maggie Price

Best Long Historical Romance

• Shadowheart by Laura Kinsale, Berkley Publishing

• Finalists:
  • My Pleasure by Connie Brockway
  • The Linnet by Elizabeth English
  • Moon In The Water by Elizabeth Grayson
  • Highlander Unbound by Julia London
  • To Find You Again by Maureen McKade
  • Wedded Bliss by Barbara Metzger
  • The Butler Did It by Kasey Michaels
  • Beloved Imposter by Patricia Potter

Best Paranormal Romance

• Blue Moon by Lori Handeland, St. Martin's Press

• Finalists:
  • Come To Me by Lisa Cach
  • Wet & Wild by Sandra Hill
  • The Immortal Highlander by Karen Marie Moning
  • Divided In Death by J.D. Robb
  • Visions In Death by J.D. Robb
  • Shadow Fires by Catherine Spangler
  • Heart Of The Hunter by Tina St. John

Best Romantic Suspense

• I'm Watching You by Karen Rose, Warner Books

• Finalists:
  • Body Double by Vicki Hinze
  • Mimosa Grove by Dinah McCall
  • Have You Seen Her? by Karen Rose
  • Colder Than Ice by Maggie Shayne
  • Code Name: Princess by Christina Skye
  • Just Past Midnight by Amanda Stevens
  • Fatal Error by Colleen Thompson
  • Shady Lady by Elizabeth Thornton

Best Inspirational Romance

• Grounds To Believe by Shelley Bates, Steeple Hill Books

• Finalists:
  • Gabriel's Discovery by Felicia Mason
  • At The Scent of Water by Linda Nichols
  • Hero In Her Heart by Marta Perry
  • A Nest Of Sparrows by Deborah Raney

Best Contemporary Single Title

• Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie, St. Martin's Press

• Finalists:
  • An Irresistible Bachelor by Jessica Bird
  • Golden Lies by Barbara Freethy
  • Daisy’s Back In Town by Rachel Gibson
  • In The Mood by Suzanne Macpherson
  • This Can't Be Love by Kasey Michaels
  • Street Smart by Tara Taylor Quinn
  • Blue Flame by Jill Shalvis
  • Summer By The Sea by Susan Wiggs

Best Romantic Novella

• "Her Best Enemy", Night's Edge, Maggie Shayne, Harlequin Books

• Finalists:
  • “Father and the Notorious Miss Newman” in A Wife for Papa by Lynn Collum
  • “Midsummer Night’s Magic” in Man Of My Dreams by Virginia Kantra
  • “Surrender” in Essence Of Midnight by Julie Elizabeth Leto
  • “The Edge of Memory” in Mysteries Of Lost Angel Inn by Kathleen O’Brien
  • “The First Kiss” in Lady Whistledown Strikes Back by Julia Quinn
  • “Out on a Limb” in Mistletoe And Mayhem by Christie Ridgway
  • “Wolf Moon” in Moon Shadows by Nora Roberts
  • “Daydream Believer” in Man Of My Dreams by Maggie Shayne]]

Best Novel With Strong Romantic Elements

• A.K.A. Goddess by Evelyn Vaughn, Silhouette Books

• Finalists:
  • American Idle by Alesia Holliday
  • Do Me, Do My Roots by Eileen Rendahl
  • Time Off For Good Behavior by Lani Diane Rich
  • The Ocean Between Us by Susan Wiggs