The last three months have seen the movie, stage, and record industries celebrate the best of the best in actors and movies, thespians and stage, and balladeers and song, but this past week it was finally the romance book industry’s turn.
On March 26th, Romance Writers of America announced the 2015 RITA and Golden Heart finalists in everything from Best First Book to Best Romance Novella to Romantic Suspense.
There were household names like J.D. Robb in suspense and Gena Showalter in paranormal to be found for sure, but also plenty of talented newcomers.
We tip our hat to all the finalists—and share the 2015 finalists list here with you.
If you’re like us even a cursory read of the list makes it interesting for what is not there—many bestselling titles, many reader favorites, and many #1 New York Times bestselling authors, underscoring just how competitive this annual book competition always is.
So while the authors who failed to make the list nash their teeth and vow to write an even better book for 2016, how about you, the reader . . .
Who is your favorite author or book on the list—and why?
And just between us: what author or book are you outraged about not making the cut?
I’ll tell if you will!
One person who comments on today’s blog will win a selection of four Berkley Jove books!
– Jeanne Devlin
Oh, my. I knew I hadn’t had much time to read lately, but this list really drives that home. Haven’t read a single nominee.
Jodi Linton and her sassy girl Lanny!
Actually, I was disappointed that I recognized very few of the nominees. None of Ann Aguirre’s 2B series made it nor did Sweet Filthy Boy. Darynda Jones’s Charley Davidson is not there, and Ilona Andrews’s Burn For Me is absent. Also, I think Laini Taylor’s Dreams of Gods and Monsters and Shelly Laurenston’s Bite Me deserved notice.
Thanks Susan — I felt the same way … lots of new names!
love Jill Shalvis but I think Julia Quinn should have been nominated
I can’t believe you don’t have one book by Linda Lael Miller on your list! I love her books and feel that you are missing a huge market by not including her. Also, there is a new author who just published her first book in a 3 book series, Mary J. Williams. I feel her books deserve a nod as well. She has real talent and will be a noted author one day.
Maybe my list of go to authors is limited as I have not heard of quite a few that are nominated. Guess I may have to look into their books also.
I am excited for Jill Shalvis but I was sad that Jayne Ann Krentz was not on the list.
I love that Jill Shalvis has 2 nominations for her Lucky Harbor series. That was one of the funniest, lovable, heartwarming series written. I am disappointed that Karen Hawkins and Vanessa Kelly were not on the list, they both had fantastic books out this year.
OMG where the heck is Kristan Higgins? I had to read the list twice as I was positive she would be on it….Im so sad..
Hi Nancy,
Your comment was chosen as the winning comment for the blog contest. Please forward your mailing address to susan(at)writerspacemail(dot)com and we will mail your selection of Berkley Jove books!
Thanks so much. I received your email and just sent you my address by email.This has really made my day..
i was excited about Jill Shalvis and Robyn Carr!!
Ruby — I was excited about Jill, too, but I didn’t see Robyn Carr or her Thunder Point Series. What category are you looking at?
I’m glad to see Jill Shalvis and Kimberly Kincaid on the list.
Seeing Tessa Dare’s Romancing The Duke was nice to see. I loved that book. Such an enjoyable read. I love books where you have humor with there the roance. Berghelieve me I laughed out loud quite a bit. 🙂 Also seeing Grace Burrows name twice was good. Khaki Warner was another pleasant surprise. Good luck to all the nominees.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com