THE AWARD

1. PRICELESS Mary Lynn Baxter (Warner) 2. BODYGUARD Suzanne Brockmann (Fawcett) 3. PRINCE JOE Suzanne Brockmann (Silhouette) (Intimate Moments) #720 4. HONOR BOUND Sandra Brown aka Erin St. Claire (Silhouette) 5. SLOW HEAT IN HEAVEN Sandra Brown (Warner) 6. UNCERTAIN ANGELS Kimberly Cates (Silhouette) (Intimate Moments) #550 7. SINFUL SECRETS Thea Devine (Penguin) 8. COME MIDNIGHT Suzanne Forster (Jove) 9. BLUSH Suzanne Forster (Berkley) 10. INNOCENCE Suzanne Forster (Berkley)

11. BAD COMPANY Theresa Gladden (Loveswept) #579 12. CRY WOLF Tami Hoag (Bantam) 13. ALL THE QUEEN'S MEN Linda Howard (Pocket) 14. DIAMOND BAY Linda Howard (Mira) 15. MACKENZIE'S MOUNTAIN Linda Howard (Mira)
16.

MACKENZIE'S PLEASURE Linda Howard (Silhouette)

17. THE WAITING GAME Jayne Ann Krentz (Harlequin) 18. THE DRAGON'S LAIR Lee Magner (Silhouette) 19. PARADISE Judith McNaught (Pocket) 20. MOONRISE Anne Stuart (Thomas T. Beeler) Historical

1. KEEGAN'S LADY Catherine Anderson (Avon) 2. VIRGIN FIRE Elizabeth Chadwick (Leisure) 3. WIDOW FIRE Elizabeth Chadwick (St. Martin's Press)
4.

FALL FROM GRACE Megan Chance (Harper)

5. CAPTIVES OF THE NIGHT Loretta Chase (Avon) 6. LORD OF SCOUNDRELS Loretta Chase (Avon) 7. MOONSPUN MAGIC Catherine Coulter (Onyx) 8. ANOTHER EDEN Patricia Gaffney (Dorchester) 9. HONOUR'S SPLENDOUR Julie Garwood (Pocket) 10. THE WEDDING Julie Garwood (Pocket) 11. WICKED Susan Johnson (Bantam) 12. MY SWEET FOLLY Laura Kinsale (Berkley) 13. THEN CAME YOU Lisa Kleypas (Avon)

14. PRISONER OF MY DESIRE Johanna Lindsey (Avon) 15. A KINGDOM OF DREAMS Judith McNaught (Pocket) 16. WRITTEN IN THE STARS Katherine O'Neal (Bantam) 17. LAWLESS Patricia Potter (Bantam) 18. SILK AND SHADOWS Mary Jo Putney (Onyx) 19. THE OUTSIDER Penelope Williamson (Warner) Futuristic 1. OUTLANDER Diana Gabaldon (Dell) 2. THIS IS ALL I ASK Lynn Kurland (Jove) 3. VENGEANCE IN DEATH J.D. Robb (Berkley) 4. BRIDE OF THE MIST Christina Skye (Avon) 5. SOME LIKE IT HOTTER Deb Stover Pinnacle

Regency 1. THE DIABOLICAL BARON Mary Jo Putney (New American Library) 2. A LONDON SEASON Joan Wolf (Signet)

Finalists

Best First Book

1.

Beautiful Disaster by Laura Spinella (Berkley Publishing Group; Leis Pederson, editor)

2.

The Darling Strumpet by Gillian Bagwell (Berkley Publishing Group; Kate Seaver, editor)

3.

The Devil in Disguise by Stefanie Sloane (Ballantine Bantam Dell; Junessa Viloria, editor)

4.

First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones (St. Martin's Press; Jennifer Enderlin, editor)

5.

Hourglass by Myra McEntire (Egmont USA; Regina Griffin, editor)

6.

How to Marry a Duke by Vicky Dreilling (Grand Central Publishing Forever; Michele Bidelspach, editor)

7.

I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtler (Sourcebooks Fire; Leah Hultenschmidt, editor)

8.

Warped by Maurissa Guibord (Delacorte Press; Michelle Poploff, editor)

9.

A Bravo Homecoming by Christine Rimmer (Harlequin Special Edition; Gail Chasan, editor)

10. Donovan's

Child by Christine Rimmer

(Harlequin Special Edition; Gail Chasan, editor)

11. Doukakis's

Apprentice by Sarah Morgan

(Harlequin Presents; Lucy Gilmour, editor)

12. How

a Cowboy Stole Her Heart by Donna

Alward (Harlequin Romance; Sally Williamson, editor)

13. I'll

Catch You by Farrah Rochon (Harlequin

Kimani Romance; Glenda Howard, editor)

14. A

Mother's Homecoming by Tanya Michaels

(Harlequin American Romance; Kathleen Scheibling, editor)

15. Rancher's

Twins: Mom Needed by Barbara

Hannay (Harlequin Romance; Meg Lewis, editor)

16. The

Texan's Bride by Linda Warren

(Harlequin Superromance; Kathleen Scheibling, editor)

2012 RITA Finalists for Contemporary Series Romance: Suspense/Adventure

1.

Cooper Vengeance by Paula Graves (Harlequin Intrigue; Allison Lyons, editor)

2.

The Doctors Deadly Affair by Stephanie Doyle (Harlequin Romantic Suspense; Wanda Ottewell, editor)

3.

The Man from Gossamer Ridge by Paula Graves (Harlequin Intrigue; Allison Lyons, editor)

4.

Nothing But the Truth by Kara Lennox (Harlequin Superromance; Johanna Raisanen, editor)

5.

Soldier's Last Stand by Cindy Dees (Harlequin Romantic Suspense; Patience Bloom, editor)

6.

Stranded with Her Ex by Jill Sorenson (Harlequin Romantic Suspense; Stacy Boyd, editor)

7.

Taken to the Edge by Kara Lennox (Harlequin Superromance; Johanna Raisanen, editor)

2012 RITA Finalists for Contemporary Single Title Romance

1.

At Hidden Falls by Barbara Freethy (Pocket Books; Micki Nuding, editor)

2.

Black Ties and Lullabies by Jane Graves (Grand Central Publishing Forever; Michele Bidelspach, editor)

3.

Boomerang Bride by Fiona Lowe (Carina Press; Charlotte Herscher, editor)

4.

Heartstrings and Diamond Rings by Jane Graves (Grand Central Publishing Forever; Michele Bidelspach, editor)

5.

Silver Sparks by Starr Ambrose (Pocket Books; Abby Zidle, editor)

6.

Slow Dancing on Price's Pier by Lisa Dale (Berkley Publishing Group; Cindy Hwang, editor)

7.

Summer at Seaside Cove by Jacquie DAlessandro (Berkley Publishing Group; Cindy Hwang, editor)

8.

The Welcome Home Garden Club by Lori Wilde (Avon Books; Lucia Macro, editor)

2012 RITA Finalists for Historical Romance

1.

Always a Temptress by Eileen Dreyer (Grand Central Publishing Forever; Amy Pierpont, editor)

2.

The Black Hawk by Joanna Bourne (Berkley Publishing Group; Wendy McCurdy, editor)

3.

The Danger of Desire by Elizabeth Essex (Kensington Brava; Megan Records, editor)

4.

Heartbreak Creek by Kaki Warner (Berkley Publishing Group Sensation; Wendy McCurdy, editor)

5.

The Many Sins of Lord Cameron by Jennifer Ashley (Berkley Publishing Group Sensation; Kate Seaver, editor)

6.

Scandalous Desires by Elizabeth Hoyt (Grand Central Publishing; Amy Pierpont, editor)

7.

Silk Is for Seduction by Loretta Chase (Avon Books; May Chen, editor)

8.

Unveiled by Courtney Milan (HQN Books; Margo Lipschultz, editor)

2012 RITA Finalists for Inspirational Romance

1.

The Christmas Child by Linda Goodnight (Harlequin Love Inspired; Allison Lyons, editor)

2.

Deadly Pursuit by Irene Hannon (Revell; Jennifer Leep, editor)

3.

Katie's Way by Marta Perry (Berkley Publishing Group; Ellen Edwards, editor)

4.

The Ladies' Room by Carolyn Brown (Avalon Books; Lia Brown, editor)

5.

Love on the Line by Deeanne Gist (Bethany House Publishers; David Long and Julie Klassen, editors)

6.

The Measure of Katie Calloway by Serena Miller (Revell; Vicki Crumpton, editor)

7.

My Foolish Heart by Susan May Warren (Tyndale House Publishers; Karen Watson, editor)

8.

Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones (Thomas Nelson; Natalie Hanemann and Jamie Chavez, editors)

9.

To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer (Bethany House Publishers; Karen Schurrer, editor)

2012 RITA Finalists for Novel with Strong Romantic Elements

1.

The Dark Enquiry by Deanna Raybourn (Harlequin MIRA; Valerie Gray, editor)

2.

Death Magic by Eileen Wilks (Berkley Publishing Group Sensation; Cindy Hwang, editor)

3.

First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones (St. Martin's Press; Jennifer Enderlin, editor)

4.

Goodnight Tweetheart by Teresa Medeiros (Gallery Books; Lauren McKenna, editor)

5.

How to Bake a Perfect Life by Barbara O'Neal (Ballantine Bantam Dell; Shauna Summers, editor)

6.

The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley (Sourcebooks Landmark; Deb Werksman, editor)

7.

Shadow Walker by Allyson James (Berkley Publishing Group Sensation; Kate Seaver, editor)

8.

Song of the Nile by Stephanie Dray (Berkley Publishing Group; Cindy Hwang, editor)

9.

Spider's Revenge by Jennifer Estep (Pocket Books; Megan McKeever, editor)

2012 RITA Finalists for Paranormal Romance

1.

Archangel's Blade by Nalini Singh (Berkley Publishing Group Sensation; Cindy Hwang, editor)

2.

Changeling Moon by Dani Harper (Kensington Brava; Alicia Condon, editor)

3.

Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison (Berkley Publishing Group Sensation; Cindy Hwang, editor)

4.

Envy by J.R. Ward (NAL Signet; Kara Welsh, editor)

5.

Lord of the Abyss by Nalini Singh (Harlequin Nocture; Tara Gavin, editor)

6.

The Lost by Caridad Pieiro (Grand Central Publishing Forever; Selina McLemore, editor)

7.

Nightfall by Ellen Connor (Berkley Publishing Group Sensation; Cindy Hwang, editor)

8.

The Restorer by Amanda Stevens (Harlequin MIRA; Denise Zaza, editor)

2012 RITA Finalists for Regency Historical Romance

1.

The Devil in Disguise by Stefanie Sloane (Ballantine Bantam Dell; Junessa Viloria, editor)

2.

Heiress in Love by Christina Brooke (St. Martin's Press; Monique Patterson, editor)

3.

How to Marry a Duke by Vicky Dreiling (Grand Central Publishing Forever; Michele Bidelspach, editor)

4.

How to Seduce a Scoundrel by Vicky Dreiling (Grand Central Publishing Forever; Michele Bidelspach, editor)

5.

Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish by Grace Burrowes (Sourcebooks Casablanca; Deb Werksman, editor)

6.

A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare (Avon Books; Tessa Woodward, editor)

7.

To Seduce an Angel by Kate Moore (Berkley Publishing Group Sensation; Wendy McCurdy, editor)

8.

When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James (Avon Books; Carrie Feron, editor)

9.

"Angel's Wolf" by Nalini Singh in Angels of Darkness (Berkley Publishing Group Sensation; Cindy Hwang, editor)

10. "Chaos

in Death" by J.D. Robb in The

Unquiet (Berkley Publishing Group; Leslie Gelbman, editor)

11. "Compassion

Can't Wait" by Carly Phillips in

More Than Words, Vol. 7 (Harlequin Enterprises; Marsha Zinberg, editor)

12. I

Love the Earl by Caroline Linden (Avon

Impulse; Lyssa Keusch, editor)

13. "One

Wish: a Christmas Story" by Jodi

Thomas in A Texas Christmas (Kensington Zebra; Peter Senftleben, editor)

14. "Resolution"

by Linda Winstead Jones in The

Heart of Winter (Harlequin Enterprises; Stacy Boyd, editor)

15. The

Storm Within by Trish Morey in A

Royal Engagement (Harlequin Presents; Joanne Grant, editor)

16. "Unforgiven"

by Ruth Ryan Langan in The

Unquiet (Berkley Publishing Group; Cindy Hwang, editor) 2012 RITA Finalists for Romantic Suspense
1.

Hidden Away by Maya Banks (Berkley Publishing Group Sensation; Cindy Hwang, editor)

2.

Hot Zone by Catherine Mann (Sourcebooks Casablanca; Deb Werksman, editor)

3.

Hush by Cherry Adair (Pocket Star; Lauren McKenna, editor)

4.

New York to Dallas by J.D. Robb (Penguin Putnam; Leslie Gelbman, editor)

5.

Secrets of Bella Terra by Christina Dodd (New American Library; Kerry Donovan, editor)

6.

True Colors by Joyce Lamb (Berkley Publishing Group Sensation; Wendy McCurdy, editor)

7.

True Shot by Joyce Lamb (Berkley Publishing Group Sensation; Wendy McCurdy, editor)

8.

Where All the Dead Lie by J.T. Ellison (Harlequin MIRA; Adam Wilson and Miranda Indrigo, editors)

2012 RITA Finalists for Young Adult Romance

1.

Enclave by Ann Aguirre (Macmillan Feiwel & Freinds; Liz Szabla, editor)

2.

Flawless by Lara Chapman (Bloomsbury Publishing; Caroline Abbey, editor)

3.

Hourglass by Myra McEntire (Egmont USA; Regina Griffin, editor)

4.

I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtler (Sourcebooks Fire; Leah Hultenschmidt, editor)

5.

Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep (Kensington Teen; Alicia Condon, editor)

6.

Warped by Maurissa Guibord (Delacorte Press; Michelle Poploff, editor)

2012 Golden Heart Finalists

2012 Golden Heart Finalists for Contemporary Series Romance

1.

A Perfect Wife by Caro LaFever Bachelor: Baited, Hooked and Bedded by Lexi Greene Cyrano at Your Service by Tamra

Baumann The Divorce Deal by Kat Cantrell His Perfect Partner by Priscilla Kissinger Montana Cherries by Kim Law Second-Chance Bride by Ami Weaver Tell Me Something Good by Jamie Wesley

2012 Golden Heart Finalists for Contemporary Single Title All Beautiful Things by Nicki Salcedo Blackjack & Moonlight by Magdalen Braden Cat on a Hot Steel Flight Deck by Heather Nickodem Earning Wings by Laurie Sanchez Meant to Be by Terri Osburn No Peeking by Talia Quinn Daniels

Thrown by Colette Auclair You Had Me at Habari by Maggie McConnell 2012 Golden Heart Finalists for Historical Romance The Devil May Care by Elisa Beatty A Dukes Wicked Kiss by Kathleen Bittner Roth A Hero to Hold by Sheri Humphreys Highland Promise by Tracy Brogan A Knight of Her Own by Oberon Wonch Love in the Music Room by Moriah Densley Notorious by Alison Atwater (writing as Alison Delaine) A Private Affair by Jennifer McQuiston

2012 Golden Heart Finalists for Inspirational Romance Language of Love by Kristen Ethridge Loves Advocate by Karen Fleming Powerless Consent by Jan Nash Whispers in the Night by Carol Post

2012 Golden Heart Finalists for Novel with Strong Romantic Elements Beulah Land and the Happy Hour Choir by Sally Kilpatrick The Devil She Knows by Anna Stewart (writing as AJ Stewart) Faking It by Nikki Figueiredo The Lazarus Gambit by Deborah Wright

Lowcountry Boil by Susan M. Boyer Mere Mortals by Catherine Rull Song without Words by Lisa Laing Taking Wall Street by Disguise by Terri Bolyard A Tangled Season by Natalie Meg Evans

2012 Golden Heart Finalists for Paranormal Romance Bathtub Jinn by Kay Hudson Better Dead by Pamela Kopfler Draxis by Laurie A. Green Figs from Thistles by A.J. Larrieu Flannigans Grace by Marni Donnelly Folsom Never Deal with Dragons by Lorenda Christensen

Trouble in Mind by Donna S. Frelick Unchained Memory by Donna S. Frelick

golden Heart Finalists for Regency Historical Romance King of Swords by Anne Kenny The Last Light of Dusk by Joanne Lockyer The Perfect Heiress by Kimberly Ohara (writing as April Bennet) Scandal in Spades by Wendy LaCapra A Whisper to the Wild by Eileen Emerson

2012 Golden Heart Finalists for Romantic Suspense Body of Evidence by Rachel Grant Chemical Attraction by Mary Oldham Edge of Deception by Elizabeth Bemis

Exposure by Robena Grant In Wolfs Clothing by Sally Eggert Rescuing Rembrandt by Jean Willett Rogues Return by Sharon Wray Spy in the Harem by Diana Belchase

2012 Golden Heart Finalists for Young Adult Romance Angel Academy by Cecily White Canvas Crossers by Natalie Vawter Forget Tomorrow by Pintip Dunn The Matter of Souls by Stephanie Winkelhake Pandoras Clock by Natalie Vawter The Silent Sister by Megan Macijauskas (writing as M. Kassel) The Suspicions of Cairo Jones by Mary

Danielson Wired by Romily Bernard