RITA Award

The RITA Award, presented by the Romance Writers of America (RWA) from 1990 to 2019, was the most prominent award for English-language romance fiction. It was named for the RWA's first president, Rita Clay Estrada. After not being awarded in 2020, it was replaced by the Vivian Award, which was awarded once in 2021.

Procedure
The RITA Award opened for entries in the fall. Entrants had to supply five printed books by the posted deadline. Each title was judged by five separate judges during the preliminary round. Finalists were announced in mid-March and winners were announced at the annual award ceremony, held on the last day of the RWA's National Conference, which was normally held in July. Winning authors received a gold statuette while book editors received a plaque.

Controversies
In recent years, the RITA and Vivian awards have increasingly been at the centers of controversies because of objectionable content and a lack of diversity in the winning works.

2015 RITA Awards controversy
In 2015, For Such a Time, written by Kate Breslin and published by Bethany House, was nominated for two RITA Awards, in the Best Inspirational Romance and Best First Book categories. The nominations were criticized as antisemitic, because the book was set in Theresienstadt concentration camp during World War II and featured a Jewish prisoner being saved by an SS officer, falling in love with him and converting to Christianity.

2018-2020 diversity controversy
The RITA Awards, like the English-language romance fiction industry as a whole, were overwhelmingly dominated by white authors. This caused controversy in 2018 when Alyssa Cole's An Extraordinary Union, a novel about interracial romance during the American Civil War, made no appearance among the RITA Awards finalists despite winning multiple other awards. Instead, all finalists were about white women, of which all but one fell in love with British aristocrats. In response, the RWA board noted that less than half of 1% of finalists were by Black authors, of which none had ever won the award, and gave a commitment to improve the diversity of the award. The board issued an apology after the 2019 finalists again underrepresented persons of color or LGBTQ+ persons.

In 2019, Kennedy Ryan became the first Black woman to be awarded a RITA.

RWA cancelled the 2020 RITA Awards after several contestants and judges withdrew due to diversity concerns. The award was abolished as part of a major restructuring of the RWA's awards to improve the diversity of award winners, provide training for judges, and add awards for unpublished novels and better definitions of award categories and romance subgenres. A new award, the Vivian, named after Black RWA founder Vivian Stephens, was launched in late 2020.

2021 Vivian Awards controversy
The inaugural Vivian Award in 2021 caused further controversy. The "Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements" category winner At Love’s Command, written by Karen Witemeyer and published by Bethany House, faced criticism of anti-Indigenous racism. The book featured an American soldier as the male protagonist, who had taken part in massacres of Indigenous nations, including the Wounded Knee Massacre, and portrayed Indigenous religious practices as inferior to Christian ones. In response, Sara Whitney, the winner in the Best Mid-length Contemporary Romance category, announced that she would be returning her award in protest, because of "its narrow definition of inspirational romance and discussion of characters seeking redemption from 'crimes against humanity' prove the organization has not listened or learned from its current or former members."

The RWA initially defended the award, writing: "Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements requires a redemptive arc as a genre convention." It said that no judges had submitted any concerns over the book, but that they would be creating a task force to assess "the overall effectiveness of the contest to include the contest process, rubric, and entry and judging guidelines." A day later, however, the RWA rescinded the award with the following statement: "We cannot in good conscience uphold the decision of the judges in voting to celebrate a book that depicts the inhumane treatment of indigenous people and romanticizes real world tragedies that still affect people to this day."

Categories
The RITA Award categories, as of 2017, were:
 * Best First Book
 * Contemporary Romance (subcategories)
 * Long Contemporary Romance
 * Mid-Length Contemporary Romance
 * Short Contemporary Romance
 * Erotic Romance
 * Historical Romance (subcategories)
 * Long Historical Romance
 * Short Historical Romance
 * Mainstream Fiction with a Central Romance [formerly Novel with Strong Romantic Elements]
 * Paranormal Romance
 * Romance Novella
 * Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements [formerly Inspirational Romance ]
 * Romantic Suspense
 * Young Adult Romance

The Vivian Award categories, as of 2021, are:


 * Best First Published Book
 * Contemporary Romance (subcategories)
 * Long Contemporary Romance
 * Mid-Length Contemporary Romance
 * Short Contemporary Romance
 * Erotic Romance
 * Historical Romance (subcategories)
 * Long Historical Romance
 * Mid-Length Historical Romance
 * Short Historical Romance
 * Mainstream Fiction with a Central Romance
 * Most Anticipated Romance
 * Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements
 * Romantic Suspense (subcategories)
 * Long Romantic Romance
 * Mid-Length Romantic Romance
 * Short Romantic Romance
 * Speculative Romance (subcategories)
 * Long Speculative Romance
 * Mid-Length Speculative Romance
 * Short Speculative Romance
 * Young Adult Romance

RITA Award winners
Source: RWA

Best First Book

 * 1990 Out of the Blue by Alaina Hawthorne
 * 1991 Black Horse Island by Dee Holmes
 * 1992 Candle in the Window by Christina Dodd
 * 1993 Trust Me by Jeane Renick
 * 1994 A Candle in the Dark by Megan Chance
 * 1995 Ghostly Enchantment by Angie Ray
 * 1996 The Warlord by Elizabeth Elliott
 * 1997 Stardust of Yesterday by Lynn Kurland
 * 1998 Brazen Angel by Elizabeth Boyle
 * 1999 My Darling Caroline by Adele Ashworth
 * 2000 The Maiden and The Unicorn by Isolde Martyn
 * 2001 A Man Like Mac by Fay Robinson
 * 2002 The Border Bride by Elizabeth English
 * 2003 Shades of Honor by Wendy Lindstrom
 * 2004 Back Roads by Susan Crandall
 * 2005 Time Off For Good Behavior by Lani Diane Rich
 * 2006 Show Her The Money by Stephanie Feagan
 * 2007 The Husband Trap by Tracy Anne Warren
 * 2008 Dead Girls Are Easy by Terri Garey
 * 2009 Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs
 * 2010 One Scream Away by Kate Brady
 * 2011 Pieces of Sky by Kaki Warner
 * 2012 First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones
 * 2013 The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James
 * 2014 The Sweet Spot by Laura Drake
 * 2015 Run to You by Clara Kensie
 * 2016 Forget Tomorrow by Pintip Dunn
 * 2017 Once and For All: An American Valor Novel by Cheryl Etchison
 * 2018 Take the Lead by Alexis Daria
 * 2019 Lady in Waiting by Marie Tremayne

Contemporary Romance

 * 1982
 * Category Contemporary: Winner Take All by Brooke Hastings
 * Mainstream Contemporary: The Sun Dancers by Barbara Faith
 * 1983
 * Contemporary Mainstream: Opal Fires by Lynda Trent
 * Contemporary Sensual: The Heart’s Victory by Nora Roberts
 * Contemporary Sweet: Renegade Player by Dixie Browning
 * 1984
 * Contemporary Under 65,000 words: Memory and Desire by Eileen Bryan
 * Contemporary 65–80,000 words: This Magic Moment by Nora Roberts & Destiny's Sweet Errand by Deirdre Mardon
 * Traditional: Untamed by Nora Roberts
 * 1985
 * Long Contemporary Series: A Matter of Choice by Nora Roberts
 * Mainstream: After All These Years by Kathleen Gilles Seidel
 * Short Contemporary: Opposites Attract by Nora Roberts
 * Traditional: The Karas Cup by Brittany Young
 * 1986
 * Long Contemporary Series: Today, Tomorrow and Always by Georgia Bockoven
 * Short Contemporary: Much Needed Holiday by Joan Hohl
 * Single Title: Banish Misfortune by Anne Stuart
 * Traditional: The Crystal Unicorn by Doreen Malek
 * 1987
 * Long Contemporary Series: One Summer by Nora Roberts
 * Short Contemporary: Still Waters by Kathleen Creighton
 * Single Title: Sunshine and Shadow by Tom and Sharon Curtis
 * Traditional:	Opal Fire by Sandy Dengler
 * 1988
 * Long Contemporary Series: In the Defense of Love by Kathleen Creighton
 * Short Contemporary: Stolen Moments by Terri Herrington
 * Single Title: Twilight Whispers by Barbara Delinsky
 * Traditional:	It Takes a Thief by Rita Rainville
 * 1989
 * Long Contemporary Series: A Crime of the Heart by Cheryl Reavis
 * Short Contemporary: Winter’s Daughter by Kathleen Creighton
 * Single Title: Leaves of Fortune by Linda Barlow
 * Traditional: Flirtation River by Bethany Campbell
 * 1990
 * Long Contemporary Series: The Ice Cream Man by Kathleen Korbel
 * Short Contemporary Series: 	Night of the Hunter by Jennifer Greene
 * Single Title Contemporary: Private Relations by Diane Chamberlain
 * Traditional: Rhapsody in Bloom by Mona Van Wieren
 * 1991
 * Long Contemporary Series: Patrick Gallagher’s Widow by Cheryl Reavis
 * Short Contemporary Series: Step Into My Parlor by Jan Hudson
 * Traditional: Song of the Lorelei by Lucy Gordon
 * 1992
 * Long Contemporary Series: A Rose for Maggie by Kathleen Korbel
 * Short Contemporary Series: A Human Touch by Glenda Sanders
 * Single Title Contemporary: A Man to Die For by Eileen Dreyer
 * Traditional: Every Kind of Heaven by Bethany Campbell
 * 1993
 * Long Contemporary Series: The Silence of Midnight by Karen Young
 * Short Contemporary Series: Navarrone by Helen R. Myers
 * Single Title Contemporary: This Time Forever by Kathleen Eagle
 * Traditional: Father Goose by Marie Ferrarella
 * 1994
 * Long Contemporary Series: Dragonslayer by Emilie Richards
 * Short Contemporary Series: Avenging Angel by Glenna McReynolds
 * Contemporary Single Title: Private Scandals by Nora Roberts
 * Traditional: Annie and the Wise Men by Lindsay Longford
 * 1995
 * Contemporary Single Title: Again by Kathleen Gilles Seidel
 * Long Contemporary Series: A Soldier’s Heart by Kathleen Korbel
 * Short Contemporary Series: Getting Rid of Bradley by Jennifer Crusie
 * Traditional: Oh Baby! by Lauryn Chandler
 * 1996
 * Contemporary Single Title: Born in Ice by Nora Roberts
 * Long Contemporary Series: The Morning Side of Dawn by Justine Davis
 * Short Contemporary Series: Single Dad by Jennifer Greene
 * Traditional: Stranger in Her Arms by Elizabeth Sites
 * 1997
 * Contemporary Single Title: Daniel’s Gift by Barbara Freethy
 * Long Contemporary Series: Wild Blood by Naomi Horton
 * Short Contemporary Series: Cowboy Pride by Anne McAllister
 * Traditional: Her Very Own Husband by Lauryn Chandler
 * 1998
 * Contemporary Single Title: Nobody's Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
 * Long Contemporary Series: Reckless by Ruth Wind
 * Short Contemporary Series: Nobody's Princess by Jennifer Greene
 * Traditional: His Brother's Child by Lucy Gordon
 * 1999
 * Contemporary Single Title: Dream A Little Dream by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
 * Long Contemporary: Meant to Be Married by Ruth Wind
 * Short Contemporary: The Notorious Groom by Caroline Cross
 * Traditional: Monday Man by Kristin Gabriel
 * 2000
 * Contemporary Single Title: Body Guard by Suzanne Brockmann
 * Long Contemporary: Undercover Princess by Suzanne Brockmann
 * Short Contemporary: The Stardust Cowboy by Anne McAllister
 * Traditional: Annie, Get Your Groom by Kristin Gabriel
 * 2001
 * Contemporary Single Title: First Lady by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
 * Long Contemporary: Rogue's Reform by Marilyn Pappano
 * Short Contemporary: It Takes A Rebel by Stephanie Bond
 * Traditional Romance: The Best Man & The Bridesmaid by Liz Fielding
 * 2002
 * Contemporary Single Title: True Confessions by Rachel Gibson
 * Long Contemporary: Coming Home To You by Fay Robinson
 * Short Contemporary: A Long Hot Christmas by Barbara Daly
 * Traditional: Quinn's Complete Seduction by Sandra Steffen
 * 2003
 * Contemporary Single Title: No Place Like Home by Barbara Samuel
 * Long Contemporary: Taking Cover by Catherine Mann
 * Short Contemporary: Taming The Outlaw by Cindy Kay Gerard
 * Traditional: The Christmas Basket by Debbie Macomber
 * 2004
 * Contemporary Single Title: Birthright by Nora Roberts
 * Long Contemporary: The Top Gun's Return by Kathleen Creighton
 * Short Contemporary: The Knight's Kiss by Nicole Burnham
 * Traditional: Her Royal Baby by Marion Lennox
 * 2005
 * Contemporary Single Title: Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie
 * Long Contemporary: John Riley's Girl by Inglath Cooper
 * Short Contemporary: Miss Pruitt's Private Life by Barbara McCauley
 * Traditional: Christmas Eve Marriage by Jessica Hart
 * 2006
 * Contemporary Single Title: Lakeside Cottage by Susan Wiggs
 * Long Contemporary: Worth Every Risk by Dianna Love Snell
 * Short Contemporary: The Marriage Miracle by Liz Fielding
 * Traditional: Princess of Convenience by Marion Lennox
 * 2007
 * Contemporary Single Title: Adios To My Old Life by Caridad Ferrer
 * Long Contemporary: The Mommy Quest by Lori Handeland
 * Short Contemporary: From the First by Jessica Bird
 * Traditional: Claiming His Family by Barbara Hannay
 * 2008
 * Contemporary Single Title: Catch of the Day by Kristan Higgins
 * Contemporary Series: Snowbound by Janice Johnson
 * Contemporary Series-Suspense/Adventure: Treasure by Helen Brenna
 * 2009
 * Contemporary Single Title: Not Another Bad Date by Rachel Gibson
 * Contemporary Series: A Mother's Wish by Karen Templeton
 * Contemporary Series-Suspense/Adventure: Danger Signals by Kathleen Creighton
 * 2010
 * Contemporary Single Title: Too Good To Be True by Kristan Higgins
 * Contemporary Series: A Not-So-Perfect Past by Beth Andrews
 * Contemporary Series-Suspense/Adventure: The Soldier's Secret Daughter by Cindy Dees
 * 2011
 * Contemporary Single Title: Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis
 * Contemporary Series: Welcome Home, Cowboy by Karen Templeton
 * Contemporary Series-Suspense/Adventure: The Moon That Night by Helen Brenna
 * 2012
 * Contemporary Single Title: Boomerang Bride by Fiona Lowe
 * Contemporary Series: Doukaki's Apprentice by Sarah Morgan
 * Contemporary Series-Suspense/Adventure: Soldier's Last Stand by Cindy Dees
 * 2013
 * Contemporary Single Title: The Way Back Home by Barbara Freethy
 * Long Contemporary Series: A Gift For All Season by Karen Templeton
 * Short Contemporary Series: A Night of No Return by Sarah Morgan
 * 2014
 * Contemporary Single Title: Crazy Thing Called Love by Molly O'Keefe
 * Short Contemporary Series: Why Resist a Rebel? by Leah Ashton
 * 2015
 * Long Contemporary Romance: Baby, It's You by Jane Graves
 * Mid-Length Contemporary Romance: One in a Million by Jill Shalvis
 * Short Contemporary Romance: A Texas Rescue Christmas by Caro Carson
 * 2016
 * Long Contemporary Romance: Brokedown Cowboy by Maisey Yates
 * Mid-Length Contemporary Romance: Him by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy (first self-published winner in this category)
 * Short Contemporary Romance: The Nanny Plan by Sarah M. Anderson
 * 2017
 * Long Contemporary Romance: Miracle on 5th Avenue by Sarah Morgan
 * Mid-Length Contemporary Romance: Carolina Dreaming by Virginia Kantra
 * Short Contemporary Romance: Christmas on Crimson Mountain by Michelle Major
 * 2018
 * Long Contemporary Romance: Falling Hard by Lexi Ryan
 * Mid-Length Contemporary Romance: Tell Me by Abigail Strom
 * Short Contemporary Romance: Second Chance Summer"by Kait Nolan
 * 2019
 * Long Contemporary Romance: Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan
 * Mid-Length Contemporary Romance: Advanced Physical Chemistry by Susannah Nix
 * Short Contemporary Romance: The Bachelor’s Baby Surprise by Teri Wilson

Erotic Romance

 * 2014 Claim Me by J. Kenner
 * 2015 The Saint by Tiffany Reisz
 * 2016 For Real: A Spires Story by Alexis Hall
 * 2017 Off the Clock by Roni Loren
 * 2018 Wicked Dirty by J. Kenner
 * 2019 Three-Way Split by Elia Winters

Historical Romance

 * 1982
 * Best Mainstream Historical Romance: 	Day Beyond Destiny by Anna James
 * Best Category Historical Romance: Rendezvous at Gramercy by Constance Ravenlock
 * 1983
 * Best Mainstream Historical Romance:	The Endearment by LaVyrle Spencer
 * Best Category Historical Romance: Defiant Love by Mara Seger
 * 1984
 * Best Historical Romance: Hummingbird by LaVyrle Spencer
 * Best Category Historical Romance: The Clergyman’s Daughter by Julie Jeffries
 * 1985
 * Best Regency Romance: The Lurid Lady Lockport by Kasey Micheals
 * Best Historical Romance: Twice Loved by LaVyrle Spencer
 * 1986
 * Best Regency Romance: The Beauty’s Daughter by Monette Cummings
 * Best Historical Romance: Not So Wild a Dream by Francine Rivers
 * 1987
 * Best Regency Romance: Lord Abberley’s Nemesis by Amanda Scott
 * Best Historical Romance: By Right of Arms by Robyn Carr
 * 1988
 * Best Regency Romance: Sugar Rose by Susan Carroll
 * Best Historical Romance: The Gamble by LaVyrle Spencer
 * 1989
 * Best Regency Romance: Brighton Road by Susan Carroll
 * Best Historical Romance: Sunflower by Jill Marie Landis
 * 1990
 * Best Series Historical: Silver Noose by Patricia Gardner
 * Best Single Title Historical: The Bride by Julie Garwood
 * Best Regency Romance: The Rake and the Reformer by Mary Jo Putney
 * 1991
 * Best Series Historical: A Wild Yearning by Penelope Williamson
 * Best Single Title Historical : Where Love Dwells by Elizabeth Stuart
 * Best Regency Romance: The Sandalwood Princess by Loretta Chase
 * 1992
 * Best Series Historical: The Tender Texan by Jodi Thomas
 * Best Single Title Historical: Courting Miss Hattie by Pamela Morsi
 * Best Regency Romance: Emily and the Dark Angel by Jo Beverley
 * 1993
 * Best Historical Series: The Prisoner by Cheryl Reavis
 * Best Historical Single Title: Keeper of the Dream by Penelope Williamson
 * Best Regency Romance: An Unwilling Bride by Jo Beverley
 * 1994
 * Best Historical Series: My Lady Notorious by Jo Beverley
 * Best Historical Single Title: Untamed by Elizabeth Lowell
 * Best Regency Romance: Deidre and Don Juan by Jo Beverley
 * 1995
 * Best Historical Romance: To Tame a Texan’s Heart by Jodi Thomas
 * Best Long Historical Romance: Dancing on the Wind by Mary Jo Putney
 * Best Regency Romance: Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand by Carla Kelly
 * 1996
 * Long Historical Romance: Something Shady by Pamela Morsi
 * Short Historical Romance: Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
 * Best Regency Romance: Gwen's Christmas Ghost by Lynn Kerstan and Alicia Rasley
 * 1997
 * Long Historical Romance: Conor's Way by Laura Lee Guhrke
 * Short Historical Romance: Always to Remember by Lorraine Heath
 * Best Regency Romance: The Lady's Companion by Carla Kelly
 * 1998
 * Long Historical Romance: Promise of Jenny Jones by Maggie Osborne
 * Short Historical Romance: Heart of a Knight by Barbara Samuel
 * Best Regency Romance: Love's Reward by Jean R. Ewing
 * 1999
 * Long Historical Romance: My Dearest Enemy by Connie Brockway
 * Short Historical Romance: Merely Married by Patricia Coughlin
 * Best Regency Romance: His Grace Endures by Emma Jenson
 * 2000
 * Long Historical Romance: Silken Threads by Patricia Ryan
 * Short Historical Romance: The Proposition by Judith Ivory
 * Best Regency Romance: The Rake's Retreat by Nancy Butler
 * 2001
 * Long Historical Romance: Devilish by Jo Beverley
 * Short Historical Romance: The Mistress by Susan Wiggs
 * Best Regency Romance: A Grand Design by Emma Jensen
 * 2002
 * Long Historical Romance: The Bridal Season by Connie Brockway
 * Short Historical Romance: Tempt Me Twice by Barbara Dawson Smith
 * Best Regency Romance: Much Obliged by Jessica Benson
 * 2003
 * Long Historical Romance: Stealing Heaven by Madeline Hunter
 * Short Historical Romance: The Bride Fair by Cheryl Reavis
 * Best Regency Romance: Debt to Delia by Barbara Metzger
 * 2004
 * Long Historical Romance: The Destiny by Kathleen Givens
 * Short Historical Romance: Worth Any Price by Lisa Kleypas
 * Best Regency Romance: Prospero's Daughter by Nancy Butler
 * 2005
 * Long Historical Romance: Shadowheart by Laura Kinsale
 * Short Historical Romance: A Wanted Man by Susan Kay Law
 * Best Regency Romance: A Passionate Endeavor by Sophia Nash
 * 2006
 * Long Historical Romance: The Devil to Pay by Liz Carlyle
 * Short Historical Romance: The Texan's Reward by Jodi Thomas
 * Best Regency Romance: A Reputable Rake by Diane Gaston
 * 2007
 * Long Historical Romance: On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn
 * Short Historical Romance: The Book of True Desires by Betina Krahn
 * 2008
 * Historical Romance: Lessons of Desire by Madeline Hunter
 * Regency Historical Romance: The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn
 * 2009
 * Historical Romance: The Edge of Impropriety by Pam Rosenthal
 * Regency Historical Romance: My Lord and Spymaster by Joanna Bourne
 * 2010
 * Historical Romance: Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas
 * Regency Historical Romance: What Happens in London by Julia Quinn
 * 2011
 * Historical Romance: His at Night by Sherry Thomas
 * Regency Historical Romance: The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig
 * 2012
 * Historical Romance: The Black Hawk by Joanna Bourne
 * Regency Historical Romance: A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare
 * 2013
 * Historical Romance: A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean
 * 2014
 * Historical Romance: No Good Duke Goes Unpunished by Sarah MacLean
 * 2015
 * Long Historical Romance: Fool Me Twice by Meredith Duran
 * Short Historical Romance: Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare
 * 2016
 * Long Historical Romance: Tiffany Girl by Deeanne Gist
 * Short Historical Romance: It Started with a Scandal by Julie Anne Long
 * 2017
 * Long Historical Romance: No Mistress of Mine by Laura Lee Guhrke
 * Short Historical Romance: A Duke to Remember by Kelly Bowen
 * 2018
 * Long Historical Romance: Between the Devil and the Duke by Kelly Bowen
 * Short Historical Romance: Waltzing with the Earl by Catherine Tinley
 * 2019
 * Long Historical Romance: A Wicked Kind of Husband by Mia Vincy
 * Short Historical Romance: A Duke in the Night by Kelly Bowen

Mainstream Fiction with a Central Romance (Novel with Strong Romantic Elements prior to 2017)

 * 2004 Between Sisters by Kristin Hannah
 * 2005 A.K.A. Goddess by Evelyn Vaughn
 * 2006 Lady Luck's Map of Vegas by Barbara Samuel
 * 2007 A Lady Raised High by Jennifer Ashley w/a Laurien Gardner
 * 2008 Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn
 * 2009 Tribute by Nora Roberts
 * 2010 The Lost Recipe for Happiness by Barbara O'Neal
 * 2011 Welcome to Harmony by Jodi Thomas
 * 2012 How to Bake a Perfect Life by Barbara O'Neal
 * 2013 The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James
 * 2014 - 2016 No winners
 * 2017 The Moon in the Palace by Weina Dai Randel
 * 2018 Now that You Mention It by Kristan Higgins
 * 2019 How to Keep a Secret by Sarah Morgan

Paranormal Romance

 * 1992 Angel for Hire by Justine Davis
 * 1993 Emily’s Ghost by Antoinette Stokenberg
 * 1994 Falling Angel by Anne Stuart
 * 1995 Lord of the Storm by Justine Davis
 * 1996 The Covenant by Modean Moon
 * 1997 Stardust of Yesterday by Lynn Kurland
 * 1998 FireHawk by Justine Dare
 * 1999 The Bride Finder by Susan Carroll
 * 2000 Nell by Jeanette Baker
 * 2001 The Highlander's Touch by Karen Marie Moning
 * 2002 Heart Mate by Robin D. Owens
 * 2003 Contact by Susan Grant
 * 2004 Shades of Midnight by Linda Fallon
 * 2005 Blue Moon by Lori Handeland
 * 2006 Gabriel's Ghost by Linnea Sinclair
 * 2007 A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole
 * 2008 Lover Revealed by J.R. Ward
 * 2009 Seducing Mr. Darcy by Gwyn Cready
 * 2010 Kiss of a Demon King by Kresley Cole
 * 2011 Unchained: The Dark Forgotten by Sharon Ashwood
 * 2012 Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison
 * 2013 Shadow's Claim by Kresley Cole
 * 2014 The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley
 * 2015 Evernight by Kristen Callihan
 * 2016 Must Love Chainmail by Angela Quarles (first self-published winner in this category)
 * 2017 The Pages of the Mind by Jeffe Kennedy
 * 2018 Hunt the Darkness by Stephanie Rowe
 * 2019 Dearest Ivie by J. R. Ward

Romance Novella

 * 2000 Starry, Starry Night by Marianne Willman
 * 2001 Final Approach to Forever by Merline Lovelace from Once Upon A Dream
 * 2002 I Will by Lisa Kleypas from Wish List
 * 2003 To Kiss in Shadows by Lynn Kurland
 * 2004 Prisoner of the Tower by Gayle Wilson in The Wedding Chase
 * 2005 Her Enemy by Maggie Shayne in Night's Edge
 * 2006 The Naked Truth about Guys by Alesia Holliday in The Naked Truth
 * 2007 Tis the Silly Season by Roxanne St. Claire in A NASCAR Holiday
 * 2008 Born in My Heart by Jennifer Greene in Like Mother, Like Daughter
 * 2009 The Fall of Rogue Gerard by Stephanie Laurens in It Happened One Night
 * 2010 The Christmas Eve Promise by Molly O'Keefe in The Night Before Christmas
 * 2011 Shifting Sea by Virginia Kantra in Burning Up
 * 2012 I Love the Earl by Caroline Linden
 * 2013 Seduced by a Pirate by Eloisa James
 * 2014 Take Me, Cowboy by Jane Porter
 * 2015 His Road Home by Anna Richland
 * 2016 Nice Girls Don't Ride by Roni Loren
 * 2017 Her Every Wish by Courtney Milan
 * 2018 Forbidden River by Brynn Kelly
 * 2019 Bad Blood by M. Malone

Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements (Inspirational Romance prior to 2017)

 * 1985 For the Love of Mike by Charlotte Nichols
 * 1986 From This Day Forward by Kathleen Karr
 * 1987-1994 (no award)
 * 1995 An Echo in the Darkness by Francine Rivers
 * 1996 As Sure as the Dawn by Francine Rivers
 * 1997 The Scarlet Thread by Francine Rivers
 * 1998 Homeward by Melody Carlson
 * 1999 Patterns of Love by Robin Lee Hatcher
 * 2000 Danger in the Shadows by Dee Henderson
 * 2001 The Shepherd's Voice by Robin Lee Hatcher
 * 2002 Beneath a Southern Sky by Deborah Raney
 * 2003 Never Say Goodbye by Irene Hannon
 * 2004 Autumn Dreams by Gayle Roper
 * 2005 Grounds To Believe by Shelley Bates
 * 2006 Heavens To Betsy by Beth Pattillo
 * 2007 Revealed by Tamera Alexander
 * 2008 A Touch of Grace by Linda Goodnight
 * 2009 Finding Stefanie by Susan May Warren
 * 2010 The Inheritance by Tamera Alexander
 * 2011 In Harm's Way by Irene Hannon
 * 2012 The Measure of Katie Calloway by Serena B. Miller
 * 2013 Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden
 * 2014 Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano
 * 2015 Deceived by Irene Hannon
 * 2016 A Noble Masquerade by Kristi Ann Hunter
 * 2017 My Hope Next Door by Tammy L. Gray
 * 2018 Then There Was You by Kara Isaac
 * 2019 The Saturday Night Supper Club by Carla Laureano

Romantic Suspense

 * 1989 Brazen Virtue by Nora Roberts
 * 1990 Perchance to Dream by Kathleen Korbel
 * 1991 Night Spice by Karen Keast
 * 1992 Night Shift by Nora Roberts
 * 1993 Divine Evil by Nora Roberts
 * 1994 Nightshade by Nora Roberts
 * 1995 Hidden Riches by Nora Roberts
 * 1996 Winter’s Edge by Anne Stuart
 * 1997 See How They Run by Bethany Campbell
 * 1998 On the Way to a Wedding by Ingrid Weave
 * 1999 Cool Shade by Theresa Weir
 * 2000 The Bride's Protector by Gayle Wilson
 * 2001 Carolina Moon by Nora Roberts
 * 2002 The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen
 * 2003 Three Fates by Nora Roberts
 * 2004 Remember When - Part 1 by Nora Roberts
 * 2005 I'm Watching You by Karen Rose
 * 2006 Survivor in Death by J.D. Robb
 * 2007 Blackout by Annie Solomon
 * 2008 Ice Blue by Anne Stuart
 * 2009 Take No Prisoners by Cindy Gerard
 * 2010 Whisper of Warning by Laura Griffin
 * 2011 Silent Scream by Karen Rose
 * 2012 New York to Dallas by J.D. Robb
 * 2013 Scorched by Laura Griffin
 * 2014 Off the Edge by Carolyn Crane (first self-published winner)
 * 2015 Concealed in Death by J.D. Robb
 * 2016 Flash Fire by Dana Marton
 * 2017 Repressed by Elisabeth Naughton
 * 2018 The Fixer by HelenKay Dimon
 * 2019 Fearless by Elizabeth Dyer

Young Adult Romance

 * 1983 Andrea by Jo Stewart
 * 1984 Julie’s Magic Moment by Barbara Bartholomew
 * 1985 The Frog Princess by Cheryl Zach
 * 1986 Waiting for Amanda by Cheryl Zach
 * 1987 Video Fever by Kathleen Garvey
 * 1988 Does Your Nose Get in the Way, Too? by Arlene Erlbach
 * 1989 The Ghosts of Stony Cove by Eileen Charbonneau
 * 1990 Renee by Vivan Schurfranz
 * 1991 (no award)
 * 1992 Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep by Lurlene McDaniel
 * 1993 Song of the Buffalo Boy by Sherry Garland
 * 1994 Summer Lightning by Wendy Corsi Staub
 * 1995 Second to None by Arleynn Presser
 * 1996 Runaway by Cheryl Zach
 * 1997 - 2007 (no award)
 * 2008 Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
 * 2009 Hell Week by Rosemary Clement-Moore
 * 2010 Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
 * 2011 The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
 * 2012 Enclave by Ann Aguirre
 * 2013 The Farm by Emily McKay
 * 2015 Boys Like You by Juliana Stone
 * 2016 The Anatomical Shape of a Heart by Jenn Bennett
 * 2017 The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout
 * 2018 Seize Today by Pintip Dunn
 * 2019 My So-Called Bollywood Life by Nisha Sharma

Best Romance (RWA's Favorite Book in 1998)

 * 1990 Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer
 * 1991 The Prince of Midnight by Laura Kinsale
 * 1992 Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
 * 1993 Come Spring by Jill Marie Landis
 * 1994 Lord of the Night by Susan Wiggs
 * 1995 It Had To Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
 * 1996 Born in Ice by Nora Roberts
 * 1998 Nobody's Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Best First Book

 * 2021: Love Me Like a Love Song by Annmarie Boyle

Contemporary Romance

 * 2021
 * Long Contemporary Romance: False Start by Jessica Ruddick
 * Mid-Length Contemporary Romance: Tempting Taste by Sara Whitney
 * Short Contemporary Romance: Engaging the Enemy by Reese Ryan

Erotic Romance

 * 2021: Pure Satisfaction by Rebecca Hunter

Historical Romance

 * 2021
 * Long Historical Romance: Ten Things I Hate About the Duke by Loretta Chase
 * Mid-Length Historical Romance: A Study in Passion by Louisa Cornell

Mainstream Fiction with a Central Romance

 * 2021: An Everyday Hero by Laura Trentham

Most Anticipated Romance

 * 2021: Burning Caine by Janet Oppedisano

Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements

 * 2021: At Love's Command by Karen Witemeyer. The award was rescinded (see above).

Romantic Suspense

 * 2021
 * Long Romantic Suspense: Hail Mary by Hope Anika
 * Mid-Length Romantic Suspense: Storm by Janie Crouch

Speculative Romance

 * 2021
 * Long Speculative Romance: A Stitch in Time by Kelley Armstrong
 * Mid-Length Speculative Romance: Betwixt by Darynda Jones