1997 RWA RITA/Janet Dailey Award Finalists and Winners

*Her Very Own Husband by Lauryn Chandler, Silhouette, ISBN 0-373-19148-0

For the Love of Emma by Lucy Gordon, Harlequin, ISBN 0-373-03410-5

Temporary Husband by Day Leclaire, Harlequin, ISBN 0-373-03443-4

The Honeymoon Quest by Dana Lindsey, Silhouette, ISBN 0-373-19172-3

Undercover Daddy by Lindsay Longford, Silhouette, ISBN 0-373-19168-5

Ending in Marriage by Debbie Macomber, Harlequin, ISBN 0-373-03403-2

The Daddy Trap by Leigh Michaels, Harlequin, ISBN 0-373-03411-3

Charlie All Night by Jennifer Crusie, Harlequin, ISBN 0-373-25670-1

I personally think this book was fantastic. This book involves a guy who doesn't want to climb up the ladder of success, and a woman who's determined to make him #1. Get a copy if you can.

The Cinderella Deal by Jennifer Crusie, Bantam, ISBN 0-553-44557-X

It's not as funny as Jenny's other titles, but it's still humorous and well done. You'll love it.

Family First by Marcia Evanick, Bantam, ISBN 0-553-44468-9

Angel on a Harley by Janis Reams Hudson, Bantam, ISBN 0-553-44464-6

Spring Bride by Sandra Marton, Harlequin, ISBN 0-373-11825-2

*Cowboy Pride by Anne McAllister, Silhouette, ISBN 0-373-76034-5

Christmas with Eve by Elda Minger, Harlequin, ISBN 0-373-25714-7

Expectant Father by LeAnne Banks, Silhouette, ISBN 0-373-24028-7

My Fair Gentleman by Jan Freed, Harlequin, ISBN 0-373-70713-4

His Runaway Son by Dee Holmes, Harlequin, ISBN 0-373-70699-5

*Wild Blood by Naomi Horton, Silhouette, ISBN 0-373-07721-1

Mackenzie's Pleasure by Linda Howard, Silhoutete, ISBN 0-373-07691-6

One of my favorite Linda Howard. It's the 3rd book in the MacKenzie family saga. You don't have to read previous ones to enjoy this. But if you'd like to read from the beginning, check out Mackenzies: MacKenzie's Mountain and MacKenzie's Mission. The book is about Zane MacKenzie, a Navy SEAL rescuing and falling in love with a daughter of a US diplomat, who seems to be involved with treason.

The Fall of Shane MacKade by Nora Roberts, Silhoeutte, ISBN 0-373-24022-8

One of the best category romance I've ever read. It involves a bad boy MacKade who's determined not to get married, a woman who makes the idea of matrimony too appealing, and the Civil War ghosts. Very well-done. Highly recommended.

Megan's Mate by Nora Roberts, Silhouette, ISBN 0-373-07745-9

Having His Baby by Karen Young, Harlequin, ISBN 0-373-70681-2

*Daniel's Gift by Barbara Freethy, Avon, Ellen Edwards, ISBN 0-380-78189-1

Jackson Rule by Dinah McCall, Harper, ISBN 0-06-108391-7

Daring to Dream by Nora Roberts, Berkeley, ISBN 0-515-11920-2

Some people hated it. I loved it. The book is about a model who loses everything and builds her own life all over again and realizes her worth. Great romance. 1st book in Dream trilogy. Other titles in the trilogy include Holding the Dream and Finding the Dream. Both are exceptionally well-done.

Carried Away by Jill Barnett, Pocket, ISBN 0-671-52144-6

Heart of the Hawk by Justine Dare, Penguin USA, ISBN 0-451-40721-0

The Wedding Raffle by Geralyn Dawson, Pocket, ISBN 0-671-00126-4

*Always to Remember by Lorraine Heath, Berkley/Jove, ISBN 0-515-11804-1

Sparhawk's Angel by Miranda Jarrett, Harlequin, ISBN 0-373-28915-4

Sometimes Forever by Catherine Palmer, Berkley, ISBN 9-515-11922-9

The Bartered Bride by Cheryl Reavis, Harlequin, ISBN 0-373-28919-7

Gold Dust by Emily Carmichael, Warner Books, ISBN 0-446-60297-3

The Bad Luck Wedding Dress by Geralyn Dawson, Bantam, ISBN 0-553-56792-6

I heard that this book is hilarious. I haven't seen anyone who didn't like it.

*Conor's Way by Laura Lee Guhrke, Harper, ISBN 0-06-108402-6

The Love Charm by Pamela Morsi, Avon, ISBN 0-380-78641-9

The Marshall & The Heiress by Patricia Potter, Bantam, ISBN 0-553-57508-2

Shattered Rainbows by Mary Jo Putney, Penguin USA, ISBN 0-451-40614-1

Not to offend anyone, but I was surprised this book didn't win RITA. The book is a part of her Fallen Angels series. The book is about two lost people finding and healing each other. Poignant. Keeper.

Denim & Lace by Patricia Rice, Dutton/Signet, ISBN 0-451-40688-5

The Outsider by Penelope Williamson, Warner Books, ISBN 0-684-80759-9

Step in Time by Anne Barbour, NAL, ISBN 0-451-18723-7

Miss Kendal Sets Her Cap by Marian Devon, Ballantine, ISBN 0-449-22456-2

*The Lady's Companion by Carla Sue Kelly, Penguin USA ISBN 0-451-18684-2

The Unromantic Lady by Penelope Stratton, Fawcett, ISBN 0-449-22386-8

Reckless Lover by Carly Bishop, Harlequin, ISBN 0-373-22357-9

*See How They Run by Bethany Campbell, Bantam, ISBN 0-553-56072

Woman Without a Name by Emilie Richards, Silhouette, ISBN 0-373-07751-3

Montana Sky by Nora Roberts, G.P. Putnam's Sons, ISBN 0-399-14122-7

Last Night by Meryl Sawyer, Dell, ISBN 0-440-22050-5

A Ghost of a Chance by Casey Claybourne, Berkley, ISBN 0-515-11857-5

Frankly My Dear by Sandra Hill, Dorchester, ISBN 0-8439-4042-5

Laugh-out-loud funny. A beautiful model travels back in time where everyone doesn't think she's beautiful! She discovers her worth and a man who loves her, not her looks.

*Stardust of Yesterday by Lynn Kurland, Berkley, ISBN 9-515-11839-7

Dream Catcher by Dinah McCall, Harper ISBN 0-06-18325-9

Breath of Magicc by Teresa Medeiros, Bantam, ISBN 0-553-56334-3

Now and Forever by Kimberly Raye, Silhouette, ISBN 0-373-27065-8

The Faery Bride by Lisa Ann Verge, Zebra, ISBN 0-8217-5261-8

The Wolf & The Woman's Touch by Ingrid Weaver, Silhouette, ISBN 0-373-24056-2

Firestorm by Lisa Tawn Bergen, Questar, ISBN 0-88070-953-7

Dreamers by Angela E. Hunt, Bethany House, ISBN 1-55661-607-4

*The Scarlet Thread by Francine Rivers, Tyndale House, ISBN 0-8423-3568-4

His Secret Side by Pamela Burford, Harlequin, ISBN 0-373-22360-9

Traveler by Elaine Fox, Dorchester, ISBN 0-505-52074-5

*Stardust of Yesterday by Lynn Kurland, Berkley, ISBN 0-515-11839-7

Shadows on Velvet by Haywood Smith, St. Martin's, ISBN 0-312-95873-0

Father of the Brood by Elizabeth Bevarly, Silhouette, ISBN 0-373-76005-1 (issue: child abuse)

See How They Run by Bethany Campbell, Bantam, ISBN 0-553-56972 (issue: autism)

Sunrise Song by Kathleen Eagle, Avon Books, ISBN 0-380-77634-0 (issue: racism)

*Jackson Rule by Dinah McCall, Harper, ISBN 0-06-108391-7 (issue: child abuse)

Simple Jess by Pamela Morsi, Jove, ISBN 0-515-11837-0 (issue: learning disability)