2014 RITA Finalists Announced!

Romance Writers of America (RWA) has announced their shortlist of outstanding published novels in the romance genre. On July 15 winners will be announced and each will receive a RITA Award named after RWA's first president, Rita Clay Estrada. Take a look below for a selection of the best romance novels of 2013 according to the Romance Writers of America.

Contemporary Romance Finalists
Beach House No. 9 by Christie Ridgway

Half Moon Hill by Toni Blake

Home to Whiskey Creek by Brenda Novak

Homecoming Ranch by Julia London

It Had to Be You by Jill Shalvis

Rumor Has It by Jill Shalvis

The Second Chance Cafe by Alison Kent

The Sweet Spot by Laura Drake

Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts

Historical Romance
Darius by Grace Burrowes

Duke of Midnight Elizabeth Hoyt

The Lady and the Laird by Nicola Cornick

Love and Other Scandals by Caroline Linden

The Luckiest Lady in London by Sherry Thomas

No Good Duke Goes Unpunished by Sarah MacLean

A Rake's Midnight Kiss by Anna Campbell

Paranormal Romance
The Devil's Heart by Cathy Maxwell

The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley

Shadowdance by Kristen Callihan