We are proud to list the last three years of winners and finalist for the HOLT Medallion. We plan to expand this page to include all previous winners and finalists in the near future.

2017 - 2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013

2017 HOLT Medallion Winners & Award of Merit Finalists
(Award of Merit Finalists alphabetical by author)

Best First Book
Winner Highland Deception – Lori Ann Bailey Award of Merit Finalists To Steal a Heart – K. C. Bateman A Family for the Farmer – Laurel Blount The Memory of Us – Camille Di Maio Beautiful Crazy – Kasey Lane
Best Book by a Virginia Author
Winner Bound by One Scandalous Night – Diane Gaston*  Award of Merit Finalists Memories of You – Jennifer Britt Secret Scandal – Mari Carr Prince Charming Wears a Badge – Lisa Dyson* Willing Target – Kathleen Mix*
Short Contemporary
Winner Texas Lullaby – Cynthia D’Alba Award of Merit Finalists Memories of You – Jennifer Britt Deep Secrets – Beverly Long Steele and Stone – Kay Phoenix Catch Me Cowboy – Jeannie Watt
Long Contemporary
Winner Size Matters – Alison Bliss  Award of Merit Finalists A Taming Season – Claire Gem Dreams of Her Own – Rebecca Heflin The Kingmaker – Selena Laurence Only Her – Sandra Owens
Short Inspirational
Winner Protecting Her Daughter – Lynette Eason  Award of Merit Finalists A Family for the Farmer – Laurel Blount A Rocky Mountain Reunion – Tina Radcliffe Shielding His Christmas Witness – Laura Scott Christmas Conspiracy – Susan Sleeman
Long Inspirational
Winner Just a Kiss – Denise Hunter  Award of Merit Finalists The Bounty Hunter’s Redemption – Janet Dean Mattie’s Pledge – Jan Drexler Sea Rose Lane – Irene Hannon Cold Shot – Dani Pettrey
Historical
Winner Highland Deception – Lori Ann Bailey  Award of Merit Finalists The Highlander’s Runaway Bride – Terri Brisbin My Enemy, My Heart – Laurie Alice Eakes Texas Lonesome – Caroline Fyffe Claimed by a Highlander – Margaret Mallory
Romantic Suspense
Winner Finding Lyla – Cate Beauman  Award of Merit Finalists Deceiving Bella – Cate Beauman No Exit – Lena Diaz Wild Man’s Curse – Susannah Sandlin Web of Secrets – Susan Sleeman
Paranormal/Time Travel/Futuristic/Fantasy
Winner Highland Yearning – Dawn Ireland  Award of Merit Finalists The Beacon – Cara Crescent Demon Hunting with a Dixie Deb – Lexi George From this Fae Forward – A. E. Jones Awakening Kiss – Sharon Kay
Extra Spicy/Erotica
Winner Flames from Ashes – Caitlyn Willows  Award of Merit Finalists The Best Laid Plans – Lauren Gallagher Seduce Me – Christina James Bound to Submit – Laura Kaye Beautiful Crazy – Kasey Lane
Mainstream / Single Title
Winner Something Borrowed – Louisa George  Award of Merit Finalists Nico – Sarah Castille Luxury Model Wife – Adele Downs Ring of Fire – Susan Fox Another Notch in the Beltway – L. A. Long
Novel with Strong Romantic Elements
Winner Catching Preeya – Rissa Brahm  Award of Merit Finalists The Memory of Us – Camille Di Maio Seized – Elizabeth Heiter America’s First Daughter – Laura Kamoie & Stephanie Dray Deadly Scandal – Kate Parker
Romance Novella
Winner Burnout – Sarah Castille  Award of Merit Finalists The Steeple Chase – Carrie Fancett Pagels Bulletproof – Avery Flynn* Bodyguard – Jessica Linden* “Shadowed” Sins of the Past Novella Collection – Dani Pettrey

 

 

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2016 Winners and Award of Merit Finalists

 

Award of Merit Finalists

• Deciding Fate – Tamra Lassiter
• A Matter of Time – Margaret Locke
• No Woman Left Behind – Julie Moffett
• Highlander Redeemed – Laurin Wittig

Short Contemporary
Winner
Three Nights Before Christmas – Kat Latham

Award of Merit Finalists

• One Night Before Christmas – Susan Carlisle
• Carry Her Heart – Holly Jacobs
• Hidden Witness – Beverly Long
• Ravensdale's Defiant Captive – Melanie Milburne

Echoes of the Heart – Stacey Purcell

Award of Merit Finalists

• It Had to Be Love – Tamra Baumann
• Let Me Love You Again – Anna DeStefano
• Secret Garden – Cathryn Parry
• Ransom Canyon – Jodi Thomas

Dangerous Tidings – Dana Mentink

Award of Merit Finalists

• When Love Leads You Home – Carla Rossi & Jami Crumpton
• Person of Interest – Debby Giusti
• Safe in the Fireman's Arms – Tina Radcliffe
• The Doctor's Second Chance – Missy Tippens

Falling Like Snowflakes – Denise Hunter

Award of Merit Finalists

• Red Is for Rookie – Anne Greene
• Another Way Home – Deborah Raney
• Two Roads Home – Deborah Raney
• A Worthy Pursuit – Karen Witemeyer

Bound By Duty – Diane Gaston

Award of Merit Finalists

• Earls Just Want to Have Fun – Shana Galen
• Possession of a Highlander – Madeline Martin
• Highlander Redeemed – Laurin Wittig
• No Conventional Miss – Eleanor Webster

Deciding Fate – Tamra Lassiter

Award of Merit Finalists

• Alec's Royal Assignment – Amelia Autin
• The Wrong Husband – Nancy Brophy
• Broken Honor - Tonya Burrows
• Falling for Her – Sandra Owens

Viking Warrior Rising – Asa Maria Bradley

Award of Merit Finalists

• The Last Marine – Cara Crescent
• A Highlander's Passion – Vonnie Davis
• A Matter of Time – Margaret Locke
• Ghost of You – Kelly Moran

Full Contact – Sarah Castille

Award of Merit Finalists

• A Love We Deserve – Betsy Anne
• Closer and Closer – Jenna Barton
• Suspended Game – Roz Lee
• Eternal Brand – Sami Lee

Mainstream / Single Title
Winner
This Heart of Mine – Brenda Novak

Award of Merit Finalists

• All of Me – Jennifer Bernard
• Divorced, Desperate and Daring – Christie Craig
• His First and Last – Terri Osburn
• I'll Be Home for Christmas – Lori Wilde

Novel with Strong Romantic Elements
Winner
The Deep End – Julie Mulhern

Award of Merit Finalists

• How to Fall – Rebecca Brooks
• No Woman Left Behind – Julie Moffett
• Ice Magic, Fire Magic – Shauna Roberts
• The Perfect Son – Barbara Claypole White

Romance Novella
Winner
Her Immortal Viking – Adele Downs

Award of Merit Finalists

• "Just a Fling" in New Year's Resolution: Romance! – Tanya Michaels
• The Secret of Obedience – Liv Rancourt
• The Other Side of the World – Suzanne Whitfield Vince
• Can't Buy Me Love – Beth K. Vogt 

 

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2015 Winners and Award of Merit Finalists

 

Award of Merit Finalists

• Primal Instinct – Janie Crouch
• High-Heeled Wonder – Avery Flynn
• More to Give – Terri Osburn
• The Promise of Rain – Rula Sinara

Short Contemporary
Winner
At No Man's Command – Melanie Milburne

Award of Merit Finalists

• At Home in Barbourville – Carolynn Carey
• Accidentally Married on Purpose – Rachel Harris
• Alaskan Adventure – Crystal Jordan
• Cowboy on Her Doorstep – Pam Mantovani
  

Wind Chime Café – Sophie Moss

Award of Merit Finalists

• That Summer Night – Barbara Freethy
• Christmas in Cupid Falls – Holly Jacobs
• Resisting the Hero – Cindi Madsen
• All for a Cowboy – Jeannie Watt
  

Unexpected Reunion – Carolyn Greene

Award of Merit Finalists

• Small-Town Billionaire – Renee Andrews
• Finally a Mother – Dana Corbit
• Hazardous Homecoming – Dana Mentink
• Identity Withheld – Sandra Orchard

When I Fall in Love – Susan May Warren

Award of Merit Finalists

• A Dream of Home – Amy Clipston
• Nowhere to Turn – Lynette Eason
• Firewall – DiAnn Mills
• The Forgiven – Marta Perry

Traitor's Moon – Janet Lane

Award of Merit Finalists

• Once Upon a Highland Autumn – Lecia Cornwall
• Dark Secrets, Deep Bayous – Meg Hennessy
• Captured by a Laird – Margaret Mallory
• Shadowed by Grace – Cara Putman

Lovely, Dark, and Deep – Susannah Sandlin

Award of Merit Finalists

• A Cold Dark Place – Toni Anderson
• Cold Light of Day – Toni Anderson
• Love's Touch of Justice – Yvonne Kohano
• Convicted – Dee Tenorio

Award of Merit Finalists

• Never Forget – Heather Ashby
• Heart of Stone – Debra Mullins
• Love Potions – Michelle M. Pillow
• This Weakness for You – Wendy Sparrow

Award of Merit Finalists

• No More Mr. Nice Guy – Amy Andrews
• Staking His Claim – Tessa Bailey
• Drive Me Crazy – Tracy Wolff
• Rising Assets – Rebecca Zanetti

Mainstream / Single Title
Winner
Adirondack Audacity – L.R. Smolarek

Award of Merit Finalists

• The Red Bikini – Lauren Christopher
• Shoreline Drive – Lily Everett
• When Shadows Fall – Barbara Freethy
• A Scandalous Husband – Bev Pettersen
  

Novel with Strong Romantic Elements
Winner
Chasing the Dollar – Ellie Ashe

Award of Merit Finalists

• Waking Up Joy – Tina Ann Forkner
• Sealing the Deal – Sandy James
• Cypher – Cathy Perkins
• The In-Between Hour – Barbara Claypole White
  

"A Perfectly Dreadful Christmas" in Christmas Revels: Four Regency Novellas – Louisa Cornell

Award of Merit Finalists

• "Dance With a Cowboy" in Wild West Christmas – Kathryn Albright 
• Dare to Resist – Laura Kaye
• One Night of Sin – Elle Kennedy
• The Duke’s Shotgun Wedding – Stacy Reid

Award of Merit Finalists

• Temptation – Kathryn Barrett
• Haven – Celia Breslin
• Five Days in Skye – Carla Laureano
• Playing Doctor – Jan Meredith

Award of Merit Finalists

• Rock Your Soul – Sara Brookes
• Avoiding Mr. Right – C.J. Ellisson
• No Place Like Rome – Julie Moffett
• Up to the Challenge – Terri Osburn

Award of Merit Finalists

• The Baby Bump – Jennifer Greene
• Seven Day Fiancé – Rachel Harris
• Never Say No to a Caffarelli – Melanie Milburne
• The Rancher She Loved – Ann Roth

Award of Merit Finalists

• Sleepless in Las Vegas – Colleen Collins
• Texas Tango – Cynthia D'Alba
• The Sweetest Hours – Cathryn Parry
• Can’t Stop Believing – Jodi Thomas

Award of Merit Finalists

• Yuletide Twins – Renee Andrews
• Eventide – Shelley Shepard Gray
• Her Valentine's Hero – Gail Gaymer Martin
• The Rancher's Second Chance – Davalynn Spencer

Award of Merit Finalists

• A Hopeful Heart – Amy Clipston
• Vanished – Irene Hannon
• Wishing on Willows – Katie Ganshert
• Whispers on the Prairie – Vickie McDonough