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Romantic Novel Awards shortlist indie authors
The RoNAs (Romantic Novel Awards) has announced its 2017 shortlists [see below], recognising independently published authors for the first time. Meanwhile small presses Lake Union Publishing, Yule Press and The Wild Rose Press feature alongside major publishers including Orion and HarperCollins.
The awards comprise seven categories – Contemporary Romantic Novel, Epic Romantic Novel, Historical Romantic Novel, Paranormal or Speculative Romantic Novel, Romantic Comedy Novel, the RoNA Rose Award (for shorter and category romance), and Young Adult Romantic Novel.
Two indie authors have been shortlisted in the Paranormal or Speculative Romance Novel category: Kate Johnson's Max Seventeen and An Ordinary Gift by Jan Jones will go up against The Velvet Cloak of Moonlight by Christina Courtenay (Choc Lit) and Beloved Enemy by Hywela Lyn (The Wild Rose Press).
Independently published author Pia Fenton is also shortlisted in the Young Adult Romantic Novel category for her novel New England Dreams. Also shortlsited in this category are Love Song by Sophia Bennett (Chicken House), Lydia: The Wild Girl of Pride & Prejudice by Natasha Farrant (Chicken House), Instructions for A Second-Hand Heart by Tamsyn Murray (Usborne Publishing) and All About the Hype by Paige Toon (Simon & Schuster).
RNA chairman Eileen Ramsay said: “Romantic fiction appears in many guises and continues to dominate the best-seller lists. Our awards celebrate the many shades of romantic fiction, highlighting the wide appeal of the genre and some of the best examples from the last year.”
The 2017 RNA Awards will be announced and presented by cookery writer and author, Prue Leith on 13th March in the Gladstone Library.
The winners of the seven categories will be announced during the evening and those seven authors will then go forward to compete for the overall prize of the £5,000 Goldsboro Books Romantic Novel of the Year Award.
David Headley, managing director of Goldsboro Books, said: “The romantic fiction genre continues to provide great enjoyment to readers across the world and this award celebrates its many different facets. Goldsboro Books is delighted to be sponsoring the awards for a second year, and bringing these wonderful books to readers’ attention.”
The Category Shortlists
The Contemporary Romantic Novel category is for mainstream romantic novels set post-1960 and includes genres such as chick lit and romantic suspense.
Falling by Julie Cohen (Black Swan)
The Glittering Art of Falling Apart by Ilana Fox (Orion)
Dear Dad by Giselle Green (Yule Press)
Summer at the Comfort Food Café by Debbie Johnson (HarperImpulse)
The Sunshine and Biscotti Club by Jenny Oliver (HQ)
A Family Holiday by Bella Osborne (HarperImpulse)
The Second Love of My Life by Victoria Walters (Headline Review)
We’ll Always Have Paris by Sue Watson (Sphere)
The Epic Romantic Novel category contains serious issues or themes, including gritty, multi-generational stories.
Wedding Bells for Nurse Connie by Jean Fullerton (Orion)
Little Girl Lost by Janet Gover (Choc Lit)
The War Bride by Pamela Hart (Piatkus)
Who We Were Before by Leah Mercer (Lake Union Publishing)
The Judge’s Wife by Ann O’Loughlin (Black & White Publishing)
The Historical Romantic Novel category is for novels set in a period before 1960.
Incognito by Caitlyn Callery (MuseItUp)
London Calling by Helen Carey (Headline)
It Was Only Ever You by Kate Kerrigan (Head of Zeus)
The Reckless Love of an Heir by Jane Lark (HarperImpulse)
Map of Stars by Catherine Law (Zaffre Publishing)
The Paranormal or Speculative Romance Novel category is for romantic novels that include elements beyond the range of scientific explanation, whether paranormal, fantasy, science fiction, time slip or worlds that include ghosts, vampires or creatures of legend.
The Velvet Cloak of Moonlight by Christina Courtenay (Choc Lit)
Max Seventeen by Kate Johnson (independently published)
An Ordinary Gift by Jan Jones (independently published)
Beloved Enemy by Hywela Lyn (The Wild Rose Press)
The Romantic Comedy Novel is for consistently humorous or amusing novels.
Girl Having a Ball by Rhoda Baxter (Choc Lit)
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Joanna Bolouri (Quercus)
The Plumberry School of Comfort Food by Cathy Bramley (Corgi)
Letters From Lighthouse Cottage by Ali McNamara (Sphere)
Out of Practice bt Penny Parkes (Simon & Schuster)
The RoNA Rose Award recognises the best in category/series and shorter romance that focus on developing a love affair between the hero and heroine.
Billionaire, Boss … Bridegroom? by Kate Hardy (Mills & Boon Cherish)
The Discerning Gentleman’s Guide by Virginia Heath (Mills & Boon Historical)
Seven Nights With Her Ex by Louisa Heaton (Mills & Boon Medical Romance)
Unlocking Her Boss’s Heart by Christy McKellen (Mills & Boon Cherish)
Christmas in the Boss’s Castle by Scarlet Wilson (Mills & Boon Cherish)
The Young Adult Romantic Novel features protagonists who are teenagers or young adults.
Love Song by Sophia Bennett (Chicken House)
Lydia: The Wild Girl of Pride & Prejudice by Natasha Farrant (Chicken House)
New England Dreams by Pia Fenton (independently published)
Instructions for A Second-Hand Heart by Tamsyn Murray (Usborne Publishing)
All About the Hype by Paige Toon (Simon & Schuster)
