Romantic Novel Awards shortlist revealed

The Romantic Novelists' Association has revealed the shortlists for the 2019 Romantic Novel Awards, with Sapere Books to sponsor a new prize. 

Jill Mansell, Katie Ginger and Tom and Giovanna Fletcher are among the nominees for the RNA awards, which are the only national literary prizes that recognise excellence in the genre of romantic fiction. In 2019 they comprise the Goldsboro Books Contemporary Romantic Novel Award, the Goldsboro Books Historical Romantic Novel Award, the Books and the City Romantic Comedy Novel Award, the Sapere Books Popular Romantic Fiction Award, the Fantasy Romantic Novel Award, the Shorter Romantic Novel Award and the Katie Fforde Debut Romantic Novel Award. 

The RNA will also present an Outstanding Achievement Award to a writer who has made an extraordinary contribution to the field of romantic fiction.

RNA chair Nicola Cornick said: “Romantic fiction in the 21st century is diverse and exciting and this year’s shortlist brilliantly reflects the breadth of the genre. We are very proud to celebrate these outstanding books and authors, and the contribution they make to such a successful and popular genre.”

David Headley, m.d. of Goldsboro Books, added: “The range of themes explored in this year’s shortlist is a testament to the many facets of the romantic fiction genre and Goldsboro Books is delighted to be sponsoring the awards for a third year, and bringing these diverse and entertaining books to readers’ attention.”

Historical novelist Alison Weir will present the awards during a ceremony in the Gladstone Library, One Whitehall Place, London SW1 on 4th March.

The full shortlist below: 

The Sapere Books Popular Romantic Fiction Award                                             

The Lion Tamer Who Lost, Louise Beech, (Orenda Books)

One Thousand Stars and You, Isabelle Broom, (Michael Joseph)

You Me Everything, Catherine Isaac, (Simon & Schuster)

This Could Change Everything, Jill Mansell, (Headline Books)

A Sky Painted Gold, Laura Wood, (Scholastic UK)

 

The Goldsboro Books Contemporary Romantic Novel Award            

One Thousand Stars and You, Isabelle Broom, (Michael Joseph)

The Little Cafe in Copenhagen, Julie Caplin, (HarperImpulse)

The Songs of Us, Emma Cooper, (Headline Review)

Where the Light Gets In, Lucy Dillon, (Black Swan, Transworld)

The House We Called Home, Jenny Oliver, (HQ)

The Lives We Touch, Eva Woods, (Sphere)

 

The Books and the City Romantic Comedy Novel Award

A Bicycle Made for Two, Mary Jayne Baker, (Mirror Books)

The Sister Swap, Fiona Collins, (HQ Digital)

Not Just For Christmas, Natalie Cox, (Orion)

Adventures in Dating ... In Heels, Liam Livings, (NineStar Press)

One Summer in Rome, Samantha Tonge, (HQ Digital)

 

The Katie Fforde Debut Romantic Novel Award

Summer at the Castle Café, Donna Ashcroft, (Bookouture)

The Little Theatre on the Seafront, Katie Ginger, (HQ Digital)

The Rules of Seeing, Joe Heap, (HarperCollins)

 

The Fantasy Romantic Novel Award

Eve of Man, Giovanna and Tom Fletcher, (Michael Joseph)

Living in the Past, Jane Lovering, (Choc Lit)

Daughter of Light and Shadows, Anna McKerrow, (Bookouture)

 

The Goldsboro Books Historical Romantic Novel Award

The Palace of Lost Dreams, Charlotte Betts, (Piatkus)

The Silver Ladies of London, Lesley Eames, (Aria)

In the Far Pashmina Mountains, Janet MacLeod Trotter, Lake Union, (Amazon Publishing)

The Temptation of Gracie, Santa Montefiore, (Simon & Schuster)

Summer of Secrets, Nikola Scott, (Headline Review)

The Beekeeper’s Promise, Fiona Valpy, (Lake Union, Amazon Publishing)

 

The Shorter Romantic Novel Award

The Warrior's Bride Prize, Jenni Fletcher, (Mills & Boon Historical)

A Little Christmas Charm, Kathryn Freeman, (Choc Lit)

Secret Baby, Second Chance, Jane Godman, (Mills & Boon Romantic Suspense)

A Rational Proposal, Jan Jones, (independently published)

The Map of Us, Jules Preston, (HarperImpulse)