The 2021 RSJ Virtual Romance Book Con, the networking event for diversity in literature, sponsored by Diverse Writers and Readers International, announces the finalists for the 2021 Emma Awards. The Emma Award — the premier award for variety in romantic literature — recognizes excellence in published romance novels, novellas, and women’s fiction featuring diverse and multicultural protagonists (such as black, African-American, Latino American, Hispanic Americans, biracial, etc.). Good Luck to all of the 2021 Emma Awards Finalist. Winners will be announced on Sunday, August 8, 2021.
~~ 2021 RSJ EMMA AWARD FINALIST ~~
~~ JUDGED BOOK AWARDS ~~
BEST COMMERCIAL ROMANCE
“Lethal Love” by Perri Forrest
“Imperfectly Happy” by Sharina Harris
“Judge’s Girls” by Sharina Harris
“Orange Blossoms:Love Bloom” by Dalia Dupris
“Secret Heir Seduction” by Reese Ryan
BEST CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
“The Cowboy’s Claim” by Nina Crespo
“Blind Copy” by Oliva Gaines
“Holiday Wish” by Leila E. Hart
“Major” by Tina Martin
“A Reunion of Rival” by Reese Ryan
~~BEST EROTIC ROMANCE~~
“Love Lost Revenge” by Porsha Deun
“The Love Bet” by G.L. Thomas
Kyler’s Blind Date Seduction” by Stephanie Morris
“In the Deep” by Stephanie Morris
~~BEST HISTORICAL ROMANCE~~
Scarred” by Roe Braddy
“A Duke,The Lady and a Baby” by Vanessa Riley
~~BEST INSPIRATIONAL / SPIRITUAL ROMANCE~~
“Forever” by Vanessa Miller
“Front Steps on Harlem Ave” by Amelia Rucker
“The Price of Dreams” by Toni Shiloh
“Christmas Dinner” by Pat Simmons
“Here for You” by Pat Simmons
Only One Knight” Kendy Ward
~BEST INTERRACIAL ROMANCE~~
“Like Lovers Do” by Tracey Livesay
“Marriage by Arrangement” by Sophia Singh Sasson
“Claimed bu the Hero” by Yahrah St. John
“Scandalous Secrets” by Synithia Williams
BEST NOVELLA ROMANCE
“Where the Heart Is” by Sharon Blount
“A Whirl with my Mocha Chocolate Swirl” by Dalia Dupris
“Keeping Busy” by Tracy Gray
“My Everyday Hero – Braxton” by Stephanie Morris
“A Little in love with Death” by Anna.Taylor
BEST PARANORMAL/SUPERNATURAL/
SCI-FI/FANTASY ROMANCE
“Their Sirenian Queen” by E. Bowser
“Defiant Love” by M.J. Duffy
“Fascinated by a Billionaire” by Fatima Munroe
“The Kilgarin’s Gift” by Shay Rucker
“A Little in love with Death” by Anna.Taylor
BEST SUSPENSE ROMANCE
“Knight of the Penn Quarter” by Terri Ann Johnson and Michele Sims
“When I Needed You” by Tina Martin
“Until the End” by Juno Rushdan
“High Priority Asset” by Juno Rushdan “Witness Security Breach” by Juno Rushdan
~~BEST SWEET AND CLEAN ROMANCE~~
“Small Town Faith” by Michelle Lindo-Rice and Michelle Stimpson
“Karleigh: A Story of Faith” by Lisa Washington
“Forbidden Promises” by Synithia Williams
~~DEBUT AUTHOR~~
Maureen Anderson
Dalia Dupris
Adah Kennon
~~ BEST BOOK COVER~~
All submissions in the Judged Book Award categories are automatically entered into the Best
“The Cowboy’s Claim” by Nina Crespo
“Keeping Busy” by Tracy Gray
“Christmas Dinner” by Pat Simmons
“Major” by Tina Martin
“Claimed bu the Hero” by Yahrah St. John
~~ BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR~~
BOOK OF THE YEAR
Orange Blossoms:Love Bloom (Dalia Dupris)
Blind Copy (Oliva Gaines)
Keeping Busy (Tracy Gray)
When I Needed You (Tina Martin)
Christmas Dinner (Pat Simmons)
~~ READER’S CHOICE AWARDS ~~
FAVORITE HEROINE
BMavis Butler “Scarred” by Rovenia (Roe) Braddy
Elaine Hart,”OrangeBlossoms-Love Blooms” by Dalia Dupris
London Martin “Holiday Wish” by Leila Hart
Torri Taylor “November Rain” by Maureen Anderson
Priscilla Deaveaux “Only One Knight” by Kendy Ward
Karleigh Hammond Karleigh: A Story of Faith” by Lisa Washington
FAVORITE HERO
Ed Proctor: “Scarred” by Rovenia (Roe) Braddy
David Cole ”Orange Blossoms-Love Blooms” by Dalia Dupris
Royal Harris, “Holiday Wish” by Leila Hart
Antonio Martins, “November Rain” by Maureen Anderson
Randy Knight, “Only One Knight” by Kendy Ward
Simon Sharp, “Karleigh: A Story of Faith” by Lisa Washington
AUTHOR OF THE YEAR
Dalia Dupris
Kendy Ward
Maureeen Anderson
Rovenia (Roe) Braddy
Lisa Washington
~~ SPIRIT AWARDS ~~
Angela Anderson
Black Women’s Swirl Literature
Cella’s Book Maniacs
Miriam Pace
The Page Turners Book Club of Baltimore
LESLIE ESDAILE BANKS
~~ ASPIRING AUTHOR CONTEST FINALIST~~
Monica Hertzog
Janice Morgan
Marta Petrocelli
Leigh Swan
Jessica Wakefield
