The RSJ Online Romance Book Convention, the networking event for diversity in literature, sponsored by Diverse Writers and Readers International, announces the finalists for the 2023 RSJ Emma Awards. The RSJ Emma Award — the premier award for diversity in romantic literature — recognizes authors of color and their 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 Emma Awards Finalists. Winners will be announced on Saturday, June 1, 2024.

2023 RSJ EMMA AWARD FINALISTS

Judged Book Categories

BEST CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
“Doctor Fix-It” by Mel Walker
 “The Right Guy” by Mel Walker
 “Latte Dreams” by Sharon Blount

BEST HISTORICAL ROMANCE
“Never Cross a Highlander” by Lisa Rayne
“A Match for Bernadette” by Parker J. Cole

BEST INTERRACIAL ROMANCE
 “The Designer’s Secret” by Nina Crespo
 “The Perfect Revenge” by Xan Tucker
 “Anything But Love” by Dalia Dupris

BEST NOVELLA ROMANCE
 “Chocolate Kisses” by Sharon Blount
 “Misleading Maddox” by Stephanie Morris

BEST ROMANTIC COMEDY
“Looks Good on Paper” by Kilby Blades
 “American Royalty” by Tracey Livesay

BEST ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
“Six Days To Live” by Lisa Dodson
“Occasional Hero” by Tracee Lydia Garner
            “Blue Bloods: Ava” by Natasha Renee 

BEST SWEET AND CLEAN ROMANCE
“From Illustrating To Love” by Ruby James
 “The Seashell of ‘Ohana” by Mary Ting

BEST BOOK COVER
“Latte Dreams” by Sharon Blount
 “Never Cross a Highlander” by Lisa Rayne
 “Looks Good on Paper” by Kilby Blades
 “From Illustrating To Love” by Ruby James
 “The Seashell of ‘Ohana” by Mary Ting
(All submissions in the Judged Book Award categories
are automatically entered into Best Book Cover.)

BOOK OF THE YEAR
“Doctor Fix-It” by Mel Walker
“Six Days To Live” by Lisa Dodson
 “Never Cross a Highlander” by Lisa Rayne
“A Match for Bernadette” by Parker J. Cole
 “Misleading Maddox” by Stephanie Morris