The Emma Romance Book Awards 2025
The RSJ Online Romance Book Convention, sponsored by Diverse Writers and Readers International, is delighted to reveal the top finalists for the Emma Romance Book Awards 2025! The Emma Awards, known as the premier book awards for diversity in romantic literature, is an annual event that 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, Hispanic, Asian, biracial, and more) that are often underrepresented in the publishing world.
This Year’s Romance Book Awards 2025 Competition
The romance book awards 2025 competition was fierce, with every entry shining bright in its own way. The results were exceptionally close, reflecting the incredible talent across diverse subgenres of romance. Each story brought something unique to the book awards 2025 table—whether it was a heartfelt modern love story, a deep dive into cultural connections, or a thrilling adventure that kept us on the edge of our seats. To all participants: thank you for sharing your incredible stories with us because your creativity and talent truly stood out, making this year’s selection process both challenging and inspiring.
Mark your calendars for the announcement of the Emma Romance Book Awards 2025 winners. Let’s keep the excitement alive as we continue to celebrate these brilliant authors and their remarkable works! Please join us in congratulating these outstanding book awards finalists:
EMMA BOOK AWARDS 2025 FINALISTS
Judged Book Categories
BEST CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
“Girls with Bad Reputations” by Xio Axelrod
“Want You Back” by Mel Walker
“Rosamunde’s Knight” by Harper Black
BEST INTERRACIAL ROMANCE
“The False Flat” by Melissa R. Collings
“The Heart of a Knight” by Harper Black
“Wyoming Undercover Escape” by Juno Rushdan
BEST ROMANTIC COMEDY
“The Takeover” by Cara Tanamachi
“Grounds for Romance” by Mel Walker
“The Next Round” by Eva Frances
BEST ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
“Hometown Homicide” by Denise N. Wheatley
“Blurred Lines: Cop Killer” by Keith Thomas Walker
“Wyoming Undercover Escape” by Juno Rushdan
BEST NOVELLA ROMANCE
“The Deed with the Duke” by Sri Savita
“Five Golden Rings” by K.T. Bond
“Star-Spangled Swagger: Seduction in Red, White and Blue” by Kamyra Harding
BEST PARANORMAL/SCI-FI/FANTASY ROMANCE
“A Dagger in the Ivy” by Dorothy Dreyer
“King of Inferno” by Blue Saffire
“Servant of the Stone” by Saharra K. Sandhu
BEST COMMERCIAL FICTION
“Whom the Son Sets Free” by Shelia E. Bell
“Girls with Bad Reputations” by Xio Axelrod
“The False Flat” by Melissa R. Collings
BEST HISTORICAL ROMANCE
“Untamed” by Lisa Rayne
“The Deed with the Duke” by Sri Savita
BEST SWEET & CLEAN
“Wedding Bells in Silverwood” by Dorothy Dreyer
“Grounds for Romance” by Mel Walker
“Right in Front of You” by Jessica Wakefield
BEST INSPIRATIONAL ROMANCE
“Whom the Son Sets Free” by Shelia E. Bell
“Right in Front of You” by Jessica Wakefield
“The Archangel of Death – SAMMAEL” by EJ Brock
DEBUT AUTHOR OF THE YEAR
“The Deed with the Duke” by Sri Savita
“The False Flat” by Melissa Collings
“The Next Round” by Eva Frances
*****
BOOK OF THE YEAR
“Unexpectedly Yours” by C. Chilove
“The Takeover” by Cara Tanamachi
“Girls with Bad Reputations” by Xio Axelrod
“Want You Back” by Mel Walker
“Wyoming Undercover Escape” by Juno Rushdan
*****
Readers’ Choice Book Categories
Within the READERS’ CHOICE section of the Emma Awards, winning authors stand out for something especially meaningful: their ability to inspire engagement and rally a strong, supportive community around them. That connection speaks volumes, and we are proud to recognize these authors for the authority they have earned in their reading community as they have received the most votes.
FAVORITE AUTHOR OF THE YEAR – FINALISTS
Readers’ Choice – Emma Awards
“Girls with Bad Reputations” by Xio Axelrod
“The Takeover” by Cara Tanamachi
“Taco ‘Bout Love” by Candice Y. Johnson
“Wyoming Undercover Escape” by Juno Rushdan
“The Rancher in Stilettos – Part 3” by Marcia Williams Cromer
“Love Notes” by Blue Saffire
FAVORITE HEROINE & HERO – FINALISTS
Readers’ Choice – Emma Awards
Kayla & Tyrell – “Girls with Bad Reputations” by Xio Axelrod
Taylor & Bradan – “King of Inferno” by Blue Saffire
Paisley & Everson – “Taco ‘Bout Love” by Candice Y. Johnson
Ashley & Rip – “Wyoming Undercover Escape” by Juno Rushdan
Zaide & Corey – “The Rancher in Stilettos – Part 3” by Marcia Williams Cromer
Saga & Bishop – “Love Notes” by Blue Saffire
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WANT MORE? STAY CONNECTED TO THE ROMANCE BOOK CONFERENCE?
Loaded with workshops and tons of fun, Authors can pitch with Harlequin Books and Entangled Publishing. Readers can get free books, prizes, & games at the Virtual Romance Book Con. – CLICK HERE FOR VIRTUAL CONFERENCE TIX!