2012 ARR Awards: finalists announced
Voting has opened today for the 2012 Australian Romance Readers Awards. Below are the finalists in each of the nine categories, as well as finalists in our three special Members’ Choice categories. ARRA members can now vote for their favourite in each category. Voting will close on 13 February.
Winners will be announced at the Awards Dinner to be held on 2 March 2013 at ARRC2013. If you haven’t booked your ticket for the dinner – or registered for ARRC2013 – you can find registration information here.
Here are the finalists. Congratulations everyone!
Favourite Paranormal Romance – proudly sponsored by Galaxy Bookshop
- Archangel of Mercy – Christina Ashcroft
- Archangel’s Storm – Nalini Singh
- Blind Lust – Annie Seaton
- Dead, Actually – Kaz Delaney
- Kiss of the Goblin Prince – Shona Husk
- Lothaire – Kresley Cole
- Lover Reborn – JR Ward
- Tangle of Need – Nalini Singh
- The Danger with Sinners – Charity Parkerson
- The Final Wish – Tracey O’Hara
Favourite Sci Fi, Fantasy or Futuristic Romance – proudly sponsored by Choc Lit
- Alliance Forged – Kylie Griffin
- Blood Kin – MJ Scott
- Chaos Born – Rebekah Turner
- Dragonfly – Erica Hayes
- Fair Game – Patricia Briggs
- Gunmetal Magic – Ilona Andrews
- Lord’s Fall – Thea Harrison
- Night Forbidden – Joss Ware
- Shadow Bound – Rachel Vincent
- Sin’s Dark Caress – Tracey O’Hara
Favourite Short Category Romance – proudly sponsored by Harlequin Australia
- A Precious Inheritance – Paula Roe
- Bed of Lies – Paula Roe
- Cracking the Dating Code – Kelly Hunter
- Defying Her Desert Duty – Annie West
- Deserving of Her Diamonds – Melanie Milburne
- Her Best Worst Mistake – Sarah Mayberry
- Innocent Til Proven Otherwise – Amy Andrews
- Suddenly You – Sarah Mayberry
- The Cattleman’s Special Delivery – Barbara Hannay
- Undone By His Touch – Annie West
Favourite Historical Romance – proudly sponsored by Carina Press
- A Duchess to Remember – Christine Brooke
- A Rogue By Any Other Name – Sarah MacLean
- Bride By Mistake – Anne Gracie
- Deadly Affair – Lucinda Brant
- Gather the Bones – Alison Stuart
- Keeper of the King’s Secrets – Michelle Diener
- Mad About the Earl – Christina Brooke
- Rake’s Honour – Beverley Oakley
- Seven Nights in a Rogue’s Bed – Anna Campbell
- The Ugly Duchess – Eloisa James
Favourite Contemporary Romance
- Bella’s Run – Margareta Osborn
- Heart of the Valley – Cathryn Hein
- Hot for Fireman – Jennifer Bernard
- Jilted – Rachael Johns
- Rules are for Breaking – Imelda Evans
- Sister Pact – Ali Ahearn and Ros Baxter
- Somebody to Love – Kristan Higgins
- Taming the Outback- Ann B Harrison
- The Girl in Steel-Capped Boots – Loretta Hill
- Zoe’s Muster – Barbara Hannay
Favourite Erotic Romance – proudly sponsored by eXtasy Books
- A Touch of Confidence – Jess Dee
- Ample Attraction – Melissa Craig
- Bared to You – Sylvia Day
- Chains of Revenge – Keziah Hill
- Galactic Inferno – Mel Teshco
- Love’s Rhythm – Lexxie Couper
- Office Affair – Jess Dee
- Red Hot – Ann B Harrison
- The Dark Rose – Denise Rossetti
- The Siren – Tiffany Reisz
Favourite Romantic Suspense – proudly sponsored by Love Books
- Burning Lies – Helene Young
- Celebrity in Death – JD Robb
- Dead Heat – Bronwyn Parry
- Delusion in Death – JD Robb
- Drive Me to Distraction – Caitlyn Nicholas
- Guarding Jess – Shannon Curtis
- Hell on Wheels – Julie Ann Walker
- Suspicious Ways – Lexxie Couper
- The Witness – Nora Roberts
- Wild Encounter – Nikki Logan
Favourite Continuing Romance Series – proudly sponsored by Harlequin Australia
- Affair series – Annie Seaton
- Black Knights Inc – Julie Ann Walker
- Guild Hunters – Nalini Singh
- In Death series – JD Robb
- London Steampunk – Bec McMaster
- McCormack Security series – Shannon Curtis
- Ministry of Marriage – Christina Brooke
- Party Games – Lexxie Couper and Rhian Cahill
- Psy-Changelings – Nalini Singh
- Speed series – Jess Dee
Favourite Australian Romance Author 2012 – proudly sponsored by Booktopia
- Anna Campbell
- Anne Gracie
- Bec McMaster
- Christina Brooke
- Fiona Lowe
- Kelly Hunter
- Lexxie Couper
- Margareta Osborn
- Sarah Mayberry
- Shona Husk
And for the Members’ Choice categories …
Best First Meeting Between Couple in a romance published in 2012
- Bear Meets Girl – Shelly Laurenston
- Crazy Love – Nicola Marsh
- Defying Her Desert Duty – Annie West
- Kiss of Steel – Bec McMaster
- Portrait of A Scandal – Danielle Lisle
- Seven Nights in a Rogue’s Bed – Anna Campbell
- Taming the Tycoon – Amy Andrews
- Undone by His Touch – Annie West
Best Love Scene from a romance published in 2012
- A Touch of Confidence – Jess Dee
- Bride by Mistake – Anne Gracie
- Defying Her Desert Duty – Annie West
- Kiss of Steel – Bec McMaster
- Portrait of a Scandal – Danielle Lisle
- Seven Nights in a Rogue’s Bed – Anna Campbell
- Suddenly You – Sarah Mayberry
Favourite Cover from a romance published in 2012
- Blood Kin – MJ Scott
- Firelight – Kristen Callihan
- Kiss of Steel – Bec McMaster
- Lusting the Enemy by Mel Teshco
- Office Affair – Jess Dee
- Seven Nights in a Rogue’s Bed – Anna Campbell
(Here’s what the nominees for Favourite Cover look like…)
Comments are closed.
Australian Romance Readers Association 
I’m grinning here — so many favourite authors in this list, and I’m thrilled to be nominated with them. It’s also fabulous to see first time authors showing up in the nominations — congratulations everyone. And thanks to ARRA volunteers (esp Debbie) for all the work involved in putting this together. Raising a glass to you all.
Coming in so very late here. Congrats to all the extremely talented authors who have finalled here. I have so many friends names up there I am so excited. And to have two nominations myself is completely mind blowing. Thank to every who nominated me.
The above comment was by me – Tracey O’Hara.
Guys, this is such an awesome turnout! Congrats to everyone in every category, and a special *wooooot!* to my fellow shortie nominees 😀 You girls are all so talented and a great bunch of chicks to be associated with. Roll on ARRC13!
I am absolutely stunned to have made the list. Thank you to everyone who voted for, The Girl in Steel-Capped Boots. And congratulations to all other finalist. Best of luck!
WOW! I can’t believe I’m on these lists! So many wonderful authors, so many fabulous books. A HUGE thank you to those who nominated my book BELLA’S RUN in the Favourite Contemporary Romance category and myself in the Favourite Australian Romance Author 2012 category (I can’t believe I just said that). Bucket loads of appreciation to the ARRA for all their hard work in running the competition and for everything else they do throughout the year. Warm wishes and the very best of luck to all the other nominees.
A spot of night duty has given me the time to come on here and say yay! And thank you ARRA and congrats to all the other finalists!
Rock on Brisbane!
Huzzah! Thank you so much ARRA for nominating me in the romantic suspense category. I’m humbled and honored to be listed among this group of wickedly talented writers. And speaking of… major congrats to every finalist in every category. 2012 for the win! Cheers!
Thank you to all who nominated Portrait of a Scandal in the reader choice categories. I feel so honoured to be a part of such a wonderful and talented group of authors. Now it’s time to get reading! So many good books nominated, so little time to read them all!
I am now calm enough to post a comment. I was so excited when I read my two nominations last night about 11.30…I did not sleep a wink. Such illustrious company. Thank you ARRA!
Congratulations to everyone on the list. So many wonderful authors and books there. Adn makes it soooo hard to pick one in all those categories.
I better add – three *published* years to get nominated 🙂
Like everyone else I’m totally gobsmacked. It took me three years to get to this point!!! LOL!! Thanks to everyone who nominated me =)
Congratulations to everyone on the short lists!!
Have just landed after a every early start this morning so I will be smiling for the rest of the day.
And I’ll echo what Rachael said – thanks to ARRA for running the awards. It’s a huge effort and so wonderfully supportive of romance writers 🙂
Awesome group of authors and books! Good luck everyone, got my fingers crossed fro you all!
I am totally gobsmacked to be in this list of nominated authors. There is so much talent out there and I’m proud to associated with ARRA. Good luck everyone.
Thank you so much to all who have email/tweeted me on this, the response and support is overwhelming. Not only to get in the Favourite Romantic Suspense for Guarding Jess, but also in the Favourite Series for my McCormack Security Agency guys! I’m over the moon that they’re being considered, thanks so much.
On an entirely different matter, I’m soooo hanging out for the ARRC, as the overall field of nominees is AMAZING, and really looking forward to cheering on the romance genre in Australia. Awesome talent, humbling to be included. Thank you. Oh, and the bling-off, and mohitos! This is one fantastic party! Thank you to the readers, and thanks so much to ARRA.
Coming in late cos I just got back from holidays but wanted to say thanks SO much to those people who nominated JILTED in the contemporary romance category!! You have made my day, my week, maybe my year 🙂 Congrats to all the other finalists in all the other categories too and THANKS to ARRA for running this!! 🙂
I was so happy to see Anna Campbell nominated in five categories. I love her books, and always find her writing fresh and entertaining. 🙂
Way to go Anna……..
Congratulations to you, and all the other nominees.
Oh wow!! I can’t believe it. This is so awesome
Congrats for making it for the Paranormal Romance Charity. It is an awesome book… Good luck.
Reblogged this on Melissa Craig – Erotica Author and commented:
This so has to be reblogged. Just in… I have made the finalist in the AUSTRALIA’S READERS FAVOURITE EROTIC ROMANCE 2012 Category for AMPLE ATTRACTION. OMG…
I seriously did not think I would get through to the finals considering this offically is my first novel length book. I am so grateful and to be surrounded by great authors is amazing. Go check it out. I am up against Sylvia Day… OMG
I need to go and spread the word or scream…. eeekkkkkkkkk…. Thank you for all your support. MWAH!
Enjoy it any way you can!
What a wonderful surprise to be nominated – and under my new writing name, too. I’m so excited and proud to see my name there with so many other great fellow romance writers:)
I am beyond thrilled to be included on this list with so many wonderful authors, many of whom are inspirations to me. Thank you so much to the members of ARRA, especially the wonderful volunteers who make it all happen. As my Dad would say, there are crowns waiting for you in heaven!
I’m thrilled to be nominated! Thank you to ARRA for all your hard work, and good luck to all my fellow finalists! 🙂
Am gobsmacked to be nominated with such am amazing, talented, awesome group of authors. Thank you, ARRA 🙂 And good lick to everyone on the list!
Hmmm, I meant good luck. Luck. Not lick. (Although it seems quite fitting an erotic romance author would have such a typo, yes? :D)
LOL Lexxie about your typo – I was thinking the same thing 😛
And what else would a saucy wench like you wish us, Lexxie? Thanks for the giggle and congratulations!
What a wonderful start to the day. Thank you ARRA…I am thrilled to see my name among such illustrous company!
Hmm, not sure what happened with my name there – but this gives me a chance to say a special congratulations to the debut authors on the list 🙂
I’m so excited to have been nominated! Congratulations to my fellow nominees! Looking forward to catching up with everyone at the convention 🙂
I can’t pick ONE! Congrats to all nominated authors. You rock!
Haha – I know what you mean Jenny!
Congratulations to everyone! Voting is going to be *so* hard this year!
Ooh, so many terrific books and authors listed here. Congratulations to everyone who has been nominated. I’m thrilled that two of my books are on the ARRA list. Terrific news!
Wow – what a line up!!!!! Congrats to all the finalists – well done 🙂
And an extra woo hoo to Rachael Johns and Jess Dee 😀
Thanks so much Joanne! You are SUCH a supportive friend and I can’t wait to share your successes one day!
Thanks Rach *MWA*
Awesome to be amongst such talented company! Congratulations to all the finalists – will be grinning all day! 🙂
Wow! I’m amazed! Congrats to all the finalists!
Thrilled to be a nominee! Congratulations to all the nominees. I’m sure the conference and awards night will be fantastic. Many thanks to the hard working ARRA good women whose enthusiasm for the genre have made all of this happen. It’s much appreciated.
Huge congratulations to all the finalists! I can’t believe how many friends are up there, congrats to you all!
Wow, completely overwhelmed to see SEVEN NIGHTS in so many categories. Thank you so much, ARRA!!!! Congratulations and good luck to all the nominees. Can’t wait for the convention!
Omg… Eeekkk… Wow… Thank you everyone. I am ecstatic to be surrounded by awesome authors in the Favourite Erotic Romance Category. Enjoy it any way you can!
What a wonderful group of finalists! Congratulations to you all!
Thank you.
Sci fi/fantasy/futuristic category – so hard to pick! So many favourites!
Noticed Bec McMaster in quite a few categories…hope she’ll be leaving room for trophies in her luggage 😉