Houston, Tex.-When the Romance Writers of America announced their 2021 awards, the book At Love's Command by Karen Witemeyer, was presented as the best romance with religious or spiritual elements of 2021, as part of the inaugural Vivan Awards.

However, the judges determining the award were soon criticized for insensitivities to Native Americans. The book opens with a scene depicting the Wounded Knee Massacre, and critics feel it romanticized the killing of Native Americans.

The book, published by the Christian publisher, Bethany House, is described as the story of a fictional ex-cavalry offic...