2019 Golden Heart Winners

Winners & Finalists

Contemporary Romance

Winner: ”Never Have I Ever” - Rosie Danan

• Finalists:

“The Cinderella Factor” - Elly Kate

“Focused on a Cowboy” - Makenna Lee

“He Owns My Heart” - Evie Drae

“Home to You” - Sandra Marine

“Hot Raider” - Joy Adare

“Page Six” - Alexis De Girolami

“Rough around the Edges” - Margot Pierce

“Salt + Stilettos” - Janet Walden-West

“Tempting Talk” - Sara Whitney

“The To-Do List” - Denise Williams

Contemporary Romance: Short

Winner: “Love on the Books” - Betsy Gray

• Finalists:

“Billionaire for Hire” - Melanie McCarthy

“Chasing Home” - Priscilla Cook

“Murphy's Debt” - Becke Turner

“Wounded Martyr” - Courtney Maguire

“You'll Never Love in This Town Again” - McKinley Reed

Historical Romance

Winner: “Tempting the Heiress” - Emily Sullivan

• Finalists:

“A Dangerous Affinity” - Emily Sullivan

“Dangerous Pursuit” - Ann Chaney

“Every Time You're Near” - Shannon Gallagher

“Intriguing the Irishman” - Emily Sullivan

“A Season for Scandal” - Kate Pembrooke

“An Unloved Earl” - Eileen Emerson

“Wylde at Heart” - Elizabeth King

Mainstream with a Central Romance

Winner: “Everything Comes Back to You” - Melissa Wiesner

• Finalists:

“Broken White Lines” - Melissa Wiesner

“Jane Darling's Rules of Inheritance” - Megan McGee

“Learning Curve” - Sharon M. Peterson

“Lolita's Muse” - Claire DeWolf

“Playing Nice” - Evi Kline

“Resurrecting Annie Wolff” - Anna Collins

“The Soda Fountain Sister and the Flower Lady” - Sheri Taylor-Emery

Paranormal Romance

Winner: “Bless Your Heart and Other Southern Curses” - Heather Leonard

• Finalists:

“Inherent Lies” - Alicia Anthony

“Touch 3.3” - Valen Cox

“The Transformation” - Jilly Wood

“Warrior of Eden” - Fenley Grant

“Witch Way Down” - Chelly Pike

Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements

Winner: “The Promise of Spring” - Martha Hutchens

• Finalists:

“Counterfeit Love” - Caudill Crystal

“The Inn at Mill Creek” - Kellie Parker

Romantic Suspense

Winner: “The Hustler” - Angie Hockman

• Finalists:

“All Your Broken Pieces” - Evie Drae

“Deadly Aim” - Tracy Brody

“Dirty Money” - Monique Headley

“Free My Heart” - Diane Wiggs

“High Heels and Handguns” - Lisa Heartman

Young Adult Romance

Winner: “Dragged!" - Susan Lee

• Finalists:

“After I Bid You Adieu” - Sammi Spizziri

“The Nascent Bloom” - Janet Raye Stevens

“Song of the Sophos” - A. Y. Chao

“The Walls Between” - Christine Gunderson

Category Descriptions All entries must contain a central love story and the resolution of the romance must be emotionally satisfying and optimistic. With the exception of Erotic Romance, all categories may have varying levels of sensuality. Contemporary Romance Manuscripts that are set from 1950 to the present that are greater than 65,000 words. Contemporary Romance: Short Manuscripts that are set from 1950 to the present that are less than 65,000 words in length. Erotic Romance Manuscripts in which strong, often explicit, sexual interaction is an inherent part of the story, character growth and relationship development and could not be removed without damaging the storyline. These manuscripts may contain elements of other romance subgenres (such as paranormal, historical, etc.) Historical Romance Manuscripts that are set prior to 1950. Mainstream Fiction with a Central Romance Mainstream fiction novels in which themes or elements other than the romance are integral to the story even though a central love story and an emotionally satisfying and optimistic resolution to the romance are still present. This category is intended for romances that do not fit neatly into any other category due to their mainstream fiction nature but where the central romance could not be removed without damaging the storyline. Paranormal Romance Manuscripts in which fantasy worlds or paranormal or science fiction elements are an integral part of the plot. Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements Manuscripts in which religious or spiritual beliefs are an inherent part of the love story, character growth and relationship development and could not be removed without damaging the storyline. These novels may be set in the context of any religious or spiritual belief system of any culture. Romantic Suspense Manuscripts in which suspense, mystery, or thriller elements constitute an integral part of the plot. Young Adult Romance Novels in which young adult life is an integral part of the plot.