1994 Golden Heart Winners
1994 Golden Heart Contest
Entries: 755
Category Descriptions NOTE: Listing of publishers if meant as examples only and is not all-inclusive. Contemporary Single Title Romance Romantic contemporary novels which are released as individual titles and not as part of a series line, such as those books released as individual titles from NAL, Dell, Berkley/Jove, Bantam, Pocket, Warner, as well as imprints such as Fanfare, Pinnacle, Diamond, Ivy, and Harper Monogram. The word count for these novels, based on publishers' acceptance guidelines, is a minimum of 70,000 words. Futuristic/Fantasy/Paranormal Romance Romantic novels in which either the future, a fantasy world or paranormal happenings are a major element of the plot. These may be single title releases or books published within established category romance lines fitting other award category descriptions. The word count for these novels, based on publishers' acceptance guidelines, is a minimum of 50,000 words. Historical Series Romance Romantic novels with historical settings that are published as part of a series line, such as those published by Avon Romance and Romantic Treasure programs, Zebra Lovegram and Heartfire Romances, Harlequin Historical, Berkley Wildflower and Homespun and Pinnacle Magnolia Road. The word count for these novels, based on publishers' acceptance guidelines, is a minimum of 90,000 words. Historical Single Title Romance Romantic historical novels or sagas which have a strong romantic elements throughout. These novels are released as individual titles and not as part of a series line, such as those published by Avon, Pocket, Berkley/Jove, St. Martin's Press, Dell, Leisure, NAL, Warner and Zebra as well as imprints such as Fanfare, Monogram, Ivy, Pinnacle, Topaz, and Diamond. The word count for these novels, based on publishers' acceptance guidelines, is a minimum of 95,000 words. Long Contemporary Series Romance
Longer, sensuous romances, published in a line, such as Harlequin Super Romance, Harlequin American, Silhouette Special Edition, Silhouette Intimate Moments and Zebra To Love Again. . The word count for these novels, based on publishers' acceptance guidelines, is 70,000 or more words.
Regency Romance Romantic novels with primary settings during the Regency period, such as those published by Harlequin, Signet, Zebra, Fawcett, Warner, St. Martin's Press, Berkley, and Avon. The word count for these novels, based on publishers' acceptance guidelines, is a minimum of 50,000 words. Romantic Suspense/Gothic Romance Romantic novels in which suspense is a major element of the plot. These may be books published in established suspense lines such as Harlequin Intrigue, Silhouette Shadows, and Zebra Gothics, as well as single title releases and series romance books fitting other award category descriptions. The word count for these novels, based on publishers' acceptance guidelines, is a minimum of 50,000 words. Short Contemporary Series Romance
Short, sensuous romantic novels published in a line, such as Silhouette Desire, Harlequin Presents, Harlequin Temptation, and Bantam Loveswept. The word count for these novels, based on publishers' acceptance guidelines, is 50,000-70,000 words.
Traditional Romance Romantic novels in which the sensuality is not intense, and in which love scenes are not graphically described, such as those published by Harlequin Romance and Silhouette Romance. The word count for these novels, based on publishers' acceptance guidelines, is 50,000-60,000 words. Young Adult Romance Romantic novels geared to young adult readers. Entries may be such as those published by Bethany House, Scholastic, Bantam Sweet Dreams, Sweet Valley High, Parachute Press, and Willowisp Press. The word count for these novels, based on publisher's acceptance guidelines, is a minimum of 25,000 words.
Winners & Finalists
Contemporary Single Title Romance “The Gospel Truth” Rachel Gibson “Beyond the Shadows” Donna K. Smith “Horses on the Hill” Carmel Thomaston “Pretend We're Strangers” Elana Willey “Unspoken Promises” Helen Brenna “Yesterday's Dreams” Linda C. Johnson
Futuristic/Fantasy/Paranormal Romance “The Crystal Prophecy” Janice M. Tarantino “Flames of Rapture” Sandra Scarpa “Footprints in Time” Kate Welsh “Golden Prophecies” Pamela S. McCutcheon “Last Hope” Maureen Caudill “Stargazer” Catherine Spangler
Historical Series Romance “Heart's Keep” Kayla Westra “Always, Melinda” Susan Diane Williams “Fool's Revenge” Lee A. Groznik “Golden Lady” Sharon Pisacreta “In Your Eyes” Ruth Axtell “Temptress of the Night” Patricia Ann Kvek
Historical Single Title Romance “Lord of Misrule” Stephanie Maynard “The Angel and the Thief” Eileen Wilks “For the Love of a Lady” Penny Ann Wolberg “A Golden Ribbon” Patricia Burford Ryan “The Promise of Dawn” Lisa A. Weber “When Midnight Comes” Robin Burcell
Long Contemporary Romance “Gideon's Promise” Amelia Autin “Hawke's Haven” Gay Ann Thornton “A Little Something Extra” Pamela S. McCutcheon “More Than Gold” Norah Jean Perkin “A Perfect Match” Ginger Goodell “A Season of Passion” Suzanne J. Barrett
Regency Romance “Lord St. Leger's Find” Jennifer Zorger “And Then Came Love” Julie R. Mactaggart “Deceiving Heart” Harriet Bearce “The Merchant's Daughter” Ardath Byers “Miss Bereton's Masquerade” Thomasina Robinson “Miss Withall's Wager” Eve Homan
Romantic Suspense/Gothic Romance “Heavenly Bodies” Lori L. Harris “Broken Rules” Valerie Taylor “The Devil's Trove” Miriam Raftery “Grave Secrets” Linda Kay West “A Secret Worth Keeping” Vonda Ogle “Window of My Heart” Jan Scarbrough
Short Contemporary Romance “Hale's Point” Patricia Burford Ryan “Haley's Hunter” Peggy A. Holt “Heart's Treasure” Carol Doss “Kiss the Clouds Away” Patt Marr “Out of Control” Linda A. McLaughlin “Treasures in the Sand” Marian May
Traditional Romance “Nothing Ventured” Betty Monthei “Circle of Shadows” Edna F. Curry “For Love of Hollie” Anita Gunnufson “Mr. Perfect” Mary Jane Selle “My Fair Spinster” Elaine Grimes
Young Adult Romance “Ghostly Acts” Melinda Rucker Haynes “Gentle Warrior” Deborah Clayman “Heart of Gold” Victoria M. Johnson “Mariah” Eloise Barton “Mrs. Hill Is a Witch” Doris Wheeler “A Sure Bet” Natalie Salley
