2004 Golden Heart Winners
2004 Golden Heart Contest
Category Descriptions Contemporary Single Title Romance Romantic novels released as individual titles, not as part of a series. The word count for these novels is over 70,000 words. Judging guidelines: In this category, the love story is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying. Inspirational Romance Romantic novels in which an inspirational message of personal religious faith is conveyed as a major element of the plot and not used as a plot device or subplot. All inspirational books, both contemporary and historical, shall be eligible for this category. The word count for these novels is a minimum of 40,000 words. Judging guidelines: In this category, the couple's relationship with a spiritual power is a major part of their developing relationship, not merely a minor element of the subplot. The spiritual relationship may be in the framework of any religion or spiritual belief system, and the story may be set in any place or era. Long Contemporary Romance Romantic novels in which sensuality may constitute a strong element in the romance. The word count for these novels is over 70,000 words. Judging guidelines: In this category, the love story is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying. Long Historical Romance Novels or sagas which have a strong romantic element throughout. The word count for these novels is over 95,000 words. Judging guidelines: In this category, the love story is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying. Novel with Strong Romantic Elements A work of fiction not belonging in another category that contains strong romantic elements, such that one or more romances contained in the story form an integral part of the story's structure, but in which other themes or stories may also be significantly developed. The word count for these novels is a minimum of 80,000 words. Judging guidelines: Any kind of fiction, of any tone or style and set in any place or time, is eligible for this category. The romantic elements, while not the primary focus of the story, should be an integral and dynamic part of the plot or subplot. The NR term does not apply to this category. Instead, the book may be judged NSRE (no strong romantic elements). Paranormal Romance -- Time Travel, Futuristic, Fantasy, Paranormal 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 category descriptions. The word count for these novels is a minimum of 40,000 words. Judging guidelines: In this category, the love story is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying. Regency Romance Romantic historical novels with primary settings during the Regency period, typically 1795-1840. The word count for these novels is 40,000-85,000 words. Judging guidelines: The category includes comedy of manners as well as darker stories, and the books may contain a variety of story elements such as sexual content, paranormal elements, mystery, suspense, adventure, and non-traditional settings. Romantic Suspense Romantic novels in which suspense is a major element of the plot. The word count for these novels is a minimum of 40,000 words. Judging guidelines: In this category, a suspense plot is blended with a love story, which is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying. Short Contemporary Romance Romantic novels in which sensuality may constitute a strong element in the romance. The word count for these novels is 40,000-70,000 words. Judging guidelines: In this category, the love story is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying. Short Historical Romance Novels or sagas which have a strong romantic element throughout. The word count for these novels is 40,000-95,000 words. Judging guidelines: In this category, the love story is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying. Traditional Romance Sweet romantic novels. The word count for these novels is 40,000-60,000 words. Judging guidelines: In this category, the emphasis is on the development of an emotional relationship that ultimately results in the promise of a long-term commitment. The stories may include sexual tension and, within, marriage, sexual fulfillment. Young Adult Romance Romantic novels geared to young adult readers. The word count for YA novels is a minimum of 25,000 words. Judging guidelines: In this category, the love story is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying.
Winner & Finalists
Contemporary Single Title Romance “A Little Bit of Deja Vu” Laurie Kellogg “Dreams Come True” Deborah J. Pfeiffer “Hooking Mr. Right” Lois Winston “Oh Baby!” Pamela A. Ford Stutz “Something Worth Remembering” Laurie Kellogg “Stepping Stones” Cathryn Pritchard “The Sun Hunter” Helen Brenna “Unspoken Promises” Helen Brenna
Inspirational Romance “Marrying Mariah” Pam Hillman “Banner of Hope” Charlene Ann Glatkowski “The Missionary and the Mercenary” Pam R. Hillman “The Trouble with Lacy Brown” Debra Clopton
Long Contemporary Romance “Where He Belongs” Gail Ellen Barrett “Heaven on Wheels” Lee McKenzie-McAnally “Hot Shot” Mary H. Fechter “In Harm's Way” Lee McKenzie-McAnally “In Her Sights” Robin Lynn Perini “Loving Grace” Cheryl Lyn Wilson “The Marriage Pact” Elizabeth Bemis “Pants on Fire” Teresa Elliot Brown “What the Heart Sees” Paula Annelle Grave
Long Historical Romance “Once a Thief” Kimberly L. Snoke “Celtic Fire” Joy Nash “The Duke's Bargain” Genevieve L. Hobson Liang “Estella by Starlight” Maia Storm Chance “The Heart's Logic” Wendy Lyn Watson “The Islesman's Bride” Pamela P. Poulsen “The Locket” Stephanie Ellen Croll “The Rake” Shane Bolks
Mainstream Fiction with Strong Romantic Elements “A Luminous Art” Debra Lew Harder “Blind Justice” Mary Louise Kelso “Bungle in the Jungle ” Wendy Ann Kunkle-Munk “Dancing in the Dark” Corrina Anne Lavitt “Double Exposure” Mary Wynn Seguin “Funny Money” Stephanie J. Feagan “Hetaera” Julie Ann Mensch “I'll Never Tell” Laurie A. Barcelona “Resurrecting Gertie” Lois Winston
Paranormal Romance “To Kiss a Frog” Mary Ellen Jernigan “Avatar” Linda Rooks “First Sight” Linda Rooks “The Geistwanderer” Morgan R. Nicholas “Oh, What a Knight” Theresa Ruth Ragan “Out of Body” Lisa Marie Hilleren “A Sword for Wellington” Leanne Elisabeth Shawler “The Ultimate Price” Robin Lynn Perini
Regency Romance “Aphrodite's Brew” Nadele A. Jacobs “Miss Milner's Stratagem” Elizabeth C. Grainger “The Naked Duke” Sally Stanton MacKenzie “Spring's Promise” Karen D. Larsen
Romantic Suspense “Dangerous Kisses” Patricia Ann Milburn “Blink of an Eye” Lori A. Dandrea “Date with Danger” Holli S. Bertram “Heartbeats” Susan R. Marotta “Love's a Thief” Stacey Keith “Running from Love” Angela Lynn Platt “Twelve Red Candles” Jodie Ann Dittman “Unseen Dangers” Beth Brubaker Cornelison
Short Contemporary Romance “Cursed by Love” Jacqueline M. Floyd “The Bodyguard's Bride” Tessa Rallis “Deja Vu” Julie Cohen “Heart of the Storm” Sharon Lee Calvin “Her Cup of Tea” Tawny Weber “Sydney's Souvenir” Terry McLaughlin “Trouble in Texas” Linda Sue Jones “Wanted: One Princess” Greta MacEachern
Short Historical Romance “The Fox” Carla Jean Hughes “Barak's Lady” Sarah Elizabeth Hamer “Hell's Worth” Kristina Faye Wright “Shanghaied Heiress” Pamela A. Fryer “Summer Sapphire” Tera Lynn Childs
