1998 Golden Heart Winners

1998 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. Inspirational Romance Romantic novels in which an inspirational message of person religious faith is conveyed as a major element of the plot and not used as a plot device or a 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. Long Contemporary Series 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. Long Historical Romance Novels or sagas which have a strong romantic element throughout. The word count for these novels is over 110,000 words. 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 50,000 words. Regency Romance Romantic historical novels with primary settings during the Regency period, typically 1800-1820. The word count for these novels is 40,000-85,000 words. Romantic Suspense/Gothic Romance 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. Short Contemporary Series 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. Short Historical Romance Novels or sagas which have a strong romantic element throughout. The word count for these novels is 40,000-110,000 words. Traditional Series Romance Romantic novels in which sensuality is not intense and in which love scenes are not graphically described. The word count for these novels is 40,000-60,000 words. [Editor's note: These are contemporary novels.] Young Adult Romance Romantic novels geared to young adult readers. The word count for YA novels is a minimum of 25,000 words.

Winners & Finalists

Contemporary Single Title Romance “Millennium Man” Dorien Kelly “The Arrangement” Debby Conrad “Iron Man” Virginia Kantra Ritchey “The Other Side of the Rainbow” Kathy Coatney “Presidential Liaison” Anne Kasischke “The Pull of the Moon” Darlene M. Gardenshire

Inspirational Romance “Kickin' and Screamin'” Naomi Sunni Jeffers “Angels Roost” Janet Spaeth “Jacob's Return” Annette Marie Blair “A Time to Love” Martha S. McDonnough

Long Contemporary Series Romance “All Around Cowboy” Jane Porter Gaskins “Burgundy Wine” Linda Frederick “Cullen's Bride” Fiona Walker “Renegade Daddy” Nina Bruhns “Southern Comfort” Jude Higgs “Spirit of Love” Mary Jane Meier “Unguarded Hearts” Lynda Sue Cooper “Windswept” Roxanne Rustand

Long Historical Romance “Star-Crossed” Tracy L. Cozzens “Almost Paradise” Lori Biesemeier “If Only This Night” Emily Cotler “Noble Heart” Brenda S. Novak “Valentina” Carol S. Dunford “Winter Fire” Kathy E. Fischer-Brown “The Wolf's Keep” Glynnis Campbell “Zanzibar” Jerri Levi

Paranormal Romance “Remember Me” Geri Russell “Arabian Nights” Tracy L. Cozzens “The Boar's Knight” Nancy Northcott “Fallen Angel” Pamela Britton “For All Time” Pamela Poulsen “An Original Sin” Nina Bangs “The Phoenix” Susan Grant Gunning “Shielder” Catherine S. Spangler “Wings of Rapture” Kathe A. Conti

Romantic Suspense/Gothic Romance “To Protect and Serve” Virginia Kantra Ritchey “Desperate Measures” Maureen Morrison “It's Never Too Late” Vickie Spears “One of the Family” Linda Style “Ravenwood's Curse” Belinda de Rome “Remember Me” Donna MacMeans “Shadowed Paradise” Grace Ann Kone “Silken Shadows” Lynnette Hallberg “Voice in the Dark” Shirley Cayer

Short Contemporary Romance “Jewel of My Heart” Nina Bruhns “Amelia's Meltdown” Elizabeth Boardman “Breaking All the Rules” Theresa E. Clark “Christmas Elf” Tracy L. Green “Diamond Island” Muna Shehadi Sill “Immortal Beloved” Heidi A. Betts “Letters in Lipstick” Diana Dorne “That Old Sweet Song” Hannah Rowan “Three Times a Bridesmaid” Catherine Sneyd

Short Historical Romance “Virgin Spring” Debra Lee Brown “Forsake Me Not” Rosalie More “Hell's Worth” Kristina Faye Wright “Loki's Daughters” Nadele Jacobs “The Prince of Hearts” Kathleen V. Cooper “Spellbinder” Elizabeth Taylor George “Stranger in My Arms” Suzanne M. Brown “Tempting Heaven” Tracy L. Cozzens

Traditional Romance “Rainman's Bride” Janet W. Butler “If the Ring Fits” Melissa Martinez McClone “Second Chance Cowboy” Melissa Ford Lucken “Something's Gotta Give” Patricia A. O'Dea-Rosen “Written in the Sky” Carol S. Dunford