2011 Golden Heart Winners

Winners & Finalists

Contemporary Series Romance

Winner: “Lost and Found” - Jo Anne Banker

• Finalists:

“Beauty and the Ballplayer” - Arlene Hittle

“Legacy of Love” - Anna Sugden

“Loving Ellie” - Lindsey Brookes

“The Nanny's Secret” - Ami Weaver

“Savannah Sighs” - Nan Dixon

“The Tycoon and the Nature Girl” - Nola Cross

“Willing to Learn” - Maria Connor

Contemporary Series Romance: Suspense/Adventure

Winner: “Stolen Lullaby” - Robin Lynn Perini

• Finalists:

“Good Guy in Disguise” - Charis Calhoun

“In Her Sights” - Robin Lynn Perini

Contemporary Single Title Romance

Winner: “The Sinners” - Lisa Connelly

• Finalists:

“Fatal Trust” - Donna L Meier

“Getting Even” - Terri Lynn Backhus

“Island Healing” - Virginia E. McCullough

“Love and Football” - Julie Brannagh

“The Moment of Impossible Movement” - Kimberly Kincaid

“Sail Away” - Chris Campillo

“Tin Angel” - Alexa Loran

Historical Romance

Winner: “The Dark Lady - Maire Shelley

• Finalists:

“Bound by Honor” - Nancy Northcutt

“Changing Fortunes” - Victoria Morgan

“In My Lady's Sight” - Gwynlyn MacKenzie

“Never Deceive a Lady” - Kate Parker

“Paper Hearts” - Kay Hudson

“The Runaway Countess” - Leigh LaValle

“The Widow Anabilla” - Jennifer McQuiston

Inspirational Romance

Winner: “At His Command” - Ruth Kaufman

• Finalists:

“Love Thy Neighbor” - Cheryl Nagro

“Pinch-Hit Dad” - Laurie Kellogg

“Stealing Jake” - Pam Hillman

Novel with Strong Romantic Elements

Winner: “Nearly Departed in Deadwood” - Ann Charles

• Finalists:

“Driving without a License” - Laurel Warren

“Five O'Clock Whistle” - Nancy A. Lylte

“From Baghdad with Love” - Clarissa Southwick

“Murder, Curlers and Canes” - Arlene McFarlane

“Season to Taste” - Lia DeAngelo

“Solace” - Anna K. Steffl

“Totally Dody” - Tracy Brogan

Paranormal Romance

Winner: “The Blood Sworn King” - Trisza Ray

• Finalists:

“Assassin's Gambit” - Amy Raby

“Dreaming of You” - Babette de Jongh

“Echo 8” - Sharon Lynn Fisher

“Guardian Devil” - Karyn S. Mendozal

“The Outer Planet” - Laurie Green

“P2PC” - Laurie A. Green

“The Soldier” - Anna Richland

Regency Historical Romance

Winner: “The Proper Miss's Guide to Bad Behavior” - Anne Barton

• Finalists:

“How to Reform a Rake” - Anne Barton

“More Than a Stranger” - Erin Kelly

“One Night to Scandal” - Sara Ramsey

“Secrets of a Wedding Night” - Valerie Bowman

“A Tale of Two Sisters” - Aislinn MacNamara

Romantic Suspense

Winner: “Spy in the Mirror” - Diana Van Dyke

• Finalists:

“Blind Fury” - Gwen Hernandez

“Body of Evidence” - Rachel Grant

“Borderlands” - Krista Reynolds

“Closure by Death” - Donna Meier

“Concrete Evidence” - Rachel Grant

“Juliet's Rogue” - Sharon Wray

“Locked, Loaded and Lying” - Sarah Andre

Young Adult Romance

Winner: “Irresistible” - Suzanne Kaufman Kalb

• Finalists:

“The Dead Guy Downstairs” - Sheri Adkins

“The Lies That Blind” - Shelley Coriell

“Maids of Honor” - Jennifer Stark

“Piper's Kiss” - Sheryl Carpenter

“Secret Life” - Bria Quinlan

“Spark” - Darcy Woods

“Underhanded” - Shoshana Brown

Scoring Criteria The top 10 percent of each category's entries (based on the number of qualified entries received), with a limit of eight (nine in the case of tie), will advance to the final round, provided that minimum total score for each finalist equals 80 percent of the total possible score. The 80 percent rule does not apply to the Best First Book category.

Category Descriptions

Contemporary Series Romance Series romance novels that focus primarily on the romantic relationship. Judging guidelines: In this category, the love story is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying and optimistic. Contemporary Series Romance: Suspense/Adventure Series romance novels which focus primarily on the romantic relationship but may have more complex suspense or adventure subplots. Judging guidelines: In this category, the love story is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying and optimistic. Contemporary Single Title Romance Romance novels which focus primarily on the romantic relationship, released as individual titles, not as part of a series. Judging guidelines: In this category, the love story is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying and optimistic. Historical Romance Romance novels set in any time period prior to 1945, and taking place in any location. Judging guidelines: In this category, the love story is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying and optimistic. Inspirational Romance Romance novels in which religious or spiritual beliefs (in the context of any religion of spiritual belief system) are a major part of the romantic relationship. Judging guidelines: In this category, religious or spiritual beliefs (in the context of any religion or spiritual belief system) are blended with and form a significant part of the love story, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying and optimistic. Novel with Strong Romantic Elements A work of fiction in which a romance plays a significant part in the story, but other themes or elements take the plot beyond the traditional romance boundaries. Judging guidelines: Novels of any tone or style, set in any place or time are eligible for this category. A romance must be an integral part of the plot or subplot, and the resolution of the romance is emotionally satisfying and optimistic. Paranormal Romance Romance novels in which the future, a fantasy world or paranormal happenings are an integral part of the plot. Judging guidelines: In this category, a futuristic, fantasy, or paranormal element is blended with the love story, which is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying and optimistic. Regency Historical Romance Romance novels in which the majority of the story is set against the Regency period of the British Empire. Judging guidelines: In this category, the love story is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying and optimistic. Romantic Suspense Romance novels in which suspense, mystery, or thriller elements constitute an integral part of the plot. Judging guidelines: In this category, a suspense/mystery/thriller plot is blended with a love story, which is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying and optimistic. Young Adult Romance Novels with a strong romantic theme geared toward young adult readers. Judging guidelines: In this category, the love story is an important element of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying and optimistic.