1996 Golden Heart Winners

1996 Golden Heart Contest

Entries: 79

Category Descriptions Contemporary Single Title Romance Romantic contemporary novels that are released as individual titles (not part of a series line), such as those from Bantam, Berkley/Jove, Dell, Harper, NAL, Pocket and Warner. The word count for these novels, based on publishers' guidelines, is a minimum of 70,000 words. Inspirational Romance Romantic novels in which religious concepts are conveyed as a significant element of the plot. All inspirational books, both contemporary and historical, are eligible for this category. These may be books published inspirational houses such as Baker Books, Barbour, Bethany House, Harvest House, Thomas Nelson, Tyndale, or Zondervan. The word count, based on publishers' guidelines, is a minimum of 45,000 words. Long Contemporary Series* Romance Romantic novels over 70,000 words in length. These are longer sensuous romances published in a series such as Harlequin American, Harlequin Super Romance, Silhouette Special Edition and Silhouette Intimate Moments. Long Historical Romance (over 110,000 words) Historical novels and sagas which have a strong romantic element throughout. 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. They may be single title releases or books published within established category romance lines fitting other category descriptions. The word count for these novels, based on publishers' guidelines, is a minimum of 50,000 words. Regency Romance Romantic novels with primary settings set during the Regency period (typically 1800-1820), 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' 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 are published in series romance, such as Harlequin Intrigue, Silhouette Shadows, and Zebra Gothics, and as single title releases and series romance books fitting other award category descriptions. The word count, based on publishers' guidelines, is a minimum of 50,000 words. Short Contemporary Series* Romance Romantic novels under 70,000 words in length. These are short, sensuous romances published in a series such as Silhouette Desire, Harlequin Presents, Harlequin Temptation and Bantam Loveswept. Short Historical Romance (110,000 words or less) Historical novels and sagas which have a strong romantic element throughout. Traditional Series* Romance Romantic novels in which sensuality is not intense and in which love scenes are not graphically described, published in a series such as Harlequin Romance and Silhouette Romance. The word count for these novels, based on publishers' guidelines, is 50,000-60,000 words. Young Adult Romance Romantic novels geared to young adult readers such as those published by Bethany House, Scholastic, Bantam Sweet Dreams, Sweet Valley High, Bantam Sweet Dreams, Bethany House, Scholastic, Parachute Press, and Willowisp Press. The word count for YA novels, based on publishers' guidelines, is a minimum of 25,000 words.

• Series books are defined as those books issued under a common imprint/series name which are numbered sequentially and released at regular intervals, usually monthly, with the same number of releases each time.

Winners & Finalists

Contemporary Single Title Romance “Sacrifice” Angel Smits “Guarded Heart” Virginia Kantra Ritchey “On the Brink” Stephanie Feagan “On the Wings of Angels” Marcia K. Blinzler “Rounder” Carolyn McSparren “A Time to Heal” Kristi Goldberg

Inspirational Romance “Love Restored” Kate Welsh “Burning Bright” Lynda K. Cote “Words by Heart” Jane Orcutt

Long Contemporary Romance “Second Chances” Pamela Baustian “East of Paradise” Lori L. Harris “Hemingway's Cabin” Deborah A. Vargas “Maybe This Time” Linda M. Style “Persian Flaw” Laureen Peltier “Road to Paradise” Kristi Goldberg

Long Historical Romance “White Roses” Janet Lee Nickoles “Act of Charity” Annette M. Blair “Golden Secrets” Tracy L. Cozzen “Mist” Nancy J. Parra “Stolen Hearts” Sharon Pisacreta “The Truce” Emily Cotler

Paranormal Romance “Nighthawk” Christine K. Benson “The Devil Does Care ” Norah Jean Perkin “For Mariah's Love” Louise Feaver Crawford “Forgiven” Marliss M. Burgazli “Time's Captive” Kathryn Richards “Virtual Heaven” Ann Emery

Regency Romance “Pressing Obligations” Janet R. Justiss “Compromising Situations” Sue L. Carey “Twice Blessed” Donna Cummings

Romantic Suspense/Gothic Romance “It's Murder Out There” Maggie Price “First Star on the Right” Ann Simas “Guardian's Angel” Katherine Cowan “Legacy of the Rose” Sue McMurphy “Love Bears All” Nina Bruhns “Shadow Garden” Christine A. Desmet

Short Contemporary Romance “Wooing Wanda” Gwendolyn Pemberton “Family Matters” Peggy A. Holt “Half a Family” Debra Kay Hanson “Out on a Limb” Julia A. Canchola “Paiute Bride” Louise Feaver Crawford “Rendezvous with Destiny” Kathie DeNosky

Short Historical Romance “The Devil of Draloch” Myra Platt “The Duke by Default” Vicky S. Dreiling “Impossible Silence” Bonnee S. Pierson “Love Only Once” Beth Pattillo “Love's Last Gamble” Sylvia McDaniel “Once a Mistress” Debra J. Manning

Traditional Romance “A Cowboy Wedding” Bobbie C. Gosnell “Fiance for a Night” Melissa Martinez McClone “Mom for a Summer” Mary Jane Selle “The Road to Riches” Carol Webb “Wistful in Wyoming” Chelle E. Cohen

Young Adult Romance “Willow King” Chris Platt “A Snowball's Chance” Melinda Rucker Haynes