2003 Golden Heart Winners

2003 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 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. 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. Long Historical Romance Novels or sagas which have a strong romantic element throughout. The word count for these novels is over 95,000 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 40,000 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 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 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 40,000-95,000 words. Traditional Romance Sweet romantic novels. The word count for these novels is 40,000-60,000 words. 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 “Midnight in the Princess Bed” Laron Glover “Accidentally” Onelia Lazzari “A Face to Change” Kathy Mittelman “Hustled to the Altar” Dani Collins “Inherited Risk” Deborah Gengler-Dunn “A Luminous Art” Debra Lew Harder “Meeting in the Middle” Terry McLaughlin “A Mermaid's Tears” Sylissa Franklin “Terms of Surrender” Sheila Seabrook

Inspirational Romance “A Place to Call Home” Merrillee Whren “Lean on Me” Pamela Payne “Ten Thousand Rivers” Margaret Moseley “White as Snow” Ramona G Thompson

Long Contemporary Romance “Forever Ago ” Anna DeStefano “Cradle of Love” Priscilla Kissinger “Guarding Suzannah” Norah Wilson “Hot Shot” Mary Fechter “In His Arms” Lori Harris “The Longest Day of the Year” Jill Floyd “The Quiet Man” Stephanie Feagan “The Temptation of Nicholas Romero” Virginia Vail “To Pleasure a Princess” Jennifer Looney

Long Historical Romance “Unmasked” Diane Perkins “Amid the Shadows” Maureen Hardegree “The Duke's Decision” Lisa Manuel “Passion's Slave” Jenna Ness “A Portrait of Roses” Donna Birdsell “Solomon's Legacy” Mary O'Connor “Tears of the Dragon” Cynthia Friberg “Wild Texas Wind” Robyn Johnson McKenna

Paranormal Romance “The Blackstone Diaries” Sandy Blair “By the Blade” Jennifer Smith “The Celadon Rose” Esri Allbritten “A Knight in Central Park” Theresa Ragan “A Lasting Vow” Claire Huffaker “Too Close to the Sun” Robin Popp “Veritas” Patricia Vermeire “Withea's Way” Debra Holland

Romantic Suspense “Angel on the Run” Dianna Love Snell “At the Twilight's Last Gleaming” Cynthia Chase “Dangerous Kisses” Patricia Milburn “Fairhope” S. Lorelle Marinello “False Impressions” Charity Tahmaseb “Firefly Run” Patricia Milburn “Focus on Danger” Anna Marie Perrin “Harboring Doubts” Roseann Thomas Marlett “In Harm's Way” Lee McKenzie-McAnally

Short Contemporary Romance “Maiden in De-Stress” Stephanie Rowe “Bachelor #2” Maryanne Damron Cappelluti “Date with Destiny” Patricia Morey “In Murphy's Eyes” Peggy Anderson “Minimum Requirements” Janice Lynn “The Old-Fashioned Way” Karen Potter “This Can't Be Love” Wendy Linstad “Tilly Untied” Diana Kaplan Holquist “Trash or Treasure” Bridget Stuart

Short Historical Romance “Masquerading the Marquess” Anne Hearn “Highland Destiny” Mary McCall “His Majesty, the Prince of Toads” Nadele Jacobs “Sanctuary of Roses” Colleen Gleason Schulte “The Woman in the Mirror” Janet Mullany