2016 Golden Heart Winners

Winners & Finalists

Contemporary Romance

Winner: “Shelter Me” - Gabrielle Luthy

• Finalists:

“An Education” - Brooke Salisbury

“Façade” - Susan Bickford

“Off the Rails” - Monique Headley

“Smiling Underwater” - Sydney Carroll

“The Sniper's Second Shot” - Tracy Brody

“Sometimes You Need a Sexy Scot” - Melonie Johnson

“Soul Song” - Rayn Ellis

“Surrender to the Movie Star” - Melanie McCarthy

“Volunteering Her Heart” - Erin O'Brien

“Welcome Home, Katie Gallagher” - Seana Kelly

Historical Romance

Winner: “The Earl and the Pussycat” - Elizabeth King

• Finalists:

“Besotted with the Viscount” - Susanna Malcolm

“A Curious Correspondence” - Amelia Ridley

“The Impetuous Miss Milton” - Renee Ann Miller

“My Lord Mercenary” - Tracey Amey

“Saving Columbine Ranch” - Karen Miller

“Taming the Earl” - Elizabeth King

“An Unbridled Gentleman” - Eileen Emerson

“Undone” - Elizabeth Rue

“Wild Women and the Blues” - Denny S. Bryce

Inspirational Romance

Winner: “For the Love of Termites” - Kimberly MacCarron

• Finalists:

“One More Breath” - Pamela Kopfler

“Scottish Warrior” - Laura Stolmeier

Paranormal Romance

Winner: “Don't Call Me Cupcake” - Tara Sheets

• Finalists:

“Better Dead” - Pamela Kopfler

“Constant Craving” - Kari W. Cole

“Kissed at Midnight” - Ainsley Wynter

“The Mer Chronicles: A Duty Too Far” - Kate Ramirez

“Taxing Courtship” - Jaycee Jarvis

“WOLFF: Rise of the Valdyr” - Alison Pritchard

Romantic Suspense

Winner: “In the Wrong Sights” - Tracy Brody

• Finalists:

“Escape from the Harem” - Diana Belchase

“Four Tragedies” - Layla Reyne

“Love in Hiding” - Diane Holiday

“Ruby Red” - Melanie Novak

“The Truth Is in the Tango” - Arianna James

Short Contemporary Romance

Winner: “Rescuing Riley” - Carrie Nichols

• Finalists:

“Back in the Saddle” - Susan Breeden

“Breaking Her Rules” - Sarah Hall

“In the Fast Lane” - Evie Anderson

Young Adult Romance

Winner: “The Beekeeper” - Meg Kassel

• Finalists:

“The Accidental Boyfriend” - Lori Freeland

“Between Never & Always” - T L Sumner

“The Expedition” - Mary Sullivan

Category Descriptions All entries must contain a central love story and the resolution of the romance must be emotionally satisfying and optimistic. With the exception of Erotic Romance, all categories may have varying levels of sensuality.

Contemporary Romance Manuscripts that are set from 1950 to the present that focus primarily on the romantic relationship and that are greater than 65,000 words. Erotic Romance Manuscripts in which strong, often explicit, sexual interaction is an inherent part of the story, character growth and relationship development and could not be removed without damaging the storyline. These novels may contain elements of other romance subgenres (such as paranormal, historical, etc.) Historical Romance Manuscripts that are set prior to 1950. Inspirational Romance Manuscripts in which religious or spiritual beliefs (in the context of any religion of spiritual belief system) are an integral part of the plot. Paranormal Romance Manuscripts in which fantasy worlds or paranormal or science fiction elements are an integral part of the plot. Romantic Suspense Manuscripts in which suspense, mystery, or thriller elements constitute an integral part of the plot. Short Contemporary Romance Manuscripts that are set from 1950 to the present that focus primarily on the romantic relationship, and that are less than 65,000 words in length. Young Adult Romance Novels in which young adult life is an integral part of the plot.