1997 Golden Heart Winners

Each year, hundreds of unpublished romance writers submit their manuscripts in this competition, which is judged by members of RWA. The Golden Heart honors the best works of RWA's unpublished members in order to bring their work to the attention of the publishing community.

1997 Golden Heart Contest

Category Descriptions Contemporary Single Title Romance Romantic novels released as individual titles. Inspirational Romance Romantic novels in which personal religious concepts as well as strong romantic relationships are conveyed as major elements of the plot. All inspirational books, both contemporary and historical, shall be eligible for this category. The word count for these novels is a minimum of 45,000 words. Long Contemporary Series* Romance Sensuous romantic novels over 70,000 words. Long Historical Romance Novels 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 a minimum of 50,000 words. Romantic Suspense/Gothic Romance Romantic novels in which suspense is 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. Short Contemporary Series* Romance Romantic novels in which sensuality may constitute a strong element in the romance. The word count for these novels is 70,000 words or fewer. Short Historical Romance Novels which have a strong romantic element throughout. The word count for these novels is 110,000 words or fewer. 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 50,000-60,000 words. Young Adult Romance Romantic novels geared to young adult readers. The word count for YA novels is a minimum of 25,000 words.

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

Winners & Finalists

Contemporary Single Title Romance “Skin Game” Michele Albert “Heaven on a Kitestring” Kay Sisk “Luck of the Draw” Lynda Cooper “Shadows of Doubt” Jenny Archer “Soul Catcher” Pamela Munsche “Suspicious Heart” Nichola Zaklan “To Know His Son” Audrey Compton

Long Contemporary Series Romance “Hawk's Child” Vivyan Connolly “Angel’s Devil” Liz Lounsbury “The Bachelor and the Baby” Karin Huxman “Brady’s Baby” Shelley Cooper “Gentle Rescue” Jude Higgs “Love By Design” Marian May “A Shot at Love” Karen Sandler “Whitney’s Promise” Linda Style

Long Historical Romance “The Path of the Wind” Deborah Hale “Flames of Madness” Denise Eagan “For A Thief’s Honor” Kathryn Breslin “The Last Honest Seamstress” Gina Robinson “Of Noble Birth” Brenda Novak “Sacred Vows” Tina Kitchens “Scandals” Doretta Thompson “Tempting Fate” Michelle Hoppe “Vows of the Heart” Amy Tolnitch

Paranormal Romance “Dared to Dream” Tammy Hilz “By an Eldritch Sea” Carolee Jacobson “The Falcon and the Wolf” Gabriella Anderson “Forever Heaven” Christina Oldham “Heavens Promise” Tracy Amey “Treacherous Love” Lynda Hales “Warwitch” Edna Frankel, Lena Pinto “Wishes Come True” Kathleen Nance

Romantic Suspense/Gothic “Dangerous Curves” Kristina Wright “Blind Trust” Patricia White “Guardian’s Angel” Katherine Cowan “Kingdom by the Sea” Stephanie Wilson “Nesting Instincts” Christine DeSmet “Ocotillo Gold” Kathleen Wells

Short Contemporary Series Romance “Stop in the Name of Love” Nina Bruhns “Animal Attraction” Elizabeth Eliot “The City Girl and the Desperado” Nina Bangs “A Father for Antonio” Marisel Vera “For Love of Samantha” Barbara Daly “Immortal Beloved” Heidi Betts “Marriage for Rent” Patricia White “A Place to Belong” Ann Schuessler “Spike And the Barracuda” Jan Crane

Short Historical Romance “Forever in Your Arms” Kristen Smith “Educating Abbie” Cynthia Myers “Grass for Breakfast” Sherrie Holmes “Impossible Silence” Bonnee Pierson “A Matter of Duty” Gerry Bartlett “Night Fires” Linda Cook “The Patience of a Saint” Annette Blair “A Tangled Web” Alison Ramsey

Traditional Romance “A Father's Love” Pam Baker “House Arrest” Karen Docter “Jared’s Mine” Doris Hitchen “Mommy in the Making” Michelle Valigursky “Princess in the Making” DeAnn Sicard