2000 Golden Heart Winners

2000 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 Series 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 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 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/Gothic Romance 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 Series 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 40,000-110,000 words. Traditional Series 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 “Selena's Revenge” Abigail Lederman “Captain Jack” Cindy L. Haak “Morning Star, a Novel of Relationships” Micqui Miller “Still the One” Timothy A. Bentler-Jungr “The Torrid Zone” Margaret S. Cottrell “True Colors” Lena F. Pinto

Long Contemporary Romance “Night Dreams” Carolyn LaFever “Child of the Heart” Jodi Lynn Beyes “Decoy Bride” Susan E. Peterson “Folly’s Angel” Cynthia Miller Dees “The Kramers Take a Dad” Carol A. Voss “Soulmates, Inc.” Timothy A. Bentler-Jungr

Long Historical Romance “Shades of Honor” Wendy Bores “Beauchamp Besieged” Elaine Knighton “To Ride a White Horse” Pamela A. Ford Stutz “Unless a Love Be Free” Jerilyn Willin

Paranormal Romance “Hagan's Pride” Linda Rooks “Aradia” Joanne Rock “Bonds of Honor” Linda Rose Sartin “Heartstone” Linda Mikulski “I Wanna Be Loved by You” Beth Ann Ciotta & Cynthia Lynn Serra

Romantic Suspense “In Deep Water” Barbara Cool Lee “Body Language” Pamela S. Baustian “Chasing a Dream” Beth B. Cornelison “Like a Knife” Annie Hope Solomon “Something Wicked” Maureen Cooke Morrison

Short Contemporary Romance “Skinny Dipping in the Vedigree River” Barbara Dunlop “The Barefoot Botanist” Barbara Dunlop “Breaking the Rules” Laurin Watkins Wittig “A Case for Love” Tami Denise Cowden “Free Fall” Karen Lynn King “Heaven Sent” Diane A. Amos “The Prodigal Daughter” Jane Porter Gaskins “The Rich Man’s Baby” Leah Marie Vroman “The Sheriff and the Strip Tease” Patricia S. White

Short Historical Romance “Circle of Honor” Carol Umberger “The Emerald Lady” Jennifer Elizabeth Ashley “Kirallen’s Bride” Elizabeth A. Minogue English “Milady’s Haven” Mary Jane C. Selle “Once a Pirate” Tracy Diane Seybold “The Pilgrim and the Palmer” Wendy B. Gifford “To Steal His Heart” Donna Lee Birdsell “Wildflower” Christine Harris

Traditional Romance “Cruising for Love” Tami Denise Cowden “I Will Remember You” Nancy Robards Thompson “Nanny on Board” Katharine Swartz “The Road to Riches” Carol Lynn Webb