The Lories Best Proposal Contest

From the Heart Romance Writers is proud to announce the final round winners of The Lories Best Proposal Contest.

WINNER: Reclaiming Daisy Doe by Ramona Richards

SECOND: The Changeling Sea by Judie Aitken

THIRD: The Detective's Dilemma by Karen McCullough

FOURTH: Sex, PIs, and Packing Tape by Cindy Procter-King

FIFTH: Deadly Embrace by Judie Aitken

SIXTH: Investigative Pleasures by Jodi Lynn Copeland

2008 From the Heart Romance Writers Lories Best Published Contest Winners

Contemporary

Winner - BORROWING ALEX by Cindy Procter-King
Second - MAYBE, BABY by Terry McLaughlin
Third - A PLACE TO CALL HOME by Leanne Karella

Historical

Winner - THE IMPORTANCE OF ALMACK'S by Denise Patrick
Second - ON SILENT WINGS by Pamela Roller
Third - IN HER BED by Deborah MacGillivray

Mainstream

Winner - A GENTLE RAIN by Deborah Smith
Second - MONKEY STAR by Brenda Scott Royce
Third - LEARNING TO BREATHE by Karen White

Novella

Winner (tie) - SECRET SANTA by Lisa Childs
Winner (tie) - TEST OF TRUTH by April Reid
Second - HOT DOWN UNDER by Susan Lyons
Third - VAMPIRE'S CHRISTMAS CAROL by Karen McCullough

Paranormal

Winner - HIGHLAND GUARDIAN by Melissa Mayhue
Second - DAMNED by Lisa Childs
Third - BETWEEN DARKNESS & DAYLIGHT by Gracie C. McKeever

Erotica/Steamy

Winner (tie) - EVERYTHING FORBIDDEN by Jess Michaels
Winner (tie) - INCOGNITO: CHARMING CARMEN by Anna Leigh Keaton and Madison Lyle
Second - CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE SEXY KIND by Karen Kelley
Third - HOME TO STAY by Jane Leopold Quinn

Romantic Suspense

Winner - DEAD RIGHT by Brenda Novak
Second - FINDING SARAH by Terry Odell
Third - DEAD DROP: BOOK 4 OF THE INCOGNITO Series by Karen Wiesner

Single Title

Winner - DEAD GIVEAWAY by Brenda Novak
Second - DIVORCED, DESPERATE AND DELICIOUS by Christie Craig
Third - SECRETS AND SPIES by Shara Lanel

2008 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence Winners

Short Contemporary
Heidi Betts - Blackmailed into Bed

Long Contemporary
Deborah MacGillivray - Riding the Thunder

Contemporary Single Title
Karen White - Learning to Breathe

Inspirational
Molly Noble Bull - Sanctuary

Historican
Catherine Kean - My Lady's Treasure

Single Title Romantic Suspense
Karen Rose - Die for Me

Series Romantic Suspense
Diane Pershing - One Cool Lawman

Series Romantic Suspense
Jenna Mills - The Perfect Stranger

Young Adult
Rosemary Clement-Moore - Prom Dates from Hell

Novella
Leigh Wyndfield - Two for the Money

P/F/F-TT
C.L. Wilson - Lady of Light and Shadows

2008 Booksellers Best Award Winners

Winners for the 2008 Booksellers Best Award

Traditional - Hired By the Cowboy - Donna Alward

Short Contemporary - Fortune's Vengeful Groom - Charlene Sands

Long Contemporary - The Rancher Needs A Wife - Terry McLaughlin

Inspirational - Operation: Married By Christmas - Debra Clopton

Long Historical - Claiming the Courtesan - Anna Campbell

Short Historical - Ever My Love - Gretchen Craig

Single Title/Mainstream - Your Mouth Drives Me Crazy - HelenKay Dimon

Paranormal/TT/Futuristic - In the Midnight Hour - Patti O'Shea

Romantic Suspense - One Last Breath - Laura Griffin

Erotic - Close Encounters of the Sexy Kind - Karen Kelley

Best First Book - One Last Breath - Laura Griffin

More Than Magic Winners

Grand Prize Winner:

Atlantis Rising by Alyssa Day

Erotica:
1st: Wild, Wicked & Wanton by Jaci Burton
2nd: Blood Red by Sharon Page
3rd: Skin by Karin Tabke
HM: Trouble by Sasha White

First Book:
1st: The Education of Mrs. Brimley by Donna MacMeans
2nd: The Man for Maggie by Lee McKenzie
3rd: Dark Rider by Kathrynn Dennis
HM: A Wish in Time by Laurel Bradley
HM: To School A Cowboy by Susan Shay

Historical:
1st: The Accidental Mistress by Tracy Anne Warren
2nd: One Real Cowboy by Janette Kenny
3rd: His Captive by Diana Cosby
HM: His Favorite Mistress by Tracy Anne Warren

Novella:
1st: The Spinster, the Pig & the Orphan in Foxy Statehood Hens and Murder Most Fowl by Jacqueline King
2nd: Secret Santa in Christmas Presence by Lisa Childs
3rd: Dark Awakening in Shards of Crimson by Patti O'Shea

Paranormal:
1st: Atlantis Rising by Alyssa Day
2nd: Atlantis Awakening by Alyssa Day
3rd: Betrayed by Jamie Leigh Hansen
HM: Lady of Light and Shadows by C. L. Wilson

Romantic Comedy:
1st: Over Hexed by Vicki Lewis Thompson
2nd: Borrowing Alex by Cindy Procter-King
3rd: The Quest for the Holy Veil by Kimberly Llewellyn

Romantic Suspense:
1st: Love, Lies, and a Double Shot of Deception by Lois Winston
2nd: The Perfect Stranger by Jenna Mills
3rd: Scorched by Rachel Butler
HM: Salvation, Texas by Anna Jeffrey

Sensual Contemporary:
1st: Déjà You by Lynda Sandoval
2nd: The Other Sister by Lynda Sandoval
3rd: The Rancher Needs a Wife by Terry McLaughlin
HM: One Stormy Night by Marilyn Pappano

Single Title:
1st: Sweet Return by Anna Jeffrey
2nd: Really Something by Shirley Jump
3rd: Anatomy of a Boyfriend by Daria Snadowsky

Sweet Contemporary:
1st: Remembered by Tamera Alexander
2nd: The Doctor's Pregnancy Bombshell by Janice Lynn
3rd: The Man for Maggie by Lee McKenzie

Passionate Plume Winners

NOVELLA

First Place - Male Call, by Denise A. Agnew
Second Place - Rescue Me, by Anna Leigh Keaton
Third Place - Hot Down Under, by Susan Lyons
HM - Second Chance Christmas, by Mackenzie McKade
HM - Desert Heat, by Leigh Wyndfield

CONTEMPORARY

First Place - Wicked Ties, by Shayla Black
Second Place - Roped, by Ann Jacobs
Third Place - Suite Seventeen, by Portia Da Costa
HM - Twin Fantasies, by Opal Carew
HM - Nothing To Lose, by Mechele Armstrong

HISTORICAL

First Place - At Love's Command, by Samantha Kane
Second Place - Mirage, by Monica Burns
Third Place - Nicholas, by Elizabeth Amber
HM - One Bashful Lady, by Brenda Williamson
HM - Anchor and Storm, by Kate Poole

FUTURISTIC/FANTASY/SCIENCE FICTION

First Place - Tailspin, by Denise Rossetti
Second Place - Close Encounters of the Sexy Kind, by Karen Kelley
Third Place - Seducer, by Aubrey Ross
HM - Settler's Mine 2: The Lovers, by Mechele Armstrong
HM - Born Again, by Rena Marks

PARANORMAL / TIME TRAVEL

First Place - Mona Lisa Blossoming, by Sunny Chen
Second Place - Blood Rose, by Sharon Page
Third Place - Mystic's Run, by Jory Strong
HM - Ethereal Foes: The Dragon's Demon, by Marie Harte
HM - Blood Red, by Sharon Page

Laurie Award for Published Writers

Congratulations to our Laurie Award for Published Writers 2008 Winners!

FFP

Winner: Be Still My Vampire Heart-Kerrelyn Sparks (Avon, Erika Tsang, editor)

Highland Guardian-Melissa Mayhue (Pocket Books, Megan McKeever, editor)

Sudden Fall-Kally Jo Surbeck (Samhain Publishing, Ltd., Jessica Binberg, editor)

Single Title/ Mainstream

Winner: Love, Lies and a Double Shot of Deception-Lois Winston

(Dorchester Publishing, Leah Hultenschmidt--Editor)

Hollywood Girls Club-Maggie Marr (Crown Publisher, Lindsey Moore—Editor)

Learning to Breathe-Karen White (NAL/Accent Publisher, Cindy Hwang—Editor)

Long/Short Contemporary

Winner: Rich Man's Revenge-Tessa Radley (Silhouette Desire, Melissa Jeglinski—Editor)

Black Widow's Bride-Tessa Radley (Silhouette Desire, Melissa Jeglinski—Editor)

A Rendevous to Remember-Geri Krotow (Harlequin Enterprises, Paula Eykelhof—Editor_)

Historical

Winner: Compromising Situations by Carolynn Carey (Cerridwen press, Mary Altman -- Editor)

Promises to Keep by D.L. Larson (Helm Publishing, Diane Helm—Editor)

Liberty by Kimberly Iverson (Harlequin, Abby Zidle -- Editor)

2008 Book Buyers Best Winners

2008 Contest Winners Announced!

The "TOP PICK" was chosen by Sue Grimshaw, Romance Fiction Buyer for Borders, Inc.and Pam Nelson, Advertising and Promotions Levy Home Entertainment, LLC.

This year, the same book was chose by both the national buyers --

OVERKILL
(BERKLEY SENSATION)
by Linda Castillo

Series Short Contemporary

Summer After Summer by Ann DeFee

Single Title Romance with Romantic Elements

Monkey Star by Brenda Scott Royce

Historical & Regency

Desire Never Dies by Jenna Petersen

Romantic Suspense

Overkill by Linda Castillo

Paranormal/Time Travel/Fantasy

Thirty Nights With A Highland Husband by Melissa Mayhue

Holt Medallion Winners

Short Contemporary
Winner
His Brother's Gift - Mary J. Forbes

Awards of Merit
Georgia on His Mind - Ann DeFee
The Forbidden Brother - Barbara McMahon
The CEO's Scandalous Affair - Roxanne St. Claire
Once A Cowboy - Linda Warren

Long Contemporary

Winner
Treasure - Helen Brenna

Awards of Merit
Houseful of Strangers - Linda Barrett
Shadow Hunter - Linda Conrad
The Rancher Needs a Wife - Terry McLaughlin
Adopted Son - Linda Warren

Historical

Winner
The Accidental Mistress - Tracy Anne Warren

Awards of Merit
What a Lady Wants - Victoria Alexander
Touch of Texas - Tracy Garrett
The Sense of Honor - Ashley Kath-Bilsky
Surrender to a Scoundrel - Julianne MacLean

Romantic Comedy

Winner
The Rules of Gentility - Janet Mullany

Awards of Merit
Dream a Little Dream - Debra Clopton
The Quest for the Holy Veil - Kimberly Llewellyn
Hocus Pocus - Teresa Roblin
There Goes the Bride - Lori Wilde

Short Inspirational

Winner
From This Day Forward - Irene Hannon

Awards of Merit
Cradle of Secrets - Lisa Mondello
Mom in the Middle - Mae Nunn
A Christmas to Die For - Marta Perry
Caught Redhanded - Gayle Roper

Long Inspirational

Winner
Surrender Bay - Denise Hunter

Awards of Merit
Remembered - Tamera Alexander
The Oak Leaves - Maureen Lang
Remember to Forget - Deborah Raney
Wedding Bell Blues - Linda Windsor

Mainstream/Single Title

Winner
Tempting - Susan Mallery

Awards of Merit
Who Wants to be a Sex Goddess - Gemma Bruce
Necessary Arrangements - Tanya Michna
Close To You - Kathryn Shay
Learning to Breathe - Karen White

Romantic Suspense

Winner
Die for Me - Karen Rose

Awards of Merit
Overkill - Linda Castillo
Dead Giveaway - Brenda Novak
The Spy Wore Silk - Andrea Pickens
Arousing Suspicions - Marianne Stillings

Extra Spicy Romance

Winner
The Fortune Hunter - Jasmine Haynes

Awards of Merit
Nicholas: The Lords of Satyr - Elizabeth Amber
Swing - Opal Carew
Twin Fantasies - Opal Carew
Double Dating with the Dead - Karen Kelley

Paranormal/Time Travel/Futuristic

Winner
Highland Guardian - Melissa Mayhue

Awards of Merit
Midnight Lover - Rosemary Laurey
Something Wicked - Catherine Mulvany
In the Midnight Hour - Patti O'Shea
Lord of the Fading Lands - CL Wilson

Southern Theme

Winner
Learning to Breathe - Karen White

Awards of Merit
Georgia on His Mind - Ann DeFee
A Treasure of the Heart - Valerie Hansen
No Safe Place - JoAnn Ross
Southern Seduction - Alexandria Scott

Best First Book

Winner
Lord of the Fading Lands - CL Wilson

Awards of Merit
The Education of Mrs. Brimley - Donna MacMeans
Thirty Nights with a Highland Husband - Melissa Mayhue
Highlander Untamed - Monica McCarty
First, There is a River - Kathy Steffen

2008 Award of Excellence Winners

2008 AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

Short Contemporary

*Winner* His Style of Seduction ~ Roxanne St Claire
Editor Wanda Ottewell, Silhouette Desire

Bride for a Single Dad ~ Laura Iding
Editor Suzanne Clark, Mills & Boon Medical Romance

The Doctor's Pregnancy Bombshell ~ Janice Lynn
Bryony Green, Mills & Boon Medical Romance

Forgotten Marriage ~ Paula Roe
Editor Demetria Lucas, Silhouette Desire

The Defender ~ Cara Summers
Editor Brenda Chin, Harlequin Blaze

Once A Cowboy ~ Linda Warren
Editor Kathleen Scheibling, Harlequin American

Long Contemporary

*Winner* Deja You ~ Lynda Sandoval
Editor Gail Chasen/Charles Griemsman, Silhouette Special Edition

The Other Sister ~ Lynda Sandoval
Editor Gail Chasen/Charles Griemsman, Silhouette Special Edition

All-American Father ~ Anna DeStefano
Editor Johanna Raisanen, Harlequin Superromance

A Rendezvous to Remember ~ Geri Krotow
Editor Paula Eykelhof, Harlequin Everlasting Love

Honor of a Hunter ~ Sylvie Kurtz
Editor Denise Zaza, Harlequin Intrigue

Single Title

*Winner* Tempting ~ Susan Mallery
Editor Tara Parsons, HQN Books

Kisses Don't Lie ~ Alexa Darin
Editor John Scognamiglio, Kensington/Zebra Books

Sweet Return ~ Anna Jeffrey
Editor Laura Cifelli, New American Library, Signet Eclipse

Really Something ~ Shirley Jump
Editor Kate Duffy, Kensington/Zebra Books

Close To You ~ Kathryn Shay
Editor Cindy Hwang, Berkley Sensation

Romantic Suspense

*Winner* Dead Giveaway ~ Brenda Novak
Editor Paula Eykelhof, Mira Books

Overkill ~ Linda Castillo
Editor Cindy Hwang, Berkley Sensation

Salvation, Texas ~ Anna Jeffrey
Editor Laura Cifelli, New American Library, Signet Eclipse

The Perfect Stranger ~ Jenna Mills
Editor Wanda Ottewell, Silhouette Romantic Suspense

Take Me Tonight ~ Roxanne St Claire
Editor Micki Nuding, Pocket Star Books

Erotic Romance

*Winner* Voyeur ~ Lacey Alexander
Editor Anne Bohner, NAL Heat

Nicholas, The Lords of Satyr ~ Elizabeth Amber
Editor Audrey Lafehr, Kensington Aphrodisia

Private Confessions ~ Lori Borrill
Editor Kathryn Lye, Harlequin Blaze

Born Again ~ Rena Marks
Editor Helen Woodall, Ellora's Cave

Mona Lisa Blossoming ~ Sunny
Editor Cindy Hwang, Penguin Putnam, Berkley-Jove

Paranormal/Time Travel/Fantasy/Futuristic

*Winner* Lord of the Fading Lands ~ C.L. Wilson
Editor Alicia Condon, Dorchester Publishing/Leisure Books

Highland Guardian ~ Melissa Mayhue
Editor Megan McKeever, Simon & Schuster

In The Midnight Hour ~ Patti O'Shea
Editor Anna Genoese, Tor-Forge

One With The Night ~ Susan Squires
Editor Jennifer Enderlin, St. Martin's Press

One With The Shadows ~ Susan Squires
Editor Jennifer Enderlin, St. Martin's Press

Mainstream w/Romantic Elements

*Winner* First, There Is A River ~ Kathy Steffen
Editor Helen Rosburg, Medallion Press

The Charmstone ~ C.C. Harrison
Editors John Helfers & Tiffany Schofield, Five Star

The Vampire Shrink ~ Lynda Hilburn
Editor Helen Rosburg, Medallion Press

Necessary Arrangements ~ Tanya Michna
Editor Ellen Edwards, NAL Accent

Learning to Breathe ~ Karen White
Editor Cindy Hwang, NAL Accent

Inspirational

*Winner* Veil of Fire ~ Marlo Schalesky
Editor Jon Woodhams & David C. Cook
Cook Communications/River Oak

Dangerous Secrets ~ Lyn Cote
Editor Jessica Alvarez, Steeple Hill

Once Upon a Family ~ Margaret Daley
Editor Jessica Alvarez, Steeple Hill

A Treasure of the Heart ~ Valerie Hansen
Editor Melissa Endlich, Steeple Hill

Remember Me ~ Maureen Lang
Editor Steve Barclift, Kregel Publications

Cradle of Secrets ~ Lisa Mondello
Editor Jessica Alvarez, Steeple Hill

Historical

*Winner* Surrender To A Scoundrel ~ Julianne MacLean
Editor Erika Tsang, Avon Books

Midnight's Bride ~ Sophia Johnson
Editor Hilary Sares, Kensington Zebra

Mustang Wild ~ Stacey Kayne
Editors Linda Fildew & Lydia Mason, Harlequin Mills & Boon

In Her Bed ~ Deborah Macgillivray
Editor Hilary Sares, Kensington Zebra

A Dangerous Beauty ~ Sophia Nash
Editor Lyssa Keusch, Avon/Harper Collins

2008 Write Touch Winners

2008 Write Touch Winners

Short/Long Contemporary
Winner: Linda Conrad, Shadow Whispers
2nd Place: Holly Jacobs, The House on Briar Hill Road
2nd Place: Linda Warren, Once a Cowboy
3rd Place: Geri Krotow, A Rendezvous to Remember

Erotica/Romantica
Winner: Lacey Alexander, Voyeur
2nd Place: Karen Kelley, Double Dating With the Dead
2nd Place: Sharon Page, Blood Red
3rd Place: Elizabeth Amber, Nicholas, The Lords of Satyr

Romantic Suspense
Winner: Brenda Novak, Dead Giveaway
2nd Place: Brenda Novak, Dead Right
3rd Place: Valerie Hansen, Shadow of Turning

Contemporary Single Title
Winner: Lori Wilde, There Goes the Bride
2nd Place: Susan Mallery, Tempting
3rd Place: Anna Jeffery, Sweet Return

Mainstream with Romantic Elements
Winner: Marlo Schalesky, Veil of Fire
2nd Place: Kathy Steffen, First, There is a River
2nd Place: Karen White, Learning to Breathe
3rd Place: Claire Cross, All or Nothing

Historical
Winner: Candice Hern, Lady be Bad
2nd Place: Victoria Alexander, What a Lady Wants
2nd Place: Victoria Alexander, A Little Bit Wicked
3rd Place: Kathryn Albright, The Angel and the Outlaw

Inspirational
Winner: Nikki Arana, As I Have Loved You
2nd Place: Valerie Hansen, A Treasure of the Heart
3rd Place: Lynn Cote, Dangerous Secrets
3rd Place: Shirley Jump, Back to Mr. & Mrs.
3rd Place: Mae Nunn, Mom in the Middle

Paranormal
Winner: C.L. Wilson, Lord of the Fading Land
2nd Place: Lori Devoti, Unbound
3rd Place: Patti O'Shea, In the Midnight Hour