​
2017 Golden Leaf Contest for Published Authors
​Finalists

New Jersey Romance Writers is proud to announce the finalists in our 2017 Golden Leaf contest!!
​The winners will be announced at the Put Your Heart in a Book Conference on October 14, 2017.
 
Congratulations to all our finalists!
***Permission to forward granted and encouraged***

* Denotes NJRW members
 
Novella
The Irishman’s Christmas Gamble by Nancy Herkness*
A Secret Rose by Debra Jess
The Ghost of You (featured in the Haunted Havenport Anthology) by Emma Kaye*
Dangerous Protector by Katie Reus
 
Romantic Suspense
Almost Anonymous by Christine Bush*
Midnight Obsession by Melinda Leigh*
Main Street by Dianna Wilkes
 
Historical Romance
I Dared the Duke by Anna Bennett
Claimed by a Highlander by Margaret Mallory
Taming the Highlander by May McGoldrick*
Baron by Joanna Shupe*
 
Contemporary Romance - Short
Second Chance with the CEO by Anna DePalo*
Rodeo Father by Mary Sullivan
Rodeo Rancher by Mary Sullivan
 
Contemporary Romance – Mid-Length
Falling in Angels Falls by Casey Hagen*
The Last In Love by Terri Osburn
Mann Cakes by Mysti Parker
 
Contemporary Romance - Long
Someone To Love by Donna Alward*
Sunny’s Smile by Christine Bush*
She Runs Away by Jessica Calla*
 
Paranormal Romance
Avenged by Marnee Blake*
Bishop by Marie Johnston
Saved by Darkness by Katie Reus
 
Erotic Romance
Nailed by Opal Carew*
Heat by Opal Carew*
Stealing Beauty by Jessica Collins
Educating Anthony by Kara Keen
 
Best First Book
Burn by Dawn Altieri*
The Bad Luck Bride by Janna MacGregor
Main Street by Dianna Wilkes

Categories

  • Best First Book: any romance novel from a first-time author not previously published in book ­length romantic fiction, regardless of publishing medium.
  • Contemporary Romance: Short: Novels that are set from 1950 to the present that focus primarily on the romantic relationship and that are between 40,000 and 56,000 words in length.
  • Contemporary Romance: Mid-Length: Novels that are set from 1950 to the present that focus primarily on the romantic relationship and that are between 56,000 and 84,000 words in length.
  • Contemporary Romance: Long: Novels that are set from 1950 to the present that focus primarily on the romantic relationship and that are 84,000 or more words.
  • Historical Romance: Novels set prior to 1950. Includes Regency romances. 40,000 word minimum.
  • Novella: short pieces of romantic fiction between 20-40,000 words. (Trade magazines do not normally fall under the proper word count; however, if your novella does, the acceptability of such work will be the decision of the contest chairperson.)
  • Paranormal Romance: Any romance novel in which either time travel, futuristic, fantasy world or paranormal happenings are a major element of the plot. 40,000 word minimum.
  • Romantic Suspense: Any romance novel in which suspense, mystery, or thriller elements constitute a major part of the plot. 40,000 word minimum.
  • Erotic Romance: Novels in which strong, often explicit, sexual interaction is an inherent part of the love 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.).