2017 Golden Leaf Contest for Published Authors
​Winners

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New Jersey Romance Writers is proud to announce the winners of our 2017 Golden Leaf contest!!
​
​* Denotes NJRW members
 
Novella
First Place:  
A Secret Rose by Debra Jess

Finalists:
The Irishman’s Christmas Gamble by Nancy Herkness*
The Ghost of You (featured in the Haunted Havenport Anthology) by Emma Kaye*
Dangerous Protector by Katie Reus
 
Romantic Suspense
First Place:
Midnight Obsession by Melinda Leigh* (3rd win)

Finalists:
Almost Anonymous by Christine Bush*
Main Street by Dianna Wilkes
 
Historical Romance
First Place: 
​Claimed by a Highlander by Margaret Mallory

Finalists:
I Dared the Duke by Anna Bennett
Taming the Highlander by May McGoldrick*
Baron by Joanna Shupe*
 
Contemporary Romance - Short
First Place:
Rodeo Father by Mary Sullivan

Finalists:
Second Chance with the CEO by Anna DePalo*
Rodeo Rancher by Mary Sullivan
 
Contemporary Romance – Mid-Length
First Place:
Falling in Angels Falls by Casey Hagen*

Finalists:
The Last In Love by Terri Osburn
Mann Cakes by Mysti Parker
 
Contemporary Romance - Long
First Place:
Sunny’s Smile by Christine Bush*

Finalists:
Someone To Love by Donna Alward*
She Runs Away by Jessica Calla*
 
Paranormal Romance
First Place:
Avenged by Marnee Blake*

Finalists:
Bishop by Marie Johnston
Saved by Darkness by Katie Reus
 
Erotic Romance
First Place:
Stealing Beauty by Jessica Collins

Finalists:
Nailed by Opal Carew*
Heat by Opal Carew*
Educating Anthony by Kara Keen
 
Best First Book
First Place:
Main Street by Dianna Wilkes

Finalists:
​Burn by Dawn Altieri*
The Bad Luck Bride by Janna MacGregor

​Congratulations to all our winners and finalists!

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.).