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2025 Golden Leaf Contest for Published Authors
​Finalists

New Jersey Romance Writers is thrilled to announce the finalists in our 2025 Golden Leaf contest! The winners will be announced at our Awards Ceremony on Saturday, April 18, 11:00 a.m. Eastern. Contact us for the Zoom link so you can celebrate along with us! Many congratulations to all our finalists!

***Permission to forward granted and encouraged ****

*Denotes an NJRW Member
Long Contemporary (Includes a tie)
Courage, Dear Heart by Erica Alexander
A Chef’s Kiss Christmas by Peggy Jaeger
A Light in the Darkness by Nika Rhone
Just the Way You Are by Nika Rhone

Mid-Length Contemporary
True Dreams by Tracy Sumner
Maid for the Maestro by Diana Rock
Deadlines, Donuts, and Dreidels by Jennifer Wilck

Short Contemporary
Dr. Alaska by Jillian David
The Cowboy's Miracle Baby by Barbara Ankrum
The Way to a Cowboy's Heart by Barbara Ankrum

Historical
Love’s Gift by Penelope Marzec
Sanctuary by Morgan Malone
Madam Rebelle by Amber Leigh Williams
Best Book by a NJ Author
Deadlines, Donuts, and Dreidels by Jennifer Wilck
Holiday in Handcuffs by Nicole Sanchez
The Maestro and the Roofer by Brianna Bancroft
Novella
The Gargoyle Affair by Amanda Reid
Wrapping Up Christmas by Gracie Guy
You Give Good Game by Claire Marti


​Romantic Suspense
Crossing Deadly Tides by Amber Leigh Williams 
Ultimate Justice by Tee O’Fallon
Vigilante Honor by Amber Leigh Williams

Paranormal
Thrice Bound by Nicole E Kelleher
A Witch To Change the World by Suzanne Snowden
Island Wolf by Rachel Armstrong

Erotic Romance
Embracing Desire by Marie Tuhart
Just Right by Sarah Spade 
Holiday in Handcuffs by Nicole Sanchez
Best First Book
Ready to Play by Shefali Prem
Dangerous Descent by Evie Jacobs
A Witch To Change the World by Suzanne Snowden

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 1970 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 1970 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 1970 to the present that focus primarily on the romantic relationship and that are 84,000 or more words.
  • Historical Romance: Novels set prior to 1970. 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.).