WINNERS AND FINALISTS

 Short Contemporary:
Final Judge -Wanda Ottewell, Harlequin

1st Place: Frances Colley, REINVENTING JULIA
2nd Place: Brenda Van Sickle, LOVE AT FIRST BYTE
3rd Place: Jill Floyd, THE NON-WEDDING, WEDDING SHOWER
4th Place: Cheryl Nagro**, THE REPROBATE'S RETURN
Honorable Mention: Linda Carroll-Bradd, BUILT TO LAST

Long Contemporary:
Final Judge - Christina Boys, Pocket

1st Place: Pam Menz Baker, THE PORCH
2nd Place: Katherine Hauck**, LEGALLY HIS
3rd Place: Mary Biebel**, MISSING PERSONS
4th Place: Michelle Perry, CAIN AND ABEL
Honorable Mention: Starr Toth, BAD HABITS
Honorable Mention: Debbie Conrad, THE TIES THAT BIND
*Due to a 5th place tie, 6 finalists were sent for judging

Historical/Regency:
Final Judge: Kelly Sinanis, Berkley-Jove

1st Place: Jesica Trapp, MASTER OF THE HEART
2nd Place: Marina Richards, THE IRISH LORD
3rd Place: Ellen Bruce, A GENTLEMAN IN THE SHADOWS
4th Place: Simone Elkeles, BOUND BY HONOR
Honorable Mention: Mary Morrow, HER LAST INDISCRETION

Romantic Suspense:
Final Judge: Stacy Boyd, Harlequin/Silhouette

1st Place: Christine Lyn Keach, REBEL HART
2nd Place: Maureen Welch**, GABRIEL'S DAWN
3RD Place: Stephanie Rowe, THRICE A BRIDE
4th Place: Kathryn Lizeé, NEVER LET HER GO
Honorable Mention: Judith Austin, HOOK, LINE & SINKER

Paranormal/Fantasy/Futuristic/Time Travel:
Final Judge - Ashley Kuehl, Dorchester

1st Place: Beverly Long, PERFECT FIT
2nd Place: Linda Bleser, MY DESTINY
3rd Place: Jennifer Cummings, THE RIGHT HAND
4th Place: Heather Hiestand, FOR ONE SEASON
Honorable Mention: Rowena Cherry, FORCED MATE