Short Contemporary Category

Battle Born Love by Linda Enos

Star Kissed by Kelly Fitzpatrick

The Man Who Loved May by Brent Pye

Finalist Judge
Renee Lynn, Editor
Champagne Line, Wild Rose Press

Long Contemporary Category

From Bagdad With Love by Gail Zerrade

Rocky Mountain Hi by Janice L. O’Hara

Watch Them Die by Susan Frost

Finalist Judge
Patience Smith, Senior Editor
Silhouette Romantic Suspense

Historical Category

For the Love of a Lady by Kathleen Bittner Roth

Love and the Heir by Patricia Patton

Love and the Murdering Marquis by Patricia Patton

Finalist Judge
Nicole D'Arienzo, Historical Managing Director
Wild Rose Press

Inspirational Category

Faith, Family, and the Girl Next Door by Susan Diane Johnson

The Aviatrix by Christine E. Johnson

White Lace and Promises by Dianne K. Burns

Finalist Judge
Emily Rodmell, Assistant Editor
Steeple Hill Love Inspired

Paranormal Category

Legend of the Druid Laird by Barbara Longley

Lover Enslaved by Jodi Redford

Revelations by Marnee Bailey

Finalist Judge
Barbara Poelle, Agent
Irene Goodman Agency

Romantic Suspense Category

Against Her Will by Marie Campbell

Air of Certainty by Wendy "Piper" Rome

Decoding Deception by Julie Johnstone

Finalist Judge
Keyren Gerlach, Associate Editor
Silhouette Romantic Suspense

Women's Fiction Category

Love On A Half Shell by Lenette Howard

Pleasant Lake, P.D. by Kelly Fitzpatrick

Tie A Yellow Ribbon by Dixie Lee Taylor

Finalist Judge
Helen Rosburg, Executive Editor
Medallion Press

Honorable Mentions
entrants who missed finaling by 2 points or less

An Accidental Family by Ami Weaver (Long Contemporary)

In Plain Sight by Liz Renyer (Romantic Suspense)

Monster Mine by Tammy Lee (Romantic Suspense)

Murder Creek by Gin Price (Paranormal)

To Bite Or Not To Bite by Cecilia LeBaron (Paranormal)