December News

Patti Fischer's manuscript OBSESSION has finaled in the erotica category of the Beacon Contest (First Coast Romance Writers). This is her second completed manuscript and is targeted for Harlequin Blaze. The entry will be sent to Raelene Gorlinsky of Ellora's Cave for final placement/judging.

Western debut and multi-book sale! Stacey Lynn Riemer (w/a Stacey Kayne) has sold her western historical MUSTANG WILD to Harlequin Historicals. MUSTANG WILD is the first book in a three part series to be released in March 2007. MAVERICK WILD will be the second story in her WILD series. Stacey also sold BRIDE OF SHADOW CANYON in a two-book deal to Harlequin historicals. This is the first book in a two part series to be released in 2007.

Sandra Cox is celebrating a first sale! THE CRYSTAL is a paranormal romance about a handsome stranger who appears in a crystal ball. THE CRYSTAL will be released January 11, 2007 from Cerridwen Press.

Barbara Hughes (w/a Natasha Moore) sold her novella, TASTE OF HONEY, to Ellora's Cave for their 2007 Cavemen Anthology.

Catherine Chant's YA romance BROTHER TROUBLE placed FIRST in the Sweet category of SMRW Sweet, Spicy, Spooky, and Suspense Contest and finaled in the Young Adult category of Valley of the Sun's Hot Prospects contest. Her young adult time travel romance WISHING YOU WERE HERE finaled in the YA category of RCRW's Duel on the Delta contest, and her website placed third in Sacramento Valley Rose's Silver Rose Award for Web Site Excellence contest.

SHADOW WARRIOR, an anthology of shape-shifters stories by Betty Hanawa, Delilah Devlin, Myla Jackson, and Layla Chase, has been selected as an EPPIE finalist in the Erotic Romance Science Fiction/Futuristic Category. The EPPIES winners will be announced by EPIC at the annual conference in March.

Gail Dayton has sold THE ETERNAL ROSE (previously sold to Luna, but later canceled) to Juno Books. THE ETERNAL ROSE will be released as a trade paperback in July 2007.

Helen Taylor's contemporary fantasy romance THE MAGIC KNOT placed FIRST in the paranormal category of the Golden Gateway and the Golden Pen contests. This story has been a finalist in ten contests during 2006. Helen's paranormal romance PASSION BEYOND REASON placed FIRST in the general paranormal category of the OTFS contest run by the FF&P chapter and placed SECOND in the Golden Rose contest.

Three's a charm! Catherine Chant's romantic suspense entry and her two young adult entries finaled in the New England Chapter of RWA's First Kiss contest. Scenes from WISHING YOU WERE HERE, BROTHER TROUBLE and SAINTS AND SINNERS will be going to editor Beth de Guzman at Warner for final judging.

Mary Eason is celebrating the sale of two new Chick Lit Romances to Samhain Publishing. THE THINGS YOU THINK YOU WANT and SURVIVOR are the third sales Mary has had with Samhian Publishing. THIRTY LESSONS will be her first Chick Lit Romance published through Samhain and is due to be released in April 2007. Mary is also celebrating the sale of her first romantic suspense novel, DON'T CLOSE YOUR EYES - KILLER INSTINCTS, to Cerridwen Press.

Melissa Alvarez is celebrating a first sale! She sold her previously self-published book NIGHT VISIONS to Cerridwen Press.

Ann Cory is thrilled to announce that her novella NEXT FLOOR NAUGHTY has been accepted by Ellora's Cave. This is her first sale to EC.

Christyne Butilier is also celebrating a first sale! REILLY'S PROMISE will be published by Samhain Publishing in August 2007 (tentative).

Judith Gilbert's THE MISTLETOE AFFAIR is coming to paperback in October 2007 from Triskelion Publishing.

Tawny Weber has sold her second and third full length novels to Harlequin Blaze. The release dates for THE MAN PLAN and RISQUE BUSINESS are TBA.

Jodi Lynn Copeland has sold HOT FOR YOU, a contemporary erotic romance novella, to Harlequin Spice for their WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS... anthology. Tentative release date is Spring 2008.

October News

Barbara Hughes (w/a Natasha Moore) is celebrating a FIRST SALE. Her sexy contemporary, RIDING WITH THE BAD BOY, which was a former Golden Gateway winner under the title SENSIBLE SARAH AND THE BIKER FROM BUFFALO, will be published by Samhain Publishing.

Sue Fineman (w/a Sue Palmer) is celebrating a first sale to Triskelion Publishing. ESCAPE FROM PURSUIT (available now) is the first book in the Gregory series. The second book, ESCAPE FROM FEAR is scheduled to be released in March, 2007.

Joan Frantschuk (w/a Joan Leacott) is celebrating her first contest final. JEALOUS HEART, the first volume of Joan's trilogy 'The Painted Ladies', finaled in the Long Contemporary category of the Romance Writer's Ink contest.

Carol R. Wood's novella ROSE ON BARE KNEES came in second in the Wild Rose Press Premier Spring Bouquet Contest. The entry will receive a full critique by one of the editors.

Carolyn Hughey is celebrating her FIRST SALE! CUPID'S WEB, sold to Avalon Books, will be an October 2007 release.

September News

Susan Lanier-Graham's CHASING MAGGIE placed 3rd in the Single Title division of the Kiss of Death's Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence. As a result, the full was requested by agent Caren Johnson of Firebrand Literary. Also, Susan was just named the feature writer for Arizona Food Journal and is the regular columnist for "Hot Spots" a restaurant review column for So Scottsdale Magazine in Arizona.

Vonda Ogle's historical romance, MY WILD HIGHLANDER, is a finalist in the FTHRW Golden Gateway Contest, and her paranormal romance, SHADOW GUARDIAN, is a finalist in the SMRW Sweet, Spicy, Spooky, Suspense Contest in the Spicy category. Vonda is also thrilled to report she is signing with The Ashley Grayson Literary Agency. Agents Lois Winston and Carolyn Grayson will represent her Scottish historical romances, starting with MY FIERCE HIGHLANDER.

Patti Fischer's short contemporary DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART is a finalist in the San Francisco RWA Chapter 2006 Heart to Heart Contest and received third place in the Central Ohio Fiction Writers 2006 Ignite the Flame contest, Romantic Comedy category.

Judith Gilbert is featured in an interview by Holly Hewson at The Romance Studio (TRS).

August News

Catherine Chant's young adult romance BROTHER TROUBLE, is a finalist in the Sweet category of SMRW's Sweet, Spicy, Spooky, and Suspense contest.

Mona Risk's medical romance IMPERFECT MIND, renamed THE FRENCH DOCTOR, is on a roll. After winning First Place in Ignite The Flame contest, Short Contemporary category, it finaled in The Molly and in FTHRW Golden Gateway. THE FRENCH DOCTOR is going to Silhouette editor, Wanda Ottewell.

Jodi Lynn Copeland is thrilled to announce a new two-book contract with Kensington Aphrodisia. The first of the books, BODY MOVES, will be released in December 2007. Also, Ellora's Cave has contracted PRIMAL PASSION, a non-traditional contemporary novella, with a tentative e-format release date of late December 2006 and paperback release in 2007/2008.

Barb Webb has been invited to join Lean Forward Media's Mom Advisory Board. Lean Forward Media (LFM) www.leanforwardmedia.com is a high-growth company dedicated to creating high-quality content that entertains, engages and educates. LFM developed and produced the breakthrough interactive DVD, Choose Your Own Adventure®: The Abominable Snowman. Also, check out the September issue of Redbook Magazine, page 158, and you'll find quotes from Barb along with mention of her latest release, THE MOM'S GUIDE TO EARNING AND SAVING THOUSANDS ON THE INTERNET.

Judith Gilbert has sold BLOOD HUNT: THE LEGEND, a vampire/witch paranormal novel, to Triskelion Publishing and THE MISTLETOE AFFAIR, a heartwarming Christmas story, will be released as a paperback in December 2006 from Triskelion.

Anna Sugden's GAY BY DAY has finalled in the Tara contest, and her manuscript LOVE BY REQUEST is a finalist in the 2006 Golden Gateway.

Kelley St. John's debut book, GOOD GIRLS DON'T won the National Readers' Choice Award for Best First Book and won the Beacon Award for Best Single Title.

Michelle Libby has sold MARRIED TO THE MARINE to Champagne Books. It will be released in March 2007.

Amanda Murphy's manuscript, TEMPTING ADAM, placed 2nd in the Contemporary category of the Dixie First Chapter Contest.

July News

Barb Webb reports ClubMom.com, a premier on-line desination for moms co-founded by Meredith Vieira, has invited her to be a ClubMom Expert. As part of her new role, Barb will be writing a series of articles for the website.

June News

Karen Dindia is celebrating her first sale. RELEASE ME, a contemporary romantica, sold to Cobblestone Press's Tryst line. It debuts August 4, 2006.

Leslie Dicken has made her first "RWA-recognized" sale. A TARNISHED HEART sold to Triskelion Publishing.

Linda Carroll-Bradd (w/a Layla Chase)'s SHADOW WARRIOR, a futuristic shapeshifter anthology from Triskelion Publishing (which also includes authors Delilah Devlin, Betty Hanawa and Myla Jackson), has been voted Book of the Month for June 2006 by EuroReviews. Linda also reports she sold her first full-length short contemporary A MATCH MADE IN MONTANA (w/a Layla Chase) to Triskelion Publishing.

Catherine Chant's YA time travel romance WISHING YOU WERE HERE received 3rd place in the Fab Five contest (paranormal category), sponsored by the Wisconsin Romance Writers.

Stefani Catenzaro's manuscript COLLIDE won in the Paranormal category of the Golden Acorn. It also received a request from Patience Smith of Harlequin. Her manuscript ECHO won 2nd runner up in the Romantic Suspense category of the Golden Acorn.

Carolynn Carey's first book, A SUMMER SENTENCE (Avalon), placed first in the Traditional/Inspirational category of the More Than Magic Contest for Published Writers. The sequel, FALLING FOR DALLAS, is scheduled for release in October 2006.

Amanda Murphy's manuscript, TEMPTING ADAM, finaled in the MSRW Dixie First Chapter contest in the Contemporary category. Winners will be named on June 30th.

Donna Turello's YA novel BECOMING ANNA finaled and won its first contest by receiving first place in the Juvenile/YA category of the Panhandle Professional Writers' Frontiers in Writing contest.

Diane Pearson received her PRO Pin.

Helen Taylor's dark paranormal THE MAGIC KNOT won The Rebecca, its first contest. It has so far reached the finals in three other contests.

LaDonna Cronk received her PRO Pin.

May News

Angela Breidenbach's inspirational fiction novel, WHEN SHE WASN'T LOOKING, won second place in the Heart of the Rockies contest, sponsored by the Colorado Romance Writers.

Joanne Barnaba's historical romance FATAL FORTUNE won first runner-up in the 2006 MARLENE 2006 contest, sponsored by the Washington Romance Writers.

Betty Hanawa has recently signed contracts for three more books in the Still Single Sexy Ladies Guide to Dating the Immortals line from Triskelion Publishing. The first one (working title: DANDELION WISH) follows a different Elf from the same realm as the hero of FALLING STAR WISH. The second one (working title: CERTAINLY KNOT) involves a Woodland Forest King protecting his forest from a real-estate developer. The third one (working title: ALL WASHED UP) involves Poseidon's inadvertant capture by a woman who's had enough of males who think they're gods, thank-you-very-much. Release dates for all three will be 2007.

Leslie Dicken (w/a Jordanna Kay) sold her second story, TABOO, a futuristic erotica novella, to Samhain Publishing. Her first novel THE PRICE OF DISCOVERY will be released from Samhain in August. Leslie also recently signed with Nephele Tempest of The Knight Agency, who will be submitting her manuscript MARK OF THE MONSTER to publishers.

Linda Carroll-Bradd's sexy contemporary novella, SAY THE SECRET WORD, is a finalist in the Stroke of Midnight contest sponsored by the Passionate Ink RWA chapter. Final round is being judged by Kate Duffy of Kensington. Linda (w/a Layla Chase) has also sold PLAYING HIS HAND, a sexy historical set on a riverboat, to Kensington Aphrodisia. This title will released in June 2007 as part of the Wild Wild Women of the West anthology, which also includes stories by Myla Jackson and Delilah Devlin.

Susan Lanier-Graham's single title romantic suspense, CHASING MAGGIE, finaled in Kiss of Death's Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence contest.

Nancy Pirri's post WWII romance, A WOMAN'S PLACE, is one of 3 finalists in RWA Hearts Through History's Romance Through the Ages contest. Final placement will be announced at the RWA national conference in Atlanta.

Barb Webb, author of The Mom's Guide to Earning and Saving Thousands on the Internet, has started a blog for Internet & Shopping Savvy Women. Visit www.momdotcom.blogspot.com for your daily dose! Barb will also be featured in an upcoming article in Redbook Magazine--look for it in the August '06 edition.

April News

Carolynn Carey is pleased to report that her Avalon release, A SUMMER SENTENCE, is a finalist for both the 2006 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence (short contemporary category) and the 2006 Holt Medallion (traditional category). Her novel also finaled in the National Readers' Choice Award contest (both traditional and best first book categories) and in the More Than Magic contest (traditional/inspirational category).

Mai Thao has just signed with Vivian Beck of the Vivian Beck Agency for her time travel, THE PROPHECY. THE PROPHECY begins her Zenith historical fantasy series.

Mona Risk's medical romance BABIES IN THE BARGAIN continues its good contest performance with a Second Place in OVRWA Enchanted Words, First Place in the Beacon, and First Place in Great Expectations in the Short Contemporary category.

Adele Gautier (w/a Abby Gaines) is celebrating a FIRST SALE! Adele sold WHOSE LIE IS IT ANYWAY? (a manuscript that placed third in last year's Golden Gateway) to Harlequin Superromance. This will be a Jaunary 2007 release.

Nancy Pirri sold WISHES AND KISSES to Midnight Showcase, to be included in the Summer Heat Digest I, available on June 1, 2006.

From the Heart Romance Writers would like to congratulate all our 2006 Golden Heart Finalists: Stacey Riemer – Playing For Keeps (Best Contemporary Single Title) and Mustang Wild (Best Long Historical), Beth Burgoon – Hard To Hold and Nothing But Trouble, Adele Gautier – Accidentally Wed, Robin Perini – On Target, Anna Sugden – Love By bequest, Victoria Wasserman – Lethal Medicine (Best Long Contemporary), Janine Toole – Dream Gypsy, Tawny Weber – Undercover Seduction (Best Short Contemporary), Leslie Dicken – Mark of the Monster (Best Short Historical), and Virginia McCullough – Greta’s Grace (Best Novel with Strong Romantic Elements).

Catherine Chant's YA time-travel romance WISHING YOU WERE HERE is on a roll! The MS won First Place in the Hot Prospects contest (Young Adult category), Fourth Place in the Great Expectations contest (Young Adult category), and finaled in the Fab Five contest (Paranormal category).

March News

Anna Sugden's LOVE BY REQUEST continues its successful run. It is a 2006 Golden Heart finalist in the Long Contemporary category.

Anna Sugden's GAY BY DAY continues its run of good news with not one but two contest wins! Our very own Wallflower Contest and The Suzannah. Linda Sawicki at Dorchester requested the full from the Suzannah contest.

Carolynn Carey's first book, A SUMMER SENTENCE (Avalon Books, August 2005) received the CataRomance Reviewers' Choice Award for the last half of 2005 in the Avalon Romance category. The sequel, FALLING FOR DALLAS, is scheduled for release by Avalon in October 2006.

Jean Drew's ETERNAL HEARTS, a time travel set in ancient Egypt is a finalist in the Great Expectations contest.

February News

Mona Risk's medical romance BABIES IN THE BARGAIN is on a roll. After winning second place in FTHRW Golden Gateway, BABIES IN THE BARGAIN won first place in the short contemporary category in the Launching a Star contest (request for full ms by Susan Litman at Silhouette) and second place in the Gotcha contest (entry going to Lara Hyde at HQ). BABIES IN THE BARGAIN also recently finalled in the Beacon, OVRWA Enchanted Words, Duel on the Delta, Great Expectations and Linda Howard Award of Excellence (entries going to Demetria Lucas and Brenda Chin at HQ).

Mai Thao's fantasy romance, PRINCE OF DARKNESS, place fourth in Couer de Louisiane's Romancing the Tome Contest. She has also signed a contract to write a rock opera for a major composure/lyricist who has worked with DreamWorks Pictures and several off-broadway shows. The yet untitled piece will be based on the story of Pandora's Box.

Tamara Denby (w/a Tawny Taylor)'s novella SPELLS AND SEDUCTION will be released by Ellora's Cave March 1, 2006.

Catherine Chant's YA time travel romance WISHING YOU WERE HERE finaled in the YA category of the Great Expectations contest, sponsored by NTRWA. Catherine is also excited to report that she and her time travel romance are now represented by Nephele Tempest at The Knight Agency.

Barb Webb (w/a Anne Leland)’s story "Witches and Walnuts," contained in SINFUL SUNDAES, an Erotic Ahh Digest from Midnight Showcase (Twin Souls Publishing) has been nominated for the 2005 CAPA Award for Excellence in Romantic and Erotic Fiction in the Erotic Anthology category. Finalists are chosen by The Romance Studio Review Staff.

Leslie Dicken’s MARK OF THE MONSTER, winner of the FTHRW's 2005 Golden Gateway has been requested in full by Nephele Tempest at The Knight Agency. Leslie also reports a FIRST SALE. Samhain Publishing, an epublisher, has offered Leslie Dicken a contract for her sexy futuristic novel THE PRICE OF DISCOVERY.

Barb Webb, co-author of THE MOM'S GUIDE TO EARNING AND SAVING THOUSANDS ON THE INTERNET (McGraw Hill), was recently interviewed by MSNMONEY columnist Liz Pullam Weston for her weekly column. The column is entitled "4 Real Jobs You Can Do From Home."

Annette Blair’s MY FAVORITE WITCH from Berkley has hit the Bookscan Romance Bestseller List and the Barnes & Noble Mass Market Romance Bestseller List. MY FAVORITE WITCH is also a Target Bookmarked Bestseller at Target Stores across the country where it can be found on the bestseller rack between Stephen King and Steve Martin. Click this link for a picture of the display.

Sonya Grady’s "Grelig's Hammer," where fantasy meets erotica, the sequel to "Fire and Water," will be released in March 2006 from Ocean's Mist Press. You can check out the "hot" cover on Sonya's website.

Nancy Schumacher (w/a Nancy Pirri) has sold “The Sheriff Takes A Wife” to Whiskey Creek Press as part of the TREASURES OF HEART anthology with fellow authors from Jewels of the Quill. Nancy also placed third in Arizona RWA Hot Prospects contest in the erotica category with REGINA'S SURRENDER.

January News

Anna Sugden's GAY BY DAY is on a roll! As well as finalling in the Suzannah, it has also finalled in the Emily.

Barb Webb has been promoted to Senior Editor at Chippewa Publishing, LLC. 2006 marks Barb's second year with Chippewa.

Denise Pattison's SARAH'S AWAKENING is a finalist in The Wallflower Contest for unpublished authors in the Erotica category. Also note: Denise will be doing an online workshop in July for Carolina Romance Writers called "Medical Basics, Non-Trauma Related 101."

Mona Risk's Medical Romance, BABIES IN THE BARGAIN, finalled in the Duel on the Delta Contest and in the Beacon contest.