December News

Connie Rachal is celebrating a first sale! BRIDE OF PASSION will be released in July 2008.

Mona Risk is also celebrating a first sale! TO LOVE A HERO sold to Cerridwen Press.

Jennifer Stroka (w/a Jennifer Faye)'s GHOST OF A CHANCE won the 2007 Harlequin American Pitch Contest. Kathleen Scheibling has requested a partial.

Debra K. Maher's HEARTS IN WINTER placed First t in Missouri Romance Writers Gateway to the Best contest and is a finalist in Valley of the Sun Romance Writers' Hot Prospects contest and the Duel on the Delta contest, sponsored by the River City Romance Writers. Her manuscript CLAIRE'S CROSSING won 2nd place in New Jersey Romance Writer's Put Your Heart in a Book contest.

November News

Wend Petzler has sold another book to New Concepts Publishing. BLOOD KEEP is a gothic historical romance set in 1334 England under the rule of Edward III.

Jean Drew has sold A PLACE OF HEALING, the story of a policewoman with a troubled soul and a sexy pychologist who spend time together on a deserted beach, to Wild Rose Press.

Carol Wood's first paranormal manuscript, CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE, finaled in the Romancing the Tome contest.

Cai Smith & Stephanie (Arwen) Lynch (w/a writing as Marilu Mann to honor their moms) have sold their first book, CHANGING TIMES, to Ellora's Cave, as well as the second book in the shifter series, CHANGING HEARTS (tentative title). CHANGING TIMES should be released next spring.

Terry Spear has sold DEADLY LIAISONS to Samhain Publishing for release in Fall 2008.

October News

Barb Webb's poems "Come Clean" and "Broken Pie" will appear in a Spring '08 edition of The Blotter Magazine. The Blotter is well known for its nuturing of underground, outsider literature and art.

Eugenia O'Neal has sold THE GLADIATOR'S WOMAN to Phaze Books. The short story of a healer who falls in love with a Nubian gladiator will be released by Phaze.com on January 28, 2008.

Amanda Crustner's short story, THE WAY TO OLYMPIA, won second place in Whispers Publishing's Seven Wonders of the World Contest, which includes a contract for publication in both ebook & print.

September News

Mai Thao is one of the ten finalists in this year's American Title Contest sponsored by Romantic Times and Dorchester Publisher with her fantasy paranormal romance, PRINCE OF DARKNESS. Voting begins October 15th at www.romantictimes.com.

Helen Scott Taylor's paranormal romance THE MAGIC KNOT is also a a finalist in the American Title IV contest.

Victoria Dahl sold TALK ME DOWN, her first contemporary romance, to Tara Parsons at HQN, in a two-book deal.

Jane Leopold Quinn's ANCIENT TIES, an erotic time travel set in roman Britain (published by Loose ID), has received a 4-1/2 Star and Top Pick rating from Romantic Times and has been nominated for an RT Reviewers' Choice Award for Best Erotic Romance of 2006.

Barbara Hughes (w/a Natasha Moore) sold her second full-length contemporary romance, THE PASSION-MINDED PROFESSOR, to Samhain Publishing.

Beth Burgoon (w/a Beth Andrews) is celebrating a first sale! Beth sold ALL OR NOTHING, (the 2007 Long Contemporary Golden Heart Winner) to Harlequin Superromance. It will be released in June 2008.

Jodi Lynn Copeland will be taking part in the Harlequin Spice WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS II anthology with her first-person erotic paranormal novella HOT FOR REVENGE. She will also be taking part in a paranormal BDSM anthology for Kensington Aphrodisia, with her tentatively titled novella CAPTIVE HEAT. Her first-person short story, HOT FOR IT, will be released by SPICE Briefs in April 2008. HOT FOR IT is the prequel to HOT FOR YOU, which is part of the WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS trade paperback anthology from SPICE to be released in May 2008.

Sonya Grady has sold THE FORGOTTEN PRINCESS (First Place winner in the Published Author division of the 2006 FTHRW Wallflower contest) to New Concepts Publishing.

Terry Spear has sold a paranormal to Sourcebooks. HEART OF THE WOLF will be her debut novel with this publisher.

August News

Jane Leopold Quinn has sold HOME TO STAY, an erotic contemporary suspense set in small town Iowa, and ANCIENT TIES, a re-release of her highly-rated erotic time travel first pubbed by Whiskey Creek Torrid, to Loose Id.

Tawny Weber has sold sold three new titles to Harlequin Blaze. TIE ME UP, TIE ME DOWN and PLAY ME TWICE will be 2009 releases.

Dawn Oliveri (w/a Shara Lanel), has sold her second project to Loose Id. BLAME IT ON THE MOON, a paranormal novel, will be a January 2008 release.

Josephine Piraneo (w/a Angelique Armae) signed with Holly Root of the Waxman Literary Agency.

Debra K. Maher's manuscript CLAIRE'S CROSSING is a finalist in the Historical category of NJRW's Put Your Heart in a Book contest, a finalist in PASIC'S Book of Your Heart contest and received 2nd Place in the Inland Valley Romance Writers contest.

Mary Eason has sold DON'T CLOSE YOUR EYES, the story of a psychic whose powers allow her to witness the actions of a serial killer, to Cerridwen Press.

Jennifer F. Stroka's manuscript WILL BY DESIGN received First Place in the 2007 Ignite The Flame Contest and is a finalist in the 2007 Golden Gateway.

July News

Barbara Gale has sold a contemporary romance to Silhouette Special Edition. THE FARMER TAKES A WIFE will be a September 2007 release.

Terry McLaughlin's debut Superromance novel, LEARNING CURVE, is a finalist in the Contemporary category of the Aspen Gold contest. Her latest Superromance release, MAYBE, BABY, is a Romantic Times BOOKreviews Top Pick for August.

Anne Leland (aka Barb Webb)'s erotic romance STROKE ME is a Top Three Finalist in Opal's Erotic Romance Contest, sponsored by author, Opal Carew. Finalist entries will be judged by St. Martin's Press editor, Rose Hilliard. You can visit Anne online at . Barb's article "Turn Your Used Books into New Cash" will appear in the February issue of Country Woman Magazine.

Linda Warren's Harlequin American title THE COWBOY'S RETURN won the Booksellers' Best in the Long Contemporary category at an awards ceremony in Dallas sponsored by The Greater Detroit Romance Writer's Chapter, and placed 3rd in the Lories. Linda is also a double finalist in the Aspen Gold contest with THE COWBOY'S RETURN (Long Contemporary) and SON OF TEXAS (Romantic Suspense).

Sandra Cox has sold BOJI STONES to Cerridwen Press, and it will be released September 2007.

Barbara Hughes (w/a Natasha Moore) has sold QUINN'S CURSE, her first paranormal erotic romance, to Red Sage Publishing's new e-pub line. The hero is a cursed pirate ghost. She has also sold NOTHING TO FEAR to Ellora's Cave for their Halloween Quickies Series, Trick or Treat.

Tammy Plunkett's EMBRACING CIRCUMSTANCE won the Ottawa Romance Writers Association First Meet Contest. The first three chapters and synopsis will be sent to Harlequin Everlasting Love in September.

June News

Annette Blair is thrilled to announce that THE SCOT, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE is a finalist for the FF&P PRISM Award and it placed third in the paranormal category of the Write Touch Readers' Award. MY FAVORITE WITCH, second in her Accidental Witch Trilogy, took first place in the single title category of the Write Touch Readers Award.

Catherine Chant's romantic suspense SAINTS AND SINNERS was a Top Ten Finalist in the Knock Our Socks Off contest, sponsored by the Black Diamond Romance Writers..

Sonya Grady has A WIDOW'S JUSTICE, a historical western erotic romance to loveyoudevine.com. It will be released August 23rd. Part of the series called COWBOYS, Sonya will celebrating a release party with three other authors. The publisher is also interested in a print anthology.

Jodi Lynn Copeland's NIGHT MOVES, from the AFTER HOURS anthology, and SOMEBODY'S HERO, both contemporary erotic romances (from Kensington Aphrodisia and Ellora's Cave), have tied for third in the novella category of FTHRW's The Lories Best Published contest. Jodi Lynn has also signed a new two-book contract (book 1, Sweet and Sinful, book 2, Escape To Ecstasy) with Hilary Sares for Kensington's erotic romance/erotica imprint, Aphrodisia, and she's sold WHAT LIES BETWEEN THEM to Cerridwen Press.

Helen Taylor's two entries in the paranormal category of the Merritt contest both reached the finals. PASSION BEYOND REASON placed first and THE MAGIC KNOT placed second.

Brenda Nelson-Davis' fantasy romance UNDO THE NIGHT won honorable mention in the San Diego Romance Writers Spring into Romance Contest and is a finalist in the Windy City Romance Writers 2007 Four Seasons Contest. Her manuscript SPIT AT THE MOON took First Place in the 2007 Readers in the Rookies Sandy Contest and Third Place in the Heartland Romance Authors Show Me the Spark Contest.

May News

Mona Risk is celebrating a FIRST SALE to Cerridwen Press. TO LOVE A HERO is a Single Title contemporary romance about an American scientist who finds intrigue and love in the arms of a Russian General.

Marianne LaCroix has sold CROSSED SWORDS, a historical pirate romance adventure set in the Caribbean Sea in 1688, to Ellora's Cave as part of their Torrid Tarot series. Marianne's card is the Five of Swords.

Terry McLaughlin's RITA finalist MAKE-BELIEVE COWBOY (Harlequin Superromance) is a finalist in the More than Magic and the Golden Quill contests and winner of the Contemporary category of The Lories Best Published contest.

Anna Sugden's BAD BOY, GOOD MAN finalled in the Four Seasons Contest.

Cynthia D. Morgan (w/a Cynthia D'Alba) is celebrating her first contest win. THE SAND CASTLE won the Heart of the Rockies Contest - Erotica Category. Cynthia also received her PRO pin this month.

Kelley St. John's book trailer/teaser for her new Harlequin Blaze Series, The Sexth Sense, won first place in The Romance Galleria's Cameo Awards.

Vonda Sinclair's historical romance, MY WILD HIGHLANDER placed first in the SMRW Laurie contest. And her paranormal romance, WOLF IN THE SHADOW is a finalist in the Charter Oak Golden Acorn contest.

Ann Jones-Rodriguez (w/a Raquel Rodriguez) is celebrating a FIRST SALE. She has sold MY LOVING ENEMY, an erotic futuristic romance novella, to New Concepts Publishing.

Annette Blair's THE SCOT, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE (Berkley Sensation), third in her Accidental Witch Trilogy, is a finalist for The Write Touch Readers Award in the Paranormal Category. In addition, a hardbound Large Print edition will be available in July 2007. Second in the same series, MY FAVORITE WITCH, is a finalist for the Write Touch Readers' Award, the National Readers' Choice Award and the HOLT Medallion Award. Her novella, YOU CAN'T STEAL FIRST, from the HOT TICKET Anthology (Berkley Sensation), is a finalist for the Desert Rose Golden Quill Award. And Annette has just accepted a three book offer to write a series of bewitching comedic mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime in addition to continuing her contemporary romantic comedies for Berkley Sensation.

Carol Wood's SEEING DOUBLE, a short contemporary, finaled in the Windy City Romance Writers 2007 Four Seasons Awards.

Ann Cory has sold BAWDY TALK to Cobblestone Press for a June 29 release.

April News

From the Heart Romance Writers would like to congratulate our 2007 RITA finalist Terry McLaughlin - Make-Believe Cowboy (Best Long Contemporary), and all our 2007 Golden Heart finalists: Anna Sugden - Mortgaged Hearts (Best Long Contemporary), Beth Burgoon - All or Nothing (Best Long Contemporary), Sheila Mohs - Time Treasure (Best Paranormal), Mary Gardner - All My Tomorrows (Best Long Contemporary), Kim Duffy - My Best Friend's A Real Dog (Best Young Adult) and Yvonne Harris - Double Rainbow (Best Novel With Strong Romantic Elements).

Annette Blair's Berkley Sensation release MY FAVORITE WITCH, second in her Accidental Witch Trilogy, is a HOLT Medallion Award Finalist in the Romantic Comedy Category.

Denise Pattison's historical FLESH AND BLOOD was the winner of the Bobbi Smith Creative Writing Contest at the 2007 Romantic Times Convention in Houston, TX. Agent Evan Marshall has requested a full. The entry will also receive a priority evaluation by Alicia Condon, editorial director for Dorchester.

Nikki Enlow received her Pro Pin. Congratulations, Nikki!

Brenda Williamson has sold IN HIS PROTECTIVE CUSTODY to Liquid Silver books and recently become an RWA PAN member.

Betty Hanawa and Linda Carroll-Bradd (w/a Layla Chase) have won an EPPIE in Erotic Romance Science Fiction/Futuristic for their Triskelion Publishing release SHADOW WARRIOR, an anthology written by Layla Chase, Delilah Devlin, Betty Hanawa, and Myla Jackson. The EPPIE Awards are given annually by the Electronically Published Internet Connection (EPIC) organization to recognize outstanding achievement in e-publishing.

Barbara Hughes (w/a Natasha Moore) has sold BAD TO THE BONE and UP TO NO GOOD to Red Sage Publishing. The sale of UP TO NO GOOD was a direct result of the FTHRW Members Only Wallflower contest.

Cynthia Morgan (w/a Cynthia D'Alba)'s manuscript THE SAND CASTLE finaled in Erotica category of the Heart of the Rockies unpub'ed contest. Winners will be announced on May 11.

Deborrah Girard has sold DEVIL WITH THE RED SUIT ON to Silk's Vault.

March News

Wend Petzler is celebrating a FIRST SALE. She has just signed a contract with New Concept Publishing for CURSE OF THE SCARAB KING, an Egyptian Time Travel.

Sherry Morris has sold DYING TO LOVE HIM to New Concepts Publishing.

Denise Pattison received her PRO Pin on March 2. Congratulations, Denise!

Barb Webb's short story "Our Love Went Up In Flames" has been contracted to appear in the I CONFESS 3 anthology [Carolann Publishing/ 2008]. Also, writing as Anne Leland, Barb sold two stories to Twin Souls Publishing (Midnight Showcase.) "Playing With Fire" will appear in the Pagan Pleasures Digest (April '07) and "Holiday in Hell" will appear in the Spellfire Seasons Digest (12/07).

Kelley St. John sold three more books to Blaze as a second installment to her The Sexth Sense mini-series. The new books will be released in May, July and September 2008. These books are Kelley's 8th, 9th and 10th sales.

Helen Scott Taylor's contemporary paranormal romance THE MAGIC KNOT placed FIRST in the Golden Palm contest and received a request for the full manuscript. Also, her contemporary paranormal romance PASSION BEYOND REASON placed second in the Golden Palm contest and received a request for the full manuscript.

Catherine Chant's romantic suspense SAINTS AND SINNERS finished FIRST in the Single Title category and was the OVERALL WINNER in the Launching a Star contest, sponsored by Authors of Romance (STAR). Her YA time travel romance WISHING YOU WERE HERE finished THIRD in the YA category of the same contest and placed second in the YA category of Duel on the Delta, sponsored by the River City Romance Writers.

Terry Spear's young adult paranormal THE VAMPIRE...IN MY DREAMS, previously sold to Medallion Press who then closed their young adult line, has been picked up by Samhain Publishing. The release date is TBD.

Sonya Grady has sold THE SHAPE OF A WOMAN, a comtemporary rubenesque erotic romance and a departure from her usual historical books that she calls a personal victory, to Forbidden Publications, as well as the erotic fantasy series THE ELEMENTS OF LOVE, previously released as "Fire and Water" and "Grelig's Hammer."

Annette Blair is proud to announce that THE SCOT, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE (December 2006), became a National Bestseller as a Nielsen BookScan Romance Bestseller, A Barnes & Noble Mass Market Bestseller, A Doubleday Book Club Selection, A Rhapsody Book Club Hot Off the Press Selection, and a go a starred Rhapsody Book Club Famous First Line. Annette's THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN took FIRST PLACE for the Laurel Wreath Award, and second place for the Anne Bonney Readers' Choice Award, Single Title and her SCOUNDREL IN DISGUISE is a Laurie Finalist. MY FAVORITE WITCH, the second in Annette Blair's Accidental Witch Trilogy, is a finalist for Colorado Romance Writers' Award of Excellence. And, Thorndike Press has just purchased the large print rights to THE SCOT, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE.

February News

Jean Marie Ward's novel WITH NINE YOU GET VANYR (Samhain, March 2007) was voted the number 2 SF/Fantasy novel of the year in Preditors & Editors 2006 Readers Poll.

Jenn Wilkins (w/a Eve Savage) is celebrating a FIRST SALE. INSIDE THE FIRE, an erotic novella, was contracted to Triskelion Publishing for their Feverish Interludes line. Jenn has been writing professionally since 2003.

Terry McLaughlin is delighted to announce that her debut novel for Harlequin Superromance, LEARNING CURVE, has been nominated for a Romantic Times BOOKreviews Reviewers' Choice Award for Best First Series Romance of 2006.

January News

Michele Lang sold MISTS OF MANHATTAN, the sequel to her debut, MS. PENDRAGON, to Triskelion Publishing and it is a January 2007 release. MISTS has already received a 5 Angel Recommended Read review from Fallen Angel Reviews and a perfect 10 review from The Eternal Night Reviews.

Barbara Gale has sold FINDING HIS WAY HOME to Silhouette Special Edition.

Vonda Ogle (w/a Vonda Sinclair)'s historical MY WILD HIGHLANDER finaled in the Smoky Mountain Romance Writers' Laurie contest.

Mai Thao double finaled in The Laurie with her manuscripts THE PROPHECY and HEART OF A HIGHLANDER in the paranormal category. Both manuscripts are going to Jessica Wade at Berkley to judge.

Amy Padgett (w/a Amy Corwin) has just sold her first traditional Regency to Cerridwen Press's Cotillion Line. SMUGGLED ROSE will be a May 2007 release.

Mary Easonis celebrating the sale of her first romantic suspense novel to Cerridwen Press. DON'T CLOSE YOUR EYES is scheduled for release in July 2007.

Catherine Chant's young adult entry BROTHER TROUBLE placed FIRST and her romantic suspense entry SAINTS AND SINNERS placed THIRD in the New England Chapter of RWA's First Kiss contest. BROTHER TROUBLE also placed FIRST in the YA category of Valley of Sun's Hot Prospects contest. Her young adult time travel romance WISHING YOU WERE HERE and SAINTS AND SINNERS finaled in their respective categories in the SpaceCoasT Authors of Romance (STAR)'s Launching A Star contest.