Linda Howard Award of Excelllence

Series/Short & Long Contemporary
Romance-based series novels.
Word count: 40,000 to 90,000
Final Judge: Susan Litman, Editor, Silhouette

Single Title
Romance-based novels published as individual titles.
All publishers of individual titles of romance.
Word count: 90,000 to 110,000
Final Judge: Selina McLemore, Editor, Grand Central Publishers (formerly Warner)

Suspense (series or single title)
Romance-based novels that include an element of mystery or suspense.
Word count: 40,000 to 110,000
Final Judge: Lauren McKenna, Executive Editor, Pocket

Historical
Romance-based novels with non-contemporary settings, including regency & gothic romances.
Word count: 40,000 to 110,000
Final Judge: Alicia Condon, VP, Editorial Director, Dorchester

Unique Genres (Paranormal, Futuristic, Fantasy, Time Travel)
Romance-based novels of any time setting that contain elements such as time-travel, paranormal
or fantasy themes. All publishers of individual titles of romance.
Word count: 90,000 to 110,000
Final Judge: Selena James, Executive Editor, Kensington

Series Short/Long Contemporary

1. The Nature of Love by JoAnn Weatherly *full requested*
2. Heart Strings by Joan Turner *full requested*
3. Sweet Cheeks by Sheryll Gallagher *full requested*
4. A Question of Magic by Madelaine Culp
5. Sand Stalker by Cynthia D'Alba

Historical

1. Through the Fire by Beth Trissel *full requested*
2. Once Upon a Masquerade by Tamara Hughes
3. Entrapping the Earl by Donna Rosenbloom
4. Courageous Heart by Sheri Humphreys
5. Fatal Fortune by Joanne Barnaba

Single Title

1. Cowboy Games by Wendi Christner
2. Personal Assets by Gwendolyn Lucas
3. Last Straw by Ann Fischer & Linda Baxter
4. Dog Nanny by Ann Whitaker
5. Cedar Hill by Annette L. Couch-Jareb

Unique Genres

1. Incredible Dreams by Sandra De Taranto
2. The Big Easy by Donna Herren & Gabrielle Goldforb
3. The Time Traveling Matchmaker by Janie Emaus
4. Blood Runs Thicker: A Vampire Detective Agency Novel by Leah Hodge
5. Kismet's Kiss by Cate Rowan

Romantic Suspense

1. Harvesting the Moon by Patricia Canavan
2. Pressing Matters by Adrienne Maynard
3. Stronger Than Bone by Kendra Elliot
4. Safe in Enemy Arms by Joan Swan
5. InSight by Polly Iyer
HM: Deadly Recall by Donnell Ann Bell