Series Short/Long Contemporary
Final judge Susan Litman, Editor, Silhouette Special Edition
THE TYCOON'S MARRIAGE DEAL by Louise D Cobb & Karen Daughtry
HEAD GAMES by Denise Cychosz
COMING HOME by Jennifer Lou Harris
LOVES FUGITIVE by Kathy Hind w/a Kaily Hart
SECOND CHANCE MOM by Jennie Moening w/a Jenna Rutland
Romantic Suspense (series & single title)
Final judge Megan McKeever, Associate Editor, Pocket Books (Simon & Schuster)
THE LAST MAGICIAN by Linda Baxter and Ann Fischer w/a E.J. Brighton
THE GAVEL'S ECHO by Anne-Marie Carroll
DEATH OF AN ISLAND TART by Janice Croom
THE YARD MAN by G. Jillian Stone
GAMES OF TRANCE by Sherrie Super
Single Title
Final judge Latoya Smith, Assistant Editor, Grand Central Publishers
PASSION by Jeanell Bolton
A DIFFERENT BEAT by Susan Breeden
GETTING LUCKY by Katie Graykowski
AND HE COOKS, TOO by Barbara Kroon
VERDICT by Jean Mason
NONI'S VISION by Shelia Tenold
Unique Genres (Paranormal, Futuristic, Fantasy, and Time Travel)
Final judge Heather Osborn, Acquisitions Editor, Tor
DEMONS IN DIXIE by Alexandra George
SHADOW WORLD by Rashda Khan
MOONLIGHT by Lisa Kessler
DEAR HEART by Alison Leake
RED MOUNTAIN by Heather Leonard
Historical Romance
Final judge Alicia Condon, Editorial Director, Kensington
DEFENSIVE MEASURES by Alyssa Fernandez
THE BLACK DAGGER by Barbara Huddleston
THE SPY ON THE ORLEANS ROAD by Elizabeth McCord
THE STORM AFTER by Gina Hooten Popp
WHEN A HEART DARES by Kathleen Bittner Roth
Inspirational
Final judge Tina James, Editor, Steeple Hill
BEACH RENTAL by Grace R. Greene
FAITH, FAMILY AND THE GIRL NEXT DOOR by Susan Johnson
HOPE FOR THE FUTURE by Pam Mantovani
Young Adult
Final judge Natashya Wilson, Senior Editor, Harlequin Teen
SUGAR HIGH by Bethany Cunningham
REAL GUYS LIKE PINK by Micki Gibson
MAIL ORDER BOYFRIEND by Denise Hale
LOVE AND SALT by Elizabeth Langston
MAGIC SCHOOL DROP-OUT by Liese Sherwood-Fabre
Romantic Sensual and Sizzling (Erotica)
Final judge Raelene Gorlinsky, Publisher & Editor, Ellora's Cave
THE LOVING OF LORD LOXLEY by Madeline Smyth
THE SILKIE'S SALVATION by Laura L. Webb
THE VISCOUNT'S PLEASURE HOUSE by S.N. Webb
The Write Magic (For Southern Magic Members only)
Final judge Sara Megibow, Associate Agent, Nelson Literary Agency
DEMONS IN DIXIE by Alexandra George
SHADOW WORLD by Rashda Khan
RED MOUNTAIN by Heather Leonard
Note: Single Title has six finalists due to tie; Inspirational, The Write Magic and Romantic Sensual and Sizzling have 3 finalists each due to the low number of entries.