Contemporary Series – Final Round Judge: Wanda Ottewell, Harlequin
Crashing Into Tess by Christine M. Griffin
Scarlet Distraction by Elly Takaki*
Testing The CEO’s Theory by Sarah Darnell*

Contemporary Single Title – Final Round Judge: Leonore Waldrip, HQN
First Aid for a Broken Heart by Kat Latham
Hawaiian Heat: The Marriage Trap by Diane Garner
Octagon Girl by Michelle Manon
Precious Jewels by Mary Behre
Royally Screwed by Kelle Z. Riley

Historical – Final Round Judge: Katherine Pelz, Berkley
An Unloved Earl by Eileen Emerson
The League of Rogues by Lauren Diana Smith
The Winds of Fate by Elizabeth Byziek

Paranormal, Fantasy, Futuristic – Final Round Judge: Esi Sogah, Avon
Fairy Tales by Liz Roadifer
Mated by Magick by Kat Bastion
Seal of Destiny by Traci Douglass

Strong Romantic Elements – Final Round Judge: Kathleen Gilligan, St. Martin’s
Murder, Curlers & Canes by Arlene McFarlane
Murder, Curlers & Cruisers by Arlene McFarlane
Wrestling with Alligators by Lateia Elam Sandifer

Romantic Suspense – Final Round Judge: Leis Pederson, Berkley
Death by Design- A Crime of Passion by Meline Nadeau*
Her Unreasonable Doubt by Anne-Marie Carroll
The Cell by Diane Garner

Young Adult – Final Round Judge: Karen Chaplin, HarperCollins Children’s Books
Disposables by Elly Takaki*
Dolphins, Dorks & Danger by Robin Weaver
Sway by Nicki Pau Petro *
Atlantis Riptide by Allie Burton

* TRW member
Categories with more than three finalists are due to ties.

The Central Ohio Fiction Writers chapter of the Romance Writers of America has announced the 2012 Ignite the Flame contest winners.

I was excited to learn that my manuscript, The Parachutist, placed second in the historical category. The complete list of winners is below. Congratulations everyone!

2012 Ignite the Flame Contest winners

Suspense Romance
1st Place SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY by Urusla Renee
2nd Place SEVERED THREADS by Kaylin McFarren
3rd Place HARBOR ME by Mandy Rathbone

Single Title Romance
1st Place WHEN IN ROME by Adeline Grey
2nd Place MESMERIZED IN MADAGASCAR by George & Noi Guthridge
PLACE YOUR BETTS by Katie Graykowski
3rd Place HOLDING ON by Ellen Dean Price

Category-Length Contemporary Romance
1st Place THE BESTMAN by Simone James
2nd Place PRESERVATION by Carrie Christie
3rd Place HEART BE STILL by Patrice Wadie

Paranormal Romance
1st Place CHERUB’S PLAY by Katie Grant
2nd Place TO HISS OR TO KISS by Katya Armock
3rd Place MIDWORLDER LOVER by Maggie Mundy

Historical Romance
1st Place FROM YOU I CANNOT HIDE by Cora Lee
2nd Place THE PARACHUTIST by Diana Quincy
3rd Place AMBUSHING THE HEIRESS by Kristen Boe

Young Adult
1st Place BENEATH THE SURFACE by Miranda Rae Carter
2nd Place PAINLESS by Jenna Grinstead
3rd Place WE TWO UNUSUAL by Tony Roberts

I’m was thrilled to learn that my manuscript, THE PARACHUTIST, took top honors in the 2012 Duel on the Delta contest sponsored by the River City Romance Writers.

My other manuscript, TEMPTING BELLA, placed second in the historical category.

Here’s the full list of finalists and winners. Congratulations everyone!

Contemporary
Winner: Clear as Glass — Lynn Kellan
Second Place: Synchrony’s Call — S.J. Bickford
Third Place: Surrender’s Vow — S.J. Bickford

Historical
Winner: The Parachutist* — Diana Quincy
Second Place: Tempting Bella — Diana Quincy
Third Place: Seduced by a Spy — Christina De Gennaro
*Full manuscript requested by the editor

 Inspirational
Winner: Deliver Us from Evil — Mary Curry
Second Place: Liberty’s Lady — Mary Curry
Third Place: Too Late to Apologize — Christy Smith

Paranormal
Winner: Dark Conquest — Christina Kenton
Second Place: The Book of Dracon, The Mayhen Series — Briana MacWilliam
Third Place: Seal of Fate — Traci Douglass

Romantic Suspense
Winner: One in Ten Thousand — Jackie Flaum
Second Place: Deadly Rumors — Pamela Anderson-Moore
Third Place: Treasure Life — Sherilyn Alexander

Young Adult
Winner: Operation Breakup — Jeanmarie Anaya
Second Place: Lost Souls — Beth Watson
Third Place: Blood, She Read — Sara Hubbard