I received a call informing me that two of my manuscripts are finalists in the Valley Forge Romance Writers 2012 Sheila contest.

THE PARACHUTIST and TEMPTING BELLA both finaled in the Historical Category.

I need to give a special shoutout to the Sheila judges for  providing excellent feedback on both manuscripts.  

Now, the six highest-rated entries in the Historical category move on to the final round, where they will be judged by Elizabeth Poteet of St. Martin’s Press.

Congratulations to all of the finalists!

2012 Sheila Finalists

Single Title
The Secret Ingredient, Susan Spaulding*
Cat on a Hot Steel Flight Deck, Heather Nickodem
The Novice Wife, Adele Downs*
Doctor with Benefits, Elizabeth Kelley*
Octagon Girl, Michele Mannon

Romantic Suspense
Her Unreasonable Doubt, Anne-Marie Carroll
The Way You Love Me, Janis Thereault
Mesmerized in Madagascar, George Guthridge
Double Trick, Ava Milone
Twisted, Tori Lennox

Historical
Her Every Desire, Jennifer McQuiston
The Parachutist, Diana Quincy
Embracing an Unloved Earl, Eileen Emerson*
Taming Huck Finn, Leigh Stites
Tempting Bella, Diana Quincy
The Winds of Fate, Elizabeth Bysiek

Young Adult
Midnight Siren, Ruth Knafo Setton
The Agreement, Angela N. Blount
Flying Objects, Falling in Love, and Other Catastrophes, Caryn Caldwell
Designer Genes – “The Boyfriend Cut”, Harely Brooks
Dolphins, Dorks, and Danger, Robin Weaver

Women’s Fiction w/Romantic Elements
Untamed Valor, Virginia E. Boylan
Taylor Made Life, Kary Rader
Murder, Curlers and Cruises, Arlene McFarlane
Unredeemed, Jodi M. Fisher
Preservation, Carrie Christie

Paranormal
Flood and Fire, Amy Raby
Incandescent, M.V. Freeman
Fairy Tales, Elizabeth Roadifer
Blood Vine, Amber Belldene
Dead Vampires Don’t Date, Meredith Allen Conner 

I’ve got some happy news to share going into the new year.

I received an email from Linda Andrews, coordinator of the Valley of the Sun Romance Writers‘ “Hot Prospects” contest, informing me that my manuscript, Tempting Bella, won the historical category in the 2011 contest.

Both published and unpublished writers vied for the top spots in this contest. Katharine Pelz, of the Berkley Publishing Group, was the final round judge in my category.

My thanks to coordinator Linda Andrews and all of the judges for a well-run, professional contest. Congratulations to all of the finalists!

Below are the complete contest results:

2011 Hot Prospects Contest Winners

Historical
1st Tempting Bella  Diana Quincy **
2nd Paths of Desire Shannon Donnelly
3rd The Caged Heart Carla Swafford

Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal
1st Last Time Sharon Forret **
tie 2nd Return to Celio Polly Cain
tie 2nd Edge Walkers Shannon Dee

Romantic Suspense
1st Forever Alicia Lienhart
2nd Redemption Diane Garner **
tie 3rd Night Hush Leslie Jones
tie 3rd The Cell Diane Garner

Contemporary Single Title
1st Legally Mastered Sarah Castille **
2nd How to Say No and Mean It Abby Gaines**
3rd Perfect Summer Katie Graykowski
4th Man Overboard Carrie C Spencer

Contemporary Series
1st His Forgotten Wife Susanna Rogers **
2nd Snow Job Kelly Fitzpatrick
3rd Hitting the High Note Karen Rock

Grand Prize Winner:  Legally Mastered by Sarah Castille