REMEMBERING THE WINNERS
of the 2007 HOT PROSPECTS CONTEST!
Overall High Scoring Winner
Lilith’s Child by Lee Roland
wins a written critique by Scott Eagan, Greyhaus Agency
Division: HISTORICAL
Final judge: Vivian Beck, Vivian Beck Agency
1st Place: Blood Marriage by Regina Richards
2nd Place: Lord Andrew’s Match by Cynthia Arends w/a Cynthia Falcon
3rd Place: Hearts In Winter by Debra K. Maher
Division: ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
Final judge: Paige Wheeler, Folio Literary Management
1st Place: Wilderness Mafia by Kristal Hinds Singletary
2nd Place: Pleasant Lake by Kelly Fitzpatrick
3rd Place: Rescue Me by Linda Hurtado Figueredo
Division: FANTASY, FUTURISTIC & PARANORMAL
Final judge: Leah Hultenschmidt, Dorchester Publishing
1st Place: Lilith’s Child by Lee Roland
2nd Place: Hedda’s Sword by DeAnne R. Wildes-Mickelson
3rd Place: Casual Curses and Meticulous Magic by Lee Roland
Division: INSPIRATIONAL
Final judge: Denise Silvestro, Penguin Praise
1st Place: Jumping Fences by Kit Wilkinson
2nd Place: Playing on Heartstrings by Keli Kristine Gwyn
3rd Place: Troubleby Kit Wilkinson
Division: LONG CONTEMPORARY
Final judge: Patience Smith, Harlequin / Silhouette
1st Place: The Cost of Love by Vannetta Chapman
2nd Place: Only With The Heart by Linda Steinberg
3rd Place: Lipstick and Camouflage by Marian Stevens
Division: SHORT CONTEMPORARY
Final judge: Michelle Grajkowski, 3 Seas Literary Agency
1st Place: The Nature Of Love by JoAnn Weatherly
2nd Place: The Cleopatra Secret by Greta MacEachern
3rd Place: The Wrong Mr. Right by Ami Weaver
Division: CHICKLIT / WOMEN’S FICTION
Final judge: Sara Megibow, Nelson Literary Agency
1st Place: Flaherty’s Crossing by Kristina Y. McMorris and Linda Yoshida
2nd Place: Luck Of The Draw by Teryl Oswald
3rd Place: Desperate Homeowners by Tina LaVon Conine
Division: EROTICA
Final judge: Raelene Gorlinsky, Ellora’s Cave
1st Place: Wings of Desire by Cynthia Arends w/a Hyacinth Hawke
2nd Place: Oral Exam by Tamra Westberry
3rd Place: Missionary Style by Tamra Westberry
Division: YOUNG ADULT
Final judge: Kate Seaver, Berkley
1st Place: Billie Frankenstein by Cathy McDavid
2nd Place: Eternally Emma by Jeanne Rutgers
3rd Place: Forbidden Children by Gail Francis
REMEMBERING THE WINNERS OF THE
2006 HOT PROSPECTS CONTEST
OVERALL HIGH SCORING WINNER:
Queen In Exile by Donna Hatch
…wins a critique by Elaine English, Elaine English Literary Agency
CHICKLIT/WOMEN’S FICTION (Final judge: Kathryn Lye, Harlequin)
FIRST PLACE: The Camp Followers by Shannon O’Keeffe-Dame
SECOND PLACE: The Marilyn Club by Kayce Lassiter
THIRD PLACE: Bad Hair Day In The City by Marian Stevens
EROTICA (Final judge: Kristi Studts, Triskelion)
FIRST PLACE: Feeding Our Desire by Mary Ann G. Chulick (full requested)
SECOND PLACE: Corporate Fantasies by Marie Tuhart
THIRD PLACE: The Perfect Package by Jan Walkosz
FF&P (Final judge: Kate Seaver, Berkley)
FIRST PLACE: Queen in Exile by Donna Hatch (full requested)
SECOND PLACE: Overlord by Anitra Lynn McLeod (full requested)
THIRD PLACE: Elusive Grace by Anitra Lynn McLeod (full requested)
HISTORICAL/REGENCY (Final judge: Chris Keeslar, Dorchester)
FIRST PLACE: Touch the Flame by Donna Warner (full requested)
SECOND PLACE: Counterfeit Companion by Doreen Rebh
THIRD PLACE: Fire At Midnight by Lisa Marie Wilkinson
LONG CONTEMPORARY (Final Judge: Paige Wheeler, Folio Literary Agency)
FIRST PLACE: Fairy Godmother, Inc. by Libby H. Banks (partial requested)
SECOND PLACE: Lip Service 101 by Robyn Grady
THIRD PLACE: Beyond Pleasure by Dianne Venetta (partial requested)
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE (Jennifer Jackson, Donald Maass Literary Agency)
FIRST PLACE: Legacy of Lies by Doris M. Lemcke
SECOND PLACE: Every Rose Has Its Thorn by J. L. Wilson
THIRD PLACE: Montana Millionaire by Vannetta Chapman
SHORT CONTEMPORARY (Brenda Chin, Harlequin)
FIRST PLACE: Hunk Brothers, Inc. by Sally Stotter
SECOND PLACE: Romancing the Storm by Lee Rhuday
THIRD PLACE: The Long Road Home by Carol Webb
YOUNG ADULT (Michelle Grajkowski, 3 Seas Literary Agency)
FIRST PLACE: Brother Trouble by Catherine Chant
SECOND PLACE: The Summer Secret by Laurie Saloman
THIRD PLACE: My Life In The Void by Betsy Norman
It was an excellent contest this year and out of 24 finalists, we had 7 requests for full and partial manuscripts from editors and agents, which is almost 30% of the finalists. Congratulations…great job!
Lori Combs-Graves
Hot Prospects Contest Coordinator
REMEMBERING THE WINNERS
of the 2005 HOT PROSPECTS CONTEST!
Overall Highest Scoring Entry:
Return to Me by Sonje Goedde
Short Contemporary - (Final judge: Kimberly Young, Harlequin)
First Place: Evangeline’s Legacy by Anne Funderburg
Second Place: Feliz Navidad, Darling by Ines marques-Chisholm
Third Place: Loons of a Feather by Lori Combs-Graves
Long Contemporary - (final judge: Brenda Chin, Harlequin)
First place: Hot Shot by Mary Fechter
Second Place: Katie’s Rock by Lorie Combs-Graves
Third Place: Die Again by Anne Oortman
Chicklit / Women’s Fiction - (final judge: Kathryn Lye, Harlequin)
First place: Manspotting by Sally Stotter
Second Place: Tee Time by Jennifer Talty
Third place: By Jove! by Marissa Doyle
Historical - (Final Judge: Gina Bernal, Berkley)
First Place: Pirates by Michelle Beattie
Second Place: Moment of Passion by Kelly Gotusso-Mortimer
Third Place: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by Regan Loyd
Fantasy / Futuristic / Time Travel / Paranormal
(final judge: Jessica Wade, Berkley)
First Place: Return to Me by Sonja Goedde
Second Place: Sword of Hope by Wendy Drew
Third Place: Newt and Day by Mary Ann G. Chulik
Erotica- (Final judge: Raelene Gorlinsky, Ellora’s Cave)
First Place: Seduction of the Klatch by Tina Gerow
Second Place: Hunter by Dorothy Fontana
Third Place: Regina’s Surrender by Nancy Schumacher
Romantic Suspense - (Final judge: Patience Smith, Silhouette)
First Place: Flights of Angels by Sharon Wray
Second Place: Affair at Midnight by Sharon Wray
Third Place: Long Texas Shadow by Vanetta Chapman
Young Adult - (Final judge: Kate Seaver, Berkley)
First Place: Wishing You Were Here by Catherine Chant
Second place: Frankie the Freak by Terri Clark
Third place: All A Girl Wants by Laura Cumbie
2004 HOT PROSPECTS CONTEST
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS !
***Full manuscripts for GAME TIME by Mary Ann G. Chulick and
HERE COMES THE BRIBE by Sherry A. Davis
were requested by editor. Fantasy/Science Fiction category:
Final judge, Christopher Keeslar, Dorchester Publishing editor
1. GAME TIME by Mary Ann G. Chulick ***
2. HE WALKS IN DREAMS by Darcy Carson
3. MORAN’S LOVE by Tricia Lynn
Historical category:
Final judge, Gina Bernal, Berkley/Jove editor
1. RUNES OF FIRE by Terri Garey
2. THE FOX by Carla Hughes
3. DECURION by Linda Raper
Romantic Suspense category:
Final judges, Cheryl Weisman and Patience Smith, Silhouette editor
1. BITEMARKS by Connie Smith
2. GAMBIT by Rose Fisk
3. THE VIOLET SOCIETY: DEATH AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH by Mary Elizabeth O’Connor
Young Adult: two first place winners
Final judge, Kate Seavor, Dorchester Publishing editor
1. WISHES, KISSES AND NEAR MISSES by Lee McKenzie McAnally
1. CHASING PUBERTY by Kimberly Duffy
2. HOW TO RUIN A SUMMER VACATION IN THREE SHORT MONTHS by Simone Elkeles
Short Contemporary category:
Final judge, Tanya Starratt, Harlequin editor
1. HERE COMES THE BRIBE by Sherry A. Davis ***
2. UNMASKED FANTASY by Kelley Zeringue
3. BLUE PRINT FOR LOVE by Kerry Brooks Swift
Long Contemporary category:
Final judge Louisa Edwards, Berkley Publishing Group
1. WIDE OPEN SPACES by Terry McLaughlin
2. THROW YOUR HEART OVER by Linda Ingmanson
3. PLAYING CUPID by Kimberly Duffy
Inspiration category not used due to lack of entries.
*******************
Flash news, August 2004:
“A SUITABLE BRIDE” by Judith Laik
Hot Prospect 2001 winner in Historical/Regency category.
Sold to Kensington in 2004 and will be out in May 2005.
It is now titled The Lady is Mine!
2003 HOT PROSPECTS CONTEST
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS !
Historical Category
Final judge: Louisa Edwards at Berkley
1st place: Master of the Heart by Jesica Trapp
2nd place: An Angel’s Kiss by Stacey Lynn Riemer
3rd place: The Cavalry Wife by Donna Dalton
Long Contemporary Category
Final judge: Jennifer Enderlin of St. Martin’s Press
1st place: Gray’s Anatomy by Crystal Bright-Hollomon
2nd place: A Man Like Jimmy Stewart by Robin Lanier
3rd place: Great Lights by Lisa Baron Roti
Paranormal Category
Final judge: Anna Genoese, Editor, Tor/Forge
1st place: Flight of the Falcon by Elizabeth Hoffman
2nd place: Leda’s Swain by Laura Clayton Furst
3rd place: Kissed by the Moon by Colleen Reilly
Mystery Category
Final judges: Cheryl Weisman, Editorial Assistant at Silhouette
Patience Smith, Associate Senior Editor of Continuities
1st place: Guarding Julia by Babette de Jongh
2nd place: Disappeared by Karen Brown
3rd place: On Shaky Ground by Pamela S. Beason
Short Contemporary Category
Final judge:
Brenda Chin, Associate Senior Editor, Harlequin Temptation
1st place: Sweet Indulgence by Tawny Weber
2nd place: For One Weekend Only by Jennifer Stark
3rd place: Privileges Granted by Janice Lynn
Young Adult final judge
Kate Seavor, Editor at Dorchester Publishing
Inspirational category final judge
Diane Dietz, Assistant Editor at Steeple Hill
Due to insufficient number of entries in Young Adult
and Inspirational Romance categories,
There was no competition in these categories this year
As the result of this contest one of the finalists
saw her book requested by the final judge in its category, to be considered for publication
For more information contact:
Paula Eldridge - 623-930-0660 - email: [email protected] , P.O. Box 12012 - Glendale, AZ - 85318
*******************
Flash news, February 2003:
THE DUKE’S DECISION by Lisa Manuel
Hot Prospect 2002 winner in Historical category just sold to Kensington! And Lisa Manuel signed a contract with them for two more books.
WINNERS OF THE 2002 HOT PROSPECTS CONTEST
Long Contemporary/Single Title
Final judge, Cindy Hwang, Berkley
1st - DEATH BY SEX by Gail Freeman and Nancy Quatrano
2nd - HOOKING MR. RIGHT by Lois Winston
3rd - YELLOWSTONE SPRING by Rose Fisk
Short Contemporary
Final judge, Brenda Chin, Harlequin Books
1st - CITY GIRL by Nancy Holland
2nd - A NANNY FOR HIRE by Renee Roy
3rd - TEMPORARY JOB by Judith Johns
Historical
Final judge, Tracy Farrell, Harlequin Historicals
1st - THE DUKE’S DECISION by Lisa Manuel
this book just sold to Kensington!
2nd - THE EARL THAT I MARRY by Ann Yost
3rd - ROMAN RUNES by Terri Garey
Mystery/Suspense
Final judge, Lucienne Diver, Spectrum Literary Agency
1st - YESTERDAY’S CHILD by Theresa Monsey
2nd - IT HAD TO BE YOU by Mary Jo Scheibl
3rd - SOMETHING VERY WICKED by Mary Zelinsky
Inspirational
Final judge, Jessica Regante, Steeple Hill
1st - MICHAEL’S SURRENDER by Missy Tippens
2nd - INDENTURED FOR ETERNITY by Diana Rahe Taylor
3rd - BLUE RIDGE GIFTS by Joan B. Clark and Frances-Lee Millgroom
Paranormal/Time Travel
Final judge, Anna Genoese, Tor/Forge
1st - BARGAIN by Esri Allbritten
2nd - THE REBEL AND THE RAVEN by Joanna King
3rd - SUSANNAH AND HER SISTERS by Jody Wallace