2009 CLEVELAND ROCKS ROMANCE CONTEST FINALISTS
HISTORICAL
Final Judge: Rose Hilliard, St. Martin’s Press
- 1st : The Reunion by Sara LaBudda
- 2nd: The Anchoress & the Fifth Knight by Elaine Powell
- 3rd : To Love a Viscount by Kathleen Cherry
MAINSTREAM W/ROMANTIC ELEMENTS
Final Judge: Diane Parkinson, The Wild Rose Press
- 1st: Deadly Journey by Ginny Powers
- 2nd:The End at River’s Bend by Cathryn Pritchard
- 3rd: Competition by Andi White w/as M. Tanavamel
PARANORMAL
Final Judge: Ethan Ellenberg, Ellenberg Literary Agency
- 1st: Calling Fire by Melanie Card
- 2nd: Reading the Waters by Jessica B. Hunt
- 3rd: Wolf Cub by Misty Marquardt
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
Final Judge: Christine Witthohn, Book Cents Agency
- 1st: Touch Me by Kathy Bremner
- 2nd: Illusions by Catherine Perkins
- 3rd: Blue Ridge Fear by Robin Weaver
CONTEMPORARY SINGLE TITLE
Final Judge: Susan Yates, The Wild Rose Press
- 1st: Rules for Life on the Run by Anne Newton
- 2nd: Love at Risk by Sara LaBudda
- 3rd: Ready or Not by Kym Lucas
YOUNG ADULT
Final Judge: Danielle Poiesz, Pocket Books
- 1st: Being Mary Bennett Blows by Mary E. Strand
- 2nd: The Spy Next Door by Diane Van Dyke
- 3rd: Piper’s Kiss by Sheryl Carpenter
FIRST DECLARATION OF LOVE
Final Judge: Raelene Gorlinsky, Ellora’s Cave Publishing
- 1st: Deadly Reflection – Nancy Schneider
- 2nd: Bittersweet Mountain – Laura Bachelder
- 3rd: Only for Tonight – Mary Jane Esber
SERIES/CATEGORY
Final Judge: Brenda Chin, Harlequin
- 1st: Shot in the Dark by Jennifer Conner
- 2nd: Unconditional Family by Kim Law
- 3rd: Love in an Escavator by Jennifer Holden
Congratulations to all of the finalists!
Please visit again to check out our 2011 contest.
Cleveland Rocks Romance Contest
Northeast Ohio Romance Writers
It’s “green” – It’s improved – It’s all electronic!
We’re now paperless—entries and responses all electronic.
Deadline to enter is June 1st, 2009 Contest Rules for download
After reading the rules, download the entry form.
All entrants receive first-round judges’ scores and comments. Finalists receive a 1-page critique from the judging editor/agent.
2009 Categories and Judges
| CATEGORY | EDITOR/AGENT JUDGE |
| Contemporary Series/Category Romance | Brenda Chin, Harlequin |
| Single Title Romance | Susan Yates, The Wild Rose Press |
| Erotic Romance | Kelli Kwiatkowski, Ellora’s Cave |
| First Declaration of Love | Raelene Gorlinsky, Ellora’s Cave/Cerridwen Press |
| Historical Romance | Rose Hilliard, St. Martin’s Press |
| Mainstream with Romantic Elements | Diane Parkinson, The Wild Rose Press |
| Paranormal Romance | Ethan Ellenberg, Ellenberg Literary Agency |
| Romantic Suspense | Christine Witthohn, Book Cents Literary Agency |
| Young Adult | Danielle Poisz, Pocket Books |
Due to the publishing market, editors are subject to change without notice.