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~~ 2025 National Excellence in Storytelling (NEST) Contest Winners ~~

2025 NEST Winner Trailer Coming Soon​

​​​​​​CONTEMPORARY NOVEL

First Place

The Rancher's Lost Bride by Roxanne Snopek

Publisher: Tule Publishing Group

Second Place

Storm's Warning by Ryan Jo Summers

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Third Place (tie)

Matzah Ball Blues by Jennifer Wilck

Publisher: Harlequin Special Edition

AND

The Marriage Bribe by Amber Cross

Publisher: Indie

Fourth Place (tie)

Island Detour by Maria Imbalzano

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

AND

Sisters in Paradise by Carolyn Brown

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Fifth Place (tie)

One Uncovered Summer by J.W. Rose

Publisher: Indie

AND

Men In Books Aren't Better by Nelson and Potter

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

CONTEMPORARY SHORT

First Place

Christmas Gifts: The Family Heirloom by J.L. Lawrence

Publisher: Indie

Second Place

A Christmas Storm by D. V. Stone

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Third Place

Rekindling Her Heart by Virginia Barlow

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

COZY MYSTERY

First Place

Walkers on the Run by C.S. Kjar

Publisher: The Lavender Pen (Indie)

Second Place

Cornbread, Ribs, and Murder (A Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery, book 3) by Joyce Proell and Brenda Whiteside

Publisher: Indie

Third Place

An Act of Murder by Polly Holmes

Publisher: Gumnut Press

Fourth Place

Death by Pins and Needles by Susie Black

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Fifth Place

The Stuff of Murder by Kathleen Marple Kalb

Publisher: Level Best Books

EROTIC

First Place

Captain's Treasure by Jordyn Kross

Publisher: Scarlet Parlor Press, LLC

Second Place

Crossed by Kit McKenna

Publisher: Indie

Third Place

Grimdarke by AK Nevermore

Publisher: Changeling Press

Fourth Place

Toxic Edge by Ashlynn Pearce

Publisher: Indie

Fifth Place

Indigo Cumming's Last Erotic Mystery by Mandy Valentine

Publisher: Secret Self Books

HISTORICAL NOVEL

First Place

Laird of Lies by Willa Blair

Publisher: Oliver Heber Books

Second Place

Lady Reckless by Larissa Lyons

Publisher: Literary Madness (Indie)

Third Place

On This Christmas I Thee Wed by Virginia A Barlow

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Fourth Place

She Danced Anyway by J.J. Ranson

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Fifth Place (tie)

A Capital Christmas by Sarah Hendess

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

AND

A Lilli By Any Other Name by Virginia Barlow

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

AND

A Moonlit Christmas Kiss by Larissa Lyons

Publisher: Literary Madness (Indie)

AND

Love at Quail Crossing by Jennifer McMurrain

Publisher: LilyBear House, LLC

 HISTORICAL SHORT

First Place

Rescued by a Christmas Kiss by Larissa Lyons

Publisher: Literary Madness (Indie)

Second Place

Armed & Marvelous by Pam Crooks

Publisher: Indie

Third Place

A Wallflower's Midsummer Night's Caper by Alina K. Field

Publisher: Havenlock Press

HORROR

First Place

Karens In The Woods by Betsey Kulakowski & J.B. Caine

Publisher: Anatolian Press

Second Place

The Secrets of Grimoire Manor by Christopher Ferguson

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Third Place

The Curse of the Manitou by Stephen B King

Publisher: Indie

Fourth Place

Prism by Wendy W Webb

Publisher: Indie

Fifth Place

Dark Presence by Krysta Scott

Publisher: Indie

INSPIRATIONAL NOVEL

First Place

Who Touches the Mountains by Deborah Raney

Publisher: Raney Day Press

Second Place

Stitched on My Heart: Delphina's Story by Heidi Gray McGill

Publisher: Heidi Gray McGill Books LLC 

Third Place

Healing of the Heart: A Shumard Oak Bend Novel by Heidi Gray McGill

Publisher: Heidi Gray McGill Books LLC

INSPIRATIONAL SHORT

First Place

The Baby and the Guardian by Danielle Grandinetti

Publisher:  Hearth Spot Press

Second Place

Playing for Keeps by Deborah Raney

Publisher: Raney Day Press

Third Place

The Italian Musician's Sanctuary by Danielle Grandinetti

Publisher: Hearth Spot Press

PARANORMAL NOVEL

First Place

Bloodguard by Cecy Robson

Publisher: Red Tower Books

Second Place

Night of the Crescent Moon by M. Flagg

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Third Place

Dragon Charmed by AE Jones

Publisher: Indie

Fourth Place

Remnants of Fire by Alana Lorens

Publisher: Dragonfly Publishing Inc.

Fifth Place (tie)

The Witches of Claw and Fang by Zach Stivers

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

AND

Flame & Shadow by AK Nevermore

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

PARANORMAL SHORT

First Place

When the Hope Rose Blooms by Annette Miller

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Second Place (tie)

Mary Christmas, A Steamy Small Town Romance by Hanna Park

Publisher: Baisong Press

AND

The Dragon Prophecy by J.L. Lawrence

Publisher: Indie

Third Place

Dagger of Orion by J.L. Lawrence

Publisher: Jumpmaster

Fourth Place

Dormer by Mark Edward Jones

Publisher: Indie

Fifth Place

Wild Things by Dani Murchie

Publisher: Indie

SUSPENSE NOVEL

First Place

A Guardian for Christmas by Amanda Knight

Publisher: Indie

Second Place

Gullible by Rosemary Kubli

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Third Place

Cold Spite by Toni Anderson

Publisher: Toni Anderson Inc

Fourth Place

Bygones be Damned by Jules Parker

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Fourth Place

False Evidence by Rachel Grant

Publisher: Indie

Fifth Place

No Good Deed by C.D. Bennett

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

SUSPENSE SHORT

First Place

Flies on the Wall by Jon Minton

Publisher: Indie

Second Place

Mai Tai Murder by Katherine McLellan

Publisher: Indie

Third Place

The Village of Last Hope by Stephen B King

Publisher: Indie

WOMEN’S FICTION

First Place

Meadow Falls by Carolyn Brown

Publisher: Amazon/Montlake

Second Place

The Sawmill Book Club by Carolyn Brown

Publisher: Amazon/Montlake

Third Place

Bewept by Colleen Coyne

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Fourth Place

Her Perfect Blend bu Zelda Benjamin

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Fifth Place (tie)

Picture Perfect by Jennifer McMurrain

Publisher: LilyBear House, LLC

AND

Unrequited by Tina Fausett

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

YOUNG ADULT

First Place

Ghost Therapy by Mark Rosendorf

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Second Place

The Age of Larkspur by Aleighsha Parke

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Third Place

Dead Girl by Kerrie Faye

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Fourth Place

The Consequences by Avis M. Adams

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Fifth Place

Bondwitch by Chelsey M. Ortega

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

​

Officers:

(Contact us at: Crow.OWFI.group@gmail.com)
President: Jon Minton
Vice President: Krysta Scott
Secretary: Anna Kittrell
Programs: Alicia Dean

Delegate: Winona Cross

​

Meet the CROWs:

Alicia Dean writes horror, suspense and paranormal. She lives in Edmond, OK and is an obsessed Elvis fan. Find her here: https://linktr.ee/AliciaDean1835

Anna Kittrell is a prize-winning multi-genre author and screenwriter. When the audience embraces her characters, she embraces success.

Brenda Clark Thomas is an award-winning author who writes primarily speculative fiction with a literary bent.

Brooke Taylor is an award-winning author of edge of your seat Romantic Suspense novels. Filled with daring locales and sizzling chemistry, Brooke’s stories inspire her readers to live life to the fullest and to love without limits.

USA Today best selling author Callie Hutton has penned more than sixty-eight historical romance books and Victorian Cozy Mysteries with humor and “historic elements and sensory details.” (The Romance Reviews). Ms. Hutton’s cozy mystery book, The Sign of Death was a finalist in the Simon and Schuster Mary Higgins Clark award in 2022. With close to a million novels sold and translated into several languages, she continues to entrance readers with her heartfelt stories.

Jon Minton is an American speculative fiction writer based in Oklahoma City. He is a software developer but has always been passionate about a great story.

He reads and writes everything from horror to historical, but his primary genres are science fiction and fantasy. A few of his favorite authors include Stephen King, Anne Rice, James S.A. Corey, N.K. Jemisin, and George R.R. Martin.

Jude Bayton

Julia Mozingo

Kit McKenna is an award winning author who crafts romance books that have a slice of danger blended with strong, seasoned women and are steamed to perfection.

Krysta Scott

Kysha Williams has published 1 children’s book “Jason’s Gift”. She currently working on a murder mystery romance trilogy.

Lisbeth L. McCarty is an author and an attorney. When speaking to CROW members, she was fascinated by the typewriter CROW offers in one of their contests, so she joined to try to win one. Of course, that wasn't the only reason She also loved all the CROW people she met. www.lisbethmccarty.com

Mark Jones specializes in mysteries, paranormal, and sci-fi. His work has been recognized in multiple writing contests and published in anthologies.

Marty Ludlum

Maxine Douglas Hailing from Wisconsin, Maxine Douglas is now an Okie who writes American historical and contemporary romances. These books are always written with heart and may or may not have an added splash of mystery. Find her here: https://linktr.ee/maxinedouglasauthor

Myloe Wilson

Patricia Jellerson

Tamrie Foxtail writes cozy mysteries, young adult, and contributes to the Friday the 13th series. She has a SLIGHT obsession with carousels and anyone who travels with her knows--we stop for carousels.

Tina Fausett

Winona Cross writes mostly historical fiction with romantic elements. She is the author of three books--Dianne's Destiny, Rebecca's Journey, and Winter at Journey's End.

She is an avid reader but prefers historical and women's fiction.

She is a member of the Central Region Oklahoma Writers, the Oklahoma Romance Writers Guild, and the Oklahoma Writer’s Federation, Inc.

Tashia L. Fugate is a Kentucky author who’s putting a spin on the traditional werewolf tale. She writes paranormal fantasy romance with a strong female main character that rises up when the world’s beaten her down. Add in some witty and hilarious side characters and you can’t go wrong.

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