~~ 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
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