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~~ 2023 National Excellence in Storytelling (NEST) Contest Winners ~~
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Contemporary Novel
First Place
Second Chance at Sunflower Ranch by Carolyn Brown
Publisher: Grand Central/Forever
Second Place
The Hope Chest by Carolyn Brown
Publisher: Montlake
Third Place (tie)
Hummingbird Lane by Carolyn Brown
Publisher: Montlake
Third Place (tie)
The Sandcastle Hurricane by Carolyn Brown
Publisher: Montlake
Fourth Place
Finding Love in the Snow by C.S. Kjar
Publisher: Indie Published
Fifth Place (tie)
The Bluebonnet Battle by Carolyn Brown
Publisher: Montlake
Fifth Place (tie)
Bridges by Linda Griffin
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Contemporary Short
First Place
Red River Deep by Carolyn Brown
Publisher: Sourcebooks/Casablanca
Second Place
Return to Wylder by Maria Imbalzano
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Third Place
Secrets in the Sand by Carolyn Brown
Publisher: Sourcebooks/Casablanca
Fourth Place
A Maple Cookie Homecoming by Judy Ann Davis
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Fifth Place
Harvest Moon Kisses by Linda Carroll-Bradd
Publisher: Inked Figments-indie
Erotic Novel
First Place
Shattered Ice by Jordyn Kross
Publisher: Scarlet Parlor Press, LLC
Second Place
Love Under a Diamond Sky by Katherine McLellan
Publisher: Indie Published
Third Place
Broken Falcon by Rachel Grant
Publisher: Indie Published
Fourth Place
Stepping Stone by Liv Arnold
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Fifth Place
North Stone, Book Three of Stone Brothers Series by Roxanne Leblanc
Publisher: Indie Published
Erotic Short
First Place
Ask Me Nicely by Dania Voss
Publisher: Indie Published by Dania Voss
Second Place
Our Fugitive Bride by Lacey Davis
Publisher: Indie Publisher
Third Place
Igniting Ireland by Virginia Barlow
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Historical Novel
First Place
Fiona and the Enigmatic Earl by Grace Callaway
Publisher: Grace Callaway Books
Second Place
Desperate Hope by Susan Leigh Furlong
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Third Place
Highland Reckoning by Willa Blair
Publisher: Oliver-Heber Books
Fourth Place
Olivia and the Masked Duke by Grace Callaway
Publisher: Grace Callaway Books
Fifth Place (tie)
Home In Wylder by Jane Lewis
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Fifth Place (tie)
The Texan's Favor by D. K. Deters
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Historical Short
First Place
Irish Kelly and The Heartbreak Kid by Sharon Sala
Publisher: Wolfpack Publishing
Second Place
Christiana by Pam Crooks
Publisher: Indie Published
Third Place (tie)
A Bride for Harley by Heidi Gray McGill
Publisher: Qualified Independent Publisher
Third Place (tie)
Jesse and the Mail Order Bride by Caroline Clemmons
Publisher: Indie Published
Inspirational Novel
First Place
Restored Grace, Bay Town Series Book Three by Kathleen J. Robison
Publisher: Celebrate Lit Publishing
Second Place
Matters of the Heart by Heidi Gray McGill
Publisher: Qualified Independent Publisher
Third Place
With All My Heart by Heidi Gray McGill
Publisher: Qualified Independent Publisher
Fourth Place
A Rose in Winter by Janis Jakes
Publisher: White Rose Publishing, division of Pelican Ventures, Inc.
Fifth Place (tie)
Lakehouse Promises by Jodi Allen Brice
Publisher: Guardian Ink
Fifth Place (tie)
Redemption's Hope by Kathleen D. Bailey
Publisher: Pelican/White Rose
Inspirational Short
First Place
As Silent as the Night by Danielle Grandinetti
Publisher: Hearth Spot Press
Second Place
Dial E for Endearment by Heidi Gray McGill
Publisher: Qualified Independent Publisher
Third Place (tie)
Dial P for Perfect by Heidi Gray McGill
Publisher: Qualified Independent Publisher
Third Place (tie)
"The Wondrous Gift" in O Little Town collection by Deborah Raney
Publisher: Kregel Books
Paranormal Novel
First Place
Stay With Me by Leslie Hachtel
Publisher: Indie Published
Second Place
Dragon Kissed by AE Jones
Publisher: Indie Published
Second Place
Heartstone by Rose Sartin
Publisher: The Oghma Press
Third Place
A Glimpse of Music by Sydney Winward
Publisher: Silver Forge Books
Fourth Place
Forbidden Love by Marissa Garner
Publisher: Indie Published
Fifth Place
Trace of Evil by Margo Carey
Publisher: Champagne Book Group
Paranormal Short
First Place
Demons Just Want To Have Fun by AE Jones
Publisher: Indie Published
Second Place
The Dream Diaries by CJ Zahner
Publisher: Indie Published
Third Place
The Secret Legacy by Polly Holmes
Publisher: Gumnut Press
Fourth Place
Dark Waves by Amanda Uhl
Publisher: Amanda Uhl, LLC
Fifth Place
Stained Glass Secrets and Star Wishes by Celaine Charles
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Suspense Novel
First Place
Into the Storm by Rachel Grant
Publisher: Indie Published
Second Place
Honor 'N' Duty by Tee O'Fallon
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Third Place
Jazz House by D. V. Stone
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Fourth Place
Wreck My Mind (Wicked Games) by Brooke Taylor
Publisher: Totally Bound
Fifth Place
Trapped by JB Schroeder
Publisher: JB Schroeder, LLC & Two Feet Press
Suspense Short
First Place
Shattered Promises by Linda Trout
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Second Place
The Student in Classroom 6 by Patricia McAlexander
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Third Place
The Last Wife by Krysta Scott
Publisher: Indie Published
Fourth Place
Gingerbread Dead by Lori L. Robinett
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Fifth Place
Snowdrop Dreams, Cherry Thumbprint Screams by Kimberly Baer
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Young Adult
First Place
Always the New Girl by Kelly Vincent
Publisher: Indie Published (KV Books LLC)
Second Place
Silki, the Girl of Many Scarves: SUMMER OF THE ANCIENT by Jodi Lea Stewart
Publisher: Progressive Rising Phoenix Press
Third Place
From Brick & Darkness by J. L. Sullivan
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Fourth Place
Witch Way to Vegas by Mark Rosendorf
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Fifth Place
Witch's Gamble by Mark Rosendorf
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
~~2022 National Excellence in Story Telling (NEST) ~~
~~Winners~~
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Contemporary Novel
First Place
Firefighter’s Unexpected Fling: by Susan Carlisle
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises
Second Place
Reunited with Her Daredevil Doc: by Susan Carlisle
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises
Third Place
A Season for Serenity: by Julia Day
Publisher: FictionEtc Press
Fourth Place
Magic in the Snow: by Ryan Jo Summers
Publisher: Melange Books
Fifth Place
Starting Over Together: by JB Schroeder
Publisher: JB Schroeder LLC and Two Feet Press
Contemporary Short
First Place
Red Velvet Crinkles and Christmas Sprinkles:
by Maria Imbalzano
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Second Place
Send Me: by Anna Grace
Publisher: Self
Third Place
Purr-Fect Pitch: by Carolyn Wren
Publisher: Gumnut Press
Fourth Place
Eight Nights of Apricot Cookies: by Roni Denholtz
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Fifth Place
Blue Moon and Starry Nights: by Ryan Jo Summers
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Erotic Novel
First Place
Phoenix Stone: Book One of the Stone Brothers Series: by Roxanne Leblanc
Publisher: Self
Second Place
Shattered Secrets: by Christie Adams
Publisher: Clue Topaz Books
Third Place
Who Can Find a Virtuous Woman?: by Michal Scott
Publisher: Passionate Ink
Fourth Place
Trust Betrayed: by Rose C. Carole
Publisher: Crisrose Publishing
Fifth Place
Wicked Rage: by Minette Moreau
Publisher: Raisa Greywood LLC
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Historical Novel
First Place
The Beekeeper’s Bullet: by Lance Hawvermale
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Second Place
Until…: by Beth Henderson
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Third Place
Summer Warrior: Regan Walker
Publisher: Self
Fourth Place (tie)
Home in Wylder: by Jane Lewis
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Fourth Place (tie)
High Society Wife: by CiCi Cordelia
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing
Fifth Place
Keeper of my Dreams: by Susan Leigh Furlong
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Historical Short
First Place
Making Forever with You:
by J.B. Schroeder and Savannah Kade
Publisher: J.B. Schroeder, LLC and Two Feet Press
Second Place
Snowdrop Cookie Wishes: by Laura Strickland
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Third Place
Harriett: by Pam Crooks
Publisher: Self
Inspirational Novel
First Place
Faces of Courage: by Susan K. Beatty
Publisher: Celebrate Lit Publishing
Second Place
Bridges: by Deborah Raney
Publisher: Raney Day Press
Third Place
Jordan Valley Miss: by Susan Spess
Publisher: Pelican Books, White Rose
Inspirational Short
First Place
An Honorable Man for Katarina: by Nancy Fraser
Publisher: Books From a Romantic’s Heart
Second Place
Carmen’s Journey of Courage: by Susan K. Beatty
Publisher: Celebrate Lit Publishing
Third Place
The Billionaires Secret: by Megan Whistler
Publisher: Self
​
Paranormal Novel
First Place
Blades of Arris: Sithe: by Starla Night
Publisher: Self
Second Place
The Ghosts Within: by Raven Lee
Publisher: LilyBear House, LLC
Third Place
Seam Keepers: by Celaine Charles
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Fourth Place
Shadows and Light: by Lark Brennan
Publisher: Barkyboy Productions
Fifth Place
Blades of Arris: Zai: by Starla Night
Publisher: LilyBear House,LLC
Paranormal Short
First Place
Better Watch Out: by Kate SeRine
Publisher: Kaering LLC
Second Place
Dance to Wylder Beat: by Marilyn Barr
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Third Place
Haunted Serenade: by Anna M. Taylor
Publisher: Self
Fourth Place
Salvation: by Cassie Laelyn
Publisher: Self
Fifth Place
A Cursed Noël: by Cecy Robson
Publisher: Cecy Robson LLC/ Kearing LLC
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Suspense Novel
First Place
Secrets of the Ravine: by Brenda Whiteside
Publisher: Self
Second Place
Dangerous at Heart: by Sandra Orchard
Publisher: Annie’s Fiction
Third Place
Broken Toys: by Glenda Thompson
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Fourth Place
Cold Wicked Lies: by Toni Anderson
Publisher: Toni Anderson, Inc.
Fifth Place
Submerged: by Kaylea Cross
Publisher: Kaylea Cross, Inc.
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Suspense Short
First Place
Holding his Hostage: by Amy Gamet
Publisher: Self
Second Place
My Only One: by Charlotte O’Shay
Publisher: Self
Third Place
An Ear to the Ground: by D.D. Line
Publisher: Gumnut Press
Fourth Place
Fatal Recall: by Gini Rifkin
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Fifth Place
Engaging His Enemy: by Amy Gamet
Publisher: Self
Young Adult
First Place
Dragons Walk Among Us: by Dan Rice
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Second Place
Journey to New Salem: by Mark Rosendorf
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Third Place
The Not so Chosen: by Tamara Grantham
Publisher: Cedar Fort
Fourth Place
The Witches of Vegas: by Mark Rosendorf
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Fifth Place
The Incident: by Avis M. Adams
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
​
~~2021 National Excellence in Story Telling (NEST) ~~
~~Winners~~
Check out the 2021 NEST Winner Trailer
Contemporary Novel
First Place
What A Guy Wants by Judi Fennell
Publisher: Mergenie Books
Second Place
The Magnolia Inn by Carolyn Brown
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Third Place
Gravity by Mona Sedrak
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Fourth Place (Tie)
The Banty House by Carolyn Brown
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Fourth Place (Tie)
Good Vibes at the Vine by JB Schroeder
Publisher: JB Schroeder LLC and Two Feet Press
Fifth Place
A Ranger for the Twins by Tanya Agler
Publisher: Harlequin
Contemporary Short
First Place
A Song For Another Day by Maria Imbalzano
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Second Place
Power Play by Anna DePalo
Publisher: Harlequin
Third Place
Crazy Old Money by Kilby Blades
Publisher: Luxe Press
Fourth Place
Snowflake Cottage by Linda Carroll-Bradd
Publisher: Inked Figments
Fifth Place (Tie)
Practically Persuaded in Pittsburgh by JB Schroeder
Publisher: JB Schroeder LLC and Two Feet Press
Fifth Place (Tie)
A Perfect Grey Christmas by Anna Sugden
Publisher: Self-Published
Fifth Place (Tie)
Cinnamon’s Courageous Heart by Ryan Summers
Publisher: Self-Published
Erotic Novel
First Place
Tempt: A Wicked Sanctuary Novel by Marie Tuhart
Publisher: Hot Blooded Press
Second Place
You Can’t Buy Love by Melanie A. Smith
Publisher: Wicked Dreams Publishing
Third Place
Never Date a Doctor by Melanie A. Smith
Publisher: Wicked Dreams Publishing
Erotic Short
First Place
Honeymoon Hideaway by Mia London
Publisher: Mia London Books
Second Place
Blue Steel Hearts by Eve Lyn
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Third Place
Full Metal by Eve Lyn
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Historical Novel
First Place
By Promise Made by Susan Leigh Furlong
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Second Place
The Runaway Wife by CiCi Cordelia
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing
Third Place
Willie, My Love by Judy Ann Davis
Publisher: Self-Published
Fourth Place
FELICE by Kathleen Bittner Roth
Publisher: Kensington Zebra
Fifth Place
A Scandalous Portrait by
Callie Hutton
Publisher: Self-Published
Historical Short
First Place
The Blueberry Swirl Waltz by Maria Imbalzano
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Second Place
Grayson by Linda Carroll-Bradd
Publisher: Inked Figments
Third Place
The Christmas Bride by Kara O’Neal
Publisher: Self-Published
Inspirational
First Place
Patriot’s Courage by Penelope Marzec
Publisher: Prism Book Group
Second Place
My Heart Weeps by Pamela S. Thibodeaux
Publisher: Temperance Publishing
Third Place
Our Town Atheist by Victoria Buck
Publisher: Harbourlight/Pelican Book Group
Fourth Place
Eight Nights to Win Her Heart by Roni Denholtz
Publisher: Self-Published
Fifth Place
Lioness: Mahlah’s Journey by Barbara M. Britton
Publisher: Pelican Book Group
Paranormal Novel
First Place
A Glimmer of Ghosts by Hunter J. Skye
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Second Place
Unseen by Cassie Laelyn
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Third Place
Waking the Dead by Kerry Blaisdell
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Fourth Place
Touch of Evil by Cecy Robson
Publisher: Cecy Robson, LLC
Fifth Place (Tie)
Rumpel’s Redemption by Tamara Grantham
Publisher: Clean Teen Publishing
Fifth Place (Tie)
Lightning Strikes Again by Roni Denholtz
Publisher: Self-Published
Suspense Novel
First Place (Tie)
Colder Than Sin by Toni Anderson
Publisher: Self-Published
First Place (Tie)
Only Obsession by Marissa Garner
Publisher: Self-Published
Second Place
Retrograde by Desiree Holt
Publisher: Totally Bound
Third Place
Time to Run by Susan C. Muller
Publisher: Self-Published
Fourth Place
Cold & Deadly by Toni Anderson
Publisher: Self-Published
Fifth Place
A Pride of Brothers: Rick by Peggy Jaeger
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Suspense Short
​
First Place (Tie)
Stranger in the Storm by Patricia McAlexander
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
First Place (Tie)
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Blood and Breakfast by Alicia Dean
Publisher: Self-Published
Second Place
A Shot of Murder by Brenda Gayle
Publisher: Bowstring Books
Third Place
Running Wild in Reno by Shirley Hailstock
Publisher: Self-Published
​
Young Adult Novel
First Place
Finding Frances by Kelly Vincent
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Second Place
Cherokee Summer by Susan Antony
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Third Place
The Haunted Purse by Kimberly Baer
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
​
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The 2020 International Digital Awards Winners:
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Contemporary Novel
​
First Place
Keeping Score by Shannon Stults
Publisher: Tule Publishing
​
Second Place
Cowboy True by Michelle Beattie
Publisher: Tule Publishing
​
Third Place
Wanted by the Marshal by Susan Lute
Publisher: Tule Publishing
​
Fourth Place
Judd’s Vow by Kaylie Newell
Publisher: Tule Publishing
​
Fifth Place
Dirty Damsels by Peggy Jaeger
Publisher: Limitless
​
Contemporary Short
​
First Place
Adelene~The Violinist by Judy Ann Davis
Publisher: Indie Published
​
Second Place
The Bench by Jess K. Hardy
Publisher: Evernight
​
Third Place
Rainbow Sprinkles by D.V. Stone
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
​
Fourth Place
Huckleberry Happiness by Judy Ann Davis
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
​
Fifth Place
Love Overboard by Rachelle Paige Campbell
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
​
Erotic Novel
​
First Place
Love, Art, and Other Obstacles by Sadira Stone
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
​
Second Place
Winter’s List by Jordyn Kross
Publisher: Scarlet Parlor Press, LLC
​
Third Place
Accidental Tryst by Mia London
Publisher: Mia London Books
​
Fourth Place
Hannah’s Bliss by Dania Voss
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
​
Fifth Place
Catch Me by Michele Arris
Publisher: Tule Publishing
​
Erotic Short
​
First Place (Tie)
Gelato Surprise by Sadira Stone
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
And
Her Dirty Secret by Melanie A. Smith
Publisher: Wicked Dreams Publishing
​
Second Place
Never You by Stacy Gold
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
​
Third Place
The Eccentric Earl by Anne Shaw
Publisher: Sherri Shaftic
​
Fourth Place
Trust Me by Nancy Fraser
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
​
Fifth Place
In Deep by Stacy Gold
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
​
Historical Novel
​
First Place
The Whistle Stop Canteen by Barb Warner Deane
Publisher: 49 West Publishing
​
Second Place
Fated Beginnings by Karen Muir
Publisher: Self Published
​
Third Place
Captain of My Heart by Karla Kratovil
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
​
Fourth Place
The Innocent Wife by CiCi Cordelia
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing
​
Fifth Place
A Masked Earl by Kathleen Buckley
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
​
Historical Short
​
First Place
Grayson, Bachelors and Babies (Book 8) by Linda Carroll-Bradd
Publisher: Inked Figments
​
Second Place
Mail Order Bride: The Breakaway by Kathy L. Wheeler
Publisher: Kathy L. Wheeler
​
Third Place
A Vow for Christmas, Spinster Mail-Order Bride by Linda Carroll-Bradd
Publisher: Inked Figments
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Inspirational Short
​
First Place
Yellowstone Yondering by Kristen Joy Wilks
Publisher: Pelican Book Group
​
Second Place
Waiting for a Miracle by Jennifer Wilck
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
​
Third Place
Hanukkah Hearts by Jean C. Joachim
Publisher: Moonlight Books
​
Paranormal Novel
​
First Place
A Killing Moon by Alexis D Craig
Publisher: Three Fortnights Publishing
​
Second Place
For Witch or For Poorer by AE Jones
Publisher: Indie Published
​
Third Place (Tie)
To Weave a Highland Tapestry by Mary Morgan
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
And
Unforgotten by Cassie Laelyn
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
​
Fourth Place (Tie)
Vermilon Lies by L.D. Rose
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing
And
Bishop Takes Knight by McKenna Dean
Publisher: Redclaw Publishing
​
Fifth Place
Only One Summer, Book 2, Sisters of the Legend by K.M. Daughters
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
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Paranormal Short
​
First Place
Praline Dreams by Annette Miller
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
​
Second Place
Blood Dream by A.D. Brazeau
Publisher: Indie Published
​
Third Place
Breath of Life by Kristy Centeno
Publisher: Inkspell Publishing
​
Suspense Novel
​
First Place
Unexpected Risk by Desiree Holt
Publisher: Indie Published
​
Second Place
Publish or Perish by Kerry Blaisdell
Publisher: Indie Published
​
Third Place
Dangerous Water by Nicole Smith
Publisher: Tule Publish
​
Fourth Place
Deadly Deception by Marissa Garner
Publisher: Forever Yours
​
Fifth Place
Dream Wide Awake by CJ Zahner
Publisher: Indie Published
​
Suspense Short
​
First Place
Protecting Amy by Desiree Holt
Publisher: Aces Publishing
​
Second Place
A Heaven For Toasters by Nicholas C. Rossis
Publisher: Istomedia Publishing
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Third Place
Precarious by Alicia Dean
Publisher: Indie Published
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Young Adult Novel
​
First Place
Evergreen by Marissa Doyle
Publisher: Book View Cafe
​
Second Place
The Witches of Vegas by Mark Rosendorf
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
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Third Place
Cherokee Summer by Susan Antony
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press