17th Annual Duel on the Delta Contest

Contemporary (series)
Final Round Judge: Wanda Ottewell, Harlequin Enterprises/Silhouette
1st Place - Climb to Freedom by Sheila Langley w/a Sheila Athens*
2nd Place - Stolen Guilt by Pam Mantovani*
3rd Place - Lipstick and Camouflage by Marian Stevens*
4th Place - Sand Stalker by Cynthia D'Alba

* Wanda Ottewell requested the first through third place winners to send in a partial manuscript (first three chapters) and full synopsis of the winning stories.

Historical
Final Round Judge: Allison M. Brandau, Editorial Asst., The Berkley Publishing Group
1st Place - Heaven Sent by Deb Yates
2nd Place - Refuge by Suzanne Welsh
3rd Place - The Duchess Competition by Vicky Dreiling
4th Place - Hearts in Winter by Debra K. Maher

Mainstream/Single Title
Final Round Judge: May Chen, Avon Books
1st Place - Cowboy Games by Wendi Christner
2nd Place - Once Upon a Margarita by Heidi Luchterhand
3rd Place - A Reason to Dance by Glynna Kaye Sirpless
4th Place - Alternate Ending by Julie Whitby
5th Place - Dark Side of the Mirror by Elaine Meece


Inspirational
Final Round Judge: Emily Rodmell, Asst. Editor, Steeple Hill
1st Place - Love in Bloom by Keli Gwyn
2nd Place - Joanna's Treasure by Carolyn Slaughter
3rd Place - Barclay's Junction by Diana Rahe Taylor

Mystery/Romantic Suspense
Final Round Judge: Keyren Gerlach, Asst. Editor, HQN Books & LUNA Books
1st Place - Last Straw by E. J. Brighton
2nd Place - Pleasant Lake by Kelly Fitzpatrick


Paranormal
Final Round Judge: Keyren Gerlach, Asst. Editor, HQN Books & LUNA Books
1st Place - Kismet's Kiss by Cate Rowan
2nd Place - Obsidian Hearts by Lynda Cox
3rd Place - The Reluctant Amazon by Sandra James
4th Place - Through My Eyes by Susan Peek

Young Adult
Final Round Judge: Lisa Findlay, Random House
1st Place - Sympathetic Magic by Tanya T. Holmes
2nd Place - AKA: ALF by Marilee Brothers
3rd Place - Super Chick by Kimberly Duffy
4th Place - My Best Friend's a Real Dog by Kimberly Duffy