The Royal Ascot Contest Winners – Past and Present
Winners of the 2019 Royal Ascot Contest
Grand Prize Winner
A Worthy Wife by Lesli Lent
Finalists:
The Ladies of Almack’s by Marissa Doyle
Love’s Lottery by Allis Gordon
Mistress Margaret by Lynn Westerhout
Judged by Brenda Chin of Entangled Publishing, Janet Clementz of Soul Mate Publishing, Deb Werksman of Sourcebooks, Janna Bonikowski of The Knight Agency, and Lizzie Poteet of The Seymour Agency.
2019 Royal Ascot Readers’ Choice Awards
Regency Historical
Winner: A Worthy Wife by Lesli Lent
Wild Regency
Winner: The Ladies of Almack’s by Marissa Doyle
Winners of the 2018 Royal Ascot Contest
Grand Prize Winner
Lord Danville’s Damsels by Lesli Lent
Finalists:
Finding Wychwood by Emily Blackwood
Pride of Honor by Andrea K. Stein
The Memory of Blue by Emily Blackwood
Highly Commended:
Sir Laurence Selects a Wife by Allis Gordon
Best Laid Plans by Patty Reagin.
Judged by Erin Molta of Entangled Publishing, Kevan Lyon of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency and Joanna McKenzie of the Nelson Literary Agency
2018 Royal Ascot Readers’ Choice Awards
Regency Historical
Winner: A Hero’s Welcome by William Haggart
Winner: Lord Danville’s Damsels by Lesli Lent
Sweet & Mild Regency
Winner: The Memory of Blue by Emily Blackwood
Winners of the 2017 Royal Ascot Contest
Grand Prize Winner
Unforgettable by Louisa Cornell
Finalists:
More Than a Duke by Elise Amery
Surrender by Elise Amery
The Honorable Footman by Allis Gordon
2017 Royal Ascot Readers’ Choice Awards
Regency Historical
Winner: More Than A Duke by Elise Amery
Honorable Mention: The Measure of a Man by Karen Auriti w/a Kerryn Reid
Sweet & Mild Regency
Winner: Miss Lara Bryson Heads for a Fall by Bridgit Goette w/a Celeste de Sales
Hot Regency
Winner: Surrender by Elise Amery
Wild Regency
Winner: A Little Night Magic by Jolie Mohn
Winners of the 2016 Royal Ascot Contest
Grand Prize Winner
Taming the Earl by Elizabeth King
Finalists
Dangerous by Genevieve LaViolette
If It Wasn’t For Sophie by Allis Gordon
The Lost Letter by Mimi Matthews
Winners of the 2015 Royal Ascot Contest
Grand Prize Winner:
Stranded at the Anvil by Diana Biller
Finalists:
The Promise of Spring by Martha Hutchens
The Secret Affairs of a Duke’s Daughter by Jan Leyh
The Fine Art of Seducing a Duke by Sandra Tabor
Winners of the 2014 Royal Ascot Contest
Grand Prize Winner:
The Only Exception by Cora Lee
Finalists:
A Rebel without a Rogue by Jackie Horne
Debt of Honor by Ann Clement
The Duke Who Loved Her by Ari Thatcher
The Only Exception by Cora Lee
Three Proposals by Justine Covington
To Kiss and Kill by Laura Trentham
Winners of the 2013 Royal Ascot Contest
Grand Prize Winner:
The Curious Proposal of Lord Emery by Julie Hinz
Finalists:
The Sailing Accident by Lillian Marek
A Dangerous Desire by Wendy La Capra
Wicked in His Arms by Louisa Cornell
The Curious Proposal of Lord Emery by Julie Hinz
The Duke’s Obsession by Frances Fowlkes
Learning to Waltz by Karen Auriti
Winners of the 2012 Royal Ascot Contest
Grand Prize Winner:
Violet Camberwell* by Terri Gibson
Finalists:
Embracing an Unloved Earl* by Eileen Emerson
The Duchess and Mr. Smith by Anna Genest
The Letter* by Sandra Owen
Drawn to the Earl* by Joanna Shupe
To Pluck a Rose* by Amy Villalba
Winners of the 2011 Royal Ascot Contest
Grand Prize Winner:
The Reunion by Sara Leyton*
Finalists:
His Charming Seductress by Louisa Cornell*
Something Scandalous by Nicola Davidson*
A Whisper to the Wild by Eileen Emerson*
Circle and Stone by Karen Dale Harris
A Lady’s Scientific Study of an Enigmatic Earl by Suzanne Webb
Winners of the 2010 Royal Ascot Contest
Regency Historical:
- First Place: A Most Improper Gentleman*** by Elisa Beatty
- Second Place: Listen to Your Heart*** by Miranda Liasson
- Third Place: Embracing Scandal by Sue Webb
Judged by Leis Pederson, Assistant Editor, Berkley
Hot and Wild Regency:
- First Place: The Devil May Care by Elisa Beatty
- Second Place: Stealing Time by Bill Haggart
- Third Place: Cursed by Alyssa Fernandez
Judged by Tessa Woodward, Editor, Avon/HarperCollins
Sweet and Mild Regency:
- First Place: A Deceitful Widow by Constance Hussey
- Second Place: The Unexpected Beneficiaries by Michelle Wood
- Third Place: Long Lost Husband by Kristl Spalding
Judged by Nicole D’Arienzo, Senior Historical Editor, The Wild Rose Press
Winners of the 2009 Royal Ascot Contest
Regency Historical
- First Place: Mis-Matched by Alleyne Dickens*
- Second Place: Seduced by Passion by Carol Jo Kachmar
- Third Place: Never Too Late by Karen Dobbins
Judged by Lucy Gilmour and the Harlequin Mills & Boon Historical team.
* Revised Complete Manuscript Requested
Hot & Wild Regency
- First Place: Deceit of Desire, by Pamela Bolton-Holyfield
- Second Place: Secret Possessions, by Leah Ball
- Third Place: The Coven at Callington by Shereen Vedam
Judged by Tessa Woodward, Avon Editor, HarperCollins.
Sweet & Mild Regency
- First Place: The Angel and St. Clair by Constance Hussey
- Second Place: The Legend of the Fox by Donna Maloy*
- Third Place: The Return of Hope by Marjorie Gilbert
Judged by Deb Werksman, Acquiring Editor, Sourcebooks.
* Partial Submission to Sourcebooks Children’s Editor Requested
Winners of the 2008 Royal Ascot Contest
HISTORICAL REGENCY
- First Place: Elizabeth Baldwin — Defiant
- Second Place: Alyssa Fernandez — Defensive Measures
- Third Place: Joanne Lockyer — The Changing Light of Dawn
Category Coordinator: Laurie Alice Eakes
Final Round Judge: Tessa Woodward, Avon HarperCollins Publishers
HOT & WILD REGENCY
- First Place: Pamela Bolton-Holifield — The Raven’s Heart
- Second Place: Cathy Leming — Angels at Almack’s
- Third Place: Lori Philbin — Bluebeard’s Hunger
Category Coordinator: Delle Jacobs
Final Round Judge: Hilary Sares, Editor, Kensington Books
SWEET & MILD REGENCY
- First Place: Lavinia Klein — Merlin’s Hideaway
- Second Place: Susan Newman — Rakes & Radishes
- Third Place: Marjorie Allen — To Love a Lady
Category Coordinator: Catherine Leming
Final Round Judge: Lindsey McGurk, Editor, Samhain Publishing Ltd.
Winners of the 2007 Royal Ascot Contest
Traditional Regency Category
- First Place: Pamela Bolton-Holifield — Lost In Love
- Second Place: Carol Roddy — Dangerous Works
- Third Place: Susan Newman — Rakes and Radishes
Judged by Erin Cartwright-Niumata of Avalon Books
Regency Historical Category
- First Place: Sheri Adkins — To Be a Duke
- Second Place: Elizabeth Baldwin — Ardent
- Third Place: Joanne Lockyer — For Duty and Desire
Judged by Megan McKeever of Pocket Books
Paranormal Regency Category
- First Place: Carolyn O’Neill — The Wedding Gift
- Second Place: Jane George — Dead Lord Walking
- Third Place: Cathy Leming — Angels at Almack’s
Judged by Erica Tsang of Avon Books
Winners of the 2006 Royal Ascot Contest
Long Regency-set Historical
- First Place: Lady Scandalous by Nadele Jacobs
- Second Place: The Lost Jewel by Debra Bess
- Third Place: The Changling Bride by Krista Mercer
Traditional/Short Regency-set Historical
- First Place: Watch for Me by Moonlight by Elizabeth Grainger
- Second Place: The Reclusive Lord Deal by Alyssa Fernandez
- Third Place: Lady of Dissent by Marlene Naylor
The Beau Monde wishes to congratulate all our winners and thank the judges:
Laura Cifelli, NAL
Joanne Carr, Mills & Boon, UK
Winners of the 2005 Royal Ascot Contest
Traditional Category:
- First Place: My Heart’s Design by Debra Bess
- Second Place: The Hero’s Welcome by Juanita Marken
- Third Place: A Run For Her Money by Alyssa Fernandez
Non-Traditional Category:
- First Place: The Bride Hunt Ball by Tracy Parker
- Second Place: Dishonor And Desire by Kate Duggan
- Third Place: The Paragon by Alyssa Fernandez
The Beau Monde wishes to congratulate all our winners and thank the judges:
Tina Brown, NAL — Traditional Category
Erika Tsang, Avon — Non-Traditional Category
Winners of the 2004 Royal Ascot Contest
Traditional Category
- First Place: Aphrodite’s Brew by Nadele Jacobs
- Second Place: Colonel Brigand’s Baggage by Donald McKenzie
- Third Place: The Marriage List by Dorothy McFalls
Honorable Mention
- The Secret Hunter by Susanne McCaffery Saville
Non-traditional Category
- First Place: Dedication by Janet Mullany
- Second Place: Blind Fortune by Joanna Waugh
- Third Place: The Dragon’s Mistress by Tracy Anne Warren
Honorable Mention
- The Privateer by Dawn Thompson
- For Love and I Are New by Jean Hart Stewart
Winners of the 2003 Royal Ascot Contest
Winners were announced at the Soiree July 16th, 2003 in New York.
Traditional Category
- Winner: My Lady Gamester by Cara King
- The Forgotten BrideMaureen Mackey White
- Lord Royston’s RedemptionPhylis Ann Warady
Non-traditional Category
- Winner: The Rogue by Shane Bolks
- My Heart’s Design by Debra Bess
- Colonel Brigand’s Baggage by Don McKenzie
Winners of the 2002 Royal Ascot Contest
Non-Traditional Category
- First Place: A Lady of Quality by Diane Perkins
- Second Place: Untouched by Karen Statzer
- Third Place: My Lady Wicked by Nadele Jacobs
Judged by Kelly Harms of Avon
Traditional Category
- First Place: The Merry Marquis by Merry Banjeri
- Second Place: A Slight Case of Blackmail by Glenda Garland
- Third Place: Nola’s Ark by Nonnie Saad
Judged by Kate Duffy of Kensington Books
Kate Duffy commented, “They were all apples. All round and red, all juicy and delicious but all tasted differently. Different but not better or worse.” As far as she’s concerned, they are all winners — and that they’re all publishable. Because of this, the Beau Monde is pleased to announce a three-way tie for First Place. All three winners have been offered a two-book contract by Kensington.
Winners of the 2001 Royal Ascot Contest
Traditional
- First Place: The Chosen Bride by Susan Lantz
- Second Place: The Parson’s Mousetrap by Carolyn Louaillier
- Third Place: Miss Mildorn’s MistakeVictoria Hinshaw
Non-Traditional
- First Place: Midnight Rendezvous by Sari K. Earl
- Second Place: The Diamond by Diane Perkins
- Third Place: Stand And DeliverTami Cowden
Winners of the 2000 Royal Ascot Contest
Traditional
- First Place: Miss Howe’s Mission by Wendy Kitchen
- Second Place: The Baron And Miss Patterton by Cara King
- Third Place: Flirtation And Quizzes by Cara King
Non-Traditional
- First Place: Love Me Again by Wendy Burge
- Second Place: Whisper Of Roses by Jennifer Ashley
- Third Place: The Road To Revenge by Jan Bold
Winners of the 1999 Royal Ascot Contest
Traditional
- First Place: The Miser’s Moneybags by Louise Bergin
- Second Place: Penelope by Donna Smith
- Third Place: The Perfect Bride by Susan Lantz
Non-Traditional
- First Place: Calandra’s Father by Kristina Wright
- Second Place: The Wagers Of Sin by Jennifer Ashley
- Third Place: His Majesty, The Prince Of Toads by Nadele Jacobs
Winners of the 1998 Royal Ascot Contest
Traditional
- First Place: The Vicar’s Daughter by Elena Greene
- Second Place: Legacy by Ekaterine Nikas Terlinden
- Third Place: The Mad Herringtons by Jane Myers Perrine
Non-Traditional
- First Place: Scandalous by Karen Hawkins
- Second Place: A Dream Come TrueJacqueline D’Alessandro
- Third Place: His Majesty, The Prince of Toads by Nadele Jacobs
Winners of the 1997 Royal Ascot Contest
Traditional
- First Place: The Spirited Miss Caroline by Kathleen Beck
- Second Place: The Baron and Miss Patterton by Cara King
- Third Place: Art of Love by Patricia Carey
Non-Traditional
- First Place: Hell’s Worth by Kristina Wright
- Second Place: Choose Love by Shannon Donnelly
- Third Place: To Love a Highwayman by Elizabeth Grainger
Winners of the 1996 Royal Ascot Contest
Traditional
- First Place: Miss Darby’s Duenna by Sheri Cobb South
- M’lady Cit and the Tower Treasure by Jan C. Bradford
- Cristabel and the Highwayman by Elizabeth Grainger
Non-Traditional
- First Place: The Gypsy Lord by Doris Wheeler
- A Time to Choose by Laurie Brown
- Wakefield’s Chameleon by Shirley Karr
Winners of the 1994 Royal Ascot Contest
Traditional
- First Place: A Gentleman’s Education by Christine Pederson
- Second Place: Miss Woodley’s Experiment by Katherine Grill
- Third Place: To Become a Lady by Katherine Grill
- Miss Putnam’s Ponies by Victoria Hinshaw
- The Spinster and the Scotsman by Julie Mctaggart
Non-Traditional
- First Place: Hawthorne and Nightingale by Laurel Hanson
- Second Place: Banished by Barbara McMahon
- Third Place: Heart’s Desire by Shannon Donnelly
- An Angel’s Kiss by Katherine Grill
- Seraphina by Regina Pounds