Top 16

1. Dance by Judy Cuevas
2. Passion’s Treasure by Betina Krahn
3. Lion’s Bride by Iris Johansen
4. Fair Is the Rose by Megan McKinney
5. The Landower Legacy by Victoria Holt
6. Beast by Judith Ivory
7. Emily and the Dark Angel by Jo Beverly
8. Red, Red Rose by Marjorie Farrell
9. The English Witch by Loretta Chase
10. Crooked Hearts by Patricia Gaffney
11. The Pride of Lions/The Blood of Roses by Marsha Canham
12. Vixen by Jane Feather
13. Shadows and Lace by Teresa Medeiros
14. The Braeswood Tapestry by Robyn Carr
15. The Valentine Legacy by Catherine Coulter
16. Banners of Silk by Rosalind Laker

252

Accountability is the word for the day.

Her Husband’s Mistress is my as-yet unwritten Golden Heart entry. I did have a manuscript in mind for the contest and then realized that it was written in my old mindset–by completing this manuscript I will finally shove aside the last vestiges of the bad habits and patterns I’ve acquired over the last five years or so, and take my writing career 100% seriously. This is no longer a side hobby, or something that looks fun to do or to dream about. Real life is kicking my ass and I realize that if I want to achieve the things I desire, it will take work and a genuine effort. Things that formerly fell into my lap will no longer do so and it is immature to believe that is how life operates. I am also not ashamed to refer to my WIP as a “Golden Heart Award-winning manuscript”–why not view the book in that light?

The basic details are thus: it’s a Cinderella+Ugly Duckling story, with a bit of revenge, a lot of golf and fashion, and is partially set in Newport, Rhode Island.

Hero: John Sheridan, known as “Sherry” (Robert Montgomery is my inspiration)

Heroine: Estelle Warriner (Kay Francis)