2010 LAS Winners and Finalists

The SpacecoasTAuthorsof Romance (Florida STARS) is proud to announce the winners and placements in the 2010 Launching a Star Contest!

Overall Winner The overall winning entry in the 2010 Launching A Star contest is Breath of Fire, by Leah Hodge. In addition to receiving a star-shaped paperweight for her first place win in the Futuristic/Fantasy category, Leah will have a star named after her through the International Registry of Stars. Congratulations, Leah!

Single Title
Final Judges: Selina McLemore, Sr. Editor-Grand Central Publishing and Becca Stumpf, The Prospect Agency
First Place – Beware of Heels – Suzanne Purvis
Second Place- Far From Perfect – Barbara Longley
Third Place- Haunted Heart – Carol Shrembek
Finalist- X+Y+Love – Karen Papandrew
Finalist – Present from the Past – Donna Wuest

General Paranormal

Final Judges: Meredith Giordan, Editor – The Berkley Publishing Group and Laurie McLean, The Larsen-Pomada Agency

First Place- Machine Slave – Jennette Heikes**
Second Place- Jinn & Tonic – Kay Hudson**
Third Place- Pack of Lies – Kimila Bowling
Finalist – Scent of Fear – Nancy Litzau as NJ Litz
Finalist – Surrender the Night – Traci Yates-Poff

Futuristic/Fantasy

Final Judges: Leah Hultenschmidt, Sr. Editor-Sourcebooks, Devi Pillai, Sr. Editor – Orbit/The Hachette Book Group and Suzie Townsend, Fine Print Literary Management

First Place- Breath of Fire – Leah Hodge**
Second Place – Ghost Planet – Sharon Lynn Fisher
Third Place – True Through the Ages – Barbara Longley
Finalist – Exhale – Kendell Gray
Finalist – Inhale – Kendell Gray

Historical

Final Judges: Talia Platz, Editor – New American Library (NAL) and Michelle Grajkowski, 3 Seas Literary Agency

First Place- Her Heart’s Desire – Lynn Gutierrez
Second Place- To Walk in the Sun – Amy DeTrempe**
Third Place- Her Secret Flyboy – Jeanne M. Dickson**
Finalist- Paper Hearts – Kay Hudson
Finalist- Dragon’s Lair – Lori Sanders Foley

Series Contemporary

Final Judges: Susan Litman, Sr. Editor – Harlequin/Silhouette Special Editions and Roberta Brown, The Brown Agency

First Place- The Cattleman’s Proposal – Helene Lacey**
Second Place- Perfect Kate – Rebecca Sampson */**
Third Place- Lost and Found – Jo Anne Banker-*/**
Finalist-A Christmas Reunion – Jennifer Stroka
Finalist- Electing Mr. Right – Lateia Elam Sandifer

Romantic Suspense

Final Judges: Katherine Pelz, Editor, The Berkley Publishing Group and Laura Bradford, The Bradford Literary Agency

First Place- Zane’s War – Theresa Monsey
Second Place- Wreckless – Elizabeth Klein
Third Place- Buried Secrets – Jean Mason
Finalist- Carmelita’s Gold – Brenda M. Pierce
Finalist- Night Visions – Becke Davis as Becke Martin

Inspirational

Final Judges: Natalie Hanemann, Editor, Thomas Nelson and Rachelle Gardner, WordServe Literary

First Place- The Healing Tree – Amy DeTrempe
Second Place- Whitewash Bride – Kathleen L. Maher
Third Place- Shades of Grace – JoAnn Robisheaux
Finalist- Going in Circles – Jodie Bailey
Finalist- Love’s Advocate – Karen Fleming

Young Adult

Final Judges: Kristin Daly Rens, Editor, HarperCollins Children’s Books and Elaine Spencer, The Knight Agency

First Place- Jinn – Sharron Houdek*
Second Place- Legacy – Robin Bielman
Third Place- Real Guys Like Pink – Micki Gibson
Finalist- Dream Crafters – Peter Andrews
Finalist- My Life as an Extra – Ruth Kaufman

Congratulations to all our winners! Judy Keim and Linda Wright – Co-Chairs

*Signifies a request for a partial
**Signifies a request for a full