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Latest Winners / Recipients

Year: 2023

winner y separately published work icon Under the Dark Moon Susanne Bellamy , Australia : Susanne Bellamy , 2022 26680294 2022 single work novel romance historical fiction

'Meg Dorset escapes Darwin after the city is bombed by the Japanese. Travelling south in a truck filled with injured soldiers, she meets the charmer, Seamus Flanagan. In the confines of the army camp at Adelaide River, it doesn’t take long for them to fall in love and become engaged. When Seamus is shipped out to join the war in the north, Meg is transferred to the RAAF hospital in Townsville.

'On arrival, Meg is dismayed to find she is pregnant, but holds the news to herself to avoid the risk of discharge. Working as head nurse to Dr Geoffrey Ransom, Meg pushes away her growing feelings for this kind and dedicated doctor. She is engaged and carrying her fiancé’s child, so she immerses herself into her work.

'As her pregnancy develops Meg is torn. How can she continue with the career she is passionate about, and keep her pregnancy a secret?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

Under the Dark Moon

Year: 2022

winner y separately published work icon How to Survive a Scandal Samara Parish , New York (City) : Forever Yours , 2021 24960301 2021 single work novel romance historical fiction

'Lady Amelia was raised to be the perfect duchess, accomplished in embroidery, floral arrangement, and managing a massive household. But when an innocent mistake forces her and the uncouth, untitled Benedict Asterly into a marriage of convenience, all her training appears to be for naught. Even worse, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to this man no finishing school could have prepared her for.

'Benedict Asterly never dreamed saving Amelia’s life would lead to him exchanging vows with the hoity society miss. Benedict was taught to distrust the aristocracy at a young age, so when news of his marriage endangers a business deal, Benedict is wary of Amelia’s offer to help. But his quick-witted, elegant bride defies all his expectations . . . and if he’s not careful, she’ll break down the walls around his guarded heart.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

Year: 2021

winner y separately published work icon An Unexpected Companion Janis Linford , Australia : Janis Linford , 2020 22126670 2020 single work novel historical fiction romance

'Desperate times call for desperate measures!

'To avenge his brother’s death, marine spy Captain Sir Francis Ryeburne, has been given a mission to hunt down and kill the notorious French Fox. Ryeburne’s determined to stop the menace who has been capturing British ships, plundering them for treasure and kidnapping the men. Only, he doesn’t count on an unexpected companion.

'Ladies companion Lucinda Challington learns she’s been left a fortune. But as a condition of the will, she must seek her betrothed’s permission to access her personal money. The only problem is, he captained a brig to Africa a year ago.

'Furthermore, when a returned sailor swears her betrothed already has a wife, she’s shocked and bewildered. Desperate to find out the truth, and to claim the authorization, she stows away on a frigate bound for the colonies. But her growing attraction for the captain threatens to complicate everything...'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

Year: 2020

winner y separately published work icon The Clothier’s Daughter Bronwyn Parry , Armidale : Firetail Press , 2019 18559289 2019 single work novel historical fiction romance

'In the unusually wet summer of 1816, Emma Braithwaite struggles to keep her family's traditional wool cloth manufacturing company afloat. Her father has died, her brother is missing, and the new cotton factories are spreading, rendering the fine worsted fabrics the Braithwaites have made for generations, expensive and unfashionable. Being a woman in a man's world of trade is challenging enough, but when her warehouse catches fire it brings her only a step away from financial ruin and debtor's prison.

'After eight years of war, Major Adam Caldwell is returning for the first time to his family home, Rengarth Castle, when he stops to assist at a warehouse fire ... and comes face-to-face with the woman he once loved and lost. Despite all his efforts to forget her, in truth she's never been far from his thoughts. He was unworthy of her then, and even more so now.

'But as the threats against Emma escalate, they discover that someone wants control of Emma's family company and is prepared to murder anyone in the way of getting it - including Emma.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

Year: 2019

winner y separately published work icon The Devilish Duke Maddison Michaels , Fort Collins : Entangled Publishing , 2018 14422802 2018 single work novel romance historical fiction

'Devlin Markham, the notorious “Devil Duke” of Huntington, needs a woman. And not just any woman. If he can’t woo one of the most eccentric bluestockings of the Ton within the month, he can kiss his hard-earned fortune goodbye. But he’s always thought love a wasted emotion and marriage an inconvenience at best. And oddly enough, Lady Sophie Wolcott seems unmoved by his charm…

'When Sophie learns her beloved orphanage is in imminent danger, she will do anything to save it. Even marry a ruthless rake who takes what he wants in business and pleasure. A man who’s everything she’s always feared most—but whom she reluctantly begins yearning for.

'Then Sophie becomes the target of a killer lurking from the dark shadows of Devlin’s past. And they find not only their lives in jeopardy but their very hearts.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

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