Hearts in Ink Contest for Published Authors

Congratulations to Our 2026 Hearts in Ink Winners!

Please join us in congratulating the talented authors who have advanced to the final round of the 2026 Hearts in Ink Contest! 

LIGHT CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Brian by Alisa Jean - FIRST PLACE
Royal Caleva: Raul by Nancy Herkness - SECOND PLACE
Matthew by Alisa Jean - THIRD PLACE

DARK CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Roses are Dead by Calia Wild - FIRST PLACE
Luka by Alisa Jean - SECOND PLACE
Thrice Bound by Nicole Kelleher - THIRD PLACE

HISTORICAL ROMANCE

How to Live Happily Ever After in the Highlands by Elizabeth Cole - FIRST PLACE
Lyon in the Wild by Diana Lloyd - SECOND PLACE
Past Preserve Us by Carol Nickles - THIRD PLACE

SPECULATIVE ROMANCE

Saved by the Vampire Goddess by Jenna Barwin - FIRST PLACE
The Keeper's Code by Barb DeLong - SECOND PLACE
You Can Make Me by R.L. Merrill - THIRD PLACE

ROMANTIC NOVELLA

Lady Dalton's Deception by Leslie Knowles - FIRST PLACE
Curtain Call in Carter's Landing by Jenny Hansen - SECOND PLACE
Heart and Soul by Selene Grace Silver - THIRD PLACE

Congratulations to all our winners on this wonderful achievement, and thank you to everyone who entered!

 

The Hearts in Ink Award celebrates excellence in traditionally and independently published romance novels and novellas in the following categories:

Light Contemporary Romance, set after 1975 (cheerful, uplifting, low-angst romances with a realistic or heartwarming tone)
Dark Contemporary Romance, set after 1975 (intense, emotional, high-angst romances with an ominous or suspenseful tone)
Historical Romance, set globally before and through 1975 (romances with past settings)
Speculative Romance (romances with invented worlds and characters outside reality)
Romantic Novella (all genres)

All sensuality levels welcome.

RECOGNITION

Finalists and Winners receive:

- Digital Certificates
-  A Hearts in Ink award image for promotional use
- Top Pick Winner - membership to OCRW for the coming year