The
Vivian recognizes excellence in romance writing and showcases author
talent and creativity. We celebrate the power of the romance genre
with its central message of hope--because happily ever afters are for
everyone.
Romance
Writers of America will announce the winners of the 2021 Vivian
awards at a virtual Awards Ceremony on July 31st, 9pm EST.
Caraway Carter will emcee the event, which will be streamed live
at www.rwa.org.
The
names of the winners will be posted as they’re announced on the RWA
website, Twitter and Facebook pages (hashtag #RWAVivian).
Gaia
is perishing. Methodically poisoned, she sounds the alarm. The
StarSeed Quest is activated to save planet Earth from the Wizard of
Bondage, determined to hijack humanity’s existence.
Roma,
the Light Warrior, is captured on a remote island. She telepathically
communicates with Jo to guide her perilous mission on a school trip.
While Jo and her friends process the truth about the Galactic Wars,
they are targeted by assassin shapeshifters, and lured to a compound
where darkness reigns.
Emotions
collide during timelines leaps, and reality is turned upside down. Jo
is thrust into an epic cosmic reboot. Will the
Blade of Truth
devour her Soul? Will the balance between light and dark finally
shift?
Reviews:
“Ms.
Love presents visions of a
utopian world of beauty and peace,
where love and acceptance are unconditional. She reaches beyond our
cultural and historical norms embracing diversity with no division or
hatred.” —Dr. Mario Dell’Olio
“Lali
A. Love expands the world and intensifies the battles, gripping the
reader with intrigue and action from the very first page. Jo
undergoes a transformation, and you will, too, throughout this
book’s riveting,
restorative transcendence. What a
stunning, powerful message. Galaxies
of Wisdom Await You.”
—Halo Scot
“This
makes for an excellent read specifically for teenagers battling
mental health and self-acceptance issues. If I must describe this
book in one word, I will say it is Entrancing!
If you love reading sci-fi/fantasy that leaves you with a powerful
message, then this book is a
MUST read for you!”
—Rashmi P. Menon
“Readers
will delight in the rich,
multidimensional world-building that
masterfully intertwines teen angst, struggle, and a higher calling.
The journey to enlightenment hastens as the eternal struggle between
good and evil intensifies in the parallel timelines. This book is a
page-turner...Make room on your shelves for this important series.”
—S.P. O’Farrell
“As
someone who devours books centered on mystical forces, I loved Lali
A. Love’s newest work. I would recommend this novel for people who
enjoy detailed fantasy and magical realism about the astral realm,
lucid dreaming, time travel, and humanity’s role in the larger
cosmic context.” —Anya Pavelle
“The Blade
of Truth had me in
awe.
Lali A. Love captures every realm, both mental and spiritual.
And she does it in a way that is just gorgeous flowing prose. This
was a joy to read, and I can't wait to get my hands on what Ms. Love
brings forth next!” —Ash Knight
Emotions
run high in Blade of Truth from the opening scene and Lali
A. Love ensures the reader is glued to the story from the beginning.
Readers will find the perfect mix of paranormal with teen angst in
this epic fantasy. It is an exciting story, something that is
vastly different from a typical YA novel. —Reader’s Favorite
“Spellbinding.”
— Halo Scot, author of Edge
of the Breach
“Captivating
and smart... I found myself wanting more!” — Ash Knight, author
of Stay
“Unputdownable...
a must read.” — Evan Knapp, Founding Member of Queer
Indie
“Love’s
story stands out in its originality, with themes of science and
spirituality, and a conflict that is strongly and intelligently
articulated.” — Readers Favorite
“This
book is like no other, the story will linger with you long after
you’ve turned the last page...” — Medea Kalantar, author of
the Honeycake children’s
book series
What
would you do if you accidentally discovered a holographic portal into
the cosmos, in the basement of your high school's library? Would you
take the leap of faith?
Ever
since the fatal night her mother was taken hostage by a homicidal
maniac, sixteen-year-old Jo has been plagued by debilitating
nightmares. As she tries to unravel her bleak reality while attending
Forest Hill Academy, a preppy co-ed private school, Jo and her
friends discover a mysterious gateway into a Black Hole.
Accidentally, evil is released from the portal as demonic parasites
spread throughout the school. One by one they turn her classmates
into an army of sleepwalkers, serving the Lord of Darkness in a
sinister plot for universal domination.
When
Jo is activated by the Council of Light, she discovers her mission
and confronts her celestial identity, revealing the mystery of
existence. With the help of her best friends and a Galactic Compass,
Jo unleashes the cosmic powers of creation to prevent the Darkness
from enslaving all of humanity into obscurity. Will she be able to
decode the artificial system in time to save her friends and the
sacred Light?
As
the first book in the Ascending
Angel Academy series, The
De-Coding of Jo is
a beautiful melding of fantasy, paranormal and science fiction with a
diverse, gender inclusive cast that young adult readers can fully
immerse themselves in.
Lali
A. Love lives in the capital city of Canada with her husband and two
beautiful children who are her greatest source of pride, joy, and
inspiration. As a debut author, Lali loves to write stimulating,
character-based novels that invoke an emotional response in her
readers. She has done extensive research into epistemology and
metaphysics to further her understanding of the Universal Laws of
Energy.
In her spare time, Lali is committed to writing her
visionary fiction trilogy about spiritual transformation. These
mystical novels are based on the journeys of three incarnated Angels
that have been brought together in the third dimensional existence,
to realize their Divine Feminine soul purpose. Each of them must
experience unique self-realizations to overcome the dark demonic
entities that are determined to destroy their inner light to derail
their Soul mission.
As a light worker, Lali has been called to
fulfill her soul purpose to embody the light and share positive posts
through social media to help uplift humanity. She is assisting this
awakening process by projecting her messages of love, compassion and
unity consciousness, to connect beautiful like-minded souls around
the world. Through the study of quantum energy field of
transmutation, Lali has refined her energy clearing techniques based
on powerful visual imagery to activate a healing response in
others.
With humility, compassion and grace, Lali intends to
elevate levels of consciousness for the highest good, empowering
individuals to speak their authentic truth. She is an advocate for
self-healing journeys, self-realization, and self-love. Lali is
passionate about this universal call to action and continues to
vibrate at high frequencies of loving awareness.
***
2021 Romance Writers of America Vivian Award Finalist
***
From
USA Today bestselling author Kilby Blades, the first in the Hot in
the Kitchen series...
TV
chef Cella journeys to an idyllic seaside town to write an Italian
cookbook. She's also mourning a failed restaurant project, dodging
her predatory agent, and finding respite from soul-crushing fame.
When she learns that her next-door neighbor, hot doctor Max, is the
nephew of a late, famed Italian restaurateur, she convinces him to
teach her authentic touches that will help her write the book.
This
is a mixed blessing for guilt-ridden Max, who botched his own attempt
to become a chef--a failure that's left his aunt's gorgeous
restaurant sitting empty for years. No one has challenged Cella when
it comes to her cooking in ages. Max's fiery disposition sparks her
intuition and reminds her how to feel the food.
But
the heat between Max and Cella may be hotter than the flames on the
stove. Max's gentlemanly nature and Cella's professionalism stop
being enough to keep them apart. With Max's vacation ending and Cella
slated to return to L.A., how will they ever say goodbye?
“Blades
delivers a saucy romance full of lovely characters who complement
each other like a fine wine does a good meal, blending an inviting,
homey locale with scrumptious descriptions of Italian cuisine.
Romance-inclined foodies will love this contemporary.”
-
Publisher's Weekly
“The
Secret Ingredient was a slow-burn, highly developed, and impeccably
detailed romance novel.”
-
T. Rosado, Goodreads
“I
absolutely loved this book. The writing was excellent and the
characters well developed. But the thing that made me keep reading
was how flawlessly the author told the story.”
-
Karen, Amazon reviewer
“By
the time I finished this book I felt as tho[ugh] I had taken a trip
to Italy. It's not set there and I've never been there but the
atmosphere created by this author was absorbing and real.”
-
L_iam, Amazon reviewer
Awards
and Accolades for The Secret Ingredient
2021
Finalist. The RWA Vivian Award
2020
Finalist: The HOLT Medallion
2019
Quarterfinalist: Publisher’s Weekly BookLife Prize for Fiction
Kilby
Blades is a USAToday Bestselling author
of Romance and Women's Fiction. Her debut novel, Snapdragon,
was a HOLT Medallion finalist, a Publisher's Weekly BookLife Prize
Semi-Finalist, and an IPPY Award medalist. Kilby was honored with an
RSJ Emma Award for Best Debut Author in 2018, and has been lauded by
critics for "easing feminism and equality into her novels"
(IndieReader) and "writing characters who complement each other
like a fine wine does a good meal" (Publisher's Weekly).
The
Dark Seducer is known throughout Scotland as a man who charms many
women into his bed. Pleasure is his motto as he obtains information
for his king. Yet Rorik MacNeil harbors one secret buried beneath his
heart of steel. An unfulfilled conquest plagues both man and his
inner wolf, and Rorik would rather suffer death's sharp blade than
confront his greatest fear.
As
the Seer for the Orkneyjar Isles, Ragna Maddadsson confronts an
unknown destiny when she travels across the North Sea to Scotland. In
her quest to deliver a message from a powerful vision, she fears the
warrior will not listen. If Rorik ignores her warning, Ragna must
find a way to forestall his impending death. If unsuccessful, she
risks having her heart cleaved in two.
To
unravel their true fates, Rorik and Ragna must trust in the power of
the wolf.
Known as the
Barbarian, Magnar MacAlpin is a fierce ruler for those under his
command. As leader of the Wolves of Clan Sutherland, his loyalty and
obedience lies with Scotland. However, the king’s last demand is
not something Magnar will tolerate.
After Elspeth Gunn’s
brother the Chieftain of Castle Steinn is murdered, she flees with
her nephew, and finds safety amongst a band of men who are rumored to
be part wolf. When the king forces her to wed a heathen Northman, she
fears losing her heart and soul not only to the man, but the beast as
well.
In order to restore
peace to a shattered clan, Magnar and Elspeth travel a treacherous
path that challenges their beliefs. When evil seeks to destroy
ancient traditions, will Magnar be compelled to restrain his wolf or
allow him free to protect those he loves?
Award-winning
Celtic paranormal and fantasy romance author, Mary Morgan resides in
Northern California with her own knight in shining armor. However,
during her travels to Scotland, England, and Ireland, she left a part
of her soul in one of these countries and vows to return.
Mary's
passion for books started at an early age along with an overactive
imagination. Inspired by her love for history and ancient Celtic
mythology, her tales are filled with powerful warriors, brave women,
magic, and romance. It wasn't until the closure of Borders Books
where Mary worked that she found her true calling by writing romance.
Now, the worlds she created in her mind are coming to life within her
stories.
If
you enjoy history, tortured heroes, and a wee bit of magic, then
time-travel within the pages of her books.
What do you believe in? You have power, but
what will you use it for?
Hunted
down by Vincent Reznick’s henchman, Nora Youngblood is forced to
flee the only home she’s ever known, while the life of Aidan, the
boy she loves, hangs in the balance.
Nora
and the wizard, Malachi, escape to Aeraileas seeking the help of the
Ashwaken, a council of powerful wizards. But before she can complete
their mission, Reznick tracks her down, and she finds herself thrust
into a world she knows nothing about.
Throughout
her journey there, Nora learns to be strong and face danger head-on.
With newfound determination, she must find the next piece of the
Morrigan, a powerful weapon, before Reznick can, and risk everything,
including her life, to save Aidan, her friends, and the people of her
world.
When
Nora Youngblood's father dies on her sixteenth birthday, it's the end
of everything she ever knew. But a new journey begins with a
skull-shaped pocket watch - the last gift from her father, a
professor of archaeology. Where did this mysterious trinket come
from, and why would a warlock named Kabos now be hunting her for it?
Nora,
now an orphan, finds protection under a wizard named Malachi, his
handsome apprentice, Aidan, and a brother she never knew she had. As
she learns the truth about her family's mysterious past, Nora seeks
to uncover the secret of the skull, which leads to both a powerful
and dangerous weapon.
With
the fate of the skull in her hands, she's lured into the hidden world
of Dubhgail to combat the treacherous Kabos - who has kidnapped her
brother.
Can
she sacrifice herself to save her brother and her friends? In this
fantasy novel, a teenage girl discovers her magical heritage and soon
finds herself facing the might of an evil warlock in another world.
A.M.
Albaugh is a photographer, writer, programmer, and lifelong learner.
She takes her research for writing maybe a little too seriously - she
hiked Trolltunga (Norway) in snow, sleet, and rain, took a Krav Maga
class, and started rock climbing again but broke her ankle. She is a
member of The International Women's Writing Guild and is currently
writing the next book in the Grim Nora series.
***
2021 Romance Writers of America Vivian Award Finalist
***
A
flirty, cozy gay rom-com aboard a luxury cruise with handsome heroes,
quirky passengers and an HEA with all the feels.
When
a charming but misguided account manager gets stuck on a cruise to
the Galapagos Islands with his hunky zoologist ex, he might
rediscover his true passion—in and out of the bedroom.
After
art school, Mike Davis gave up on his dream in favor of a stable yet
unfulfilling job. But when he gets an opportunity to teach wealthy
travelers how to paint stunning sunsets, it seems like the perfect
break. Until he finds out he’ll be sharing a suite with his ex,
charming Benton Aldridge—a British scientist cuter than the baby
animals he studies. Mike makes it clear he has no intention of
getting back together with Benton, but sharing a suite makes it
impossible to keep his distance.
As
they climb over volcanic peaks and swim with manatees through
sparkling jade-colored water, can they also help each other have the
confidence to pursue their dreams and follow their hearts?
Philip
William Stover grew up tearing the covers off the romance novels he
devoured so he wouldn't get teased at school. Now he enjoys traveling
the world with his husband of over twenty years and would never
consider defacing any of the books he loves.
Lucifer
is unceremoniously yanked out of Hell by his Father so he can return
to his old job in the Garden of Eden. When he arrives, broken,
battered, and bleeding, he falls into the arms of Eve who is unsure
about seeing her old lover again as are the people now living in a
dying paradise.
Tasked
with returning the Sacred Trees of Life and Knowledge to flourishing
bounty once more, Lucifer struggles to learn his new place in his old
home. Yet, he hasn't been placed there solely to tend the Garden. His
son, Cain, is on the way with murder and destruction on his
mind.
Having
lived, cursed by God, for eons, Cain Enoch has made quite a name for
himself and amassed a fortune that would make even his Grandfather
envious and with it he'll stop at nothing to find Eden and destroy.
Why? So he can finally die even though it means taking the Earth,
Heaven, and Hell with him.
As
of this writing, I am 54 years-old, the mother of two adult
daughters, grandmother to one, and wife to my husband, Roy, for the
last 34 years. I live and write in my hometown of New London, CT.
I
began my writing career in the 4th grade when the class was given its
first-ever Creative Writing assignment. I put pencil to paper and was
instantly transported to a place I knew that I would never want to
leave. I have been publishing my works since 7th grade.
My
early influences were Stephen King, Mary Higgins Clark, Harold
Robins, Jacqueline Susan and VC Andrews. As such, my works tend to be
a grand mash-up of drama, horror, suspense, action, intrigue, and, of
course, intimate relations.
In
my spare time I enjoy gardening and photography as well as cooking
and baking. I also enjoy helping other authors bring their works to
the world stage.
