2015 RONE Judges

Opal Campbell

Opal is an industry professional, having worked as review coordinator and executive assistant at Astraea Press. She also makes book trailers, a number of which have appeared on the USA Today book blog, Happy Ever After.

Karen Woodward

Karen Woodward is a writer, avid blogger and coffee lover, though perhaps not in that order. All her heroines have a bit of Buffy in them.

Carolyn Ridder Aspenson

Booktrope Editions author and editor Carolyn Ridder Aspenson is bestselling author of the cozy mystery, Angela Panther Series, Unfinished Business An Angela Panther Novel, Unbreakable Bonds An Angela Panther Mystery and Uncharted Territory An Angela Panther Mystery, The Inn At Laurel Creek, a contemporary romance novella and Santa's Gift, a Cumming Christmas Novella.

Cynthia Shepp

Cynthia Shepp is a freelance fiction editor for Clean Teen and Crimson Tree Publishing. She has a BA in English/Literature and has edited over two hundred books. Her passion is working with authors to polish their dreams into well-edited realities. She offers affordable, quality editing services to authors.www.cynthiashepp.com

Charlie Daye

Charlie Daye is an Amazon Best Selling paranormal romance and dark fantasy author. She has a passion for things that go bump in the night and has more than 20 titles to her credit.

Donna Michaels

Donna Michaels is an award winning, NY Times and USA Today Bestselling author of Romaginative Fiction. Her Harland County and Citizen Soldier series are Amazon bestsellers, and she’s recently joined Amazon Publishing with Cowboy-Fiancé now an AmazonEncore imprint. Next fall, it will also be translated into Japanese and hand drawn into a MANGA.

Debbie Brown

Graduate of the Institute of Children’s Literature, author of the award winning Amethyst Eyes series, busy mom, military officer, musician, martial artist and teacher, Debbie is finally devoting herself to her writing, helping fellow authors and mentoring students.

Rachel Van Dyken

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of over 40 novels. She's been featured in Forbes, Star Magazine, and USA Today. She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers!

Natalie Sickles

Natalie Sickles is a wife, mother, educator, and romance books lover. She spends her days teaching children with special needs but when she gets home, she escapes into her books much to her husband's chagrin.

Garrett Marco

Garrett Marco is an acquiring editor for Soul Mate Publishing, a fiction editor at the literary arts journal The Grove Review, and works as a freelance manuscript editor. With years of editing experience, Garrett seeks only one thing in fiction: good writing. Contact and query him at [email protected]

Mary C. Findley

Mary C. Findley has combined history, suspense, faith, and a touch of romance in an archaeological mystery serial, the Great Thirst. Join two high school teachers on the ultimate field trip and the search for an artifact that could save the world or get them killed.

Linda Rae Sande

A former technical writer, Linda Rae is now the author of ten popular Regency romances and a frequent presenter at book conventions. She also runs a commercial print shop where she's able to work with very talented designers and is surrounded by pretty papers.

Ginger Ring

Seldom will you find Ginger without a kindle in hand. Publishing a book has been a lifelong dream and one that came true just a few years ago. Her first book, Getting Down to Business, was a finalist last year for a RONE award. She writes both contemporary and historical genres.

Tawdra Kandle

Tawdra Kandle writes romance, in just about all its forms. She loves unlikely pairings, strong women, sexy guys, hot love scenes and just enough conflict to make it interesting. Her books include contemporary and paranormal romance, YA, NA and adult. She lives in central Florida and rocks purple hair.

Samantha March

Samantha March is an author, editor, publisher, blogger, and all around book lover. She runs the popular book/women’s lifestyle blog ChickLitPlus and in 2011 she launched her independent publishing company Marching Ink and has three published novels – Destined to Fail, The Green Ticket and A Questionable Friendship.

Lisa Wolff

A lover of all things romance and part time reviewer on Rogues Under the Covers, Lisa is a reader of mainly historicals (those dashing rakes and bold ladies for that time period!), contemporaries are becoming a new guilty pleasure with the explosion of ebooks.

Tiffany Halliday

Tiffany Halliday is an avid reader who blogs at A_TiffyFit's Reading Corner (http://tiffyfit.blogspot.com) where she loves to promote authors, books, and the love of reading. She is also one of the Head Bookworms at Grammar Inspection Task Force (www.no-more-typos.com).

Delores Goodrick Beggs

Delores Goodrick Beggs has completed the last of her seven Place in the Heart Western novels and is now working on her trio of contracted Kansas Woman manuscripts, the first scheduled for publication by Desert Breeze Publishing November 2015.

Paulina Ulrich

Author, book nerd & crazy cat lady, Paulina Ulrich is the author of the YA paranormal Flightless Bird series and the award nominated Fighting Fate series. Her highly active imagination has been the cause behind many of her stories and when she's not reading, writing, or doing author-y stuff, she's out buying way too many cute shoes...

Emily Mah Tippetts

Emily Mah Tippetts is a former attorney who now writes romance as E.M. Tippetts and science fiction and fantasy as Emily Mah. When she isn't chasing her small children or writing, she designs jewelry, sculpts with polymer clay, and runs her formatting/author services company, E.M. Tippetts Book Designs.

C.E. Black

Bestselling author of Paranormal Romances, C.E. Black writes books she wants to read. Action packed scenes staring captivating, romantic characters are a must. Her full time job is keeping up with her husband and two children, though she has been known to leave the housework behind for a good book.

Sue Toth

Sue Toth is currently the owner of Editing—And More--By Sue, offering developmental editing, copy editing and proofreading of a wide variety of genres of fiction. She also works on nonfiction. She works closely with authors on the entire self-publishing process. Check her out at editingbysue.wordpress.com or contact her at [email protected].

Wendy Ely

Wendy Ely is a USA Today bestselling author who writes some romantic suspense, really hot stories, and the wonderful happily-ever-after. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her own real-life hero, three teenagers, and two crazy cats. When she isn't busy writing new stories, she enjoys time outdoors by taking trips to the hot desert or swimming at the lake.

JD Nelson

JD Nelson is a Bestselling Author of Fantasy Romance and Erotic Paranormal Romance. She is also the owner of Chaste Moon Publishing, an independent publishing house. A transplant from Mobile, Alabama, she now lives in Central Valley, California with her amazingly supportive husband and three cats who think they're dogs.

Ashley Nemer

Ashley Nemer has published over sixteen stories. She thrives on creating new worlds and memorable characters. Most notably her loveable assassin Mr. A in her Maverick Touch series. With the support of her husband, Ashley continues to write engaging fiction that she hopes one day can spark a young woman to pick up her own pen and write.

Marla Blowers

Marla Blowers author of the 'Young And Naive' series. Learning To Fall, Daddy and Wasted Years.. All 3 can be found at Amazon.com. Marla grew up in a small town in Nebraska, spent much of her childhood on long vacations with her parents. In their RV, she would pass the time reading. Her love of travel and reading has carried over to her adult life.

Becky Johnson

Executive Editor and CEO of Hot Tree Editing, Becky Johnson lives and breathes literature. A lover of the classics, a fan of urban fantasy and a hardcore romance lover across genres, she is never far away from discovering a new, amazing read.

Cristy Watson

Cristy is a writer who loves to enter writing contests, especially ones with demanding time limits. Benched and Living Rough (Orca, 2011) are her two YA novels aimed at the reluctant reader. She also has three self-published chapbooks of poetry. Her new novel On Cue will be released in 2016

Murphy Rae

Murphy Rae is an editor and book cover designer. To see samples of her work and get more information, please visit www.murphyrae.net. You can also find her on social media, where she mostly just talks about cats and the occasional book. www.facebook.com/indiesolutionsbymurphyrae. Twitter: @mcmurfin Instagram: @mcmurfin

Kay Springsteen

Freelance editor and best-selling Regency and contemporary romance author, Kay Springsteen lives in Virginia. She enjoys long hikes in the woods with her rescued dogs and occasionally stops in at Starbucks to people watch. But if she spots you, watch out! You might find yourself in one of her books.

Kelliea Ashley

Kelliea Ashley lives in upstate New York with her husband and several furbabies. She has had several publications through Breathless Press and has recently signed on at Three World's Press. She can be found on Goodreads, Facebook, and other social media sites.

Deadra Krieger

Deadra Krieger, owner of Krieger Kreations Editing, has garnered a reputation for whipping authors and stories into shape—sometimes physically as well as figuratively—since 2011. She’s working hard to dispel the myth that editors are evil, though she still tears manuscripts apart like wrapping paper on a present. She’s always accepting new clients, if you’re brave enough.

Tiffany T. Cole

Tiffany T. Cole is a freelance editor and a copy editor for Limitless Publishing and the Purdue University Chronicle. Before that, she was an editorial assistant for Month9Books and the president of Reader's Den, a website where she reviewed and promoted books for two years. You can learn more about her services by visiting tiffanytcole.com

Michelle Lynn Brown

Michelle Lynn Brown is the author of the best-selling Trampled Rose and Reconciled and Redeemed Series. She fell in love with the written word as a teenager, and as a writer, she uses this passion to share with others the joy of having a personal and intimate relationship with Christ.

Diana Finegold

In love with books and writing forever, DIANA FINEGOLD focuses her expertise as a publishing exec, ad agency owner, actor and playwright on BOOK BLURBS THAT SELL – where she gets kicks writing powerful copy with clout and charisma for all genres. See for yourself on her Facebook page! Contact: [email protected] . 516 457 8450

Francine Howarth

Francine Howarth is a graduate in history (Oxford), ex-mainstream published author, ex magazine publisher, and she's now a self published author of historical romances. Years back she was a professional reviewer for a well-known magazine supplement, and still writes reviews when time affords. Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/Francine-Howarth/e/B0059FDF0I/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0 Francine’s Blog: http://francinehowarth.blogspot.co.uk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/francine.howarthauthor.

Nancy Scrofano

Nancy Scrofano is the author of novels True Love Way and American Honey, novelette Cupid On Deck, and short stories Happenstance (in Sunlounger) and Ice Dating (in Merry & Bright). She is the editor of Fictionella, a popular website that promotes and celebrates Chick Lit, Romantic Comedy, and Women’s Fiction.

Debra L Hartmann

Debra L Hartmann is the owner of The Pro Book Editor and Indie Author Publishing Services where she and her team provide quality, affordable services for authors. Debra personally volunteers free publishing consultation services and online educational/inspirational materials and resources to the Indie Author community .

Lisa Young

Lisa Young is the author of the poetry collection, When the Earth (Quattro Books) and the chapbook, This Cabin (LyricalMyrical Press). She is currently working on her next collection, Wish and her novel, Appleland. Her fiction has appeared in several publications, including Rampike Magazine and the Maple Tree Literary Supplement.

Katheryn Lane

Katheryn Lane is the bestselling author of The Desert Sheikh, which spent over 3 months at #1 on Amazon’s bestseller lists when it was first published. She is also the author of several other bestselling sheikh romances, including The Royal Sheikh, The Sheikh’s Beloved and A Bride For The Sheikh.

S.L. Dearing

S.L. Dearing, author of The Lia Fail Chronicles (The Gathering and From the Gathering to The Bridging) is currently working on the next book in the series, The Bridging, which is due out later this year, as well as a Sci-Fi novella, Captured. Shannon currently resides in Los Angeles.

Shannon Conway Keith

Since obtaining her first library card at three, Ms. Keith has been a lover of books, and a voracious reader. Four years ago, she joined a Good Reads Discussion Group; and writers began sending her review requests. At present, she reviews seven authors. Her favorite genre currently is Fantasy, particularly Steampunk.

Madge H. Gressley

Madge Gressley lives in Missouri. She started her writing career in 2013, and published her first book in the “Inescapable” series “The Beginning” in May of 2014, and the second book “Remembering” in June of 2014. Book three “Tomorrow,” will be out sometime in 2015 http://amzn.to/1H1JdnQ.

Sheryl Frid

Sheryl is an avid reader and reviewer for authors with a blog and a book group on Facebook and also admins on 5 other groups. She reads and reviews most genres. She has a daughter and is a grandma to 5 boys.

Nicole Kaderabek

Hello meet SnoopyDoo aka Nicole.
She loves to read and meet new people who share the same love for books. She reads a little of everything, but her main genres are: anything paranormal or urban fantasy YA or NA, Contemporary Romance and or Suspense. You can find her here: SnoopyDoo’S Book Reviews ~ BookLikes~TwitterPinterest

Tricia Andersen

Tricia Andersen is a fighter/contemporary suspense/historical romance author. Her two series, The Black Irish Series and the Hard Drive Series, are available at Sweet Cravings Publishing. When she's not writing (and she's always writing!), Tricia practices mixed martial arts, reads and hangs out with her hubby and kids.

Stephanie Konat

Stephanie Konat is a Book Marketing Manager at Booktrope Publishing. Outside of Booktrope, she writes promotions, news articles and website content, and teaches yoga. She's the proud mother of two exceptional children and owner of Turbo, the turtle (her son wants you to know Turbo was named before the movie).

Sabrina Roberts

Sabrina Roberts has been an avid reader since childhood.   Her love of books was fulfilled with lot of time spent in libraries. She is currently proofreading for several authors and will soon be taking editing courses, in order to provide another resource for Indie Authors.

Rebecca Cartee

Born in France she has a three-year honors degree. In October 2013, Rebecca combined her love of words and helping others to start her own freelance editing business. Editing By Rebecca has worked with many best-selling authors across various genres and enjoys the one-on-one interaction with her authors.   

Shannon Keith

Since obtaining her first library card at three, Ms. Keith has been a lover of books, and a voracious reader. Four years ago, she joined a Good Reads Discussion Group; and writers began sending her review requests. At present, she reviews seven authors. Her favorite genre currently is Fantasy, particularly Steampunk.

Amanda Ward

Amanda is a housewife and mother living in Bedford with her husband and 3 young children.  An avid reader of romance who has turned her hand to writing quirky romance featuring the older hero/heroine. Cuddly, curvaceous women and the good guy next door stir her imagination.

Steffi Lueckmann

Steffi is a 25-year-old MA student of Postcolonial British Literature from Germany. The classics are a must for school, but Steffi spends most of her free time with a romance novel in her hands. Everything is possible in romance and that is what she loves most about the genre. Steffi also hosts Swept Away By Romance, a successful romance book blog, with her good friend Karla and 5 additional reviewers.

Sherry Cain

Sherry Cain is pursuing her Master’s Degree in Social Work.  She loves to read and was thrilled to be a RONE judge. Sherry lives in the beautiful state of Michigan with the world’s smartest German Shepherd  named Milo. Rumor has it that he can sing and knows how to spell.

Tracey Gee

Tracey Gee is the romance blogger and humorist behind LOVExtra Romance News (LOVExtra.com) which is about to turn 1, this November. Tracey also works as the Book Section Editor for Sexpert.com, and previously acted as Book Editor and Reviewer for the now defunct Evolvedworld.com.

Geri Anne

Geri is freelance admin support provider who loves to read romance. She started reviewing for Ever After Romance Book Blog late 2012. She left EARB to set up The Racy Lit Reader on January of 2014 and hasn't stopped reading or blogging since then.

Amanda J. Greene

Amanda J. Greene creates paranormal romance for ravenous readers. She lives in Southern California, where she enjoys escaping the rewarding but hectic world of writing by spending time in the sun and sand with her husband and their two dogs.

Tracy James Jones

Tracy James Jones is an indie author, blogger, and book reviewer from Dallas & Waxahachie, Texas who writes multicultural, romantic drama with an LGBT twist. Hobbies include singing, networking on social media and supporting equal rights for women and the LGBT community.

Barbara Prescott

Barbara Prescott is the Publisher and Executive Editor of August Press, Inc., an independent publishing company specializing in the publication of poetry, mystery fiction, and translations of literature. Her poems have been published in the book “Anthesis: Sonnets from the Stanford Years”. Her mysteries include the upcoming series, “Shakespeare Sisters Mysteries” as well as the “Julia Grant Mysteries”. 

Joanna D'Angelo

Joanna D'Angelo is Editor in Chief of Lachesis Publishing Inc. Genre fiction at its best! Joanna also manages Love Romance Novels, one of the original romance fiction pages on facebook. Joanna is also a filmmaker and the director of the documentary Who's Afraid of Happy Endings? about the world of romance fiction. The documentary aired on Bravo! Canada and has been broadcast around the world.

Thomas A. Knight

Thomas A. Knight is a fantasy author and database developer from south western Ontario. His novels chronicle the trials and tribulations of characters living on the alternate world of Galadir, a place with as much mystery as it has magic. When he's not writing or working, he spends time with his family, and enjoys role-playing and collectible card games.

Karla Parks

Karla hosts a successful book blog, Swept Away By Romance, along with her good friend Steffi. In addition to themselves, they have 5 wonderful women who review for the blog.

G.A. Edwards

G. A. Edwards is a retired teacher who spends her days writing and speaking about Young Adult books. Author of the Madison Murder Series, she enjoys crafting suspenseful thrillers with emotional twists. If general world domination fails, she’s happy to continue spreading the joys of literature…one word at a time.

Merry Farmer

Merry Farmer is an award-winning novelist who lives in suburban Philadelphia with her two cats, Butterfly and Torpedo. She has been writing since she was ten years old and realized one day that she didn't have to wait for the teacher to assign a creative writing project to write something.

Sara Barnard

Sara Barnard has authored 19 books to date and lives with her family of four children, four Nigerian Dwarf pygmy goats, flock of Easter Egger chickens, three rescue dogs, and three rescue cats in beautiful Native America. She holds her BA in History and is a certified elementary teacher.

Melissa Klein

Melissa Klein writes contemporary romance about everyday heroes fighting extraordinary battles. Whether facing the demands of caring for a child with special needs or the struggles of a soldier returning home, her characters take on the challenges life throws at them with perseverance, courage, and humor. www.MelissaKleinRomance.com, https://www.facebook.com/Melissa.Klein.Romance

Linda Joyce

Linda Joyce, an award-winning author, writes about assertive females and the men who can’t resist them in her Fleur de Lis series & Sunflower series. She hails from Louisiana, though penned her first manuscript when living in Japan. Now she lives in Atlanta with her husband and three dogs.

Ian Seta

Ian lives in Sydney, Australia with a couple of humans and a bunch of animals that are in a constant battle for food supremacy. When he's not buying food, you will most likely find him reading or listening to an audiobook. He tends to read stories about women and by women.

Karen Branch

Karen is a former co-teacher for children with Severe and Emotional Behavior Disorders as well as being a former hotel manager. These two positions boosted her love for helping and pleasing people as well as her love for learning things.

KJ Montgomery

KJ Montgomery likes to take the ancient myths and legends and use them as a basis to weave a tale that both entertains and encourages the reader to think about what they’ve been taught about history.

Linda Best

An avid reader for over 38 years, Linda Best has been reading romance novels of all genres, most recently enjoying the paranormal adventures.

Margaret L. Turley

Margaret successfully completed the Crafting the Character Based Novel I, II & III, Crafting the Illustrated Book, Polishing the Character Based Novel I, II & III and Publishing the Character Based Novel I II & III by Pamela R. Goodfellow PhD. She has completed several other college level writing classes and attends writing conferences. When she isn’t writing, Margaret reads.

Courtney Marsh

Courtney is an avid reader with a history in online radio marketing and writing (for herself). Her online station, Dreamers Radio, spanned 3 years and focused on digging into the creations of some of her favourite authors. Now she devotes her spare time to reading and creating her own tales.

Linda Joyce

Linda Joyce, an award-winning author, writes about assertive females and the men who can’t resist them in her Fleur de Lis series & Sunflower series. She hails from Louisiana, though penned her first manuscript when living in Japan. Now she lives in Atlanta with her husband and three dogs.