Rebecca Heflin Had A Homecoming to Remember

There is nothing like coming home to a warm welcome—especially when that welcome includes news of prestigious awards. Romance novelist Rebecca Heflin found out about her most recent awards after arriving home from the Romance Writers of America conference in Atlanta. So far this year, Rebecca’s second book, Rescuing Lacey, has received the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence, the Virginia Romance Writers HOLT Medallion Award of Merit, and The Shooting Star Award. This contemporary romance novel was also a finalist for a Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. More wins may be on the way for this title, as it is also a finalist in the Georgia Romance Writers Published Maggie Award for Excellence and the Florida Writers Association Royal Palm Literary Award, both awards to be announced in October. According to a recent press release, Heflin is "thrilled" about the awards, and everyone is thrilled to give them to her.

The novel’s sexy and powerful love story has been getting attention from the start, winning first place under its pre-published title, "Lost Soul," in the contemporary romance category of Southwest Florida Romance Writers’ 2011 "Hold Me! Thrill Me!" contest. Literary sites like The Romance Reviews and Travel Novels have praised the book’s tough heroine and dreamy surfer love interest in its exotic Costa Rican setting, and InD’tale Magazine—a publication of professional book reviews and articles for novice writers—gave Rescuing Lacey a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Heflin’s debut novel, The Promise of Change, met with its own success in 2011 as a finalist for the Royal Palm Literary award, and again in 2013 as a finalist for the Wisconsin Romance Writers of America Write Touch Readers’ Award.

An active member of Romance Writers of America, RWA Contemporary Romance, Florida Romance Writers, and Florida Writers Association, Heflin stays busy writing stories where, as she states in her tagline, "ordinary people find extraordinary romance." Her works have been featured in BTS Book Reviews Magazine, Flourish Magazine, The Gainesville Sun, and many other publications, again proving the staying-power of her art.

As her list of acclamations grows, we look forward to reading more from the talented author. Hopefully, she will be arriving home to new awards for many years to come.

Pasha Carlisle