St. Paul, MN /prbuzz/ March 9, 2007 -- Writing on a small press, Nelson Pahl joined some of mainstream literature’s most famous names to become one of the five finalists for romantic fiction’s biggest award, the 2007 Bronte Prize. The accolade recognizes the best love story published in the U.S. and Canada annually.

Pahl’s Bee Balms & Burgundy, published on independent imprint Café Reverie Press, goes head to head for the coveted accolade against Nora Roberts’ Angels Fall (Putnam), Richard Paul Evans’ Finding Noel (Simon & Shuester), Roger Alan Skipper's Tear Down the Mountain (Soft Skull Press), and Water for Elephants (Algonquin Books) by Sara Gruen.

Bee Balms & Burgundy is the tale of Mia Lawson, a 30-year-old post-mastectomy breast cancer survivor who, in the aftermath of her diagnosis, realizes her lifelong love for childhood neighbor Nick May. Narrated by “Nicky,” the story takes the reader through Mia’s three dilemmas. First, how will she tell her childhood buddy of her feelings? Secondly, if he feels the same, how will she cross the necessary bridge to her first intimate encounter since her mastectomy? And thirdly, if all else works out, will she live long enough to savor it? The story is set between St. Paul, Minnesota and Vancouver, British Columbia.

The Bronte Prize winner will be announced March 15, 2007 on the organization’s Web site (www.bronteprize.org). The victor receives $12,500 and the Bronte Prize trophy.