An explanation of contests
So as I said Rules is currently in the final rounds of 3 contests. Almost all romance writers in the US belong to the Romance Writers' of America (RWA), which has over 10,000 members. The RWA has 125 local chapters across 44 states. Many of the chapters have annual contests targeting unpublished authors.
Usually there is only a small cash prize for winning, and entry fees range from $20-30. These contests are generally judged by members of the chapter, but legitimate editors and agents usually judge the final rounds. Many authors first get published through exposure to these editors and agents. So the benefit of winning is not the prize, but rather the chance of an editor or agent picking up your manuscript, and being able to add your win to your author's bio when you do actually pitch your novel.
The RWA also has it's own annual contests with entry dates in mid-December: The RITA (for published authors, like the Hugo, Nebula or Edgar in other genres) and the Golden Heart for unpublished authors. These are the most prestigious contests, and you're virtually guaranteed getting published if you win the Golden Heart. The RWA has always resisted giving erotic romance its own category, until this year. By a single vote they created an erotic romance category for both of their contests, and I'm quite happy about that - Thank you board of the RWA! Whether or not I final in the Golden Heart I'm glad for the opportunity to compete, and I think erotic romance deserves its own category as it explodes in popularity, topping the best seller list frequently with authors like Sylva Day, E.L. James (50 Shades) and Lisa Renee Jones.