On May 5th The Christy Award nominees were announced; one of the most coveted accolades among the Christian fiction authors and deservedly so. These nominations are a high honor and have been selected based on hundreds of titles and countless hours spent reading and poring over the fine details of the book using the criteria that is most important; how these books reflect God’s word and influence in the characterization and depth of the novels. They are not necessarily the most popular novels but they are indeed the best of the best. I have had the privilege of reading many of these books and would be hard pressed to choose the winners in each category.
And here they are:
Contemporary / Romance:
Sworn to Protect, Call of Duty Series #2, by DiAnn Mills
Blood Ransom, Mission Hope Series #1, by Lisa Harris
Indivisible, by Kristen Heitzmann
Contemporary Series; Sequels:
The Waiting, Lancaster County Secrets Series #2, by Suzanne Woods Fisher
The Thorn, Rose Trilogy Series #1, by Beverly Lewis
The Reluctant Prophet, by Nancy Rue
Contemporary Stand-Alone:
Lady in Waiting, by Susan Meissner
A Season of Miracles, by Rusty Whitener
Almost Heaven, by Chris Fabry
First Novel:
Crossing Oceans, by Gina Holmes
A Season of Miracles, by Rusty Whitener
Heartless, Tales of Goldstone Woods Series #1, by Anne Elisabeth Stengl
Historical Romance:
Within My Heart, Timber Ridge Reflections Series #3, by Tamera Alexander
The Girl in the Gatehouse, by Julie Klassen
She Walks in Beauty, by Siri Mitchell
Historical:
While We’re Far Apart, by Lynn Austin
Chosen, Lost Loves of the Bible Series #1, by Ginger Garrett
For Time & Eternity, by Allison Pittman
Suspense:
The Bishop, Patrick Bowers Series #4, by Steven James
Predator, by Terri Blackstock
The Bride Collector, by Ted Dekker
Visionary:
Konig’s Fire, Marc Schooley
To Darkness Fled, Blood of Kings Series #2, by Jill Williamson
The Last Christian, by David Gregory
Young Adult:
Motorcycles, Sushi & One Strange Book, by Nancy Rue
The Charlatan’s Boy, by Jonathan Rogers
The Healer’s Apprentice, by Melanie Dickerson