Awards and Finalists

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Replies

  • Restfinder
    Restfinder Posts: 2,816 Member
    I know, Connie. I don't even give the titles of the fantasy stories I am reading (sometimes) because I'm usually the only one reading that genre! Sometimes we may cross over in Regency or WWII, but unless it's suspense I don't read contemporary. I just kept running into people being angry with God all the time and that just wore me out!

  • connierandel
    connierandel Posts: 1,982 Member
    Here is the Christy Award Winners from last night.

    Congratulations to the 2023 Christy Award Winners!

    CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
    *To Win a Prince by Toni Shiloh

    FIRST NOVEL - tie
    *The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunswold

    The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon by Linda MacKillop

    GENERAL FICTION
    *Where the Blue Sky Begins by Katie Powner

    HISTORICAL
    Within These Walls of Sorrow by Amanda Barratt

    HISTORICAL ROMANCE
    *The Rose and the Thistle by Laura Frantz

    MYSTERY/SUSPENSE/THRILLER
    *Cold Light of Day by Elizabeth Goddard

    SHORT FORM
    Always a Lady by Kristi Ann Hunter

    SPECULATIVE
    Dream of Kings by Sharon Hinck

    YOUNG ADULT
    This Dreamer by Sara Watterson

    AMPLIFY
    The Star That Always Stays by Anna Rose Johnson

    BOOK OF THE YEAR
    Within These Walls of Sorrow by Amanda Barratt

    * denotes ones I have read
  • Restfinder
    Restfinder Posts: 2,816 Member
    Wow, I haven't read any of those, although a few are on my wish list!
  • cmsienk
    cmsienk Posts: 19,077 Member
    The only one I've read is THE EXTRAORDINARY DEATHS OF MRS. KIP and it was definitely a winner
  • connierandel
    connierandel Posts: 1,982 Member
    I am really looking forward to her next book, THE DIVINE PROVERB OF STREUSEL - coming January 16, 2024
  • pianolady831
    pianolady831 Posts: 309 Member
    Here's a list of nominees for the 2024 Selah Awards. I haven't read any of these yet, and many authors I haven't heard of. Definitely a good resource, though! Winners will be announced on May 26.

    CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
    Bidding on a Second Chance Emily Conrad
    Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other by Bethany Turner
    Dedicated To the One I Love Beth K Vogt
    Every Good Gift by Kelly Irvin
    Her Scandalous Amish Secret Joseline McClay
    Julia Monroe Begins Again by Rebekah Millet
    Love's True Calling by Lori DeJong
    Sylvia's Mother by Jennifer Lynn Cary
    The Amish Spintser's Dilemma by Jocelyn McClay
    The Secret to Happiness by Suzanne Woods Fisher
    The Words We Lost by Nicole Deese

    FIRST NOVEL
    Heart in the Clouds by Jennifer Mist Morgan
    Julia Monroe Begins Again by Rebekah Millet
    Love's True Calling by Lori DeJong
    Ona Mae's Deli and Bait Shop by Renee Hodges

    GENERAL FICTION
    Ona Mae's Deli and Bait Shop by Renee Hodges
    Roxie Applesauce Tonya l Matthews
    The Escape Game by Marilyn Turk
    The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass by Katie Powner
    What I Would Tell You by Liz Tolsma

    HISTORICAL/BIBLICAL
    Daughter of Eden by Jill Eilleen Smith
    Freedom's Price by Pegg Thomas
    The All American by Susie Finkbeiner
    This is Where It Ends by Cindy K Sproles
    Waterborne by David J Marsh
    Yamin by Jeff Keene II

    HISTORICAL ROMANCE
    Beneath a Peaceful Moon by Debbie Lee
    Confessions to a Stranger by Danielle Grandinetti
    Finding Her Frontier Home by Louise M Gouge
    Garden of the Midnights by Hannah Linder
    Heart of the Clouds by Jennifer Mist Morgan
    Love at First Light by Stephanie Grace Whitson
    The Maid of Ballymacool by Jennifer Deibel
    When Tomorrow Came by Hannah Linder
    Window of Opportunity by Heather Greer

    MYSTERY/SUSPENSE
    26 Below by Kimberley Woodhouse
    Cold Pursuit by Nancy Mehl
    Every Flower of the Field by Sara Davison
    The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright

    NOVELLAS
    A Lasting Legacy by Cynthia Roemer
    Deadly Holiday Hijack by Kate Angelo
    In Her Sights by Karen Witemeyer
    The Chemist by J Carol Nemeth
    The Christmas Carving by Kelly Goshorn
    The Veil From Across the Shores by Kelly Goshorn
    To Enchant a Lady's Heart by Robin Lee Hatcher

    ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
    Amish Wilderness Survival by Mary Alford
    Countdown by Lynette Eason
    Crime Scene Witness by Dana R Lynn
    Expired Vows by Laura Conaway and Lisa Phillips
    Facing the Enemy by Diann Mills
    Her Secret Amish Past by Dana R Lynn
    Hidden Amish Target by Dana R Lynn
    Hunted at Christmas by Dana R Lynn

    ANTHOLOGIES
    A Thrill in the Air
    Dancing in the Rain, Stories to Shelter the Soul
    Good Tidings

    SPECULATIVE
    The Quickening Sarah L Frantz
    The Secret of Stardust by Heather LL FitzGerald
    Window of Time by Erin R Howard

    WESTERN
    Accepted by Paula Peckham
    Emily's Trials by Henry McLaughlin
    The Pursuit of Miss Parish by Grace Hitchcock

    WOMEN'S CONTEMPORARY
    Lilac Cottage by Carrie Fancett Pagels
    Reclaiming Christmas by Melissa Sneed Wilson
    The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos by Kelly Irvin
  • Restfinder
    Restfinder Posts: 2,816 Member
    I have 26 BELOW on my Hoopla Favorites list. The first one as well, 8 Degrees ?. I haven't read anything on the list, and actually haven't really heard of most of those books!
  • pianolady831
    pianolady831 Posts: 309 Member
    Any award list can be a good resource, but I've always found the Selah awards especially interesting because they are sponsored by the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, which seems to be very spirit led and focused on helping writers develop their writing. I'll see if some of the books by these lesser known authors in my favorite categories are available. It would be fun to discover some gems. A Goodreads group that I follow is doing THE ALL AMERICAN by Susie Finkbeiner as a group read next month, so I may try that one.
  • connierandel
    connierandel Posts: 1,982 Member
    I have read several, but with using my phone for data, I haven't used it as a hot-spot a lot and it's easier to have two screens to figure them out.

    The Kimberly Woodhouse book is the first in the series, I haven't gotten access to 8 Down by her, yet.
  • Restfinder
    Restfinder Posts: 2,816 Member
    My Hoopla has both of the books by Kimberley Woodhouse, but only e-books. It says that 8 Down just has 42 pages - but, Amazon says it's 289 pages. Strange! I am going to hold out for the audio version since I don't like doing e-books on Hoopla.
  • connierandel
    connierandel Posts: 1,982 Member
    Carole - I read THE ALL AMERICAN and I gave it 4.5* I also noted that there was some slang. That is probably the reason that I didn't give 5*.

    I need to set down and look up the books that I have read in the list. I have read several, but the Selah awards always throw new authors and books my way.
  • pianolady831
    pianolady831 Posts: 309 Member
    I'm reading THIS IS WHERE IT ENDS BY Cindy K. Sproles and it is very good. Set in Appalachia, one of my favorite settings.
  • connierandel
    connierandel Posts: 1,982 Member
    edited May 2024
    2024 Carol Awards Finalists

    Contemporary
    A Million Little Choices by Tamera Alexander
    He Should Have Told the Bees by Amanda Cox
    The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass by Katie Powner

    Historical
    The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barratt
    Code Name Edelweiss by Stephanie Landsem
    April’s Promise by Terrie Todd

    Historical Romance
    Garden of the Midnights by Hannah Linder
    The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin
    The Legacy of Longdale Manor by Carrie Turansky

    Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
    What Happens Next by Christina Suzann Nelson
    Show Me Betrayal by Ellen E. Withers
    26 Below by Kimberley Woodhouse

    Novella
    Christmas Snowstorm Standoff by Sami A. Abrams
    Honor’s Mountain Promise by Misty M. Beller
    Return of the Monarchs by Beth Wiseman

    Romance
    The Words We Lost by Nicole Deese
    Wedding at Sea by Melissa Tagg
    Memory Lane by Becky Clem Wade

    Romantic Suspense
    Expired Hope by Megan Besing and Lisa Phillips
    Under Fire by Lynn H. Blackburn
    Critical Threat by Lynette Eason

    Short Novel
    Their Holiday Secret by Betsy St. Amant Haddox
    Together for the Twins by Laurel M. Blount
    The Cowboy Bargain by Tina Radcliff

    Speculative
    Of Sea and Smoke by Gillian Bronte Adams
    Execution Island by Janice Boekhoff
    The Wayward by Tabitha Morehouse Caplinger

    Young Adult
    Sky of Seven Colors by Rachelle Nelson
    The Mermaid’s Tale by L. E. Richmond
    Dancing in the Silence by Linda Sammaritan

    Debut Author
    Steal Fire From The Gods by Clint Hall
    Dear Henry, Love Edith by Becca Kinzer
    Show Me Betrayal by Ellen E. Withers

  • Restfinder
    Restfinder Posts: 2,816 Member
    There are several on there that I have on my wish list. A couple I did start but didn't get into very far. It often happens that when I can't get into a story, if I pick it up later I wonder what the problem was! LOL!
  • pianolady831
    pianolady831 Posts: 309 Member
    Connie, thanks for posting the finalist list. I've learned that they're often as good as the winners. I've about decided that my favorite Christian fiction genre is contemporary/women's fiction. And of course, I haven't read any of those yet.
  • Restfinder
    Restfinder Posts: 2,816 Member
    Oh dear, that is my least favorite genre, Carole! LOL! I enjoy the historical stuff as well as fantasy and sci-fi. I do like contemporary suspense, as long as it isn't creepy! I like an occasional Amish story as well.
  • pianolady831
    pianolady831 Posts: 309 Member
    That's why there's several genres, Kim! It's good for the industry that we all like different things. My Mom got me started enjoying women's fiction because she read so many family sagas that were popular at the time. She also liked political suspense, which I never cared for. And I do enjoy historical, especially the early American time period.
  • connierandel
    connierandel Posts: 1,982 Member
    I don't even know if I have a favorite genre. I definitely have the NOT favorite genres like fantasy and usually regency. I do love suspense and romantic suspense, but the books that usually wind up in my WOW list are more often than not Women's fiction.

    Here are the ones that I have read - as you can see, I gave a lot of them 5*
    A Million Little Choices by Tamera Alexander - AMAZING - a WOW book for me
    He Should Have Told the Bees by Amanda Cox - AMAZING - a WOW book for me
    Code Name Edelweiss by Stephanie Landsem -5*
    The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin - 5*
    The Legacy of Longdale Manor by Carrie Turansky - 4*
    26 Below by Kimberley Woodhouse - 5*
    Christmas Snowstorm Standoff by Sami A. Abrams 4*
    Honor’s Mountain Promise by Misty M. Beller - 4*
    The Words We Lost by Nicole Deese - 5*
    Memory Lane by Becky Clem Wade - 4.5*
    Expired Hope by Megan Besing and Lisa Phillips - 4*
    Under Fire by Lynn H. Blackburn - 4.5*
    Critical Threat by Lynette Eason - 4.5*
    Dear Henry, Love Edith by Becca Kinzer - 4.5*


  • connierandel
    connierandel Posts: 1,982 Member
    Here are the Carol Awards Winners
    Congratulations to winners of the Carol Awards! The announcement was made at a dinner held in New Orleans on September 7.

    Contemporary

    A Million Little Choices by Tamera Alexander
    Tyndale House
    Editor: Jerry Jenkins

    Historical

    Code Name Edelweiss by Stephanie Landsem
    Tyndale House
    Editor: Kathy Olson

    Historical Romance

    The Legacy of Longdale Manor by Carrie Turansky
    Bethany House (Baker Publishing Group)
    Editors: Jessica Sharpe and Jennifer Veilleux

    Mystery/Suspense/Thriller

    What Happens Next by Christina Suzann Nelson
    Bethany House (Baker Publishing Group)
    Editors: Rochelle Gloege and Jennifer Veilleux

    Novella

    Christmas Snowstorm Standoff by Sami A. Abrams
    Sunrise Publishing
    Editors: Lynette Eason and Susan May Warren

    Romance

    Memory Lane by Becky Wade
    ACFW QIP (Qualified Independently Published)
    Editor: Charlene Patterson

    Romantic Suspense

    Under Fire by Lynn H. Blackburn
    Revell
    Editors: Amy Ballor and Kelsey Brown

    Short Novel

    Their Holiday Secret by Betsy St. Amant
    Love Inspired (Harlequin)
    Editor: Emily Rodmell

    Speculative

    Of Sea and Smoke by Gillian Bronte Adams
    Enclave Publishing (Oasis Family Media)
    Editor: Lisa Laube

    Young Adult

    Sky of Seven Colors by Rachelle Nelson
    Enclave Publishing (Oasis Family Media)
    Editors: Avily Jerome and Lisa Laube

    Debut

    Dear Henry, Love Edith by Becca Kinzer
    Tyndale House
    Editor: Kathy Olson

    Which have you read? I have read all but 3 - short novel, YA and speculative
  • Restfinder
    Restfinder Posts: 2,816 Member
    edited September 2024
    I started OF SEA AND SMOKE but I needed to re-read the first book to get up to date. I have so many books I want to read it's hard to get back to some.

    I have CODE NAME EIDELWEISS and started it, but never finished it. I need to look into the Lynn Blackburn one, I really like her stories.

  • connierandel
    connierandel Posts: 1,982 Member
    edited September 2024
    Christy Award Finalists - I haven't read nearly as many of these
    Christy Award Finalists

    Contemporary
    Her Only Wish by Shelley Shepard Gray
    Indigo Isle by T.I. Lowe

    The Rhythm of Fractured Grace by Amanda Wen
    The Thing About Home by Rhonda McKnight

    First Novel
    A Fifth of the Story by Dr. Katherine Hutchinson Hayes
    An American Immigrant by Johanna Rojas Vann
    On Moonberry Lake by Holly Varni


    General Fiction
    He Should Have Told the Bees by Amanda Cox
    The Last Exchange by Charles Martin

    The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass by Katie Powner
    The Year of Jubilee by Cindy Morgan

    Historical
    Appalachian Song by Michelle Shocklee
    The Foxhole Victory Tour by Amy Lynn Green
    The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barratt


    Historical Romance
    A Winter by the Sea by Julie Klassen
    Of Love and Treason by Jamie Ogle
    The Seamstress of Acadie by Laura Frantz


    Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
    8 Down by Kimberley Woodhouse
    The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater by Jaime Jo Wright
    The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright


    Short Form
    Beauty Bright (within We Three Kings) by Cara Putman

    The Poppy (within Dancing in the Rain) by Sara Davison
    The Shifting Current by Dani Pettrey
    Star of Wonder (within We Three Kings) by Crystal Caudill
    You Make It Feel Like Christmas by Toni Shiloh


    Speculative
    Estuary by Lisa T. Bergren
    In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer
    Lumen by J.J. Fischer
    Shadowcast by Crystal D. Grant

    Young Adult
    The Looking-Glass Illusion by Sara Ella
    Offside by Lori Z. Scott
    Once a Queen by Sarah Arthur
    Sky of Seven Colors by Rachelle Nelson

  • Restfinder
    Restfinder Posts: 2,816 Member
    IN THIS MOMENT appears to be the only one I've read. I did start LUMEN but had forgotten so much of what was in the first book I needed to go back and re-read it first, but haven't made it back to that. Okay, I downloaded the audio of CALOR on Hoopla, so I will get back to it!

    I do have a couple of the other books: THE WARSAW SISTERS and I believe I have THE SEAMSTRESS OF ARCADIE.

    I've seen ESTUARY by Lisa Bergren, but her last stories got on my nerves, she just kept calling the "hot" over and over in the story - okay already, I get it! It makes me leery about reading another by her. I really liked the other stories, just got tired of the use of that word!

  • pianolady831
    pianolady831 Posts: 309 Member
    Thanks for posting these lists, Connie. There's lots I need to check out!

    Have any of you read Jaime Jo Wright? Can't decide if she's an author I might like.
  • connierandel
    connierandel Posts: 1,982 Member
    I love Jaime Jo Wright! Her books are very intense and creepy, but the resolution is not really creepy or supernatural. They are dual timeline. I have read all of them but the one that came out this month and I have it on the hold list at the library. There was only one that I wasn't crazy about, and I may like it better if I read it the second time. It was THE HAUNTING AT BONAVENTURE CIRCUS.
  • pianolady831
    pianolady831 Posts: 309 Member
    Thanks, Connie. I don't care for scary suspense, but thought she might be more like the old gothic genre, which I loved. I'll try one of hers soon.
  • Restfinder
    Restfinder Posts: 2,816 Member
    edited October 2024
    Carole, I used to read an old gothic author back in the 60's and 70's - I can't remember her name now, but I really enjoyed those books back then. It was back and forth between her and Grace Livingston Hill.
    I looked it up on my search engine - Victoria Holt!
  • pianolady831
    pianolady831 Posts: 309 Member
    Kim - I still read Victoria Holt! Phyllis Whitney and Mary Stewart also wrote some good ones in that time period. I never tire of them.
  • connierandel
    connierandel Posts: 1,982 Member
    Congratulations to the winners of the Christy Awards!

    General Fiction

    The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass by Katie Powner
    Bethany House

    Contemporary Romance and Book of the Year

    Indigo Isle by T.I. Lowe
    Tyndale House

    First Novel

    An American Immigrant by Johanna Rojas Vann
    Waterbrook

    Historical

    The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barratt Revell

    Historical Romance

    Of Love and Treason by Jamie Ogle
    Tyndale House

    Mystery/Suspense/Thriller

    The Vanishing of Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright
    Bethany House

    Speculative

    In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer
    Bethany House

    Short Form

    Star of Wonder (We Three Kings) by Crystal Caudill
    Kregel

    Young Adult (tie)

    Offsides by Author Lori Z. Scott
    End Game Press

    Sky of Seven Colors by Rachelle Nelson
    Enclave Escape

    Amplify Award
    The American Queen by Vanessa Miller Author
    Thomas Nelson

    Which have you read?

    Congratulations to all!

    Each of the nominees and winners worked hard to be where they are and go through a tough judging process. This is a hard award to win and we can know they are all great reads.
  • pianolady831
    pianolady831 Posts: 309 Member
    Thanks for posting this list, Connie. I haven't read much this year, but hope to read from various award winners.
  • Restfinder
    Restfinder Posts: 2,816 Member
    I read ACROSS THE AGES. I'm reading her final book on Hoopla right now.

    I have the WARSAW SISTERS on my wish list.

    Congrats everyone!