Last night was the Christy Awards ceremony. Here are the winners:

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Breach of Trust by DiAnn Mills • Tyndale House Publishers

CONTEMPORARY SERIES
Who Do I Talk To? by Neta Jackson • Thomas Nelson

CONTEMPORARY STANDALONE
The Passion of Mary-Margaret by Lisa Samson • Thomas Nelson

FIRST NOVEL
Fireflies in December by Jennifer Erin Valent • Tyndale House Publishers

HISTORICAL
Though Waters Roar by Lynn Austin • Bethany House Publishers: a
Division of Baker Publishing Group

HISTORICAL ROMANCE
The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen • Bethany House Publishers: a
Division of Baker Publishing Group

SUSPENSE
Lost Mission by Athol Dickson • Howard Books: a Division of Simon &
Schuster

VISIONARY
By Darkness Hid by Jill Williamson • Marcher Lord Press

YOUNG ADULT
North! Or Be Eaten by Andrew Peterson • WaterBrook Multnomah
Publishing Group

Congrats to all the winners!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Contemporary Romance
Breach of Trust
by DiAnn Mills (Tyndale House Publishers)

How Sweet It Is by Alice J. Wisler (Bethany House Publishers: a Division of Baker Publishing Group)

Stand-In Groom by Kaye Dacus (Barbour Publishing)***I purchased this book awhile ago! It’s in my to-be-read pile!

Contemporary Series, Sequels, and Novellas
Who Do I Talk To? by Neta Jackson (Thomas Nelson)

The Hope of Refuge by Cindy Woodsmall (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)

Daisy Chain by Mary DeMuth (Zondervan)

Contemporary Standalone
June Bug by Chris Fabry (Tyndale House Publishers)

The Passion of Mary-Margaret by Lisa Samson (Thomas Nelson)***I purchased this book awhile ago, it’s in my to-be-read pile.

Veiled Freedom by Jeanette Windle (Tyndale House Publishers)

First Novel
The Familiar Stranger by Christina Berry (Moody Publishers)

Fireflies in December by Jennifer Erin Valent (Tyndale House Publishers)

Scared by Tom Davis (David C. Cook)

Historical

A Flickering Light by Jane Kirkpatrick (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)

Though Waters Roar by Lynn Austin (Bethany House Publishers: a Division of Baker Publishing Group)

The Swiss Courier by Tricia Goyer & Mike Yorkey (Revell Books: a Division of Baker Publishing Group)

Historical Romance*

Beyond This Moment by Tamera Alexander (Bethany House Publishers: a Division of Baker Publishing Group)

A Bride in the Bargain by Deeanne Gist (Bethany House Publishers: a Division of Baker Publishing Group)

The Inheritance by Tamera Alexander (Thomas Nelson)

The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen (Bethany House Publishers: a Division of Baker Publishing Group)

Suspense
Intervention by Terri Blackstock (Zondervan)***I purchased this book awhile ago. It’s in my to-be-read pile.

Lost Mission by Athol Dickson (Howard Books: a Division of Simon & Schuster)

The Night Watchman by Mark Mynheir (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)

Visionary
By Darkness Hid by Jill Williamson (Marcher Lord Press)

The Enclave
by Karen Hancock (Bethany House Publishers: a Division of Baker Publishing Group)

Valley of the Shadow by Tom Pawlik (Tyndale House Publishers)

Young Adult
Beautiful by Cindy Martinusen-Coloma (Thomas Nelson)

The Blue Umbrella by Mike Mason (David C. Cook)

North! Or Be Eaten by Andrew Peterson (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)

I’d like to extend a heartfelt congratulations to all of the finalists!

If you’ve read any of these titles, be sure to leave a comment with your opinion about the book!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

I’d like to express my heartfelt congratulations to finalists of RWA’s Rita Award in the inspirational category. Finaling (and winning) the Rita award is a big deal, and I’m sure these authors worked very hard on these novels!

The Inheritance by Tamera Alexander
Thomas Nelson, Inc., Women of Faith Fiction
Editors: Ami McConnell and Natalie Hanemann
ISBN: 978-1-59554-632-6

A Lady Like Sarah by Margaret Brownley
Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Editor: Natalie Hanemann
ISBN: 978-0-59554-809-2

The Gladiator by Carla Capshaw
Harlequin Enterprises, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical
Editor: Melissa Endlich
ISBN: 978-0-373-82824-1

Entertaining Angels by Judy Duarte
Kensington Publishing Corp.
Editor: John Scognamiglio
ISBN: 978-0-7582-2016-5

An Eye for an Eye by Irene Hannon
Baker Publishing Group, Revell Books
Editor: Jennifer Leep
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3311-7

The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen
Bethany House Publishers
Editor: Karen Schurrer
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0707-5

Breach of Trust by Diann Mills
Tyndale House Publishers
Editor: Stephanie Boerne
ISBN: 978-1-414-32047-2

The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper by Kathleen Y’Barbo
Random House Publishing, WaterBrook Multnomah
Editor: Jessica Barnes
ISBN: 978-0-307-44474-5

Congrats again, Ladies! 🙂 These all look like wonderful books! What beautiful covers!
~Cecelia Dowdy~

Here are the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) Book Of They Year Finalists! The winners will be announced at the ACFW conference in September!

Debut Author
A Passion Most Pure (Julie Lessman)
Courting Miss Adelaide (Janet Dean)
Every Good and Perfect Gift (Sharon K. Souza)
Hero, Second Class (Mitchell Bonds)
In the Shadow of the Sun King (Golden Keyes Parsons)

Lits
Faking Grace (Tamara Leigh)
Picket Fence Promises (Kathryn Springer)
Single Sashimi (Camy Tang)
Sweet Caroline (Rachel Hauck)
Truffles by the Sea (Julie Carobini)

Long Contemporary
Lookin Back Texas (Leanna Ellis)
One Holy Night (J.M. Hochstetler)
Stuck in the Middle (Virginia Smith)
Summer of Joy (Ann H. Gabhart)
Symphony of Secrets (Sharon Hinck)

Long Contemporary Romance
Along Came a Cowboy (Christine Lynxwiler)
Controlling Interest (Elizabeth White)
The Convenient Groom (Denise Hunter)
Finding Stefanie (Susan May Warren)- This novel was the winner of RWA’s Rita contest
Zora and Nicky: A Novel in Black & White (Claudia Mair Burney)

Long Historical (6 finalists due to a tie)
The Apothecary’s Daughter (Julie Klassen)
Calico Canyon (Mary Connealy)
Deep In the Heart of Trouble (Deeanne Gist)
From A Distance (Tamera Alexander)
I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires (Cathy Gohlke) – this book won the Christy Award
My Heart Remembers ( Kim Vogel Sawyer)

Mystery
The Case of the Bouncing Grandma (A.K. Arenz)
Death on a Deadline (Christine Lynxwiler, Sandy Gaskin, and Jan Reynolds)
Drop Dead Diva (Christine Lynxwiler, Sandy Gaskin, and Jan Reynolds)
For Whom the Bell Tolls (Nancy Mehl)
Of Mice . . . and Murder (Mary Connealy)

Novellas
The Cookie Jar (Janet Lee Barton in A Connecticut Christmas anthology)
Dressed in Scarlet (Darlene Franklin in Snowbound Colorado Christmas anthology)
Santa’s Prayer (Diane Ashley in A Connecticut Christmas anthology)
Snowbound for Christmas (Gail Sattler in A Connecticut Christmas anthology)
Stuck On You (Rhonda Gibson in A Connecticut Christmas anthology)

Short Contemporary
Buffalo Gal (Mary Connealy)
Clueless Cowboy (Mary Connealy)
Family Treasures (Kathryn Springer)
Her Unlikely Family (Missy Tippens)
White as Snow (Janice Thompson)

Short Contemporary Suspense
Bayou Paradox (Robin Caroll)
Broken Lullaby (Pamela Tracy)
Countdown to Death (Debby Giusti)
Forsaken Canyon (Margaret Daley)
Killer Cargo (Dana Mentink)

Short Historical
Family of the Heart (Dorothy Clark)
Masked by Moonlight (Allie Pleiter)
Reckless Rogue (Mary Davis)
Return to Love (Susan Page Davis)
Sandhill Dreams (Cara Putman)

Speculative
The Book of Names (D. Barkley Briggs)
DragonLight (Donita K. Paul)
The Restorer’s Journey (Sharon Hinck)
Shade (John B. Olson)
Summa Elvetica: A Casuistry of the Elvish Controversy (Theodore Beale)

Suspense
Anathema (Colleen Coble)
The Black Cloister (Melanie Dobson)
Fossil Hunter (John B. Olson)
Lonestar Sanctuary (Colleen Coble)
Perfect (Harry Kraus)

Women’s Fiction (7 finalists due to a tie)
A Month of Summer (Lisa Wingate)
Every Good and Perfect Gift (Sharon K. Souza)
My Sister Dilly (Maureen Lang)
The Perfect Life (Robin Lee Hatcher)
The Shape of Mercy (Susan Meissner)
Stepping into Sunlight (Sharon Hinck)
Tuesday Night at the Blue Moon (Debbie Fuller Thomas)

Young Adult
The Big Picture (Jenny B. Jones)
The Fruit of My Lipstick (Shelley Adina)
It’s all About Us (Shelley Adina)
The Owling (Robert Elmer)
Trion Rising (Robert Elmer)

Have you read any of these books? Which do you think may win? I know I haven’t read all of them, so it’s hard to tell which will win. I do believe The Shape of Mercy has a good chance of winning. That novel’s gotten so much buzz!
~Cecelia Dowdy~

I blogged about the RITA Award nominees here. Well, last night, they announced the winners. The winner of the inspirational category of the RITA Award was Finding Stefanie by Susan May Warren
Tyndale House Publishers (ISBN: 1-4143-1019-6)
Karen Watson, editor

Before the ceremony, I attended a party in author Nora Roberts’ suite. There was plenty of hor d’oeurves, drinks, and chatter! There were plenty of authors and editors there, too. It was a great way to top off the RWA conference!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

I blogged about the Christy Award Nominations here.

Here are the Christy Award Winners:
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE:
Beyond the Night by Marlo Schalesky (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)

Contemporary Series, Sequels & Novellas:
You Had Me at Good-bye by Tracey Bateman (FaithWords)

Contemporary Standalone:
Dogwood by Chris Fabry (Tyndale House Publishers)

First Novel:
Blue Hole Back Home by Joy Jordan-Lake (David C. Cook)

Historical category:
Until We Reach Home by Lynn Austin (Bethany House Publishers)

Historical Romance category:
From a Distance by Tamera Alexander (Bethany House Publishers)

Suspense category:
The Rook by Steven James (Revell)

Visionary category:
Vanish by Tom Pawlik (Tyndale House Publishers)

Young Adult category:
I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires by Cathy Gohlke (Moody Publishers)
***Just wanted to note that this is the second time this author has won a Christy Award!

You can find the full press release for the Christy Awards here.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Congrats to the following Inspirational RITA Award nominees. The RITA Award is given yearly by Romance Writers Of America. A list of finalists for all categories can be found here.

Deep in the Heart of Trouble by Deeanne Gist
Bethany House Publishers (ISBN: 1590529286)
David Long and Julie Klasseneditor, editors

Faking Grace by Tamara Leigh
Random House Publishing, WaterBrook Multnomah (ISBN: 978-1-59052-929-4)
Julee Schwarzburg, editor

Finding Stefanie by Susan May Warren
Tyndale House Publishers (ISBN: 1-4143-1019-6)
Karen Watson, editor

Love Starts with Elle by Rachel Hauck
Thomas Nelson Inc. (ISBN: 1595543384)
Ami McConnell, editor

Mulberry Park by Judy Duarte
Kensington Publishing Corp. (ISBN: 978-0-7582-2015-8)
John Scognamiglio, editor

The Convenient Groom by Denise Hunter
Thomas Nelson Inc. (ISBN: 9781595542588)
Amanda Bostic and Leslie Peterson, editors

The Perfect Life by Robin Lee Hatcher
Thomas Nelson Inc., Women of Faith Fiction (ISBN: 978-1-59554-148-2)
Ami McConnell and Leslie Peterson, editors

Where Love Abides by Irene Hannon
Harlequin Enterprises, Steeple Hill Love Inspired (ISBN: 9780373874798)
Melissa Endlich, editor

One of the finalists in the Novel With Strong Romantic Elements is:
The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner
Random House Publishing, WaterBrook Multnomah (ISBN: 978-1-4000-7456-3)
Shannon Marchese, editor

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Congrats to the Christy Award Nominees:

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE:
Beyond the Night by Marlo Schalesky (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)
Finding Stefanie by Susan May Warren (Tyndale House Publishers)
Zora and Nicky: A Novel in Black and White by Claudia Mair Burney (David C. Cook)

Contemporary Series, Sequels & Novellas:
Sisterchicks Go Brit! by Robin Jones Gunn (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)
Summer Snow by Nicole Baart (Tyndale House Publishers)
You Had Me at Good-bye by Tracey Bateman (FaithWords)

Contemporary Standalone:
Dogwood by Chris Fabry (Tyndale House Publishers)
Embrace Me by Lisa Samson (Thomas Nelson)
Tuesday Night at the Blue Moon by Debbie Fuller Thomas (Moody Publishers)

First Novel:
Blue Hole Back Home by Joy Jordan-Lake (David C. Cook)
Rain Song by Alice J. Wisler (Bethany House Publishers)
Safe at Home by Richard Doster (David C. Cook)

Historical category:
Shadow of Colossus by T.L. Higley (B&H Publishing Group)
Until We Reach Home by Lynn Austin (Bethany House Publishers)
Washington’s Lady by Nancy Moser (Bethany House Publishers)

Historical Romance category:
Calico Canyon by Mary Connealy (Barbour Publishers)
From a Distance by Tamera Alexander (Bethany House Publishers)
The Moon in the Mango Tree by Pamela Binnings Ewen (B&H Publishing Group)

Suspense category:
By Reason of Insanity by Randy Singer (Tyndale House Publishers)
The Rook by Steven James (Revell)
Winter Haven by Athol Dickson (Bethany House Publishers)

Visionary category:
The Battle for Vast Dominion by George Bryan Polivka (Harvest House Publishers)
Shade by John B. Olson (B&H Publishing Group)
Vanish by Tom Pawlik (Tyndale House Publishers)

Young Adult category:
The Fruit of My Lipstick by Shelley Adina (FaithWords)
I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires by Cathy Gohlke (Moody Publishers)
On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)

The press release can be found here.

~Cecelia Dowdy~