The INSPYs & The Christy Awards

INSPY LogoLast week was a huge week for Christian authors as two major award organizations announced their shortlists  and nominees. Of all the awards programs, I’ve found the INSPYs and the Christy Awards run closest to my taste and my definition of excellence in books. In 2011, I was blessed to be a judge in the General Fiction category for the INSPYs, so I know the stringent process the nominees go through.

I’ve read a number of books on both lists. Several are Favorites, and many are written by friends (So excited for them!).

Congratulations to all nominated!

Which of the following books have you read? Any favorites? What titles didn’t make the lists that you believe should have?

*Books I’ve read

#Favorites

INSPY SHORTLISTS

General Fiction

Into the Free by Julie Cantrell*
Promise Me This by Cathy Gohlke*
The First Gardener by Denise Hildreth Jones*#
• The Messenger by Siri Mitchell
• Stardust by Carla Stewart

Romance

• To Whisper Her Name by Tamera Alexander
• Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden
Love’s Reckoning by Laura Frantz*#
Breath of Dawn by Kristen Heitzmann*#
My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade*#

Mystery/Thriller

Gone to Ground by Brandilyn Collins*
• A Plain Death by Amanda Flower
Placebo by Steven James*
Trinity: Military War Dog by Ronie Kendig* 
Proof by Jordyn Redwood*

Literature for Young People

• Wreath by Judy Christie
• With a Name like Love by Tess Hilmo
• Dead Man’s Hand by Eddie Jones
• There You’ll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones
• Cake: Love, Chickens, and a Taste of Peculiar by Joyce Magnin

Speculative Fiction

• Caught by Margaret Patterson Haddix
The 13th Tribe by Robert Liparulo*
• Freeheads by Kerry Nietz
• Soul’s Gate by James L. Rubart
• Daystar by Kathy Tyers

CHRISTY NOMINEES

Contemporary Romance

The Breath of Dawn by Kristen Heitzmann*

Lethal Legacy by Irene Hannon

Wildflowers from Winter by Katie Ganshert*#

Contemporary Series, Sequels, and Novellas

Two Destinies by Elizabeth Musser

You Don’t Know Me by Susan May Warren*

Waiting for Sunrise by Eva Marie Everson*

Contemporary Standalone

The Air We Breathe by Christa Parrish*

Borders of the Heart by Chris Fabry*

Not in the Heart by Chris Fabry*

First Novel

Into the Free by Julie Cantrell*

Tangled Ashes by Michèle Phoenix

Wedded to War by Jocelyn Green

Historical

Flame of Resistance by Tracy Groot

Wedded to War by Jocelyn Green

A Wreath of Snow by Liz Curtis Higgs

Historical Romance

Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden

Be Still My Soul by Joanne Bischof

Love’s Reckoning by Laura Frantz*#

Suspense

Downfall by Terri Blackstock

The Last Plea Bargain by Randy Singer*

Rare Earth by Davis Bunn

Submerged by Dani Pettrey*

Visionary

Daughter of Light by Morgan L. Busse

Soul’s Gate by James L. Rubart

Starflower by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Young Adult

Child of the Mountains by Marilyn Sue Shank

Failstate by John W. Otte (On my TBR list. Right now my family is fighting over John’s books!)

Interrupted: A Life Beyond Words by Rachel Coker

Comments 4

  1. Brenda, So happy to share this with you :). I think it’s interesting that the INSPY and the Christy are the awards that most reflect your reading bent. I’m really thankful to know you and have you as a friend and fellow writer.

    1. Hi Laura – In my opinion, the Christys & INSPYs do represent The Best in Christian literature. I was thrilled (but not surprised) to see Love’s Reckoning made finalist for both awards! Woo hoo! So well deserved! I’ll be rooting for you. 🙂

      Sending hugs!

  2. I loved Soul’s Gate, My Stubborn Heart, Gone to Ground, and Wildflowers from Winter. So many I haven’t read yet 🙁 I better get busy! I think With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin should definitely have been on the lists, along with Courting Cate by Leslie Gould.

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