Presenting The Christy Award Finalists 2022

Welcome to the Blog Blitz for The Christy Award Finalists 

organized by ECPA and hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! 

Today is all about the Christy Award Finalists for 2022.

See who is up for each category, and get ready to cheer on your favorite.

Which is, in several cases, hard - having read many of these books 

I don't envy the judges having to pick one winner.

Congratulations to ALL The Christy Award 2022 Finalists!

May the odds be ever in your favor!

The Christy Award Finalists 2022

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

All That Really Matters by Nicole Deese (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group), Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter (Thomas Nelson Publishers), Husband Auditions by Angela Ruth Strong (Kregel Publications)

FIRST NOVEL

All That Is Secret by Patricia Raybon (Tyndale House Publishers), Recorder by Cathy McCrumb (Enclave Publishing, a division of Oasis Family Media), Sugar Birds by Cheryl Grey Bostrom (She Writes Press)

GENERAL FICTION

The Letter Keeper by Charles Martin (Thomas Nelson Publishers), The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group), Under the Magnolias by T. I. Lowe (Tyndale House Publishers)

HISTORICAL

Between the Wild Branches by Connilyn Cossette (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group), Drawn by The Current by Jocelyn Green (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group), The Widows of Champagne by Renee Ryan (Love Inspired), Yours is the Night by Amanda Dykes (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group)

HISTORICAL ROMANCE

As Dawn Breaks by Kate Breslin (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group), Hope Between the Pages by Pepper Basham (Barbour Publishing), Shadows of Swanford Abbey by Julie Klassen (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group), Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group)

MYSTERY/SUSPENSE/THRILLER

Aftermath by Terri Blackstock (Thomas Nelson Publishers), On the Cliffs of Foxglove Manor by Jaime Jo Wright (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group), The Barrister and the Letter of Marque by Todd M. Johnson (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) 

SHORT FORM

A Texas Christmas Carol (in Under the Texas Mistletoe) by Karen Witemeyer (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group), False Pretense by Heather Day Gilbert (WoodHaven Press), Mr. Nicholas: A Magical Christmas Tale by Christopher de Vinck (Paraclete Press)

SPECULATIVE

A Time to Seek by Tracy Higley (Stonewater Books LLC), Dark Intercept by Brian Andrews & Jeffrey Wilson (Tyndale House Publishers), Recorder by Cathy McCrumb (Enclave Publishing, a division of Oasis Family Media), Windward Shore by Sharon Hinck (Enclave Publishing, a division of Oasis Family Media)

YOUNG ADULT

A Gentle Tyranny by Jess Corban (Wander, an imprint of Tyndale House Publishers), Realms of Light by Sandra Fernandez Rhoads (Enclave Publishing, a division of Oasis Family Media), Shadow by Kara Swanson (Enclave Publishing, a division of Oasis Family Media)

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive print copies of The Christy Award finalist titles from one category of their choice!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. 

The full tour schedule is linked below. 

The giveaway began at midnight on November 3, 2022, 

and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on November 10, 2022. 

The winner will be notified within 2 weeks of the close of the giveaway 

and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of the prize. 

US only. 

Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

The giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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REGISTER FOR THE CHRISTY AWARD 2022 EVENTS

YOU ARE INVITED:

Art of Writing on November 17, 12:30-5 pm at Lipscomb University in Nashville $99
A conference for writers, storytellers, and publishing curators.

The Christy Award Gala on November 17, 7-9 pm at Lipscomb University in Nashville, $89
Celebrate this year's finalists and winners with authors, editors, publishers, and readers!

Bundle the Art of Writing Conference & The Christy Award Gala $139

REGISTER*

The Christy Award® is a program of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) and is the foremost award honoring and promoting excellence in Christian fiction since 1999. For more information about ECPA, visit ECPA.org. For more information about the Christy Awards and Art of Writing conferences, visit ChristyAwards.com or email TheChristyAward@ecpa.org

*First 100 to register are entered to win a set of Jan Karon novels!

The first 100 registered for The Christy Award events will automatically be entered to win a full set of The Mitford Series novels by our evening's honoree, Jan Karon -- including a signed copy of At Home In Mitford. Karon will address our attendees via video cast.

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

 

The Call of the Sea ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Call of the Sea by Sian Ann Bessey, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

The Call of the Sea
By Sian Ann Bessey

Rhiannon ferch Iorwerth has always been drawn to the sea but what once gave her comfort is the source of her great sorrow when Vikings take the life of her father during a raid upon her home. 

Lief loved his time on the sea, but when his raiding party took the life of a young woman's father, unrest became his constant companion. Soon questions about his family's past had him seeking answers to questions that were impossible to discover where he was.

The Call of the Sea is a historically based piece of fiction that has a depth to it that brings the story to life. The story is set in twelfth-century Ireland and Wales. I always love when historical fiction provides me with something I didn't previously know, and in the case of this book, I wasn't aware of Ireland's close ties with Vikings. 

This book has a little bit of everything - romance, mystery, betrayal, and forgiveness. There are moments when your heart will break as loss comes, and then you'll be silently cheering on as the moment of truth arrives. I've read a couple of books in the past that have had Vikings as pivotal characters within the story, but this is by far the best that I have had the chance to read. And Sian Ann Bessey's writing is excellent - strong storyline, compelling characters, and good pacing. I highly recommend it.  This book would be an excellent book club suggestion, in my opinion.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion ~ All thoughts expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Call of the Sea 

Author: Sian Ann Bessey 

Publisher: Covenant Communications 

Release Date: November 1, 2022 

Genre: Inspirational Historical/Viking Romance

On the eve of her betrothal to a nobleman she’s never met, Rhiannon seeks comfort on the shores of the sea she loves so well. But instead of offering peace to her uneasy heart, the ocean heralds doom with the arrival of dreaded Viking ships. A vicious raid leads to the death of her beloved father and leaves Rhiannon’s life in tatters. Heartbroken, she travels to Ynys Môn, where she takes up residence at the royal court of Owain Gwynedd.

Leif loves voyaging on the open water. As the son of a Viking chief, he’s accustomed to his people’s practice of plundering and looting. But when one of his companions ruthlessly kills an old man in front of the man’s beautiful daughter, Leif is haunted by the memory. Desperate to find forgiveness for the atrocity he allowed to occur, he’s offered a chance at redemption through the kindly teachings of an Irish priest and the unexpected arrival of a royal fugitive. Suddenly thrust into the midst of the Cymry’s political turmoil, Leif is reunited with the dead man’s daughter—Rhiannon. Forced to work side by side to uncover the truth behind the turmoil, they come to discover that love can grow from even the most tragic of beginnings. But with such incompatible backgrounds, surely a future together can never be theirs.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sian Ann Bessey was born in Cambridge, England, but grew up on the island of Anglesey off the coast of North Wales. She left her homeland to attend university in the U.S. and earned a bachelor's degree in communications with a minor in English.

She began her writing career as a student, publishing several magazine articles while still in college. Since then she has published historical romance and romantic suspense novels, along with a variety of children's books. She is a USA Today best selling author, a Foreward Reviews Book of the Year finalist, and a Whitney Award finalist.

Although Sian doesn't have the opportunity to speak Welsh very often anymore, she can still wrap her tongue around, "Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch." She loves to travel and experience other cultures, but when she's home, her favorite activities are spending time with her family, cooking, and reading.

Connect with Sian by visiting sianannbessey.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of The Call of the Sea, 
a $25 Amazon Gift Card, a swag bundle 

(including stickers, bookmark, button, and cross necklace), 

a virtual book club kit, 

and an ebook of The Heart of the Rebellion.

The full tour schedule is linked below. 
The giveaway begins at midnight on October 31, 2022, and 

will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 7, 2022. 

The winner will be notified within 2 weeks of the close of the giveaway 

and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of the prize. 

US only. 

Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

The giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Scars ~ Book Spotlight with Excerpt

Today I'm taking part

in the Blog + Review Blitz for 

SCARS by Linda K. Rodante, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Book Excerpt

They rode in silence for a while and finally pulled into Howard Park. A short distance across the causeway, he parked on the far side near the water. Evening was dropping fast. Seagulls called, the wind blew cool and damp, and sea-salt smells filled the air.

After kicking off their shoes, they headed across the sun-warmed sand. When they hit the hard sand along the water’s edge, she turned and headed up the beach at a fast clip. Garrett hesitated a moment then met her stride.

They circled the small island, passing a few other late comers. He wondered if a park service employee would run them off soon. The park closed at dark, and dark was almost on them.

Ryann stopped abruptly and glared at the dark waters. So, did she want to talk anymore, or should he leave it?

A half-moon rose over their shoulders competing with the setting sun. The wash of tangerine, blue and sapphire would be gone soon fading into night. Shallow waves rushed and withdrew, their hush-hush sound background music to his thoughts.

He cleared his throat. “I keep hearing about this forgiveness stuff.”

“Yeah, me too. Only if you forgive, that doesn’t change the other person.”

Ah. There was someone she felt should change. His dad kept acting like Garrett should change, and Garrett was sure his dad should. “What if they don’t feel they need to change?”

Her laugh sounded like a bark. “That’s the thing. They don’t feel they have to. So why should I forgive?”

He was sure she should, but she was getting out of his league now. Pastor Alan or Reece could help with that question. “You should ask someone who knows this stuff.”

Ryann shook her head. The wind tossed her hair across her face, brushing her lips. He swallowed, stared over her head at the Gulf waters.

“Maybe?”

She huffed. “Maybe.”

“Someone important hurt you. Let you down. They tell me that’s the stuff you gotta deal with.”

She huffed again.

“That guy you were facing off with at the church? He’s one of those that hurt you, right?”

“Matt? Maybe.”

“Lot of maybes here.” He tilted his head, wondering if he should pry anymore. “Come on. Let’s walk.”

She turned, sent him a long look from under her lashes. “You do this often?”

“Walk at the beach? Just started since joining IronWorks. Some of the guys there come out regularly. I like it. Seems the wind blows dust from my mind.”

“Why did you join the gang?”

He said nothing, but watched the wind catch her hair, twirl it. Behind her, across the waters, the sky had turned dark violet. Warmth stirred in him that had nothing to do with physical desire, but everything to do with the pleasure he felt being with her, that she’d wanted to come, that she’d shared something of herself with him. It made her question not so intrusive, and he gave her the condensed version about his mom dying and his father’s descent into alcoholism and abuse.

She stopped. “I’m sorry about that.”

He could feel her concern. “Yeah, me too.”

“How are you and your dad now?”

“Still a long way from where it should be.”

Her chin dipped as if acknowledging that, and she started walking again. He caught up in two steps. Moonlight shimmered on the waves now. The rush and crash from their interplay creating a hypnotic effect.

Ryann wandered near the water, kicked spray into the air. A hundred lights caught the moon’s glow and winked at them—a counterpoint to her frustration.

He drew close, making sure she could hear him over the wind and waves. “So, Matt?”

She glanced his way but didn’t answer.

Okay then…

He lifted a hand to her cheek. The moonlight glinted on her hair, across her nose. Her lips pulled in, and he felt her studying him, felt her hesitation. He slipped his hand down her jaw, under her hair, to the back of her neck.

How long had it been since he’d wanted to kiss a woman, nothing more on his mind? Since he was fourteen? Sixteen? In the gang, women were objects. To be used. Yet right now all he wanted was to continue this closeness that had suddenly developed between them, to get to know her.

He pulled her gently forward, his gaze searching hers. Lowering his head, turning it, he pressed his mouth against hers, feeling its softness. She didn’t pull away. He dropped his hand down her back, let his arm draw her close, felt the length of her against him.

About the Book

Title: SCARS 

Series: Spiritual Warfare #4 

Author: Linda K. Rodante 

Publisher: Independently published 

Release Date: September 2022 

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romantic Suspense

He tried to leave the past behind, but it won’t leave him…

Ex-gang member Garrett Lovett is a new creature in Christ. At least, he’s trying to be. He’s got a wholesome routine, a place on the IronWorks football team, and a pretty woman he wants to know better. But when the old gang resurfaces with the ultimatum to re-up or face consequences, Garrett has tough decisions to make. These guys know how to get to him—his addictions, his fears. When things get life-threatening, Garrett must decide if this God he’s heard about is real or not.

And if so, can he rescue Garrett and those he loves before it’s too late?

Purchase Links*: Goodreads | Amazon

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About the Author

Linda K. Rodante is a Florida transplant now living in Tennessee. She loves sweet tea, apple butter and both the mountains and the oceans. Her work with crisis pregnancy centers and anti-trafficking groups gave her a heart for women struggling in today’s society, while still respecting the role God has given men.

She writes Christian romantic suspense novels. Her books wrap sweet romance in real-life issues women face today with an edge of mystery and suspense. She desires to entertain and encourage women in their walk with the Lord. Her books can be found on Amazon She’s a past finalist of ACFW's Genesis contest and a member of Word Weavers International.

Connect with Linda by visiting lindarodante.wordpress.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive 

a signed copy of WARRIOR (Spiritual Warfare Series #1) 

and $25 Amazon Gift Card!

The full tour schedule is linked below. 

The giveaway begins at midnight on October 26, 2022, 

and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 2, 2022. 

The winner will be notified within 2 weeks of the close of the giveaway 

and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of the prize. 

US only. 

Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

The giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Explosive Christmas Showdown ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for 

Explosive Christmas Showdown by Darlene L. Turner, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Explosive Christmas Showdown 

Crisis Rescue Team #2 

By Darlene L. Turner

When a serial bomber puts his sights on criminal investigative analyst Olive Wells, K-9 officer Zac Turner, and a seemingly random sampling of the area residents, they'll have to put the past behind them. And they have days to determine who they are after before the Jingle Bell Bomber reaches his (or her) goal. 

Months ago, Zac broke her heart when he ended their engagement, so working with him to bring down a killer is less than ideal. But the killer is calling the shots and somehow knows their every move. Can they stay ahead of the killer while protecting those they hold dearest?

Explosive Christmas Showdown finds long-held secrets creating havoc and being the catalyst for both the bomber's "motive" and Zac and Olive's break-up. But whose secrets will be revealed first?

This book opens with the action unfolding as Olive and Zac are quickly drawn into the bomber's net. With little choice, they have to follow his (or her) instructions or face the repercussions of not following the "rules." And in this game, the bomber can change the rules at will. The action and threats keep the story in a sense of peril throughout, and when a moment of calm occurs, danger strikes again. There are definitely a few surprises at the end, so don't skip ahead, or you will ruin the suspense and the climax. Overall this was an enjoyable read; maybe not the best Christmas ever but one that provides a chance at a second chance once truths come out. And I'll admit it has a dog on the cover, and that is always an added bonus in my opinion.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.    

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Explosive Christmas Showdown 

Series: Crisis Rescue Team #2 

Author: Darlene L. Turner 

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense 

Release Date: October 25, 2022 

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

 

A bomber brings terror to Christmas 

as the presents go tick…tick…boom. 

 With criminal investigative analyst Olive Wells at the center of a bomber’s dangerous game, she’ll do anything to catch the culprit—even work with her ex-fiancé and his K-9 detector dog. But with the Christmas rampage drawing ever closer, Zac Turner’s convinced the attacks are personal. Can they piece together their ties to the bomber…before another gift explodes? 

  From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

PURCHASE LINKS: 

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository 

IndieBound | Christianbook | BookBub

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

   Darlene L. Turner is an award-winning author and lives with her   husband, Jeff in Ontario, Canada. Her love of suspense began when she   read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her   writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by   her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message.

 Connect with Darlene by visiting darlenelturner.com to follow her on   social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(3) winners will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card.

The full tour schedule is linked below. 

The giveaway begins at midnight on October 24, 2022, 

and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 31, 2022. 

The winner will be notified within 2 weeks of the close of the giveaway 

and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of the prize. 

US/CAN only. 

Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

The giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!