It's always exciting to see a name you know on a finalist list for a big award. And I was thrilled to see my friend Jill Williamson's name on the Christy award list. Jill's first book, By Darkness Hid, has been getting lots of great press.
Here's a quote from one review:
"This thoroughly entertaining and smart tale will appeal to fans of Donita K. Paul and J.R.R. Tolkien. Highly recommended for CF and fantasy collections." --Library Journal
If you aren't familiar with the Christy award, here's what the website says about it:
The Christy Award is designed to:
- Nurture and encourage creativity and quality in the writing and publishing of fiction written from a Christian worldview.
- Bring a new awareness of the breadth and depth of fiction choices available, helping to broaden the readership.
- Provide opportunity to recognize novelists whose work may not have reached bestseller status.
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
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
–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
–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 (Yay! Whoo!) 
–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
Winners will be announced on June 26.
I was lucky enough to be in New Orleans the night By Darkness Hid took the 2010 Eppie, but I won't be in St. Louis on June 26 to see the Christy winners announced. Instead, I'll be at ALA in Washington, DC. But I'll be able to check it out via:
