My Friend - Christina Berry - is a Christy Finalist . . .

so I'm giving away a copy of her book!!

I featured this book back in September when it first came out. Congrats to Christina for being a Christy Finalist in the Debut Book Category. You can find a list of the other finalists here. I know many of the authors and their work. What an esteemed list of authors. You are all an inspiration to me and deserving of this honor.

Contest info for winning The Familiar Stranger is at bottom of this post. But first, a little about Christina:

Single mother and foster parent, Christina Berry carves time to write from her busy schedule because she must tell the stories that haunt her every waking moment. (Such is the overly dramatic description of an author's life!) She holds a BA in Literature, yet loves a good Calculus problem, as well. Her debut novel, The Familiar Stranger, released from Moody in September and deals with lies, secrets, and themes of forgiveness in a troubled marriage. A moving speaker and dynamic teacher, Christina strives to Live Transparently--Forgive Extravagantly!

Her work has also appeared in The Secret Place, The Oregonian, and Daily Devotions for Writers.

About THE FAMILIAR STRANGER:
Craig Littleton's decision to end his marriage would shock his wife, Denise . . . if she knew what he was up to. When an accident lands Craig in the ICU, with fuzzy memories of his own life and plans, Denise rushes to his side, ready to care for him.
They embark on a quest to help Craig remember who he is and, in the process, discover dark secrets. What will she do when she realizes he's not the man she thought he was? Is this trauma a blessing in disguise, a chance for a fresh start? Or will his secrets destroy the life they built together?

GIVEAWAY:
As always, to be entered in the drawing for this book, please leave a comment WITH YOUR CONTACT INFO. A few entries are always disqualified because I have no contact info. I will draw for a winner next Wednesday, May 19.

Thank you to all who entered the drawing for Vickie McDonough's book THE ANONYMOUS BRIDE. The winner is Sherri. Congratulations!!! Enjoy this fun read.

Disclaimer: The Familiar Stranger was provided to me last fall for promotional purposes. The chances of winning contingent on number of winners.

REVIEW OF HOW SWEET IT IS by Alice Wisler

It is my pleasure to bring you How Sweet It Is by Alice Wisler (Bethany House. 2009). This book is a little like taking a walk along a lovely mountain path. There are rocks to watch for, bends in the road that lead to unknown vistas, an incline or two that has to be climbed, but the sights and sounds along the path are delightful. With sparkling writing in a come-follow-me style, the author’s characters weave their way into your heart one page at a time.

How Sweet It Is takes place in the mountains of North Carolina. Junior chef, Deena Livingston inherits and moves into her grandfather’s cabin—a perfect opportunity to get away from her unpleasant memories in Atlanta and start her own cake-decorating business. Before her Kitchen-Aid blender is unpacked, her plans are interrupted and take a new direction. I loved Deena’s aunt, Regina Lorraine, a taciturn but good-hearted woman. Then there’s the plumber who keeps arriving at Deena’s cabin to check her pipes and a social worker who shows up to help with a group of middle-school children, whom Deena’s been drafted to teach how to cook. Mishaps are many, but the fun twists make this terrific summer read not only sweet, but also flavored with just the right amount of spice.

This is Alice Wisler’s second novel, the first being Rain Song, which has the distinction of being a Christy nominee in the Debut Book category this year. If you’ve not read one of Alice’s books, I encourage you to do so. They are delectable.

CHRISTIAN BOOK EXPO

Last week, I packed up and headed south toward Dallas to attend the first ever Christian Book Expo. Plenty of people have blogged about its less than stellar success in attracting people from the public. I won't go into that here. However, I had a great time.

First of all, just crossing the Red River from Oklahoma into Texas always does something to me--it's almost like coming home. I grew up in Texas and spent quite a number of years there as an adult. Two of my kids were born in the Metroplex, so as the hulking view of Dallas loomed before me, memories washed over me. People we've known. Places we frequented. The pulse of the city. Texas is a state like no other, and I love returning there for visits.

About the book expo. For me, it was a time to meet new friends and reconnect with those I already know. I spent quite a bit of time at the ACFW and the Barbour booths because I knew people there. Waving to my new friends who were gracious enough to hang out with me--Mindy Obenhaus, Kellie Gilbert, and Lynne Gentry--what fun we had plotting mischief.

Mindy Obenhaus and Rebecca Yauger (who ran the ACFW booth)

Lynne Gentry and Sandra Glahn

Kellie Gilbert & Me with Zondervan/Mt. Hermon contest finalists sign

Congrats to my dear friend, Susan Meissner, whose book The Shape of Mercy won the Fiction Book of the Year award at the ECPA banquet. An amazing book from one of my favorite authors.

I did quite a lot of star-gazing as well. I attended a panel where Mary DeMuth (Daisy Chain) and Donald Miller of Blue Like Jazz fame spoke with a couple of ther panelists. Delightful. On Friday evening, I attended the evening session where Max Lucado, Liz Curtis Higgs, Henry Blackaby, and others spoke. Some really great music that night as well.

One of the highlights for me was the Christy session on Saturday where a celebrity panel answered audience questions. How often do you have the opportunity to hear Terri Blackstock, Mindy Starns Clark, Jerry Jenkins, Beverly Lewis, Robert Liparulo, Bill Myers, Davis Bunn, and Jeannette Oke on stage together. Inspiring. At the end of the panel discussion, the Christy nominees for 2009 were announced. I whooped with glee that dear, dear Mary Connealy was nominated in the Historical Romance category and Shelley Adina (a friend from Mount Hermon last year) for the Young Adult category. I'd heard or read many of the other authors, so it was a delight to be there. For the complete list of Chrisy nominees see my last post.

So, for me, it was all a matter of perspective. I know the publishers weren't thrilled with the turnout, but for the record, some of us had a great time. Here are a few pics I took. Enjoy.

Susan Downs, Mary Connealy, and friend

Bryan, Amanda, & Susie Davis

CHRISTY AWARD NOMINEES

I've returned from the Christian Book Expo in Dallas and had a wonderful time. I'll give a full report tomorrow, but wanted to share one of the highlights here--being in the room when the Christy Finalists were named AND being able to hug two of my friends who made the list this year. A HUGE congrats to Mary Connealy in the Historical Romance category and to Shelley Adina in the Young Adult category. I was also really pleased that Alice Wisler was chosen for the First Book category as I simply loved her debut book.

The 2009 Christy Awards nominees are:

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, AND 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

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

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

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

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

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

Congrats to all the nominees!

I'll have pictures and some of the best moments for me from the CBE tomorrow.

Are there any books on this list that you've read or would like to read??? Please, do tell.

Christy Finalists Announced

This is it, folks--the biggest award in Christian Fiction--the Christy Awards. When I read the list, I got goosebumps. Here's why:

• The first writing class I ever took was an online class someone recommended to me. The teacher? Michelle Buckman. She has several published novels and is now a Christy finalist for her young adult book. I am so proud of her and know that even in the beginning of my writing path, God was directing me to people who would make a difference in my life.
• Going down the list, I have taken workshops from or heard EIGHT of these authors speak. Jane Kirkpatrick is one who stands out. Again, early in my career, she spoke on the divine call to write. I wept in her class because it was like she had seen into my heart and knew my desires. What a lovely person. Most recently, I took Angela Hunt's continuing workshop at Mount Hermon. I will be digesting her words for years to come.
• Of this impressive list, I've read FIVE of the finalists' books, each one excellent. One outstanding read is Catching Fireflies by Charles Martin. I tell everyone who will listen that they should read his books. I've never met him or heard him speak, but his writing touches me in a way that few authors do. And we usually have a fight at our house on who gets to read the latest Martin book.

If you haven't read Christian Fiction lately, I would point you to this list. Pick your favorite genre, and you will be blessed. Enjoy.

PRESS RELEASE From Wynn Wynn Media

Media Inquiries: Jeane Wynn

Wynn-Wynn Media, LLC918-283-1834

jeane@wynnwynnmedia.com

For Reservations: Donna KehoeCA2000DK@aol.com

2008 CHRISTY AWARD NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED
Ann Arbor, Mich.-The Christy Advisory Board is pleased to announce nominees in nine categories for the 2008 Christy Awards honoring Christian fiction. The Christy Awards dinner will be held Saturday evening, July 12, 2008, at The Rosen Centre in Orlando, Florida. Visit the Christy Awards online at www.christyawards.com for more information about the dinner and to make reservations.

The Christy Awards 2008 Nominees

CONTEMPORARY (STAND ALONE)
Chasing Fireflies by Charles Martin (Thomas Nelson)

In High Places by Tom Morrisey (Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

Quaker Summer by Lisa Samson (Thomas Nelson)

CONTEMPORARY (SERIES, SEQUELS, AND NOVELLAS)

Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon (Viking Penguin)

A Time to Mend by Sally John and Gary Smalley (Thomas Nelson)

What Lies Within by Karen Ball (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)

HISTORICAL

Lady of Milkweed Manor by Julie Klassen (Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

A Proper Pursuit by Lynn Austin (Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

Tendering in the Storm by Jane Kirkpatrick (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)

LITS (four nominees due to a tie)

Doesn't She Look Natural by Angela Elwell Hunt (Tyndale House Publishers)

Hallie's Heart by Shelly Beach (Kregel Publications)

Let Them Eat Cake by Sandra Byrd (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)

Trophy Wives Club by Kristin Billerbeck (Avon Inspire, a division of HarperCollins Publishers)

ROMANCE

Lightning and Lace by DiAnn Mills (Barbour Publishing)

Remember to Forget by Deborah Raney (Howard Books, a division of Simon and Schuster)

Remembered by Tamera Alexander (Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

SUSPENSE

The Cure by Athol Dickson (Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

My Hands Came Away Red by Lisa McKay (Moody Publishers)

The Pawn by Steven James (Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

VISIONARY

Auralia's Colors by Jeffrey Overstreet (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)

The Restorer by Sharon Hinck (NavPress Publishing Group)

Scarlet by Stephen R. Lawhead (Thomas Nelson)

FIRST NOVEL

Auralia's Colors by Jeffrey Overstreet (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)

Demon: A Memoir by Tosca Lee (NavPress Publishing Group)

The Stones Cry Out by Sibella Giorello (Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

YOUNG ADULT

Hollywood Nobody by Lisa Samson (NavPress Publishing Group)

In Between by Jenny B.Jones (NavPress Publishing Group)

Maggie Come Lately by Michelle Buckman (NavPress Publishing Group)

The winners will be announced in July. Any favorites of yours here?