Monday, October 18, 2021

Christy Award Finalists -- Historical Fiction and Speculative Fiction

GIVEAWAY

What are the Christy Awards?

"The Christy Award is designed to nurture and encourage creativity and quality in the writing and publishing of fiction written from a Christian worldview and showcase the diversity of genres." (from the Christy Awards website)

These 2021 finalists are books published in 2020. You might have read them already. You might not. I'll include a link to my reviews of the books I've red underneath the descriptions.

How does this giveaway work?

You select which title from EITHER the Historical  OR Speculative  category you would like to win if your name is drawn. Mention the title in your comment (or an email if you're entering that way.) If you win, that's the book that will be sent to you. Easy Peasy. Here are the six finalists. 

HISTORICAL FICTION

Like Flames in the Night
, Connilyn Cossette, Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group

Strong-willed Tirzah wants to join her people in driving the enemy from the land of Israel and undergoes training for a secret mission inside the stronghold of Shechem. But soon after she has infiltrated the ruthless Aramean commander's kitchen, she makes a reckless decision that puts her and her allies in grave danger.

Fresh off the battlefield, Liyam returns home to discover his beloved daughter is dead. After his vow to hunt down her killer leads to months of fruitless pursuit, his last hope is in a family connection that comes with strings attached -- strings that force him to pose as a mercenary and rescue an infuriating woman who refuses to leave her mission uncompleted.

When an opportunity to pave a path to a Hebrew victory arises, can Tirzah convince Liyam to fight alongside her in the refuge city of her birth? Or will Liyam;s thirst for vengeance outweighs his duty to his people, his God, and the woman he's come to love?

Under the Tulip Tree,
Michelle Shocklee, Tyndale House

Sixteen-year-old Lorena Leland dreams of a rich and fulfilling life as a writer are dashed when the stock market crashes in 1929. Seven years into the Great Depression, Rena's banker father has retreated into the bottle, her sister is married to a lazy charlatan and gambler, and Rena is an unemployed newspaper reporter. Eager for any writing job, Rena accepts a position interviewing former slaves for the Federal Writers' Project. There, she meets Frankie Washington, a 101-year-old woman whose honest yet tragic past captivates Rena.

As Frankie recounts her life as a slave, Rena is horrified to learn of all the older woman has endured -- especially because Rena's ancestors owned slaves. While Frankie's story challenges Rena's preconceptions about slavery, it also connects the two women whose lives are otherwise separated by age, race, and circumstances. But will this bond of respect, admiration, and friendship be broken by a revelation neither woman sees coming?


The White Rose Resists: a Novel of the German Students Who Defied Hitler
, Amanda Barratt, Kregel Publication

Inspired by the incredible true story of a group of ordinary men and women who dared to stand against evil.

The ideal of a new Germany swept up Sophie School in a maelstrom of patriotic fervour -- that is, until she realized the truth behind Hitler's machinations for the fatherland. Now she and other students in Munich, the cradle of Nazi government, have banded together to form a group to fight for the truth: the White Rose. Risking everything to print and distribute leaflets calling for Germans to rise up against the evil permeating their country, the White Rose treads a knife's edge of discovery by the gestapo.

Annalise Brandt came to the University of Munich to study art, not get involved with conspiracy. The daughter of an SS officer, she's been brought up to believe in the fuser's divinely appointed leadership. But the more she comes to know Sophie and her friends, the more she questions the Nazi propaganda. 

Soon Annalise joins their double life -- students by day, resisters by night. And as the stakes increase, they're all forced to confront the deadly consequences meted out to any who dare to oppose the Reich.

A gripping testament to courage, The White Rose Resists illuminated the sacrifice and conviction of an unlikely group of revolutionaries who refused to remain silent -- no matter the cost.

SPECULATIVE FICTION

Extinction Island
, Janice Boekhoff, Lost Canyon Press

Dangerous convicts, deadly dinosaurs. The secret encoded in her DNA lies between them...

Dedicated retile expert Oakley Laveau loves the thrill of wrestling a 'gator. But her dream job at the swamp tour slips away when she's charged with a crime she doesn't remember: her best friend's murder. Sentenced to life on a secluded isle, she'll have to battle violent criminals and genetically modified dinosaurs to uncover the truth.

As soon as she steps on the island, she's swept up by the charming leader of a gang of convicts and his dubious offer of protection. But it's hard to heed his warnings when somewhere in the Dino-infested rainforest hides a witness who knows the shocking facts behind Oakley's amnesia.

Hunted by humans and beasts, can Oakley expose the truth before she meets a bloody end?

Extinction Island is the first book in the suspenseful Jurassic Judgment sci-fi series. If you like fearless heroines, action-packed adventures, and a touch of romance, then you'll love Janice Boekhoff's thrilling novel.


Forsaken Island,
Sharon Hinck, Enclave Publishing

(The Dancing Realms; Book 2)

On an uncharted world, happiness is effortless and constant...but can true joy exist without sacrifice?

The people of Meriel have long believed their island world floats alone in the vast ocean universe, so they are astonished when another island drifts into view. With resources becoming scarce, Carya and Brantley quickly volunteer to search the new land for supplies.

After navigating a barrier of menacing trees, the pair encounter a culture of perpetually happy people who readily share their talents and their possessions. But all is not what it seems. At the core of the island is a horror that threatens everyone, including Brantley and Carya.

Freeing the villagers of the bondage they've chosen may cost Carya and Brantley more than they could have imagined. Even if the two succeed, they'll have to find a way to return to Meriel quickly...or be cut off from their home forever.

The Story Hunte
r, Lindsay A. Franklin, Enclave Publishing

(The Weaver Trilogy; #3)

Redeeming the past is a fatal quest.

In the wake of a deadly coup, the capital city of Urian has descended into chaos. Heartbreak and bloodshed await Tanwen and her friends as they discover the unlikeliest leader now rules Tir.

If they want to save the realm, Tannie and the Corsyth weavers must rescue Queen Braith and unmask the Master, ending the strife once and for all. But the success of their hunt depends upon an ally no one trusts.

The Master has a new target in sight: fragile, trauma-scarred Digwyn, whose unique weaving ability could turn the tide of any war. When the desire for vengeance proves too powerful for Digwyn to resist, Tanwen must face a terrifying truth: the fate of Sir rests in the hands of a volatile, shattered girl.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy -- winner's choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of one of these Christy Award Finalists, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT AND DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday October 16  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

46 comments:

  1. Kav, I already have a copy of and have read The White Rose Resists and let me just say it is one of my top reads ever. So powerful and so well written. Can't recommend it highly enough. My pick for the giveawaym though, will be Under the Tulip Tree. It is on my miles long want-to-read list too :) Thanks again for offering these Christy finalists!

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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    1. Oh -- thanks for that recommendation. That one just slipped me by and it sounds like the kind of story I love. Good luck, Cheryl!

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    2. Kav, hope you love The White Rose Resists as much as I did! A heavy topic but oh so powerful. Enjoy!

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  2. I haven't read The White Rose Resists (though it's been on my tbr list for awhile), but the synopsis sounds awesome!

    eclitton at gmail dot com

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    1. And it has Cheryl's edorsement -- what more could we ask for? :-) Good luck, Elizabeth. I'll be reading this one too.

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  3. Ooh! There are so many good ones on here (some that I’ve read and some that I’ve got on my TBR), but I think I’ll go with Extinction Island by Janice Boekhoff. I’ve wanted to read this one for awhile, but never see it mentioned anywhere😱

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    1. I'd never even heard of it! Good luck, Elly!

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  4. The White Rose Resists sounds fascinating - based on a true story, and one of the resisters being a daughter of an SS officer, no less! Thanks!

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    1. I know -- totally up my alley but I passed this one by so many times. I think I mistook it for a true crime novel and I'm not into those so maybe that's why? Silly me. Good luck, CC!

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  5. I am intrigued by The White Rose! What a story!
    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. Yes, it's caught all our attention today. Good luck, Melanie.

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  6. Historical fiction is one of my favorite categories, but I haven’t read any of these. I did just order myself a copy of Under the Tulip Tree, so my pick would be The White Rose Resists.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. OOOhhhhh, you will love Under the Tulip Tree!!!! It looks like The White Rose Resists is the favourite today. Good luck, Patty!

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  7. I read your review for "Under the Tulip Tree" and when a book leaves you speechless, it's got to be GOOD! So that's my choice for this week :-) Plus the book synopsis draws me in 😊

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Okay, I have to admit, "Extinction Island" peaked my interest too. I watched the original Jurassic Park movies years ago & loved them, so the idea of trying to survive on a secluded island dodging both dinosaurs and violent criminals just got my blood pumping! All that to say, this is available on Kindle Unlimited to borrow & that exactly what I'm going to do!! Not only that, but the second book "Deception Island" is also available through KU....you know what I'll be doing 😁

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    2. You'll have to let us know what your think about Extinction Island...Jurassic Park isn't really my thing but I'm always open for a new reading adventure. :-) You won't be disappointed with Under the Tulip Tree if you win, Trixi. It's amazing! Good luck!

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    3. So reading a few non-spoilery reviews, these two books end on a cliffhanger....which I wondered about with the first book but had no qualms reading it because book two is already out. So now my dilemma is...do I wait for #3 (no idea when it will be out) or go ahead and read these two because they are clamoring for my attention?? 😂 Gah!

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    4. And that right there is why I'm wary of speculative fiction. Each book usually ends on a cliffhanger with major plot threads dangling and no hope of resolution until the series conclusion...which could be years away.

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  8. Forsaken island peaks my interest. cheeetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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  9. If I were fortunate enough to be selected, I would love a copy of "Under the Tulip Tree" by Michelle Shocklee.

    Thank you for the chance!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  10. Like Flames in the Night and The White Rose Resists were excellent books. I’ll pick Under the Tulip Tree as I don’t really care for speculative fiction. Thank you for sharing. leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. You can't go wrong with Under the Tulip Tree. Good luck, Lucy!

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  11. The Story Hunter, please!
    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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  12. The White Rose Resists is on my "want to read" list. My book club read Under the Tulip Tree and thought it was fantastic.
    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. OOOOOhhhh, I'm so glad your book club did Under the Tulip Tree. It would have garnered great conversation, I'm sure. Good luck, Pam!

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  13. The White Rose Resists!! That books sounds super amazing!!

    angiepool1606(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Good luck, Angie! I don't know how I missed this one when it was released. Pushed to the top of my list now too.

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  14. Ohh, so hard to choose! I'm waffling between two of these, but I'll say Like Flames in the Night.

    pocoauthorATgmailDOTcom

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    1. You're the first one to request Like Flames in the Night and I thought it would be the most popular in this category. Good luck, Nicole!

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  15. Oh, yes, been wanting to read Under the Tulip Tree. teshawATsbcglobalDOTnet

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  16. The White Rose Resists is my pick today. I've read some read good WW11 stories that I've loved so I'm hoping this one follows those other ones too. rrwalter34atgmailDOTCOM

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  17. The White Rose Resists would be my choice. Since my Dad served in the Army during World War II, this is always an era I love to read about! Thanks!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. It's a compelling time period. Good luck, rubynreba!

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  18. I’m interested in Like Flames in the Night. I have the first three books and would like to complete the set.
    paulamarys49ATgmailDOTcom

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    1. I need to catch up on that series. Luckily my library has them all. Now to find the time. Good luck, Paula!

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  19. The White Rose Resists, please. :) Thanks for the giveaway!

    ladysnowangelphotos(at)gmail(dot)com

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  20. Wow what a great line up. Some I've read many I haven't. I'd like to put my name in the hat for The Forsaken Island. Thanks again for this giveaway opportunity.

    nora finding hope at yahoo

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    1. I know -- so many great books out there. Good luck, Nora!

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  21. I have to put in for THE WHITE ROSE RESISTS by Amanda Barratt. I didn't even know this book existed. I love reading different aspects of WW2 and I haven't yet read a book about German student resisters. I'm excited to read more books about German citizens who were against the Reich.
    tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. It's always fascinating to see a WWII story approached in a different way. Good luck, Terrill!

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