The Christy Award is a "Christian fiction award to recognize novelists and novels of excellence in several genres of Christian fiction." The nominees for this year were announced recently and the winners will be announced July 12. Every year I make it my goal to read all the books that are nominated for the Christy Award. I also give them away!
I will giveaway the books by category while I am reading the books nominated in that category.
To enter to win any/all of these books, please do the following:
1. Post a comment indicating which book/books you would like to be entered for in the featured category.
2. Enter by the date indicated. For this category, please enter by JUNE 22, winners announced on June 23.
3. Respond within 10 days should you receive an email indicating you have won a particular book.
4. To win even more books, share the links to the giveaway...tweet them, status them, email them, whatever! If I get 250 retweets and/or new Facebook likes over the next 6 weeks, I'll give away an extra copy of my top 5 favorites from the list.
5. Come back soon for the next category giveaway!
Today's category is: "Contemporary Standalone" and the books are:
Dry as Rain by Gina Holmes
Description:
Like many marriages, Eric and Kyra Yoshida's has fallen apart slowly, one lost dream and misunderstanding at a time, until the ultimate betrayal finally pushes them beyond reconciliation. Just when it looks like forgive and forget is no longer an option, a car accident gives Eric the second chance of a lifetime. A concussion causes his wife to forget details of her life, including the chasm between them. No one knows when-or if-Kyra's memory will return, but Eric seizes the opportunity to win back the woman he's never stopped loving.
My Thoughts:
This was a thought-provoking storyline. Made me think about what kinds of things I would or would not want to know in my marriage. It was almost like a do-over for Eric, but he had to know it was going to come out eventually. I really liked how he came "awake" about his life and realized what was important wasn't the money or job title, but his family. Very good book.
Promises to Keep by Ann Tatlock
Description:
Eleven-year-old Roz (Rosalind) Anthony and her family have just moved to Mills River, Illinois, to escape an abusive situation. Only days after settling into their new home, they are surprised to find the previous owner, Tillie Monroe, on their front porch reading the newspaper. Though her sons have sold the house and sent her to a facility for the aged, she is determined to die in the place she lived her life and somehow manages to find her way "home" day after day. Feeling sympathy for the elderly woman, Roz's mother allows Tillie to move back in.
Mara Nightingale becomes Roz's first friend in Mills River. In spite of their many differences, the girls discover they have something in common that binds them together-both are hiding secrets. So they make a promise -"cross my heart and hope to die"-never to tell anyone else.
My Thoughts:
I really liked the friendship that developes here between Roz and Mara. I knew from the beginning that Roz's father would end up being trouble...and I was trying to warn Roz, but somehow she didn't hear me...hmmm. Anyway, a very good book. I really liked how Roz came to learn of her Heavenly Father and how his part is her life was far more important than her drunk father's troubles. Tillie is a great character!
Words by Ginny Yttrup
Description:
Kaylee's mother is gone. And it seems she took Kaylee's voice with her. Now, ten-year old Kaylee must fend for herself with her mother's abusive boyfriend. Her days are spent collecting words she may never speak.
Sierra Dawn is alone. She has allowed the shame of her past to silence her present hopes. But on the twelth anniversary of her daughter's death, God begins wooing her back to Himself.Brought together by Divine design, the relationship between Kaylee and Sierra begins a healing process in each of them as they dare to let the Truth, Jesus Christ, set them free.
My Thoughts:
My heart ached for both Sierra and Kaylee. Such heartache for both of them! My favorite part was Sierra's "rebirth" into God's love and freedom from her past mistakes and seeing her learn to trust Him. It was hard to read of the abuse that Kaylee suffered and I was glad to see her get a chance to heal. Powerful story. I also loved the friendship between Sierra and her college roommate (blanking on the name right now). Would love to have that kind of friend who would be there like that.
My pick for this category: Words
