The Christy Awards celebrate excellence in the art of Christian fiction and honors the power of faith in story. According to The Christy Award website, “The Christy Award was established in 1999 to acknowledge the value and impact of the novel of faith in contemporary culture. Since that time, the Christys have been a focal point for the writers and publishers in our community, symbolizing the best aspirations and accomplishments of writers who write from a perspective of faith and who create stories with matters of belief at their core.”

This year, there were 33 finalists from eleven different publishers, named in nine categories, with six ties in five categories. Two Tyndale titles won awards, including Book of the Year! Check out our winners.

Indigo Isle named Contemporary Romance and Book of the Year winner

About the book: Sonny Bates, a successful Hollywood location scout, returns near her South Carolina roots for a film project, where she encounters Hudson Renfrow. Hudson, a grief-stricken former New York attorney, lives in isolation, tending his indigo fields and avoiding contact with the outside world. Despite his reluctance, a hurricane forces them together, leading to an unexpected bond. As they spend time together, Hudson’s guarded exterior begins to crack, revealing his vulnerability and longing for redemption.

“T. I. Lowe mixes serious issues with her own unique sense of humor and style, and her Sonny Bates is a force to reckon with. . . . A terrific read!” – Francine Rivers, New York Times bestselling author.

Of Love and Treason named Historical Romance winner

About the book: In AD 270, Valentine defies the Roman emperor’s marriage ban by secretly performing weddings, becoming both a hero and a wanted man. A public notarius and leader of an underground church, he risks his life out of conviction, though his growing fame increases the danger around him. Iris, the blind daughter of a Roman jailor, seeks out Valentine’s church in hopes of healing her sight, but finds herself drawn to both his faith and him personally. As betrayal and danger close in, Valentine and Iris must trust in God as they fight for their lives and their future together.

“Jamie Ogle’s vivid novel takes us to the gritty streets of Rome in AD 270 and paints a picture of the price early believers paid for their faith in Christ. The unforgettable characters in Of Love and Treason touched my heart and made me thankful for the religious freedom we enjoy. I will never view that freedom—or St. Valentine’s Day—in the same way again.” – Lynn Austin, bestselling author

Finally, congratulations again to authors Michelle Shocklee (Appalachian Song) and Cindy Morgan (The Year of Jubilee) for being named Christy Award finalists.