Event Spotlight: The Christy Award Gala 2025

Welcome to the Takeover Blitz for The Christy Award Finalists 2025 organized by ECPA and hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! We extend our sincere and enthusiastic congratulations to The Christy Award 2025 Finalists & Winners (announced on November 7th)!

You are Invited

The Christy Award Gala 2025 

 Via webcast November 7, 2025 | 7 pm CT 

 Featuring Chris Fabry, T.I. Lowe, Jessica Hooten Wilson, and a host of Christy-winning authors

This is our year to gather together VIRTUALLY to celebrate and honor the best Christian fiction of the year. The Christy Award® Gala Webcast will be held the evening of Friday, November 7th and will feature a premiere cast of the industry’s authors to announce The Christy Award winners in nine categories, The Christy Book of the Year®, and The Amplify Award for Christian Fiction.

The special evening will be hosted by radio personality and award-winning novelist Chris Fabry and will include keynotes by Fletcher Jones Chair of Great Books at Pepperdine University, Dr. Jessica Hooten Wilson and award-winning and Christy Book of the Year 2024 author, T.I. Lowe. The event will also include award-winning novelists Jaime Jo Wright, Johanna Rojas Vann, Lori Z. Scott, Katie Powner, Jamie Ogle, Rachelle Nelson, Vanessa Miller, Gabrielle Meyer, Crystal Caudill and Amanda Barratt.

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The Christy Award Finalists 2025

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE - tie

A Run at Love, Toni Shiloh (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) The Nature of Love, Toni Shiloh (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) The Roads We Follow, Nicole Deese (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) Who Touches the Mountains, Deborah Raney (Raney Day Press)

FIRST NOVEL

 

Darkfell, Amanda Wright (Quill and Flame Publishing House) Until Our Time Comes, Nicole M. Miller (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group) The Yellow Badge, Addison Crissone (Addison Crissone)

GENERAL FICTION - tie

Between the Sound and Sea, Amanda Cox (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group) Bitter and Sweet, Rhonda McKnight (Thomas Nelson) Lowcountry Lost, T.I. Lowe (Tyndale House Publishers) The Way Back, Heidi Chiavaroli (Hope Creek Publishers)

HISTORICAL

All We Thought We Knew, Michelle Shocklee (Tyndale House Publishers) Born of Gilded Mountains, Amanda Dykes (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) The Queen's Cook, Tessa Afshar (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group)

HISTORICAL ROMANCE - tie

As Sure as the Sea, Jamie Ogle (Tyndale House Publishers) The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple, Joanna Davidson Politano (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group) The Seaside Homecoming, Julie Klassen (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) Walking on Hidden Wings, Rachel Scott McDaniel (Kregel Publications)

MYSTERY/SUSPENSE/THRILLER - tie

The Crown Conspiracy, Connie Mann (Tyndale House Publishers) Night Falls on Predicament Avenue, Jaime Jo Wright (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) Serial Burn, Lynette Eason (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group) Shattered Sanctuary, Nancy Mehl (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) Terminal Danger, Jerusha Agen (SDG Words)

SHORT FORM - tie

A Daffodil in the Dress (within Something Borrowed), Susie Finkbeiner (Kregel Publications) Forgiving the Cowboy, Tabitha Bouldin (Love Inspired) A Heart in Disguise (within Something Borrowed), Rachel Scott McDaniel (Kregel Publications) A Letter to Eli (within Something Borrowed), Allison Pittman (Kregel Publications)

SPECULATIVE - tie

 

A Slice of Sky, Nancy Moser (Mustard Seed Press) Darkfell, Amanda Wright (Quill and Flame Publishing House) Memoria, J.J. Fischer (Enclave, a division of Oasis Family Media) Protector, Megan Schaulis (WhiteCrown, an imprint of WhiteFire Publishing)

YOUNG ADULT - tie

Ben Washington is the Newbie on the Block, Jasmine Mullen (Moody Publishers) The Chaos Grid, Lyndsey Lewellen (Enclave Escape, a division of Oasis Family Media) Echo Nova, Clint Hall (Enclave Escape, a division of Oasis Family Media) Jake Rogers' Planet, Philip Wilder (Great Commission Alliance)

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Register for The Christy Award 2025 Winners Webcast

The Christy Award winners webcast on November 7 at 7 p.m. CT. – free but registration is required. Celebrate this year’s finalists and winners with authors, editors, publishers, and readers!

REGISTER

The Christy Award® is a program of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) and is the foremost award honoring and promoting excellence in Christian fiction since 1999. For more information about ECPA, visit ECPA.org. For more information about the Christy Awards and Art of Writing conferences, visit ChristyAwards.com or email TheChristyAward@ecpa.org

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Author and Reader Event

Join fellow readers and 46 writers at the third annual Rendezvous to celebrate Christian fiction and sweet reads. This event, modeled after the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat and organized by JustRead Publicity Tours, aims to sweeten reading and storytelling experiences with fellowship and encouragement. Activities will include corporate worship, The Christy Award webcast watch party, speaker sessions, author panels, small group discussions, games, giveaways, a pop-up book shop, and author signings.

Learn more about the 2025 Read Write Rendezvous

Registration Ends Oct 15!

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive print copies of The Christy Award 2025 finalist titles for one category of their choice!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 10, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on October 17, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Book Spotlight: Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Sense and Suitability 

Author: Pepper Basham 

Publisher: Thomas Nelson 

Release Date: September 23, 2025 

Genre: Clean Regency Romance (Rom-Com) 

In this clean Regency romance, a woman with a scandalous past (and an even more scandalous secret) swears off love--until the man who broke her heart needs her help. What could possibly go wrong? 

After two failed social seasons, her family may think the third time will be a charm, but Emmeline Lockhart just wants to survive with her dignity (and singleness) intact. She thought she'd found her perfect match in Simon Reeves--charming, handsome, a veritable hero from a novel--until he vanished from her life without so much as a "farewell" or "my deepest regrets" (or even a vague apology scribbled on the back of a calling card). Lesson learned: never fall for a man known for his charm. 

Fortunately, and unlike many of the other eligible young ladies of the ton, Emmeline has no need for a husband--because she's already found success in her scandalous (and very anonymous) profession as an author. Why bother with matrimony when she can make her own fortune and write men exactly the way she wants them? 

But fate--or the misfortune of Simon's reckless patriarchs--has other plans. Simon's once-proud estate is in shambles, his family fortune has been gambled away, and the younger impressionable siblings in his care are running wild across his estate (and possibly across all of England). Simon is in desperate need of a wealthy, prestigious bride . . . and a friend. 

Emmeline may not fit the role of heiress, but she can certainly be a friend. Just a friend. She'll help him find a suitable match, ensure his reputation remains intact, and keep things strictly platonic--no matter how dangerously appealing his new-and-improved sincerity and regret may be. 

There's just one small problem: the undeniable chemistry that still smolders between them. Can Emme play matchmaker for the man she's still in love with without losing her heart all over again? And is it possible that some love stories--especially the messy, inconvenient, impossible ones--are worthy of a rewrite? 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Thomas Nelson | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub | Bookshop

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Also Available:

 

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Excerpt from Sense and Suitability

Their first meeting had been during the height of Miss Willow’s debut ball, when the aforementioned lady had pursued him into the garden, only for him to trip—quite literally—into Emme’s hiding place behind a hedgerow. She, of course, had been evading the boorish attentions of an inebriated Mr. Douglas Clyde.

For some reason, when he’d literally knocked her to the ground, Simon refused to leave her side, despite her assurances and a few scathing glances from Miss Willow. At the time, the last thing she’d wanted was the attention of the notorious flirt but one dance and conversation after another, Simon Reeves had begun to change in her eyes.

From stranger to one of the dearest men of her acquaintance.

Or had appeared to.

And then . . . he’d left without as much as a word of explanation.

For almost two years.

A man who could find his way into any number of drawing rooms, ballrooms, or gambling halls surely could have found a pen and paper, could he not?

Her spine straightened, her resolve hardening. “Well,” she said. “In the future, would you be so kind as to locate your own hiding spot and leave me and my”—her finger flicked toward her face, cheeks blazing—“lips alone?”

His brows shot up, and his gaze dipped to her lips, lingering there far too long. The tingling warmth that followed infuriated, and to be perfectly honest, fascinated her.

“I’ve heard where you and your lips have been over the past two years and I’m not interested in . . . in . . .” Her face exploded with warmth. What was she even saying? “The shared experience.”

Her words hung awkwardly in the air, and she tipped her gaze heavenward, silently rebuking her own ineptitude. She was far better at these exchanges when they were confined to the pages of her manuscripts.

His attention shifted to her eyes, one brow arching higher than the other. “You’ve heard the rumors?”

She lifted her chin in defiance, refusing to envision the whispered tales of his exploits—Italy, Scotland, Ireland.

He tipped his head closer, studying her, his expression hardening a little. “And you believe them, do you?”

At the moment, answering seemed unwise, so she merely tipped her chin higher.

He took a deliberate step closer. “My elaborate escape to Italy with an exotic heiress, was it? Or Edinburgh, where I was supposedly womanizing in the company of poets and philosophers?”

Her lips pressed together, but the words slipped out anyway. “And Ireland.”

At the darkening of his countenance, Emme wished she’d kept silent, but she’d raised her chin as high as it could go, so she felt she needed to do something.

“Ah, yes. Ireland.” His laugh was short and humorless. “Why not add a voyage to the Americas while we’re at it? After all, I’ve so much leisure time and coin to spare.”

Emme flinched a little at the fury lacing his words. Could the rumors about debt be true? She’d thought them inconsistent with owning such an estate or traveling in such elegance, or was he trying to weaken her defenses?

“Why wouldn’t I prefer the wild and exotic over . . .” He trailed off, stepping closer, his gaze fixed on her with a ferocity that stilled her breath.

“Over?” she whispered, her voice betraying her traitorous curiosity.

He didn’t answer. Instead, he moved closer still, the railing pressing into her back as he leaned in, their faces so near she could make out the tiniest golden flakes within the depths of his eyes. She didn’t push away. Didn’t wish to move. All she wanted to know was the end of his sentence.

Could he have been talking about her?

And if he was, what did that mean?

His hands caught her arms, steadying her, and for a moment she thought he might kiss her again.

Air squeezed in her chest to the hurting spot. Something between the rumors and his behavior, her heart, and the evidence of her own eyes didn’t fit together at all.

His gaze roamed over her face as if attempting to extract something she didn’t know how to give. Her breathing shallowed, her mind warring with itself. Would he kiss her again? She tilted her head just a bit as if to prepare.

Research, after all, might justify another kiss . . .

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About the Author

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her stories. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of southwestern VA, where she is the wife, mom to five great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.

Connect with Pepper by visiting www.pepperdbasham.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will receive a signed copy of Sense and Suitability (or winner's choice of Pepper Basham's books) and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 9, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on October 16, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Book Spotlight: Escaping the Wilderness by Carrie Stuart Parks

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Escaping the Wilderness by Carrie Stuart Parks, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Escaping the Wilderness 
Author: Carrie Stuart Parks 
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense 
Release Date: September 30, 2025 
Genre: Romantic Suspense

On the run through the mountains—  

with only each other to trust. 

Amanda Cotton’s privileged life takes a harrowing turn when her grandfather’s dying wish places a target firmly on her back and she’s attacked by unknown assailants. Rescue comes in the form of widowed outdoorsman Boone McGregor, but the threat is just beginning. Unable to trust local law enforcement, they flee across the rugged Montana mountains. As they evade deadly enemies and navigate harsh terrain, they must put aside their differences to survive. But when a family secret is exposed, danger is closer than they imagined and more than just their lives is at stake…

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Harlequin.com | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub

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Excerpt

She shook her head, trying to focus on the present. She’d go over the possibilities when she was alone. The huge black, white and tan dog sitting between them didn’t help. The dog was panting as fast as Amanda’s heart raced. Okay, okay. What explanation was there for why someone would steal her socks and be at her house?

Boone put her truck into gear and continued down the county road.

“W-where are we going?” I need a phone. But who can I call? Who is this guy? Who would want to hurt me? Her thoughts ping-ponged around in her brain, not letting her grab one long enough to work out an answer. Maybe it was a setup. One man attacked her. Another one waiting to rescue her. “Look, you can have my truck. My purse. I don’t have much money with me, but it’s all yours.” She reached for the door handle. “You can let me out anywhere.”


Excerpt From Escaping the Wilderness (Not for Resale)
Carrie Stuart Parks (Galley Proof)
This material may be protected by copyright. Used by permission.

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Also Available

 

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About the Author

Carrie Stuart Parks is an internationally known forensic artist and law enforcement instructor, working on major criminal cases nationwide. She trains law enforcement professionals such as the FBI, Secret Service, NCIS, Federal Marshals, RCMP, Texas Rangers, and local and regional officers. She was nominated for Law Enforcement Trainer of the Year offered by the Federal Law Enforcement Academy at Glynco, Georgia. Her career highlights also include winning Woman of the Year for the Spirit of the American Woman and the first Educator of the Year by the Lewis Clark Alumni.Her bestselling mystery/suspense novels have won numerous awards including two Christys and four Carols. She was mentored by her friend Frank Peretti for eight years before launching her fiction writing career. Before that, she wrote and illustrated best-selling art books for North Light Publishers. As a professional fine artist, her paintings hang in many corporate and private collections.

Connect with Carrie by visiting stuartparks.com/carrie-stuart-parks-home-page to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a small, original watercolor by author & professional fine artist Carrie Stuart Parks!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 6, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 13, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Book Spotlight: Through Water and Stone by Karen Barnett

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Through Water and Stone by Karen Barnett, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

 

Title: Through Water and Stone 

Series: National Parks 

Author: Karen Barnett 

Publisher: Kregel Publications 

Release Date: September 23, 2025 

Genre: Christian Fiction, Dual Timeline 

In 1948, Zion National Park ranger Henry Eriksson and his wife, Alma, are less than one year removed from their infant son's sudden death in a flash flood, and the weight of the loss hasn't diminished with time. When Henry discovers an abandoned baby in a hatbox on his morning rounds, he's unsure how to react, but Alma is delighted, and she reignites with purpose at what seems to be a miracle from God. 

Nearly eighty years later, Talia Eriksson leaves her job at an athleisure company in Palo Alto, California, in disgrace and returns to Zion National Park to reconnect with her grandfather and review her life goals. But when an at-home DNA test exposes family secrets, Talia and her newfound friend, law enforcement ranger Blake Mitchell, work together to search for answers. 

Talia navigates the rocky path into her past with Blake by her side, what she discovers may alter everything she knew to be true about herself. With the uncertain future looming, Talia must learn that family is deeper than genetics and that trusting God can mean being still and clinging to the Rock. 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Kregel Publications | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub | Bookshop

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More in this Series:

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Excerpt

She held the key.

He’d searched the hatbox and had even gone so far as to shake out the blanket Billy had been wrapped up in, hoping for a letter—a clue— anything that might identify the child’s mother and why she made the choice she did.

His first son had ended up in the water by accident. Billy had been placed there with intention, like Moses in the bulrushes. He’d never shaken that image from his mind. Moses was saved by the pharaoh’s daughter and raised in the palace, only to come back as a mighty messenger for God’s people.

Had he placed too much stock in the biblical allusion? Had Billy instead been stolen from his mother’s arms and hidden here for some nefarious reason? Henry pressed his hand against his pocket, his strides slowing as he approached headquarters.

He lifted his gaze, staring across the river toward the cliffs beyond. Sometimes their little world here at Zion seemed so self- contained it was easy to forget that there was an entire country outside of their canyon. Cities and people, states and nations. Personal tragedies and world wars. He closed his eyes, willing his pulse to slow. This place was a refuge of peace. It was little wonder the first settlers named it Zion. The park’s beauty rivaled any temple or cathedral. “Thou art my rock and my fortress.”

Unlocking the door, he headed for his office, turning the lights on as he made his way down the hall. The day ahead looked to be slow, nothing his staff couldn’t handle. He’d leave a note on Fred’s desk asking him to check in on the film crew. So far Legend seemed to be true to his word. Henry hadn’t received any negative reports about the man. Hopefully either the gossip was meaningless or married life had set the fellow on a better path.

A light rapping on the doorframe caught his attention. Mattie stood in the doorway, her face pale. “Good morning, Henry. I thought you should know Irene Dawson had her baby last night. She had a rough go of it, and she and Elmer are at the hospital in St. George.”

He sank down into his chair, the pen still clamped in his fingers. “Will she be all right?”

“Elmer—Mr. Dawson—telephoned this morning. It was touch and go, but she pulled through.”

“And the baby?”

“A little girl. I could hear her squalling clear through the telephone line. They’ve named her Myrtle.”

“We should send flowers. How long will they be away, do you think?” Mattie smiled. “I already ordered the bouquet. I hope you don’t mind.”

“You’re a gem.” He chuckled. “When are you going to give up pillow plumping and come to work for me? I’d hire you in a heartbeat.”

She crossed the floor and stood in front of his desk. “If you’re serious, I’d love that.”

“Oh, I’m certain.” He should have done it earlier. “Let me put the paperwork in and get approval from the superintendent.” He dug into his pocket. “Hey, have you ever seen this? Alma just gave it to me. Apparently it was in the lining of the hatbox where we found Billy.”

Mattie’s posture stiffened. “No. Why would I have seen it?”

He studied her. “I thought maybe Alma had shown you. For some reason she hid it from me.” He pointed to the imprint on the lock face. “She’s concerned H- C- H might stand for Holy Cross Hospital.”

“The hospital where the baby was stolen?” Her eyes widened. “That’s preposterous.”

“Normally, I’d agree with you. But we met with the Johnsons last night and—”

She backed a few steps. “Why would you do that?”

He stood, uncertain of Mattie’s reaction. Another case of women acting in ways that made no sense to him. “They showed up. I couldn’t toss them out on their ears. Or rather, I could, but Alma wouldn’t hear of it.”

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About the Author

Karen Barnett is the award-winning author of nine novels, including When Stone Wings Fly, Where Trees Touch the Sky, and the Vintage National Park novels. A former national park ranger, she’s also a hobby photographer and enjoys teaching writing workshops with both Cascade Christian Writers and West Coast Christian Writers. She and her family live in Albany, Oregon.

Connect with Karen by visiting karenbarnettbooks.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Through Water and Stone and $20 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 1, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on October 8, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!