Home from Chicago, the Christy Awards gala & the inspiring Art of Writing conference, JustReadRendezvous, & time with extended family – my cup overfloweth ahead of Thanksgiving! While I’m not a fan of flying, the trip went well, I didn’t get airsick, stayed well throughout, & enjoyed being with people who understand the author life. Here is a picture of me with Christy winner Jamie Ogle and the Regency Queen, Julie Klassen. I admire them both so much both in person & on the page.

Now I’m home & about to travel again for the Thanksgiving holiday. With 2 deadlines approaching I hope to sneak in some working time while roasting a turkey and making Thanksgiving special. More news soon…

See you in December! 

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I’m so honored when my work is noted by the Christy Award. So much goes on behind the scenes to make this award special right down to a gala & awards ceremony for books of many genres. This year I happen to be a finalist – rather The Seamstress of Acadie – is one of the chosen books. For those who enjoyed that story, look for the 232 page novella of Bleu Galant coming next July 2025.

My first experience for the Christy Award was as a finalist for Love’s Reckoning in 2013 & then a winner for The Lacemaker in 2018 & The Rose & the Thistle last year. To be a finalist again this year is a dream come true. Heartfelt thanks to my publisher, Revell, for believing in my writing enough to enter me for such an esteemed award, & Christy judges for selecting it. This year I’m sharing the historical romance category with Julie Klassen, a Regency-era author & debut author, Jamie Ogle. I actually endorsed Jamie’s novel set in Rome AD 270!

I’m excited to attend the Christy Award celebration outside of Chicago this fall on Thursday, November 14th, 2024. The Art of Writing Conference beforehand is something I really enjoy & learn from every time I attend. Then, the next day I’ll be joining authors & readers for the JustRead Rendezvous – a sweet time of fellowship & fun to celebrate Christian fiction. So thankful!

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I really enjoyed my time on HISTORICAL FICTION UNPACKED despite being camera & microphone shy:) It’s always fun talking books with another bibliophile. Alison has a voice made for audio & asks all the right questions. Have a wee listen as my new hero might say. Just click on the link below…

Podcast

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Since 1999, The Christy Awards™ have honored Christian novels of excellence, imagination, and creativity. 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. The Award is named for Catherine Marshall’s enduring bestselling novel, Christy, published in 1967.

When I was a teen I read my mom’s copy of Christy, a novel about the author’s mother who went to the Smoky Mountains as a young teacher and fell in love with the unique people and a Scottish doctor there. It has always been one of my favorite books, showcasing the beautiful Appalachians with depth and beauty and a shattering realism. I then read Marshall’s nonfiction books on faith which are also remarkable and timeless.

When I wrote my first story at age 7, I wish I could have glimpsed my ninth novel winning this wonderful award. It is considered the pinnacle of publishing and something I never thought one of my books would attain. When I attended the Christy gala and experienced that wondrous moment when the first line of the winning novel is read aloud, I closed my eyes and savored something that might never come again, an award that holds such history and meaning to me growing up in Appalachia.

In other words, I’m thrilled! A list of the other finalists & winners can be found here which make a fine reading list. Thank you to the Christy folks who work tirelessly on behalf of excellence and edification through the written word and to publishers like mine, Revell, and readers perhaps most of all.

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