Christy Award winners announced tonight!

Tonight the Christy Award winners will be announced! Our friends at Wynn-Wynn Media are covering it live via blogging. To catch all the fun tonight at 7:00 MDT, click here.

To read the list of nominees, check out our blog post here. Who are you rooting for?

The Christy Awards are all about honoring Christian novels and the novelists who write them. To learn more about the history of the awards, visit their website.

Coming in 2010 from B&H Fiction

Some great stuff coming from B&H next spring!

Rooms
by James L. Rubart

On a rainy spring day in Seattle, young software tycoon Micah Taylor receives a cryptic, twenty-five-year-old letter from a great uncle he never knew. It claims a home awaits him on the Oregon coast that will turn his world inside out. Suspecting a prank, Micah arrives at Cannon Beach to discover a stunning brand new nine-thousand square foot house. And after meeting Sarah Sabin at a nearby ice cream shop, he has two reasons to visit the beach every weekend.

When bizarre things start happening in the rooms of the home, Micah suspects they have some connection to his enigmatic new friend, Rick, the town mechanic. But Rick will only say the house is spiritual. This unnerves Micah because his faith slipped away like the tide years ago, and he wants to keep it that way. But as he slowly discovers, the home isn’t just spiritual, it’s a physical manifestation of his soul, which God uses to heal Micah’s darkest wounds and lead him into an astonishing new destiny.

Enemies Among Us
by Bob Hamer

Matt Hogan loves being an undercover FBI agent almost as much as he loves his wife, Caitlin. But when the daring—some would say reckless—G-Man totals two vehicles in his Beverly Hills pursuit of a fleeing Arab drug runner, he incurs the wrath of the Bureau’s hierarchy. To avoid almost-certain suspension, he accepts a new assignment to track terrorist cell groups while posing as a volunteer at World Angel Clinic, a Christian ministry reaching out to injured Third World children. What Matt doesn’t know is that the ripples of danger from this case will threaten not only his and Caitlin’s life and happiness, but also the safety and security of the entire nation.


Angel's Den
by Jamie Carie

In 1808, when Emma meets and marries Eric Montclaire (the famed “most handsome man west of the Appalachians”), this young daughter of prominent St. Louis citizens believes a fairy tale has just begun. Instead, her husband’s angelic looks quickly prove only to mask a monstrous soul all too capable of possessive emotions and physical abuse. Praying for mercy, she is devastated when Eric insists on her joining his yearlong group expedition to the Pacific Ocean, following the trail Lewis and Clark blazed just a few years earlier. By the time cartographer Luke Bowen realizes Emma’s plight, it’s too late to easily untangle what has become an epic web of lies, theft, murder, courtroom drama, and a deep longing for love. Only God can show them the way out.

Deliver us From Evil
by Robin Carroll

A beautiful yet tough woman working in a beautiful yet tough setting, Brannon Callahan is a search and rescue helicopter pilot for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Strong faith and a decorated history of service have kept her one step ahead of on-the-job dangers, but there’s no precedent for what’s about to happen. After a blizzard takes down a small plane carrying U.S. Marshal Roark Holland (already haunted by a recent tragedy), Brannon must save him in more ways than one and safeguard the donor heart he’s transporting to a government witness on the edge of death. Otherwise the largest child trafficking ring in history—with shocking links from Thailand to Tennessee—will slip further away into darkness along the Appalachian Trail.

B&H Publishing Signs Tosca Lee

Nashville, Tenn., July 8, 2009 - Award-winning author Tosca Lee will release her highly-anticipated third novel in 2011 under the B&H Fiction Pure Enjoyment line. Written from the point of view of the most reviled man in Christendom--Judas--Tosca will again give readers a powerful and enlightening glimpse into the spiritual realm.

"We are thrilled to have Tosca writing for us," said Karen Ball, executive editor for fiction at B&H Publishing Group. "She's a true craftsman. Combine that with her remarkable ability to see inside those we most despise--a demon, Eve, and now Judas--and you get powerful stories of truth and grace that intrigue and challenge readers."

Her two previous books, Demon: A Memoir and Havah: The Story of Eve, created quite a stir in Christian fiction. Demon: A Memoir was a 2008 Christy Award Finalist, 2008 ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Silver Award Winner and 2008 ACFW Book of the Year, Speculative, Second Place. It earned rave reviews across the faith spectrum, including the distinction of, "The most creative, mind-twisting novel of this summer," from Infuzemag.com.

Havah, her sophomore novel, let readers inside the heart and mind of the world's first woman from her creation to Adam's death. Havah is a 2009 ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Bronze Award Winner and ChristianFictionReviews.com Top Pick for 2008. In a starred review, Publishers Weekly called it, "Passionate and riveting... Lee's superior storytelling will have readers weeping for all that Havah forfeited by a single damning choice." Historical Novels Review called it, "...a fascinating novel about human relationships at the dawn of time."
Lee-- Mrs. Nebraska-America 1996, Mrs. Nebraska-United States 1998 and first runner-up to Mrs. United States--has a deep passion for story. "I was a serious pianist from a young age, and used to practice an hour and a half every day. But when I was in the midst of a great book, I'd sneak it into the piano room and read a page between playing each piece-or as much as I could until my mom said, 'I'm not hearing any music!'"

Lee started writing after obtaining her degree in English and Literature from Smith College in Massachusetts. For more information regarding Tosca Lee, please visit www.toscalee.com. For more on upcoming titles in the B&H Fiction Pure Enjoyment line, log-on to www.pureenjoyment.com. Tosca's current titles are available at booksellers everywhere and on-line.

Read our interview with Tosca Lee.

The Love Dare continues to receive awards

The Love Dare—the book that began as a plot device in the number-one 2008 indie theatrical film Fireproof, sold more than 2 million copies and, after 32 weeks remains atop the New York Times bestseller list—received the Platinum Award (more than 1 million sold) from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (EPCA) at its Executive Leadership Summit in late April 2009.

Printed and distributed by B&H Publishing, The Love Dare sells in both paperback and leather-like (much as it appears in the movie Fireproof) “Legacy” editions—and in English and Spanish versions. Churches, groups, and individuals nationwide buy the books in bulk and now order accompanying workbooks.

Since Rick Warren’s release of The Purpose Driven Life, no Christian “advice” book has captured wide public interest like this small series of 40 daily challenges to learn and practice unconditional love for one’s spouse.

“We knew Fireproof would spur book sales but no one could have anticipated all this,” said B&H Marketing Vice President John Thompson. “The EPCA award underscores that the book and movie have long graduated from ‘products’ to a marriage movement. Lives are changing—and that’s why we’re all here.”

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) is an international non-profit trade organization of nearly 250 member companies worldwide involved in publishing and distributing Christian literature.

The Love Dare was written by Stephen and Alex Kendrick, the brother team that also co-wrote (and produced and directed) Fireproof. A Provident Films production, Fireproof was 2008’s number one independent film at the box office—produced for $500,000 and grossing $33 million. In the movie, after he and his wife have agreed to divorce, firefighter Caleb Holt’s father gives him a handwritten book, a 40-day challenge to love his wife. Audiences left the popular movie asking, “How can I get that book?”

B&H Publishing Group, a division of LifeWay Christian Resources, produces some of today’s most sought-after books, Bibles, church supplies, and multimedia products.

Read our review of the Love Dare.
Read our interview with Stephen Kendrick.

Sneak Peak of upcoming Marcher Lord Press novel!

Are you ready to receive the awesome sneak peek at the sequel to Hero, Second Class by Mitchell Bonds?

It's available Monday, June 8.

This 10,500-word excerpt,
"The Istaka Passage,"
was originally part of Hero, Second Class but had to be cut because the book was running too long. So it's a deleted scene--a deleted subplot, actually.

Sir Reginald encounters a tribe of wolf-humanoids and a wimpy male Istaka who longs to win the heart and hand of his beloved. It's a great side story for our hero's mentor.

But now Mitchell Bonds has reworked it to fit in his yet-to-be-announced sequel, the second book in The Hero Complex. So it's also a first look at an upcoming Marcher Lord Press release.

And all you have to do to get your free copy of "The Istaka Passage" is purchase any Marcher Lord Press product on Monday, June 8, 2009.

You can buy a book or a T-shirt, a Kindle version of MLP novels or a craft book on how to write your own novel, an e-book or a virtual art gallery or a short history of marcher lords.

Purchase any Marcher Lord Press product--from the MLP store or from Amazon--and you'll get a link to download "The Istaka Passage" for free. (It's a Word file.)

[Note that if you purchase from the Marcher Lord Press store you don't have to do anything else to receive your free download. MLP staff will see your order and send your link. However, if you purchase from Amazon, you'll need to forward your Amazon receipt e-mail (having removed any credit card information) to Marcher Lord Press so we can see that you bought the item(s) on June 8.]

Mark your calendar!
The fun happens Monday.

Get in Trouble with Susan May Warren!

The fun kicks off today with a SUGAR BOMB. Susan is encouraging everyone to purchase a copy (and maybe a few for friends) of Nothing But Trouble anytime during the day on May 15th. Every one who purchases a copy of the book will be entered into the contest to win a Sugar Spa Basket. All you need to do is purchase a book at Amazon or CBD (or anywhere else) and then come back here (contest page at www.susanmaywarren.com) and leave Susan a message letting her know where you bought your book. Easy. And for every additional copies you buy, you'll gain an additional ten entries into the contest. So just let her know how many copies you bought. Join the fun by putting this button on your own site! (Email Amy at amy@litfusegroup.com and let me know you added the button to your site and be entered to win $25 to Amazon.com, twitter and facebook it and get additional 5 entries! Include your twitter/facebook id in the email too!)

Paste this code into your blog sidebar:

<a width="125" height="140" alt="Get in Trouble with PJ Sugar on May 15 - come join the fun with author Susan May Warren" title="Get in Trouble with PJ Sugar on May 15">

The party will continue all month with a blog tour and chances to win copies of Nothing But Trouble from the blog tourists! View the Schedule here.

The Sugar party will conclude in a day of celebration on Friday June 19th with a day long ONLINE Sugar Bookclub Party. Susan will be giving away prizes, answering questions, hosting a live chat, and generally getting herself into some "Trouble".

Exciting new fantasy coming from Wayne Thomas Batson & Christopher Hopper!

Fantasy. Mystery. Action. Humor. Parents, teachers, and librarians will no longer have to push kids to read-The Berinfell Prophesies will engage intermediate readers and leave them clamoring for more.

The Seven succeeding Elven Lords of Allyra were dead, lost in the Siege of Berinfell as babes. At least that's what everyone thought until tremors from a distant world known as Earth, revealed strange signs that Elven blood lived among its peoples. With a glimmer of hope in their hearts, sentinels are sent to see if the signs are true. But theirs is not a lone errand. The ruling warlord of Allyra, the Spider King, has sent his own scouts to hunt down the Seven and finish the job they failed to complete many ages ago.

Now 13-year-olds on the brink of the Age of Reckoning when their Elven gifts will be manifest, discover the unthinkable truth that their adoptive families are not their only kin. With mysterious Sentinels revealing breathtaking secrets of the past, and dark strangers haunting their every move, will the young Elf Lords find the way back to the home of their birth? Worlds and races collide as the forces of good and evil battle. Will anyone escape the Curse of the Spider King?

Learn more about The Berinfell Prophecies at www.heedtheprophecies.wordpress.com (coming soon). Create your own tribe. Connect with fans through the forum. Win pre-release chapters and the opportunity to have Wayne and Christopher at your very own book party!

Coming in November from Thomas Nelson!

Powers by John B. Olson, sequel to Shade

The sequel to John B. Olson's Shade is coming this December from B&H Publishing.

Powers, continues the story...

Summary:

“Bury me standing. I must be buried standing.”

Powers, the follow-up to John Olson’s Shade (“a must-read for those who enjoy Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti” —Publishers Weekly), introduces a sheltered Gypsy girl named Mariutza. Her grandfather utters a mysterious last request before dying in her arms after being shot by ten cloaked men.

Those same men die before her eyes, but strange powers continue to pursue Mari through the swamps of southern Louisiana where she has always hidden from “the Badness.”

The whole world seems to join in the chase—helicopters, soldiers, government agents, and the police are all trying to kill her. Mari’s only hope of survival is to find Jaazaniah the Prophet, the mythical hero of her grandfather’s bedtime stories. But she has never been outside the swamp or known other humans besides her grandfather and one teacher. How can this lone girl survive the bewildering world of men long enough to find a prophet who might not even exist?

Find out more and watch the trailer at the B&H Fiction website.

What's Next for Ted Dekker

With over 3.6 million novels sold to date, Thomas Nelson’s New York Times Best-selling Author, Ted Dekker is grabbing the attention of middle and high school aged students, with the Lost Book Series’ graphic and young adult novels. In completion of the series, Dekker is releasing the final two tales of what is called the CIRCLE trilogy: Lunatic and Elyon on June 2 with the graphic novels Chaos and Renegade following on June 9.

The first four volumes in the Lost Book Series, Chosen, Infidel, Renegade and Chaos have all made the CBA Best-Seller list since their release in 2008, selling more than half a million copies nationwide. Co-written by Kaci Hill, Lunatic and Elyon conclude the epic saga tales. The story line plays into the love of alternate realities with continuing suspense appealing to the same audience as those of 24, Heroes and Lost.

Wanting to reach a younger audience with the same message, Dekker created the same series illustrated through graphic novels and have sold over 50,000 copies. Combining the action from The Matrix and Indiana Jones for teens, the comics illustrate various aspects of growing up and responsibility in the context of a daring adventure.

With a completely redesigned site launched on March 20, Dekker’s official www.teddekker.com is making it easier for fans to connect with each other and the best-selling author. The site welcomes over 70,000 unique visitors everyday. An exclusive social network is available to all, which combines the features of myspace, facebook and youtube and paves the way for fans to know everything in the world of Ted Dekker.

Read our latest interview with Ted.

Brandilyn & Amberly Collins Live Like A Rock Star Contest!

Know any teens age 13-18? Tell them about the “Live Like a Rock Star” sweepstakes, sponsored by Zondervan to promote Always Watching, my young adult suspense novel co-written with my daughter, Amberly. Entry into the sweepstakes is easy. And each entrant can enter up to ten times, resulting in a greater chance to win.

Grand Prize: $850 night out on the town, including dinner for six at a restaurant of winner’s choice, and limo service for the evening. The first 200 entrants will receive a free copy of Always Watching.

*TO ENTER SWEEPSTAKES, go here.

Join The Rayne Tour Series Fan Club at Facebook.

Watch the book trailer.


Always Watching—Rayne Tour Series book #1
Seatbelt Suspense® for young adults.
This daughter of a rock star has it all—until murder crashes her world.

During a concert, sixteen-year-old Shaley O’Connor stumbles upon the body of a friend backstage. Is Tom Hutchens' death connected to her?

Frightening messages arrive. Paparazzi stalk Shaley. Her private nightmare is displayed for all to see. Where is God at times like this?

As the clock runs out, Shaley must find Tom's killer—before he strikes again.

“Mother and daughter team Brandilyn and Amberly Collins have stormed onto the YA scene in exhilarating style with this great new series. Always Watching is a fast paced whodunit set against the intriguing backdrop of rock star celebrity .... Shaley’s struggle to balance her public status with her true identity is one of the most interesting aspects of this story. [Brandilyn Collins’] adult fans will find much to rave about here, while new teen readers will love the youthful voice and perspective that Amberly Collins brings to the table. Underlying the tension and dread is a strong spiritual message about trusting in the God who is always watching over us.”

—Jake Chism, The Christian Manifesto