When Love Collides nominated for CAPA award!

I just noticed tonight while perusing the internet that When Love Collides was nominated for a CAPA award through The Romance Studio under the best Inspirational fiction category for 2012! How cool is that? CAPA stands for Cupid and Psyche Award. This is the tenth year awards have been given for favorite books nominated by their reviewers.

Inspirational Romance

Reclaiming Tess by Beth Shriver (Desert Breeze Publishing)
Wounded Heroes Book Two: Trespasses by Anne Patrick (Desert Breeze Publishing)
Small Town Treasure by Dora Hiers (White Rose Publishing)
Breathless by Kathryn Bain (White Rose Publishing)
When Love Collides by Michelle Sutton 

(Desert Breeze Publishing)
Gypsy's Game by Delia Latham (White Rose Publishing)
Time's Arrow by Clare Revel (White Rose Publishing)

Here is the cover of When Love Collides. You can get it on CBD, Amazon, B&N, Books on Board, Kobo, Ibooks, etc.

Grace Awards finalists here. Two of my books are among them!

I had four books published in 2010 and of the four, two finaled in this contest. The cool thing is it's reader drive so you don't even know who is voting for you or what they are saying. You can't vote for yourself or nominate yourself. So I had no idea until today that I'd finaled. Anyway, here is the info...


Grace Awards

The Grace Awards 2010 first round of readers choice voting for excellence in faith-based fiction has come to an end. Reader votes have been counted and we have our finalists. Readers who voted were required to give a reason why they voted for a particular novel. We've chosen from what readers had to say and you will see a sampling below.

Some of our judges are finalists. However no author, including judges, was allowed to cast a vote for his/her own novel. The Grace Awards made every effort to generate reader voting by reaching out to readers on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.



Women's Fiction: (serious women's issues, can have humor and suspense elements)

Never Without Hope ~ Michelle Sutton, Sword of the Spirit**

Rachel's Contrition ~ Michelle Buckman, Sophia Institute Press**

Sensible Shoes ~ Sharon Garlough Brown, Westbow**



Romance/Historical Romance: (the primary element is love, courtship, marriage, be it then or now)

Meander Scar ~ Lisa J. Lickel, Black Lyon Publishers**

No Other ~ Shawna K. Williams, Desert Breeze Publishing**

Road to Deer Run ~ Elaine Marie Cooper, iUniverse**



Suspense/Thriller/Mystery/Romantic Suspense/Detective Novel: (crime fiction, there's probably a body)

Back On Murder ~ J. Mark Bertrand, Bethany House**

In Plain Sight ~ Michelle Sutton, Desert Breeze Publishing**

K-I-L-L FM 100 ~ Teric Darken, Westbow**



Speculative Fiction: (science fiction, fantasy, horror, etc.)

Future Savior Book One: Conception ~ Jennifer Hartz, Desert Breeze Publishing**

Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider ~ Ellen C. Maze, Treasureline Publishing**

Seasons of the Mist ~ Deborah Kinnard, Sheaf House Publishers**



Action Adventure/Western/Historical Epic Fiction: (exploits/quest, a fee of wide open spaces, expansive)

Alpah Redemption ~ P.A. Baines, Splashdown Books**

The Manor of the Ghost ~ Tina Pinson, Desert Breeze Publishing

Wounded Spirits ~ April Gardner, Vinspire Publishing**



Young Adult Fiction: (appeals to ages 14 - 21ish)

Kestrel's Midnight Song ~ J. R. Parker, Flaming Pen Press**

Knight of Glory ~ Nicole Zoltack, Desert Breeze Publishing**

Secrets Under the Midnight Sun ~ Elisa Maria Crites, Westbow**

Announcing the Grace Awards! Nominate a book, volunteer to judge, etc.

We need you!  (Our goal is to be inclusive and not exclusive when it comes to entries.)

Announcing the launching of the Grace Awards for the Best of 2010 in Christian/Inspirational fiction, where readers pick the finalists in all categories. This contest is open to Ebook published works, small press, as well as traditional publishers of Christian, inspirational, redemptive themed, Messianic, Christian world view inspired, marriage and family friendly novels.

Check out the website for more information: Grace Awards site link

Oh, and if you want to nominate any of my 2010 books, I'll remind you of the titles. But remember, you must have read the book and say why you loved it to nominate one of them. Don't worry, the site has instructions for readers so you will have a guide to follow when writing your brief nomination. Thank you!

 

Here is the schedule for judging applications to be submitted and for entering the contest...

PROPOSED TIME TABLE:

January 21^th - Mar 15^th: Judge applications accepted

January 21^st - Mar 15^th: Nomination of novels accepted

January 21^st - Mar 30^th: The Board reviews all nominations and selects finalists

Mar 30^th - Apr 30^th: Judges read the three final books in their category and vote

May 5^th: The Board announces winners in all categories

 CRITERIA FOR JUDGES:

Prospective judges may apply by email to: graceawards@aol.com Please submit a brief synopsis or resume of your writing/publishing/editing career or credits. Email us and tell us what you're doing in the faith-based literary field. It will be your responsibility to obtain the three finalist books in your category. The Board can assist you by asking all finaling authors/publishing houses to send a free copy of their book or ebook to our judges. However, by agreeing to judge, it is ultimately your responsibility to get and read the books by the voting dead line.  

PROJECTED BOOK CATEGORIES:

·         Women's Fiction

·         Contemporary Romance/Historical Romance

·         Suspense/Thriller/Mystery/Romantic Suspense/ Detective Series 

·         Speculative (SciFi/fantasy/horror, etc.)

·         Action Adventure/Western/Historic Epic Fiction

·         Young Adult

Hey, I made the Sankofa Literary Society best books award list for 2010!

Never Without Hope was featured in Black Pearls Magazine 

for Best Books Award 2010 in the Christian Fiction category! 

(See below)

 

Best Books 2010 Christian Fiction/ Faith-based /Our Experiences

2010 Best Books by the Sankofa Literary Society

Black Pearl Soul—Christian Fiction/ Faith-based /Inspiring Experiences

Here is a link if you want to check it out. I'm #21 (wish that was my age...lol!)

Best books for 2010 - Christian fiction category

I made the Cornhusker Academy's top 9 YA fiction for 2009 list!!!

http://cornhuskeracademy.blogspot.com/2010/01/top-9-young-adult-books-of-2009.html

It's Not About Me was one of the top 4 teen books listed on this teen blog!

The Children and Teen Book Connection top books for 2009

Circle of Friends award...

A huge THANK YOU to Andrea from Pray Without Ceasing for giving me this wonderful award.

I am suppose to tell 5 things I love to do:


1) Hugging my husband and my two sons.

2) Reading a great book (especially romances).

3) Going to my church (Calvary Chapel).

4) Sitting by the fire with family.

5) Talking about the Bible with family and friends.


I'm passing this on to:

Debra Ullrick

K. Dawn Byrd

Lynn Rush

Seed Thoughts by Lauren Abbott

Heartfelt blog award!

Do you reach for a cup of cocoa or tea when you're relaxing, seeking comfort, or sharing a plate of cookies with family and friends? You know the feeling you get when you drink a yummy cup of cocoa, tea, or a hot toddy? That is what the Heartfelt Award is all about...feeling warm inside.

The Rules for the Heartfelt Award are:

1) Put the logo on your blog/post.
2) Nominate up to 9 blogs which make you feel comfy or warm inside.
3) Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4) Let them know that they have been nominated by commenting on their blog.
5) Remember to link to the person from whom you received your award.

I am nominating~

Deb Ullrick
Angie Breidenbach
Lynn Rush
Nora St. Laurent

Here are the Christy award winners!

I have to say that I totally agree with most of them.

http://ajast.com/ChristyAwards2009WinnerPR.pdf

Books I loved that made the winner's list (because they truly rocked) were:

Beyond the Night by Marlo Schalesky

Dogwood by Chris Fabry

Until We Reach Home by Lynn Austin

You can find my reviews of the above books posted on this site if you put the title of the novel in the search bar on the top left hand side of my blogger page.

Reader Choice Award Winners for 2009! I made the list!

Scroll down until you see my name in red!

Here is the list of Reader Choice Award Winners from Sormag

(Shades of Romance) 2009!


Romance Novella Of The Year

One Evening in London - Rae Lori

Romance Book Of The Year

The Last Miss Understanding - RL Taylor

Fiction Book Of The Year (TIE)

The Last Miss Understanding – R L Taylor
My Son's Wife – Shelia Lipsey

Non Fiction Book Of The Year

Surviving a Layoff - Theresa Banks

Christian Romance Book Of The Year

My Son's Wife – Shelia Lipsey

Christian Fiction Book Of The Year

My Son's Wife – Shelia Lipsey

Christian Non Fiction Book Of The Year

God's Big Idea: Reclaiming God's Original Purpose for Your Life - Myles Monroe

Self Published Fiction Book Of The Year

The Last Miss Understanding - R L Taylor

Self Published Non-Fiction Book Of The Year

Surviving a Layoff - Theresa Banks

Children/Young Adult Book Of The Year

That´s What´s Up - Paula Chase

Poetry Book Of The Year

Ramblings Through the Attic of Thought – E. Joyce Moore

Best Book Cover Of The Year

My Son's Wife - Shelia Lipsey

Author Of The Year

Shelia Lipsey

New Author Of The Year

R L Taylor

Self Published Author Of The Year

R L Taylor

Children/Young Adult Author Of The Year

Paula Chase

Poet Of The Year

E. Joyce Moore


FEATURED AUTHORS OF THE YEAR

1st Place

Michelle Sutton

2nd Place

Julie Lessman

3rd Place

Farrah Rachon

Thank you to all who took time to vote this year. We appreciate your time and vote. Please take a moment to congrat the winners.

Got an Awe-summ Queen of All Things Award!

I have been given this award from Veronica Lee. Thanks Shelly Dixon! Stop by her blog The Attic Girl.

Here are the rules:

List 7 things that make you Awe-Summ and then pass the award on to 7 bloggers you love.

Make sure to tag your recipients and let them know they have won!

Also link back to the Queen that tagged you.


Here are my 7 things that make me Awe-summ:

1. I work a zillion jobs and manage to write fiction, too.
2. I have really smart teenagers who are literally maintenance-free.
3. I love to sing on the worship team at church and never miss practice.
4. I've got five books releasing between 2008 and 2011 (so far.)
5. I write edgy fiction and people say they like it, even my wonderful husband.
6. I'm on a ton of different social media sites and still keep up on my posts.
7. I have tons of books to read and review and I enjoy helping new authors.


Now I am off to tag my gal pals!

1. Bonnie Calhoun
2. Lynn Rush
3. Tracey Keck
4. Rel Mollet
5. Joan Shoup
6. Peg Pfifer
7. Angela Breidenbach

Blessed by the Butterfly award!

My friend and former critique partner, Dawn Kinzer, nominated my blog for the Butterfly Award. Dawn is an author, a blogger, and has a wonderful singing voice. She also understands people and her heart for the Lord is inspiring. Her blog is called From Dawn Til Dusk and it's a classy blog. After all, she did interview me on it. :) Just kidding. Here is the link to her awesome blog.

http://dawnkinzer.blogspot.com/

The rules of the Butterfly award are:

1. Put the logo on your blog.

2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.

3. Nominate 10 other blogs. (I'm bending this rule and only doing three.)

4. Add links to those blogs on yours.

5. Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.

I'm pleased to nominate these awesome blogs - in no particular order. I’m also going to tell you a little bit about them. See if you can find something that will strike a chord with you!

Urban Christian Fiction Today is a blog run by my friend and fellow social worker, Rhonda McKnight Nain. She does a fabulous job promoting Christian fiction and does a lot of author interviews. She highlights African American Christian authors. You don't want to miss her posts. Everything she writes thoroughly impresses me, including her upcoming debut novel Secrets and Lies (2009)

Bibliophiles Retreat is another favorite. Melissa Meeks, AKA ForstRose is an avid blogger and book reviewer like me and she has a lot of worthy reviews posted. Check them out. Her insight will inspire you and make you want to read more Christian fiction. Plus, we have similar tastes.

God Uses Broken Vessels is my friend Angie's blog, where I am an occasional contributor. Angie is a classy woman with elegance and style. She's a very busy woman who loves the Lord and loves people and her life shows it. Her blog is always interesting and she posts about everything under the sun that she loves. She is writing a book to which I'm a contributor and her handsome sons are on my book's front cover.

Please check out my friend's blogs and tell them you found them from reading my blog. Peace!

My friend Pamela Tracy is up for the RITA. Check out her interview!

The inspirational authors who are up for the RITA award have all gotten together and are interviewing each other. If you're interesting in reading about Pam Tracy's journey, and the other 7 ladies who are up for the RITA (and their journey to publication, as related to the RITA award) then I've got a link for you. This week it's my buddy Pamela Tracy's turn to be interviewed! I'm sure she'd appreciate you dropping by :) You'll also read about Pamela's strategy for writing, so check it out!

http://ladiesofsuspense.blogspot.com/