Award Finalists!

Monday, the finalists for the Grace Awards were announced and among them were three of our own!

For best YA (Young Adult) book: Cynthia Toney's 6 DATES TO DISASTER. Here's the short version of the story:

When Wendy's family faces financial hardship, she must find a way to see Mrs. V and Sam again--but will she lose David forever in the process?

For her mom's birthday, Wendy finds an old jewelry box at a flea market--the perfect gift for someone who loves salvaged junk. Inside the box is a cryptic note that appears to have been written recently. Wendy's curiosity leads her on a search with boyfriend David at her side, eager to help. Who wrote the note, and did the intended recipient ever see it?

But Wendy needs more personal and urgent help--the financial kind. Wendy's stepfather has lost his job, and the family's plan to visit Alaska on vacation is headed down the sewer like a hard Louisiana rain. How will Wendy ever see Mrs. V or Sam again?

An opportunity arrives in the form of tutoring Melissa, one of the Sticks, and Wendy's money problems appear to be solved. Until the arrangement takes a turn that gets Wendy into trouble like never before.

In the final months of ninth grade, she might lose everything she counted on for the future.

And for best Action/Adventure book, we have a tie between:

Betty Noyes' IMPERFECT BONDS and Marji Laine's COUNTER POINT. That's going to be a hard choice for some judge! Here are the short versions for these stories:

Some bonds hold strong despite our efforts to break them.

Cassidy Cameron’s life is in a tailspin. Her estranged twin sister hates her. Her family tiptoes around her. She’s lost her driver’s license and any hope of a new job. Worse, the arrogant town deputy who stole her heart wants more than she’s willing to give … or is she the one who wants more from him? And now she’s being threatened by a pair of unsavory ruffians.

Deputy Derek Naughton is stumped and aggravated by a series of malicious pranks around the county. Add in a too-smart German shepherd and a too-sexy troublemaker who also happens to be his best friend’s little sister, and he’s ready to cry uncle.

Derek pulls out his guns instead when Cassie stumbles into a maelstrom of illegal arms deals, illicit drugs, and human trafficking.

This sizzling romantic suspense is chock full of nail-biting,
edge-of-your-seat action.

Someone is determined to finish a murdered hit man's final assignment.

Her father's gone. Her diner's closing. Her car's in the lake. Cat McPherson has nothing left to lose. Except her life. And a madman's bent on taking that away.

Her former boyfriend, Ray Alexander, returns as a hero from his foreign mission, bringing back souvenirs in the form of death-threats. When several attempts are made on Cat’s life, she must find a way to trust Ray, the man who broke her heart.

Keeping Cat safe from a fallen cartel leader might prove impossible for Ray, but after seeing his mission destroyed and several godly people killed, he knows better than to ignore the man’s threats. Cat’s resistance to his protection and the stirring of his long-denied feelings for her complicate his intentions, placing them both in a fight for their lives.

Can she survive when ultimate power wants her dead?

Find all of the finalists at Amazon and information for them at GraceAwardsdotorg.wordpress.com. Winners to be announced May 31. Which would you choose as your favorites?