Every year publishers are invited to submit novels written from a Christian worldview and copyrighted in the year preceding the awards. Each novel is entered in one of several genre categories and/or the first novel category. Each category of novels is then read and evaluated against a ten-point criteria by a panel of seven judges composed of librarians, reviewers, academicians, literary critics, and other qualified readers, none of whom have a direct affiliation with a publishing company. The Christy Award is designed to:
Contemporary Romance
Winner- Breach of Trust by DiAnn Mills (Tyndale House Publishers)
How Sweet It Is by Alice J. Wisler (Bethany House Publishers: a Division of Baker Publishing Group)
Stand-In Groom by Kaye Dacus (Barbour Publishing)
Contemporary Series, Sequels, and Novellas
Winner- Who Do I Talk To? by Neta Jackson (Thomas Nelson)
The Hope of Refuge by Cindy Woodsmall (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)
Daisy Chain by Mary DeMuth (Zondervan)
Contemporary Standalone
Winner- The Passion of Mary-Margaret by Lisa Samson (Thomas Nelson)
June Bug by Chris Fabry (Tyndale House Publishers)
Veiled Freedom by Jeanette Windle (Tyndale House Publishers)
First Novel
Winner- Fireflies in December by Jennifer Erin Valent (Tyndale House Publishers)
The Familiar Stranger by Christina Berry (Moody Publishers)
Scared by Tom Davis (David C. Cook)
Historical
Winner- Though Waters Roar by Lynn Austin (Bethany House Publishers: a Division of Baker Publishing Group)
A Flickering Light by Jane Kirkpatrick (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)
The Swiss Courier by Tricia Goyer & Mike Yorkey (Revell Books: a Division of Baker Publishing Group)
Historical Romance
Winner- The Silent Governessby Julie Klassen (Bethany House Publishers: a Division of Baker Publishing Group)
Beyond This Moment by Tamera Alexander (Bethany House Publishers: a Division of Baker Publishing Group)
A Bride in the Bargain by Deeanne Gist (Bethany House Publishers: a Division of Baker Publishing Group)
The Inheritance by Tamera Alexander (Thomas Nelson)
Suspense
Winner- Lost Mission by Athol Dickson (Howard Books: a Division of Simon & Schuster)
Intervention by Terri Blackstock (Zondervan)
The Night Watchman by Mark Mynheir (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)
Visionary
Winner- By Darkness Hidby Jill Williamson (Marcher Lord Press)
The Enclave by Karen Hancock (Bethany House Publishers: a Division of Baker Publishing Group)
Valley of the Shadow by Tom Pawlik (Tyndale House Publishers)
Young Adult
Winner- North! Or Be Eaten by Andrew Peterson (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)
Beautiful by Cindy Martinusen-Coloma (Thomas Nelson)
The Blue Umbrella by Mike Mason (David C. Cook)
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Beyond the Night
Finding Stefanie (Noble Legacy Series #3)
Zora and Nicky: A Novel in Black and White
CONTEMPORARY SERIES, SEQUELS, AND NOVELLAS
Sisterchicks Go Brit! (Sisterchicks Series #7)
Summer Snow
You Had Me at Good-bye (Drama Queens Series #2)
CONTEMPORARY STANDALONE
Dogwood
Embrace Me
Tuesday Night at the Blue Moon
FIRST NOVEL
Blue Hole Back Home
Rain Song
Safe at Home
HISTORICAL
Shadow of Colossus (Seven Wonders Series #1)
Until We Reach Home
Washington's Lady (Ladies of History Series #3)
HISTORICAL ROMANCE
Calico Canyon: Lassoed in Texas, Book 2 (Truly Yours Romance Club #24)
From a Distance (Timber Ridge Reflections, Book 1)
The Moon in the Mango Tree
SUSPENSE
By Reason of Insanity
The Rook (The Patrick Bowers Files, Book 2)
Winter Haven
VISIONARY
The Battle for Vast Dominion (Trophy Chase Trilogy)
Shade
Vanish
YOUNG ADULT
The Fruit of My Lipstick (All About Us Series, Book 2)
I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires (Civil War Series #2)
On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness: Adventure. Peril. Lost Jewels. And the Fearsome Toothy Cows of Skree. (The Wingfeather Saga)
2007 Winners
Contemporary – Stand-Alone: Winter Birds by Jamie Langston Turner (Bethany House Publishers)
Contemporary - Series: The Brethren by Beverly Lewis (Bethany House Publishers)
Lits: Sisterchicks in Gondolas by Robin Jones Gunn (Multnomah)
Historical: Madman by Tracy Groot (Moody Press)
Romance: The Measure of a Lady by Deeanne Gist (Bethany House Publishers)
Suspense: Plague Maker by Tim Downs (Thomas Nelson)
First Novel: Where Mercy Flows by Karen Harter (Center Street)
Young Adult: William Henry Is a Fine Name by Cathy Gohlke (Moody Press)
2006 Winners
• Contemporary – Stand-Alone: Levi's Will by W. Dale Cramer (Bethany House Publishers)
• Contemporary - Sequels: The Road Home by Vanessa Del Fabbro (Steeple Hill)
• Historical: Whence Came a Prince by Liz Curtis Higgs (WaterBrook Press)
• Romance: A Bride Most Begrudging by Deeanne Gist (Bethany House Publishers)
• Suspense: River Rising by Athol Dickson (Bethany House Publishers)
• Visionary: Shadow Over Kiriath by Karen Hancock (Bethany House Publishers)
• First Novel: This Heavy Silence by Nicole Mazzarella (Paraclete Press)
2005 Winners
General: Bad Ground by W. Dale Cramer (Bethany House Publishers)
First Novel: The Mending String by Cliff Coon (Moody Publishers)
Historical: King’s Ransom by Jan Beazely/Thom Lemmons (WaterBrook Press)
Romance: Secrets by Kristen Heitzmann (Bethany House Publishers)
Suspense: Tiger in the Shadows by Debbie Wilson (Kregel)
Visionary: The Shadow Within by Karen Hancock (Bethany House Publishers)
2004 Winners
Contemporary: Songbird by Lisa Samson (Warner Faith)
First Novel: Welcome to Fred by Brad Whittington (Broadman & Holman Publishers)
Historical: Fire by Night by Lynn Austin (Bethany House Publishers)
Romance: Hideaway by Hannah Alexander (Steeple Hill Books)
Suspense: Thr3e by Ted Dekker (WestBow Press)
Fantasy: The Light of Eidon by Karen Hancock (Bethany House Publishers)
Futuristic: Soon by Jerry B. Jenkins (Tyndale House Publishers)
2003 Winners
Allegory: Arena by Karen Hancock (Bethany House Publishers)
Contemporary: All the Way Home by Ann Tatlock (Bethany House Publishers)
Futuristic: Time Lottery by Nancy Moser (Barbour Publishing)
International Historical: His Watchful Eye by Jack Cavanaugh (Bethany House Publishers)
North American Historical: Candle in the Darkness by Lynn Austin (Bethany House Publishers)
Romance: True Honor by Dee Henderson (Multnomah Publishers)
Suspense: Directed Verdict by Randy Singer (WaterBrook Press)
Western: Toward a New Beginning by R. William Rogers (Longwood Communications)
First Novel: A Place Called Wiregrass by Michael Morris (RiverOak Publishing)
2002 Winners
• Contemporary: A Garden to Keep by Jamie Langston Turner (Bethany House Publishers)
• Futuristic: Oxygen by Randall Ingermanson and John Olson (Bethany House Publishers)
• International Historical: While Mortals Sleep by Jack Cavanaugh (Bethany House Publishers)
• North American Historical: Hidden Places by Lynn Austin (Bethany House Publishers)
• Romance: The Guardian by Dee Henderson (Multnomah Publishers)
• Suspense: Drummer in the Dark by T. Davis Bunn (WaterBrook Press)
• Western: The Long Trail Home by Stephen Bly (Broadman & Holman Publishers)
• First Novel: Ezekiel’s Shadow by David Long (Bethany House Publishers)
2001 Winners
Contemporary: Home to Harmony by Philip Gulley (Multnomah Publishers) tied with The Trial by Robert Whitlow (Word Publishing)
Futuristic: Transgression by Randall Ingermanson (Harvest House Publishers)
International Historical: Unashamed by Francine Rivers (Tyndale House Publishers)
North American Historical: Edge of Honor by Gilbert Morris (Zondervan Publishing House) tied with Reaping the Whirlwind by Rosey Dow (Winepress Publishing)
Romance: A Touch of Betrayal by Catherine Palmer (Tyndale House Publishers)
Suspense: The Great Divide by T. Davis Bunn (WaterBrook Press)
First Novel: Passing by Samaria by Sharon Ewell Foster (Multnomah Publishers)