Back in the Saddle with Some Hot Summer Reads

Carol Award nominee list makes for great summer read must-haves!

It's been a little quiet around here, eh? That's what happens when I go tromping around the world. But here I am, readerly friends, in all my freakish glory. Back to the ol' routine of 3 posts a week, and to kick it off, here is a fantastic list for you to stock up on some summer reads.

Each year the American Christian Fiction Writers association hosts a contest to award great writing in Christian fiction. The nominations just came out this weekend, and whoa baby, there are some stelar reads on the list. If you're in need of a new book to toss into your beach bag, I suggest you pick up one of these.

Contemporary
Maybe It’s You by Candace Calvert
The Long Highway Home by Elizabeth Musser
A Fragile Hope by Cynthia Ruchti

Historical
Catching the Wind by Melanie Dobson
A Plain Leaving by Leslie Gould
Liar’s Winter by Cindy Sproles

Historical Romance
A Note Yet Unsung by Tamera Alexander
The Road to Paradise by Karen Barnett
Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Four Months in Cuba by Luana Ehrlich
Ghost Heart by Lisa Harris and Lynne Gentry
Portrait of Vengeance by Carrie Stuart Parks

Novella
Puzzle House by Lillian Duncan
An Awakened Heart by Jody Hedlund
One Enchanted Noel from Enchanted: A Christmas Collection by Melissa Tagg

Romance
A New Shade of Summer by Nicole Deese
Then There Was You by Kara Isaac
A Matter of Trust by Susan May Warren

Romantic Suspense
Justice Buried by Patricia Bradley
Fatal Mistake by Susan Sleeman
The House on Foster Hill by Jaime Jo Wright

Short Novel
Christmas at Carnton by Tamera Alexander
A Sweetwater River Romance by Misty M. Beller
Claiming Her Cowboy by Tina Radcliffe

Speculative
Awakened by Morgan L. Busse
Huntress by Julie Hall
King’s Blood by Jill Williamson

Young Adult
For Love & Honor by Jody Hedlund
Playing by Heart by Carmela Martino
Betrayal of the Band by Sarah Tipton

Debut
Freedom’s Ring by Heidi Chiavaroli
If We Make It Home by Christina Suzann Nelson
Lady Jayne Disappears by Joanna Davidson Politano