Christy Award Finalists – Historical Romance + Giveaway

What are the Christy Awards?

The Christy Award is destined to nurture creativity and quality in the writing and publishing of fiction written from a Christian worldview and showcase the diversity of genres. These 2025 finalists are books published in 2024. 

How does this Giveaway work?

You select ONE of the Historical Romance finalists you would like to receive if your name is drawn. Mention the title in a comment. If you win that’s the book that will be sent to you. Easy Peasy. Here are the finalists. (I have provided links to my reviews of the books I have read.)

IMPORTANT TO NOTE:

Giveaway details may vary with each book (print, ebook only or winner’s choice of either, plus audible options for Canadians.) Edition availability will be noted in bold after the title/author/publisher of each entry. ALSO NOTE: Giveaway is for US and Canada OR ebook international if you have US Kindle account.

As Sure as the Sea by Jamie Ogle – Tyndale House – Giveaway Options: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – ebook or audible, International – ebook with a US Kindle account.

Once she denied everything she believed in. Now she’d give anything to choose differently. But in the shadow of the Roman Empire’s persecution and the shame of her past, she fears that what she wants most will be forever out of reach.

Eastern Roman Empire, AD 310. In the shadow of Emperor Diocletian’s anti-Christian edicts, Demitria makes a meager living harvesting coral and pearls for a merchant who turns a blind eye to her faith. By night, Demi goes upriver with her brother, Theseus, to obtain provisions for fellow believers in the port city of Myra. While willing to risk her own life to ensure others are safe and fed, Demi lives with a desperate fear for those she loves and carries secret shame over her greatest failure. When Theseus is injured in a diving accident, all seems lost, until a stranger named Nikolas appears on the beach and offers help.

Arriving in a sinking boat, Nikolas is burdened by guilt over his older brother’s tragic death. Though the wealth he inherited from a prosperous shipping business now rests at the bottom of the sea, as the new pastor in Myra, he is determined to recover it and use it for good. As the violence against Christians increases, Demi helps Nikolas retrieve his lost fortune and distribute it to those in dire need.

Despite wondering if she can ever be worthy, Demi is drawn to Nikolas and longs to trust in his belief that freedom can be found in forgiveness. Then one terrifying night, everything changes as the Roman Empire’s fury rains down. Demi has no other choice but to decide if she has the courage to do what she once failed to . . . and if the faith she calls her own is sure enough to carry her.

Stand-alone Christian historical romance novel set in ancient timesFor fans of historical fiction by Francine Rivers and Tessa AfsharIncludes discussion questions for book clubs

The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple by Joanna Davidson Politano – Revell/Baker Publishing Group – Giveaway Options: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – paperback or ebook, International – ebook with a US Kindle account.

Peter Driscoll, an underground investigator to the wealthy, has never met anyone like Lily Temple. The beautiful silent-film actress spins fairy tales and plays frivolous roles in front of the cine-camera, but beneath the costumes and stage makeup is a woman with a quick wit–and a murky past.

Peter has been tasked with locating the legendary Briarwood Teardrop, an exquisite sapphire, which Lily wears beneath her gown. In order to stay close to her and hopefully unravel the mystery of her story–and the sapphire–Peter employs Lily’s help on a case, which leads to a useful partnership. But as they are investigating together, Peter is also investigating Lily. The closer he gets to the truth, the more danger they face. And the closer he gets to Lily, the clearer it is that he needs her even more than she needs him.

Award-winning author Joanna Davidson Politano whisks you away to Edwardian England in 1903 for a whimsical and layered tale that treads the crooked line between real and make-believe.

The Seaside Homecoming by Julie Klassen – Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group – Giveaway Option: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – ebook or audible, International – ebook with a US Kindle account

A surprise homecoming tests the bonds of sisterhood as a hidden past comes to light. . . .

Disgraced eldest sister Claire Summers has been living in exile as companion to a stern great-aunt in Scotland. About to lose her place and longing to be reconciled with her estranged family, Claire sees an advertisement from someone looking for a “respectable female partner” in a Sidmouth boarding house. Is it a sign? She answers the ad, hoping she has not made another reckless mistake. When she meets the handsome, secretive proprietor, she wonders what he’s hiding and if he’s any more trustworthy than the nobleman who betrayed her years ago. Claire is drawn to him even though she fears he will reject her when he discovers her genteel façade hides a less-than-respectable past. 

Meanwhile, the Summers family learns their great-aunt has died and Claire has disappeared without a word. The sisters rally together to find their lost sibling, but will their unexpected reunion heal old wounds and rekindle their bonds . . . or deepen the divide? 

Return to the picturesque Devonshire coast as the Summers sisters navigate romance, second chances, and the enduring strength of sisterhood in the face of adversity.

Walking on Hidden Wings by Rachel Scott McDaniel – Kregl Publications, Giveaway Options: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – ebook or audible, International – ebook with a US Kindle account.

“A tangled web, a sleuthing adventure, a rekindled romance . . . Walking on Hidden Wings has it all.”
–Rachel Fordham, author of The Letter Tree

Geneva Ashcroft Hayes’s marriage to a newspaper mogul might have been arranged, but the New York socialite is devastated when her husband’s plane crashes a few short months after their nuptials. When the authorities suspect murder, Geneva sets out on a wild mission to find his killer–and to prove it wasn’t her!

When mysterious notes surface pointing to Geneva’s guilt in his death, they only strengthen her resolve. She has little to go on except for a detective friend’s cryptic list of locations connected to her dead spouse. When the friend also disappears, she trades her sparkling gowns for coveralls and pilot goggles.

Armed with a new name and career as a wingwalker and barnstormer, she travels from town to town in hopes of unearthing clues and locating her missing friend. But Geneva discovers that her past may not belong to her . . . what she once believed as truth may be nothing more than lies and deception.

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday November 1 2025 (after 12 pm)  REMEMBER TO CHECK GIVEAWAY EDITION AVAILABILITY FOR EACH TITLE!

40 thoughts on “Christy Award Finalists – Historical Romance + Giveaway”

  1. Once again, I was pulled between two of the books. After more research and reading of reviews, I would be thrilled if I were the fortunate one selected to receive a copy of WALKING ON HIDDEN WINGS by Rachel Scott McDaniel.

    Thank you so much for the wonderful chance to win a copy.

    May today start you off on a fabulous new week with adventures, sunshine and many good books.

    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. My week is definitely starting out sunshine-y but dark clouds loom by the end of the week. We seem to be doing long stretches of sunny followed by long stretches of rainy days. I need to find a truly waterproof raincoat! lol Good luck, Kay!

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  5. I was going to go with Joanna’s book until I read the description of Jaime’s book…..WOW…..talk about being blown away just from the blurb alone!!! I gotta read that one now 😯 Plus she’s a new-to-me author and I really love discovering new writers 😊❤

    As Sure as the Sea by Jaime Ogle

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  6. A Seaside Homecoming by Julie Klassen. That has been a very good series. Going to check my library for a couple of other finalists that also sounded intriguing. Thanks!

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  8. I’ve read all of these except As Sure as the Sea, and I have a copy of it on my TBR list. No need to enter me in the contest. I’ve loved all the other ones–a great bunch of books!

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    1. Joanna Davidson Politano writes such unusual stories! I read Jamie Ogle’s first book — I think it was my first Net Galley audio book and my library has As Sure as the Sea so I’ll be reading it sometime in the near future too. Good luck, Elly!

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  11. Well, Fall is definitely upon us now here in Michigan. Cozy time for more reading, curled under a blanket with a cup of coffee and a candle burning (sigh)! Reader bliss! Now that The Seaview Christmas is out, I need to get caught up on the books before it, so I’m going to go with THE SEASIDE HOMECOMING.

    Alison Boss
    nj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com

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  12. Happy Monday! It rained all.day here. It was raining when i took the dog out for the first time around 6:45am, and still raining when I took her out for the last time just recently.

    I would love a copy of Walking on Hidden Wings.

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    1. It’s sunny skies here — prime ‘put the garden to bed’ weather since the marigolds and nasturtiums are finally succumbing to the frost and I don’t feel guilty yanking them out of the frozen ground now. Bwahahaha! Good luck, Patty!

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  16. Walking On Hidden Wings by Rachel Scott McDaniel! I love her books. I read The Mobsters Daughter a few years ago and it made me a permanent fan!

    sarahdar0801ATgmailDOTcom

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  18. They all sound good, I always enjoy seeing the Christy Award nominees! I’ve had The Seaside Homecoming by Julie Klassen on my TBR list the longest – so I would go with that one. 🙂

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  19. I’ve heard so much good about Rachel Scott McDaniel. I’ve not read anything by her yet, so of course I’m behind….haha, the ever-growing TBR…. I would love a chance to win this! Thank you!

    angieadams306 at gmail dot com

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