Christy Awards 2026 Finalists – General Fiction + Giveaway

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 2026 finalists are books published in 2025. 

You select one of the General Fiction 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.

The Bitter End Birding Society, Amanda Cox
Revell/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780800746612

Giveaway Options: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – ebook or audible, International – ebook with a US Kindle account.

Hometown hero Ana Leigh Watkins ventures to Bitter End, Tennessee, to help her great-aunt get her house ready to sell. Bitter End seems an ironic place for Ana to refresh her weary spirit, but she’s desperate for respite from her community’s attention and unwarranted admiration. While on a hike in Roan Mountain, a ragtag group of amateur bird watchers take her under their wing–a little against her will. However, she quickly warms to these genuine souls seeking solace in the great outdoors. 

But when Ana’s adventures in Bitter End lead her to a severed branch of her family tree–one that involves the forbidden love between a moonshiner’s daughter and a preacher’s son–what began as a quest to study Appalachian birds becomes a transformative journey that binds together two women who, though they live on the same street, have been estranged for sixty years.

Immerse yourself in the lyrical prose and layered plotting of award-winning novelist Amanda Cox as she offers up an engaging story of finding belonging, reconciliation, and new beginnings in the most unexpected places.

South of Somewhere, T.I. Lowe
Tyndale House Publishers, 9798400507816

Giveaway Options: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – ebook or audible, International – ebook with a US Kindle account

When Juniper Wilder’s grief spiraled into addiction, leading first to an arrest for drunk driving, then jail and court-ordered rehab, she lost the most important thing in her her baby girl. Now, sober and on probation, Junie is determined to prove she can be the mother Fern deserves. But she’s burned a lot of bridges, ones that can’t be easily rebuilt.

Not every road is closed to her, however. Exiled to her late grandmother’s South Carolina beach house, Junie starts over, ready to pay off her debts and prove to her brother that he can safely return custody of Fern. She works hard and finds surprising grace in an eclectic recovery community. There’s an unexpected friendship, too—and maybe more—with her neighbor, Henry, a quirky college professor who helps her believe in second chances.

Still, it’s hard for Junie to imagine ever forgiving herself, let alone receiving forgiveness from those she’s hurt . . . particularly when her past rears its ugly head and threatens to undo every bit of progress she’s made.

Contemporary Southern fiction for fans of Lauren K. Denton, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Mary Kay Andrews, and Victoria Benton FrankAn inspiring and hopeful summer read featuring a sweet, opposites attract romanceContains inspirational themes of recovery from addiction, second chances, unexpected love, redemption, and found familyIncludes discussion questions for book clubs, recipes, and a playlist inspired by Junie’s story

When the Road Comes Around, Katie Powner
Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764245169

Giveaway Options: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – ebook or audible, International – ebook with a US Kindle account

In the small town of Grady, Montana, twenty-four-year-old Tad Bungley has a reputation for trouble. When he lands a job at Come Around Ranch, however, his life seems to take a positive turn. As he develops a soft spot for Sam, the ranch owner’s disabled son, and a special bond with TJ, a rescue horse with a poor reputation of his own, Tad becomes determined not to mess up this time. 

Forty-eight-year-old Anita Wilson is too young to feel so old, but rheumatoid arthritis limits her ability to work on the guest ranch she owns with her husband. It was a risk to hire Tad for the summer, but Anita is convinced he just needs a bit of grace and encouragement to find his footing. What she doesn’t anticipate is that Tad’s presence at the ranch will change everything, including her relationship with her son. And when Tad finds himself in more trouble than ever, he and Anita must learn when to hold on, when to let go, and how to embrace grace.

Set near the towering mountains of rural Montana, Katie Powner explores themes of redemption, second chances, and the true meaning of grace in this evocative contemporary novel.

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday October 10 (after 12 pm)  REMEMBER TO CHECK GIVEAWAY EDITION AVAILABILITY FOR EACH TITLE!