40 LDS Novels Announced as Whitney Award Finalists

Whitney Awards
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Forty novels written by 35 authors, all who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, have been nominated as finalists for the 2014 Whitney Awards.

Each year, the Whitney Awards recognize novels written by Latter-day Saints. Each novel nominated is placed into one of eight categories with the chance to win the correlated award. This year’s Whitney Awards recognize books that were written during 2014.

The following is a list of the nominees and their respective categories:

General Fiction:

“A Plentiful Rain” by Elizabeth Petty Bentley

“My Name Is Bryan” by Stacy Lynn Carroll

“Still Time” by Maria Hoagland

“The Law of Moses” by Amy Harmon

Walking on Water” by Richard Paul Evans

Historical Novel

“An Ocean atween Us” by Angela Morrison

Deadly Alliance” by A.L. Sowards

“Eve: In the Beginning” by H.B. Moore

“Gone for a Soldier” by Marsha Ward

Softly Falling” by Carla Kelly

Mystery/Suspense Novel

“Blood on the Water” by Anne Perry

“Death on Black Heath” by  Anne Perry

Drop Zone” by Traci Hunter Abramson

“Tomorrow We Spy” by Jordan McCollum

Wedding Cake” by Josi S. Kilpack

Romance Novel

Becoming Lady Lockwood” by Jennifer Moore

Lady Emma’s Campaign” by Jennifer Moore

Longing for Home: Hope Springs” by Sarah M. Eden

Painting Kisses” by Melanie Jacobson

“Spy by Night.” by Jordan McCollum

Best Speculative Fiction Novel

“Nameless: The Darkness Comes” by Mercedes M. Yardley

“Pretty Little Dead Girls” by Mercedes M. Yardley

“The Accidental Apprentice” by Anika Arrington

“This Darkness Light” by Michaelbrent Collings

Words of Radiance” by Brandon Sanderson

General Youth Novel

Death Coming up the Hill” by Chris Crowe

“Forbidden” by Kimberley Griffiths Little

“Kiss Kill Vanish” by Jessica Martinez

Not in the Script” by Amy Finnegan

“On the Fence” by Kasie West

Speculative Youth Novel

Cured” by Bethany Wiggins

Dangerous” by Shannon Hale

Illusions of Fate” by Kiersten White

Remake” by Ilima Todd

“The Glass Magician” by Charlie N. Holmberg

Best Middle Grade Novel

Almost Super” by Marion Jensen

Forbidden Flats” by Peggy Eddleman

The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place” by Julie Berry

The Shadow Throne” by Jennifer A. Nielsen

“Time of the Fireflies” by Kimberley Griffiths Little

The winner of the award for the overall best novel will be chosen from the five adult categories, and the winner for the best overall youth novel will be selected from the three youth categories. Authors Moore, Yardley, Finnegan, Todd and Arrington are new authors and are eligible to receive the Best Novel by a New Author award. 

Deseret news reports that The Whitney Academy is giving its members until April 30 to read the books and cast their votes for each category. On May 16, the winners will be announced at the Whitney Awards gala and banquet located at the Provo Marriott.

Kylie is a writer at LDS.net and graduate of BYU with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. She grew up in a Chicago suburb where she gained a passion for the Chicago Cubs. She enjoys writing and live event video production.