For anyone who isn't already aware of what the Whitney Awards are all about, check out their website at www.WhitneyAwards.com
There was a lot of competition for the five finalist slots in each division this year, so these authors deserve many kudos for their accomplishment at being selected for this list.
Over the next six weeks I'll be highlighting all of these books so give you more information about them. here's the list:
Best Romance Counting the Cost by Liz Adair Illuminations of the Heart by Joyce DiPastena All the Stars in Heaven by Michele Paige Holmes Santa Maybe by Aubrey Mace Previously Engaged by Elodia Strain
Best Mystery/Suspense Lockdown by Traci Hunter Abramson Methods of Madness by Stephanie Black Murder by the Book by Betsy Brannon Green Lemon Tart by Josi Kilpack Altered State by Gregg Luke
Best Youth Fiction Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George Fablehaven IV: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary by Brandon Mull My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison Bright Blue Miracle by Becca Wilhite The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams
Best Speculative Fiction Servant of a Dark God by John Brown The Maze Runner by James Dashner Wings by Aprilynne Pike Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson I Am Not A Serial Killer by Dan Wells
Best Historical Tribunal by Sandra Grey The Undaunted by Gerald Lund Alma by H.B. Moore The Last Waltz by G.G. Vandagriff In the Company of Angels by David Farland
Best General Fiction Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford No Going Back by Jonathan Langford Gravity vs. The Girl by Riley Noehren The Route by Gale Sears Eyes Like Mine by Julie Wright
Parental Notice:
I have not read every book I'm posting about here, so I can't warn you of every possible theme that may come up in the book. Please be aware that just because a book hits the 'clean' rating (G to PG as far as sex and language) does not mean that it won't deal with serious issues like abuse or death, etc.
I will try and post a warning on any books that have violence, rape , drug abuse, or other serious issues that you need to be aware of, but there is no substitute for parental involvement in a youth's reading choices, and every child or teen is different.
If you know of an appropriate book you would like to see highlighted here, I'd be happy to do so. If you see a book I have covered that you've read and have concerns about, I'd like to know that too, so I can take appropriate actions.
Disclaimer
While I often get free books to review for my other blog, there is no expectation that I will post anything about them on this blog. There has been no renumeration of any kind for any of the books posted on this blog.