2016 Christian Book Award ®: Fiction Finalists

An Endless Christmas by Cynthia Ruchti

Every part of his plan has worked out perfectly. He's gathered the family to celebrate Christmas together, he's got the engagement ring, and his girlfriend is with him. When Katie tells Micah "no," will it become a recipe for disaster with too many people, too much snow to leave, and not enough room?

Based on a true story! Even though she's a nun, Katharina von Bora's desire for love and family are awakened by the teachings of a heretic monk named Martin Luther---so she seeks his help in finding a husband. But the proud Katharina and the headstrong Martin soon find themselves fighting their own battle for true love---together! 400 pages, softcover from Waterbrook.

England 1940

When Clare inherited a fifty-two-foot yacht, her life changed. One day a stranger arrived searching for some hidden documents. Now Clare pulled into an a Hitler investigation that Scotland Yard was working on. Hitler had the entire British army in retreat at the shallow beaches of Dunkirk. Churchill recruits civilian watercraft to help. Will Clare answer the call for help?

When New York Times foreign correspondent, J.B. Collins hears rumors that an al-Qaeda splinter cell - ISIS- has captured a cache of chemical weapons inside Syria, Collins knows this is a story he must pursue at all costs. Does the commander of the jihadist faction really have the weapons? If so, who is the intended target? The U.S.? Israel? Or someone else?

With tensions already high, the impending visit of the American president to the region could prove to be the spark that sets off an explosion of horrendous proportions. Knowing that terrorist forces are already trying to bring down Arab governments in the region - Iraq and Syria - can Collins uncover the truth before it's too late? Or will the terrorists succeed in setting their sights on the third target and achieving genocide?

When family tragedy derails Henry Phillips's college studies, he's left unmoored and feeling abandoned. The only things that can tamp down his grief are the family farm, his fiddle, and an unexpected friendship with sweet but unusual preteen Mayfair Hoffman.

Unfortunately, Mayfair's older sister, Margaret, despite her spray of freckles and cute, turned-up nose, has a completely different effect. His grandmother's helper, she's always around, ready to push his buttons, and it seems at first that she doesn't care about his troubles.

Henry soon realizes, though, that Margaret's facing her own struggles. Mayfair's health and unique gift sit at the heart of those worries. Henry and Margaret soon find themselves relying on each other as potential tragedy collides with growing hope in a warm story of family bonds and the surprising ways healing finds us all.