2020 INSPY Longlists Published!

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

And a new award season begins! The 2020 INSPY Longlists have just been published.

Contemporary Romance/Romantic Suspense

Practically Married (Guiding Light) by Karin Berry


After the Rain (Bling! Romance) by Brandy Bruce


Code of Valor (Revell) by Lynette Eason


Driftwod Bay (Revell) by Irene Hannon


Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe (Tyndale) by Carla Laureano


Weddings, Willows and Revised Expectations (WhiteFire Publishing) by Joy V Palmer


Sweet on You (Bethany House) by Becky Wade


Just One Kiss (Independently Published) by Courtney Walsh


Deadly Deceit (Revell) by Natalie Walters


Hearts in Harmony (Zondervan) by Beth Wiseman


Debut Fiction
Heart of a Royal (WhiteSpark Publishing) by Hannah Currie


Whose Waves These Are (Bethany House) by Amanda Dykes


You Belong with Me (Revell) by Tari Faris


The Dating Charade (Thomas Nelson) by Melissa Ferguson


Solitary Man (Ambassador International) by Eric Landfried


Above the Fold (Smitten Historical) by Rachel Scott McDaniel


The Baggage Handler (Thomas Nelson) by David Rawlings


Shadow Among Sheaves (Shiloh Run Press) by Naomi Stephens


Living Lies (Revell) by Natalie Walters


In the Shadow of Croft Towers (Thomas Nelson) by Abigail Wilson


General Fiction
A Beautiful Mess (Vivant Press) by Brenda S. Anderson


The Death of Mungo Blackwell (Lion Fiction) by Lauren H Brandenburg


Grace in Deep Waters (Links in the Chain Press) by Christine Dillon


All Manner of Things (Revell) by Susie Finkenbeiner


The Meadllion (Tyndale) by Cathy Gohlke


When I Close My Eyes (Bethany House) by Elizabeth Musser


How the Light Gets In (Tyndale) by Jolina Petersheim


The Seamstress (Tyndale) by Allison Pittman


The Printed Letter Bookshop (Thomas Nelson) by Katherine Reay


The Bright Unknown (Thomas Nelson) by Elizabeth Byler Younts


Historical Fiction

With This Pledge (Thomas Nelson) by Tamera Alexander


My Dearest Dietrich (Kregel Publications) by Amanda Barratt


My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge: Laurel's Dream (Barbour) by Pepper Basham


The King's Mercy (Waterbrook) by Lori Benton


Until the Mountains Fall (Bethany House) by Connilyn Cossette


Yours Truly, Thomas (Revell) by Rachel Fordham


A Bound Heart (Revell) by Laura Frantz


The Noble Guardian (Shiloh Run Press) by Michelle Griep


Where Dandelions Bloom (Tyndale) by Tara Johnson


Finding Lady Enderly (Revell) by Joanna Davidson Politano


Literature for Young Adults

Sand Castle Dreams (Mountain Brook Inc) by Taylor Bennett


Blaze (Illuminate YA) by Hope Bollinger

Romanov (Thomas Nelson) by Nadine Brandes


The Piper's Pursuit (Thomas Nelson) by Melanie Dickerson


The Warrior Maiden (Thomas Nelson) by Melanie Dickerson


Coral (Thomas Nelson) by Sara Ella


Evermore (Northern Lights Press) by Jody Hedlund


Within These Lines (Blink) by Stephanie Morrill


Tiger Queen (Blink) by Annie Sullivan


Extreme Blindside (Pauline Books and Media) by Leslea Wahl


Mystery and Thriller

Belinda Blake and the Wolf in Sheep's Clothing (Kensington Publishing) by Heather Day Gilbert


The Wind Will Howl (Wheelhouse Publishing) by Sibella Giorello


Storm Rising (Bethany House) by Ronie Kendig


The Killing Tide (Bethany House) by Dani Pettrey


Murder in the City of Liberty (Thomas Nelson) by Rachel McMillan


Fire Storm (Bethany House) by Nancy Mehl


Fragments of Fear (Thomas Nelson) by Carrie Stuart Parks


The Persian Gamble (Tyndale House) by Joel Rosenberg


The Curse of Misty Wayfair (Bethany House) by Jaime Jo Wright


Convergency (Shiloh Run Press) by Ginny Yttrup


Speculative Fiction

Flight of the Raven (Bethany House) by Morgan L Busse


The Story Raider (Enclave Publishing) by Lindsay A Franklin


Crown of Flames (Elk Lake Publishing) by Erica Marie Hogan


Brand of Light (Enclave Publishing) by Ronie Kendig


Synapse (Thomas Nelson) by Steven James


Remnant (Ambassador International) by Daniel Peyton


The Camera Never Lies (Thomas Nelson) by David Rawlings


Light From Distant Stars (Revell) by Shawn Smucker


The next step is for the INSPY Advisory Board to narrow these down to three novels in each category.

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

Did you nominate any novels for an INSPY? If so, did your recommendations make the long lists?

Have you read any of the long list novels? Your thoughts?

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

I nominated novels for four categories and two of my nominees made the long list.

Here's what I've read/would like to read...

Contemporary Romance/Romantic Suspense


I have on my Kindle and would like to read


Debut Fiction


I'd like to read


General Fiction


Would like to read


Historical Fiction


I'd like to read


Literature for Young Adults


Have on my Kindle and would like to read


Mystery and Thriller


Would like to read


Speculative Fiction

Would like to read


I especially look forward to hearing comments about the books I haven't read yet.

[Loraine]

I have read and . They were all wonderful. The rest of the historical fiction I have on my TBR list.

[Andrea, Hospitality Coordinator]

Here are the ones I've read. It was really fun to see two of my top three favorites from 2019 make the longlist (Finding Lady Enderly and Whose Waves These Are).

[Elizabeth]

So far I've read

I think was my favorite read last year.

[Loraine]

Elizabeth wrote: "So far I've read
[book..."

Your favorite made my 2019 favorites lists also!

[Kim]

I've read several of the books I see in Elizabeth's list, but Romanov has to be my favorite of all of those - such a great retelling of history. I read everything Morgan Busse puts out, so unique. Dani Pettrey too, pretty much everything she writes is quality and exciting.

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

Loraine wrote: "I have read and . They were all wonder..."

I enjoyed all four of those as well!

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

Andrea wrote: "Here are the ones I've read. It was really fun to see two of my top three favorites from 2019 make the longlist (Finding Lady Enderly and Whose Waves These Are).

..."

It is nice to see favorites make the long list!

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

Elizabeth wrote: "So far I've read
[book..."

Elizabeth, I love Connilyn Cossette's writing style. She brings the Bible to life.

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

Kim wrote: "I've read several of the books I see in Elizabeth's list, but Romanov has to be my favorite of all of those - such a great retelling of history. I read everything Morgan Busse puts out, so unique. ..."

I liked Romanov too. It was different than what I normally read, but engaging. I am fascinated by that time in Russian history.

[Elizabeth]

Staci wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "So far I've read
[bookcover:Roma..."

I adore her books! I'm excited to read her newest but a little sad for this series to end.

[Elizabeth]

Kim wrote: "I've read several of the books I see in Elizabeth's list, but Romanov has to be my favorite of all of those - such a great retelling of history. I read everything Morgan Busse puts out, so unique. ..."

I enjoyed Romanov. The way it stayed true to the history but was still able to tell the story was fascinating. I wish there were more historical books set in Russia.

[Chris]

Can't wait for April 30 to find out who is on the shortlist!!

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

Me too Chris! About a month away. 😀

[Christine]

I'm so glad I looked here because it just gave me a new list to read!! When I will ever find time is beyond me but am so glad to have a number of new books to read!! Thanks for the list!!

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

Christine, every year I find new to me authors to read. Hope you discover some gems.

[Shiloh]

I’ve read . I just finished two days ago! One of my favorite books ever!

[Rachel]

I've read Sweet on You , Hearts in Harmony , and With This Pledge ,

I am currently reading A Bound Heart

On my to read shelf even before seeing this list: Shadow Among Sheaves , Living Lies , The Bright Unknown ,
The Killing Tide and Fire Storm

[Caroline]

The INSPY shortlist announcement has been postponed to May 7, according to their webpage.

I was pleasantly surprised to see our 'Book Awards Specialist', Staci, as one of the judges for 'General Fiction'. What an honor to be selected to judge for INSPY! https://inspys.com/?page_id=4600

Congratulations, Staci!

[Chris]

Congratulations Staci - only 3 more days to find out the list. Yea!!

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

Thank you Caroline and Chris! I am excited and honored. I can hardly wait to find out which novels will be on the short list!!

[Christine]

I read the
Such a fun read. I am amazed I have so many books to read on this list. Hopefully I'll get to some of these this year!!

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

Wonderful Christine! Award nominees are absolutely a great place to find new authors to try.