Forty books by 35 Mormon novelists have been nominated as finalists across eight categories for the 2014 Whitney Awards. The awards are for novels written by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during 2014.
The award for “Best Novel” is from the five adult categories, and one for “Best Youth Novel” is chosen from the three youth categories.
In the general fiction category, the finalists are “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 and “Walking on Water” by Richard Paul Evans.
Finalists for best historical novel are “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; and “Softly Falling” by Carla Kelly.
In the mystery/suspense category, the finalists are Anne Perry’s “Blood on the Water” and “Death on Black Heath”; “Drop Zone” by Traci Hunter Abramson: “Tomorrow We Spy” by Jordan McCollum; and “Wedding Cake” by Josi S. Kilpack.
Finalists in the romance category are Jennifer Moore’s “Becoming Lady Lockwood” and “Lady Emma's Campaign”; “Longing for Home: Hope Springs” by Sarah M. Eden; “Painting Kisses” by Melanie Jacobson; and McCollum’s “Spy by Night.”
For the best speculative fiction, the finalists are Mercedes M. Yardley’s “Nameless: The Darkness Comes” and “Pretty Little Dead Girls”; “The Accidental Apprentice” by Anika Arrington; “This Darkness Light” by Michaelbrent Collings; and “Words of Radiance” by Brandon Sanderson.
Finalists in the general youth category are “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; and “On the Fence” by Kasie West.
In the speculative youth category, the finalists are “Cured” by Bethany Wiggins; “Dangerous” by Shannon Hale; “Illusions of Fate” by Kiersten White; “Remake” by Ilima Todd; and “The Glass Magician” by Charlie N. Holmberg.
For the best middle grade novel, the finalists are “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; and Little’s “Time of the Fireflies.”
Five authors are eligible for the Best Novel by a New Author award and include Moore, Yardley, Finnegan, Todd and Arrington.
Members of the Whitney Academy have until April 30 to read and cast their votes.
Winners will be announced at the Whitney Awards gala and banquet on May 16 at the Provo Marriott, 101 W. 100 North, Provo, following the LDStorymakers Conferences. Recipients of the Outstanding Achievement and Lifetime Achievement Awards will also be announced. Gala tickets are available via whitneyawards.com.
The Whitney Awards were founded in 2007 by author Robinson Wells, and they are named after early LDS apostle and writer Orson F. Whitney, according to a news release.
Last year, Julianne Donaldson’s “Blackmoore” received the 2013 Whitney Award for Best Novel of the Year, and the Best Youth Novel award went to Sanderson’s “Steelheart." West took home the award for Best Novel by a New Author.
Rachel Ann Nunes was the Outstanding Achievement Winner for 2013, and Blaine M. Yorgason received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
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