It’s almost Valentine’s Day, and you know what that means! Well, yes, it means that we’ll all probably be eating too much chocolate in the near future. But also…it’s time for the Fifth Annual Inspy Valentine’s Awards! As you may remember, I created these awards five years ago to showcase some of the fun details you may not already know about our Inspy Romance authors’ books, award-show style. So pull out your best dress (or, you know, your comfiest sweats) and prepare to walk the “read” carpet with these books!
BEST BLENDED FAMILY
Their Surprise Second Chance by Lindi Peterson
The heroine comes back to town to tell the hero he has a 24-year-old son. The hero has a 6-year-old daughter—of course, they all live happily ever after.
The Cowboy’s Christmas Reunion by Valerie Comer
The hero is the single dad of a two-year-old boy, and the heroine is the single mom of a six-year-old girl.
A Heart to Cherish by Judith McNees
Alex wants to adopt Julia’s baby before she is born because he loves her mother.
Not Until This Day by Valerie M. Bodden
Tyler’s nine-year-old twin boys and Isabel’s five-year-old daughter help him set up a sweet beach proposal.
MOST INTERESTING OCCUPATION
Kiss You Now by Jan Thompson
Priyanka Patel has many jobs, including one as a people walker. In this role, she goes to a retirement community to walk and spend time with residents who want someone from the outside to talk to.
Cadence of Cranberries by Valerie Comer
Charlie Jalonen owns a coffee roastery and several coffee trucks.
Not Until The End by Valerie M. Bodden
Owen is a skydiving instructor, so jumping out of an airplane is no big deal—it’s falling in love again that’s scary.
BEST HOLIDAY ROMANCE (NOT NECESSARILY CHRISTMAS)
Muskoka Holiday Morsels by Carolyn Miller
A short story collection featuring holiday celebrations and romance from Thanksgiving to New Year’s.
Let Me Hold You by Jan Thompson
Two best friends find themselves falling in love with each other at Christmas while seeking God’s will for their careers.
A Christmas Blessing by Judith McNees
Parker teaches Lauren to look at the heart as God sees us and gives her a new Christmas tradition along the way.
Not Until The End by Valerie M. Bodden
A sweet Thanksgiving Day proposal is followed by a Christmas wedding.
MOST EMBARRASSING MEET CUTE
Kiss Me Like You Mean It, Cowboy by Valerie Comer
Blake thinks he sees his girlfriend (from the back) in the coffee shop lineup, sneaks up to kiss her neck, and finds himself flat on his back on the floor by a jiu jitsu master who is definitely not his about-to-be-ex-girlfriend. Neither woman is amused.
A Heart to Trust by Judith McNees
Grace accuses her boss of being a stalker, but he’s just moving in across the hall.
Fire and Ice by Carolyn Miller
A sports reporter literally bumps heads with a hockey player on national TV and becomes a meme.
Not Until Someday by Valerie M. Bodden
When football player Levi meets Grace at a gas station, he offers her his number…and is instantly shot down.
MOST ROMANTIC WEDDING
Not Until Then by Valerie M. Bodden
When a snowstorm knocks out power and heat at the church, James brings the wedding—guests and all—to his bride.
His Longing Heart by Jan Thompson
A beach wedding between a struggling violinist living in poverty and a billionairess violin collector with a trust fund.
BEST DRESSED
Amethyst Attraction by Valerie Comer
Harper Satterfield brings her Atlanta chic wardrobe to small-town western Montana.
BEST ROAD TRIP/VACATION
Hometown Hero by Merrillee Whren
Hero and heroine travel to 12 cities in the US as they give away the Twelve Dogs of Christmas to deserving young people who have entered a contest.
Memories of the Heart by Valerie M. Bodden
When his wife gets amnesia, Simeon takes her on a trip to Ecuador—where they first met and fell in love.
A Jilted Bride for the Cowboy by Valerie Comer
Graham rescues a jilted bride and takes her on a two-day road trip from Chicago to western Montana where he can offer her a job and a place to live while the furor subsides (if it ever will).
BEST MATCHMAKER
Plan B by Erin Stevenson
Rosie Goldman is a senior lady who owns a Caribbean honeymoon resort with her husband, Ike. Her trademark is pink clothes and accessories and hot pink Converse. Who can she find to match at a honeymoon resort? (She also makes an appearance in the next book in the series, Home to You).
Pinky Promise by Valerie Comer
Six-year-olds Elena Bryant and Sophie Tomlinson think they’re twins because they share a birthday, and really, really want to be twins for real, whatever it takes.
Not Until Now by Valerie M. Bodden
Little Ruby is determined to make her uncle Cam fall in love with Kayla—even though the two can’t stand each other.
Not Until Then by Valerie M. Bodden
Ruby is up to her matchmaking shenanigans again, this time determined to find a match for her mom—and a dad for herself.
BEST “BAD GUY”
A Heart to Redeem by Judith McNees
Brandi’s estranged mother tells her she never wanted her when she takes her new husband to meet her and attempt a reconciliation.
A Heart to Cherish by Judith McNees
Julia’s “baby daddy” Wes is verbally abusive and kicked her out for getting pregnant.
Memories of the Heart by Valerie M. Bodden
As a Christian counselor, Simeon tries to gently correct his client Wendy when she thinks she has developed feelings for him; but she takes things too far when she tries to destroy his marriage.
And there you have it, the nominees for the Fifth Annual Inspy Valentine’s Awards. I hope you’ve found some new books here to cuddle up with for Valentine’s Day (or any day!). I’d love to hear which category drew you in most!
Valerie M. Bodden has three great loves: Jesus, her family, and books. And chocolate (okay, four great loves). She writes emotion-filled Christian fiction that weaves real-life problems, real-life people, and real-life faith. Her characters may (okay, will) experience some heartache along the way, but true to her tendencies as a hopeless romantic, she will always give them a happy ending. Valerie is living out her happily ever after in Wisconsin with her high-school-sweetheart-turned-husband and their four children. Visit her at www.valeriembodden.com to get a free story.
I’m very honored to be nominated!y heart is always with the blended families because I am part of one!
Best Blended family it’s so apt for so many families now and gives younger people families who look like theirs and that’s really important!
Good luck to all the nominees!
thanks for sharing these. ohhh more books
You left out my choice for the holidays!! Valerie Comer, Elizabeth Maddrey, and Narelle Atkins all have books that should be there that take place in Gilead and are centered around the Passion Play done there every Easter!! Those books have my votes!! Not that the books you have in that category aren’t good, it’s just Easter is rarely in books, and means so much!!! I’ve read all of your books you mentioned, and I’ve read some of the others, or have them in my TBR stack.
I love that you write about something so close to your own heart! I think blended families bring a lot of realism to fiction. And there are so many opportunities to explore both the challenges and the joys of bringing two families together.
That is so true! Blended families are very realistic–and seeing them in fiction can be a beautiful encouragement.
I’m always happy to lead readers to more books!
Oh good point, Easter books are rare and yet that holiday means so much to us as Christians. Thanks for your write-in vote for Valerie’s, Elizabeth’s, and Narelle’s books! It’s great to hear how many of the books listed here you’ve read or have on your TBR!
Good morning, wow, what great sounding books! Thank you for sharing about them. Have a great day.
I’m so glad you enjoyed reading about the books! :)
Not to forget Heather Grey/s book in the series.
These all sound great, thank you!
I loved the’Most Interesting Occupation’ category, I had never heard of a people walker!
Best road trip could include Operation Find a Guy by Amy Anguish definitely includes a road trip.
I enjoy these awards (miss the pet category maybe next year. about time someone had a pet wedding in a book. ).
Oh yes! Heather’s too!
Yes, I thought that one was interesting too! You never know what you’ll learn about from a book!
Thanks for the additions! And I’m very curious about a pet wedding–that sounds fun to read!
Most Romantic Wedding drew me in the most. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you. Fabulous authors and books.
Penny Zeller had 2 adorable dogs in her book Love in the Headlines and a wedding would have been fun. There was however a Doggy birthday party that was hilarious.
Recently on the news they showed two dogs that got married last year and showed them a year on. It was one of the ray of sunshine stories they show every night. It would have to be an excentric owner or side characters but it would be fun to read.
A doggy birthday party sounds fun–I can see all kinds of opportunities for laughs. I love the idea of an eccentric side character holding a doggy wedding… You never know where that might show up! :)
Oh, I agree! I love a romantic wedding!