It’s February! The month of love! Well, every month around here is the month of love. But February is unique because it’s the month of the Annual Inspy Valentine’s Awards. You may recall that I created these awards a couple of years ago as a way to share some fun little tidbits about Inspy Romance authors’ books, award-show style. You can visit the First Annual Inspy Valentine’s Awards and the Second Annual Inspy Valentine’s Awards to catch up on all the fun categories there. This year, we have all new categories to keep things fresh! Without further ado, I present to you (in no particular order)…the the Third Annual Inspy Romance Awards!
BEST PET ON THE PAGE
Head Over Stilettos by Liwen Y. Ho
Gus is a drooly giant fur ball of love who plays a big part in getting Josie and Graham together.
Someone Found by Teresa Tysinger
Quinn’s dog Sarge goes to get help after she suffers a fall on the Appalachian Trail, leading our hero to find her.
Aspen Crossroads by Janine Rosche
Audrey Henburn in Aspen Crossroads.
Reuniting with the Cowboy by Shannon Taylor Vannatter
Oreo the border collie. When his owner, the hero passed out, he alerted the heroine.
Pieces of Forever by Valerie M. Bodden
Ava’s therapy dog Griffin helps her as much as he helps the children he visits in the hospital.
BEST SIBLINGS
Where the Heart Is & A Half Made Whole by K. Leah
Brexen & Bristol are twins (brother & sister) and have a very close relationship. In the first book, they graduate high school and learn to navigate college life without each other. In the second book Brexen has a life-changing accident, and his sister is the only one that’s able to pull him out of the trenches and learn how to live life again.
Blackwater Ranch series by Mandi Blake
The Harding brothers run Blackwater Ranch together.
Someplace Familiar & Say It’s For Good by Teresa Tysinger
Brothers Jack and Jasper Bowdon are not only both considered the town’s most eligible bachelors at various times; they also lift each other up with support, love, and advice when it’s needed most.
The Breakup Project & Love on Ice by Carolyn Miller
Twins Bree and Brent Karlsson are real, they care, and they get into each other’s lives (& faces!).
Not Until Someday & River Falls series by Valerie M. Bodden
Grace and her six brothers watch out for each other—and call each other out when necessary.
This Wandering Heart by Janine Rosche
Ryann and Robbie Matthews.
Spark Brothers series by Liwen Y. Ho
Five brothers who are close and supportive.
Cavanagh Cowboys Romance series by Valerie Comer
The Cavanagh brothers and stepbrothers, each with their own romance. They weren’t all friends at the beginning…
MOST INTERESTING CAREER
In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh
Brielle Adebayo was an 8th-grade civics teacher until she learns she’s a princess in line to be the queen, and ruling monarch.
A Texas Holiday Reunion by Shannon Vannatter
The heroine designs log furniture.
Cadence of Cranberries by Valerie Comer
Charlie, the hero, bought a coffee truck for his second career after decades spent in a Fortune 500 company.
Love on Ice by Carolyn Miller
Holly Travers is an Aussie short track speed skater.
Not Until Forever by Valerie M. Bodden
Spencer runs the family cherry orchard.
Romanced by the Hero by Liwen Y. Ho
She’s a romance book blogger.
Mistletoe Make-believe by Amy R. Anguish (in Candy Cane Wishes & Saltwater Dreams)
Samantha is an author. ;)
BEST SINGLE PARENT
Keeping the Cowboy by Mandi Blake
Aaron Harding is raising his five-year-old son.
Pushing Past the Pain by Milla Holt
While widower Ragnar struggles to choose the right hair products for his five-year-old mixed race daughter, a helpful stranger at the supermarket steps in with some suggestions. Turns out the lovely single mother has moved in next door.
Regaining Mercy by Carolyn Miller
Mindy Murray is a single mum of an autistic / hearing impaired boy.
All I Want by Toni Shiloh
Bishop Allen makes sure his daughter knows she’s loved, even when it means decorating all out for Christmas.
Not Until This Day by Valerie M. Bodden
Isabelle will do anything to keep her daughter safe from her abusive ex, while Tyler is raising twin boys on his own.
MOST UNUSUAL SETTING FOR A KISS
Saving Grace by Amy R. Anguish
Greg and Michelle kiss for the first time to help a team of teens in the youth group win a photo scavenger hunt—the clue was a godly couple showing affection.
The Breakup Project by Carolyn Miller
Mike Vaughan has his first kiss with Bree Karlsson (who he’s loved FOREVER) while injured with cracked ribs. Toe curls and tingles!
Aspen Crossroads by Janine Rosche
The Whisper Canyon Caverns while spelunking.
BEST DANCE SCENE
Joys of Juniper by Valerie Comer
Ava Santoro, a dance teacher, twirls into the arms of one of the kitchen helpers at her cousin’s wedding to get away from unwanted attention… and discovers an excellent dancer and kindred spirit in Seth.
Someplace Familiar by Teresa Tysinger
Jack and Livy have a hard time denying their feelings for each other any longer when they’re arm-in-arm at The Garage, the town’s popular restaurant that includes a live band on the weekends.
Pieces of Forever by Valerie M. Bodden
Joseph recreates the prom he and Ava never got to attend at his house.
BEST SILLY/PLAYFUL MOMENT
Suddenly Forever by Teresa Tysinger
Cora relentlessly teases Luke, a guy who’s been all over the world in countless adventures, when he’s unexpectedly scared on a hayride through the woods at the town’s fall festival.
Not Until Now by Valerie M. Bodden
Cam and Kayla have a frosting fight while decorating Christmas cookies.
BIGGEST SECRET
Glory Falls by Janine Rosche
Who was actually at fault for the drowning death of Blue’s toddler daughter years before.
All the Moore by Toni Shiloh
Anderson has been living behind her laptop to hide the fact that she’s in a wheelchair.
Not Until Us by Valerie M. Bodden
Jade tried to leave her bad girl past behind her, but a secret followed her to Hope Springs.
A Texas Bond by Shannon Taylor Vannatter
The hero has five-year-old, twin niece and nephew.
BEST FRIENDS
Love on Ice by Carolyn Miller
Canadian Bree Karlsson and Aussie Holly Travers, best friends since high school exchange years ago are supportive and pray for each other.
Writing Home by Amy R. Anguish
Chris and Tina have been BFFs their whole life, and Tina sets Chris up with her cousin Jordan as a penpal (with the hopes of them becoming more, obviously).
Hope Springs series by Valerie M. Bodden
This large group of friends has become a family—and they’re always willing to bring new people into the fold.
Freedom Lake series by Toni Shiloh
Jo, Michelle, and Chloe have been best friends since high school. Together they know they can handle anything, including tackling the big questions regarding faith.
I hope you enjoyed this year’s Inspy Valentine’s Awards! Thanks for letting our books walk the red carpet.
Do you enjoy watching any red carpet award shows (Oscars, Grammys, etc.)? If so, what’s your favorite part?
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.
not so much into watching award shows. Sometimes its some of the interviews that are fun to hear.
I really think we need more Cats in books to take the best pet awards. Dogs are ok but there are cats that steal scenes too.
I enjoyed the awards.
Hi Valerie! I enjoyed being part of the Third Inspy Valentine’s Awards. What a fun event with lots of inspiring romance reads. At seven decades old, I no longer seem to relate with the Red Carpet events. Because of Covid, hubby and I no longer go to movies. Haven’t watched Oscar’s or Grammy’s in years. Through Goodreads and local libraries, etc I do look at what books win awards. Thanks for a fun blog. Best wishes. Stay warm and safe this pre Valentine weekend.
That was a fun article! So many enticing books to try. I don’t really follow the Oscars or Grammys. My tastes seem to be far removed from the kinds of things that win awards!
What a great idea! Such an intriguing line up!
Hi Val! You gave me several more books I want to read with this list. I think doing this is a such a great way to introduce books to everyone. No, I never pay attention to award shows. Even back when I used to watch mainstream movies I didn’t really watch them. I guess I would rather watch a movie than pay attention to who is in them. For many years now I watch more Christian movies than anything and honestly would rather read than watch a movie. I guess I am more interested in the story than the people portraying it. I will say that with how well many of you describe scenes in your books I see the stories as a movie in my mind as I am reading it anyway. A sign of a great author!
Think of us freezing around here as you bask in the sunshine down there this Valentines Day!
I admit I don’t really watch any awards shows either. We’ll have to work on getting more cats into books! I did write one that tips over a Christmas tree–so definitely a scene stealer, lol.
I agree that it can be hard to relate to red carpet events. We haven’t been to a movie in ages, either. Honestly, I prefer to snuggle up at home with a movie–much more comfy, and you can pause whenever you want without worrying about missing anything.
So true! It seems like the movies and such that win awards are not the types of things I enjoy watching, so I don’t really pay much attention to the award shows.
Glad you enjoyed it! :)
I used to watch the Country Music awards years ago, to find out if my favorite songs/singers won. Now, I don’t watch any of the awards shows.
Hi Deb! Always happy to expand your TBR, lol! I agree that I care more about the story than about who is in a movie. And books are even better. I love watching them unfold in my mind–my favorite part is that the reader is part of creating the experience.
If it makes you feel better, it was only in the 30s here yesterday (I won’t mention that it’s supposed to get to 50 today and 70 by the end of the week, lol). Stay warm!
That would be fun if your favorites won (but probably frustrating if they didn’t!).
Hi, I have not watched any Academy Awards for a very long time. I used to love it when they were so surprised and so happy when their name was announced ! All of these books sound so, so good, more books for my TBR, which is always nice! Thank you for sharing this awesome post . Have a great weekend and stay safe.
No we don’t watch television .I read a few of the books listed as inspy valentine awards
Thank you for the book lists. I rarely watch the Award shows I anymore.
This is a fun post, Valerie. I’m glad you started the awards :)
So fun! Thanks Valerie! When I was in college, a group of friends and I used to dress up to and have an annual Oscars viewing party! Dress up, meaning, we usually went to the local thrift shop and bought crazy formal clothes from the past. We made prediction charts and gave prizes to those that guessed the most correct categories. It was so fun. But now, I haven’t watched the Oscars in a long time.
The only awards shows I enjoy now are the country music awards because I love that type of music and the shows are filled probably more with performances than with the awards!
That’s a good point–it’s fun to see people so happy to win something they’ve worked so hard at, especially when they weren’t necessarily expecting to win. Always happy to add to your TBR! :)
Glad you’ve read some of them! And if you ever run out of books to read, you know where you can find some more suggestions now! :)
That seems to be the consensus–not many people seem to watch the awards shows anymore. Glad you enjoyed the book lists!
Thanks, Shannon! I always have so much fun putting these together (and growing my own TBR in the process)!
That sounds like so much fun! My daughter is always looking at old formal clothes at thrift stores, but she doesn’t know what she would do with them–maybe this is her answer. :) I feel like the awards shows that incorporate performances have a little more of a draw than the ones that are just watching people get awards and give speeches.
Oh that would be good (need to know what the book is). My Libby thinks the tree needs lots of naps so I have to tie it down with ropes and weights to keep it standing. I got a smaller one this past Christmas because of her and it worked a bit better. Irony before Libby I haven’t had a cat that tried to attack, climb and dismantle a tree before.
Lol! Cats can be quite determined when they want to. Glad your smaller tree worked better. My book with the tree-attacking cat is Not Until Now. :)
What fabulous categories. I do not watch the award shows. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
I do not watch the award shows. What fabulous categories. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
It’s been years since I watched an awards show. The beautiful gowns always drew the eye.
Thanks, Debra! I had fun with it. :)
I agree! I think it used to be fun to see what people wore…but these days…well, there are just some dresses I’d rather not see.
We don’t watch any award shows, never really have because we don’t listen to secular music or watch a lot of TV. So we wouldn’t know anyone anyway…lol! Now years ago, we might catch some of the Country Music Awards but that was because we knew some of the singers (old time country).
I need to check out some of these books! The only one I’ve read is “Head Over Stilettos” and it is such fun read :-)
I only like to watch is a band I know is playing there
No I don’t watch it
Never been interested in anything but music award shows. Usually record them so I can only watch performances. 😁 Especially if I love to hear someone who is performing. Sometimes the groups performing together are such a surprise. And when they are awesome together, it’s the best!
Love your lists, every year! Your categories are fun and this is such a great way to learn of more authors.
It beats wind chills & actual temps in the single digits for almost every night since….I can’t even remember! For you the 20s & 30s aren’t that bad but I do feel for my friends down there who are not used to that. It is such a shock to the system, not to mention awful for the crops.
I do love the way you describe your scenes, landscapes & such in your books-one of my favorite things about your books.
This was great! And the only one I’ll watch is the Oscars. It’s a tradition to watch it till the end with my brother. :)
I am so unaware of pop culture stars too, so I wouldn’t have any idea who most of the people in awards shows were, lol. Glad you found some new books to check out! :)
That makes sense. Thanks, Amy!
Thanks for sharing, Sylvain!
True! I do feel like we’re more prepared for it than people who have lived in this climate their whole lives. Give us a few more years though, and we might be shivering too, lol!
Recording things makes it so much easier to watch just the parts you want to watch! I’m sure it’s fun when they pair up people or groups you might not expect to perform together. Glad you enjoyed the lists!
Glad you enjoyed it! And I love that you and your brother have a tradition of watching the Oscars together!
Great lists!
I don’t watch award ceremonies 🤷🏼♀️
I have no doubt you will! Within only a couple of years my daughter was starting to become far more adapted to the heat than the cold. I can’t imagine how I would ever handle the extreme heat even though I don’t enjoy winter quite like my younger years. Still, I can pile on the layers and blankets to keep me warm. I’m always the first one to complain about the heat! It gets above 60s and I am too hot…..
Thanks, Natalya! Me neither. :)