Finally, we have it – our three finalists for the Outskirts Press 2017 Best Book of the Year Award: Gramma Darling by Lissa Schroeder, When a Woman Is in Love with God by Darnelle Wilson, and The Thundering Herd by John Peltier. All three took home wins in the annual EVVY Awards, qualifying them for Outskirts Press’ top annual honors.
The rest is up to you! Public voting will determine which of the three finalists should be named the Outskirts Press 2017 Best Book of the Year award and receive the $1,500 Grand Prize that comes with it. Voting is open to everyone and will take place on this blog from Monday, Sept. 11 through Friday, Sept. 15 at noon Mountain time.
So, study your choices, order their books, visit their webpages and social media – then cast your vote September 11-15 for the book you feel deserves the honor. Here’s a recap of the finalists:
Gramma Darling
Beautifully written and stunningly illustrated, this delightful book for children, parents, and grandparents paints a nostalgic picture of unhurried summer days at a dear grandmother’s house. Seen and felt through the eyes of a child, every discovery is full of innocence and wonder; from an attic brimming with treasures to running through the fields at twilight catching fireflies. You will laugh and remember your own childhood and feel as though you are there sharing in all the small adventures of her little world; the baby birds, the gardening, the stormy days, and bedtime baths. And through it all, in the background, is Gramma Darling and her laughter. You sense the atmosphere of nurturing, protection, and worth that she provides; and far more importantly, you get a glimpse into the wisdom of a woman whose genuine genius for simply loving, inspires wholehearted lifetime devotion. It will leave you uplifted and looking for ways to spend quality time with the little ones in your own life.
About Author Lissa Schroeder
Lissa Schroeder is a gifted teacher, an engaging public speaker, and a licensed minister. She has taught all over Alaska at youth conferences, ladies’ retreats, home school workshops, and more. A born storyteller, she paints vivid emotional pictures that are inspiring and hopeful, that make your heart soar and leave you smiling. Mostly, she has raised three awesome kids, homeschooling from preschool to med school. She lives in Fairbanks, Alaska, with her husband and youngest son, where she owns and runs a curriculum supply store.
Doron Ben-Ami is a freelance illustrator, photographer, and musician, living and working in Brookfield Connecticut. He has illustrated hundreds of book covers, advertisements, posters, children’s books, and calendars. He also creates illustrations for storyboards and animatics, assisting in the production of nationally broadcast TV commercials. Most recently he has expanded his professional offerings to video and animation. When not creating visual imagery, he performs in the western Connecticut area with his jazz band, and in a duo with his daughter. He has two grown children, and lives with his wife in Brookfield, Connecticut.
Buy from Outskirts Press: https://outskirtspress.com/grammadarling/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1432784021
Watch the video:
When a Woman Is in Love with God
When a woman loves God, she tries to please Him and do His will through daily studies of the Bible. When times are difficult, she stands on His Word and promises. Her love for Him gives her the strength to weather the storms of life. She has a safe place in the Word of God. When a woman loves God, her position in Him is anointed and appointed by God. She is bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. She is neither proud nor envious in her position, and pleases God as she walks in humility. God has placed her in a position to love others, even her enemies. He has given her everything she needs. Are YOU a woman who loves God? In times of trials and tribulations, when even friends and relatives have turned on you, your love for Him will sustain you. This inspirational book will encourage you to give God your unconditional love so that He will love you right into His Kingdom.
About Author Darnelle Wilson
Dr. Darnelle Wilson has worked in the women ministry for more than 30 years and has taught many workshops on the work women have in the ministry for God. As a pastor’s wife and church leader, Dr. Wilson has been doing God’s work for many years. She is a woman who loves and puts God first in her life.
Buy from Outskirts Press: https://outskirtspress.com/whenawomanisinlovewithgod/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1478778695
Watch the video:
The Thundering Herd
These stories begin with brief family histories that bring the Peltier and the Scottish Keillor families together. John was the fifth of the twelve children that Wilburn and Barbara Peltier raised on the flat salt grass prairie of Southeast Texas. The life they created for their family on their rice farm and cattle ranch provided a fertile field for the life experiences that are shared in these settings. At the age of nineteen, naïve and fresh from the farm, John was drafted into the U.S. Army. After surviving boot camp and medical corpsman training, he found himself in Vietnam. John used his time in the military and its experiences as the backdrop to describe life growing up.
Writing this book intensified the realization of the valuable life lessons that John’s family and the farm and ranch taught him. After mustering out of the Army in January of 1969, he settled back into civilian life and finished his education. Disaster struck in August 1969 when his father suddenly died of a heart attack at the age of 54, leaving five of his siblings still at home and all without a father. He discovered the two earthy loves of his life – his wife, Janie, and the vocation of construction – at the same time and place. As a result, Janie and John have a beautiful family and a thriving business, Peltier Brothers Construction, which has provided a great livelihood not only for him and four of his brothers, but for nephews down into the next generation. Both Janie and the company taught him lessons he never expected to learn. Those stories, plus an incident with the fangs of a deadly rattlesnake and a light essay on grass and water, are included in this book.
About Author John Peltier
John E. Peltier is now retired from a successful career in construction and lives in Tomball, Texas, with his wife, Janie. He is the father of three and grandfather to eight. He still raises cattle and gives much back to his community. Sam Houston State University recognized him as one of their 2015 distinguished alumni.
Buy from Outskirts Press: https://outskirtspress.com/thethunderingherd
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/147876533X
Watch the video:
Gramma Darling by Lissa Schroeder, When a Woman Is in Love with God by Darnelle Wilson, and The Thundering Herd by John Peltier are sure to give us a tight race for the ultimate win. The winning author will receive a $1,500 credit to his or her Outskirts Press Publishing Center, plus an exclusive 2017 Best Book of the Year award seal to apply to the cover of their book.
So, come back on Monday, Sept. 11, to cast your vote!
Are you ready to publish your own award-winning book and perhaps find yourself in the running for next year’s Best Book of the Year award?
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Perhaps the “tween” novel, “Anamnesis” by J Wyant; published by Outskirts Press finished in 4th place?