The 2015 Christy Awards honoring and promoting excellence in Christian fiction were presented at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida, Monday evening, June 29. The gala event is now in its 15th year.

The Christy Awards (christyawards.com) featured a keynote address from InterVarsity Press fiction author, pastor, spiritual director and retreat leader Sharon Garlough Brown, with Terry Glaspey, author of more than a dozen books, emceeing the event. Glaspey has worked the last 20 years with Harvest House Publishers, where he is director of acquisitions and development.

Sigmund Brouwer's Thief of Glory (WaterBrook Multnomah) was named best Historical Romance, but also was honored as Book of the Year. Brouwer sent his remarks in acceptance, but was unable to attend because of the death of his father.

The other 2015 Christy winners are:

Contemporary: The Story Keeper by Lisa Wingate (Tyndale House Publishers)
Contemporary Romance: A Broken Kind of Beautiful by Katie Ganshert (WaterBrook Multnomah)
Contemporary Series: The Amish Blacksmith by Mindy Starns Clark and Susan Meissner (Harvest House Publishers)
First Novel: Feast for Thieves by Marcus Brotherton (RiverNorth/Moody Publishing)
Historical: The Sentinels of Andersonville by Tracy Groot (Tyndale House Publishers)
Suspense: The Color of Justice by Ace Collins (Abingdon Press)
Visionary: Once Beyond a Time by Ann Tatlock (Heritage Beacon Fiction)
Young Adult: Storm Siren by Mary Weber (Thomas Nelson)

In Mindy Starns Clark's acceptance speech, she brought her well-read classic Christy novel, from which the Christy Awards get their name. Clark dedicated her Christy Award to her mother, who gave her her first Christy.

 Carol Johnson, who launched the Christy Awards, was pleased with this year's event.

"It's hard to say this without sounding boastful, but this is my favorite event of the industry because it's such a celebration of books and authors," she said. "It's all about that."

While the authors were celebrated well, keynote speaker Brown also allowed some silent time for everyone involved in the support of an author getting a book to market to listen for the affirmation of God: "Well done, good and faithful servant."

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