Two weeks ago the Whitney committee announced this year’s finalists, and I’ve been reading like mad ever since. I am tickled that I’ve already read eight of them. I’m also excited because this year, more than any other, it’s easier for everyone to read Whitney finalists. Why? Many of them are so darn cheap on the Kindle, and eight of them are available on Kindle Unlimited. This means you can pay $10, check out your books, read them, and then unsubscribe the next month if you want to (although there’s a lot of Georgette Heyer and Dorothy Sayers on Kindle Unlimited, if you don’t feel like going to the library).
So here are this year’s adult genre finalists! I will post the youth finalists separately later this week. I’ve noted the ones that are cheaper than $5 on the Kindle, as well as ones available on Kindle Unlimited. I’ve also written a few random thoughts here and there about individual books and authors.
General Fiction
The Other Side of Quiet, by Tara C. Allred ($3.82 Kindle price)
The McCarren Collection, by Liz Adair (available on Kindle Unlimited, $4.99 Kindle Price.) Liz Adair’s Counting the Cost won Best Romance in 2009. I really enjoyed it and I’m excited to read this one.
Wreckage, by Emily Bleeker. (Available on Kindle Unlimited, $4.99 Kindle price.)
The Healer by Gregg Luke. Gregg Luke has been a Whitney finalist several times before, but usually in Mystery and Suspense, so it will be fun to see his take on contemporary non-suspense fiction.
Shattered Hearts by Stacey Lynn Carroll. ($3.99 Kindle price)
Historical
The Rules in Rome by A.L. Sowards ($4.99 Kindle price)
Light of the Candle by Carol Pratt Bradley. ($2.99 Kindle price)
A Hope Remembered by Stacy Henrie.
Doing No Harm by Carla Kelly ($3.03 Kindle) I’m a big fan of Carla Kelly–she’s won Whitney Awards in 2011, 2012, and 2014, in both Historical and Romance categories. I’m glad the Whitneys introduced me to her writing.
Bondage by H. B. Moore. This is the first in Moore’s new trilogy about Moses.
Mystery/Suspense
Played for a Fool, by Stephanie Black. Stephanie Black has won this category four times.
Lie Catchers, by Paul Bishop. ($2.99 Kindle price)
Lost King by H. B. Moore. (available on Kindle Unlimited, Kindle price $5.49) Moore’s second Whitney finalist this year.
The Angel Court Affair
by Anne Perry.
Failsafe by Traci Hunter Abramson.
Romance
Always Will by Melanie Jacobson. I’ve recommended her books to so many people. Light, fun romances.
by Josi Kilpack. Josi Kilpack’s new Regency books are terrific–her first, A Heart Revealed, received a starred review from Kirkus (that is a big deal).
Eleanor and the Iron King by Julie Daines.
Miss Burton Unmasks a Prince by Jennifer Moore.
Kisses in the Rain by Krista Lynne Jensen.
Speculative
Shadows of Self by Brandon Sanderson.
The Devil’s Only Friend by Dan Wells.
The Summer Queen by Amber Argyle. ($4.99 Kindle price)
Caretaker by Josi Russell (Available on Kindle Unlimited, $3.99 Kindle price)
Truth of Embers by Caitlyn McFarland. ($3.99 Kindle price)
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Congratulations to all the 2015 Whitney finalists! I won’t be attending the banquet this year, but I will be reading and looking up the winners as soon as I get home from my daughter’s big dance recital.
Segullah will post reviews of as many categories as possible, as well as final favorites.
Also, please check out the AML Awards Finalists here. I was hoping to see Sistering, by Jennifer Quist, and The Agitated Heart, by J. Scott Bronson, in the Whitney General category this year, so I’m glad they are being honored elsewhere.
Have you read any of the Adult category finalists? If you could choose one category to read, based on this list, which one would it be?
I don't know about Sistering, but I can tell why The Agitated Heart was not a Whitney nominee; it's too short.
If you'd like a copy so you can review it, let me know; I'll send you one. I've got a few sitting around…
Scott, I got a copy of The Agitated Heart already through my Kindle Unlimited and read it and loved it. I do wish it were long enough for the Whitneys; it's the sort of book I would love to see there.
Thank you for buying a copy and I'm glad you loved it. And, yes, it's unfortunate about the length requirement, but, stories should only be as long as they need to be, I say. Peace to you…