From as early as I can remember, I have loved books. I still recall that long-ago Christmas morning when I opened my first present and found Treasure Island. Imagine a 10-year-old, surrounded by a landfill of gift wrap, boxes and ribbons, totally engrossed in a book, oblivious to the celebrations swirling around him.

I can’t tell you how many books I’ve read through the years, but my insatiable love for the printed page only grows with every publisher’s catalogue I receive. Some months ago, when Doug Koop asked if I was interested in the role of book reviews coordinator for ChristianWeek, I felt as if the millennial Kingdom was about to break forth. Now, in this role as book reviews coordinator, my greatest challenge is assigning all those deliciously interesting books to other reviewers. I really want to read them all myself.

Not only do I love reading, but I also enjoy writing—the chance to combine both in book reviewing is surely one of life’s great joys for me. You can imagine, then, how exciting is was to be short-listed in The Word Guild’s 2006 Canadian Christian Writing Awards gala held June 14 in Mississauga, Ontario for my review of The Drama of Scripture (Baker Academic, 2004).

My review received an award of merit (second place), and while that was an honour, perhaps the greatest thrill was to see some of Canada’s finest Christian writers gathered in one place, encouraging one another in the noble vocation of writing. Here are just a few writers who were there.

With two previously published titles—Honey, I Don’t Have a Headache Tonight and To Love, Honor, and Vacuum (Kregel Publications, 2004 and 2003 respectively)— Sheila Wray Gregoire (Belleville, Ontario) continues to produce valuable works of particular value for families seeking to honour God in all areas of life. Her latest, How Big Is Your Umbrella: Weathering the Storms of Life (Kregel, 2006), is a poignant account of personal trial and heartache with a positive, hopeful message. For a closer look at her writing, visit www.sheilawraygregoire.com.

Deborah Gyapong (Ottawa), who won the “2005 Best New Canadian Christian Author Award” for her now newly published book, The Defilers (Castle Quay Books, 2006), will surely rob you of a few hours sleep as you work your way through her first novel—a suspense-filled story set in rural Nova Scotia, involving the RCMP, clergy suspected of arson, abuse and murder and a credible rediscovery of Christian faith. One reviewer says Gyapong’s book is “mature beyond what one would expect for a first novel.” Learn more at www.thedefilers.ca.

Calgary author Judy Rushfeldt garnered a first place award with her book Making Your Dreams Your Destiny (Castle Quay Books, 2006). Billed as a “practical guide on developing a personal mission statement and crafting an individualized plan for making dreams come true,” Rushfeldt hopes to encourage women to “embrace their unique God-given purpose.” An added resource beyond the book itself is the author’s website: www.lifetoolsforwomen.com.

Walking Towards Hope (Castle Quay Books, 2005) is Paul Beckingham’s account of spiritual and physical restoration as the result of a serious accident in Kenya and took first place in the “Life Stories” category. Beckingham, assistant professor of church and mission at Carey Theological College in Vancouver, B.C., says it was God’s grace revealed in His presence, warmth and love, rather than theological arguments, that brought him through his traumatic experience.

Are you in the market for Christian living, mystery and suspense, romance, theology, history, culture or politics? Canada’s Christian writers cover it all—and with distinction. ChristianWeek readers should purchase and read Canadian Christian authors, not simply because they are Canadian, but because they are good writers with an important message.

If you want to know more about Canada’s growing band of Christian writers, contact one or both of the following Canadian-based writers, organizations: The Word Guild (www.thewordguild.com) and Inscribe Christian Writers Fellowship (www.inscribe.org).