And the Whitney Award goes to . . .

Last year, Stephanie Black educated us all on The Whitney Awards--an academy that was developed to recognize excellence in literary achievement by LDS writers. The name for the Whitney Awards comes from Orson F. Whitney, who once said, "We will yet have Miltons and Shakespeares of our own."

On Saturday, March 23, 2008, the award gala was held at the CottonTree Inn in Sandy Utah. During the event, three bloggers documented the event live.

You can read about the event as it unfolded here.

The 2007 Whitney Award winners were:

Michele Paige Holmes (Counting Stars)--Best Romance
Shannon Hale (Book of a Thousand Days)--Best Speculative
Brandon Mull (Fablehaven 2)--Best Childrens/YA
Josi Kilpack (Sheep's Clothing)--Best Suspense
H.B. Moore (Out of Jerusalem, vol. 4: Land of Inheritance)--Best Historical
Jessica Day George (Dragon Slippers)--Best New Author
Coke Newell (On the Road to Heaven)--Best Novel of the Year

Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to:
Anita Stanisfield
Dean Hughes
Jennie Hansen

Most of these books (or authors) have been reviewed on this site. I've read all of the Whitney Award winning books and highly recommend each one.

Towards the Promised Land by H.B. Moore

This is the third book in H.B. Moore's Out of Jerusalem series. It was a wonderful book that gave me some real insights into what life must have been like for Nephi and his family in the wilderness. I had never realized just how long eight years in the wilderness could be. I am looking forward to getting the forth book in this series.

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Every muscle in Nephi's body tensed. Now was the time to tell his brother-regardless of Laman's certain temper. Nephi took a deep breath. "A ship," he said, almost inaudibly, then his voice gained strength. "I'm making tools to build a ship."

The ends of Laman's mustache twitched, but his eyes remained devoid of any real surprise. "You plan to fish in the deep swells?"

Exhaling, Nephi shook his head. "The Lord has commanded me to build a ship to take us to the Promised Land."

Laman stared at Nephi. "A ship to take us where?

It is time for Lehi's family to leave the place Bountiful for the Promised Land. But Nephi's older brother, Laman and Lemuel, believe they are already living in a promised land. Why should they leave their newfound abundance? Challenged with following instructions from the Lord while keeping peace within the family, Nephi forges ahead to build a ship that can cross oceans-but storms at sea are nothing compared to the turbulent relationship between Nephi and his older brothers.

With characters you will both love and loathe, H.B. Moore streams one suspenseful scene after another as she weaves well-researched facts with a wealth of imaginative detail. More than any other work of fiction, Out of Jerusalem brings the journey of the prophet Lehi's family to life in a way that will forever move your soul.

A Light In The Wilderness by H.B. Moore

I really enjoyed this second volume of the Out of Jerusalem Series. While it is historical fiction it did give some insights into what could of been happening with Lehi's family while they journeyed in the wilderness for eight years. It also helped me to realize that eight years is a long time and we really don't know much about what happened to the family in that time.

DESCRIPTION:

The exhilarating tale of Lehi and his family continues in A Light in the Wilderness, the second volume of the acclaimed Out of Jerusalem series. As they travel toward the promised land, dangers and tempests beset Lehi’s and Ishmael’s families, until the unthinkable happens: a marauding tribe abducts Lehi’s daughter, Elisheba. Nephi and his brothers vow to bring their beloved sister back safely. But as months stretch into years, can they?

Fast-paced and carefully researched, best-selling author H. B. Moore delivers a heartpounding and thought-provoking novel that is sure to delight fiction and history lovers alike.

Of Goodly Parents by H.B. Moore

This was a great book. I really enjoyed reading the story of Lehi and his family going into the wilderness in a fictional sense, with thoughts and feelings. This is the first book in the "Out of Jerusalem" series. As of now there are three books out in the series. I am looking forward to reading book two.

DESCRIPTION:

In the silence of the morning, Nephi knelt on the hard desert floor. He bowed his head and closed his eyes tightly, as if to make his prayer more sincere. "O Lord," he said, gripping his hands together, "I know my father is a righteous man. I know that Thou hast spoken to him, guided him, and protected him. Above all else, I am grateful for the safety Thou hast given our family." His voice cracked. "But, I want to know for myself, Lord. I want to feel what my father feels and to know without a doubt."

Experience a new the timeless story of Lehi and his family as you explore the complexities of human emotion. Gain new appreciation as you journey with this deeply divided clan in their courageous flight from Jerusalem toward a promised land-a land that to some seems forever out of reach. Meticulously researched and told with vivid detail and passionate energy, this sacred story brings to life the people, places, and events of the Book of Mormon.