The UK Christian Book Awards 2006 will be presented by Lord Trimble, the former First Minister of Northern Ireland, at this year’s National Christian Resources Exhibition at Sandown Park on 9th May.

|TOP|Three winning authors will be presented with cheques for £500, as well as being given £300-worth of books to donate to a library of their choice.

Trevor Hames of Speaking Volumes, part of the Christian Book Promotion Trust (CBPT) said, “These awards are especially significant because they highlight new Christian books written, not for high-brow academics, but for the general market.”

Three categories will make up the awards this year: General, Biography and Children/Youth. In each category, six titles have been short-listed, and these are revealed below.

The short-list was compiled from New Year’s Day until 1st April, the public voted via the web and through leaflets placed in bookshops across the UK.

Diana Home, chair of CBPT said, “The awards are an event not to be missed! I’ve always admired David - now Lord Trimble. He has so much to tell us about being a peacemaker. Having both he and Jonathan Aitken at the show - and willing to share their experiences - is a real honour.”

Immediately following the awards David Trimble and former MP Jonathan Aitkin, will take part in a 30-minute chat show.

This year’s CRE will be opened by Bible teacher, author and broadcaster Jeff Lucas, who will also be delivering keynote addresses each day of the event.

CRE tell that the event this year will see approximately 340 suppliers, charities and mission organisations unite together, with dozens of seminars and presentations taking place to help churches and individuals become more effective in their ministries.

At the 2005 event more than 11,000 people visited the exhibition. The event this year will be held at Sandown Park, Esher from 9-12 May 2006.

|AD|UK CHRISTIAN BOOK AWARDS 2006

Short-listed titles

General
Iraq: Searching for Hope by Andrew White, Published by Continuum, ISBN 0826486304
A first hand account of Iraq over recent years by an envoy for peace.

Jesus in Beijing by David Aikman, Published by Monarch Books, ISBN 1854246879
How Christianity is transforming China and changing the global balance of power.

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, Published by Monarch Books ISBN 1854246593
Set during the 1850’s gold rush in California, a farmer obeys God’s call to marry a prostitute – retelling the book of Hosea.

Red Moon Rising by Pete Greig & Dave Roberts, Published by Kingsway Communications, ISBN 1842910957
Explaining the origins and growth of the 24-7 prayer movement and its impact the world over.

Why Trust the Bible? By Amy Orr-Ewing, Published by Inter-Varsity Press ISBN 9780851119939
Convincing answers to the ten most frequently raised objections about the reliability of the bible.

The Road of Life by David Adam, Published by SPCK, ISBN 0281052174
Reflections by the vicar of Lindisfarne on the many pilgrims who have visited the holy island.


Biography
Taming the Tiger by Tony Anthony with Angela Little, Published by Authentic, ISBN 1860244815
Three times Kung Fu Champion who was visited in prison by a stranger, which transformed his life.

The Hospital by the River by Dr Catherine Hamlin with John Little, Published by Monarch Books, ISBN 1854246739
Catherine & Reg Hamlin Gynaecologists establish a midwifery school in war torn, poverty stricken Ethiopia.

The Narnian by Alan Jacobs, Published by SPCK, ISBN 0281057842
An exploration of the life and imaginations of C.S. Lewis

The Shaming of the Strong by Sarah Williams, Published by Kingsway Communications, ISBN 1842911791
The story of Sarah’s choice to carry the child in her womb who will not survive birth.

War & Grace by Don Stephens, Published by Evangelical Press, ISBN 0852345941
An insight into the influence the gospel had on the lives of 13 people who lived around WWII

Porridge & Passion by Jonathan Aitken, Published by Continuum, ISBN 0826476309
Jonathan tells more of his story from his imprisonment to release along side his spiritual and practical rebuilding of his life.


Children/Youth
The Slaves of Almus by Steve Dixon, Published by Scripture Union, ISBN 1844270858
A fantasy adventure about a runaway merchant’s son who discovers mysterious seeds that, change his life.

Bible Alive by Penny Boshoff, Published by Scripture Union, ISBN 1844270696
An informative reference explained by route maps through the bible, looking at geography and civilisations of the time.

I Wanna be a Woman of God by Beth Redman, Published by Hodder & Stoughton, ISBN 0340862262
Advice for women wanting to live life to the full whilst enjoying a deep & faithful relationship with God.

God & Me by Penny Boshoff, Published by Authentic, ISBN 1860245080
365 daily devotions and pictures to share with young children.

It’s a Boy by Alexa Tewkesbury and Steve Legg, Published by Breakout Publishing, ISBN 1904726062
Three quails discover Herod’s plot to kill the baby Jesus in this imaginative re-telling of the Christmas story.

The Lion Book of Prayers for Children by Rebecca Winter, Published by Lion Hudson, ISBN 0745948588
200 prayers, indexed for all ages of children with illustrations.