Though Waters Roar by Lynn Austin (Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group) won a gold award in the Fiction: Religious category, while The Sacred Cipher by Terry Brennan (Kregel Publications) nabbed a silver award, and Watch Over Me by Christa Parrish (Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group) garnered a bronze award.

Secret Faith in the Public Square by Jonathan Malesic (Brazos Press/Baker Publishing Group) won a gold award in the Religion category.

A panel of judges composed of librarians and booksellers named 201 winners in 60 categories for 2009, with the titles narrowed down from 360 publishers. The winners were announced at a ceremony during Book Expo America in New York City on May 26. ForeWord characterizes itself as a publication that "reviews good books independently published."

Click here for a complete list of ForeWord Reviews' 2009 Book of the Year Awards winners.