MINNEAPOLIS— In recognition of her vast body of work, Romantic Times has honored New York Times bestselling author Beverly Lewis with the 2009 RT BOOK REVIEWS Career Achievement Award for Inspirational Fiction.

As one of the top selling fiction authors in the inspirational market, Lewis is not only the leading author of Amish fiction, but also its pioneer: She largely developed the genre beginning with the release of her first adult novel, The Shunning, in 1997. Recent surges in both reader interest and publisher output of Amish fiction has gained national attention, garnering coverage by Time magazine, the BBC World News service, The Wall Street Journal and Nightline, among others.

The winners and nominees of the RT BOOK REVIEWS Awards are selected by the Romantic Times staff of more than 50 reviewers, who represent the readers’ voice in the women’s fiction industry. The winners will be officially honored during the 2010 RT BOOKLOVERS Convention in Columbus, OH, April 29, 2010.

“Lewis’ books in particular are an antidote to overstimulated nerves.” – TIME

Beverly Lewis, raised in Pennsylvania Amish country, is a former schoolteacher, an accomplished musician, and an award-winning author of more than eighty books, many of which have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times. Her novel The Brethren won a 2007 Christy Award for excellence in Christian fiction. Beverly and her husband, David, live in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Visit Beverly’s Web site at www.beverlylewis.com.

Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, has been publishing high quality books for 50 years. Recognized as the pioneer and leader in Christian fiction, Bethany House publishes nearly 120 titles annually in subjects including historical and contemporary fiction, Christian living, family, health, devotionals, children’s, classics, and theology. Visit www.bethanyhouse.com

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