This year’s list of the country’s best books includes two by Indiana authors. Snow Angel by Jamie Carie won the top honor for Best Religious Fiction and The House of Pendragon II: The Recruit by Debra A. Kemp was a finalist for Best Historical Fiction in the 2007 Best Books list by USA Book News.

“It’s just been a fairy tale,” says Carie from her home in Indianapolis, “I’m thrilled.”

Kemp, whose book is published by a small publishing company, explains she has been on a similar list before. “I was a finalist on their list for independent presses earlier this year, but this new list is a huge honor because I was being compared to every book from the major publishers.”

Carie and Kemp are no strangers. They knew each other before the awards were announced. Both are members of the Indy Writers Group, a network of writers that help support and promote each other.

“When I saw Deb’s name on that list, I thought it was surreal,” Carie explains, “I think it’s fantastic that two of the best books came from our group.”

Kemp was less surprised. “Indiana produces quality the same as New York. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or who published it. Good writing is good writing.”

Snow Angel, a romance set in the Alaskan Gold Rush, tells the story of Elizabeth, a young girl with a troubled past who sets off to find gold only to get snowed in along the way. There she meets Noah, the dreamy hero who comes to her aid when the past catches up with her.

Carie took two years writing the novel, but another eight years to get the book published. “I just kept polishing the book so when it finally got published, it was in good shape.”

The Recruit is the second book in a series with story roots in the legend of King Arthur. Kemp put her own spin on the classic tale by inventing a royal daughter. “I knew she couldn’t be a pampered princess,” explains Kemp, “so instead I made her a slave.” Lin, the long lost daughter of the king, was kidnapped as a baby by Arthur’s half sister and raised in obscurity. “In this book she has to come to terms with being a princess and decides she would rather be a knight of the round table.”

Carie is enthusiastic about the local writing community, “Indiana rocks! We’re putting out some good work right here.”

Other winners on the 2007 Best Books list include Mister B. Gone by Clive Barker, claiming the honors for the Horror category and The Secret by Rhonda Byrne winning for Self-Help and Motivation.

The complete list of winners is available online here.