2026 Carol Award Finalists

Contemporary

Before I Go by Marilyn K. Blair
Independent Author
Editor – Kelly Barr

What the River Keeps by Cheryl Grey Bostrom
Tyndale House
Editors – Elizabeth Jackson and Sarah Rische

Capture the Moment by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Revell
Editor – Andrea Doering

Historical

The Fourth Magi by Bryan E. Canter
Independent Author
Editor – Ed Marlow

The Women of Oak Ridge by Michelle Shocklee
Tyndale House
Editor – Kathryn S. Olson

Last Light Over Galveston by Jennifer L. Wright
Tyndale House
Editor – Sarah Rische

Historical Romance

The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill Suntz
Tyndale House
Editor – Kathryn S. Olson

The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White
Tyndale House
Editors – Elizabeth Jackson and Kathryn S. Olson

A Song in the Dark by Kimberley Woodhouse
Bethany House (Baker Publishing Group)
Editors – Karen Ball and Jessica Sharpe

Mystery/Suspense/
Thriller

Midnight Masquerade by Elle E. Kay
Independent Author
Editor –Sarah Hamaker

Every Hour Until Then by Gabrielle Meyer
Bethany House (Baker Publishing Group)
Editors – Bethany Lenderink and Jessica Sharpe

Innocence Sold by B. F. Randall
Iron Stream Media
Editors – Suzanne Austin and Larry J. Leech II

Novella

Bible and a .44 (part of the From This Moment On collection) by Robin Lee Hatcher
Independent Author
Editor – Deborah Raney

The Christmas Book Flood by Roseanna M. White
Tyndale House
Editors – Elizabeth Jackson and Kathryn S. Olson

A Star in the West (part of the On a Midnight Clear collection) by Karen Witemeyer
Bethany House (Baker Publishing Group)
Editor – Jessica Sharpe

Romance
(4 finalists due to a tie)

Before Grace by Anna Daugherty
Black Rose Writing
Editor – Denise Harmer

Small Town Harmony by Milla Holt
Independent Author
Editor – Sara Turnquist

Hearts in Circulation by Sarah Monzon
Bethany House (Baker Publishing Group)
Editors – Jessica Sharpe and Jennifer Veilleux

Meant for Me by Betsy St. Amant
Sunrise Publishing
Editor – Susan Warren

Romantic Suspense
(4 finalists due to a tie)

Failed Protocol by Cindy Bonds
Scrivenings Press
Editors – Kaci Banks and Susie Waltner

Mistletoe and Malice by Lori DeJong
Scrivenings Press
Editors –Kaci Banks and Elena Hill

I Can’t Hear You by Vikki Kestell
Independent Author
Editors – Cheryl Adkins and Greg McCann

Protecting You by Robin Patchen
Independent Author
Editor – Ray Rhamey

Short Novel

One Nine by Sara Davison
Independent Author
Editor – Jayci Roek

To Capture a Mountain Man by Robin Lee Hatcher
Independent Author
Editor – Deborah Raney

To Reveal a Reckless Love by Robin Lee Hatcher
Independent Author
Editor – Deborah Raney

Speculative

Forever by Gina Detwiler
Ally Press
Editors – Erin Healy and Kristen Stieffel

Echo Nova by Clint Hall
Enclave Publishing (Oasis Family Media)
Editors – Lisa Laube and Sarah Grimm

Darkfell by Amanda Wright
Quill & Flame Publishing House
Editors – Brittany Eden and Jennifer Frankovic

Young Adult

Sanctified by V. Romas Burton
Quill & Flame Publishing House
Editors – Stephany Arujo and Jessica Gwyn

This Isn’t Shakespeare by Stephanie Cardel
WordCrafts Press
Editors – Janelle Leonard and Mike Parker

Truth Cursed by Angie Dickinson
Enclave Publishing (Oasis Family Media)
Editors – Avily Jerome and Lisa Laube

Debut

To Have and To Hold by Deb L. Brown
Independent Author
Editors – Cassie Mae and KaTrina Jackson

Tattooed Woman at the Well by Terri McAdoo
Redemption Press
Editor – Lesley McDaniel

The Tragedy of Oli Ricker by Phillip Snyder
Living Tome Publishing
Editors – Emily Whitten and Leilah Wright