2023 Carol Award Finalists

Congratulations to the 2023 ACFW Carol Award Finalists! Winners will be announced on Saturday, 8/26, during the Awards Gala at ACFW’s Conference in St. Louis.

Carol Award Finalists

Contemporary
The Bookshop of Secrets by Mollie Rushmeyer
Love Inspired (Harlequin)
Editor: Emily Rodmell

Every Day Filled with Hope by Shelia Stovall
Elk Lake Publishing
Editors: Michele Chynoweth and Deb Haggerty

The Songs That Could Have Been by Amanda Wen
Kregel Publications
Editors: Dori DeVries Harrell and Janyre Tromp

Historical
Not by Sight: a novel of the patriarchs by Elizabeth Jacobson
WordCrafts Press
Editor: Mike Parker

The Lost Melody by Joanna Davidson Politano
Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group
Editors: Barbara Barnes and Vicki Crumpton

Come Down Somewhere by Jennifer L. Wright
Tyndale House
Editor: Sarah Mason Rische

Historical Romance
The Rancher’s Want Ad Mix-Up by Megan Besing
Love Inspired (Harlequin)
Editors: Shana Asaro and Elizabeth Mazer

Written on the Wind by Elizabeth Camden
Bethany House (Baker Publishing Group)
Editors: Luke Hinrichs and Jessica Sharpe

Jeanette’s Gift by Blossom Turner
Wild Heart Books
Editors: Robin Patchen and Erin Taylor Young

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Fallout by Carrie Stuart Parks
Thomas Nelson Fiction (HarperCollins)
Editors: Amanda Bostic and Erin Healey

Off the Chain by Janice Thompson
Barbour Publishing
Editors: Rebecca Germany and JoAnne Simmons

The Souls of Lost Lake by Jaime Jo Wright
Bethany House (Baker Publishing Group)
Editors: Luke Hinrichs and Raela Schoenherr

Novella
Not for Love (from the Lumberjacks and Ladies Collection) by Naomi Musch
Barbour Publishing
Editors: Rebecca Germany and Ellen Tarver

The Wondrous Gift (from the O Little Town collection) by Deborah Raney
Kregel Publications
Editor: Christina Tarabochia

While Mortals Sleep (from the O Little Town collection) by Janyre Tromp
Kregel Publications
Editor: Christina Tarabochia

Romance
All That It Takes by Nicole Deese
Bethany House (Baker Publishing Group)
Editors: Sarah Long and Raela Schoenherr

To Win a Prince by Toni Shiloh
Bethany House (Baker Publishing Group)
Editor: Jessica Sharpe

Turn to Me by Becky Wade
Bethany House (Baker Publishing Group)
Editors: Sarah Long and Raela Schoenherr

Romantic Suspense
Honor’s Refuge by Hallee Bridgeman
Revell (A Division of Baker Publishing Group)
Editors: Vicki Crumpton and Jessica English

Word of Honor by Hallee Bridgeman
Revell (A Division of Baker Publishing Group)
Editors: Vicki Crumpton and Jessica English

Defending Honor by Kelly Underwood and Lynette Eason
Sunrise Publishing
Editors: Lynette Eason and Susan May Warren

Short Novel
Embracing His Past by Christina Miller
Love Inspired (Harlequin)
Editor: Dina Davis

Betsy: Miss Grumps Don’t Fall for Mr. Sunshines by Sarah Monzon
ACFW QIP (Qualified Independently Published)
Editor: Kate Donovan

Hunted in the Wilderness by Kellie VanHorn
Love Inspired (Harlequin)
Editor: Dina Davis

Speculative
Dream of Kings by Sharon Hinck
Enclave Publishing (Oasis Family Media)
Editor: Reagen Reed

Shadow of Honor by Ronie Kendig
Enclave Publishing (Oasis Family Media)
Editor: Reagen Reed

Aberration by Cathy McCrumb
Enclave Publishing (Oasis Family Media)
Editors: Lisa Laube and Steve Laube

Young Adult
Wishtress by Nadine Brandes
Thomas Nelson Fiction (HarperCollins)
Editor: Becky Monds

The Wonderland Trials by Sara Ella
Enclave Publishing (Oasis Family Media)
Editors: Lindsay Franklin, Lisa Laube, and Steve Laube

Zip Zilch by Paul H. Maitland
Little Roni Publishers
Editors: Stephanie Bain and Ellen Maze Sallas

Debut
The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold
Revell (A Division of Baker Publishing Group)
Editor: Rachel McRae

Counterfeit Love by Crystal Caudill
Kregel Publications
Editor: Janyre Tromp

Not by Sight: a novel of the patriarchs by Elizabeth Jacobson
WordCrafts Press
Editor: Mike Parker