2023 Carol Award Semi-Finalists

Congratulations to the 2023 Carol Award Semi-Finalists! Thanks so much to those who entered our contest. If you don’t see your name listed below, please know we appreciated your entry to the Carol Awards, and we hope you enter again next year! Finalists and Winners will be announced during ACFW’s national conference. Please go here for more information.

Carol Award Semi-Finalists

Contemporary
Broken – A Story of Redemption
by Jane Daly
Elk Lake Publishing
Editors: Mary Johnson and Deb Haggerty

The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell
by Kelly Flanagan
InterVarsity Press
Editor: Cindy Bunch

Like the Wind
by Robin Lee Hatcher
HarperCollins Christian Publishing
Editors: Laura Wheeler and Leslie Peterson

Breath of Heaven
by Deborah Raney
ACFW QIP (Qualified Independently Published
Editors: Tamera Alexander and Tavia Smith

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 Haggarty

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

Historical (tie for final position)
The Hidden Prince
by Tessa Afshar
Tyndale House
Editors: Stephanie Broene and Kathryn S. Olson

When Stone Wings Fly
by Karen Barnett
Kregel Publications
Editor: Janyre Tromp

The Winter Rose
by Melanie Dobson
Tyndale House
Editor: Stephanie Broene and Kathryn Olson

When the Meadow Blooms
by Ann H. Gabhart
Revell – a Division of Baker Publishing Group
Editor: Rachel McRae

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: Vicki Crumpton and Barbara Barnes

Shadows in the Mind’s Eye
by Janyre Tromp
Kregel Publications
Editors: Jean Bloom and Lindsay Danielson

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
Editors: Luke Hinrichs and Jessica Sharpe

Claiming Her Legacy
by Linda Goodnight
Love Inspired (Harlequin)
Editor: Allison Lyons

The Sisters of Sea View
by Julie Klassen
Bethany House (Baker) Publishing
Editors: Karen Schurrer and Rochelle Gloege

Beneath His Silence
by Hannah Linder
Barbour Publishing
Editors: Becky Fish and Rebecca Germany

Until Leaves Fall in Paris
by Sarah Sundin
Revell – a Division of Baker Publishing Group
Editors: Vicki Crumpton and Kristin Kornoelje

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

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Cliffhanger
by Susan Page Davis
Scrivening’s Press
Editors: Linda Fulkerson and Elena Hill

The Case of Artist’s Mistake
by Jan Drexler
ACFW QIP (Qualified Independently Published)
Editor: Beth Jamison

To Heal a Heart

by Shaen Layle
Guideposts Publications
Editors: Ellen Tarver and Sabrina Diaz

Fallout
by Carrie Stuart Parks
HarperCollins Christian Publishing
Editors: Erin Healy and Amanda Bostic

Pieces of Dark, Pieces of Light
by Linda W. Rooks
Elk Lake Publishing
Editors: Mary W. Johnson and Deb Haggerty

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
Editors: Raela Schoenherr and Luke Hinrichs

Novella
“By Far and Away” from the The Near Distant
by Brett Armstrong
Scrivenings Press
Editor: Linda Fulkerson

“The Christmas Gift” from the Christmas at the Winter Palace collection
by Kathryn Cushman
ACFW QIP (Qualified Independently Published)
Editors: Julee Schwarzburg and Carrie Padgett

“A Single Spark of Light” from the A Whisper of Peace anthology
by Sara Davison
ACFW QIP (Qualified Independently Published)
Editor: Deb Elkink

Kiss Me on Christmas
by Sarah Monzon
ACFW QIP (Qualified Independently Published)
Editor: Katie Donovan

“Not for Love” from the Lumberjacks and Ladies collection
by Naomi Musch
Barbour Publishing
Editors: Ellen Tarver and Rebecca Germany

“The Wondrous Gift” from the O Little Town collection
by Deborah Raney
Kregel Publications
Editors: Christina Tarabochia and Sarah DeMey

“While Mortal Sleeps” from the O Little Town collection
by Janyre Tromp
Kregel Publications
Editor: Christina Tarabochia

Romance
To Believe in You
by Emily Conrad
ACFW QIP (Qualified Independently Published)
Editor: Robin Patchen

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

Sea Glass Cottage
by Irene Hannon
Revell, a Division of Baker Publishing Group)
Editors: Jennifer Leep and Kristin Kornoelje

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

A Seaside Wonder

by Melissa Tagg
ACFW QIP (Qualified Independently Published)
Editor: Charlene Patterson

Love’s Fortress
by Jennifer Uhlarik
Barbour Publishing
Editors: Rebecca Germany and Ellen Tarver

Turn to Me

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

Romantic Suspense
Targeted Witness
by Jacqueline Adam
Love Inspired (Harlequin)
Editor: Emily Rodmell

Covert Danger (Guardians Unleashed #2)
by Jerusha Agen
ACFW QIP (Qualified Independently Published)
Editor: Julie Agen

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

Facing the Enemy
by Paige Edwards
Covenant Communications Inc.
Editor: Ashley Gebert

Battlefield of Deceit (Faith in the Parks, Book 5)
by J. Carol Nemeth
Winged Publications
Editors: Cynthia Hickey

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

Short Novel
Christmas at Whispering Creek
by Barbara M. Britton
White Rose Publishing (Pelican)
Editors: Fay Lamb and Nicola Martinez

Defending David
by Barbara M. Britton
Harbourlight Books (Pelican)
Editors: Fay Lamb and Nicola Martinez

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: Katie Donovan

Restoring Their Family
by Allie Pleiter
Love Inspired (Harlequin)
Editor: Melissa Endlich

The Bells of Christmas
by Amanda Tru
Olivia Kimbrell Press
Editors: Gregg Bridgeman and Allison Moore

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

Speculative
The Girl With Stars In Her Eyes
by Dawn Ford
Scrivenings Press
Editors: Erin Howard and Kaci Banks

Never Leave Me
by Jody Hedlund
Revell – a Division of Baker Publishing Group
Editors: Rachel McRae and Kristin Kornoelje

Nightfall in the Garden of Deep Time
by Tracy Higley
ACFW QIP (Qualified Independently Published)
Editor: D’Ann Mateer

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)
Editor: Lisa Laube and Steve Laube

Drawn in Ash
by John Otte
ACFW QIP (Qualified Independently Published)
Editor: Megan Gerig

Young Adult
Wishtress
by Nadine Brandex
HarperCollins Christian Publishing
Editor: Becky Monds

Addy of the Door Islands
by Judy DuCharme
Ambassador International
Editor: Katie Cruice Smith

The Wonderland Trials
by Sara Ella
Enclave Publishing (Oasis Family Media)
Editor: Steve Laube and Lisa Laube

The Star That Always Stays
by Anna Rose Johnson
Holiday House
Editor: Mora Couch

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

Reaching into Silence
by Linda Sammaritan
Winged Publications
Editors: Diane Tatum and Cynthia Hickey

Inside the Ten-Foot Line
by Lori Z. Scott
End Game Press
Editor: Hope Bolinger

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

The Star That Always Stays
by Anna Rose Johnson
Holiday House
Editor: Mora Couch

Porch Music
by Kathy Maresca
TouchPoint Press
Editor: Kelly Esparza

Pieces of Dark, Pieces of Light
by Linda W. Rooks
Elk Lake Publishing
Editors: Mary W. Johnson and Deb Haggerty