2025 Carol Award Finalists

Congratulations to the 2025 ACFW Carol Award Finalists! Winners will be announced on Saturday, 9/06, during the Awards Gala at ACFW’s Conference in Springfield.

Carol Award Finalists

Contemporary
Reaching for Grace by Anna Daugherty
Black Rose Writing
Editor: Katy Schlomach

A Year in the Room by Steven Rogers
Elk Lake Publishing
Editors: Deb Haggerty and Cristel Phelps

When the Wildflowers Bloom Again by Donna Jo Stone
Independent Author
Editor: Anne Victory

Historical
Patriot at the River by Jayna Baas
Independent Author
Editor: Robert Siedenburg

Where Trees Touch the Sky by Karen Barnett
Kregel Publications
Editor: Janyre Tromp

Up From Dust by Heather Kaufman
Bethany House (Baker Publishing Group)
Editors: Rochelle Gloege and Jennifer Veilleux

Historical Romance
The Girl from the Hidden Forest by Hannah Linder
Barbour Publishing
Editor: Becky Fish

Of Love and Treason by Jamie Ogle
Tyndale House
Editors: Elizabeth Jackson and Sarah Rische

Above All Dreams by Naomi Rawlings
Independent Author
Editor: Erin Healy

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Fatal Domain by Steven James
Tyndale House
Editors: Sarah Rische and Karen Watson

When All the Birds Sing by Suzie Peace Pybus
Independent Author
Editor: Lynne Lloyd

The Burning of Rosemont Abbey by Naomi Stephens
Bethany House (Baker Publishing Group)
Editors: Luke Hinrichs and Jessica Sharpe

Novella
Downfall (from the “Cornered” novella collection) by Lynn H. Blackburn
Revell
Editors: Kelsey Bowen and Jessica English

Jingle Bell Matchmakers (from “A Match Made at Christmas”) by Lori DeJong
Scrivenings Press
Editors: Linda Fulkerson and Elena Hill

Sleigh Bells and Stalkers (from the “Christmas at Nutfield” collection by Robin Patchen
Independent Author
Editors: Ray Rhamey and Pegg Thomas

Romance
A Healing Touch by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Revell
Editor: Andrea Doering

The Heart of Sugarcreek by Serena B. Miller
Independent Author
Editor: Brenda Kallner

Cole and Laila Are Just Friends by Bethany Turner
Thomas Nelson Fiction (HarperCollins)
Editors: Leslie Peterson and Laura Wheeler

Romantic Suspense
Lethal Danger by Jerusha Agen
Independent Author
Editor: Julie Agen

Never Fall Again by Lynn H. Blackburn
Revell
Editors: Kelsey Bowen and Robin Turici

Double Take by Lynette Eason
Revell
Editors: Barb Barnes and Andrea Doering

Short Novel (4 finalists due to a tie)
Twenty-One Stones by Janice Boekhoff
Independent Author
Editor: Linda Yezak

Matchmaking the Cowboy by Emily Conrad
Independent Author
Editors: Brandi Aquino and Judy DeVries

Waiting for Gilbert by Tasha Hackett
Independent Author
Editors: Megan Schaulis and Crystal Nelson

Amish Witness to Murder by Dana R. Lynn
Love Inspired (Harlequin)
Editor: Tina James

Speculative
The Castle Rose by Tabitha Caplinger
Blue Ink Press
Editors: Christa Leonhart and Liz Sheth

Lightshed by Crystal D. Grant
Quill & Flame Publishing House
Editor: Meghan Kleinschmidt

Drawn by Light by John W. Otte
Independent Author
Editor: Megan Gerig

Young Adult
The Nightmare Virus by Nadine Brandes
Enclave Publishing (Oasis Family Media)
Editors: Sarah Grimm and Lisa Laube

Rift by Steven James
Sky Turtle Nova (Oasis Family Media)
Editor: Rebecca Reynolds

Mortal Queens by Victoria McCombs
Enclave Publishing (Oasis Family Media)
Editors: Sara Ella and Lisa Laube

Debut
When Plans Go Awry by Denise M. Colby
Scrivenings Press
Editors: Linda Fulkerson and Regina Merrick

CORE Deception by Jeremiah Friedli
Independent Author
Editors: Jon Tilton and Jeanette Windle

Protector by Megan Schaulis
White Crown Publishing
Editors: Janelle Leonard and Marisa Stokley