2018 Carol Awards - Winners Announced!

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

The Carol Awards are ACFW's recognition for the best Christian Fiction published in the prior calendar year. Winners will be announced at the annual ACFW conference held in Nashville this September.

Nominees:
Contemporary
Maybe It’s You by Candace Calvert, Tyndale House, editors Sarah Rische and Jan Stob
The Long Highway Home by Elizabeth Musser, ACFW Qualified Independently Published, editor LB Norton
A Fragile Hope by Cynthia Ruchti, Abingdon Press, editors Jamie Chavez and Ramona Richards
Winner!

Historical
Catching the Wind by Melanie Dobson, Tyndale House, editors Stephanie Broene and Sarah Rische
A Plain Leaving by Leslie Gould, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editors Dave Long and Jennifer Veilleux
Liar’s Winter by Cindy Sproles, Kregel Publications, editor Dawn Anderson
Winner!

Historical Romance
A Note Yet Unsung by Tamera Alexander, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editor Karen Schurrer
The Road to Paradise by Karen Barnett, Waterbrook/Multnomah (Random House), editor Shannon Marchese
Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editors Jessica Barnes and Dave Long
Winner!

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Four Months in Cuba by Luana Ehrlich, ACFW Qualified Independently Published, editors Pat Brown and Jodi Shumway
Ghost Heart by Lisa Harris and Lynne Gentry, ACFW Qualified Independently Published, editor Ellen Tarver
Portrait of Vengeance by Carrie Stuart Parks, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editors Amanda Bostic and Erin Healy
Winner!

Novella
Puzzle House by Lillian Duncan, Harbourlight Books (Pelican), editor Jamie West
An Awakened Heart by Jody Hedlund, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editor Dave Long
One Enchanted Noel from Enchanted: A Christmas Collection by Melissa Tagg, ACFW Qualified Independently Published, editor Terri Simmons
Winner!

Romance
A New Shade of Summer by Nicole Deese, Waterfall Press, editors Amy Hosford and Sheryl Zajechowski
Then There Was You by Kara Isaac, ACFW Qualified Independently Published, editors Iola Goulton and Halee Matthews
A Matter of Trust by Susan May Warren, Revell - A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editors Andrea Doering and Kristin Kornoelje
Winner!

Romantic Suspense
Justice Buried by Patricia Bradley, Revell - A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editors Lonnie Hull DuPont and Kristin Kornoelje
Fatal Mistake by Susan Sleeman, Faith Words (Hachette), editor Christina Boys
The House on Foster Hill by Jaime Jo Wright, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editor Raela Schoenherr
Winner!

Short Novel
Christmas at Carnton by Tamera Alexander, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editors Ami McConnell Abston and Becky Philpott
A Sweetwater River Romance by Misty M. Beller, ACFW Qualified Independently Published, editor Robin Patchen
Claiming Her Cowboy by Tina Radcliffe, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editors Melissa Endlich and Giselle Regus
Winner!

Speculative
Awakened by Morgan L. Busse, Enclave Publishing, editor Reagen Reed
Huntress by Julie Hall, Independently Published, editor Rachel Starr Thomson
King’s Blood by Jill Williamson, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editors Dave Long and Elisa Tally
Winner!

Young Adult
For Love & Honor by Jody Hedlund, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editor Sara Bierling
Playing by Heart by Carmela Martino, Vinspire Publishing, editor Dawn Carrington
Betrayal of the Band by Sarah Tipton, Watershed Books (Pelican Book Group), editor Jamie West
Winner! (Betrayal of the Band)

Debut
Freedom’s Ring by Heidi Chiavaroli, Tyndale House, editors Caleb Sjogren and Jan Stob
If We Make It Home by Christina Suzann Nelson, Kregel Publications, editor Dawn Anderson
Lady Jayne Disappears by Joanna Davidson Politano, Revell - A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editors Barbara Barnes and Vicki Crumpton
Winner!

Winners will be announced in Nashville on September 22.

Any Carol Award followers? Have you read some of the nominees?

[Beth, Head Librarian]

I honestly forget about these awards, not sure why since they are connected to AFCW, which is a big deal in Christian publishing.

I've read...
From historical: Catching the Wind - excellent book, one of my favorites.

Historical romance: A Note Yet Unsung - also an excellent read

Novella:
An Awakened Heart - Good novella, but not a favorite
One Enchanted Noel - One of my faves for sure

Romance: Then There Was You - loved this book, probably my favorite of Kara Isaac's so far

Romantic suspense: The House on Foster Hill - great debut

Short novel:
Christmas at Carnton - lovely shorter novel by this author and a great series opener

YA:
For Love and Honor - I really enjoy this series by Jody. They're light and quick reads, which fits the bill sometimes.

Debut:
Freedom's Ring
Lady Jayne Disappears

Freedom's Ring would probably be my pick, just because it was such an emotional read for me, but I did love Lady Jayne Disappears. Tough choice!

I have A Fragile Hope on my physical TBR shelf, so I think I should move it higher in the pile. I also grabbed Huntress at one point on Kindle as a freebie, not realizing that it was Christian fiction, so now I'm a little more intrigued than I was before.

Others that catch my eye are Liar's Winter, A New Shade of Summer, and If We Make It Home.

[Beth, Head Librarian]

Interesting how they have the sub-groups of historical and historical romance. I appreciate that because most readers do make a distinction between those two.

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

I agree Beth! I definitely see historical and historical romance as separate categories.

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

Here's what I've read from the Carol Award finalists...

Contemporary
This was very good. I highly recommend it.

I've enjoyed other Elizabeth Musser books but haven't read the finalist. Her Secrets of the Cross Trilogy was excellent. I haven't read anything by Candace Calvert.

Historical
I haven't read any of these, but do have Catching the Wind on my Kindle.

Historical Romance


I enjoyed A Note Yet Unsung. I've yet to read a Tamera Alexander novel I don't like. :-) The Road to Paradise was a miss for me. I hope to read Heart on the Line especially after reading the author's recent blog post about the book.

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller - LOVE how these are shown as three separate types because they are different. Often thriller isn't included. I've read:
I enjoyed this one. Love the quirky characters.

I hope to read Ghost Heart.

Novella - not a huge fan of these in general. I've read:


Romance - I've read:
Close to You is my favorite of hers, but definitely enjoyed the finalist too.

I've started the Nicole Deese series, but haven't gotten to the finalist yet.

Short Novel - wonder how this is different than novella? I've read:


Debut - a favorite category when it comes to awards. I've read:
I enjoyed them both but Lady Jayne was my favorite of the two.

I have If We Make it Home on my Kindle.

[Carolyn]

thanks for sharing these Staci. the first book in the series in the historical romance listing is on special price:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
I took up on the deal, sounds interesting thanks for suggesting these books in the Kennedy Stern Christian Suspense series. Now, to look at more of what you posted

[Loraine, CFD Momma]

Thanks for sharing these Staci. The Carol Awards are definitely not as well known as the Inspys. I looked at the list and have not read any of them but I have a couple on my Kindle and several on my TBR list.

[Andrea, Hospitality Coordinator]

I actually heard of the Carols long before I ever heard of the Inspys, but then, the Carols are associated with ACFW, which I've heard loads about in the past four or so years, since I've been editing and networking with a lot more writers during those years. It's funny how we each hear of things in different manners and paces.

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

Quick update...Carol Awards will be announced September 22.

[Charlene]

I managed to read 2 categories before the winners are announced tomorrow. Here are my thoughts:

Romance
I enjoyed this one and it’s my favourite of the season so far but out of the 3 novels nominated for this category it’s my least favourite
I enjoyed this one I liked some of the unique topics explored.
I loved this one and the one I’m rooting to win! :)


Romance Suspense
This was an ok read but I much preferred book 1.
I enjoyed this way more than I was expecting!
I loved the suspense in this novel and I am rooting for this one to win this category :).

I have also read which I enjoyed.

I have started but I won’t have them finished before tomorrow.

I’m looking forward to the announcements :)

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

Thanks for sharing your picks Charlene! The wait will soon be over.

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

The 2018 ACFW Awards Gala is available to view via YouTube. I'll be updating the winners as they are announced.

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

All categories now updated with the winners. Are there any that you are particularly pleased about? Any surprises?

Did anyone else watch the live streaming on YouTube?

[Beth, Head Librarian]

I am especially pleased about Melanie Dobson's win and Melissa Tagg's win. :) I think they deserved the win but don't have the notoriety of many of the other authors.

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

Beth, I was very glad to see Melissa Tagg's novella win as well. It was well done.

I was a bit sad for Cynthia Ruchti. Her novel A Fragile Hope was so good. Although I hadn't read the other two nominees so I can't compare them.

[Andrea, Hospitality Coordinator]

The only winner I've read is Freedom's Ring, and it fell short for me.

[Lauren]

Out of all the winners I read . I enjoyed it, but I've never been disappointed in her work.

[Hannah]

Christmas at Carnton was my favorite of the winners I have read. It deserved some prizes!