The American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award finalists for 2020 have just been announced and I’m so thrilled for all the finalists, especially my brilliantly talented clients, Ronie Kendig, Jody Hedlund, and Susan May Warren. It’s also wonderful to see the independently published finalists growing too. Might be time to add some more books to your reading lists, friends.

How many have you read in the list of finalists?

Contemporary
The Death of Mungo Blackwell by Lauren H. Brandenburg, Lion Fiction (Monarch Publishing), editor Jessica Gladwell
On a Summer Tide by Suzanne Woods Fisher, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editors Barb Barnes and Andrea Doering
The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editors Jocelyn Bailey and Jodi Hughes

Historical
Memories of Glass by Melanie Dobson, Tyndale House, editors Stephanie Broene and Kathryn Olson
The Medallion by Cathy Gohlke, Tyndale House, editors Stephanie Broene and Sarah Rische
The Seamstress by Allison Pittman, Tyndale House, editors Jan Stob and Karen Watson

Historical Romance
A Reluctant Bride by Jody Hedlund, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editor Dave Long
A Pursuit of Home by Kristi Ann Hunter, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editors Raela Schoenherr and Jennifer Veilleux
The Sky Above Us by Sarah Sundin, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editors Vicki Crumpton and Kristin Kornoelje

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
The Gryphon Heist by James R. Hannibal, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editor Andrea Doering
Laynie Portland, Retired Spy by Vikki Kestell, ACFW QIP (Qualified Independently Published, editors Cheryl Adkins and Greg McCann
Midnight on the River Grey by Abigail Wilson, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editor Becky Monds

Novella
Always by Jody Hedlund, ACFW QIP (Qualified Independently Published), editor Leslie Peterson
The Groom She’d Thought She Left Behind from The Runaway Brides Collection by Darlene Panzera, Barbour Publishing, editors Rebecca Germany and Ellen Tarver
The Baggage Handler by David Rawlings, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editors Jean Bloom and Becky Monds

Romance
Driftwood Bay by Irene Hannon, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editors Kristin Kornoelje and Jennifer Leep
A Glitter of Gold by Liz Johnson, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editor Vicki Crumpton
Love You, Truly by Susan L. Tuttle, Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, editors Jessica Nelson and Linda Yezak

Romantic Suspense
The Killing Tide by Dani Pettrey, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editor Dave Long
Living Lies by Natalie Walters, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editors Amy Ballor and Andrea Doering
Knox by Susan May Warren, SDG Publishing, editor Barbara Curtis

Short Novel
A Rancher to Trust by Laurel Blount, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editor Connolly Bottum
The Rancher’s Unexpected Baby by Jill Lynn, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editors Shana Asaro and Dina Davis
Lioness: Mahlah’s Journey by Barbara M. Britton, Harbourlight Books (Pelican), editor Fay Lamb

Speculative
Flight of the Raven by Morgan L. Busse, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editors Dave Long and Jennifer Veilleux
The Story Raider by Lindsay A. Franklin, Enclave Publishing, editor Steve Laube
Brand of Light by Ronie Kendig, Enclave Publishing, editor Reagen Reed

Young Adult
Romanov by Nadine Brandes, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editor Becky Monds
Coral by Sara Ella, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editors Jodi Hughes and Becky Monds
Something I Am Not by Cher Gatto, Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, editors Tessa Emily Hall and Linda Yezak

Debut
A Cross to Kill by Andrew Huff, Kregel Publications, editors Dori Harrell and Janyre Tromp
Above the Fold by Rachel Scott McDaniel, Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, editors Pegg Thomas and Denise Weimer
Shadow Among Sheaves by Naomi Stephens, Shiloh Run Press – An Imprint of Barbour Publishing, Inc., editor Annie Tipton

The winners will be announced at ACFW’s online conference in September, 2020.