2012 ACFW Carol Award Finalists Announced

This was announced this morning at the International Christian Retail Show in Orlando, Florida. And then posted on the ACFW e-loops and website (www.acfw.com).

Please join me in congratulating the finalists of the 2012 Carol Awards.

Winners will be announced Saturday, September 22, 2012, at the ACFW Awards
Gala.



Debut Novel:
Fairer Than Morning  by Rosslyn Elliott (Thomas Nelson – Ami McConnell,
Editor)
The Loom by Shella Gillus (Guideposts – Beth Adams, Editor)
Give the Lady a Ride by Linda W. Yezak (Sky Sail [Port Yonder Press] –
Chila Woychik, Editor)


Long Contemporary:
Lost Melody by Lori Copeland/Virginia Smith (Zondervan – Sue Brower,
Editor)
The Search by Suzanne Woods Fisher (Revell – Andrea Doering, Editor)
Larkspur Cove by Lisa Wingate (Bethany House Publishers – Sarah Long/Dave
Long, Editors)


Long Contemporary Romance:
Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones (Thomas Nelson – Jamie Chavez/Natalie
Hanemann, Editors)
Lilly's Wedding Quilt by Kelly M. Long (Thomas Nelson – Natalie Hanemann,
Editor)
My Foolish Heart by Susan May Warren (Tyndale – Karen Watson, Editor)


Long Historical:
Captive Trail by Susan Page Davis (Moody Publishers/River North – Deborah
Keiser, Editor)
Fairer Than Morning by Rosslyn Elliott (Thomas Nelson – Ami McConnell,
Editor)
Mine Is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs (WaterBrook Press – Laura Barker,
Editor)


Long Historical Romance:
The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen (Bethany House Publishers –
Karen Schurrer, Editor)
Lilies in Moonlight by Allison Pittman (Multnomah Publishers – Alice
Crider, Editor)
To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer (Bethany House Publishers – Karen
Schurrer, Editor)


Mystery:
Falling to Pieces: A Shipshewana Amish Mystery by Vannetta Chapman
(Zondervan – Sue Brower, Editor)
Died in the Wool by Elizabeth Ludwig/Janelle Mowery (Barbour Publishing –
Rebecca Germany, Editor)
Yesterday's Secrets by Kelly Ann Riley (Guideposts – Beth Adams, Editor)


Novellas:
An Accidental Christmas from A Biltmore Christmas by Diane T.
Ashley/Aaron McCarver (Barbour Publishing – Rebecca Germany, Editor)
Reese: All Along  from Smitten by Denise Hunter (Thomas Nelson – Ami
McConnell/LR Norton, Editors)
A Star in the Night from A Log Cabin Christmas by Liz Johnson (Barbour
Publishing – Rebecca Germany, Editor)


Romantic Suspense:
Lonestar Angel by Colleen Coble (Thomas Nelson – Ami McConnell, Editor)
Deadly Pursuit by Irene Hannon (Revell – Jennifer Leep, Editor)
Wolfsbane by Ronie Kendig (Barbour Publishing – Rebecca Germany/Julee
Schwarzburg, Editor)


Short Contemporary:The Protector by Shelley Shepard Gray (Avon Inspire/Harper Collins –
Cindy DiTiberio)
Lakeside Reunion by Lisa Jordan (Love Inspired – Melissa Endlich, Editor)
Oklahoma Reunion by Tina Radcliffe (Love Inspired – Melissa Endlich,
Editor)


Short Contemporary Suspense:
Double Identity by Diane Burke (Love Inspired Suspense – Sarah
McDaniel-Dyer, Editor)
Nightwatch by Valerie Hansen (Love Inspired Suspense – Melissa Endlich,
Editor)
A Deadly Game by Virginia Smith (Love Inspired Suspense – Tina James,
Editor)


Short Historical (four finalists due to a tie):
Promise of Time by S. Dionne Moore (Heartsong Presents – JoAnne Simmons,
Editor)
Revealing Fire by Connie Stevens (Heartsong Presents – Rebecca Germany,
Editor)
Light to My Path by Erica Vetsch (Heartsong Presents – JoAnne Simmons,
Editor)
The Deepest Waters by Dan Walsh (Revell – Andrea Doering, Editor)


Speculative Fiction:
The Story in the Stars by Yvonne Anderson (Risen Books – Reagan Reed,
Editor)
The Chair by James L. Rubart (B & H Fiction – Julee Schwarzburg, Editor)
Broken Sight by Steve Rzasa (Marcher Lord Press – Jeff Gerke, Editor)


Suspense/Thriller:
Over the Edge by Brandilyn Collins (B & H Fiction – Karen Ball, Editor)
Fallen Angel by Major Jeff Struecker/Alton Gansky (B & H Fiction – Julie
Gwinn, Editor)
Freedom's Stand by Jeanette (J.M.) Windle (Tyndale – Jan Stob, Editor)


Women’s Fiction:
A Sound Among the Trees by Susan Meissner (WaterBrook Press – Shannon
Marchese, Editor)
When Sparrows Fall by Meg Moseley (Multnomah Publishers – Jessica
Barnes/Shannon Marchese, Editors)
Dandelion Summer by Lisa Wingate (Penguin Praise/Berkley – Ellen Edwards,
Editor)


Young Adult:
Wreath by Judy Christie (Barbour Publishing – Rebecca Germany/Jamie
Chavez, Editors)
The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson (Zondervan – Jacque Alberta,
Editor)
There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones (Thomas Nelson – Natalie
Hanemann/Becky Monds/Jamie Chavez, Editors)

2011 Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award Finalists

2011 Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award Finalists
Women’s Fiction
The House on Sugar Plum Lane by Judy Duarte (Kensington)

Chasing Lilacs by Carla Stewart (FaithWords)

Plain Paradise by Beth Wiseman (Thomas Nelson)


Long Contemporary
Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes (Tyndale)

The Six-Liter Club by Harry Kraus (Howard)

Long Finds You in Sugarcreek, Ohio by Serena Miller (Summerside)


Short Contemporary
Tender Mercies by Mary Manners (White Rose)

White Roses by Shannon Taylor Vannatter (Barbour)

Rodeo Redemption by Teri Wilson (White Rose)


Long Historical

The Preacher’s Bride by Jody Hedlund (Bethany House)

Abbie Ann by Sharlene MacLaren (Whitaker House)

A Memory Between Us by Sarah Sundin (Revell)


Short Historical

Walker’s Wedding by Lori Copeland (Harvest)

The Substitute Bride by Janet Dean (Steeple Hill)

A Matter of Character by Robin Lee Hatcher (Zondervan)


Romantic Suspense
Too Close to Home by Lynette Eason (Revell)

Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze (Waterbrook)

Nightshade by Ronie Kendig (Barbour)


Novella

The Snowflake by Jamie Carrie (Broadman and Holman)

Once Upon a Christmas Eve by Anita Higman (Summerside)

A Bodine Family Christmas by Marta Perry (Steeple Hill)

2010 Genesis Finalists

The Genesis contest is sponsored by ACFW for unpublished writers. The finalists were announced earlier in the month, and the winners of each category will be announced at the awards banquet in September. (During the annual conference held this year in Indianapolis.)

CONTEMPORARY FICTION:
(total entries: 47)

Cindy  Hays
Lynnette P. Horner
Chris Kraft
Mark Lundgren
Christina S. Nelson

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE:
(total entries: 63)

Jeannie Campbell
Sarah Forgrave
Janice LaQuiere
Rebecca Syme
Linda Yezak

HISTORICAL FICTION:
(total entries: 35)

Lori Benton
Brenda Jackson
Robert Kaku
Lisa Karon Richardson
Katie-Marie Stout

HISTORICAL ROMANCE:
(total entries: 65)

Susanne Dietze
Anne Greene
Pam Hillman
Lisa Karon Richardson
Ruth Trippy

MYSTERY/SUSPENSE/THRILLER:
(total entries: 45)

Rich Bullock
Barbara Early (double finalist with two entries)
Lynda Schab
Chawna Schroeder

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE (there was a two-way tie for the fifth finalist slot):
(total entries: 50)

Valerie Goree
Mindy Obenhaus
Leslie Pfeil
Dianna Shuford
Teri Dawn Smith
Terri Weldon

SPECULATIVE FICTION:
(total entries: 49)

Ben Erlichman
Suzanne Krein
Shelley Ledfors
Andra Marquardt
Holly Smit

WOMEN'S FICTION (there was a three-way tie for the fifth finalist slot):
(total entries: 76)

Lisa Buffaloe
Jennifer  Fromke
Terri  Haynes
Fay Lamb
Christina S. Nelson
Melissa Tagg
Michelle Ule

YOUNG ADULT:
(total entries: 56)

Angela Bell
Lin Harris
Kasey Heinly
LoraLee Kodzo
Stefanie Morris

2010 RITA Finalists for Inspirational Romance

The RITA awards are the Romance Writer of America's book awards for published authors. I'm posting the finalists in the Inspirational Romance category. (In the inspirational cetegory every genre is lumped together, so historical, contemporary, romantic suspense . . . are represented by this finalist list.)


2010 RITA for Inspirational Romance Finalists
The Inheritance by Tamera Alexander
Thomas Nelson, Inc., Women of Faith Fiction
Editors: Ami McConnell and Natalie Hanemann
ISBN: 978-1-59554-632-6

A Lady Like Sarah by Margaret Brownley
Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Editor: Natalie Hanemann
ISBN: 978-0-59554-809-2

The Gladiator by Carla Capshaw
Harlequin Enterprises, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical
Editor: Melissa Endlich
ISBN: 978-0-373-82824-1

Entertaining Angels by Judy Duarte
Kensington Publishing Corp.
Editor: John Scognamiglio
ISBN: 978-0-7582-2016-5

An Eye for an Eye by Irene Hannon
Baker Publishing Group, Revell Books
Editor: Jennifer Leep
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3311-7

The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen
Bethany House Publishers
Editor: Karen Schurrer
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0707-5

Breach of Trust by Diann Mills
Tyndale House Publishers
Editor: Stephanie Boerne
ISBN: 978-1-414-32047-2

The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper by Kathleen Y'Barbo
Random House Publishing, WaterBrook Multnomah
Editor: Jessica Barnes
ISBN: 978-0-307-44474-5

The American Christian Fiction Writers Awards 2009

Congratulations to all of the award winners this year!

2009 Mentor of the Year—Donita K. Paul
2009 Membership Service Award—John B. Olson
2009 Editor of the Year Award—Ami McConnell, Thomas Nelson
2009 Agent of the Year Award—Steve Laube, The Steve Laube Agency

2009 Book of the Year Contest
Debut Author—A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman
Lits—Sweet Caroline by Rachel Hauck
Long Contemporary—Symphony of Secrets by Sharon Hinck
Long Contemporary Romance—Controlling Interest by Elizabeth White
Long Historical (tie)—My Heart Remembers by Kim Vogel Sawyer, and I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires by Cathy Gohlke
Mystery—For Whom the Wedding Bell Tolls by Nancy Mehl
Novellas—Stuck on You in A Connecticut Christmas anthology by Rhonda Gibson
Short Contemporary—Family Treasures by Kathryn Springer
Short Contemporary Suspense—Broken Lullaby by Pamela Tracy
Short Historical—Family of the Heart by Dorothy Clark
Speculative—The Restorer’s Journey by Sharon Hinck
Suspense—Fossil Hunter by John B. Olson
Women’s Fiction—The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner
Young Adult—The Big Picture by Jenny B. Jones

ACFW 2009 Genesis Contest
Contemporary Fiction—Jennifer Griffith, Magpies in Trees
Contemporary Romance—Christy LaShea Smith, The Bridge Between
Historical Fiction—Christine Schmidtke, Unveiled
Historical Romance—Lacy Williams, Marrying Miss Marshal
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller—Alan Schleimer, Q.doc
Romantic Suspense—Jan Warren, Katherine Octavia, C.I.A.
Science-Fiction/Fantasy/Allegory—David Fry, Lies To See
Women’s Fiction—Cathleen Armstrong, The Church of Last Chance
Young Adult—Gretchen Hoffman, Rewind

2009 ACFW Book of the Year Winners

The 2009 Book of the Year winners are:

DEBUT AUTHOR:
A Passion Most Pure (Julie Lessman)

LITS
Sweet Caroline (Rachel Hauck)

LONG CONTEMPORARY
Symphony of Secrets (Sharon Hinck)

LONG CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Controlling Interest (Elizabeth White)

LONG HISTORICAL - TIE
My Heart Remembers (Kim Vogel Sawyer)
I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires – Cathy Gohlke

MYSTERY
For Whom the Wedding Bell Tolls (Nancy Mehl)

NOVELLAS
Stuck On You (Rhonda Gibson in A Connecticut Christmas

SHORT CONTEMPORARY
Family Treasures (Kathryn Springer)

SHORT CONTEMPORARY SUSPENSE
Broken Lullaby (Pamela Tracy)

SHORT HISTORICAL
Family of the Heart (Dorothy Clark)

SPECULATIVE
The Restorer’s Journey (Sharon Hinck)

SUSPENSE
Fossil Hunter (John B. Olson)

WOMEN'S FICTION
The Shape of Mercy (Susan Meissner)

YOUNG ADULT
The Big Picture: Jenny B. Jones

More Awards

Last week was the Romance Writers of America's annual conference in Washington D.C. (Like ACFW, they move around the country each year.) They announce several awards, including the Touched by Love contest for unpublished writers and the Inspirational Reader's Choice contest. While I'm not a member of RWA, I have judged both these contests in the past. Here are the 2009 winners:

2009 IRCC Winners

Long Contemporary
1)Blue Heart Blessed by Susan Meissner (Harvest)
2)When the Soul Mends by Cindy Woodsmall (Waterbrook)
3)Along Came a Cowboy by Christine Lynxwiler (Barbour)

Short Contemporary
1)A Time to Heal by Linda Goodnight (Steeple Hill)
2)Hidden by Shelley Shepherd Gray (Avon Inspire)
3)Love Finds You in Snowball, Arkansas by Sandra D. Bricker (Summerside Press)

Long Historical (3rd Place Tie)
1)My Heart Remembers by Kim Vogel Sawyer (Bethany House)
2)A Passion Redeemed by Julie Lessman (Revell)
3)Courting Emma by Sharlene MacLaren (Whitaker House)
3)A Promise to Believe In by Tracie Peterson (Bethany House)

Short Historical
1)Hideaway Home by Hannah Alexander (Steeple Hill)
2)Family of the Heart by Dorothy Clark (Steeple Hill)
3)Promises, Promises by Amber Miller (Barbour)

Women’s Fiction
1)Where Do I Go? by Neta Jackson (Thomas Nelson)
2)Waiting For Daybreak by Kathryn Cushman (Bethany House)
3)Lying On Sunday by Sharon K. Souza (NavPress)

Romantic Suspense
1)Healing Promises by Amy Wallace (Multnomah)
2)Shadows at the Window by Linda Hall (Steeple Hill)
3)Double Jeopardy by Terri Reed (Steeple Hill)

Novella
1)Engaging Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn (Faith Words)
2)Almost Home by Susan Page Davis (Barbour)
3)Stuck On You by Rhonda Gibson (Barbour)


2009 TBL Winners

Overall TBL Winner-- These Three Remain by Dina Sleiman

Historical
1st-- These Three Remain by Dina Sleiman
2nd- Magistrate's Folly by Lisa Karon Richardson
3rd- White Heather by Susanne Dietze

Long Contemporary
1st--Kicking Eternity by Ann Lee Miller
2nd--Turning Paige by Kara Bonnevie
3rd- It's A Jungle Out There by Denice Stewart

Short Contemporary
1st --Lauren's Wish by Wenda Dottridge
2nd --Off the Grid by Niki Turner
3rd --Honor Bound by Tamara Cooper


Congratulations to all the winners!!