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Awards and Finalists

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  • connierandel
    connierandel Posts: 2,436 Member
    I have read all of the award winners except the YA and the Amplify. I haven't been crazy about other books by Vanessa Miller, so I think I will skip all of them. There are a couple of finalists that I still want to read, but haven't gotten to yet.

    I have the ebook and audiobook for Across The Ages on hold from Libby. I prefer the kindle version of ebooks so I can use text to voice.....
  • Restfinder
    Restfinder Posts: 3,482 Member
    I had hoped Hoopla would have the audio version, but they just had the e-book, so I go over there and read after lights out and Wade is ready to go to sleep. I play on my other Kindle while I am listening to a book, but that's too much light for him to be able to sleep, so I read after that.
  • connierandel
    connierandel Posts: 2,436 Member

    Carol Award Finalists 2025


    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: Michelle Chynoweth and Deb Haggerty

    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 the 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
    Editor: 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: Sara Ella 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: Sarah Grimm 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

  • Restfinder
    Restfinder Posts: 3,482 Member

    Well, I only read two of those: OF LOVE AND TREASON and THE NIGHTMARE VIRUS. I liked both of them.

  • connierandel
    connierandel Posts: 2,436 Member

    I have read 8 and have one on hold from the library. Of course of the 8, 3 were the romantic suspense category!

  • pianolady831
    pianolady831 Posts: 360 Member

    What were your favorites, Connie? Has anyone read Fisher's book?

  • Restfinder
    Restfinder Posts: 3,482 Member

    I saw that Jeanette Windle was an editor for CORE DECEPTION. I really like her books. Even though she isn't the author, she would have an influence in the story. The only ones I've read are THE NIGHTMARE VIRUS by Nadine Brandes and OF LOVE AND TREASON by Jamie Ogle, which is an awesome book, and so is the one that follows this one. A couple of others are on my wish list.

  • connierandel
    connierandel Posts: 2,436 Member
    edited May 31

    Carole - my favorite by far was OF LOVE AND TREASON by Jamie Ogle! Her next one was great, too.

    Second Favorite was THE BURNING OF ROSEMONT ABBY by Naomi Stephens. It was a definite 5* read. I enjoyed the romantic suspense, but not as much as the other 2.

    And regarding Suzanne Woods Fisher, I read her non-Amish books when they are released. It takes a while for me to get to the Amish books. Her newest CAPTURE THE MOMENT is really good!

  • pianolady831
    pianolady831 Posts: 360 Member

    Thanks for the recommendations, Connie and Kim. I just got THE BURNING OF ROSEMONT ABBEY on Hoopla. Fisher's book is only available through my library, but it's too new to be on interlibrary loan, so I'll wait patiently. I've never read Ogle, so I'll try her books soon.

  • connierandel
    connierandel Posts: 2,436 Member

    Carole, Ogle's genre is far outside of my comfort zone. I really am not a fan of "early church" fiction, but she pulls you in and you don't want to stop! I think you will enjoy. The first book is about St. Valentine and the second is St Nicholas. Her notes at the end telling what is factual and what is fiction is great, too.

    You will enjoy THE BURNING OF ROSEMONT ABBEY, I think.

  • pianolady831
    pianolady831 Posts: 360 Member

    Connie, I'm afraid OF LOVE AND TREASON might be a little sad for me, as I'm not good with martyr storylines. I still want to try it, though.

  • connierandel
    connierandel Posts: 2,436 Member

    You might try her other book that is about St Nicholas, AS SURE AS THE SEA. It didn't have the martyr storyline. OF LOVE AND TREASON was really uplifting until about the last chapter…and I don't want to give anything away, but it is about St. Valentine, so you have to know a little what is coming.

  • pianolady831
    pianolady831 Posts: 360 Member

    I was thinking the same thing, Connie. And the theme of St Nicholas intrigues me. THE HEART OF SUGARCREEK also looks good. Hoopla has it listed.

  • connierandel
    connierandel Posts: 2,436 Member

    Here is the listing of the FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE - READER'S CHOICE AWARDS. The ones that are bold, were for my benefit….ones that I have read.

    Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 Faith, Hope and Love Reader’s Choice Awards!

    Long Contemporary

    1st - Emma’s Hero by Carrie Walker (Mountain Brook Ink)

    3rd - The Roads We Follow by Nicole Deese (Bethany House)

    2nd - Bram Baxter Marries the Wrong Sister by Latisha Sexton (Coffee & Grace Publishing)

    Short Contemporary

    1st - Meddling with Mistletoe by Liz Johnson (Revell)

    2nd - His Unexpected Grandchild by Myra Johnson (Love Inspired)

    3rd - Hidden Secrets Between Them by Mindy Obenhaus (Love Inspired)

    Long Historical

    1st- Love’s Promise by Penny Zeller (Maplebrook Publishing)

    2nd- The Mapmaker’s Secret by Jennifer Mistmorgan (Indie Published)

    3rd - When the Waters Came by Candice Patterson (Barbour Publishing)

    Short Historical

    1st - Let Nothing You Dismay by Jennifer Hunt (Blue Springs Books)

    2nd - Seashells in My Pocket by Terri Wangard (Scrinenings Press)

    3rd - Before the Sun Sets by Karen Kinney (Indie Published)

    Novella

    1st- Sleigh Bell and Stalkers by Robin Patchen (JDO Publishing)

    2nd - One Sweet Christmas by Laura Ashwood (Anchored Soul Publishing)

    3rd - Penelope by Kimberley Woodhouse (Barbour Publishing)

    Romantic Suspense

    1st - The Garden Girls by Jessica R. Patch (Love Inspired Trade)

    2nd - Terminal Danger by Jerusha Agen (SDG Words, LLC)

    3rd - Uncovering Colorado Secrets by Rhonda Starnes (Love Inspired)

    Women’s Fiction

    1st - Where the Lion Roars by Claire Lagerwall (Self-Published)

    2nd - A Certain Man by Linda Dindzans (Scrivenings Press)

    3rd - One Glance of Your Eyes by Myra Johnson (Fawn Ridge Press)

    Sweet Romance

    1st - Forever Free by Hope Toler Dougherty (Scrivenings Press)

    2nd - Marrying the Mechanic by Shanna Hatfield (Wholesome Hearts Publishing)

    3rd - Fa-la-la-la Faking It by Teri Wilson (Harlequin Special Edition)

    Speculative

    1st - Memoria by J. J. Fischer (Enclave Publishing)

    2nd - For a Lifetime by Gabrielle Meyer (Bethany House)

    3rd - Across the Ages by Gabrielle Meyer (Bethany House)

  • pianolady831
    pianolady831 Posts: 360 Member

    Thanks for posting this list, Connie. I'm glad to see a "women's fiction" category.

  • Restfinder
    Restfinder Posts: 3,482 Member

    Of course, the only section I've read is in the Speculative! I read book 1 and 2 that go with Memoria, I just need to find that one on Hoopla! I've read all but the latest one by Gabrielle Meyer.

  • connierandel
    connierandel Posts: 2,436 Member

    As much as I love women's fiction, I haven't read any of them. I did check and they aren't available in hoopla, libby, cloud or audible.

  • pianolady831
    pianolady831 Posts: 360 Member

    The 2nd and 3rd books (women's fiction) are available through Kindle Unlimited, if you still have that. Also, A CERTAIN MAN is biblical fiction.

  • connierandel
    connierandel Posts: 2,436 Member

    Carole: I did find the Myra Johnson book on Audible plus, so I checked it out. I decided to give KU a rest and use audible/audible plus for a while. Audible plus has a lot of KU authors and YouTube has a lot of indy authors so I am keeping busy.

  • connierandel
    connierandel Posts: 2,436 Member

    I just thought I would share this. I dont know any of the other winners, but I really enjoyed this book!

    Screenshot_20250810_195004_Facebook.jpg
  • Restfinder
    Restfinder Posts: 3,482 Member

    I really liked that one, and will be looking for the second one as well!

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