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. If you’re looking for a summer reading list, look no further. There are some absolutely fantastic books on this list – the best that Christian fiction has to offer this year! I’m honored beyond belief to have two books on this list.

Debut Novel:
Fairer Than Morning by Rosslyn Elliott
The Loom by Shella Gillus 
Give the Lady a Ride by Linda W. Yezak

Long Contemporary:
Lost Melody by Lori Copeland/Virginia Smith 
The Search by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Larkspur Cove by Lisa Wingate

Long Contemporary Romance:
Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones
Lilly’s Wedding Quilt by Kelly M. Long
My Foolish Heart by Susan May Warren 

Long Historical:
Captive Trail by Susan Page Davis
Fairer Than Morning by Rosslyn Elliott
Mine Is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs

Long Historical Romance:
The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen
Lilies in Moonlight by Allison Pittman
To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer

Mystery:
Falling to Pieces: A Shipshewana Amish Mystery by Vannetta Chapman 
Died in the Wool by Elizabeth Ludwig/Janelle Mowery
Yesterday’s Secrets by Kelly Ann Riley 

Novellas:
An Accidental Christmas from A Biltmore Christmas by Diane T. Ashley/Aaron McCarver
All Along from Smitten by Denise Hunter
A Star in the Night from A Log Cabin Christmas by Liz Johnson

Romantic Suspense:
Lonestar Angel by Colleen Coble
Deadly Pursuit by Irene Hannon
Wolfsbane by Ronie Kendig

Short Contemporary:
The Protector by Shelley Shepard Gray
Lakeside Reunion by Lisa Jordan
Oklahoma Reunion by Tina Radcliffe

Short Contemporary Suspense:
Double Identity by Diane Burke
Nightwatch by Valerie Hansen
A Deadly Game by Virginia Smith

Short Historical (four finalists due to a tie):
Promise of Time by S. Dionne Moore
Revealing Fire by Connie Stevens
Light to My Path by Erica Vetsch
The Deepest Waters by Dan Walsh

Speculative Fiction:
The Story in the Stars by Yvonne Anderson
The Chair by James L. Rubart
Broken Sight by Steve Rzasa

Suspense/Thriller:
Over the Edge by Brandilyn Collins
Fallen Angel by Major Jeff Struecker/Alton Gansky
Freedom’s Stand by Jeanette (J.M.) Windle

Women’s Fiction:
A Sound Among the Trees by Susan Meissner
When Sparrows Fall by Meg Moseley
Dandelion Summer by Lisa Wingate

Young Adult:
Wreath by Judy Christie
The Merchant’s Daughter by Melanie Dickerson
There You’ll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones