Carol Awards Semi-Finalists 2023 – Contemporary Fiction + Giveaway

First off — what exactly are the Carol Awards?

They are awards given out by American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) in recognition of outstanding Christian fiction in the previous calendar year. So these 2023 finalists are books published in 2022. You might have read them already, you might not. I’ll include links to books I’ve read and reviewed.

How does this giveaway work?

You select which of the Carol Award finalists 2023 — Contemporary Category you would like to receive if your name is drawn. Mention the title in your comment (or an email if you’re entering that way) and if you win, that’s the book that will be sent to you. Easy Peasy.

Of Note: In past years, ACFW has announced the three finalists of each category in June and then the winners during their annual Writer’s Conference in late August/early September. This year they’ve switched it up and have announced seven semi-finalists in each category which will be whittled down to three finalists the first day of the conference at the end of August and then the winners in each category will be announced on the final day of the conference. So., with only two days in between the finalist announcements and the winner announcements, we’re going to have to go with wading through the seven semi-finalists so these weekly giveaways are going to be lengthy. Sorry about that. And now here are the Contemporary Fiction Semi-Finalists.

Broken : a story of Redemption by Jane Daly ; Elk Lane Publishing –– ebook giveaway
A young woman flees an abusive boyfriend and a traumatic home life only to find herself broke and in jail. A sympathetic cop takes her to his mother’s home, where for the first time, she finds unconditional love. Can she accept what is offered or will she continue to sabotage both herself and everyone around her?

The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell by Kelly Flanagan ; indie — ebook giveaway

Elijah Campbell is on the verge of losing his writing career, his faith, and his marriage when a recurring childhood nightmare drives him back to his hometown, Bradford’s Ferry.

This visit to Bradford’s Ferry will linger long after the final page has been turned, and a guide for group discussion invites further conversation about the story’s themes of healing, grace, faith, forgiveness, and freedom.

Like the Wind by Robin Lee Hatcher ; Thomas Nelson Publishing — ebook or paperback giveaway

Olivia Ward arrived in Bethlehem Springs alone—with no job, no home, and no money—after her manipulative ex-husband used his power and wealth to destroy everything. Six years later, the peaceful life she rebuilt is once again turned upside down when she learns that her fifteen-year-old daughter, Emma, will be coming to live with her. The reunion should be a dream come true, but years of deception have driven a wedge between them. And Emma seems more interested in an old diary she discovered than reconciliation with her mother. 

Tyler Murphy knows what it’s like to lose everything. Propelled by his history in the foster-care system, he’s determined to root out dishonesty and protect the most vulnerable through his work as an investigator. When he’s hired to investigate Olivia Ward, though, he finds himself longing to believe she’s exactly who she appears to be, and he soon realizes that his desire to learn more about her has nothing to do with his job. But how can he pursue a relationship that began with a lie?

Breath of Heaven by Deborah Raney ; indie — (Camfield Legacy,3) — ebook or paperback giveaway

After a joyful wedding in Kansas, Natalie Camfield Chambers is back in the village of Timoné in South America with her beloved husband, David Chambers. But the adjustments to married life while serving on the mission field in a remote Colombian village along the Rio Guaviare are more than either Natalie or David bargained for. The growing unrest in the country only adds to the challenges they face.

When the village is invaded by guerrilla soldiers and one of their Timoné neighbors, a young mother, goes missing, Natalie and David find themselves caring for her small daughter, even as Natalie has begun to suspect that she is carrying their own child.

When a trip by boat on the Guaviare turns treacherous and ultimately deadly, Natalie and David face the fight of their lives. Their faith—and their love—will be tested in ways they never dreamed, and the decisions they make will echo for generations to come.

The Bookshop of Secrets by Mollie Rushmeyer ; Love Inspired Trade — ebook or paperback giveaway

Hope Sparrow has mastered the art of outrunning her tragic past, learning never to stay anywhere too long and never to allow anyone control over her life again. Coming to Wanishin Falls in search of her family’s history already feels too risky. But somewhere in the towering stacks of this dusty old bookshop are the books that hold Hope’s last ties to her late mother—and to a rumored family treasure that could help her start over.

Only, the bookshop is in shambles, and the elderly owner is in the beginning stages of dementia and can’t remember where the books lie. To find the last links to the loved ones she’s lost, Hope must stay and accept help from the townsfolk to locate the treasured volumes. Each secret she uncovers brings her closer to understanding where she came from. But the longer she stays in the quaint town, the more people find their way into the cracks in her heart. And letting them in may be the greatest risk of all…

I’ve read this one! https://bestreads-kav.blogspot.com/2022/11/the-bookshop-of-secrets.html

Every Day Filled With Hope by Sheila Stovall ; indie — ebook giveaway. Welcome to Weldon, Kentucky, where no one can keep a secret forever. Nineteen years ago, a cosmetics industry mogul assaulted former runway model Casey Bledsoe, resulting in an unwanted pregnancy. Casey’s biggest regret is allowing fear to influence her to give up her baby for adoption.


It’s mere days before Casey and Daniel are scheduled to leave Weldon, Kentucky on a mission trip to Africa when Casey receives a letter from Madison, her eighteen-year-old daughter. Hope for healing begins. Still, Casey grapples with telling those closest to her what really happened. That includes Daniel, the man she loves. Daniel’s a cop, and Casey is afraid of how he’ll react. Little does she know, Daniel has his own secret he’s keeping. As each day passes and they face more trials in the African wilderness, their hidden truths tear them further apart.

The Songs that Could Have Been by Amanda Wen ; Kregel Publications — (Sedgwick County Chronicles;2) ebook or paperback giveaway

Two couples in love. Two sets of impossible circumstances. One powerful God of grace.
After a tailspin in her late teens, Lauren Anderson’s life is finally back on track. Her battle with bulimia is under control, her career is taking off, and she’s surrounded by a loving family. Then a chance meeting with Carter Douglas, her first love and the man who broke her heart, leads to old feelings returning with new strength. And suddenly her well-balanced world is thrown off kilter.

Now a TV meteorologist, Carter is determined to make amends with Lauren. After all, she still owns his heart. But the reasons they broke up aren’t lost–and those old demons are forcing him toward the same decision he faced in the past. He isn’t sure he’s courageous enough to make a different choice this time around.

When Lauren’s elderly grandmother, Rosie, begins having nightmares about a man named Ephraim–a name her family has never heard before–a fascinating and forbidden past love comes to light. As Lauren and Carter work to uncover the untold stories of Rosie’s past in 1950s Wichita, they embark on a journey of forgiveness and second chances that will change their lives–and Rosie’s–forever. Along the way they’ll learn that God wastes nothing, his timing is perfect, and nothing is beyond his grace and redemption.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

All books are available in ebook format for readers who have a kindle .com account — so this is the only truly international option.

The giveaway formats for each title is noted in bold at the end of the publication info so make sure to check that.

Paperback copies are only available to US and Canada winners

If you would like a chance to win a copy of one of the  Carol Awards Finalists 2023 — Contemporary Fiction, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday June 17 2023 . Good luck

57 thoughts on “Carol Awards Semi-Finalists 2023 – Contemporary Fiction + Giveaway”

  3. What a line up The Book Shop of secrets This is a new to me author The Book sounds intriguing
    Thanks for bringing all these books to out attention. Appreciate all you do. Excited to learn about the other genres.

    Nora finding hope

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  4. The Bookshop of Secrets was wonderful. Hard decision but I’ll choose The Songs That Could Have Been as I really like Amanda Wen.

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  5. Happy Monday, Kav! What a cool giveaway! I’m choosing a book that will help me meet my new-to-me author AND diversity goals since the characters go to Africa. I know Raney’s is also set in a foreign country, but she’s not a new-to-me author.

    ‘Every Day Filled With Hope by Shelia Stovall’

    dianalflowers at aol dot com

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      1. There’s a couple more I had never heard of either. They all sound great! Thanks for keeping us informed & for another opportunity to add to our wishlist!

        Liked by 1 person

  7. Kav, I’ll go with the Bookshop of Secrets. That one has been on my want-to-read list for a while. And thanks again for offering these Carol award semi-finalist giveaways! 🙂

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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  9. The Bookshop of Secrets by Mollie Joy Rushmeyer. I haven’t read it yet, but it seems to be popular! 🙂

    eclitton at gmail dot com

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  11. I would LOVE the opportunity to read “The Bookshop of Secrets” by Mollie Rushmeyer.

    I’ll have to admit that it was a toss up between it and another one, but after giving it some thought and reading more about each book, this one won out by a bit. (I’ll even say your review helped to tip the scales.)

    Thank you so much for the chance to win a paperback copy of this great sounding book!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  12. The Bookshop of Secrets by Mollie Rushmeyer would be my top pick! The reason is that I’d really like to read it again. It’s definitely one for the keeper shelf.
    perrianne (DOT) askew (AT) me (DOT) com
    Perrianne Askew

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  14. I think I’m going to go for something a little different in choosing “The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell”. I’ve just started seeing this around & the reviews for it are all very positive. Time to shake up my reading a bit 🙂

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. P.S. The only thing missing from the reviews, is if this has a faith thread so now it has me wondering what the answer is to that question?

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      1. Certainly sounds like there’s a faith thread from the synopsis. This one wasn’t even on my radar. Never heard about it before. It already has some awards as well. Good luck, Trixi!

        Like

  15. I’ve only read one of these, and gave one more on my bookshelf.
    Like the Wind sound really good, enter me for that one.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  16. I’ve read a couple of these so my choice is The Bookshop of Secrets. It’s been on my wish list for awhile.
    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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  19. There are several here I haven’t even heard of! I liked The Songs that Could Have Been. For my giveaway choice, I’d request The Bookshop of Secrets by Mollie Rushmeyer. Thanks for the giveaway! Jolene – iwant2save34 at gmail dot com

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  21. I am choosing Like the Wind by Robin Lee Hatcher.

    I loved Mollie’s book and own a copy. Amanda Wen’s first two Sedgwick Chronicles books were absolutely amazing. I have them on Audible. I hope she wins. I can’t wait for book 3 in early 2024.

    Thanks!
    Obertam at gmail dot com

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  22. What an impressive group of books and more to add to my reading list. I’ve read Bookshop of Secrets and Breath of Heaven, both were excellent!

    My choice would be The Songs that Could Have Been by Amanda Wen.

    Sandyavery at comcast dot net

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