Carol Awards Semi-Finalists 2023 – Romance Category + 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 — Romance Category you would like to receive. 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 Romance Semi-Finalists.

To Believe in You by Emily Conrad; Hope Anchor LLC —paperback or ebook giveaway —

Can she trust her heart to a man who can’t trust himself?

Since his dismissal from the rock band Awestruck, former bassist and addict Matt Visser has been transformed by faith and a year of sobriety.

If he can repay his parents for one last major debt from his years of irresponsible living, he can move into the future with a clear conscience. Now if only his latest stunt hadn’t gotten him fired from the family business.

After Lina Abbey’s fiancé gambled away their wedding savings, she surrendered her hopes of a family of her own—what man could she trust enough to marry?—and moved for a fresh start in Wisconsin.

She busies herself with her jobs managing Awestruck’s social media and directing Key of Hope, a non-profit funded by the band to teach music lessons to kids from low-income families.

She would never hire a man with Matt’s track record as a bass guitar instructor, but Awestruck’s manager, Tim, forces her hand. In need of a job and eager to clear his debts, Matt begins work. Unable to resist a challenge, he soon adds the goal of winning the trust of his beautiful but cautious coworker.

Lina is impressed that Matt resists Tim’s ongoing efforts to reconnect him with Awestruck, but when a new truth about Matt’s past reveals a wrong he can never right, he and Lina both need something more trustworthy than Matt to believe in. Otherwise, history will repeat itself in all the worst ways.

All That It Takes by Nicole Deese; Bethany House (Baker Publishing Group) — paperback or ebook giveaway —

When the ever-cautious Val Locklier moves cross-country with her son for a secure job, everything she’d planned unravels within the first week. After Val reluctantly agrees to rent an apartment from her best friend’s brother, an unexpected chance at an elite filmmakers’ mentorship ignites fresh hope for a dream career. But as Val’s community begins to expand, so do her insecurities, especially those heightened by her growing attraction to a certain friendly landlord.

Pastor Miles McKenzie returns home from a short-term mission trip to discover that not only does he have an intriguing new tenant living upstairs, he’s also been reassigned to a local ministry on life support. Disillusioned and restless, he distracts himself by throwing his energy into a host of new projects–not the least of which is pursuing Val–without stopping to consider the future.

As Val struggles to stop hiding behind the camera and Miles wrestles with shattered expectations, they’ll find that authentic love and sacrifice must go hand in hand.

Read and Reviewed: https://bestreads-kav.blogspot.com/2022/05/all-that-it-takes.html

Sea Glass Cottage by Irene Hannon; Revell (Baker Publishing Group) — paperback or ebook giveaway —

Christi Reece is desperate. The one-time golden girl’s life has tarnished, and a cascade of setbacks has left her reeling. She needs help, and she’s certain Jack Colby is in a position to provide it.

When she shows up in Hope Harbor, however, Jack wants nothing to do with the woman who betrayed him. He’s built a new life on the Oregon coast–and there’s no room in it for Christi, even after she takes refuge in a charming but mysterious cottage nearby. Yet it soon becomes apparent his opinion of her may need revising . . . especially when he ends up needing her help.

Can these two hurting souls make peace with their past and open their hearts to a new beginning?

Come home to Hope Harbor–where hearts heal . . . and love blooms.

Bestselling and award-winning author Irene Hannon delivers another heartwarming and romantic story set in the enchanting seaside community of Hope Harbor that is loved by readers the world over. Once you visit, you’ll never want to leave.

Read and Reviewed: https://bestreads-kav.blogspot.com/2022/04/sea-glass-cottage.html

To Win a Prince by Toni Shiloh; Bethany House (Baker Publishing Group) — paperback or ebook giveaway —

As a fashion aficionado and best friend of the queen of the African island country Oloro Ilé, Iris Blakely dreams of using her talent to start a business to help citizens in impoverished areas. But when she discovers that Ekon Diallo will be her business consultant, the battle between her desires and reality begins.

Ekon Diallo has lost everything: his princely title, his material possessions, his friends, and the respect of his countrymen. To pay for his actions against Oloro Ilé, he’s forced to assist the charismatic Iris Blakely–but he can’t allow his heart to distract him from regaining his status.

As Iris strives to get her business off the ground while keeping her heart intact, will her dreams of happily ever after survive the challenges she faces?

Read and Reviewed: https://bestreads-kav.blogspot.com/2022/09/to-win-prince.html

A Seaside Wonder by Melissa Tagg; Indie — paperback and ebook giveaway —

In one evening, Indi’s world falls apart. Enter the shy professor her family mistakes for her fiancé…make that ex-fiancé.

Professor Philip West never wanted to return to Maine . . . or his grandfather’s miserable old house. But after his mother’s death, he’s now the guardian of a teenage half sister he barely knows—one who doesn’t want anything to do with him. He longs to help her heal, but he’s exhausted and numb, desperate for relief of his own. Maybe that’s why he’s so easily distracted when he happens upon the little shop with a name on its storefront window that sounds familiar, a hint of a mystery nudging him inside.

More than a decade has passed since Indi Muir made the heartbreaking decision she’s never recovered from—though she’s certainly tried. She has a full life running her shop and creating the artsy pieces that fill its shelves. If she can just stay busy, she’ll keep her hurt and regret at bay. But when her ex-fiancé returns to Muir Harbor, he brings news that shatters her carefully built walls. Things only get worse when lurking danger comes calling at her childhood home.

The one bright spot amid Indi’s turmoil is the shy stranger who wandered into her shop months ago and his moody but lovable sister. As she confronts her past and the mysterious threat facing her family, she’s intent on helping Philip win over his sister. He just might win over Indi, too, if they can overcome old secrets and wounds, outrun rising peril . . . and take a chance on love.

Read and reviewed: https://kavsbestreads.ca/2023/03/23/a-seaside-wonder-giveaway/

Love’s Fortress by Jennifer Uhlarik; Barbour Fiction — paperback and ebook giveaway — When Dani Sango’s art forger father passes away, Dani inherits his home. Among his effects is a book of Native American drawings, which leads her to seek the help of museum curator Brad Osgood to decipher the ledger art. Why would her father have this book? Is it just another forgery?
 
Brad Osgood’s four-year-old niece, Brynn, needs a safe home, and Brad longs to provide it. The last thing he needs is more drama, especially from a forger’s daughter. But when the two meet “accidentally” at St. Augustine’s 350-year-old Spanish fort, Castillo de San Marcos, he can’t refuse the intriguing woman.
 
Broken Bow is among seventy-three Plains Indians transported to Florida in 1875 for incarceration at ancient Fort Marion. Sally Jo Harris and Luke Worthing dream of serving God on a foreign mission field, but when the Indians arrive in St. Augustine, God changes their plans. Then when friendship develops between Sally Jo and Broken Bow and false accusations fly, it could cost them their lives.
 
Can Dani discover how Broken Bow and Sally Jo’s story ends and how it impacted her father’s life?

Read and Reviewed: https://bestreads-kav.blogspot.com/2022/04/loves-fortress.html

Turn to Me by Becky Wade; Bethany House (Baker Publishing Group) — paperback or ebook giveaway ––

Guilt has defined Luke Dempsey’s life, but it was self-destructiveness that landed him in prison. When his friend and fellow inmate lay dying shortly before Luke’s release, the older man revealed he left a string of clues for his daughter, Finley, that will lead her to the treasure he’s hidden. Worried that she won’t be the only one pursuing the treasure, he gains Luke’s promise to protect her until the end of her search.

Spunky and idealistic, Finley Sutherland is the owner of an animal rescue center and a defender of lost causes. She accepts Luke’s help on the treasure hunt while secretly planning to help him in return–by coaxing him to embrace the forgiveness he’s long denied himself.

As they draw closer to the final clue, their reasons for resisting each other begin to crumble, and Luke realizes his promise will push him to the limit in more ways than one. He’ll do his best to shield Finley from unseen threats, but who’s going to shield him from losing his heart?

Read and reviewed: https://bestreads-kav.blogspot.com/2022/06/turn-to-me.html

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Please pay attention to the book formats available for this giveaway noted after the publication info for each individual title. Ebook wins are available to anyone, anywhere who has a .com kindle account. Paperbacks are available to readers in US and Canada.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of one of these Carol Awards semi-finalists, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. 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 July 29, 2023. Good luck!

63 thoughts on “Carol Awards Semi-Finalists 2023 – Romance Category + Giveaway”

  1. This is a good list–I’ve read several on here, and all deserving of a Carol Award! I’d love A Seaside Wonder.

    rachaeldalquist AT yahoo DOT com

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  2. Tough call! I have Nicole Deese’s book and the audiobook of Toni Shiloh’s (FABULOUS NARRATION!). I love Irene Hannon and Melissa Tagg but I don’t have the other books in their series read. I’m not familiar with the last author but I’ll have to look into it.

    Since I have the first two books of the Emily Conrad series, I choose her book. I’ll just have to get myself book 3! Lol

    Thanks,
    Tammy
    Obertam at gmail dot com

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  4. I’ve read almost all of these (not interested in the rock band one) & just purchased To Win a Prince when it was on sale for $1.99. Such great books! I’d hate to have to be a judge. Just sayin’…. 😳

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    1. I’m not into rock bands either, but then I thought I wasn’t it social media influencers either and have a read a couple that have knocked my socks off…or maybe that should be knocked my glasses off since it’s a book reference. Happy Reading, Diane!

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      1. That’s a good point. ‘The Thing About Home’ was great so there’s a lot to be said about reading out of your comfort zone! My prob with rock band books is that I can’t get past the 1st 5 chapters. If I’m not drawn in quickly enough, I’ll move on to something else. ‘The Best Summer of Our Lives’ sounds amazing, but I couldn’t make it past the band stuff! I’m willing to give that 1 another chance, tho. Sometimes it’s the mood I happen to be in at the moment!

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  6. I would LOVE the opportunity to read “To Win a Prince” by Toni Shiloh. Absolutely loved the first book and this one is definitely on my gotta read list. You can’t help but love Toni’s books. I’m ready to be gobsmacked AGAIN by one of her books!

    Thank you for the wonderful chance to win a book I’m dying to read!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  8. Love’s Fortress by Jennifer Uhlarik oh my goodness these all sound wonderful. thanks for this chance. I would love to read this book in paper back. a new to me author. woohoo quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

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  9. I’ll go with Nicole Deese’s All That It Takes. I recently read her novel The Words We Lost and absolutely loved it so would like to try another one of hers. Thanks again, Kav, for offering the Carol Award nominees!

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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      1. Cheryl, Nicole Deese is an amazing author!!! Once I read “Before I Called You Mine”, I was totally hooked. She’s now my automatic must-read Christian Contemporary writer. You simply can’t go wrong with her books 😊💖

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Good to hear, Trixi. That’s kind of how I felt after reading The Words We Lost, too 🙂

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  13. I have either read or own most of these titles….except for Love’s Fortress by Jennifer Uhlarik. That one has been on my want-to-read list since its release!! I’m so happy to see it be a Carol award semi-finalist.

    Great books that definitely deserve the win! 💖

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. P.S. I have read several novels by Jennifer & she’s a wonderful writer…her books are really good! I’d highly recommended her to anyone 😊

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      2. Yes she writes historical and has a few stand alone books along with a lot of novellas in the Barbour collections. One of the books is part of the True Colors series called The Scarlet Pen , which I haven’t read. I couldn’t get into that series as much.

        Anyway, she’s a terrific author and certainly does her research 😊

        Liked by 1 person

  14. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a Melissa Tagg book so I would choose a paperback copy of A Seaside Wonder. Thanks for another great giveaway!
    cps1950ATgmail.
    DOTcom

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  19. Oh wow these are so hard to choose! I guess I’ll go with Turn to Me. I’ve read only one of hers so far but I love them! Thnx Kav😊 sarahdar0801ATgmailDOTcom

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  21. So many good books, I’d like the one written by Melissa Tagg I enjoyed the other books in this series. I’m so glad her book is in the finalist list. Thanks for doing all you do!

    norafindinghope at yahoo.com

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  22. I’m glad I don’t have to pick the winner in this category! I’ve read all of them and they are all wonderful. Most of the authors on this list are must reads for me. I don’t yet own To Believe in You by Emily Conrad so that is my choice.

    Thanks! Sandyavery at comcast dot net

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  23. My choice is Sea Glass Cottage by Irene Hannon. I’ve already read the books by Becky Wade, Melissa Tagg, and Toni Shiloh, which were all excellent.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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  24. My it’s hard to choose from this set of books. I’d love to read most of them for sure, but I’m going to go with this one. Love’s Fortress by Jennifer Uhlarik

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  25. I’m choosing Turn to Me by Becky Wade because I LOVE her romances, which always also have real world problems. I appreciate the fact that she writes more than romantic “fluff.” I’ve read most of the other titles, which are all fabulous. So if I win this one, I need to catch up on the entire Misty River Romance series. I don’t think that’s a difficult problem to have!

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