2026 Carol Award Finalists – Contemporary + 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 2026 finalists are books published in 2025. You might have read them already, you might not. I’ll include links to books I’ve read and reviewed.

Carol Award Winners will be announced on August 29 2026 at the ACFW Gala in Memphis, Tennessee (wouldn’t you love to be there?!)

How does this giveaway work?

You select which of the Carol Award finalists 2026 —Contemporary 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. 

IMPORTANT TO NOTE:

Giveaway details may vary with each book (print, ebook only or winner’s choice of either, plus audible options for Canadians.) Edition availability will be noted in bold after the title/author/publisher of each entry. ALSO NOTE: Giveaway is for US and Canada OR ebook international if you have US Kindle account.

Contemporary Finalists

Before I Go : Frank’s Story by Marilyn K. Blair – independently published – Giveaway Options: US – ebook, Canada – ebook, International – ebook with a US Kindle account

Frank Happy hoped he could flee the violence that plagued his growing up years and start a new life with his mother and brother in the quiet coastal town of Eastport, Maine. But building a life when anger resides on one shoulder and fear on the other is not an easy task.

Delving deep into the complexities of family relationships and the devastating consequences of anger and unforgiveness, Before I Go, the prequel to the first novel of The Eastport Series, takes you on a tender, faith-filled, and at times gut-wrenching journey through Frank Happy’s life–from his teenage years through adulthood.

Fans of Lisa Wingate and Jan Karon will want to add this gripping tale to their collections.

What the River Keeps by Cheryl Grey Bostrom – Tyndale – Giveaway Options: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – ebook or audible, International – ebook with a US Kindle account

Hildy Nybo is a successful biologist, her study of the Pacific Northwest’s wild fish both a passion and a career. But behind her professional brilliance, Hildy’s reclusive private life reflects a childhood fraught with uncertainty. Despite her father’s love and her mother’s sympathy, she grew up constantly losing even her most cherished belongings, unable to recall where she misplaced them. Haunted by the confusion of those early years, she now records her life in detailed diaries and clings tightly to memory-prompting keepsakes.

Then her mother’s health fails, and Hildy accepts a job near her childhood home, joining a team of scientists who will help restore her beloved Elwha River after the demolition of two century-old dams. There Hildy settles into one of the cabins on her family’s rustic resort—a place she both loves and dreads, for reasons she can’t fully explain.

When local artist Miranda Rimmer rents an adjacent cabin for her pottery studio, Hildy shrinks from such a close neighbor. But then Miranda’s carpenter brother, Luke, shows up to help with construction and captures Hildy’s attention. Now a few years beyond a tragedy that brought him to his knees, Luke recognizes a kindred soul in Hildy, and they build a relationship that dismantles the walls Hildy’s built to keep people out. As troubling pieces of the past surface, Hildy dares to wonder if she can banish the shadows that have burdened her and follow her river’s course to freedom.

A compelling story of forgiveness, redemption, and overcoming painful secrets that explores the beauty of the natural world

Capture the Moment by Suzanne Woods Fisher – Revell – Giveaway Options: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – ebook or audible, International – ebook with a US Kindle account

She’s ready for adventure–isn’t she?

Kate Cunningham is facing the opportunity of a lifetime. As a zoo photographer, she’s spent years photographing animals in carefully controlled environments, but now National Geographic has dangled an irresistible prize: If Kate can snag a unique photo of a legendary bear in Grand Teton National Park, they just might publish it. It’s the kind of challenge Kate has been waiting for, and she’s eager to prove herself in the wild. 

With more enthusiasm than experience, Kate soon realizes that capturing an image of this bear isn’t as simple as she hoped. Fortunately, she crosses paths with Grant Cooper, a seasonal park ranger who knows the terrain–and the bears–better than anyone. His tracking skills could be exactly what Kate needs to succeed, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s easy on the eyes. But they’re not the only ones with an interest in the park’s most famous bear. And his motives are far from innocent.

A clean, kisses-only contemporary romance and summer read by Suzanne Woods Fisher for wildlife, travel, and photography enthusiasts set in Grand Teton National Park.

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 30 2026. REMEMBER TO CHECK EDITION AVAILABILITY FOR EACH BOOK.

45 thoughts on “2026 Carol Award Finalists – Contemporary + Giveaway”

  1. What a great line up “Capture the moment” looks intriguing. I love her non-Amish novels. The last series I read was about the ice cream shop. It was fun to discover that her husband went to an exclusive school to learn more about the art of making Ice Cream.

    Thanks for all you do. I hope your move is going well. Thanks for all you do.

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    1. Suzanne Woods Fisher is a fantastic storyteller whether it’s in Amish Fiction or contemporary fiction, but I’m really enjoying her contempt these days too. Good luck, Nora!

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  2. Capture the Moment grabs my attention!  I’m with Nora that I do love her non-Amish novels that I suppose are women’s fiction?  I also wonder if I should read Chase the Light first as part of the National Parks Summer series?  Too many questions, but I do like her writing style.

    perrianne (DOT) askew @ me (DOT) com

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    1. Women’s fiction with a healthy dose of romance, I think. At least, from the books I’ve read. Haven’t read her ice cream shop series yet. The first one is on my TBR. Oh, and this one, Capture the Moment is actually the first book in the National Parks Summer series so you’re good. Chase the Light has just been released and it’s book two. Not sure if they need to be read in order, but likely not. Good luck, Perrianne!

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  3. Think you know which book this photographer is going to pick. 🙂 I also LOVE the Grand Tetons (got my first bear photo there (about 3 feet away) that started my great love for these critters. So without saying anything else – if I were fortunate enough to be selected, I would LOVE the opportunity to read CAPTURE THE MOMENT by Suzanne Woods Fisher.

    Thank you so much for the chance to win this book, which was already on my TBR list.

    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  5. All 3 books sound great but I am a fan of Suzanne Woods Fisher, so I have to choose Capture the Moment. With the current gas prices, this may be my armchair vacation trip this year! Thanks for the chance.

    Connie

    cos1950ATgmailDOTcom

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  7. Im going with Capture the Moment! Was the bear 399?! She’s like the most famous of them all except she got killed a few years ago I believe on a highway by a speeding driver 😭

    Im going to have to check out that first book. It sounds very interesting and Maine has a special place in my heart as that is where my hubby and I went on our honeymoon.

    Thnx Kav!

    sarahdar0801ATgmailDOTcom

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  11. Interesting mix of books! The Suzanne Woods Fisher sounds fabulous, simply based on the setting alone! Some years ago I worked in the accounting office of a regional airline, and I obtained extremely discounted tickets on another carrier for a wonderful visit to Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Amazing wildlife and scenery.

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  13. I’ll choose Capture the Moment. I live fairly close to Grand Teton National Park (about 3 1/2 hours), and we go there quite often. It would be fun to see how the story unfolds within the Park.

    whthomas13 at yahoo dot com

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  14. Yay for the Carol Award nominees giveaways! I love national parks and taking photos so I’ll go with Capture the Moment. Thanks, Kav!

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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    1. Ohhhh, that will be me soon but without all those windows! I do get a wall of them though and a balcony. Yikes, better put window treatments on my to-do list. Sounds like your move went well and praying the unpacking stage will be the same. Good luck, Kathleen!

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  19. My choice would be Capture the Moment by Suzanne Woods Fisher. I’m excited for her branching into the mystery/suspense genre. This book sounds like it’s going to be a good one!

    Alison Boss
    nj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com

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  21. I haven’t read any of these, but Capture the Moment by Suzanne Woods Fisher has been on my want to read list since it came out.

    cjaneread at gmail dot com

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  22. I TOTALLY would choose Capture the Moment. I read it from Netgalley last year, but don’t have the print. I have book 2 now in this series… so I need to have book 1. I loveeeee these covers! Blessedmommy3x AT gmail DOT com

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