2026 Carol Award Finalists – Historical Romance + 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 – Historical 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. 

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.

The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill Suntz – Tyndale – Giveaway Options: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – paperback, ebook or audible – International – ebook with a US Kindle account

Lawyer James Kinney isn’t looking for love, and laundress Sara O’Connor doesn’t want to be found. When their paths cross in a British colony on the brink of rebellion, a marriage of convenience may be their best hope of survival.

Canada, 1837. Widower James Kinney knows his precocious daughter, Evie, needs more than his lessons on law and logic, but Toronto offers few options. Classes with the neighbor children seem ideal until James discovers Evie is secretly spending her time with Sara O’Connor, a kind and mysteriously educated servant. For propriety’s sake, James forbids their friendship. But then Evie falls victim to the illness ravaging the city, and James must call upon Sara’s medical knowledge and her special bond with Evie to save his daughter’s life.

When Sara’s presence in his household threatens scandal, however, James offers an unexpected become his wife, in name only, and help him raise Evie to be a proper young lady.

If Sara can ignore the sparks she feels when they’re together, his logical proposal could keep her secret secure forever. But soon, the forces of rebellion unravel their tidy arrangement. When James is accused of treason, Sara must find the courage to face a past that could save her husband’s life.

Clean and wholesome, marriage-of-convenience historical romanceFilled with love, faith, and adventure. Inspirational historical fiction that’s perfect for fans of Julie Klassen, Laura Frantz, and Tamera AlexanderIncludes discussion questions for book clubs https://kavsbestreads.ca/2025/08/28/the-lawyer-and-the-laundress-giveaway/

The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White – Tyndale – Giveaway Options: US – ebook, Canada – ebook or audible, International – ebook with a US Kindle account.

In this gripping World War II historical about the power of words, two people form an unlikely friendship amid the Nazi occupation in Paris and fight to preserve the truth that enemies of freedom long to destroy.

Paris, 1940. Ever since the Nazi Party began burning books, German writers exiled for their opinions or heritage have been taking up residence in Paris. There they opened a library meant to celebrate the freedom of ideas and gathered every book on the banned list . . . and even incognito versions of the forbidden books that were smuggled back into Germany.

For the last six years, Corinne Bastien has been reading those books and making that library a second home. But when the German army takes possession of Paris, she loses access to the library and all the secrets she’d hidden there. Secrets the Allies will need if they have any hope of liberating the city she calls home.

Christian Bauer may be German, but he never wanted anything to do with the Nazi Party—he is a professor, one who’s done his best to protect his family as well as the books that were a threat to Nazi ideals. But when Goebbels sends him to Paris to handle the “relocation” of France’s libraries, he’s forced into an army uniform and given a rank he doesn’t want. In Paris, he tries to protect whoever and whatever he can from the madness of the Party and preserve the ideas that Germans will need again when that madness is over, and maybe find a lost piece of his heart.

A Song in the Dark by Kimberley Woodhouse – Bethany House – Giveaway Options: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – ebook or audible, International – ebook with a US Kindle account

Against the simmering backdrop of the impending WWII, blind virtuoso pianist Chaisley Frappier embarks on a concert tour through a rapidly changing Europe despite the dangers. When she learns that Hitler’s escalating regime of injustice is targeting other disabled people, Chaisley realizes she is in a prime position to help those who are threatened reach safety. But the Führer’s growing fascination with the celebrated musician endangers her undercover mission and forces her to walk a tightrope between her fame and her calling.

When Rick Zimmerman receives his next assignment from the British Secret Intelligence Service, he’s surprised to learn he’ll be acting as the personal driver of a world-renowned pianist as she traverses Europe. The role gives him the perfect cover to complete side missions of sabotage and intelligence-gathering, but he soon suspects the brilliant, alluring pianist has secrets of her own. As Chaisley and Rick confront evil at every turn, it will take every bit of faith and courage they possess to triumph over hate–and survive.

Bestselling author Kimberley Woodhouse crafts a stirring story of fighting for hope, love, and justice amid the tumultuous European continent on the brink of war.

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday June 13 2026. REMEMBER TO CHECK EDITION AVAILABILITY FOR EACH BOOK.

47 thoughts on “2026 Carol Award Finalists – Historical Romance + Giveaway”

  1. The Lawyer and the Laundress! I didn’t realize this was a .marriage of convenience and I love those! Thnx Kav!

    sarahdar0801ATgmailDOTcom

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. I’ve recently discovered that I have a stronger pull towards historical fiction, so these titles are right up my alley!  The Lawyer and the Laundress I’ve already read and thoroughly enjoyed.  I’m fortunate that the library has an e-copy of A Song in the Dark by Kimberley Woodhouse.  So by process of elimination, The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanne White would be my choice.  Her historical romantic fiction is fantastic! Honestly any of these books would be fabulous!

    perrianne (DOT) askew (AT) me (DOT) com

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. The Collector of Burned Books was wonderful. Hard choice between the other two but A Song In The Dark is singing my name . 😁 leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. If I were fortunate enough to be selected, I would LOVE the opportunity to read and review THE LAWYER AND THE LAUNDRESS by Christine Hill Suntz. I added it to my TBR list when you first reviewed it and my desire to read it has only increased.

    Thank you so much for the amazing chance to win a copy!

    2clowns at arkansas dot net

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. Always interesting to see which books make the finalist list. I have read the Rosanna White, so I think next on a reading wish list would be A Song in the Dark.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. A lot of this year’s finalists have been unknowns to me – more so than other years — but I’ve heard of all three books in this genre. Have read one, and another is on my TBR (packed up in one a zillion boxes!) so I have a good chance of reading all three before the winner is announced. Good luck, CC!

      Like

      Reply

  9. I’m thrilled that Rosanna and Kimberley’s books are finalists because I loved them both! I would love the chance to own The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill Suntz. Thanks for the chance!
    Connie
    cps1950ATgmailDOTcom

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. I’ve read and loved Roseanna’s and Kimberley’s books, and I have a copy of The Lawyer and the Laundress in my TBR pile. Don’t enter me in the draw for this one.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  14. One of my favorite categories, and I haven’t read any of these! I would like to read A Song in the Dark. I’ve not read much by Kimberly Woodhouse.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  16. Kav, I’ll go with The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill Suntz. I’ve got her upcoming release preordered 🙂

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  20. Such a hard choice today, I’m caught between Rosanna’s book & Christine’s!!! I think in this case, marriage-of-convenience and new-to-me author wins out in the end though. Plus it takes place in Canada and you said it’s for fans of Julie Klassen (my tippy-tippy-top favorite Regency author in the whole world) so that seals the deal for me 🙂

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  21. They all sound like great reads. The The Lawyer and the Laundress is the one I choose. Thanks for the chance

    tighefan42atgmaildotcom

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  23. This is a hard choice for me. I’d love to read them all. Must keep all those titles on my TBR list. Since I must pick one I’ll go with The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment