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 Springfield, Missouri (wouldn’t you love to be there?!)
How does this giveaway work?
You select which of the Carol Award finalists 2026 – Novella 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.
Novella Category Finalists
A Bible and a .44 (in From This Moment On : Two Kind Meadows Novellas) by Robin Lee Hatcher – independently published – Giveaway Options: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – paperback or ebook, International – ebook with a US Kindle account.
BIBLE AND A .44 : A past to redeem, a love to reclaim, and a faith to guide the way.
Jesse Graham returns to Kings Meadow a changed man, determined to atone for the mistakes of his wild youth. He longs to rebuild his relationship with his widowed mother and make amends to those he wronged—especially Willow Foster, the pastor’s granddaughter who once loved him despite his wicked ways. Willow has spent years trying to forget Jesse, guarding her heart against the pain he caused. But his return stirs emotions she thought she’d buried, and she must decide if she can trust the man he’s become.
With a heart surrendered to Jesus, Jesse faces the consequences of his past while serving the community he once shamed. As he works to prove his transformation, he finds himself falling for Willow in a new and lasting way—and hoping for a future that holds more than her forgiveness.
The Christmas Book Flood by Roseanna M. White – Tyndale – Giveaway Options: US – ebook, Canada – ebook or audible, International – ebook with a US kindle account.
In this charming World War II historical romance novella inspired by Jolabokaflod, Iceland’s Christmas Book Flood, an author falls in love with a man who doesn’t know he is her editor.
Iceland. December 1944. Tatiana Eliasdottir is looking forward to welcoming her niece Elea for Christmas. She’s determined to give the little girl a joyful holiday and take her mind off troubles at home. Soon, however, the publishing house where Tatiana works is flooded with orders thanks to the first issue of a seasonal book catalog. With the war causing so many shortages, Icelanders are eager to give their loved ones something that isn’t rationed, and books are the perfect solution to their dilemma.
Anders Johannsson is an editor who shares Tatiana’s love for stories. While he wishes to know her better, he’s never dared pursue more than friendship. They are first and foremost colleagues. But when Tatiana’s attempts to cheer Elea fail, Tatiana recruits him to help, a plea he can’t refuse. He is, after all, not only an editor but a beloved children’s book author and devoted uncle to his adoring nieces and nephews.
As the two creatively bring Icelandic Christmas traditions to life for Elea and frantically work to meet the demands of the publisher’s holiday rush, Tatiana finds herself increasingly drawn to kind, thoughtful Anders. But if a love is to grow between them, she will need to reveal her closely held she is the mysterious author of a popular new novel . . . and Anders is her editor.
A standalone World War II historical Christmas novella. A sweet holiday romance with a friends-to-more trope. Features a bookish heroine and hero. Christian fiction great for fans of Lynn Austin and Sarah Sundin. https://kavsbestreads.ca/2025/10/14/the-christmas-book-flood-giveaway/
A Star in the West (On a Midnight Clear Collection) by Karen Witemeyer – Bethany House – Giveaway Options: US – paperback or ebook, Canada – paperback or ebook, International – ebook with a US kindle account.
Friendly correspondence with Stella Barrington evolves into something more when Harvard mathematics professor Frank Stentz arrives in Waco, Texas. As the two experiment with extending their relationship beyond letters, an impossible dilemma arises between love and logic. Will her wise man be able to calculate a way for them to be together?
Draw will be held and winner announced on Wednesday July 24 2026. REMEMBER TO CHECK EDITION AVAILABILITY FOR EACH BOOK
Kav's Best Reads 
It’s kind of tough to choose, but I’ll go with The Christmas Book Flood. It just sounds so different!
perrianne (DOT) askew (AT) me (DOT) com
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It’s fantastic, Definitely a book I will read again. Good luck, Perrianne!
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I’ll choose The Christmas Book Flood. I’ve read A Star in the West from On a Midnight Clear already. It’s fun seeing these finalists.
whthomas13 at yahoo dot com
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The novella category is always interesting to me and there always seem to be a few Christmas stories in the mix. Good luck, Winnie!
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I would pick the christmas tree flood.
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Good luck, Kim!
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My choice would be The Christmas Book Flood, but all of the finalist authors are great!
Sandyavery at comcast dot net
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This one is the winner today, wonder if that’s foreshadowing for who will be announced at the gala? 🙂 Good luck, Sandy!
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If I were fortunate enough to be selected, I would love the opportunity to read and review BIBLE AND A .44!
Thank you for the wonderful chance to win a copy!
Pray your week starts of with a magnificent Monday for a blessed week! We are getting some much needed rain, but hoping the high winds and storms evade us – especially for our amazing looking corn crop.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
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Oh, yummy, fresh corn screams summer, doesn’t it? We’ve had rain for days but are heading into a sunny stretch (2 days) before the rains come back. Everything is so green! Good luck, Kay!
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The Christmas Book Flood! I heard a fun rumor that there was enough public outcry (or at least interest) that it will be coming out in print later this summer, even though it was supposed to be e-book only! (Though I realize this is an e-book giveaway, which is perfectly fine!)
rdalquist AT gmail DOT com
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Ooohhhh, I like that rumour. I found it so odd that they only released it in ebook and audio. I got the audio and loved it but I wouldn’t mind getting a print copy too for my Christmas collection. Eeeeep. I just checked and it will be released on August 17 so perfect timing for our summer Reader’s Choice Week! Good luck, Rachael!
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Hard to choose but I would pick A Bible and a .44, because you can’t go wrong with a Kingsolver book!. I’ve read A Star in the West and I’m treating myself to The Christmas Book Flood when it releases in paperback in a few months,
Connie
cps1950ATgmailDOTcom
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It’s been a while since I’ve read a book by Robin Lee Hatcher but I have read the original 3 Kings Meadow novels. I think she’s added to the series since then. Not sure if the rest are novellas like this one or full length books. Must check into that. Good luck, Connie!
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The Christmas Book Flood!
manderley23 at gmail dot com
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Good luck, Kimmy!
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I would love to read The Christmas Book Flood. Thanks for your giveaway, Kav!!! jacsmi75 at gmail dot com
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Good luck, Jackie!
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On A Midnight Clear was so good. A Bible and A .44 sound interesting. Thanks for sharing book twin leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com
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A Bible anda .44 is such a strange title I have to read the story! 🙂 Good luck, Lucy!
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My choice is The Christmas Book Flood by Roseanna M. White. I already have On a Midnight Clear.
pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
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Good luck, Pam!
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I’d love to read The Christmas Book Flood, Kav, but I’m not crazy about reading on Kindle so I’ll go with On A Midnight Clear collection. I’m sure it’s good too. Already have it on my want-to-read list 🙂
ckbarker at gmail dot com
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The Christmas Book Flood is coming out in paperback later this summer so it will work for our summer Reader’s Choice Week. 🙂 Good luck, Cheryl!
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I’ll go with “From this Moment On” Its been a while since I’ve read a Robin book, but I remember that they were so good.
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She’s been releasing a lot of indie books and I kind of lost track. I love her writing though, so I’ll have to try to catch up. Good luck, Becky!
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What a lovely selection of finalists! These are actually known books and authors to me, unlike some others I am not familiar with. A Star in the West sounds interesting.
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That was in the Christmas collection that got away last year. Maybe this year…:-) Good luck, CC!
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I will choose The Christmas Book Flood.
thanks for these wonderful chances to win awesome books.
paulamarys49ATgmailDOTcom
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You’re welcome, Paula. Good luck!
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A Star in the West
angieadams306 at gmail dot com
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Good luck, Angie!
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From This Moment On containing A Bible and a .44 by Robin Lee Hatcher. Kathleen-~ Lane Hill House lanehillhouse(at)gmail(dot)com
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Good luck, Kathleen!
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The Christmas Book Flood by Rosanna White sounds intriguing. Thanks for listing the other two books. I haven’t read books by those authors in years. They look good too. Hard choices. Thanks for all you do.
Nora finding hope at yahoo
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Good luck, Nora!
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