Don’t you love to slip into the plot of a good novel? I do! There’s practically nothing I love more than getting lost in the pages of a good book. Because of that, I have suggestions for some good reads, books that are newer Christian novels (released in 2025) that have finaled in the Carol Awards. The Carol Awards recognize the best Christian fiction published in the previous calendar year. The awards are given by the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).

CONTEMPORARY

• Before I Go by Marilyn K. Blair
  Independent Author
  Editor – Kelly Barr
• What the River Keepsby Cheryl Grey Bostrom
  Tyndale House
  Editors – Elizabeth Jackson and Sarah Rische
• Capture the Momentby Suzanne Woods Fisher
  Revell
  Editor – Andrea Doering

HISTORICAL

• The Fourth Magi by Bryan E. Canter
  Independent Author
  Editor – Ed Marlow
• The Women of Oak Ridge by Michelle Shocklee
  Tyndale House
  Editor – Kathryn S. Olson
• Last Light Over Galveston by Jennifer L. Wright
  Tyndale House
  Editor – Sarah Rische

HISTORICAL ROMANCE

• The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill Suntz
  Tyndale House
  Editor – Kathryn S. Olson
• The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White
  Tyndale House
  Editors – Elizabeth Jackson and Kathryn S. Olson
• A Song in the Dark by Kimberley Woodhouse
  Bethany House (Baker Publishing Group)
  Editors – Karen Ball and Jessica Sharpe

MYSTERY/SUSPENSE/ Thriller

• Midnight Masquerade by Elle E. Kay
  Independent Author
  Editor –Sarah Hamaker
• Every Hour Until Then by Gabrielle Meyer
  Bethany House (Baker Publishing Group)
  Editors – Bethany Lenderink and Jessica Sharpe
• Innocence Sold by B. F. Randall
  Iron Stream Media
  Editors – Suzanne Austin and Larry J. Leech II

NOVELLA

• Bible and a .44 (part of the From This Moment On collection) by Robin Lee Hatcher
  Independent Author
  Editor – Deborah Raney
• The Christmas Book Flood by Roseanna M. White
  Tyndale House
  Editors – Elizabeth Jackson and Kathryn S. Olson
• A Star in the West (part of the On a Midnight Clear collection) by Karen Witemeyer
  Bethany House (Baker Publishing Group)
  Editor – Jessica Sharpe

ROMANCE
(4 FINALISTS DUE TO A TIE)

• Before Grace by Anna Daugherty
  Black Rose Writing
  Editor – Denise Harmer
• Small Town Harmonyby Milla Holt
  Independent Author
  Editor – Sara Turnquist
• Hearts in Circulationby Sarah Monzon
  Bethany House (Baker Publishing Group)
  Editors – Jessica Sharpe and Jennifer Veilleux
• Meant for Me by Betsy St. Amant
  Sunrise Media Group
  Editor – Susan Warren

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
(4 FINALISTS DUE TO A TIE)

• Failed Protocol by Cindy Bonds
  Scrivenings Press
  Editors – Kaci Banks and Susie Waltner
• Mistletoe and Malice by Lori DeJong
  Scrivenings Press
  Editors –Kaci Banks and Elena Hill
• I Can’t Hear You by Vikki Kestell
  Independent Author
  Editors – Cheryl Adkins and Greg McCann
• Protecting You by Robin Patchen
  Independent Author
  Editor – Ray Rhamey

SHORT NOVEL

• One Nine by Sara Davison
  Independent Author
  Editor – Sherra Lee Bridle
• To Capture a Mountain Man by Robin Lee Hatcher
  Independent Author
  Editor – Deborah Raney
• To Reveal a Reckless Love by Robin Lee Hatcher
  Independent Author
  Editor – Deborah Raney

SPECULATIVE

• Forever by Gina Detwiler
  Ally Press
  Editors – Erin Healy and Kristen Stieffel
• Echo Nova by Clint Hall
  Enclave Publishing (Oasis Family Media)
  Editors – Lisa Laube and Sarah Grimm
• Darkfell by Amanda Wright
  Quill & Flame Publishing House
  Editors – Brittany Eden and Jennifer Frankovic

YOUNG ADULT

• Sanctified by V. Romas Burton
  Quill & Flame Publishing House
  Editors – Stephany Arujo and Jessica Gwyn
• This Isn’t Shakespeare by Stephanie Cardel
  WordCrafts Press
  Editors – Janelle Leonard and Mike Parker
• Truth Cursed by Angie Dickinson
  Enclave Publishing (Oasis Family Media)
  Editors – Avily Jerome and Lisa Laube

DEBUT

• To Have and To Hold by Deb L. Brown
  Independent Author
  Editors – Cassie Mae and KaTrina Jackson
• Tattooed Woman at the Well by Terri McAdoo
  Redemption Press
  Editor – Lesley McDaniel
• The Tragedy of Oli Ricker by Phillip Snyder
  Living Tome Publishing
  Editors – Emily Whitten and Leilah Wright

I hope this list lets you discover some new favorite authors. Read on, friends!