ACFW Awards

The results are in for the 2010 Book of the Year Awards -- now renamed the


Carol Awards -- and these are for books published in 2009
Congratulations to the winners of the 2010 Carol Awards!



*Contemporaroy Novella - *

*The Great Christmas Bowl *by Susan May Warren

Tyndale House, Karen Watson, Editor



*Historical Novella -*

*Christmas Bells for Dry Creek *by Janet Tronstad

Steeple Hill, Tina James, Editor



*Short Contemporary -*

*A Texas Ranger's Family *by Mae Nunn

Steeple Hill, Melissa Endlich, Editor



*Short Contemporary Suspense -*

*Evidence of Murder *by Jill Elizabeth Nelson

Steeple Hill, Emily Rodmell, Editor



*Short Historical -*

*The Unfinished Gift* by Dan Walsh

Revell, Andrea Doering, Editor



*Young Adult -*

*So Not Happening *- Jenny B. Jones

Thomas Nelson, Amanda Bostic/Jamie Chavez, Editors



*Long Contemporary -*

*The Familiar Stranger *by Christina Berry

Moody Publishers, Paul Santhouse, Editor



*Long Contemporary Romance -*

*Just Between You and Me *by Jenny B. Jones

Thomas Nelson, Natalie Hanemann/Jamie Chavez, Editors



*Mystery -*

*The Case of the Mystified M.D. *by A.K. Arenz

Sheaf House, Joan M. Shoup, Editor



*Suspense/Thriller -*

*Intervention* by Terri Blackstock

Zondervan, Sue Brower/Dave Lambert, Editors



*Long Historical -*

*Stealing Home *by Allison Pittman

Multnomah, Alice Crider, Editor



 *Long Historical Romance *

*Cowboy Christmas *by Mary Connealy

Barbour Publishing, Rebecca Germany, Editor



*Speculative -*

*Eternity Falls* by Kirk Outerbridge

Marcher Lord Press, Jeff Gerke, Editor



*Women's Fiction -*

*Never the Bride *by Cheryl McKay and Rene Gutteridge

Waterbrook Press, Shannon Marchese, Editor



*Debut Author - *
*The Unfinished Gift* by Dan Walsh

Revell, Andrea Doering, Editor

I Just Have to Share!!!

If you remember several months ago, I announced that my friend Laura V. Hilton had signed a contract for an Amish book with Whitaker House.  Well here is the cover and a blurb from the back of the book, for your viewing please.  The book will be published in April 2011.

Ever since returning from her rumspringa pregnant and unwed, Becky Troyer has been a pariah in her Amish community in Missouri. Even after the young mother confesses her sin and rejoins the church, her peers continue to shun her, and she despairs the unlikelihood of marrying for love. It seems that her only hope is to eventually marry a widower with a family of his own. Becky’s world changes when Jacob Miller arrives at her family’s farm with the understanding that he will help with chores during the summer and then return to Pennsylvania. What Jacob does not know is that his father, who disapproves of Jacob’s sweetheart, Susie, sent him away as part of a plan to introduce new blood into the Amish community of Seymour. In addition to his work around the farm, Jacob undertakes the task of cheering up the lovely yet listless Becky, inviting her to various youth gatherings and offering her the only unconditional friendship she’s known. As their friendship grows, the two find themselves inexplicably drawn to each other. Will Becky and Jacob overcome their insecurities and self-doubts so that their love can grow, or will Jacob keep his pledge to Susie and turn his back on Becky, as so many others have done?