Press Room

• Carol Award Finalists and Lifetime Achievement Award

  Monday, June 27, 2016 1:57 PM

  JANETTE OKE NAMED ACFW LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT RECIPIENT/CAROL AWARD FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

  CINCINNATI, OH:  At a press conference at CBA’s UNITE International Christian Retail Show in Cincinnati, OH, American Christian Fiction Writers announced the 2016 ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient—Janette Oke. “Janette Oke’s Love Comes Softly series opened untold opportunities for faith-based novels,” said ACFW CEO Colleen Coble, “Would any of us who write for that market be writing today if not for the impact of her novels?”
  
  Though her initial novel launched in 1979, Oke’s books continue to delight readers in every generation since. Hallmark turned her novel When Calls the Heart into a best-selling series about to begin its fourth season.  “American Christian Fiction Writers is thrilled to award Janette Oke with our Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Coble.

  At the press conference, ACFW also announced the finalists for the 2016 Carol Awards—named for editor Carol Johnson, Janette Oke’s first editor—in eleven categories of Christian fiction published in the previous calendar year.

  The 2016 Carol Award finalists, listed by author in alphabetical order by category:

  Contemporary:
  Finding Me by Kathryn Cushman, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editors David Long, Charlene Patterson
  The Art of Losing Yourself by Katie Ganshert, Waterbrook/Multnomah (Random House), editors Shannon Marchese, Lissa Halls-Johnson
  As Waters Gone By by Cynthia Ruchti, Abingdon Press, editors Ramona Richards, Jamie Chavez

  Historical:
  Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor by Melanie Dobson, Howard (Simon & Schuster), editors Beth Adams, Jenny Baumgartner
  Secrets She Kept by Cathy Gohlke, Tyndale House, editors Stephanie Broene, Sarah Riche
  Luther and Katharina by Jody Hedlund, Waterbrook/Multnomah (Random House), editor Shannon Marchese

  Historical Romance:
  Beyond All Dreams by Elizabeth Camden, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editor Raela Schoenherr
  Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editor Vicki Crumpton
  A Worthy Pursuit by Karen Witemeyer, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editors Dave Long, Charlene Patterson

  Mystery/Suspense/Thriller:
  The Aleppo Code by Terry Brennan, Kregel Publications, editors Dawn Anderson, Jannelle Tromp
  Blessings in Disguise by Nancy Mehl, Guideposts Publications, editors Susan Downs, JoAnne Simmons
  Finding Amanda by Robin Patchen, ACFW QIP (Independently Published), editor Holly Lorincz

  Novella:
  A Bride for Bear from The Convenient Bride Collection by Erica Vetsch, Barbour Publishing, editor Rebecca Germany
  A Palace on the Plains from The Homestead Brides Collection by Erica Vetsch, Barbour Publishing, editor Rebecca Germany
  The Archaeologist’s Find from The Most Eligible Bachelor Romance Collection by Erica Vetsch, Barbour Publishing, editor Rebecca Germany

  Romance:
  The Beekeeper’s Son by Kelly Irvin, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editor Becky Monds
  Until the Harvest by Sarah Loudin Thomas, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editor David Long
  Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Beth K. Vogt, Howard (Simon & Schuster), editors Jessica Wong, Beth Adams

  Romantic Suspense:
  No Place to Hide by Lynette Eason, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editor Andrea Doering
  Submerged by Elizabeth Goddard, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editor Elizabeth Mazer
  Miracle Drug by Richard L. Mabry, M.D., Abingdon Press, editor Ramona Richards

  Short Novel:
  Covert Justice by Lynn Huggins Blackburn, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editor Elizabeth Mazer
  The Christmas Family by Linda Goodnight, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editor Allison Lyons
  The Doctor’s Second Chance by Missy Tippens, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editor Emily Rodmell

  Speculative:
  Vinnie’s Diner by Jennifer AlLee, Abingdon Press, editors Ramona Richards, Katherine Johnson
  Heir of Hope by Morgan L. Busse, Enclave Publishing, editor Karen Ball
  The Five Times I Met Myself by James L. Rubart, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editors Amanda Bostic, Erin Healy

  Young Adult:
  Angelhood by A.J. Cattapan, Vinspire Publishing, editor Jessica Damien
  The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editor Becky Monds
  Dauntless by Dina L. Sleiman, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editor Karen Schurrer

  Debut:
  The Thornbearer by Pepper Basham, Vinspire Publishing, editor Jessica Damien
  The Calling of Ella McFarland by Linda Brooks Davis, Mountainview Books LLC, editor Carol Kurtz Darlington
  The First Principle by Marissa Shrock, Kregel Publications, editor Dawn Anderson

  ACFW’s 2016 Editor of the Year Nominees, listed in alphabetical order:
  Stephanie Broene - Tyndale
  Jamie Chavez – Freelance
  Raela Schoenherr - Bethany House

  ACFW’s 2016 Agent of the Year Nominees, listed in alphabetical order:
  Jim Hart - Hartline Literary Agency
  Greg Johnson - WordServe Literary
  Jessica Kirkland - Blythe Daniel Agency

  The Carol Award winners, Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, Editor and Agent of the Year, Genesis Contest winners for unpublished manuscripts, and other honors will be awarded at the Gala at the ACFW conference in Nashville, TN, on August 27, 2016 (member.acfw.com/conference).

  ACFW is a professional organization devoted to the craft of Christian Fiction. ACFW’s mission is to empower Christian novelists by inspiring them to join with God in the creative process, training them in the craft, and educating them in the publishing industry. For more information about ACFW, contact acfwrelations@acfw.com or member.acfw.com.