Congratulations to the 2026 FHLRCA finalists. Winners will be announced in July.
Long Contemporary
Love in the Castle Library by Ann Swindell (WhiteCrown Publishing)
The Voice We Find by Nicole Deese (Bethany House)
Two Hearts One Piano by Catherine Richmond (Catherine Richmond)
Short Contemporary
Finding Forevermore by Kelly Jo Wilson (Grace Tree Media LLC)
Healing the Veteran by Ciara Knight (Love Inspired)
The Grump’s Bodyguard by Latisha Sexton (Coffee & Grace Publishing)
Long Historical
A Song in the Dark by Kimberley Woodhouse (Bethany House)
Of Silver and Secrets by Michelle Griep (Bethany House)
Splendor of the Land by Connilyn Cossette (Bethany House)
Short Historical
A Dangerous Heart by Wendy Galinetti (Sunrise Publishing)
To Love a Beast by Karen Witemeyer (Hope & Light Publishing)
To Reveal a Reckless Love by Robin Lee Hatcher (RobinSong, Inc.)
Novella
Bible and a .44 by Robin Lee Hatcher (RobinSong, Inc.)
Love’s Bright Hope by Ashley McCleary (Barnes and Noble Press)
Together This Christmas by Beth Vogt (Independently Published)
Romantic Suspense (Tie for 1st place and 3rd place)
Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills (Tyndale House)
Capturing You by Robin Patchen (JDO Publishing)
The Final Word by Laura Thomas (Mountain Brook Ink)
The Puzzle Within by Gina Holder (Scrivenings Press)
Women’s Fiction (Tie for 3rd place.)
Beneath the Broken Oak by Lori Altebaumer (One Thousand Hills Publishing)
From the Valley We Rise by Elizabeth Musser (Bethany House)
The Memory Garden by Jessica Brodie (Valor Publishing Group)
The Novel Adventures of Natalie Daughtry by Susan Tuttle (Kregel Publications)
Sweet Romance
An Overdue Match by Sarah Monzon (Bethany House)
Covering Christmas by Shanna Hatfield (Wholesome Hearts Publishing)
The Second Story Bookshop by Denise Hunter (HarperCollins Christian/Thomas Nelson)
Speculative
Awakened by Roseanna M. White (White Crown Publishing)
Heart of a Bowman by Jil Koller (Mountain Brook Ink)
Reviving Embers by Paige Reed (Burning Hearts Publications)