Congratulations to the 2026 FHLRCA winners and finalists.
Long Contemporary
1st – Two Hearts One Piano by Catherine Richmond (Catherine Richmond)
2nd – Love in the Castle Library by Ann Swindell (WhiteCrown Publishing)
3rd – The Voice We Find by Nicole Deese (Bethany House)
Short Contemporary
1st – The Grump’s Bodyguard by Latisha Sexton (Coffee & Grace Publishing)
2nd – Finding Forevermore by Kelly Jo Wilson (Grace Tree Media LLC)
3rd – Healing the Veteran by Ciara Knight (Love Inspired)
Long Historical
1st – Splendor of the Land by Connilyn Cossette (Bethany House)
2nd – A Song in the Dark by Kimberley Woodhouse (Bethany House)
3rd – Of Silver and Secrets by Michelle Griep (Bethany House)
Short Historical
1st – A Dangerous Heart by Wendy Galinetti (Sunrise Publishing)
2nd – To Reveal a Reckless Love by Robin Lee Hatcher (RobinSong, Inc.)
3rd – To Love a Beast by Karen Witemeyer (Hope & Light Publishing)
Novella
1st – Bible and a .44 by Robin Lee Hatcher (RobinSong, Inc.)
2nd – Together This Christmas by Beth K. Vogt (Independently Published)
3rd – Love’s Bright Hope by Ashley McCleary (Barnes and Noble Press)
Romantic Suspense (Tie for 1st place and 3rd place)
1st – The Puzzle Within by Gina Holder (Scrivenings Press)
1st – The Final Word by Laura Thomas (Mountain Brook Ink)
3rd – Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills (Tyndale House)
3rd – Capturing You by Robin Patchen (JDO Publishing)
Women’s Fiction (Tie for 3rd place.)
1st – From the Valley We Rise by Elizabeth Musser (Bethany House)
2nd – The Novel Adventures of Natalie Daughtry by Susan Tuttle (Kregel Publications)
3rd – Beneath the Broken Oak by Lori Altebaumer (One Thousand Hills Publishing)
3rd – The Memory Garden by Jessica Brodie (Valor Publishing Group)
Sweet Romance
1st – The Second Story Bookshop by Denise Hunter (HarperCollins Christian/Thomas Nelson)
2nd – Covering Christmas by Shanna Hatfield (Wholesome Hearts Publishing)
3rd – An Overdue Match by Sarah Monzon (Bethany House)
Speculative
1st – Awakened by Roseanna M. White (White Crown Publishing)
2nd – Reviving Embers by Paige Reed (Burning Hearts Publications)
3rd – Heart of a Bowman by Jil Koller (Mountain Brook Ink)