2024
Long Contemporary
Every Good Gift by Kelly Irvin (Zondervan)
Short Contemporary
Amid the Ashes by Milla Holt (Independently Published)
Long Historical
Dreams of the Heart by Penny Zeller (Maplebrook Publishing)
Short Historical
A Family for the Twins by Christina Rich (Love Inspired Historical)
Novella
Snow Globe Secrets by Laura Thomas (Anaiah Press)
Romantic Suspense
Cold Light of Day by Elizabeth Goddard (Revell)
Women’s Fiction
A Million Little Choices by Tamera Alexander (Tyndale Publishers)
Sweet Romance
The Flower Quilter by Mindy Steele (Barbour Publishing)
Speculative
Shadowcast by Crystal Grant (Quill & Flame Publishing)
2023
Sweet Romance Category
Finding Her Amish Home by Pamela Wright
Novella Category
The Wonderous Gift (in O Little Town) by Deborah Raney
Short Historical
The Letter by Edwina Kiernan
Women’s Fiction
I’ll Be Seeing You by Robin Lee Hatcher
Long Contemporary
The Bridge Between Us by Victoria Bylin
Short Contemporary
Rebecca’s Amish Heart Restored by Tracy Fredrychowski
Long Historical
When the Meadow Blooms by Ann Gabhart
Romantic Suspense
Word of Honor by Hallee Bridgeman
2022
Long Contemporary
All That Really Matters by Nicole Deese (Bethany House)
Short Contemporary
The Father He Deserves by Lisa Jordan (Harlequin/Love Inspired)
Historical
Between the Wild Branches by Connilyn Cossette (Bethany House)
Novella
A Groom for Ruby by Laura Ashwood (Self-Published)
Romantic Suspense
Deadly Target by Elizabeth Goddard (Revell)
Speculative
A Time to Seek by Tracy Higley (Stonewater Books LLC)
Sweet Romance
An Amish Flower Farm by Mindy Steele (Hallmark Publishing)
Women’s Fiction
Facing the Dawn by Cynthia Ruchti (Revell)
2021
Long Contemporary
Made in Hollywood by Michelle Keener (Ambassador International)
Short Contemporary
Raising Honor by Jill Lynn (Love Inspired)
Historical
Colors of Truth by Tamera Alexander (Fountain Creek Press)
Novella
Inn for a Surprise by Karen Witemeyer (Bethany House)
Romantic Suspense
Shatter the Silence by Carol J. Post (Self-Published)
Women’s Fiction
The Cedar Key by Stephenia H. McGee (The Vine Press)
2020
Long Contemporary
The Art of Rivers by Janet W. Ferguson (Southern Sun Press LLC)
Long Historical
Under the Midnight Sun by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse (Bethany House)
Short Contemporary
Reunited in the Rockies by Mindy Obenhaus (Love Inspired)
Short Historical
Above the Fold by Rachel Scott McDaniel (Smitten Historical Romance LPC)
Romantic Suspense
One Final Breath by Lynn H. Blackburn (Revell)
Women’s Fiction
A Faithful Gathering by Leslie Gould (Bethany House)
Novella
An Archer Family Christmas by Karen Witemeyer (Bethany House
2019
Long Contemporary
Honeysuckle Dreams by Denise Hunter (Thomas Nelson)
Long Historical
The Sea Before Us by Sarah Sundin (Revell)
Short Contemporary
Who I Am with You by Robin Lee Hatcher (Thomas Nelson)
Short Historical
The Patriot Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse (Barbour Books)
Romantic Suspense
Wildfire by Gayla K. Hiss (Mountain Brook Ink)
Women’s Fiction
Where Hope Begins by Catherine West (Thomas Nelson)
Novella
In Sheep’s Clothing by Pegg Thomas (Barbour Books)
2018
Long Contemporary
Upon a Spring Breeze by Kelly Irvin (Zondervan)
Long Historical
With Love, Wherever You Are by Dandi Daley Mackall (Tyndale House)
Short Contemporary
Designing Love by Kimberly Rose Johnson (Mountain Brook Ink)
Short Historical
An Improper Proposal by Davalynn Spencer (Wilson Creek)
Romantic Suspense
Deadly Proof by Rachel Dylan (Bethany House)
Women’s Fiction
These Healing Hills by Ann H. Gabhart (Revell)
Novella
Then Came You by Becky Wade (Self-published)
2017
Long Contemporary
Change of Heart by Courtney Walsh (Tyndale House)
Long Historical
A Heart’s Gift by Lena Nelson Dooley (Hartline Literary Agency)
Short Contemporary
Plain Truth by Debby Giusti (Harlequin LI)
Short Historical
Sofi’s Bridge by Christine Lindsay (Pelican)
Romantic Suspense
Always Watching by Lynette Eason (Revell)
Women’s Fiction
The Things We Knew by Catherine West (HarperCollins)
Novella
The Angel of Forest Hill by Cindy Woodsmall (Waterbrook)
The FHL Reader’s Choice Award was known as the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award (IRCA) from 2001 through 2016
2016
Long Contemporary
Together With You by Victoria Bylin (Bethany House)
Long Historical
To Win Her Favor by Tamera Alexander (Harper Collins)
Short Contemporary
Second Chance Reunion by Merrillee Whren (Harlequin LI)
Short Historical
Out of the Ashes by Sandi Rog (Tulpen Publishing)
Romantic Suspense
Gone Without a Trace by Patricia Bradley (Revell)
Women’s Fiction
Ties That Bind by Cindy Woodsmall (Waterbrook)
Novella
Daughters of the Wind by DiAnn Mills (Barbour)
2015
Long Contemporary
Meant to Be Mine by Becky Wade (Bethany House)
Short Contemporary
Pine Country Cowboy by Glynna Kaye (Love Inspired)
Long Historical
The Ransom by MaryLu Tyndall (Ransom Press)
Short Historical
Song of the Prairie by Vickie McDonough (Whitaker House)
Women’s Fiction
All My Belongings by Cynthia Ruchti (Abingdon Press)
Romantic Suspense
Silenced by Dani Pettrey (Bethany House)
Novella
A Cowboy Unmatched by Karen Witemeyer (Bethany House)
2014
Long Contemporary
Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade (Bethany House)
Short Contemporary
For Love of Eli by Loree Lough (Abingdon Press)
Long Historical
Claiming Mariah by Pam Hillman (Tyndale House)
Short Historical
The Outlaw’s Redemption by Renee Ryan (Love Inspired Historical)
Women’s Fiction
A Promise Kept by Robin Lee Hatcher (Thomas Nelson)
Romantic Suspense
When a Secret Kills by Lynette Eason (Revell)
Novella
Hope’s Dwelling Place by Connie Stevens (Barbour)
2013
Long Contemporary
The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck (Thomas Nelson)
Long Historical (3rd Place Tie)
To Whisper Her Name by Tamera Alexander (Zondervan)
Short Contemporary
Wisdom Tree by Mary Manners (White Rose)
Short Historical
A Merry Little Christmas by Anita Higman (Summerside)
Women’s Fiction
The Amish Bride by Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould (Harvest House)
Romantic Suspense
Trinity by Ronie Kendig (Barbour)
Novella
A Recipe for Hope by Beth Wiseman (Thomas Nelson)
2012
Long Contemporary
Chasing Sunsets by Eva Marie Everson (Revell)
Long Historical
Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen (Bethany House)
Short Contemporary (1st Place Tie)
Love Finds You in Sunset Beach, Hawaii by Robin Jones Gunn (Summerside)
Light the Fire by Mary Manners (White Rose)
Short Historical
Belonging by Robin Lee Hatcher (Zondervan)
Romantic Suspense
Shadows on the Sand by Gayle Roper (Multnomah)
Women’s Fiction
Broken Wings by Carla Stewart (FaithWords)
Novella
A Perfect Plan by Beth Wiseman (Thomas Nelson)
2011
Long Contemporary
Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes (Tyndale)
Short Contemporary
White Roses by Shannon Taylor Vannatter (Barbour – Heartsong Presents)
Long Historical
The Preacher’s Bride by Jody Hedlund (Bethany House)
Short Historical
A Matter of Character by Robin Lee Hatcher (Zondervan)
Women’s Fiction
Plain Paradise by Beth Wiseman (Thomas Nelson)
Romantic Suspense
Too Close to Home by Lynette Eason (Revell)
Novella
Once Upon a Christmas Eve by Anita Higman (Summerside)
2010
Long Contemporary
Blood Bayou by Karen Young (Howard)
Long Historical
A Bride in the Bargain by Deeanne Gist (Bethany House)
Short Contemporary
Learning to Let Go by Elizabeth Pina (White Rose)
Short Historical
When Love Blooms by Robin Lee Hatcher (Zondervan)
Romantic Suspense
Breach of Trust by DiAnn Mills (Tyndale)
Women’s Fiction
Look to the East by Maureen Lang (Tyndale)
Novella
The Sound of Sleigh Bells by Cindy Woodsmall (Waterbrook)
2009
Long Contemporary
Blue Heart Blessed by Susan Meissner (Harvest)
Short Contemporary
A Time to Heal by Linda Goodnight (Steeple Hill)
Long Historical
My Heart Remembers by Kim Vogel Sawyer (Bethany House)
Short Historical
Hideaway Home by Hannah Alexander (Steeple Hill)
Women’s Fiction
Where Do I Go by Neta Jackson (Thomas Nelson)
Romantic Suspense
Healing Promises by Amy Wallace (Multnomah)
Novella
Engaging Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn (Faith Words)
2008
Long Contemporary
Surrender Bay by Denise Hunter (Thomas Nelson)
Short Contemporary
Mom in the Middle by Mae Nunn (Steeple Hill)
Long Historical
Remembered by Tamera Alexander (Bethany House)
Short Historical
The Lumberjack’s Lady by Susan Page Davis (Barbour)
Women’s Fiction
Remember to Forget by Deborah Raney (Howard)
Romantic Suspense
Buried Secrets by Margaret Daley (Steeple Hill)
Novella
Unwrapping Christmas by Lori Copeland (Zondervan)
2007
Long Contemporary
Reclaiming Nick by Susan May Warren (Tyndale)
Short Contemporary
When Dreams Come True by Margaret Daley (Steeple Hill)
Long Historical
Ten Thousand Charms by Allison Pittman (Multnomah)
Short Historical
The Prisoner’s Wife by Susan Davis (Barbour)
Women’s Fiction
Finding Faith by Denise Hunter (Howard)
Romantic Suspense
Expect the Sunrise by Susan May Warren (Tyndale)
Novella
The Peacemaker by DiAnn Mills (Barbour)
2006
Long Contemporary
Shattered Justice by Karen Ball (Multnomah)
Short Contemporary
The Trouble With Lacy Brown by Debra Clopton (Steeple Hill)
Long Historical
Hannah Rose by Louise Gouge (Cook)
Short Historical
The Maverick by Lori Copeland (Tyndale)
Women’s Fiction
Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Tough by Neta Jackson (Integrity)
Romantic Suspense
In Sheep’s Clothing by Susan May Warren (Steeple Hill)
Novella
Unexpected Blessings by Vickie McDonough (Barbour)
2005
Long Contemporary
Footsteps by DiAnn Mills
Short Contemporary
Peter’s Return by Cynthia Cooke
Long Historical
Promise of Peace by Carol Umberger
Short Historical
Faithful Traitor by Jill Stengl
Novella
At The End of the Bayou by DiAnn Mills
2004
Long Contemporary
Yada Yada Prayer Group by Neta Jackson
Short Contemporary
Shelter From the Storm by Cheryl Wolverton
Long Historical
The Betrayal by Beverly Lewis
Short Historical
Speak to Me of Love by Robin Lee Hatcher
Novella
His Hands by Yvonne Lehman
2003
Long Contemporary (1st Place Tie)
Color the Sidewalk for Me by Brandilyn Collins
Summer Shadows by Gayle Roper
Short Contemporary
Mountain Laurel by Kate Welsh
Long Historical
Circle of Honor by Carol Umberger
Short Historical
Precious Burdens by Cathy Marie Hake
Novella
Circle of Blessings by Deborah Raney
2002
Long Contemporary (1st Place Tie)
Beneath A Southern Sky by Deborah Raney (Waterbrook Press)
It Had To Be You by Linda Windsor (Multnomah)
Short Contemporary
Grace In Action by Kristin Billerbeck (Heartsong Presents)
Long Historical
When Stars Begin To Fall by Denise Williamson (Bethany House)
Short Historical
Hidden Treasures by Jeri Odell (Heartsong Presents)
Novella
Engagement of the Heart, Christmas Letters Anthology by Kathleen Paul
2001
Long Contemporary
The Negotiator by Dee Henderson
Short Contemporary
Desperately Seeking Dad by Marta Perry
Long Historical
The Shepherd’s Voice by Robin Lee Hatcher
Short Historical
Destinations by Tamela Hancock Murray
Novella
Reforming Seneca Jones (in Prairie Christmas) by Elizabeth White