The Carol Awards are American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) recognition for the best Christian fiction published by traditional publishinghouses in the previous calendar year. The finalists for 2012 are as follows:

Debut Novel:
Fairer Than Morning  byRosslyn Elliott (Thomas Nelson – Ami McConnell, Editor)
The Loom by Shella Gillus(Guideposts – Beth Adams, Editor)
Give the Lady a Ride by Linda W.Yezak (Sky Sail [Port Yonder Press] – Chila Woychik, Editor)

Long Contemporary:
Lost Melody by LoriCopeland/Virginia Smith (Zondervan – Sue Brower, Editor)
The Search by Suzanne Woods Fisher(Revell – Andrea Doering, Editor)
Larkspur Cove by Lisa Wingate(Bethany House Publishers – Sarah Long/Dave Long, Editors)

Long Contemporary Romance:      
Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones(Thomas Nelson – Jamie Chavez/Natalie Hanemann, Editors)
Lilly's Wedding Quilt by Kelly M.Long (Thomas Nelson – Natalie Hanemann, Editor)
My Foolish Heart by Susan MayWarren (Tyndale – Karen Watson, Editor)

Long Historical:
Captive Trail by Susan Page Davis(Moody Publishers/River North – Deborah Keiser, Editor)
Fairer Than Morning  byRosslyn Elliott (Thomas Nelson – Ami McConnell, Editor)
Mine Is the Night by Liz CurtisHiggs (WaterBrook Press – Laura Barker, Editor)

Long Historical Romance:
The Maid of Fairbourne Hall byJulie Klassen (Bethany House Publishers – Karen Schurrer, Editor)
Lilies in Moonlight by AllisonPittman (Multnomah Publishers – Alice Crider, Editor)
To Win Her Heart by KarenWitemeyer (Bethany House Publishers – Karen Schurrer, Editor)

Mystery:
Falling to Pieces: A Shipshewana AmishMystery by Vannetta Chapman (Zondervan – Sue Brower, Editor)
Died in the Wool by ElizabethLudwig/Janelle Mowery (Barbour Publishing – Rebecca Germany, Editor)
Yesterday's Secrets by Kelly AnnRiley (Guideposts – Beth Adams, Editor)

Novellas:
An Accidental Christmas from A Biltmore Christmas by Diane T.Ashley/Aaron McCarver (Barbour Publishing – Rebecca Germany, Editor)
Reese: All Along  from Smitten byDenise Hunter (Thomas Nelson – Ami McConnell/LR Norton, Editors)
A Star in the Night from A Log CabinChristmas by Liz Johnson (Barbour Publishing – Rebecca Germany,Editor)

Romantic Suspense:
Lonestar Angel by Colleen Coble(Thomas Nelson – Ami McConnell, Editor)
Deadly Pursuit by Irene Hannon(Revell – Jennifer Leep, Editor)
Wolfsbane by Ronie Kendig (BarbourPublishing – Rebecca Germany/Julee Schwarzburg, Editor)

Short Contemporary:
The Protector by Shelley ShepardGray (Avon Inspire/Harper Collins – Cindy DiTiberio)
Lakeside Reunion by Lisa Jordan(Love Inspired – Melissa Endlich, Editor)
Oklahoma Reunion by Tina Radcliffe(Love Inspired – Melissa Endlich, Editor)

Short Contemporary Suspense:
Double Identity by Diane Burke(Love Inspired Suspense – Sarah McDaniel-Dyer, Editor)
Nightwatch by Valerie Hansen (LoveInspired Suspense – Melissa Endlich, Editor)
A Deadly Game by Virginia Smith(Love Inspired Suspense – Tina James, Editor)

Short Historical (four finalists due to a tie):
Promise of Time by S. Dionne Moore(Heartsong Presents – JoAnne Simmons, Editor)
Revealing Fire by Connie Stevens(Heartsong Presents – Rebecca Germany, Editor)
Light to My Path by Erica Vetsch(Heartsong Presents – JoAnne Simmons, Editor)
The Deepest Waters by Dan Walsh(Revell – Andrea Doering, Editor)

Speculative Fiction:
The Story in the Stars by YvonneAnderson (Risen Books – Reagan Reed, Editor)
The Chair by James L. Rubart (B& H Fiction – Julee Schwarzburg, Editor)
Broken Sight by Steve Rzasa(Marcher Lord Press – Jeff Gerke, Editor)

Suspense/Thriller:
Over the Edge by Brandilyn Collins(B & H Fiction – Karen Ball, Editor)
Fallen Angel by Major JeffStruecker/Alton Gansky (B & H Fiction – Julie Gwinn, Editor)
Freedom's Stand by Jeanette (J.M.)Windle (Tyndale – Jan Stob, Editor)

Women’s Fiction:
A Sound Among the Trees by SusanMeissner (WaterBrook Press – Shannon Marchese, Editor)
When Sparrows Fall by Meg Moseley(Multnomah Publishers – Jessica Barnes/Shannon Marchese, Editors)
Dandelion Summer by Lisa Wingate(Penguin Praise/Berkley – Ellen Edwards, Editor)

Young Adult:
Wreath by Judy Christie (BarbourPublishing – Rebecca Germany/Jamie Chavez, Editors)
The Merchant's Daughter by MelanieDickerson (Zondervan – Jacque Alberta, Editor)
There You'll Find Me by Jenny B.Jones (Thomas Nelson – Natalie Hanemann/Becky Monds/Jamie Chavez, Editors) 

Winners will beannounced Saturday, September 22, 2012, at the ACFW Awards Gala in Dallas.