Dawn Crandall: July 2015

Well, as for the main reason for this post, I just need to say it and get it over with—The Hesitant Heiress has FINALED IN THE 2015 ACFW CAROL AWARDS!

That’s in all-caps because I’m still shouting, trying to make myself believe it’s really true!

The Carol Awards are ACFW’s recognition for the best Christian fiction published

by traditional publishing houses in the previous calendar year.

And then there is this. It kind of gives me chills.

<-- Pictured here is the ACFW Awards Ceremony Gala program from ACFW2011, my first ever writer’s conference. The Hesitant Heiress (which I simply referred to as Amaryllis back then) was almost finished, and I felt so in over my head! But I’d also had amazing feedback from my paid critique from author Andrea Boeshaar and two partial proposal requests from two ACFW-endorsed agents! (Both of which who offered me a contract of representation within a week of my sending the partial proposal!)

Writing was what I loved to do best, and going to conference had been—at least after my meeting with Andrea—like going to a different planet where I felt I totally belonged (which isn't usually how I feel). At the gala, I circled the debut category of the Carol Awards, and I mentally told myself that my name would be listed there someday. I didn’t tell anyone else (I don’t even think I told my husband), because seriously, that’s crazy talk.

But you know what? Sometimes crazy talk to God can make your dreams come true. I know this, because that’s exactly where my name is now, listed in the debut category of the 2015 ACFW Carol Awards.

And I still can’t believe it. :)

So, if you’re looking for a few good books to read, these thirty-three novels are the best of the best of 2014... the top 2% of the close to two thousand books published in the Christian market last year! And as of September 1, 2015, you’ll be able to read The Hesitant Heiress in paperback instead of as only an eBook!

This summer just keeps getting better and better—which is kind of a relief after the whole last year! Last summer I had a newborn, was going through edits for The Hesitant Heiress and developing a street team for my Everstone Series, all coming out within the year! My friend, author Sarah Ladd deserves tons of the credit for the street team though! She basically presented my books before her Facebook author page audience, and I think I ended up with the BEST street team of readers out there!

Here are the finalists for the 2015 Carol Awards. The winners will be announced September 19 during the gala awards dinner in Dallas at ACFW’s annual conference.

Contemporary:
Last Family Standing by Jennifer AlLee, Abingdon Press, editor Ramona Richards
Lizzy & Jane by Katherine Reay, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editors Becky Monds, L.B. Norton
The Story Keeper by Lisa Wingate, Tyndale House, editors Sarah Mason, Jan Stob
Historical:
Chateau of Secrets by Melanie Dobson, Howard (Simon & Schuster), editor Beth Adams
Saving Amelie by Cathy Gohlke, Tyndale House, editors Sarah Mason, Stephanie Broene
What Follows After by Dan Walsh, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editor Andrea Doering
Historical Romance:
For Such a Time by Kate Breslin, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editors Raela Schoenherr, Luke Hinrichs
With Every Breath by Elizabeth Camden, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editor Raela Schoenherr
While Love Stirs by Lorna Seilstad, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editors Andrea Doering, Jessica English
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller:
Poison Town by Creston Mapes, David C. Cook, editor L.B. Norton
A Way of Escape by Serena B. Miller, independently published, editor Connie Troyer
A Cry from the Dust by Carrie Stuart Parks, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editors Amanda Bostic, Natalie Hanemann
Novella:
An October Bride by Katie Ganshert, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editor Becky Philpott
I’ll be Home for Christmas from Where Treetops Glisten by Sarah Sundin, Waterbrook/Multnomah (Random House), editor Shannon Marchese
A Cowboy Unmatched by Karen Witemeyer, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editor Karen Schurrer
Romance:
The Wishing Season by Denise Hunter, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editors Ami McConnell, L.B. Norton
Love Redeemed by Kelly Irvin, Harvest House Publishers, editor Kathleen Kerr
Somebody Like You by Beth K. Vogt, Howard (Simon & Schuster), editor Jessica Wong
Romantic Suspense:
Under a Turquoise Sky by Lisa Carter, Abingdon Press, editor Ramona Richards
No One to Trust by Lynette Eason, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editor Andrea Doering
Deceived by Irene Hannon, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editor Jennifer Leep
Short Novel:
Second Chance Summer by Irene Hannon, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editor Melissa Endlich
Rescuing the Texan’s Heart by Mindy Obenhaus, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editor Melissa Endlich
The Wyoming Heir by Naomi Rawlings, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editor Elizabeth Mazer
Speculative:
Orphan’s Song by Gillian Bronte Adams, Enclave Publishing, editor Steve Laube
A Time to Die by Nadine Brandes, Enclave Publishing, editors Jeff Gerke, Karen Ball
Jupiter Winds by C.J. Darlington, independently published, editor Carol Kurtz Darlington
Young Adult:
This Quiet Sky by Joanne Bischof, independently published, editors Amanda Dykes, Denise Harmer
Samantha Sanderson at the Movies by Robin Caroll, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editors Kim Childress, Mary Hassinger
Storm Siren by Mary Weber, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editor Becky Monds
Debut Novel:
Playing Saint by Zachary Bartels, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editor Amanda Bostic
For Such a Time by Kate Breslin, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editors Raela Schoenherr, Luke Hinrichs
The Hesitant Heiress by Dawn Crandall, Whitaker House, editor Courtney Hartzel
- See more at: http://www.acfw.com/carol/2015_carol_award_finalists#sthash.ESORDOmA.d

Dawn Crandall

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Thursday, July 2, 2015

Some Really Great and Amazing News for The Hesitant Heiress!