Kregel Title Wins 2026 Christian Market Book Awards Novel of the Year, and Five Place in Golden Scroll Awards

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — On Sunday, August 2, the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association announced the winners of the 18th annual Golden Scroll Awards and the 7th annual Christian Market Book Awards. Six Kregel titles are winners.

The Eyes of River: An Appalachian Novel by Cindy K. Sproles was awarded the Christian Market Novel of the Year. Highly respected by the industry for her hard-hitting historical novels, Sproles writes about the shadowed hollers of the early twentieth-century Appalachian Mountains. In The Eyes of River, a young girl on the run has been falsely accused of murder and is desperate to reunite with her brother, River, who never arrived at his destination after being mailed through the US post. She happens upon an unexpected friend to help her dodge the law and save the missing youngin'. Sproles’ previous book, Coal Black Lies, won second place for Historical Novel of the Year in last year's Golden Scroll Awards.

A Simple Kindness in Flatsboro: A Southern Novel by Heather Norman Smith placed third for the Golden Scroll Awards Contemporary Novel of the Year. Andy Clark navigates his differences from others and strikes up an unlikely friendship with the nearly divorced Della Rose. Set against the backdrop of a Southern town and a little apartment complex, this story addresses grief, trusting God, and what it means to be kind.

Southern Sunshine: 90 Devotions to Brighten Your Day and Bless Your Heart was an honorable mention for the Golden Scroll Awards Devotional Book of the Year. For the days when life feels cattywampus, Dawn Wallis brings sassy Southernisms together with heartwarming wisdom straight from God's Word. Readers won't need to fix their hair or put on their Sunday best to open Southern Sunshine and find encouragement to light their day.

Flourish: Grace-Centered Practices to Protect and Grow a Fruitful Life in Christ by Ava Pennington placed third for the Golden Scroll Awards Christian Living Book of the Year. The fruit of the Spirit is promised to every Christian, so why do so many believers lack love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? Flourish is the perfect resource for those dissatisfied with their level of spiritual maturity and those seeking tools and guidance to cultivate their relationship with God.

The Trauma Tree by Lisa Saruga was an honorable mention for the Golden Scroll Awards Christian Living Book of the Year. In The Trauma Tree, Saruga walks with readers through her own story and the stories of other survivors, demonstrating how to move through trauma, avoid retraumatization, and grow stronger in mind, body, and spirit.

The Beginning of You by Laine Lawson Craft placed second for the Golden Scroll Awards Children's Book of the Year. With rhyming text and colorful illustrations, this sweet board book is ideal for parents and caregivers to read with the children in their lives as an interactive experience. As kids like them are depicted smelling cookies and flowers, hearing a train and a plane, and jumping and running, children will begin to learn where their noses are, where their ears are, what their legs do, and more!

Kregel is pleased to congratulate all these winners.

Kregel Publications is an evangelical Christian publisher that aims to develop and distribute—with integrity and excellence—trusted, biblically based resources that lead individuals to know and serve Jesus Christ.

The Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) is a professional support group of Christian women communicators who have achieved significant success in publishing and speaking. Founded in 2000, AWSA equips and encourages members through training, networking, conferences, masterminds, and mentoring opportunities. AWSA members represent a diverse community of authors, speakers, podcasters, and media professionals whose ministries impact audiences across the globe. AWSA also sponsors the Golden Scroll Awards and the Christian Market Book Awards to honor excellence in Christian publishing. To learn more about AWSA, visit awsa.com.