Sugarcreek-set novel wins national Christian romance award

USA Today bestselling author Serena B. Miller's "The Heart of Sugarcreek" has been awarded the 2025 Carol Award in Romance, announced Saturday, Sept. 6 at the American Christian Fiction Writers annual gala in Springfield, Missouri.

The Carol Awards represent the American Christian Fiction Writers' recognition for the best Christian fiction published in the previous calendar year. Published by L.J. Emory Publishing under the editorial guidance of Brenda Kallner, "The Heart of Sugarcreek" competed against top-tier Christian romance novels to claim the honor.

"I was genuinely surprised," Miller said. "The romance genre brings in so many excellent authors, so I was absolutely thrilled when they called my name."

Set during the holiday season in Sugarcreek, "The Heart of Sugarcreek" weaves together the love stories of two couples finding second chances at happiness. When Amish widow Lydia Troyer meets kindly widower Malachi during an unexpected winter storm, neither expects to discover love again. Meanwhile, her sister Bertha finds her heart rekindled with Anthony, a Mennonite doctor from her past, leading to life-changing decisions that forever alter the close-knit Troyer family.

The awards ceremony held special significance for Miller beyond her own recognition.

"There was an author there, Robin Jones Gunn, who won the Lifetime Achievement Award, and when I came down off the stage with my award, she reached up and gave me the biggest hug," Miller said. "That's one of the great things about the ACFW group. They're so encouraging to one another, and it really meant a lot to me."

This marks Miller's second Carol Award win, having previously received the honor in 2013 for "A Promise to Love."

American Christian Fiction Writers is a professional organization devoted to the craft of Christian fiction and helping writers expand their knowledge of the publishing industry. The organization's annual conference brings together Christian fiction writers, publishers, editors and agents from across the nation.

In early 2025 Miller launched a new mystery series set in the same geographic area. "Secrets of Sugarcreek," with books one and two already available and book three, "The Quiet Soldier," releasing Nov. 7, explores the darker corners of this peaceful community through Amish-English romance mysteries.