150 Award Genres
Children
- Children - Action
- Children - Adventure
- Children - Animals
- Children - Audiobook
- Children - Christian
- Children - Coming of Age
- Children - Concept
- Children - Educational
- Children - Fable
- Children - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
- Children - General
- Children - Grade 4th-6th
- Children - Grade K-3rd
- Children - Mystery
- Children - Mythology/Fairy Tale
- Children - Non-Fiction
- Children - Picture Book
- Children - Preschool
- Children - Preteen
- Children - Religious Theme
- Children - Social Issues
Christian
- Christian - Amish
- Christian - Biblical Counseling
- Christian - Devotion/Study
- Christian - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
- Christian - Fiction
- Christian - General
- Christian - Historical Fiction
- Christian - Living
- Christian - Non-Fiction
- Christian - Romance - Contemporary
- Christian - Romance - General
- Christian - Romance - Historical
- Christian - Thriller
Fiction
- Fiction - Action
- Fiction - Adventure
- Fiction - Animals
- Fiction - Anthology
- Fiction - Audiobook
- Fiction - Chick Lit
- Fiction - Crime
- Fiction - Cultural
- Fiction - Drama
- Fiction - Dystopia
- Fiction - Fantasy - Epic
- Fiction - Fantasy - General
- Fiction - Fantasy - Urban
- Fiction - General
- Fiction - Graphic Novel/Comic
- Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
- Fiction - Historical - Personage
- Fiction - Holiday
- Fiction - Horror
- Fiction - Humor/Comedy
- Fiction - Inspirational
- Fiction - Intrigue
- Fiction - LGBTQ
- Fiction - Literary
- Fiction - Magic/Wizardry
- Fiction - Military
- Fiction - Mystery - General
- Fiction - Mystery - Historical
- Fiction - Mystery - Legal
- Fiction - Mystery - Murder
- Fiction - Mystery - Sleuth
- Fiction - Mythology
- Fiction - New Adult
- Fiction - Paranormal
- Fiction - Realistic
- Fiction - Religious Theme
- Fiction - Science Fiction
- Fiction - Short Story/Novela
- Fiction - Social Issues
- Fiction - Southern
- Fiction - Sports
- Fiction - Supernatural
- Fiction - Suspense
- Fiction - Tall Tale
- Fiction - Thriller - Conspiracy
- Fiction - Thriller - Environmental
- Fiction - Thriller - Espionage
- Fiction - Thriller - General
- Fiction - Thriller - Legal
- Fiction - Thriller - Medical
- Fiction - Thriller - Political
- Fiction - Thriller - Psychological
- Fiction - Thriller - Terrorist
- Fiction - Time Travel
- Fiction - Urban
- Fiction - Visionary
- Fiction - Western
- Fiction - Womens
Non-Fiction
- Non-Fiction - Adventure
- Non-Fiction - Animals
- Non-Fiction - Anthology
- Non-Fiction - Art/Photography
- Non-Fiction - Audiobook
- Non-Fiction - Autobiography
- Non-Fiction - Biography
- Non-Fiction - Business/Finance
- Non-Fiction - Cooking/Food
- Non-Fiction - Cultural
- Non-Fiction - Drama
- Non-Fiction - Education
- Non-Fiction - Environment
- Non-Fiction - Genealogy
- Non-Fiction - General
- Non-Fiction - Gov/Politics
- Non-Fiction - Grief/Hardship
- Non-Fiction - Health - Fitness
- Non-Fiction - Health - Medical
- Non-Fiction - Historical
- Non-Fiction - Hobby
- Non-Fiction - Home/Crafts
- Non-Fiction - Humor/Comedy
- Non-Fiction - Inspirational
- Non-Fiction - LGBTQ
- Non-Fiction - Marketing
- Non-Fiction - Memoir
- Non-Fiction - Military
- Non-Fiction - Motivational
- Non-Fiction - Music/Entertainment
- Non-Fiction - New Age
- Non-Fiction - Occupational
- Non-Fiction - Parenting
- Non-Fiction - Relationships
- Non-Fiction - Religion/Philosophy
- Non-Fiction - Retirement
- Non-Fiction - Self Help
- Non-Fiction - Short Story/Novela
- Non-Fiction - Social Issues
- Non-Fiction - Spiritual/Supernatural
- Non-Fiction - Sports
- Non-Fiction - Travel
- Non-Fiction - True Crime
- Non-Fiction - Womens
- Non-Fiction - Writing/Publishing
Poetry
Romance
Young Adult
- Young Adult - Action
- Young Adult - Adventure
- Young Adult - Coming of Age
- Young Adult - Fantasy - Epic
- Young Adult - Fantasy - General
- Young Adult - Fantasy - Urban
- Young Adult - General
- Young Adult - Horror
- Young Adult - Mystery
- Young Adult - Mythology/Fairy Tale
- Young Adult - Non-Fiction
- Young Adult - Paranormal
- Young Adult - Religious Theme
- Young Adult - Romance
- Young Adult - Sci-Fi
- Young Adult - Social Issues
- Young Adult - Thriller
Illustration Award
Recommend this book:
The Car Thief
A Boy's Perilous Journey through the Juvenile Justice System
Vicki Reed
2021 Gold Medal
407 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Thriller - Legal
The Car Thief is a tale about a twelve-year-old orphan, Kelly Morgan, and his ordeals at the hand of child services and the juvenile justice system. The best he was offered after his father's death was a cold and abusive grandfather, a child home that subjected him to the point system, a juvenile detention facility, and a correction facility for adults. After a couple of failed promises and childish mistakes, he is left at the mercy of an ill-prepared justice infrastructure, a gutsy public defendant, and a veteran correctional officer. All Kelly wants is to get back to his home in Wyoming, but he may have to settle for a minimum-security forestry camp.
Author Vicki Reed addresses the flaws in the juvenile justice system and child services from the witty and innocent perspective of a child — one for who the system was not designed. As his lawyer puts it, "The law set a trap for a tiger. It caught a kitten." His story offers a mix of delight and sadness, inspiring and empathetic. Vicki Reed draws from her wealth of experience working in the juvenile justice system to deliver a fast-paced and straightforward plot, perfectly scripted with powerful diction that is easy to read and a thrilling delight. From the first scene, I was hooked and intrigued. Kelly's wit and innocence are very endearing and entertaining. Kelly is a compelling character, and his story will definitely resonate with anyone who has suffered unfairly at the hands of a failed system.
Recommend this book:
Death of a Rancher's Daughter
#2 In The Lady Lawyer Mysteries
Susan P. Baker
2021 Silver Medal
416 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Thriller - Legal
Death of a Rancher's Daughter: #2 In The Lady Lawyer Mysteries by Susan P. Baker is an intriguing legal mystery that will keep you in suspense until the end. This second offering in the series has lawyer-of-a-certain-age Sandra Salinsky representing a Latina who allegedly shot the rancher's daughter, a twin. This gripping scenario takes place in Texas Hill County in a small town, revealing racism and murder, and culminates in a jury trial that will satisfy legal drama fans everywhere. Along with her attorney/mother, Sandra watches the wheels of white privilege turn.
Baker has formulated the perfectly satisfying legal suspense novel in this one. You'll appreciate the author's legal prowess, and there is a reason for that: Baker is a retired Texas judge, which lends an impressive realism to the story you don't find with some other crime dramas. I really enjoy the characters of Sandra and her mother--a unique criminal defense team to say the least, and a combination that is fresh and inviting. Their clashes seem natural. Melinda is a great character as well, as are the others that enter the picture, especially the sympathetic defendant, Rufina.
The plot that the author has built is gripping from the beginning, and you may think you have things figured out and know how the story will play out, but there are some surprises. I like how the themes of racism and phobias are used, which definitely infiltrates the legal system as well as any other. The plot is well-paced and inviting, the characters and situations convincing, and you get the feeling this author really enjoys entertaining you from a legal but also a personal aspect. If you're up for a bumpy ride through a gritty Texas murder trial, buckle your seatbelts and check out Death of a Rancher's Daughter by Susan P. Baker.
Recommend this book:
Amid Rage
Joel Burcat
2021 Bronze Medal
368 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Thriller - Legal
Caught in a court battle between a coal mining corporation and an endangered community, an environmental prosecutor must find a way to remain neutral in the intriguing legal thriller Amid Rage by Joel Burcat. Mike Jacobs is an attorney with DEP, Pennsylvania's environmental agency, and his job is to ensure that mining operations are working within the confines of the law. When Ernesto Rinati, the owner of the Rhino Mining company, has a complaint with DEP, Mike is directed to keep an eye on the proceedings. Unhappy with the restrictions on his mining permit issued by DEP, Rinati filed an appeal. In the meantime, the homeowners whose residences are in close proximity to Rintati's new mine also filed an appeal to DEP, stating that the permit wasn't stringent enough. Essentially babysitting the appellants, Mike is to remain neutral concerning the debate. However, when he meets both parties during his investigation, he inadvertently sides with the homeowners. Can Mike help the residents without losing his job?
Filled with suspense and intrigue, Amid Rage by Joel Burcat is an intense legal thriller. From the first page, the elements of greed, murder, and psychopathy color the plot, creating a fascinating and irresistible novel. The storyline is intriguing and moves at a fast pace, the momentum building until it culminates in an explosive and dramatic conclusion. Containing a sinister, sadistic, psychopathic villain and bloody, action-packed scenes, the story's horror captures the imagination, making it impossible to put the book down until the protagonist prevails. Even though this is the second book in the Mike Jacobs series, the story does very well as a standalone. With an intense plot, a gripping storyline, and fascinating characters, this enthralling adventure promises to entertain everyone who enjoys courtroom drama and psychopathic criminals. Due to graphic violence and sexual content, the book is more suitable for mature readers.
Recommend this book:
Wyoming
Richard G. Tuttle
2021 Honorable Mention
364 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Thriller - Legal
Wyoming by Richard G. Tuttle is a legal thriller that will have you hooked to the story until the end. Patrick Flaherty is not your usual man living in a small town. He suffers from chrometophobia, an aversion to money. But he accepts his reality and looks for opportunities to live a fulfilling life without needing to handle money, if possible. So, Patrick becomes a part of the community in Coolidge and does his best to live off the grid of money. However, a chance encounter with Special Agent Bolton changes his life forever. Bolton reports Patrick for tax fraud, and that opens a new can of worms for Patrick. He has no idea what he is going to do and how he will avoid jail time. Luckily for him, his lawyer is the very capable Anita Boyle, and she is ready to fight for Patrick until the end.
I have never heard of chrometophobia, so right off the bat I knew I was going to love this book! Patrick is a simple man with very simple needs. With his phobia, he finds an ingenious way of living and surviving without becoming isolated. You can tell that Richard G. Tuttle did a lot of research before writing Patrick’s character. The explanation of community life, how small towns look out for each other (even if they do judge each other), and the background building for Patrick is handled exceptionally well. The detailed descriptions of the trial are very fascinating, and readers see the behind-the-scenes in a court trial. I never knew things could be like this and how a dedicated lawyer can turn a whole case around. We usually get to see the glamorous side of the law and court trials in novels, so this is a fascinating look into the reality of a court trial. Readers experience what lawyers have to go through to get a not-guilty verdict for an innocent client. Wyoming by Richard G. Tuttle is as educational as it is entertaining.
Recommend this book:
The Redcap
A Sam McKay Novel
K.M. Hardy
2021 Finalist
294 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Thriller - Legal
A wealthy woman's death in Chicago has become a cold case, and when a team of FBI agents from Cleveland travels to Chicago to solve her murder, local law enforcement and organized crime syndicates impede their investigation, provoking deadly consequences in the thrilling murder mystery, The Redcap (A Sam McKay Novel) by K.M. Hardy. As a favor to an old friend, the Director of Cleveland's branch of the FBI sends Agents Sam McKay and his team, Julie, Rivera, and Simon, to Chicago to solve a murder that has gone cold. While looking into the victim's life, Sam discovers a clue that the previous investigators overlooked. His new lead indicates that someone from the art world is involved and has ties to a psychotic mafia leader. Charlotte, a charming art thief, becomes involved in the investigation, but her tactics are questionable, and the team doubts her reliability. With so many elements impeding their investigation, Charlotte may hold the key to unmasking the killer, but can they trust her?
Intense and exciting, The Redcap (A Sam McKay Novel) by K.M. Hardy is a thrilling novel filled with twists and turns. Filled with avarice, malice, and murder, the story is an intricately woven web of intrigue and suspense. It is a well-written story with a complex plot, engaging characters, and a captivating storyline. I was captured by Sam's brogue from the first page, and the further I got into the story, the more I admired his character. The Isobel/Claire/Charlotte aspect was intriguing and kept me guessing until the end. This is a stunning novel that is sure to delight everyone who loves a good murder mystery.
Recommend this book:
Burning Justice
Innocent Prisoners Project Book 6
Marti Green
2020 Bronze Medal
248 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Thriller - Legal
Burning Justice by Marti Green is Book 6 in the Innocent Prisoners Project Series. Becky Whitlaw, a young widow from Texas, stands accused of burning her house down, killing her three children. She claims she is innocent but could she have done it in a drunken blackout? The jury says she is guilty and convicts her. Twenty years on, Dani Trumball takes her case. Working with the Help Innocent Prisoners Project as a defense attorney, Dani agrees to defend Becky, even though the evidence is pointing straight at her. At the same time, California wildfires are raging closer and closer to Dani’s home; can she find the evidence she needs to get Becky acquitted at the same time as keeping her own husband and kids safe? Time is short for Dani and this case will test her to the limits.
Burning Justice by Marti Green is the sixth book in the Innocent Prisoners Project series but can be read as a standalone story. Marti Green has written a cracking legal thriller here, a story that tells another side of the justice system and shows us that not everything is black or white. The main protagonist, Dani, is very well developed, a likable, real person with real problems. This isn’t just about her legal battles; this is about her personal battles too and it makes for an intriguing read. There’s plenty of action, suspenseful mystery, and legal information along the way, some of which might cause your eyebrows to raise a little! The story is full of emotion and you will feel drawn to both Dani and Becky, rooting for them all the way. Highly recommended reading. I will be reading the rest of the series.
Recommend this book:
Ariel's Island
Pat McKee
2020 Honorable Mention
352 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Thriller - Legal
Paul McDaniel is thrilled when he is offered a full partnership in the law firm of Strange & Fowler, one of Atlanta’s most prestigious law offices. He is soon disappointed to learn that this partnership has not come because of his talent for winning a really big case but instead because of the circumstances surrounding this case. Paul has just won a patent case for the Milano Corporation and he is feeling pretty good about himself; not only has he won the case but the beautiful owner’s daughter, Melissa, seems to be interested in him and looking for a romantic ending. Paul suddenly finds himself in the middle of murder and bribery that are putting him in danger and he is accused of crimes he did not commit. He is frightened, confused and having a hard time coming to terms with all that has happened to him in a very short time. Several people come to Paul’s defense and do their best to rescue him, keep him alive, safe, and try to prove his innocence.
Ariel’s Island is a legal story with a lot of thrills, twists, turns, and surprises. I anxiously read Ariel’s Island and rooted for Paul to have a happy ending. Pat McKee’s writing style is unique and entertaining. I am still pondering on the surprise ending which I could never have predicted and am not sure yet how I really feel about it. If you like thrillers, mysteries, legal themes and a little touch of romance, then Ariel’s Island by Pat McKee is a must-read for you and should be put on the top of your reading list.
Recommend this book:
The Midnight Call
Jodé Millman
2020 Honorable Mention
460 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Thriller - Legal
The Midnight Call by Jodé Millman is a legal thriller. Jessie Martin is a successful attorney, mentored by a high school teacher, Terrence Butterfield. Midnight. The phone rings and Jessie answers it. Terrence is pleading for help, admitting to killing someone, and loyalty has her rushing to him. There’s a lot at stake here though, not least Jessie’s professional life and her unborn baby. The police arrive to start the investigation into the body of a boy in Terrence’s basement but Jessie is uncertain – is she there as a friend or attorney? A monster betrayal sees Jessie fighting for everything she ever held dear in a bid to get to the truth behind the murder. Is Terrence innocent or has he been playing Jessie all along?
The Midnight Call by Jodé Millman was inspired by a true crime that, to my mind, made it even more gripping. Right from the start, the story drags you into a complex, thrilling plot with plenty of subplots to add mystery. This is an 'action all the way' thriller, there’s no let-up and the story will leave you wanting more – indeed, I hope there is a sequel to this. The characters were fantastic, well developed, and real people that you can instantly relate to, and all the different plots wound together to create a book that you won’t want to put down. The only downside is that I felt there was rather too much going on at times but this was one legal thriller that I thoroughly enjoyed and can't wait for more.
Recommend this book:
Rattlesnake & Son
Jonathan Miller
2020 Finalist
344 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Thriller - Legal
Rattlesnake & Son is the eleventh novel in the Rattlesnake Lawyer Series by Jonathan Miller. Dan Shepard was called to Truth and Consequences, New Mexico to represent a boy who had been caught shoplifting. Thinking that this would be an open and shut case, he drives there to find out that the boy he is going to defend is his son. He meets with his ex-wife and his now fourteen-year-old son Marley. Taking it as the perfect opportunity to reconnect with his son, Dan finally experiences what it means to be a father. However, life has other plans for him and his son, as Marley is charged with some terrible crimes that he might have committed at his school. It is not your usual trouble at school and Dan has to work especially hard to get his son’s name cleared. This could be the toughest battle that he has ever fought and it might be the one that he loses.
Fast-paced and heart-racing, Rattlesnake & Son by Jonathan Miller had me sitting on the edge of my seat. It was a quick novel to read, the characters were well developed, the plot was well-thought-out and everything was given proper time and space to grow naturally. Nothing was hurried and the author never tried to wrap up something. Every twist and turn of the story was necessary and it all tied together in the end. The author did a wonderful job at not only writing an amazing mystery novel but doing it justice. Reading Rattlesnake & Son was an amazing, very entertaining experience.
Recommend this book:
Hallowed Halls
H.E. Kline
2019 Gold Medal
332 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Thriller - Legal
Hallowed Halls by H.E. Kline is an engrossing crime thriller with a lot of courtroom drama featuring an exceptional female protagonist. Becky Lawrence graduated from Harvard Law School and lands her dream job. She is the Assistant U.S. Attorney. But she has a huge problem. She is irresistibly attracted to her intelligent, handsome, and brash boss, Zach Woods, who happens to be a married man. She has an even bigger problem—a ghost prowls the courthouse, seeking the justice he was once denied.
H.E. Kline lets readers in on what happens in the courthouse — the injustices, the crimes, and the controversial situations that are capable of blowing the reader’s mind. The reader is left in no doubt that this crime thriller is written by an expert, someone who has worked the courtroom for many years and paid attention to everything happening there. The narrative combines crime and legal themes with romance to create an exciting reading experience for readers. The characters are complex with deep layers, but they are real; even Charlie, who will arouse the reader’s sympathy and sense of pathos.
Hallowed Halls is a story that is filled with symbolism and irony. It is ironic that a place that is supposed to represent justice becomes one of the places that reflects the worst forms of injustice. Hallowed Halls narrates a reality that is filled with ignominy. The prose is wonderful, the drama exciting, and the characters hugely entertaining. This thriller kept me reading through the night.