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:
Beyond the Rio Gila
Scott G. Hibbard
2021 Honorable Mention
375 Pages
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Fiction - Western
Beyond the Rio Gila by Scott G. Hibbard is a historical and coming-of-age story that features multidimensional and exquisitely developed characters. The main protagonist is seventeen-year-old Moses Cole who leaves home and walks from the Shenandoah farmland to Pennsylvania and eventually becomes a First Dragoons underage recruit. The adventure follows Private Moses Cole on a journey from Virginia to San Diego and back, a tale of loss, friendship, humanity, and love—it is enriched by the humor, the encounters with different characters, and shared humanity among characters of diverse cultures and backgrounds.
The story evokes strong elements of history, especially the Mormon Battalion from Council Bluffs to San Diego in 1846 to 1847 during the Mexican-American War. Against an unforgiving, historical backdrop, the author brings to life a story that features immigrants, the effects of religious persecution on a pregnant woman, a drunk intellectual, and many others. The narrative is a story of adventure, love, and the resilience of the human spirit, told in a captivating voice and exploring the beauty of human intercourse, the balm of humor, and the hidden joys of perseverance. The writing is crisp and it reflects the cultural background of the characters, with dialogues that capture both the intelligence and the way the characters think and speak. The witticism and insights infused into the conversations had me delighted as I read from one gripping page to the next. Beyond the Rio Gila is not just a historical novel; it is classic, a well-crafted story with sophisticated characters, a smartly written plot, and humor that sinks its teeth to the very core of the reader. You will love Scott G. Hibbard’s characters, his attention to detail when it comes to the setting, and his exceptional ability to write scenes that feel real to readers.
Recommend this book:
Days of Hope, Miles of Misery
Love and Loss on the Oregon Trail
Fred Dickey
2021 Bronze Medal
442 Pages
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Fiction - Western
Days of Hope, Miles of Misery: Love and Loss on the Oregon Trail is a work of fiction in the history, drama and realistic sub-genres, and was penned by author Fred Dickey. Written for adult audiences, the work contains some scenes of violence and moderate profanity and sexual references. As the subtitle suggests, the work is set during the pioneering time of the mid-nineteenth century when brave folk set out to carve their destinies via the harrowing journey of the Oregon Trail. We follow many lives as they intertwine, but most notably that of doctor Hannah Blanc and mountain man Nimrod Lee. As the pair struggles with their own demons, their union brings about yet more complexity and strife.
Author Fred Dickey has crafted a really interesting novel with plenty of historical flavor, setting out the harsh realities of this time period, but also its many rewards and triumphs for true hard work. It was clear to see that the author engaged in heavy research for the piece, as every page is packed with intricate historical details. This treatment also extends into the dialogue and atmosphere of the story, which felt authentically voiced and never too modernized, and yet it was penned in a style very accessible for modern audiences to grasp. This is in part due to the trailblazing Hannah, who is ahead of her time and makes an excellent central focal point for the tale. Overall, I would highly recommend Days of Hope, Miles of Misery: Love and Loss on the Oregon Trail as an accomplished work of historical fiction.
Recommend this book:
High Plains Redemption
Cimarron Jack Westerns Book 2
GP Hutchinson
2021 Silver Medal
280 Pages
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Fiction - Western
Do you love western movies directed by the likes of Quentin Tarantino? If the answer is yes, grab a copy of G.P. Hutchinson's High Plains Redemption. Bronco Buster Quint Woodall finds himself embroiled in events far more than he bargained for when he unwittingly rescues a damsel in distress, Cora Blake, from her cruel future fiance, Julias McAdams. After surviving a beatdown by Julias's goons, Quint takes Cora to the only place he knows; his mother's ranch where he grew up. However, he finds an unexpected nemesis in Slash W., as a certain Hew Boggs preoccupies his mother's attention. To make matters worse, Cora's cold-blooded father uses his influence to make Quint an outlaw and seeks to regain control over his daughter's life. Can Quint and Cora forge a life for themselves and be free?
Author G.P. Hutchinson crafts an engaging western filled with action, romance, and southern banter that makes you turn the pages with eager anticipation of what's to come. The plot moves at a fast pace and is riddled with twists and turns that keep you thoroughly immersed in the narrative. The characters are colorful, with distinct personalities that pop out of the page. Quint and Cora's relationship drives the narrative forward, and I found their dynamic one of my favorite aspects of the story. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of humor sprinkled throughout the pages, and those moments made the narrative all the more enjoyable. I would recommend High Plains Redemption to anyone interested in well-written westerns.
Recommend this book:
In This Land of Plenty
Mary Smathers
2021 Gold Medal
454 Pages
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Fiction - Western
In This Land of Plenty by Mary Smathers introduces the reader to Nicole Sinclair. A woman who finds DNA documents that show a history far different than the Northern European background her father always said they had. With the help of her great-grandmother, she dives instead into a rich history that includes a Spanish soldier and a native Ohlone girl. While discovering this history, Nicole must try to get her father on board and save an old house from being sold off. A family saga that is ripe with the history that belongs in the very soil of California today.
As someone who has spent a lot of time digging around their own family roots, I absolutely love stories about rich family history. I connected with Nicole almost immediately. This story is full of fantastic history, reminding all of us today just how much California has to offer, not only in beautiful land but the rich history of our nation. Mary Smathers manages to weave this story beautifully in such a way as to keep every reader who picks up this book completely enthralled.
It was almost impossible to set this book down. I found myself learning a lot that I didn’t know about the history of California while we travel with Nicole through 250 years of family history. This book is truly a treat for the mind. You will find yourself painting the pictures being described to you as you read and I promise you will find yourself feeling as if you are walking through events right along with the characters. If you love a good story and a great history lesson, In This Land of Plenty is a book for you.
Recommend this book:
Matamoros
James Kahn
2020 Finalist
419 Pages
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Fiction - Western
Matamoros by James Kahn is a rollicking Civil War adventure with strong hints of romance, set in the Rio Grande in 1863. It is a turbulent period with war going on. With the Confederate ports all blocked by the Union, Matamoros remained the only access to the outside world, a foreign port where a lot of smuggling went on and where all types of characters appeared: runaway slaves, cotton smugglers, spies, and rascals. It is here that Clay runs his gambling business, partnered with Allie, an ex-con artist. With the whirlwinds of change and their differences in political inclinations, can the romance between Clay and Allie survive?
Matamoros by James Kahn is a historical novel that captures a social situation, transporting readers back in time to explore a city where all sorts of people come and go and where all kinds of shady businesses take place. The reader gets a vivid glimpse of what this city looks like in times of war, with danger always close by. The author does a wonderful job of capturing the different elements of the setting, exploring the historical and social aspects. The prose is beautiful and highly descriptive, and readers will enjoy the social commentaries that punctuate the narrative. The characters are sophisticated, and I particularly loved the way Clay and Allie are developed. The characters have different layers of personality and I enjoyed how they survive the stress and dangers of Matamoros. This is an awesome read, fast-paced and filled with action. The author paints exciting images of a town flourishing in times of war and makes readers feel as though they were part of it.
Recommend this book:
Home To Kentucky
The McCoys Before The Feud Series Vol.2
Thomas A. McCoy
2020 Honorable Mention
301 Pages
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Fiction - Western
Home To Kentucky: The McCoys Before The Feud Series Vol. 2 by Thomas A. McCoy is an intelligently plotted and beautifully written story with strong historical undertones; a rollicking tale of adventure. Set in Kansas in 1865, Wiley McCoy and his siblings are headed home with plundered gold stacked in wagons. Although destined for home, they have a huge problem: making the journey back safely without attracting the attention of law enforcers. But how can they lay low with so many war deserters and bandits running across their trail? And what happens when they cross paths with the people they least expected: the Pinkerton detectives.
We meet the characters six weeks after the last raid on the North's stockpiles of southern valuables. The general's attempt to find the raiders had not been fruitful, and his investigation had all but died out. The author provides interesting background information on the characters, mostly men who had served in various units of the army. The narrative voice is strong, the action intense, the scenes focused and the entire story filled with action. You will hear lots of gunshots, follow the characters through very tight situations, and hear pounding heartbeats. Home To Kentucky: The McCoys Before The Feud Series Vol.2 is filled with adventure and daring. It is bold, it is balanced, it is deft. The plot development is complemented by the depth of character and vividness in the setting. This is a story that will entice fans of westerns, sleuth, action, and adventure tales.
Recommend this book:
Whispers Among The Prairie
Michelle Roberts
2020 Bronze Medal
194 Pages
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Fiction - Western
The first tragedy in Morning Dove’s life was the death of her parents from smallpox, a devastating disease for Native Americans brought by the white man. Morning Dove, a twenty-year-old South Cheyenne maiden, and her eighteen-year-old brother, Black Beaver, were raised by the tribal chief and his wife. Chief Black Kettle and Medicine Woman later instilled their love for peace in Morning Dove’s heart. The chief hired a white man to teach them the English language. At the same time, Clinton McKay, a veteran of the Civil War that had just ended, found himself untrained to do any available job in his hometown of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Joining the cavalry seemed like the best option, although he hated to leave his sister, a war widow, and her two young daughters. While Clinton thought the cavalry’s main focus was the protection of wagon trains and stagecoaches, he soon learned that killing the Indians was another goal. The paths of Morning Dove and Clinton soon crossed, and the story continues in Michelle Roberts’ historical novel, Whispers Among the Prairie.
This book engages the reader from the first page to the last. Beginning with an everyday scene in a Cheyenne village and then moving to life in a Midwestern town after the Civil War is certainly intriguing. The author writes in a smooth, flowing style, capturing the reader’s imagination. There are a number of characters in both settings, and each one is aptly described. Likewise, the settings are also easy to imagine. In Whispers Among the Prairie by Michelle Roberts a cataclysmic decade in the United States’ history is unforgettably portrayed.
Recommend this book:
The Legend of Deputy Jim
The Last Enemy Series Prequel
Dan E. Hendrickson
2020 Silver Medal
216 Pages
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Fiction - Western
“You’re a hero, Jim, plain and simple. But that ain’t necessarily a good thing either.” The Legend of Deputy Jim is the thrilling story of Jim Edwards, working for the Sheridan County, Wyoming Sheriff’s Department in the 1970s. His tale is anything but normal; day one of his career is already filled with the dangerous involvement of the Wild Wolves, a notorious motorcycle gang. A dispute between law enforcement and outlaws is not all that Deputy Jim finds himself involved in - the ties of the Wolves run deep into their cartel drug suppliers and corrupted politicians on the payroll. Jim struggles to do the right thing, fulfill his duty, be a protector, and come out of a death trap alive as the story climaxes toward a dangerous showdown from the outlaw bikers, particularly Grinder, who want him dead. This action-packed novel will have you on the edge of your seat.
Reading The Legend of Deputy Jim was a pleasure, to say the least. Dan E. Hendrickson has done an incredible job of creating a thrilling story with vivid and relatable characters. Hendrickson has clearly poured passion into his work that comes alive in the characters. I laughed, I sat at the edge of my seat, I worried about the wellbeing of the characters. I found it extremely difficult to stop reading once I started. I became emotionally attached, and the story stuck with me long after I put the book down. The Legend of Deputy Jim truly is a once in a lifetime type of novel, and it is highly recommended!
Recommend this book:
Fire Blossom
Gail Meath
2020 Gold Medal
188 Pages
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Fiction - Western
A young woman must confront her disastrous past to save her future in the compelling historical romance, Fire Blossom (The Bridge Between Enemies) by Gail Meath. It's 1843 in the Republic of Texas. Enchanting Comanche Princess Fire Blossom has lost all memories of her past; she can't recall her life before a severe illness stole her memories four years ago. With the deep affection of her family and neighboring tribe, Fire Blossom is content with her life. Always the impetuous one, she anxiously awaits the blessing of her marriage to the brave warrior, and soon-to-be-chief, Lone Wolf. After some urging, Fire Blossom and Lone Wolf are thrilled to learn that the ceremony will be held in three days. Following a secret rendezvous with her betrothed, Fire Blossom happens on a horrific scene; the carnage of her village by frenzied settlers. Frantic and overwhelmed with grief, she only has time to try saving her wounded older sister before she is captured and tortured. Unsure of how long her captors will keep her alive, and what they intend on doing with her, Fire Blossom can only hope for a quick death. When a tall, quiet Texan Ranger intervenes and enlists the help of his sister-in-law to nurse her back to health, Fire Blossom's sole focus is returning to Lone Wolf. Only, the longer she stays at the Ranger's farm, the closer to her unremembered past she becomes. Suddenly her heart is caught between yesterday and tomorrow. With her loyalties divided, Fire Blossom must choose between love, integrity, and honor. Will Fire Blossom be able to reclaim the past she doesn't remember? Can she reconnect with her lost love?
Fire Blossom (The Bridge Between Enemies) by Gail Meath is an engaging romantic western set during a time of turmoil in Texas. Seamlessly moving from the past to the present, this story takes the reader into a provocative account of murder, lies, betrayal, and ultimate healing. Immediately impressing me with how superbly Ms. Meath developed her characters and story world, the complex plot is masterfully executed with impeccable pacing, culminating in a thrilling ending. The main characters instantly captured my attention, drawing me deep into the story to the last page. The other characters stole my heart as well, as Ms. Meath expertly interwove their backgrounds throughout the novel. I appreciated how Ms. Meath added complex, yet defining nuances to the story, enhancing the enjoyment of the final outcome. I was surprisingly pleased with the conclusion and look forward to reading more from this author.
Recommend this book:
Home To Kentucky
The McCoys Before The Feud Series Vol.2
Thomas A. McCoy
2019 Finalist
301 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Western
Home To Kentucky: The McCoys Before The Feud Series Vol. 2 by Thomas A. McCoy is an intelligently plotted and beautifully written story with strong historical undertones; a rollicking tale of adventure. Set in Kansas in 1865, Wiley McCoy and his siblings are headed home with plundered gold stacked in wagons. Although destined for home, they have a huge problem: making the journey back safely without attracting the attention of law enforcers. But how can they lay low with so many war deserters and bandits running across their trail? And what happens when they cross paths with the people they least expected: the Pinkerton detectives.
We meet the characters six weeks after the last raid on the North's stockpiles of southern valuables. The general's attempt to find the raiders had not been fruitful, and his investigation had all but died out. The author provides interesting background information on the characters, mostly men who had served in various units of the army. The narrative voice is strong, the action intense, the scenes focused and the entire story filled with action. You will hear lots of gunshots, follow the characters through very tight situations, and hear pounding heartbeats. Home To Kentucky: The McCoys Before The Feud Series Vol.2 is filled with adventure and daring. It is bold, it is balanced, it is deft. The plot development is complemented by the depth of character and vividness in the setting. This is a story that will entice fans of westerns, sleuth, action, and adventure tales.