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 Marriage Fix
Billionaire Games
Sandra Edwards
2014 Honorable Mention
230 Pages
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Romance - Contemporary
With her brothers happily married to two beautiful American women, Lecie de Laurent decides it’s time for her to experience a bit of independence. She leaves for California with her friend Deidra, where they spend the days baking in the sun and enjoying lemon drop martinis at the beach bar, Hang Ten. But Lecie’s controlling father wants her back in France and he’ll do anything to make it happen, including having Lecie deported. In The Marriage Fix, we find Lecie in search of a temporary husband so she can beat her father at his own game, only she’ll do it with the blessing of her protective brothers. Unfortunately, Lecie is quite smitten with Hang Ten proprietor, Nick Matthews, who is engaged to someone else. This fun story from Sandra Edwards is well-written, fast paced and utterly delightful.
Lecie and Deidra have been going to Hang Ten regularly for the crab cakes and definitely not for the soon to be married owner, Nick. But when Nick’s fiancée does the unthinkable, he is need of a great deal of money to keep his life from spinning out of control. The thing I really enjoyed about The Marriage Fix was that the reason Lecie and Nick needed one another was solid and not contrived. They both had the means to help the other achieve their goals, and a little dusting of attraction is just the icing on the cake, right? Sandra Edwards wrote a great story with this, giving us more time with favorites like Camille and Tasha and even Lecie’s overbearing father. The time with the girls was most enjoyable, as was watching Nick and Lecie come to terms with their growing feelings. The Marriage Fix is a quick read, but it is definitely a full story guaranteed to satisfy.
Recommend this book:
Concealed in my Heart
Regina Puckett
2014 Honorable Mention
281 Pages
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Romance - Contemporary
Concealed in my Heart by Regina Puckett is a contemporary romance novel which introduces readers to the concepts of love, friendship, betrayal, secrets, kindness, forgiveness, and an actress in the entertainment business. Charity Fields is a hometown Tennessee country girl. She has married her high school sweetheart and is an inspiring actress-to-be. Charity is discovered by movie producer Charles Bennett when he watches her performance at a university play. Charity is soon on her way to stardom and is cast in the producer's movie to be filmed in Dallas. Charity soon learns the hardships and struggles of being a young, married, "beginner" actress when she struggles with a jealous, devious film crew, a crude sexist director, and overbearing reporters, paparazzi, and tabloid papers. When secrets and lies come into play, Charity doesn't know if she can handle the stress of it all or, for that matter, if her marriage can withstand it.
Author Regina Puckett has written a fantastic romance novel that will capture not only female readers, but men as well, with its intriguing and realistic story line, and characters that will befriend you right from the very beginning. Regina offers readers warm and affectionate scenes, creating a reader-character love affair, as well as gut wrenching moments that will leave you disliking some scenes and characters immensely. The book contains suspenseful twist and turns, aspects of betrayal, and love that a true to life romance novel reader would find appealing. A skillfully well-written novel for all romance lovers to read and enjoy.
Recommend this book:
Rodeo Queen
T. J. Kline
2014 Bronze Medal
416 Pages
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Romance - Contemporary
Rodeo Queen by author T.J. Kline is a deliciously romantic tale that is sure to make readers' heart beat a little faster as they watch Sydney and Scott's love blossom. The couple literally ran into each other at the rodeo where Sydney had just been crowned queen. Scott couldn't help notice how attractive she was but he wanted no part of rodeo queens; one had already broken his heart and he wouldn't allow that to happen again. Sydney had her own nightmare to face. After seeing how she could train and handle horses, Sydney was hired to work on the ranch where Scott was part owner; her mere presence keeps Scott's heart racing. When an ex-girlfriend, Liz, with evil intentions arrives, so does a nightmare from Sydney’s past. How far is Liz willing to go to come between Sydney and Scott? Will Sydney survive the nightmare from her past?
It is T.J. Kline’s fault that I have been up all night reading. I know reviewers often say they cannot put a book down, but I literally could not. I was so caught up in this story that I read it through to the last page in one sitting. It was fun watching Sydney and Scott spar. I became very frustrated with Scott and his inability to say those three magic words. The writing was superb. T.J. Kline has cleverly created a female lead that will inspire women. Sydney is beautiful, intelligent, self-confident, yet vulnerable. Rodeo Queen is one of those books that draws out the reader's emotions: one moment the reader will be laughing at some of the antics between Sydney and Scott; the next moment brings fear and even tears. All in all, this is a great read. Fans of contemporary romance will not want to miss Rodeo Queen.
Recommend this book:
Lovers at Heart
The Bradens, Book One: Love in Bloom Series
Melissa Foster
2014 Silver Medal
380 Pages
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Romance - Contemporary
When we meet Max and Treat in Lovers at Heart, they already have a bit of history. Six months after a regrettable moment of hurt at a wedding in Nassau, Treat and Max are in Allure, Colorado. He’s visiting the family ranch and she’s organizing a film festival, while ignoring the man who hurt her months ago. Unfortunately for Max, Treat hasn’t stopped thinking about her and feels compelled to apologize for his appalling behavior. Melissa Foster paints a beautiful image of two people damaged by a warped vision of love. Max is afraid to trust after her last relationship ended in devastating violence while Treat is terrified that loving someone means something horrible will happen. Foster’s tale of stubborn yet persistent love takes us on a heartbreaking and soul-searing journey.
The beauty of Lovers At Heart is that these are not perfect people who fit perfectly together; they are both damaged with baggage, something that makes a future together almost impossible. But this love story that begins in Nassau, picks up in Colorado, and solidifies itself in Massachusetts has heart. Melissa Foster does what any great storyteller hopes to do by giving us a wonderful cast of characters that include the quirky but outrageous Kaylie, stunning Savannah and of course the lovable curmudgeon that is Hal Braden. Perhaps the most touching aspect of Lovers At Heart is watching Max and Treat deal with the demons that make it difficult for their love to truly conquer all obstacles.
The journey of Treat and Max is heartwarming and the connection between them is palpable.
Recommend this book:
The Marriage Caper
Billionaire Games
Sandra Edwards
2014 Silver Medal
206 Pages
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Romance - Contemporary
The Marriage Caper (Billionaire Games) by Sandra Edwards is a lovely romantic story of true love winning over money. Number two son, Andre de Laurent, comes from a family that has lots and lots of money; Tasha Gordon is an aspiring actress working as a waitress. Andre and Tasha are in love but have no plans of ever marrying. Andre has always known his older brother would inherit the family business and become the leader of the family and he has always been a little jealous of his brother Julian. This all changes when his mother’s uncle leaves him the bulk of his estate. There are stipulations involved in the will, which states that in order for his brother and younger sister and himself to receive the inheritance Andre must find a bride within a very short period of time and remain married for a year. Tasha is also facing a situation in her life. She has just taken a pregnancy test and discovers that she is expecting Andre’s baby. Andre visits Tasha and plans to explain the situation he has been placed under and ask her to marry him for the year, but when he finds the pregnancy test results and realizes Tasha is having his child, he simply asks her to marry him and neglects the other important details. When Tasha does find out why she thinks they were married, things go badly.
Sandra Edwards is a wonderful romantic storyteller. The Marriage Caper is a book that will make you believe it is possible to find, love and marry your Prince Charming. The story was warm and fuzzy and the characters were so very likeable. I read this book in less than two days because I just couldn’t put it down; it made me smile and it made me cry just a little. This is a book every woman, young and old, will love reading. I didn’t know it was book two when I began reading or that Sandra Edwards has written more Billionaire Games books, but I am planning on getting them all and reading them immediately. The Marriage Caper is a ten-star book – don’t pass it up.
Recommend this book:
Wind Chime Cafe
Sophie Moss
2014 Gold Medal
284 Pages
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Romance - Contemporary
Annie Malone moved to Heron Island to start anew and meeting Will Dozier was not supposed to be in the plans. She bought a place in the island to turn into a classy French bistro, but the success of her restaurant will depend on the tourists that the new resort will attract. Unfortunately for Annie, Will doesn't want to sell his land to the developers who will build the resort. They may seem to be at odds when it comes to business, but maybe they can be in harmony when it comes to their attraction in Wind Chime Café by Sophie Moss.
Wind Chime Café is a delightful romantic story. Heron Island seems so peaceful, the people are nice, and reading the book left me with a good feeling. I loved everything about it, but what I liked best were the characters. They were pleasant; Will’s childhood friends and the people of the community are very welcoming. I love that Will was able to connect with Annie’s daughter because of their past experiences. I think I like Taylor and Will’s relationship better, although Annie and Will were adorable together since the beginning. The story was also emotional, especially the scene of the fireworks during Halloween… that was gripping. And when Taylor got scared of the gun shots, another well written scene that made me teary. Sophie Moss can really get the emotions across to readers. I hope other characters will also get a chance to share their stories in the next books to come.
Recommend this book:
Trust in Me
Bethany Lopez
2013 Bronze Medal
148 Pages
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Romance - Contemporary
Roni had a troubled past and she was doing her best to change that. She escaped an abusive relationship with the edge of her teeth and nearly lost her life in that struggle twice. But with the help of her ever loving and cherishing brother Kent she is able to get away from Hank and finally take a breath of freedom. But the scars of Hank's betrayal and fist are too deep to heal on their own. Roni wants to establish her career as a dancer as she always wanted but this means that she will have to confront the ever seductive and deadly attractive Rich. Will she be able to concentrate on only just dance or will be swept by another charmer? Rich is ready to leave his playboy days behind and start a relationship that is filled with love and commitment that will not end in a few years. And he already has a partner in mind; in fact he had that specific young woman in his mind for quite some years. He wants Roni in his life permanently and he is ready to do anything. But he has no idea but her past and the scars she is carrying with her. Will be able to make her take their relationship seriously? Will he be able to ask her to “Trust in Me?”
Bethany Lopez’s “Trust in Me” is definitely a keeper. The novel is indeed a good one; I was delighted to find a novel that was rich with an impressive storyline and a male protagonist who is more than a just hot body and charming. The characters are full of integrity and you can feel the love of the writer for her character in each and every word. The story is sensual and seductive without being disgustingly descriptive. In short, “Trust in Me” by Bethany Lopez is a novel that you will read on a stormy night, sitting in front of a fire and with a smile on your face.
Recommend this book:
Cowboy and Indian
Darryl Sollerh
2013 Silver Medal
96 Pages
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Romance - Contemporary
Billy and Ray work as cowhands on the Silver C Ranch in Texas. They both live in small trailers on the land and enjoy the quiet times after a hard day's work with a beer and some good conversation. Billy is badly injured when a vehicle driven by some foster-care kids slams into Ray's truck, and Billy has no insurance to pay the hospital or get the therapy he'll need to learn to walk again. Life has suddenly gotten very complicated. Billy has no idea how he'll meet those bills or continue the payments on his trailer. After he leaves the hospital, Chelsea, the nurse who cared for him in the hospital, suggests that he contact her friend, Mira, who is a licensed physical therapist in India but needs practical experience here in the United States in order to get her license. Mira is willing to work with Billy for reduced rates. Billy's initial truculence, self-pity and frustration is eventually worn down by Mira as he relearns the art of walking and expands his world view.
I relished every minute spent reading "Cowboy and Indian". Billy's friend and fellow cowboy, Ray, is an understated hero who shines out even when paired with the personalities of Billy and Mira. Billy seems somewhat shallow and immature when you first meet him, but, as the story develops, he becomes a caring and complex character. Mira is the perfect foil for him, and the budding relationship between them is a joy to watch. I have greatly enjoyed all of the works I have read of Darryl Sollerh, and this one is certainly no exception.
Recommend this book:
Acadian Waltz
Alexandrea Weis
2013 Honorable Mention
270 Pages
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Romance - Contemporary
Acadian Waltz introduces us to Nora Kehoe, a head strong outspoken physical therapist who mostly knows what she wants out of her life despite everyone telling her she'd be better off with a husband. Feeling pressured to settle down by her overbearing mother, Nora meets Dr. Blessing after one of her many blind dates ends up in the emergency room. Upon entering into a relationship with Dr. Blessing, whom her mother adores, every doubt and insecurity instilled into her by her mother rises to the surface making her doubt every action. It is no wonder she constantly doubts herself since calling Dr. Blessing a jerk would be an understatement. Alexandra Weis does a fantastic job of illustrating what happens when we allow other people to dictate our lives. Honestly, if I had Claire for a mother I would be living as far away as possible and enjoy a Skype-only relationship with the woman.
The plot is well-crafted and the story is touching, especially the long history between Nora and her childhood friend and protector Jean Marc Gaspard. Though in adulthood Marc and Nora have a strained relationship filled with sexual tension, he still tries his best to keep an eye on her and will have you rooting for him from the moment you meet him. I swear at times I wanted to grab Nora and shake her; she has so much contempt for Marc, yet puts up with more than any sane woman should from John Blessing. I am not ashamed to admit that I had a bit of a crush on Marc and offered (in my mind, of course) to take him off Nora’s hands until she got her head on straight. While the decision of whom Nora should choose seems obvious to the reader, the indecisiveness she feels in reaching a decision comes through clearly, which is a testament to the writing skills of Weis. Overall this was a captivating read that draws you in and makes you care about these characters and that is the mark of a truly great story.
Recommend this book:
Surfing in Stilettos
Carol E Wyer
2013 Gold Medal
384 Pages
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Romance - Contemporary
This is a clever, lively story. Amanda Wilson, on the more interesting side of 49, is setting off for a year of travelling around Europe with grumpy husband Phil. Son Tom is left at home where he slowly but steadily works his way through the household appliances as only a clumsy, undomesticated 20-year-old can do. Meanwhile Bibi Chevalier in France has decided that she needs to take a lover to get back at her womanizing husband. Add a camper van breakdown which strands Amanda in France and an ex-lover from Australia and paths begin to cross in interesting and unpredictable ways. Finally a space hopper and a dog make the cast complete. Amanda soon faces a very big decision.
Amanda is an exuberant character, determined to keep life interesting. The Europe trip is one of her means to do this and in preparation she starts a blog, 'Fortifying Your Fifties'. Blog entries are interwoven with the story and this works extremely well both as a literary device and in terms of entertainment value. A few by-the-by subplots even begin to appear in the comments, where TheMerryDivorcee and SexyFitChick in particular have a lot to say without taking the story off course. Bibi is complex and almost a tragic figure but her subtle scheming and stoic spirit make her likeable. Tom is like everyone’s eldest son and Phil slowly and steadily emerges as someone worth knowing. They are all very human and excellently portrayed. Add atmospheric settings and plenty of humor and this book becomes something you can’t put down. More to come in this wonderful series, I hope.