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 - Science/Technology
- 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:
Ruth Ready
While you're waiting on your Boaz, you better be
Kitty Arceneaux

2021 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
Check current price
Christian - General

Kitty Arceneaux has a realistic, God-centered view of marriage. In Ruth Ready, she shares her insights on how God designed marriage as a union--how it adds value and enriches the lives of spouses. The book is a no-nonsense response to women who expect too much from marriage instead of appreciating that God designed matrimony to provide spiritual intimacy, understanding, and the ability to put Christ at the center of the union. Arceneaux creatively uses the metaphor of the biblical story of Ruth and Boaz as a meditative example of a healthy and complementary union between husband and wife. She draws on her combined experience and observation as a licensed minister and being happily married for 17 years by applying God’s principles to her marriage and as a doer of the Word.
From irritating habits, unrealistic expectations, and other weighty concerns that women fail to solve together with their spouses, Arceneaux does not offer a magical solution that would brush off domestic issues in marriage quickly. She is aware that love can fly away easily during tough times. She suggests that if we marry using the model of God’s love and commit to our partner, we are likely to survive any potentially marriage-ending situation. Ruth Ready presents case studies of vows in crisis, checklists for premarital counseling, and a sensible rationale for women as to why their destined partner will never be perfect. Women in waiting can particularly benefit from this book. After all, many newlyweds who vow to stick together call it quits the next day, month or year. This book calls us to operate in the thought that we should welcome God into our union for He intends to make our marriages last.
Recommend this book:
Dismantling Injustice
A Disorderly Parable of the Song of Solomon
April Love-Fordham

2021 Silver Medal
232 Pages
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Christian - General

Dismantling Injustice: A Disorderly Parable of the Song of Solomon by April Love-Fordham is an engaging and fascinating book that makes the voices of everyday characters audible. It reveals how the threads of racism that plagued Congressman Caleb Morgan, the main character in the book in his early years, still continue to exist in America. The author brilliantly and seamlessly weaves together the story of Caleb Morgan along with the story from the Song of Solomon. This will make readers look at the scriptures from a modern perspective and is a good combination of biblical studies, Christian ethics, and spiritual development. The author's words reiterate the power and presence of God and speak about the one tool that can heal everyone; God's love.
Dismantling Injustice by April Love-Fordham has a lot to offer readers in terms of stories and instructions that will draw them closer to God. This is the story of everyday people and shows the spiritual truths found in the Song of Solomon. The spiritual discipline will help readers open up to God and experience a complete relationship with God. Caleb's words will also make readers think about their own spirituality and assess their relationship with God. This modern-day story with biblical commentary is a good way for readers to understand the Scriptures and Bible stories in an interesting and different way. The book is not only about good messages but also about encouraging readers to ponder their connection with God. The instructions of spiritual practice at the end of every section are helpful to draw readers closer to God.
Recommend this book:
Rough Way to the High Way
Kelly Mack McCoy

2021 Gold Medal
268 Pages
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Christian - General

Rough Way to the High Way by Kelly Mack McCoy is an inspirational novel that explores the workings of God’s grace in the ordinary and troubled life of a former pastor as he deals with an unbearable loss. After the murder of his wife, Georgia, Mack’s life as a pastor is upended, so he sells everything and buys a new Peterbilt truck. He leaves behind everything, even disconnecting from most people he has known in life, and sets out on the road trucking — a profession he enjoyed decades ago. Along the highway, as he leaves his town of Pampa behind and compelled by an inner voice, he picks a hitchhiker just where a sign says: Do Not Pickup Hitchhikers. Along the way, he encounters different characters, both good and bad, runs into trouble with police officers, deals with smugglers and a killer. While he has left behind his vocation and hometown, God has not left him as He provides tools for a new mission and opens Mack’s eyes to new ways of serving Him.
I loved this novel and the author’s unique gift for writing characters that are interesting and real. From the waitress Barb to the cops, Pipe Cleaner, and Round Face, to Agent Red Face, Mr. Tobacco, Rocky, Blondie, and Dr. Hashim, the author creates characters with a strong role in the story. They are humanly relatable and fleshed out. The quirkiness in the naming of characters is an element of the story that I liked. The story is filled with twists and turns, and the author develops plot points that are unexpected. Barb is one of my favorite characters; she is self-effacing, yet interesting in the way she opens Mack’s eyes to the real world. Rough Way to the High Way is cleverly plotted and written in exceptionally good prose. The story is filled with insightful moments and drama while offering strong spiritual lessons.
Recommend this book:
Mojave Rift
J.W. Gilbert

2020 Silver Medal
Kindle Edition
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Christian - General

Mojave Rift by J.W. Gilbert is the first book in the ArcPoint series, a tightly written novel that blends fantasy with science fiction to create an engrossing read. Arcon belongs to a forsaken tribe hidden deep in the Acacia forest. His tribe keeps to themselves and doesn’t want to venture beyond the treacherous rift that has offered them protection. No outsiders visit their tribe, thanks to Ranger Dan who guards access to the tribe. Arcon loves his people, but his gaze is directed outside the tribe. Since he secretly contacted Elaina, he’s harbored an irresistible longing to see her, and he is ready to defy any laws and face any obstacle to see her again. But can he survive the place called Mojave?
If there is one thing that gives this novel its strength and depth, it is the handling of character. I also enjoyed the way the setting is written—the reader is left feeling as though the Rift is another character in the novel because it constitutes a powerful element that drives the conflict, the one thing that stands between the protagonist and his happiness. I love to see motivation well written into characters and J.W. Gilbert gives the protagonist one. Apart from Arcon’s strong curiosity, there is a link he has established with the outside world, a link he will do anything to strengthen. The story has many layers when it comes to meaning and interpretation and the adventure of the protagonist signals the break from monotony to innovative thinking. Mojave Rift is fast-paced, deftly plotted and skillfully written.
Recommend this book:
King Here
Never Too Old, Too Rich or Too Anything to Meet Jesus
Trish Porter Topmiller

2020 Gold Medal
186 Pages
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Christian - General

In her inspiring book, King Here, Trish Porter Topmiller tells the story of her father, Charles “Chuck” King, from his early life to his meeting with Jesus during his last years. A successful man who started his career in real estate development, King later lost a considerable part of his money and became addicted to pain pills. Topmiller recalls the most significant events of his life, telling both amusing stories and sad events. If reading that King was always late makes you smile, the passages where he and his daughter have to deal with the loss of their loved ones will remind you of how harsh life can be. However, in the end, God is there, waiting for you, and Chuck King’s life can be a way to reflect on God’s plan.
King Here conveys a message that we need to hear more often nowadays. Indeed, it is never too late to meet Jesus, and even though God’s aim is not always clear, He has a plan. Topmiller explains this thought with such delicacy and liveliness that it is a pleasure to read her words. She makes her father’s story relevant to readers who have not known him. He becomes a familiar figure thanks to the many anecdotes and events Topmiller shares. I especially like the “Chuckisms” (Chuck King’s inspirational quotes) Topmiller uses at the beginning of many chapters. They reveal the wit and insight of their creator. Moreover, the author’s spontaneity and honesty make you value her account and reflections even more. On the whole, I consider King Here a delightful read in which Topmiller made her point gracefully.
Recommend this book:
Ruth Ready
While you're waiting on your Boaz, you better be
Kitty Arceneaux

2020 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
Check current price
Christian - General

Kitty Arceneaux has a realistic, God-centered view of marriage. In Ruth Ready, she shares her insights on how God designed marriage as a union--how it adds value and enriches the lives of spouses. The book is a no-nonsense response to women who expect too much from marriage instead of appreciating that God designed matrimony to provide spiritual intimacy, understanding, and the ability to put Christ at the center of the union. Arceneaux creatively uses the metaphor of the biblical story of Ruth and Boaz as a meditative example of a healthy and complementary union between husband and wife. She draws on her combined experience and observation as a licensed minister and being happily married for 17 years by applying God’s principles to her marriage and as a doer of the Word.
From irritating habits, unrealistic expectations, and other weighty concerns that women fail to solve together with their spouses, Arceneaux does not offer a magical solution that would brush off domestic issues in marriage quickly. She is aware that love can fly away easily during tough times. She suggests that if we marry using the model of God’s love and commit to our partner, we are likely to survive any potentially marriage-ending situation. Ruth Ready presents case studies of vows in crisis, checklists for premarital counseling, and a sensible rationale for women as to why their destined partner will never be perfect. Women in waiting can particularly benefit from this book. After all, many newlyweds who vow to stick together call it quits the next day, month or year. This book calls us to operate in the thought that we should welcome God into our union for He intends to make our marriages last.
Recommend this book:
The Coming Glory
Hope Now for Life After Death
Paul W. Swets

2020 Honorable Mention
175 Pages
Check current price
Christian - General

Every person has his own reason to look for answers. It could be age, illness, injury, or disease of oneself or a loved one, or it could even be a worldwide pandemic. In any case, most people are incentivized at one time or another to look for a work such as The Coming Glory: Hope Now for Life After Death by Paul W. Swets. In The Coming Glory, Swets addresses the issues of grief and of how suffering can be lessened or at least better understood if a person has an understanding of what comes after this life that we know. Swets’s goal is to comfort those in the last stages of their own lives, or who are dealing with loved ones soon to journey beyond. He begins with a note to the reader, providing a summary of what is to come: “Death is not the end of the story,” he says. Then Swets walks readers through what they can do to prepare themselves spiritually for their departure. He emphasizes that God hears His people, and he encourages the reader to keep his faith to the end.
I appreciated how Swets took biblical verses I know well and put them in the context of preparing for an end to this life and for the glory to come. It is always encouraging to be reminded that it is never too late to go to God, to ask for His help and forgiveness, and to rest in His word. Swets covers topics like what happens after death, how to get ready for Christ’s return, what bodily resurrection means, how to face God’s judgment, and how to find present comfort. At the end of each chapter, he poses a series of questions designed to get the reader to think about faith and life. It seems Swets’s questions could be used and meditated upon during a personal devotional, but they could also be used to prompt larger study or support group discussions. This work is sure to be helpful to many, as Swets provides information in a personal way without confrontation or judgment. If you or someone you know is looking at end of life issues, I recommend you pick up a copy of The Coming Glory.
Recommend this book:
The Dream
Deborah Arlene

2020 Finalist
242 Pages
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Christian - General

The Dream by Deborah Arlene begins with a dream, the kind of nightmare from which the victim wakes up disoriented and drenched in sweat. But Seth Siracke's nightmare isn’t an occasional kind of dream. It has become something that disturbs his sleep, nags at the edges of his mind while he is awake, and sucks away at his energy. What makes things difficult is that he is losing interest in life and giving in to despair. His girlfriend, Katy, is worried about his dream, but even her resolve to not talk about it won’t free Seth from its grip. There is only one way to stop the dreams: find out the truth and why the dreams leave him no moment’s respite. So, Seth sets out on a spiritual odyssey, an inner journey that links him with an elderly man and a story linked to the horrors of abortion.
Deborah Arlene writes with compassion about a topic that few people feel comfortable discussing, compelling readers to appreciate the beauty and sacredness of every life. The consequences of abortion are painful, despite how much our egoistic culture tries to downplay it, and it is painful for everyone involved. The Dream explores this kind of pain and unveils the face of a loving God who makes healing and acceptance possible for His creatures. Deborah Arlene’s writing is thoughtful and filled with religious insights, a story that explores love, abortion, healing, and hope. It has a strong appeal to readers who enjoy stories that are inspiring and that involve the power of God’s love operating in the depths of human brokenness. The prose is beautiful; the narrative voice strong and compassionate, and the plot so intelligently imagined and skillfully written that the reader feels as though the story was taking place in their own lives. The Dream is a must-read for any reader who wants to understand the value of every life.
Recommend this book:
Believing
Reflections of Faith
Michael Misiak

2019 Honorable Mention
Kindle Edition
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Christian - General

Believing: Reflections of Faith by Michael Misiak is a detailed, but easy to read devotional written for both Christians and skeptics. The author shares his personal journey as a Christian and invites non-believers to consider divergent thinking and open their minds to new ideas instead of what they already think about religion. After exploring the validity of the Bible and near-death experiences and laying the groundwork for the reader to consider the reality of God, the rest of the book examines daily life as a Christian, including the timelessness of Christ in the face of thousands of years of fads and being a light in the world even when you are flawed.
Believing: Reflections of Faith is a great book to connect with in a personal way. Michael Misiak writes like a friend giving wisdom from his own experiences so you can sort out what you might be struggling with. His gift for really clever imagery that hits the spot and creates a genuine moment shines brightly throughout the narrative. I especially liked the use of wordplay and scientific analogies to create the unexpected and make you think—as in comparing the three-person God to the awesome power of the sun, special eyeglasses to view the sun, and ultraviolet radiation. Other moments of reflection were very funny and deeply real, like the inventive story of what your point of view might be if you were in heaven about to be born on Earth. An earnest and authentic book that never overstates itself or loses its grip on the subject matter. Believing: Reflections of Faith is a nice option for someone looking to better their understanding of why people believe in God or to renew their own faith if they are a Christian.
Recommend this book:
Move Every Mountain
Overcoming 15 of Life's Toughest Challenges
Shamiro Anita

2019 Finalist
140 Pages
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Christian - General

Move Every Mountain: Overcoming 15 of Life's Toughest Challenges is a nonfiction Christian Living/Devotionals book written by Shamiro Anita. Anita is a worship leader at the Grace Abundant Grace Fellowship, a singer/songwriter, and an inspirational author. Anita argues that while life is not always smooth sailing and that we all encounter obstacles that seem like mountains in our everyday lives, God is always there, watching out for us and providing places of rest and comfort after those travails. He discusses each of the “mountains” we encounter, starting with the Mountain of Doubt through the Mountain of Guilt and culminating in The Valley of Peace. Each chapter opens with a quote from Scripture and continues with a discussion of that chapter’s topic, wherein Anita gives anecdotes from everyday life as well as passages from Scripture. He then concludes with a Summary that offers the Key Point of the chapter, a Verse to memorize and a suggested Application.
Shamiro Anita’s Move Every Mountain: Overcoming 15 of Life's Toughest Challenges is a well-written and engaging look at Christianity and the interactive role God plays in all of our lives. I particularly liked the way each chapter worked so well as a devotional and could easily see each of them being used by prayer groups for study and discussion. Anita’s approach to the Bible is practical and accessible, even to those who’ve not fully committed themselves to being active Christians. His writing style is conversational and easy, making it seem as though he’s there in the room with you and speaking directly with you. The Key Points in the Summary Sections and Verses to Memorize are brilliant and really help the reader to get the clearest focus on the topic covered. Move Every Mountain: Overcoming 15 of Life's Toughest Challenges is most highly recommended.
