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/Novella
- 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/Novella
- 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:
Not My Hero
Michelle Bolanger
2026 Finalist
322 Pages
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Christian - Romance - Contemporary

Kennedy and her mother-in-law, Cora, have just learned that their husbands, Geoff and George Taylor, committed gambling fraud, hoping a family trust would pay out to cover millions of dollars in debt from their losses. In Not My Hero by Michelle Bolanger, Kennedy has just been told by Cora’s attorney that her husband was living two lives: one middle-class life with her, and another high-class life with his mistress, because his family, as billionaires, had a trust fund. After their husbands’ criminal activities and deaths, Kennedy and Cora have lost everything and are headed to a new life in Ohio. There, Donovan Taylor, owner of a search-and-rescue operation and recipient of a family trust, is about to meet Kennedy and Cora through tragedy and discover they have a strong familial connection. How will they manage these challenges as they struggle to build a new future?
Not My Hero by Michelle Bolanger is a heartwarming and surprising story. It features two very engaging protagonists struggling to rise above their pasts. Although Donovan and Kennedy have questionable backgrounds, the descriptions of their struggles to overcome their pasts kept me cheering for them and their relationship. Just when I thought this was a love story, the author threw in another wrenching plot twist, and I was left wondering once again whether Donovan and Kennedy would overcome this latest challenge to their love. The book has a well-constructed plot, revealed at a breathtaking pace, filled with contentious moments, grief, antipathy, and love. In the end, the power of faith is what matters.
Recommend this book:
Southern Charm
Hearts of Deadgrove Book 1
C.C. Urie
2026 Honorable Mention
Kindle Edition
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Christian - Romance - Contemporary

In Southern Charm by C.C. Urie, Cali moved to the small town of Deadgrove years ago. As an orphan, her life is challenging, but she is determined to work hard to make ends meet. She takes on multiple shifts at Toadstool Grill as a waiter and also shifts at a library and a saloon. Holt has lived a life of crime and had been on the run when his bike broke down in Deadgrove. He enters the Toadstool Grill to get some help when he meets Cali under strange circumstances. Holt, being a womanizer, is smitten by her beauty. Cali is also vulnerable since her relationship with Boon is facing challenges. Cali finds Holt very attractive, but she cannot give herself to a man she knows would take her for granted. Holt is convinced his skills can win her over. How will things turn out between them as Holt discovers how wrong he is about Cali?
Once you start reading Southern Charm by C.C. Urie, there is no putting it down. It is a thrilling and satisfying read that will leave its audience contemplating the complex nature of choices and their consequences. This thought-provoking work got me thinking about the importance of having strong friendships like that of Cali and Havoc. Their friendship shows that both genders can be friends without expecting sexual favors. Urie also ensured all emotions and events were vividly described, which left me yearning for more and looking forward to the events of subsequent chapters. The reader will also appreciate the writing style, which is engaging and filled with well-crafted dialogues that bring the story and well-developed characters to life. This is a good read, and I look forward to reading something else by C.C. Urie.
Recommend this book:
A Flower from Keanu
A Town of Hidden Glen Novella
María Elena Alonso-Sierra
2026 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
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Christian - Romance - Contemporary

Even as a child, Cassandra Finlay shows a natural gift with plants and flowers. That’s how she discovered the rare and treasured Christmas bloom she’s kept as a symbol of happier times. After her mother’s horrible illness and death, Cassandra is left vulnerable and falls prey to men who only take advantage of her. Then Keanu Rivers returns to town, searching for a fresh angle after leaving his former career as a renowned New York chef. Their childhood friendship sparks into something electric, but disaster strikes before it can fully blossom. Secrets simmer beneath the surface of their safe little town, and a conspiracy threatens to pull everything into its depths. An unexpected visitor brings disruption and spite. Cassandra and Keanu’s fledgling relationship won’t be the first victim of the corruption at the heart of Hidden Glen in A Flower from Keanu by María Elena Alonso-Sierra.
I love the main characters in María Elena Alonso-Sierra’s sweet romance novel, set in the beautiful town of Hidden Glen. Cassandra is plucky and determined, but worn down by her mother’s devastating dementia. The portrayal of Althea’s illness is heart-rending and realistic, showing a disease that has eaten away at her essence and turned her into someone monstrous. I felt the immense compassion woven through each flashback, and it was powerful. I enjoyed the sweetness of Cassandra and Keanu’s attraction and the wholesomeness of their love story, contrasted with the nastiness of the returning prodigal. This contemporary sweet Christian romance has all the ingredients for a great read, anchored by its prevalent theme of hope. The supporting characters are beautifully crafted—loyal, well-meaning, and the kind of friends we’d all love to have. The Christian element is gently understated, and I thoroughly enjoyed A Flower from Keanu.
Recommend this book:
This Time
E. A. Coe
2026 Gold Medal
Kindle Edition
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Christian - Romance - Contemporary

This Time by E.A. Coe is a captivating novel about Ty Harrell, a Marine helicopter pilot who returns to Tartan Springs to attend his ten-year high school reunion. He unexpectedly reconnects with his old high school crush, Siena Tyson, a small-town bookkeeper. What begins as simple conversations at the reunion grows into a powerful connection. However, their love is tested by past struggles and present challenges. This marks the beginning of their journey toward acceptance, resilience, and a new beginning.
What I loved most about this book was the writing style; it was captivating and detailed and the plot unfolded naturally. Siena's strength and resilience inspired me so much. Despite all she had gone through in her past relationship and her fight against corruption in her town, she still didn't let it break her or affect her future. I found myself rooting for her every step of the way. I appreciate Pastor Tom's guidance and support during Siena's emotional journey; his kind words of encouragement brought so much peace and comfort to me. Ty Harrell was one of my best characters. He was such an understanding, brave, and committed young man who knew what he wanted the moment he met Siena. It felt like fate had brought them together. The characters felt so real; they were well-developed and easy to identify with. This book looks into themes of trust, redemption, and resilience. I recommend This Time by E.A. Coe to lovers of heartfelt romance and suspense-filled novels.
Recommend this book:
Till Tomorrow Never Comes
A Wholesome Christian Romance
A W Anthony
2025 Finalist
220 Pages
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Christian - Romance - Contemporary

Till Tomorrow Never Comes by A W Anthony is a heartbreaking story that follows Kurt Kellerman, a man diagnosed with Stage 3 pancreatic cancer and relieved to be dying. His therapist questions him about why he is at ease leaving his lovely family and comfortable life, something that many would fight for. Kurt confesses that he has lived his whole life doing the right thing, but all it has ever brought him is heartache and depression. This all started years ago when he was in high school and found a love so passionate. His love for Mary was deep, but lies and uncontrollable circumstances led to their separation. Kurt’s struggles with regrets of unfulfilled dreams led to a life filled with pain and torment, making him question whether his obedience and morality were worth it.
Till Tomorrow Never Comes is a thought-provoking Christian romance that tackles various moral and social issues. Kurt is a complex and relatable character with whom readers can empathize. His struggles are what many believers deal with daily. Choosing between our desires and what is right is not easy. This lesson is prevalent throughout the book, from Mary and Kurt's relationship to his interactions with people who tried to lead him onto the wrong path, like wayward friends and complacent colleagues at work. The story also delves into parental desires and expectations, illustrating how family influences can complicate personal faith and moral choices. A W Anthony does a great job of presenting these predicaments in a captivating tale. The book can be read as a fictional memoir or a moral tale. Overall, it is a lesson-filled story that will help you reflect on your life choices.
Recommend this book:
When The Hummingbirds Danced in A Honeysuckle Sky
Patrick E. Craig
2025 Honorable Mention
Kindle Edition
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Christian - Romance - Contemporary

When the Hummingbirds Danced in a Honeysuckle Sky by Patrick E. Craig is a moving and emotionally layered story of love, regret, and redemption. Josie Winters, a faded country music star, finds herself grappling not only with cancer but with the painful echoes of a fractured past. Her estranged daughter refuses contact, leaving Josie to face her final chapter alone until Wesley, the husband who abandoned her decades ago, unexpectedly reenters her life. With nowhere else to turn, Josie accepts his help reluctantly, and the two begin a difficult but heartfelt reckoning with their shared history. Through quiet moments, painful memories, and the fragile renewal of trust, they discover that healing is possible, even at the edge of life. Told with lyrical grace and emotional depth, this novel is a testament to the enduring bonds of love and the fragile hope that can still bloom in the twilight of one’s journey.
Author Patrick E. Craig knows how to get to the soul of a character swiftly and naturally, and readers are quickly gripped by Josie and her plight in a beautifully written tale of second chances, steeped in emotional authenticity and quiet grace. I thought the dialogue was especially clever in unveiling new emotional moments and discoveries in the plot, but nothing ever felt forced and sounded truly from the heart. This helps the themes of forgiveness, aging, and love to come through in situations and conversations that readers will find personally familiar, and the lessons and experiences Josie and her family go through linger long after you’ve set the book down. It certainly makes for an emotionally resonant read. It’s also a work that’s unflinchingly honest about the tough subjects and speaks to the heart of what it means to be family through thick and thin. Overall, I would certainly recommend When the Hummingbirds Danced in a Honeysuckle Sky as a poignant exploration of reconciliation and legacy that is perfectly paced and powerfully told.
Recommend this book:
The Sweet Experiment
Chelsey Elise Young
2025 Bronze Medal
228 Pages
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Christian - Romance - Contemporary

Chelsey Elise Young skillfully brings together the tropes of coming of age and coming to faith. Set on a university campus, The Sweet Experiment follows undergraduate Payton’s desire to change who she is to attract the attention of her college crush. Influenced by her friends and crushed by her unraveling home life, she searches for others’ definitions of what constitutes a sweet girl. Her painful journey brings her to faith and she finds out what sweetness really means.
I found The Sweet Experiment incredibly enjoyable. It was grammatically flawless and a pleasurable read. Payton’s battle between the broad and narrow ways will resonate with readers as she struggles to find hope while being repelled by the religiosity of the placard-waving Christians. I liked how genuine the characters are and how Chelsey Elise Young uses their natures and behaviors to guide Payton toward faith. There’s a valuable lesson in Payton’s perception that those friends she reveres as trustworthy are shown not to be, and those she considers too perfect are simply forgiven. There is a powerful theme of restitution throughout and a sense of no one being left behind. But I loved best the subtle, clever humor which lightens the mood and provides laugh-out-loud moments. I appreciated the description of the Hound of Heaven, and my favorite quote is: ‘It occurred to me that I had exchanged the fleeting affections of worldly princes for the unchanging love of a Perfect King.’ This is an encouraging and upbeat novel, offering as much refreshment as entertainment.
Recommend this book:
The Tire Swing
Crystal Walton
2025 Silver Medal
Kindle Edition
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Christian - Romance - Contemporary

The Tire Swing by Crystal Walton is a heartwarming Christian romance that explores second chances. Ellie Barrett returns to her quaint hometown after her Aunt Bev unexpectedly named her as the estate's executor in the will. What should have been a straightforward task quickly turns complicated when Ellie discovers her aunt left her with a mess—an estate dispute. As Ellie seeks answers, she finds herself drawn into a tangled web of memories with Cole Patterson, the boy she once loved and still has feelings for. Their reunion sparks old emotions and unresolved conflicts, forcing them to confront their past and the uncertain future that lies ahead. For Cole Patterson, it is not just about helping Ellie keep the house. Ellie might disrupt all his plans. But this time, will he make her a part of his plan for life?
Crystal Walton infuses the writing with such sweetness that it kept me spellbound, and I couldn’t resist the pull of the story. In addition to the mesmerizing prose, the carefully crafted characters are sculpted with such emotional depth that they become great companions. The author teases, captivates, leaves clues, and knows just how to touch the right strings in the hearts of the characters. This romance is suspenseful, driven by an emotional and psychological drama that brilliantly captures the tension between two people who have loved and lost and who are seeking each other out again. Both characters are tested by external threats—family secrets, town rivalries, and the looming threat of losing Ellie’s family home. The Tire Swing is a must-read for anyone looking for a love that redeems and romance that is infused with realism.
Recommend this book:
Marrying the Mechanic
Summer Creek
Shanna Hatfield
2025 Gold Medal
409 Pages
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Christian - Romance - Contemporary

Marrying The Mechanic by Shanna Hatfield is the seventh book in the Summer Creek clean romance series. Jace Easton is a mechanic who owns Whitey's, the only garage and gas station in Summer Creek. His life hasn't been the same ever since his little sister, Tassie, fell in love with Prince Eli Granville of Briden. Already struggling to come to terms with the fact that his kid sister has grown up and is now going to be living in Europe, Jace also has to deal with his feelings for Tassie's best friend, Deena Durant, a beautiful young woman. Deena has had a crush on Jace since she was a teenager. But now, Jace feels Deena has the opportunity to chase her dreams. Will he still pursue her? Will Jace and Deena end up together?
Full of heart and charm, Marrying The Mechanic is a delightful tale of love and family that will leave you with a smile on your face. Author Shanna Hatfield's heartwarming story perfectly captures the spirit of small-town America. Hatfield particularly excels in portraying the close-knit relationships of people in small towns with an enthralling narrative centered around a love story. The characters are down-to-earth people, the likes of which you may have met in real life. I found them immensely likable. Jace and Deena's relationship dynamic is thoroughly engrossing. Apart from these two, I also enjoyed the characters of Dean, Tassie, Eli, and Mrs. Finley. The narrative is smooth as Hatfield maintains an unhurried pace throughout the plot. If you're a fan of sweet, contemporary romance stories, this is the book for you!
Recommend this book:
Escaping Illusions
Frozen Footprints
Therese Heckenkamp
2024 Finalist
Kindle Edition
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Christian - Romance - Contemporary

In Escaping Illusions by Therese Heckenkamp, Brook had endured Connor's alcohol-fueled violence, bearing the brunt of his fists for too long. She clung to their daughter, Ella, until she, too, became entangled in the violence for the first time. That moment shattered any resolve Brook had left; she quietly fled their home, taking Ella with her, only to learn hours later that Connor was dead. Amidst the whispers accusing her of his murder, Brook accepts a friend's offer of sanctuary, a place where they can rebuild their lives without the shadow of Connor's death. Unbeknownst to her, the lake house she seeks refuge in belongs to her friend's twin, a renowned magician with whom she once shared a romantic history. Despite Brook choosing Connor over him in the past, lingering emotions resurface. Within this fragile chance at rekindling old flames, Brook finds herself haunted by someone pretending to be Connor.
Escaping Illusions captivates from the outset with a gripping narrative, drawing readers into a world pulsating with vivid imagery and heart-pounding suspense. Therese Heckenkamp's tale engages all the senses, crafting short chapters that culminate in nail-biting cliffhangers. As the story unfolds, a cast of intriguing characters emerges, leaving readers to speculate on who might have the strongest motive to harm Connor and menace Brook in the wake of his demise. Heckenkamp masterfully creates a mental maze, refusing to offer easy answers as to the identity of the true culprit. The urgency to discover the perpetrator intensifies as readers root for Brook to reclaim her life and perhaps find new love. Escaping Illusions is the third installment in the Frozen Footprints series but it can be read as a standalone.