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:
White Jade
The Project Book 1
Alex Lukeman
2016 Finalist
249 Pages
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Fiction - Action
White Jade by Alex Lukeman is a thriller featuring Nick Carter, a former Recon Marine, now working for the PROJECT, a covert counter-terrorism unit. Selena Connor is a beautiful linguist specializing in oriental and ancient languages. When her wealthy uncle, a close friend of the President, is murdered by someone searching for a book said to contain the secret to immortality, Nick is teamed up with Selena to recover the book. They are pursued by a Chinese General, who wants the book at any cost. Nick and Selena manage to locate the book, despite several attempts on their lives, and discover that one of the ingredients for the immortality elixir can be used to build nuclear weapons. Realizing the Chinese not only want the book, but want to start a war, they and a small PROJECT team race to find the location of the elixir before the terrorists do.
I really enjoyed the complexities of this book. It is a thrill ride for sure! The plot of White Jade is fast moving and intense as the main characters race across the country and overseas, trying to stay one step ahead of the enemy. The hero of the book is well-developed with an interesting back story. The romance between Nick and Selena was nicely developed as they fight their attraction to one another in the midst of danger. The ending was satisfying, and made me want to keep reading about the characters. I'm definitely hooked and I look forward to the rest of the PROJECT series by Alex Lukeman.
Recommend this book:
Amie
An African Adventure
Lucinda E Clarke
2016 Honorable Mention
382 Pages
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Fiction - Action
In a wonderful offering by author Lucinda E. Clarke, Amie: An African Adventure is a book that is sure to be enjoyed by many. Follow the story of Amie, a young Englishwoman who was living a fairly typical life. She'd stayed in her home town, was close to family and friends that she'd known her whole life, and lived a life she pretty much expected. But when her husband tells her that they will soon be moving to Africa, where he is being sent for work, her stable life is turned topsy-turvy. An African Adventure is certainly an appropriate subtitle for this book, because that is exactly what Amie finds, filled with action, intrigue, adventure, danger, and even a time of being lost. Amie: An African Adventure has something for everyone!
I very much enjoyed this book. Author Lucinda E. Clarke has done a fantastic job in creating characters that her readers will truly connect with, relate to and care about. She has done a wonderful job in scene settings, and readers may look up from the story and find themselves surprised to be in their familiar environments instead of on a hot and dusty road in Africa. I am pleased to recommend Amie: An African Adventure to any reader who enjoys an adventurous tale. I was delighted to see that author Lucinda E. Clarke already has a second book about Amie available, and will be certain to read that one just as soon as I can. If it's anything like the first installment, it will be a great read!
Recommend this book:
The Brotherhood of Merlin
Book 1
Rory D Nelson
2016 Honorable Mention
400 Pages
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Fiction - Action
Rory D Nelson wrote an epic and unique fantasy in The Brotherhood of Merlin which chronicles the adventures of the Knights of the Round Table. It is a continuation of the saga of Merlin, a wizard that many readers will be familiar with. As a boy, Merlin was locked away in a terrible prison. But now he is in charge of a handful of fellow men who think like him and want the same goals as he does. The Brotherhood of Merlin starts five hundred years after King Arthur’s death. King Jason is the new ruler and he is a bloodthirsty tyrant that wants to take over neighboring villages for the valuable mineral rights. When King Jason swoops down on the villages to pillage, plunder, and destroy, Merlin and his brethren might just be their only hope of salvation. Merlin has the magic of premonition and telepathy on his side. The villagers can only hope that Merlin’s magic is as powerful as it was 500 years before.
The Brotherhood of Merlin is the true definition of an epic fantasy and will please readers who enjoy worlds like this, full of fighting, danger, magic, and secrecy. Rory D Nelson created a beautiful world by taking a character that we all love and know and making him into something different and exciting. This is a unique story because it puts Merlin in a different situation and shows what he is capable of doing. I liked the way Nelson gave us something familiar, but put his own unique twist on it.
Recommend this book:
The Gay Detective
Nick and Norm in Chicago
Kenneth D. Michaels
2016 Bronze Medal
216 Pages
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Fiction - Action
The Gay Detective: Nick and Norm in Chicago by Kenneth D. Michaels manages to do what most mysteries can't do. It manages to do what most LGBT books can't do. It entertains. Somehow, these two different genres come together to create an enjoyable masterpiece. The Gay Detective will bring together lovers of both genres and bring in readers that didn't know they liked either one.
The Gay Detective is about, well, a gay detective named Nick who is also a talk show host that interviews famous gay people. When a murderer begins to destroy everything that Nick loves and believes in, he must pull himself together and face his enemy or be destroyed. With the help of his new partner and a host of other interesting sidekicks, Nick will face hate, anger, grief, and revenge with himself and his enemy.
Kenneth D. Michaels has some awesome writing skills. The book is about a gay detective, but the morals and thought provoking moments can be universal for anyone. Despite being a book with a gay lead, the story is not campy. It doesn't rely on predictable gay personality traits and uses them for humor. Nick is very real. That's doesn't mean there isn't any humor. There are many humorous moments; they just aren't crass.
The story also manages to be great for teaching readers to deal with grief. How the author managed to fit so much helpful information into a story that is also a page-turner is beyond me. And it is a page-turner for sure. At times the story is creepy and nerve wracking, and the reveal isn't obvious or easy to figure out until near the end. Kenneth D. Michaels needs to keep Nick and Norm together for at least a few more books.
Recommend this book:
Wrinkled Heartbeats
A Novel
Temple Emmet Williams
2016 Silver Medal
341 Pages
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Fiction - Action
Wrinkled Heartbeats: A Novel by Temple Emmet Williams is a thrilling read. Captain George McKlane is a war hero. He recently lost his wife Agnes, and his son is trying to persuade him to sell up. George calls in Martha Krumble, a real estate broker, and Anthony Silburg, owner of a real estate agency, to price his home. Silburg isn’t who he seems to be though, and before George knows it he is deep in a sticky web of lies, money laundering and the deadliest of secrets, including a very painful method of making someone disappear in the Everglades. When he gets an offer on his house, he doesn’t realize that the offer includes ending his life and there is only one person who can save him – the person who has been hired to kill him. Will the military connection come through or will McKlane’s final battle be the last one?
Wrinkled Heartbeats: A Novel by Temple Emmet Williams is a true thriller from start to finish. It moves at a steady pace but it always moves forward. Flashbacks to the war provide lots of background information, which really beefs the story up and makes it easier to understand. I was a bit nonplussed by the way the book was written in the present tense to start with, but it soon became clear that this is the only way this book could have been written. It pushes you right into the thick of it and really makes you feel as though it’s happening right then as you read it. The plot was exceptional and the character development was second to none. As you read, you learn more and more about the characters and about how they all fit into the finale. I promise that anyone who reads this is not going to be disappointed in the slightest. Fantastic book, I really enjoyed it.
Recommend this book:
Roman Mask
Thomas M D Brooke
2016 Gold Medal
388 Pages
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Fiction - Action
Wow. Just...wow! That's all I can really say after reading the epic novel Roman Mask by author Thomas M.D. Brooke. In an absolutely fantastic read, we find ourselves in Ancient Rome, at the very height of the Roman Empire. Augustus Caesar rules the Empire as it stretches throughout the known world. War hero Cassius finds himself in an enviable position; he's popular, a member of one of Rome's most powerful families, and wealthy. But when time in Germany breaks his spirit and his nerves, he finds himself unable to fight, even though he needs to keep up the facade of his warrior status. When sought by the Emperor's wife for a special assignment, Cassius finds his life at risk again, and this time he's not sure he'll be able to survive.
I loved this book. There's no other way to say it. Filled with action and adventure, Roman Mask will keep you on the edge of your seat. Focused on a time that doesn't always get a huge amount of attention in the historical fiction genre, author Thomas M.D. Brooke does such a fantastic job in drawing a picture of ancient Rome that when you look up from the novel you'll wonder where your tunic is. This book would definitely appeal to any reader who loves historical fiction, stories with intrigue and drama, stories that feature war craft, or just a plain great read. I am pleased to be able to highly recommend Roman Mask and will look forward to more from this promising author in the future.
Recommend this book:
Blood Line
Granger Spy Novel
John J. Davis
2015 Gold Medal
262 Pages
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Fiction - Action
A group of greedy active duty CIA operatives decides they want to cash out of government service by selling cutting edge technical secrets. They try to kidnap Leecy Granger, Ron and Valerie's daughter, as the first step in their plan. Boy, did they ever pick the wrong family. Meet the Grangers, a typical American family on the surface but so much more underneath. Ron is a quiet guy, a very likable husband and father. But Ron is also a former CIA agent, actually something of a legend at the agency, a one man kill squad. But wait, there's more, a lot more; his wife is even deadlier. This is the premise behind Blood Line by John J. Davis. I have to say Davis pulls this off brilliantly. I liked Ron but I was fascinated by his wife, Valerie. Valerie is a mom, businesswoman, devoted daughter and sister, and a former Mossad assassin. She is every bit as lethal as her husband and probably a little smarter.
Blood Lines is a quiet little gem of genius. I love espionage novels and I have read a lot of them, but I can assure you that I have never read a novel where the world of espionage is so smoothly blended with ordinary American family life. The genius of John J. Davis is that both facets of Ron and Valerie's characters are believable; the spy and the parent. Just as importantly for the reader, this family is very, very likable.
Recommend this book:
The Fracking War
Michael J Fitzgerald
2015 Finalist
407 Pages
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Fiction - Action
The Fracking War by Michael J Fitzgerald is an eco-political thriller. Jack Stafford has been in the reporting business for years. He leaves his job in California and goes back to his roots in New York, to The Horsehead Clarion where he got his first job working for Walter. Walter is still running the paper and he wants Jack to cover a column about hydro fracking. What starts out as a simple job reporting the facts takes an ugly turn when a group of protesters, who call themselves the Wolverines and have modeled themselves on the fictional story of The Monkey Wrench Gang, takes matter further than simple protesting. Jack follows the story, reporting on the problems caused by hydro fracking; the pollution to water, the illness and deaths to people, animals, and the inevitable increase in crime. The lies become more elaborate and the consequences more severe as Jack, with the help of Devon and Eli, pushes to get at the truth. Truth or fiction? You decide.
The Fracking War by Michael J Fitzgerald was one of the most gripping stories I have read in some time. This is a real human interest story, something so close to the truth that we should all be sitting up and taking notice. I loved the way that, although this is fiction, it is written as though the author were narrating a true series of events and that lent it an air of realism. I found the characters to be very well suited to the story and the plot was well laid out; it’s clear that a good deal of time and effort has gone into this book. I would urge anyone who has an interest in politics, human interest, ecology, and the environment to pick up this book – you won’t put it down until you’ve finished.
Recommend this book:
Dark Pursuit
Emily Stone Series, Book 5
Jennifer Chase
2015 Honorable Mention
539 Pages
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Fiction - Action
Emily Stone, former police officer, is a vigilante detective who spends her time hunting down serial killers, particularly those that prey on children. Because of her exceptional profiling skills, she and her partner-lover Rick have closed more serial cases than many seasoned homicide detectives. Her prolific profiling skills and outstanding forensic techniques, along with deductive crime scene investigations, have set her up as major thorn in the side of many serial killers.
This story opens with a vehicle pursuit that immediately grabs the reader’s attention. At the end of the chase, Emily learns the true identity of the killer and almost loses her life in the process. The killer decides to let her live, at least for a while. In this book, Emily and Rick (a former detective), are hunting the Tick-Tock Killer, a serial killer who targets children. The killer is mocking the authorities by telling them where he will dump the next body. This creates a heightened sense of urgency for everyone concerned. Can Emily find and stop him before another child becomes a victim…
The fast paced action and plot momentum keep the reader’s attention to the very end. Although this book is part of a series, there is an extensive back story that fills the reader in on why and how Emily has chosen to pursue this career. The author has created a strong female protagonist that shows strengths and weaknesses. Her characterization is well developed and the plotting is superior as well. I recommend this book for anyone that enjoys great, well-written thrillers.
Recommend this book:
The Spark
A Novel
John Kenny
2014 Honorable Mention
334 Pages
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Fiction - Action
The Spark by John Kenny is set in the aftermath of a fire which claimed the life of one firefighter and left another, Donny, in critical condition. Slightly over a year later, Donny returns to work, doing the same thing as before, putting out fires and saving lives. He still thinks that the fire that killed his captain and mentor was not an accident; there were way too many coincidences for his liking. He decides he will not rest until he finds out the truth so he starts digging, looking over reports, speaking to witnesses, and making calls. There is, however, someone on the other side who will do anything to ensure that the truth never sees the light of day, and she has help from powerful people who can call in favors from as high up as the NSA. But Donny is determined to get to the bottom of it and will not stop, no matter what.
The Spark portrays the life of the men and women of the fire department. It has interesting details of the inner workings of the fire department and the tough love that keeps the teams together. John Kenny shares in deep detail the day-to-day life inside the fire department, while at the same time unfolding an enticing and fast paced thriller about a man willing to go to any lengths to discover the truth about the fire that killed his boss and mentor. I learnt so much about the fire department and got to appreciate firefighters even more for putting their lives on the line all the time, while at the same time enjoying an incredible story. I loved every single page of it and read it nonstop to the very end.