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:
It Could Happen
A Slow Burn, Enemies to Lovers Romantic Comedy
Melissa Baldwin

2023 Finalist
328 Pages
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Fiction - Chick Lit

It Could Happen by Melissa Baldwin is a fantastic romantic comedy about a wedding, a secret that threatens to blow up the bridal party, relationships, friendships, and finding love when you least expect it. Tori Hayes is surprised to receive a wedding invitation from her friend Caroline, who also wants her to be a bridesmaid. Tori is single and open to finding love. She hates change but is excited to participate and meet the other bridal party members. Caroline's wedding will be a three-day, non-stop party, complete with tradition, pomp, and circumstance. Tori doesn't know it yet, but she is about to be thrown into a drama that will take her out of her comfort zone. She is also about to meet a man who's full of himself and annoys yet completely intrigues her.
I loved the writing, the wedding drama, the romance, chaos, tension, and suspense. I could read books like this all day long. It Could Happen by Melissa Baldwin was highly addictive as it had everything I craved. This delicious, slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy warmed my heart. It's full of drama and funny, messy, and also flirtatious scenes that will especially appeal to hopeless romantics. It Could Happen proves that risk-taking, leaving your comfort zone, and accepting change can benefit you. It's a story to treasure and perfect for the summer season. I dare all hopeless romantics not to devour this book in a single sitting.
Recommend this book:
Miss Snickers
A Little Romance, A Little Mystery, A Little Adventure
Lynn M. Hoerauf

2023 Honorable Mention
260 Pages
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Fiction - Chick Lit

Miss Snickers: A Little Romance, A Little Mystery, A Little Adventure by Lynn M. Hoerauf follows the protagonist, Sydney, as she becomes engrossed in the relationship troubles of a couple named Tony and Mindy. As she watches a relationship advice show on TV, Sydney parallels Mindy’s situation and her relationship with her fiancé, David. Set in a New York loft-style apartment and told from Sydney’s perspective, Miss Snickers combines romance, humor, and self-discovery as Sydney reflects on her journey to finding happiness and love. She attempts to sort out her love life with time apart from David, giving her more time with her Aunt Josie, who she calls her voice of reason.
Miss Snickers is a delightful romantic comedy that captures the ups and downs of love in a relatable and entertaining fashion. Lynn M. Hoerauf’s writing style is engaging, and the characters are developed remarkably, allowing readers to empathize with their experiences. The protagonist guides the narrative, offering insightful observations and reflections that resonate with readers. The New York loft setting adds charm and modernity to the narrative, while Sydney’s introspection adds depth to the plot. Overall, Miss Snickers is a fun and heartwarming story that will leave readers smiling and hopeful about their own romantic journeys. It will have readers laughing, crying, and engaging in thought-provoking conversations around the table with friends. Miss Snickers should be at the top of the romantic comedy list for those who are fans of the genre.
Recommend this book:
Nicki Got Spunk
Colors of Happiness - Book III
Annette G. Anders

2023 Honorable Mention
342 Pages
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Fiction - Chick Lit

Nicki Got Spunk is a work of fiction in the contemporary romance, interpersonal drama, and slice-of-life subgenres, and it forms the third novel in the Colors of Happiness book series. The work is best suited to the general adult reading audience and contains some non-graphic romantic scenes. Penned by author Annette G. Anders, we find ourselves along for the ride with protagonist Nicki, who intends to escape the errors of her last relationship by having a little rest and relaxation with her sister on Martha’s Vineyard. Little does she know that the hunk she wants to pick up for some harmless fun comes with a lot more baggage, intensity, and deep feelings than she’d bargained for.
Author Annette G. Anders has packed a lot into this bright and fast-paced romantic read, not least in the swell of character development and intense relationship dynamics that she creates right from the start. Nicki is an instantly likable rogue of a character, attempting a regret-free lifestyle after ditching the prospect of a terrible marriage in her future. Parker is a well-developed male lead with a ton of complications of his own, and I really enjoyed the way the author conveyed familial pressure and expectations in his emotional story arc. This makes for some highly realistic interaction and a believable romance plot that deepens well over time and really has you rooting for the couple’s happiness by the end. Overall, Nicki Got Spunk is a very entertaining read for those who want to get deeply invested in a well-penned immersive love story.
Recommend this book:
My Best Mistake
My Best Series Book 1: Tasha's Story
Carole Wolfe

2023 Bronze Medal
286 Pages
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Fiction - Chick Lit

With an exciting start to My Best Mistake: My Best Series Book 1 Tasha's Story, author Carole Wolfe introduces the story of Tasha Gerome; a single mother facing different challenges while trying to balance everything including parenting. Tasha is struggling under the weight of her responsibilities after her absentee ex-husband, Doug, left her to take care of the children by herself. She can only hope the newly hired housecleaner does not quit after seeing the state of her house. She is also being accused of posting bad reviews and making false accusations against a powerful doctor. In addition, Tasha is trying to improve her dating life and Doug is stalking her, attempting to coax her into a suspicious new deal.
I enjoyed Tasha’s growth throughout the story as she took charge of her life and learned to stand up for herself. I also loved that her strained relationship with her sister changes and becomes stronger as Sara helps Tasha face her challenges. I appreciated that the book explores common life situations that its audience will be able to relate to. I enjoyed the humorous conversations and the surprising scenes woven into the plot. While Tasha faces numerous obstacles, there are also happy, uplifting moments included and the end is satisfying. Themes about sisterhood, managing relationships, growth, and finding one’s voice are adeptly brought out in the story. My Best Mistake by Carole Wolfe is a fun and inspiring read with a likable main character. Looking forward to more of Wolfe’s work.
Recommend this book:
What's Not Lost
A Novel
Valerie Taylor

2023 Silver Medal
321 Pages
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Fiction - Chick Lit

The engaging, soul-stirring story, What's Not Lost: A Novel by Valerie Taylor, follows a woman’s journey to finding herself and discovering happiness. Once again, Kassie’s life falls into disarray after her late husband's burial when her fiancé’s pregnant ex-girlfriend shows up at her door. Despite the new turn in Kassie’s and Chris’s lives, she is optimistic and excited for him. Kassie is also looking forward to going to Paris for a business assignment; a life-changing opportunity she earned by herself. Kassie’s best friend warns that the distance could strain things between her and Chris. Still, Kassie is excited and takes up the assignment. By chance, she meets a Greek businessman who changes her perspective. She forges new friendships and discovers more love and happiness than she has ever known.
Valerie Taylor masterfully creates characters who are real and vulnerable. I loved Kassie’s growth throughout the book; how she finds her true self and can follow her heart. I also loved the characters’ vulnerable moments and how believable they were. Taylor’s ability to create secondary characters whose lives are entangled with the main characters’ stories is fully displayed. I found Kassie’s cat’s viewpoint at the beginning of the story amusing. I also loved that the story is suspenseful and slowly builds its way to a satisfying conclusion. What's Not Lost is a lovely, captivating novel with a host of colorful characters and many moving moments. Readers will find Kassie’s emotional journey compelling and enjoy its happy ending.
Recommend this book:
Love, Lydie
Blair Harton

2023 Gold Medal
426 Pages
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Fiction - Chick Lit

Love, Lydie by Blair Harton follows the story of Nathan as he loved, lost, and then learned to do it all over again. Nathan’s life isn’t easy. He lived the majority of his youth as a rockstar, but that all changed when something big happened and turned it upside down. Now, he is a father of a beautiful and feisty little girl named Emily. He is happy with his understated life as a construction worker and he isn’t looking for love anymore. But what will Nathan do if love comes knocking on his door and refuses to leave? Will he give love a chance, or will he be stubborn and deprive himself of happiness?
Love, Lydie ticked all the right boxes for me. It has secrets, a single father, romance, and mystery; it is such a wholesome story of love and family that I read it twice. The story is fantastic and the right kind of complicated to make sure we stay until the end. Nathan is a diverse character. He is well-rounded and develops at a steady pace. He has two major developments and each of them is vital to the story. The narrative is divided into two parts and each of them tells a complete story. I cannot emphasize how wonderful this is. I had a sense of satisfaction at the end. The dialogues are wonderful, the characters are fantastic, and the overall feel of the story is great. I loved Emily and her spunky attitude. Lydie was the calm in Nathan’s storm, and Anna was the balm to his aching soul. This story is outstanding!
Recommend this book:
Leaving Phoenix
Jafe Danbury

2022 Finalist
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Chick Lit

Leaving Phoenix by Jafe Danbury is a powerful suspense thriller about a young woman, who, in tracking her mother’s killer, discovers more about her dark past. Rose LaFlamme is having an abortion after being impregnated by a ruthless man that she calls the Pirate. This man drops her off at a shady abortion clinic and gives her some money for the procedure. In a miracle, Rose’s aborted fetus has an undetected twin sister which survived that Rose decides to keep. But the Pirate tracks down Rose and kills her. As if the scenario of being a surviving twin of a successfully-murdered would-be sibling is not enough, Phoebe, the surviving child, must set aside the thought that her mother tried to abort her because she wasn’t worth the trouble. She is the key to finding her mother’s killer. Other than that, her quest for the truth, her longing for family, and for connections, needs to be fulfilled.
While reading Leaving Phoenix, the plot sticks with you and you become so invested that you want to find out what happens next, This novel is likely to earn strong reviews by word of mouth. Now is precisely the time for this novel. It is intense and often gripping to read, but it is also highly satisfying as you put yourself in the shoes of a young woman who must unravel her past and face a dark truth. Jafe Danbury displays a well-crafted treatment of tone and pacing, as well as a well-fleshed-out protagonist that you will truly care about. Danbury kneads the tension slowly, allowing Phoebe to accumulate resilience and intelligence as she gets closer to the truth. A must-read for any lovers of suspense and mystery, Leaving Phoenix is a heart-pounding and profoundly suspenseful novel that reaches an enormously satisfying arc.
Recommend this book:
Stupid Love
The Salt City Diaries
Danielle Dexter

2022 Honorable Mention
318 Pages
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Fiction - Chick Lit

In Stupid Love (The Salt City Diaries) by Danielle Dexter, a young woman writes about her dating experiences, leading to a path of growth and self-discovery. Excited at the idea of a new beginning, Rachel Parker moves back to her hometown in Syracuse. Though her best friends, Jessie and Leigha, are eager to reintroduce her to the social scene, she is still reeling from a recent breakup and wants to slow down. She ends up dating other people, always hopeful she has finally found the right man for her. Through her blog, she examines each experience and notes the lessons she has learned. The novel also follows her close friends as they navigate the highs and lows of the dating world and support each other through it all.
I loved that Rachel’s story is authentic, which makes it relatable. As the narrator, Rachel is candid and the lessons she discovers along the way while dating are also eye-opening. I also liked that the story is expanded by Rachel’s friends and their own stories. Beyond the world of dating, the novel also masterfully explores the theme of friendship and finding strength in community. Messages about self-love as an important component of any successful relationship, which are explored in Rachel’s blog, are also crucial and serve as practical life lessons that anyone can benefit from. Stupid Love by Danielle Dexter is an insightful and uplifting chick lit novel with realistic characters and surprising turns that mirror the real dating world.
Recommend this book:
Broken Like Me
Kaitie Howie

2022 Bronze Medal
356 Pages
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Fiction - Chick Lit

Broken Like Me by Kaitie Howie had me spellbound, a story with sophisticated characters and strong plot points. Readers are introduced to two key characters with difficult pasts—Rose and Josh. Rose has long stopped dreaming and believing that life can be better and that a miracle can take away her pain. The only link she has to this world is her fragile new-born baby. When she moves to a new building, she develops a relationship with Josh, one that starts with a meal when they get to know each other’s story. Josh lives with friends in the same building and he has had his fair share of pain. The empathy and bond between Josh and Rose grow naturally and it is like they perfectly understand each other’s brokenness. But when what they have been trying to build from the moment they first met is threatened by the darkness from their past, can they stand together and for each other?
I just love this novel. I love it! The story absorbs you from the very first page and the characters are so beautifully written, so real it is hard to ignore them. Kaitie Howie’s attention to detail, especially when it comes to what the characters feel, her world-building, and plot points are excellently executed. The suspense is there, and it has a solid grip on the reader, forcing the reader to turn the pages, wondering what will happen to Rose and Josh, and the little girl. The prose is stellar; the descriptions are top-notch, and character development is one of the unique strengths of the narrative. From the moment the reader meets Rose, clutching her newborn baby in her arms, following her troubled mind, her reminiscences of her life and painful condition, they are unable to let go. You will stick with these characters through every page in spite of you feeling their pain, hanging onto the weak threads of their hope, and cheering as they face one challenge after another.
Recommend this book:
April Showers Bring Dead Flowers
Book 1 of the Murder on the Vine series
Krista Lockheart

2022 Bronze Medal
216 Pages
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Fiction - Chick Lit

April Showers Bring Dead Flowers by Krista Lockheart is book one of the Murder on the Vine series. Heather Moore is a flower and animal lover who has taken her life in a new direction with a job as a greenhouse director at a local university. She's determined to bring new life back into the garden she inherited with the help of a few animal companions. When she discovers a body, she takes it upon herself to dig up clues and solve the mystery before the killer has a chance to put her in the ground. But it's not all stormy skies, as Heather meets a charming flower enthusiast whose connection with her quickly blossoms into romance.
The opening sets an interesting tone for the story as beautiful flowers are a source of happiness for Heather while also creating an ominous setting for murder. Krista Lockheart does a charming job of building a quirky setting around the love of flowers and animals with writing that establishes a cheery, colorful, and humorous tone. This is a world that you want to be part of and immerse yourself in. It just happens to have a dash of murder. Romance is incorporated throughout with a sweet and genuine relationship that balances out the murder mystery while also creating the sense of a new beginning in her life. Heather and Lars' dynamic starts with their shared love of flowers and then steadily turns into a sweet connection that adds elements of romantic comedy to the mystery. Heather is a character with a great sense of humor and confidence in herself that's infectious, such as her feeling ready to conquer the world and be on top of it. She's a character that you'd want to be friends with in real life. April Showers Bring Dead Flowers is a charming story with a great sense of humor, delightful animal characters, a strong love of gardening, a sweet romance, and a well-written murder mystery.
