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 Lighthouse
Christopher Parker
2022 Silver Medal
368 Pages
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Fiction - Chick Lit
The Lighthouse by Christopher Parker is centered around Amy, a young woman struggling with the recent death of her mother. Amy does not have a close relationship with her father and she is feeling very alone. When, in an effort to become closer, her father takes her along on an overnight trip to Seabrook, her world will never be the same again. Ryan lives in Seabrook with his father who has suffered a stroke and is unable to work their ranch. Ryan does it all but has kept the financial trouble they are in secret from his dad. The town’s main attraction is an old run-down lighthouse that is rumored to be haunted. Ryan and Amy soon find themselves drawn to each other, perhaps even falling in love. When the lighthouse suddenly sends a bright beacon into the sky, the whole town becomes involved in discovering why. As the magical answers are revealed, Amy must do the impossible and make things right.
The Lighthouse is a perfect combination of the mystical and real life. The Lighthouse offers the reader love, death, mystery, magic, and more. I found it really hard to put this book down and neglected my chores to find out how it ends for Amy and Ryan and was not at all disappointed when I got my answers. This is the first book that Christopher Parker has written but I am hoping there will be many more to come. The Lighthouse has a refreshing tone that can be enjoyed by young and old, male and female. You will have to read this for yourself because I do not want to ruin the story by telling you more. All I can say is you will not be disappointed. I truly believe that this is a must-read winner.
Recommend this book:
Dating Mr. Darcy
Love Manor Romantic Comedy Book 1
Kate O'Keeffe
2021 Honorable Mention
300 Pages
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Fiction - Chick Lit
Dating Mr. Darcy is the first book in the Love Manor Romantic Comedy series by Kate O'Keeffe. Emma is not your regular girl. She has an activewear business that she hopes will become successful, she is clumsy, and she is determined to a fault. She will do anything to promote her brand and no opportunity is a bad opportunity to get the success she wants. But is becoming part of a reality show worth it? An opportunity is an opportunity, right? So what if she has to put up with the most arrogant man she has ever had the misfortune to meet. Sebastian Huntington-Ross is a handsome fellow but his not-so-charming personality and accent are not worth it. But before she knows it, sparks fly, the chemistry between them ignites and Emma has to stop and wonder, should she put her heart on the line?
Short, sweet, and filled with humor, Dating Mr. Darcy is a quick pick-me-up for anyone who wants to get an instant boost of happiness. I will watch and re-watch it if the story is made into a movie, to be honest. Emma is feisty and she has a spark that makes her shine brightly. Sebastian is the typical haughty British “gentleman” who knows what he wants and how he will get it. The references to Pride and Prejudice, the hilarious first meeting between her and Sebastian, a.k.a. Mr. Darcy, and even their future interactions are part of the fun experience. The setting of the story is modern. Not every author can execute a romantic comedy, but author Kate O'Keeffe nailed it. This fast-paced romance is perfect for some light-hearted entertainment!
Recommend this book:
When We're Thirty
Casey Dembowski
2021 Bronze Medal
324 Pages
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Fiction - Chick Lit
When We’re Thirty by Casey Dembowski is a story about the intricate yet unique love story of Hannah Abbott and her college best friend, Will Thorne, who made a marriage pact on graduation night. This love story transcends typical romantic chick-lit; it is still a fictional love story but somehow it is written as if it had been real somewhere in the world. Will and Hannah’s story is anything but easy. This novel shows how intricate and challenging love can be - even if it seems like the easiest thing to do, it’s not. What sets Hannah and Will’s love apart is the fact that their love was kept alive by their memories and their hopeless romantic perception of their world. For them, knowing who was their person for life was easy, but the hard part was telling each other that realization. Isn’t that how most humans are? They know something in their hearts but doing something about it is the hardest part of it all.
I cannot find the words for how much I loved When We’re Thirty. I screamed NO when I realized that there were less than 10 pages left in the book; I wish this novel had never ended. I will be looking for my Will until I get married (to him, of course). When We’re Thirty is an ideal novel to read when you want to escape daily life; it has personally given me hope in every aspect of life. If I could, I would pack my bags, move to New York, and search the streets for my Will. Casey Dembowski's writing style has left nothing to be desired; the characters come to life from the first second you get to know them. I have only positive things to say about this book. Who knew that those kinds of pacts that everyone makes could come to life one day?
Recommend this book:
Lady Be Good
The Life and Times of Dorothy Hale
Pamela Hamilton
2021 Silver Medal
298 Pages
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Fiction - Chick Lit
Pamela Hamilton’s biographical style work of fiction, Lady Be Good: The Life and Times of Dorothy Hale, tells the story of an extraordinary life. In the 1920s and 30s, socialite Dorothy Hale graced high society and elite circles, rubbing shoulders with prominent figures and becoming one of Frida Kahlo’s popular art subjects. Set against glamorous backdrops that include New York’s high society, the Algonquin Set, the art world, Hollywood, and a maelstrom of politics, the novel is a vivid portrait of one woman’s dreams, as well as heartbreaks that led her to end it all by leaping from the sixteenth floor of her Central Park South apartment. It is a story that begins with a dramatic ending, intensifying the narrative as it traces Hale’s journey toward career and romance.
Dorothy Hale may not be a popular figure nowadays, but it is fitting to read about her life and times as a lesson in history. Her experiences defined an era. Fictional narratives of famous figures are often difficult to write because the connection between their existence and creative license can be challenging to reconcile. But Pamela Hamilton writes with such gravitas and dedication, delivering a framework of facts and research assembled with an imaginative pen. Lady Be Good is filled with incidents and anecdotes, and one of the highlights is Hale’s friendship with Clare Boothe Luce. One exciting facet in this tale is that while Hale was able to survive the Great Depression of the 30s, she didn’t survive the depression that plagued her mind. Lady Be Good is an extraordinary work about a remarkable woman in a unique period.
Recommend this book:
The Accidental Text
Becky Monson
2021 Gold Medal
297 Pages
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Fiction - Chick Lit
The Accidental Text by Becky Monson is a lighthearted romantic comedy. Maggie Cooper always enjoyed taking risks and doing things like skydiving. But, after her mother died, she lost her mojo. She tried texting her mother’s phone, hoping it would be like therapy. Turns out she was texting someone else, and that someone else was a hot guy. Maggie already had a crush on a co-worker, so she was not sure how this would end up, if she would be able to get her mojo back and if she would ever fall in love.
I thought that The Accidental Text by Becky Monson was a fun read. I loved how she was able to make a tough topic into a lighthearted and hopeful one. The story had a great cast of characters. I loved her best friend Hannah; she had a lot of spunk. I thought that Becky Monson did a wonderful job with world-building. Made me wish I could be there. She also did an amazing job describing in great detail the things that Maggie did, like skydiving. I loved the fact that I got an aha moment from a line Maggie’s father said. It was another one of those love triangle tropes, but I loved the way it ended. There is a trigger warning; the story does talk about death, which is what this book is about - the way Maggie handled the death of a loved one. If you have lost a loved one, or love romantic comedies, then I highly recommend this book.
Recommend this book:
Murder Under A Blue Moon
1930s Mona Moon Mysteries Book 1
Abigail Keam
2020 Finalist
284 Pages
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Fiction - Chick Lit
When Madeline Mona Moon returns from a five-month stint in Mesopotamia, she first wants a rest before seeking a new adventure. A cartographer by trade, Mona relies on assignments to keep her head above the bread line and her restless spirit entertained. Unfortunately, in the 1930s, the rest of the world doesn’t agree that women are cut out for this vagabond lifestyle, making her kind of work difficult to procure. Facing a jobless future and an empty larder, no none is more surprised than she when Dexter Deatherage arrives at her door at two in the morning to announce that she, Madeline Mona Moon, is the newly appointed heir to the Moon fortune. Fighting to adopt the appropriate attitude as the lady of the manor, Mona is under constant scrutiny and dangerous threats. She is not to be toyed with, though, no matter how many times someone tries to kill her.
Murder Under A Blue Moon: 1930s Mona Moon Mysteries Book 1 by Abigail Keam is the most delightful novel I have read in a long time. Author Abigail Keam shows off her gift for fantastic descriptions and vivid characterization with the classic setting that revolves around the Moon mansion. The alliteration of all the family names beginning with the letter “M” adds just the right amount of superstitious intrigue for this light-hearted mystery. Mona is the epitome of strong female characterization as she balances her free-thinking, trouser-wearing independence with the softer side of an alluring woman of fashion and wealth. Readers of this mystery will love this book and eagerly await the next installation of the Mona Moon Mystery series.
Recommend this book:
A Summer of Surprises
Judith Keim
2020 Honorable Mention
296 Pages
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Fiction - Chick Lit
A vacation seems just the ticket for Jill Conroy in A Summer of Surprises by Judith Keim, so when her sister offers her the chance to house-sit a cottage on a sun-drenched beach, she packs both her physical and emotional bags and travels to Florida. What her sister forgot to mention is that Jill would be the housekeeper for the handyman doing repairs on the cottage, who then tells her there are other cottage residents: a nephew with his own daughter in tow. Jill adjusts to life with her new roommates while adapting to the blooming attraction to the nephew, the challenges of the insecure youngster, and new opportunities thanks to the kindness of the locals. Jill’s willingness to dive right in gives her the confidence to make changes in her career – and in her love life.
A Summer of Surprises is part of the Seashell Cottage series in which Judith Keim creates a peaceful setting for down-to-earth characters to experience meaningful life experiences. In this book, Jill beautifully manages to come to terms with her insecurities and also becomes a support system for people who are going through their life changes – eventually leading to her own happy ending. I enjoyed this quiet story of a pragmatic, realistic determination to overcome adversity and the development of a support network. This is definitely a book that can either be enjoyed under a beach umbrella or by a cozy fire, while dreaming of sunshine and calming ocean waves.
Recommend this book:
No More Horrible Dates
A romantic comedy of love, friendship . . . and tea
Kate O'Keeffe
2020 Bronze Medal
238 Pages
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Fiction - Chick Lit
No More Horrible Dates by Kate O’Keeffe is a humorous romantic comedy that takes place in New Zealand. Erin and her two best friends have an agreement that they will check out any new boyfriends that any of them are considering. Erin despises all jocks but agrees to act like a girlfriend for a rugby player named Nick. Nick has a bad-boy image, and the sponsors think he needs to improve his media image. Erin agrees with the pretense, hoping to put her own fashion clothing line in front of people since she is “dating” a rugby star. The “pretend” dating throws them together so that before you know it, they are dating for real. However, Nick's shady past still haunts their relationship.
My favorite part of No More Horrible Dates by Kate O’Keeffe is the humor. Nick shows up in a pink fluffy gorilla suit as a courting gimmick. The grandma and great-aunt are hilarious because they think the rugby player is actually on a home-improvement show on the TV. I appreciate that there are serious issues in this story, such as Erin's mother, who taught Erin to sew, is in long-term care due to Alzheimer's. I enjoyed the loyalty of the three girlfriends, and how the other two friends support and encourage Erin. I liked that Nick was loyal to his sister. This was what I consider a “clean” story, although there are a few bad words. There is a surprise twist at the end that sheds light on Nick's bad behavior.
Recommend this book:
The Plan
The Creek Water Series Book 3
Whitney Dineen
2020 Silver Medal
351 Pages
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Fiction - Chick Lit
The Plan is a work of women’s fiction and chick lit written for adults by author Whitney Dineen. Forming the third novel of The Creek Water series, this delightful and charming story features moderate content and is suitable for readers of all sensitivities. The story centers on Amelia Frothingham, whose secret-keeping ways are about to catch up with her when the arrival of a rock star in her small Missouri town sends her life spiraling out of control. Huck Wiley should be high in the hills of Hollywood, but he too is keeping something hidden. What results is a whirlwind of romance, insecurity, and fear of taking the plunge that will suck them both in.
Author Whitney Dineen has created a sweet romance that still offers plenty of tease and sizzle without ever crossing the line, and that’s sure to make it a fully enjoyable read for romance fans of all kinds. Amelia is a protagonist to whom others can relate for her hidden reservations and insecurities, but she’s also a woman to admire when challenge and opportunity land right in front of her. The description of rock god Huck is deliciously vivid, and the dialogue between the two sparkles with both wit and sensuality. Romance fans are also sure to be charmed by Creek Water, the series’ setting, for the place has its own quaint character and carefully crafted atmosphere in Dineen’s wordplay and descriptions. Overall, The Plan is an essential read for anyone seeking a light yet fully immersive holiday read to devour, or indeed a cozy romance read for nights by the fire.
Recommend this book:
It's Not PMS, It's You
Rich Amooi
2020 Gold Medal
376 Pages
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Fiction - Chick Lit
In It's Not PMS, It's You by Rich Amooi, Ruth Harper has never had to make the choice between her career and anything else. From early on in life, she’d made up her mind about it — no relationships. Ruth is the kind of woman that can be easily read as an unforgiving feminist and she is determined to become a managing partner in a firm composed of men. She has orchestrated multi-million dollar business deals and has butted heads with Fortune 500 CEOs and some of the most reputable lawyers. It is not for nothing that she’s dubbed “Ruthless” but after having a near-death experience, she becomes acutely aware of her mortality and the fear of dying alone grips her. She needs someone of her caliber, strong and successful. Then comes the unassuming landscape designer, Nick. He doesn’t seem intimidated by Ruth’s bluntness and career success. This man excites her in ways no one has ever done before. But can she take a chance on him?
It's Not PMS, It's You by Rich Amooi is an engaging romance with strong characters and intense drama, featuring a memorable female protagonist. This is a wonderful story and Rich Amooi does an impeccable job with the characters who move the story in unexpected directions by their depth and complexity, their strengths and human flaws. The characters are opposites, and it is interesting to follow the friction between Nick and Ruth. The author fills the pages of the story with drama, well-crafted dialogues that help to deepen character while moving the plot forward. I loved the prose and the use of the first-person narrative allows the POV to come out clearly. The shifts in perspective between Nick and Ruth also creates strong suspense and this enriches the reading experience. It's Not PMS, It's You is a delightful read for fans of contemporary romance. It is deft and balanced.