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:
The Vatican Deal
A Marty and Bo Thriller
Michael Balter
2026 Finalist
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Crime

The Vatican Deal by Michael Balter is part of the Marty and Bo thriller series. Marty and Bo are back with a bang, and this time they are on their way to Italy. They need to close a multi-million-dollar deal with the Vatican, but things are about to turn deadly. They've found themselves in a trap, hounded by the Naples Mafia, and the head of the Vatican isn't being straight with them. Their new business partner, Natalya, is backed by a Russian oligarch, and he wants more, too. No one is telling the truth, and Marty and Bo are prepared to call their deals off and walk away. That is, until they come face to face with someone from their past. The stakes are upped again when Natalya is kidnapped, and the two are caught between the Russian Vory and the Naples Mafia. Can they uncover the truth and find Natalya before it's too late?
The Vatican Deal is Michael Balter's sequel to the brilliant Chasing Money, which should be read before you try this one. The Italian setting is wonderfully described, instantly transporting you there to join some of the most unforgettable characters you will ever read. Another high-stakes, fast-paced story, this is filled with sharp dialogue, lots of humor, and plenty of suspenseful twists and turns that keep you guessing. Michael has clearly done his homework in terms of the Vatican, the art world, and the Mafia, and he conveys this knowledge in a way that you'll never forget. This is a multi-layered story, with several dangling threads that neatly weave themselves into the story, creating one of the richest tapestries of crime and suspense you'll ever read. This is truly gripping reading that ensnares you right from the first page. A thoroughly enjoyable story, and the perfect sequel.
Recommend this book:
Red Shroud
Cape Breton Mysteries Book 5
Renny deGroot
2026 Honorable Mention
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Crime

Red Shroud by award-winning author Renny deGroot is an immersive murder mystery set in the small community of Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada. It is October 2023. The police are called when the body of a woman in her sixties is found in a mushroom farm shed. The likely cause of death is a blow to the back of the head with a spade that looks out of place in the shed’s sterile environment. It looks as if the woman was clutching something like a piece of paper when she was killed, but no paper was found on the crime scene. Marijuana plants are discovered at the back of the shed. Detective Gordie MacLean and his team of police officers investigate. But will they find the murderer?
It’s been quite some time since I came across a murder mystery on par with P.D. James’ Adam Dalgliesh mysteries, so I was delighted to discover Renny deGroot’s Red Shroud. It is the fifth novel in the Cape Breton Mysteries, but it read perfectly well as a standalone in my first encounter with the series. I liked how the story merged the investigation with the relationship synergies and career expectations of the police team. I also appreciated how the story portrayed the social aspects of transgendering. The plot’s twists and surprises kept me turning the pages. Bandit, a rambunctious five-month-old Great Pyrenees puppy, was the cherry on top of this delightful treat of a read! I highly recommend this riveting story to crime fiction fans.
Recommend this book:
Looking for Henry Turner
Mo Gold And Birdie Mysteries Book 1
W.L. Liberman
2026 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Crime

In Looking for Henry Turner by W.L. Liberman, Mo and Birdie, Gold Investigations’ partners, have several tasks to complete. When the story opens, they have just located a card dealer, employed by a local racketeer, John Fat Gai, dead in an alley. Gold’s brother, Eli, also owes money to this racketeer, so Gold is afraid he will end up the same way. A grieving mother arrives at their office to hire them to find her son, Henry, who has been missing for eight years, to which they agree. Then a prominent socialite arrives to hire them not to help this grieving mother because she is a thief. Enter the cops, Callaway and Mason. Callaway informs them that the dead dealer was an undercover cop. Gold Investigations is now fully embroiled in the world of villainous John Fat Gai.
Looking for Henry Turner by W.L. Liberman takes readers on a wild ride through the city of Toronto and its criminal underbelly. Although the story is set in 1960s Toronto, it is reminiscent of the 1930s hard-boiled detective novels by Dashiell Hammett, with Gold as the narrator and his sidekick, Birdie, as the muscle. Both Gold and Birdie are terrifically humorous characters, and the author deftly describes their forays through each Toronto locale, from Chinatown to Christie Pits, with much detail and colorful dialogue. The plot is complex, weaving aspects of different lines of inquiry into the final result. However, the story is not done. The author takes one of the secondary plots and turns the story on its head.
Recommend this book:
Shadows of Deceit
A Cassie Maddox Mystery Book 1
Timothy R Baldwin
2026 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Crime

In Shadows of Deceit by Timothy R. Baldwin, private investigator Cassie Maddox's case started with a cheating husband, but soon turned into something more dangerous. Cassie had just begun her career as a private investigator, and her investigation was connected to financial crimes. Cassie has picked up a lot of knowledge over the years from her detective dad and is ready to face anything that comes her way. Cassie also has big shoes to fill when it comes to her father’s legacy as a respected detective. Following a lead in her case, Cassie found herself a witness to a suicide, and she was getting close to interfering with an ongoing police investigation. Cassie was warned not to intervene with the police investigation and not to trust anyone. In Cassie’s world of danger and secrets, she could not be sure of anyone’s motives but would not stop before she uncovered the truth.
Shadows of Deceit by Timothy R. Baldwin had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. With the fast-paced plot, I never knew what would happen next. I was surprised every time with the turns the storyline took. There was so much happening without being overwhelming, and I could never predict the next turn. The writing style was engaging and gave me enough time to absorb everything before the next event. The characters were authentic and relatable. Each had a background that gave me a chance to get to know them better. The book was brilliantly written and has all the elements to be a hit. Once I started reading, it was impossible to put the book down. I cannot wait for Cassie’s next case.
Recommend this book:
Rose Dhu
Mark Murphy
2026 Silver Medal
383 Pages
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Fiction - Crime

Rose Dhu by Mark Murphy is a fascinating mystery. Dr. Janie O’Connor has disappeared, and the first person in the frame is her ex-fiancé, Phillip Carruthers. But he’s got an alibi, leaving the police mystified and scrambling to find the missing surgeon. Detective Frank Winger isn’t going to let this drop, though. He has a connection to the family and is determined to find Janie, one way or the other. But his investigation won’t be straightforward. Witnesses aren’t what they seem, evidence is being messed with, and Winger also has to face his own past if he wants to work out what’s real and what isn’t to solve this mystery. Is Janie still alive? Can he find the guilty party, or does the constant misdirection muddy the waters too much?
Rose Dhu by Mark Murphy is one of the most riveting crime stories I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. Right from page one, you are drawn not just into the story but into Savannah itself. Mark Murphy has created a unique cast of characters, each one developed into a real person whom you’ll remember for a long time after you finish the book. This is a complex whodunit-style story, filled with misdirection and tension that keeps you on the edge of your seat all the way through. But although it is a crime story, the author also takes the time to introduce readers to the city of Savannah, making it feel like one of the characters. This is a well-paced, engaging story with some violence and graphic descriptions, and filled with twists and turns that take you on a fascinating, unpredictable journey that leads to a surprising ending. Totally enthralling, this book is perfect for anyone who loves a good crime thriller and something a little different from the standard stories in this genre.
Recommend this book:
Kill Her
The Lacey James Series
Chris Patchell
2025 Finalist
312 Pages
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Fiction - Crime

When another teenager’s body is found, Detective Lacey James immediately suspects foul play; two tragic deaths in the space of two weeks are just too much of a coincidence. The anonymous message she receives while investigating Brayden’s case only confirms her suspicions. When human bones are found on a poacher’s property, things start to get even more complicated. As a parent, Lacey understands the heavy impact Brayden’s death has had on his parents and the community of Sweet Home, and she vows to uncover the mysterious circumstances surrounding his untimely demise. However, as she pieces the evidence together, Lacey discovers that the truth is much more horrifying than she could have anticipated. But Lacey needs to tread lightly now as her discoveries have put her own life in danger in Chris Patchell’s Kill Her.
Chris Patchell’s much-loved heroine Lacey James is back in his latest thriller, Kill Her. From the first page, Kill Her had a dark and somber tone that perfectly set the stage for what was to come: intriguing characters and shocking plot twists. I loved Lacey’s determination to solve the case and the empathy she showed for others. She’s a true leader, and I'm impressed by how she handled the case, especially since she had a lot to deal with in her personal life as well. Chris Patchell’s narrative style has an inviting and smooth flow, which gives a great read. Lacey’s complicated love life brought its own level of intrigue, as who doesn’t enjoy a love story filled to the brim with drama? I really enjoyed Kill Her and recommend it to fans of thrillers with a touch of romance on the side.
Recommend this book:
When Anna Came Home
Shannon Condon
2025 Bronze Medal
200 Pages
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Fiction - Crime

Shannon Condon’s When Anna Came Home is a riveting psychological thriller that expertly weaves suspense, mystery, and family drama elements. The story begins with a harrowing scene at Savannah International Airport, setting the tone for a narrative full of twists and intrigue. The protagonist, Anna, finds herself thrust into a world of secrets and lies following the traumatic death of her family members, which she witnesses. Condon masterfully crafts a complex character in Anna, whose journey from innocence to a stark realization of her family’s dark secrets is compelling. The narrative explores themes of betrayal, loyalty, and the lengths one will go to uncover the truth. As Anna dives deeper into the secretive activities of her family’s business, she faces perilous challenges that test her strength and resolve.
The novel’s pacing is tight, with each chapter driving the story forward and uncovering the complexity of the plot and character development. Shannon Condon’s writing style is fluid and engaging, capturing the story’s emotional depth and psychological tension. The impressive world-building features heightened tension that keeps readers guessing what will happen next. The unpredictability sets this novel apart from others in the genre, making it a delightful read. When Anna Came Home stands out for its vivid descriptions and well-constructed dialogue, which bring the characters and settings to life. Readers looking for a thriller that combines emotional depth with relentless suspense will not want to miss this. Condon’s ability to balance action with character introspection creates an engaging and satisfying narrative that entertains and thoughtfully examines the impact of family secrets and personal discovery.
Recommend this book:
Omniviolence
Jones Worthington
2025 Bronze Medal
320 Pages
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Fiction - Crime

Omniviolence by Jones Worthington offers readers a chilling vision of our near future, where technology's darkest potential comes to life. This horrifying vision is told through the story of Jackson Cross, a teenage killer who uses drones to earn cryptocurrency, and Joseph Carboni, a conflicted hitman pursuing him. When their paths collide, they become entangled in a global conspiracy that forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about digital anonymity and societal breakdown. Worthington's keen observations about how technology shapes human behavior and morality are explored in this novel.
The narrative moves at a relentless pace while maintaining a good level of explanation and intellectual depth, creating characters whose morally gray stance on their situation reflects humanity's struggles with technology's role in life today and especially the lengths one implements for success. The world that Jones Worthington builds feels uncomfortably close to present reality, with technological advances that seem just around the corner incorporated realistically into Jackson's dangerous criminal exploits. I also really admired the close narration and dialogue used for this exploration of violence in the digital age, which raises profound questions about responsibility and humanity in an increasingly connected, yet disconnected world. The way the author weaves these themes through the personal stories of the characters creates an emotional resonance that elevates the entire work from a typical thriller into a powerfully modern cautionary tale with a lot at stake. Overall, I highly recommend Omniviolence to readers who enjoy thought-provoking thrillers that challenge our assumptions about technology and human nature.
Recommend this book:
So Much Forever
Jafe Danbury
2025 Silver Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Crime

In So Much Forever by Jafe Danbury, Tempest Cage has awakened to another day of misery in Surprise, AZ. Her relationship with her abusive boyfriend has run its course and her primary concerns are for herself and her young daughter Abigail. She bids her boyfriend adieu in a way that leaves a blood trail. Meanwhile, Curt and Phoenix Martinsen are attempting a return to normalcy in the aftermath of their daughter Rose’s kidnapping by a human trafficking ring. The small family lives with Phoenix’s father but plans to find a place of their own soon enough. Their path to routine is dashed when Curt crosses Tempest’s path and she wants Curt all for herself. Tempest initiates a plan that will leave Curt trapped, Phoenix panic-stricken, and the local cops dealing with numerous corpses.
So Much Forever is the thrilling third installment in the Phoenix series by author Jafe Danbury which chronicles the tribulations of Phoenix Martinsen (nee Laflamme). The new threat facing Phoenix and her family arises from a wildcard in the persona of Tempest Cage. Tempest fulfills her moniker aptly as her actions go from maternal to possessive and homicidal in the blink of an eye. Danbury provides a wealth of backstory to highlight Tempest’s evolution while not losing focus on the story. Curt and Phoenix have survived harrowing ordeals but their devotion to each other and Rose are endearing and genuine. The book has its fair share of violence, but it is balanced by humor and heart. So Much Forever is a stirring read from start to finish.
Recommend this book:
Crime Unraveled
A Buck Taylor Novel Book 13
Chuck Morgan
2025 Silver Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Crime

Crime Unraveled by Chuck Morgan is part of the Buck Taylor series. Everyone loves Glenwood Canyon but a landslide has destroyed the highway and blocked the Colorado River. One question lingers on everyone's lips: was this a natural disaster or did someone cause it? Buck Taylor is on the case but murder gets in the way, making Buck think that there is more to this than he first thought. And the deeper he digs, the more he uncovers as a web of lies and secrets comes to light and it all revolves around one of the richest families in the area. The further Buck goes the clearer it becomes that someone will do whatever it takes to stop the truth from coming out. Will Buck get to the bottom of it or is he firmly in the killer’s sights?
The 13th book in the Buck Taylor series, Crime Unraveled by Chuck Morgan is a fantastic addition to the series. I’ve read a few books in this series and they never fail to leave me in awe. This is the type of high-octane, fast-paced thriller I’ve come to expect from this author. It’s packed with stunning twists and turns that keep you on your toes, guessing all the way through, and a colorful cast of characters that you can’t help but like. This is compelling reading, a wholly satisfying book with a gritty plot that’s as close to real life as you can get, with plenty of suspense and no small amount of intrigue. If you love crime thrillers, you’ll love this book. I highly recommend reading the whole series to get a feel for the main character.