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 Old Man And The King
Joe Corso
2017 Finalist
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - General
The Old Man And The King by Joe Corso is an action packed entertainer that revolves around Lom, a seventy-two-year-old Korean War vet, originally from the hills of Tennessee, who is now settled in New York after being discharged from service. Toby, the King, meets Lom at the Good Burger restaurant in midtown Manhattan as he escapes from a bloody shootout on Second Avenue. Lom misses his old life of adventure, danger, and intrigue, and he is interested in finding out who is trying to harm the King. Readers will be gripped as the story takes them on a ride through different places, finally leading them to jewel thieves and gun runners. Will the Old Man be able to save the King?
The author weaves a good plot filled with suspense, intrigue, mystery, and a hint of romance between the Old Man and Martha, which gives a gentle touch amid all the action in the story. All the characters are well portrayed and strong and they leave a lasting impression in the minds of readers. The author handles the meeting between Lom and Toby well and, along with Charlie, they add to all the fun and action in the story.
I enjoyed the story with all its characters and settings. It is an amazing and absolutely novel idea to have a seventy-two-year-old hero in the story. There is an element of urgency that in turn gives a good pace and movement to the plot and makes readers curious to know what is going to happen next. It is definitely a good read for all readers who love action and suspense stories.
Recommend this book:
The Thundering
Megan Davidson
2016 Finalist
292 Pages
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Fiction - General
In an absolutely wonderful new work by author Megan Davidson, The Thundering, readers will find themselves following the stories of psychologist Cathy Morgen and her teenaged patient, Joseph. Taking place in Portland, Oregon in 1961, the story gives us some very realistic and heartbreaking insights into the atmosphere of mental health facilities of the era. When Cathy first meets Joseph, after receiving a distressed call from the director of the Summerhaven Mental Hospital asking for her help, she finds an absolutely shattered young man. Bucking, neighing and kicking, just like a mustang in the midst of a panic, Joseph's actions appear more horse than human. Using all of her skills, she makes it her mission to find out what has happened in Joseph's life to make him the way he is. At the same time, this journey is one of redemption for her as she tries to recover from the loss of another young patient.
I loved this book. Loved. It. I don't know what I else I could say to adequately describe how fantastic author Megan Davidson's new work is. Her character development skills are second to none. She has written characters, especially Joseph and Cathy, that the reader will truly come to care about and will think about long after the book is finished. If that isn't the hallmark of a great author, I am not sure what is. This book is absolutely un-put-down-able. I read it from start to finish in one sitting. I simply had to know what happened next. The Thundering would appeal to any reader who loves a generally great work of fiction, but especially those who love a book that will have their heart pounding. I highly recommend The Thundering and am very much looking forward to reading whatever author Megan Davidson has in store for her readers next!
Recommend this book:
An Absence of Faith
David W. Gordon
2016 Finalist
280 Pages
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Fiction - General
An Absence of Faith is a suspense novel by David W. Gordon. Detectives Kate Manning and her partner, Mike Cooper, have a serial killer on their hands, who's preying on single young women in New York City. Each victim was found in her apartment with her heart missing, and the accompanying mutilations have them concerned over the increasing anger and rage the perpetrator is displaying. Father Gregory Sloan knows all too well who that perpetrator is. His younger brother, Victor, brings him the grisly trophies he collects and neatly wraps in gift boxes, and he presents each one to his hapless brother in the confessional. Victor doesn't believe in God; after all, how could God let his mother be a junkie and die instead of being there for him? Victor has promised that he will keep on killing -- and bringing his brother those trophies. Victor knows Gregory can't help but honor the promise he made to his mother to protect his younger brother, and he's bound by his promise to God to honor the secrecy of the confessional.
David W. Gordon's police procedural novel, An Absence of Faith, is dark and unsettling. Gordon indicates in his foreword that this novel was written at a time when the death of a loved one caused him to have a crisis of faith, and indeed, both Victor, the serial killer, and Kate, the cop who's on his trail, question whether God exists, and if he does they each wonder why God allows the bad stuff happen. The suave, affluent and polished Victor, whose carefully arranged exterior hides untold depths of anger and madness, is a chilling and dark killer, and his insanity lends a gritty atmosphere to this thought-provoking novel. I found the police procedural aspect of this story to be quite effective, and enjoyed watching as the two partners work to reconcile their professional and personal relationships. An Absence of Faith is a taut, well-constructed and fast-paced novel of suspense, and it's highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Keeping It Cool
Taylor Hardman
2016 Finalist
288 Pages
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Fiction - General
In a wonderful book by debut author Taylor Hardman, Keeping It Cool is a story that will suck readers in from the very start and keep them obsessively turning the pages all the way through to the very end. Follow the story of Bill Evans, a man who finally feels that he just might have his life on track. He’s doing well with his heating and air conditioning business, and the remodels that he’s working on in the old house he bought on auction are turning out well. But when he finds an old box of letters and meets a lovely young history teacher, Amelia, who is willing to help him do some research on the events of the letters, his life takes a definite U-turn. Will Bill’s focus remain on his business and staying on the straight and narrow? Or have the letters he’s found taken him down a new path that might be even more important? You’ll need to read the book to find out!
I so enjoyed Keeping It Cool. This well-written story is lovely in its sweet romance, and readers will find themselves both laughing and wiping away a tear in places. Author Taylor Hardman has done a wonderful job in creating the characters of Bill and Amelia. Readers will be able to relate to, connect with and truly care about these two, and will continue to think about them long after the last page has been read. If that isn’t a hallmark of a great author, I’m not sure what is. Any reader who enjoys a sweet romance or just a nice fictional story in general should definitely pick up this book. I highly recommend Keeping It Cool, and look forward to reading more from the very promising author, Taylor Hardman, as soon as possible!
Recommend this book:
Crystal Ships
Richard Sharp
2016 Honorable Mention
370 Pages
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Fiction - General
Crystal Ships by Richard Sharp is a new GREAT in the way of the epic American novel. Reading mainly as historical fiction with layers of drama, critique, and a general human focus, this book is deeply emotional while maintaining a kind of grace and fluidity that is rare. There was so much going on in this book that I could barely keep track of all the action. What a wild ride! There was so much depth, so many characters, and just a general sense of packing so much information into a little over 350 pages that I was amazed. I felt like I learned something just from the sheer amount of information that Sharp managed to include.
Richard Sharp paints a wonderfully detailed picture with his writing style. Full of a bittersweet combination of idealism and a cultured cynicism, this book is one that will be enjoyable for everyone, from the literary critic to the casual Sunday reader. The character development was what really got me, because with about seven main characters, it's hard to make them all realistic and not cutouts. Sharp did a wonderful job crafting individual personalities and really great dialogue! At times, keeping track of the several friends throughout time and space was a bit difficult, but the writing was excellent so I never felt like I was pushing myself to read and understand. Crystal Ships is one of those books that stays with you and keeps you thinking about it long after you've turned the last page.
Recommend this book:
Baroota
The Hunting Ground, The Director Series Book 1
Zach Fortier
2016 Honorable Mention
171 Pages
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Fiction - General
Nick Hudson is a former military man and retired police officer who just goes through the motions of living day by day in Baroota: The Hunting Ground by Zach Fortier. In this first book of the Director Series, Nick and his wife, JoAnn, meet her friend Jessica for dinner to meet Jessica’s new boyfriend, Jay. Given his suspicious nature, Nick feels that Jay is rather strange, especially when Jay asks Nick how he feels about ‘…women and children being kidnapped and forced into slavery overseas.’ Jay goes on to explain the Director’s formation of a new task force that will work outside of government interference to hunt down and bring these criminals to justice and invites Nick to join. After tremendous soul searching, Nick agrees but what he discovers once he is brought together with other team members is a shocking surprise. Along with Nõnkos Zia (Nõn) who is a survivor of human trafficking herself, Nick finds himself in the fight of his life. Will they win the dangerous game the Director has set up or will they become victims themselves?
Zach Fortier has created an amazing world in which the good guys have to fight for their lives against tremendous odds. Baroota: The Hunting Ground is Book One of the Director Series which promises tremendous action and well developed characters. Nick and Nõn are kindred spirits – two people who have seen the worst life has to offer – and they want to try to make a difference by removing some of this ugliness from the world. Great book! Quite exciting and hard to put down. The dialogue is tight and the descriptions are gripping. Excellent dialogue (with occasional bad language) and nail-biting action keep you turning the pages to see how these two may survive. Baroota: The Hunting Ground is definitely a must-read for fans of fast-paced action in thriller fiction.
Recommend this book:
Twisted
Lola Smirnova
2016 Bronze Medal
316 Pages
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Fiction - General
Twisted, by Lola Smirnova, is a nightmare journey into the life of Julia, a young woman from Ukraine who, struggling for a future, follows her sister's path into the sex trade. In the post-Soviet break-up world, there is little to offer in the way of traditional jobs. Skilled doctors in the state hospitals earn a couple hundred a month, but a woman working in a cabaret, strip club, or as a call girl in one of the nearby countries can earn several thousand. All she needs to succeed is what she was born with and the ability to skillfully size up a client’s needs and perform to his expectations, while trying to stay out of prison. Yet, Julia quickly learns the money comes with a price in violence, degradation, and addiction.
Smirnova takes us on a philosophical and pseudo-psychological pilgrimage through the sexual underworld as Julia, in first person narrative, describes her struggling introduction into a profession where she can ply the only skills currently marketable. Twisted follows Julia’s self-destructive voyage and is often graphic, but not gratuitously so. The sex and violence aren’t there to titillate – they show a world most of us will never see, nor would we want to first-hand. Smirnova doesn’t hold back in her depiction of that underbelly world and the people that populate it, providing a solid backdrop in which Julia acts and reacts. The characters are real, dialog intoxicating, and the plot well crafted. Whether Julia is soaring or plummeting, you are along for the ride because Twisted pulls you in, whether you’re a willing participant or not. Well done!
Recommend this book:
How to Grow an Addict
A Novel
J.A. Wright
2016 Silver Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - General
How to Grow an Addict is an emotional, eye opening novel by J.A. Wright about 23-year-old Randall Grange. An intriguing glimpse into the heart of addiction, How to Grow an Addict reveals its premise in the title, beginning with a memoir-like feel when Randall is about six and chronicling her road to addiction. It begins in small steps; an alcoholic and abusive father, a distant mother with her collection of pills, and an idolized older brother whose image is soon tarnished by a nasty personality. Lonely and awkward, Randall strives for acceptance and love, which often leads her to the wrong place and bad decisions. Getting through life on a steady diet of pills and booze, she is nonetheless surprised to find herself in a rehab center after one particularly bad night. Encouraged to reveal three secrets about herself as part of her treatment, How to Grow an Addict makes for an unflinching narrative about one young woman's coming of age and journey to finding and accepting her true self.
Though a dark read, in How to Grow an Addict J.A. Wright is masterful in keeping alive some small bloom of hope for Randall as she navigates a treacherous path. It makes for an incredibly powerful portrayal of the dynamics of a dysfunctional family and how none of the members is immune from the toxicity. I really enjoyed the frankness that Wright wrote with; there were no maudlin moments and she didn't hesitate to shine a light on the more heartbreaking aspects of Randall's life. I especially loved the glimpse of hope we see at the end. An emotional read that really draws the reader in.
Recommend this book:
The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee
Talya Tate Boerner
2016 Gold Medal
332 Pages
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Fiction - General
“Daddy was in a bad mood…He was predictable. Just like my life so far.”
But Gracie’s life was far from predictable. Growing up in the cotton fields of Arkansas, Gracie saw her life as one of heinous misfortune. The victim of the meanest girl at Savage Crossing Elementary School and the daughter of a controlling, mean, alcoholic father, Gracie did her best to keep quiet when life’s injustices fell into her lap. But there were times when it was all just too much. It was during those times when Gracie’s adventurous spirit led her to explore the mysteries of the abandoned grey house down the road or to eavesdrop on her mother’s party-line phone calls. This was how she discovered the seriousness of her father’s medical problems and fueled her Nancy Drew tendencies. Her only outlet was the invitational time at church when she held her weekly “talk” with Brother Brown.
The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee is one of the best books I have read in a long, long while. Integrating themes of substance abuse, lessons in morality, and timeless fears of coming of age, author Talya Tate Boerner has excelled in the brilliance of bringing characters to life in her debut novel. The storytelling rarity of multiple story lines is effortlessly successful in this vividly told tale. Boerner utilizes all of the senses to weave a story filled with human emotion so palpable that the reader is forced to step away from the pages in order to digest the full impact of her words. I enthusiastically applaud this story and the future of this author.
Recommend this book:
Illusion of an Ending
Danielle Soucy Mills
2015 Finalist
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - General
Illusion Of An Ending by award winning author Danielle Soucy Mills gives us a glimpse of life after death, not as we always have imagined it. Jimmy, a young man with a promising life ahead of him, dies in a motorcycle accident. As his family grieves, his soul tries to find a way to communicate with them, especially his mother, Patricia. Meanwhile, Llorena, a teenage girl who has the ability to communicate with spirits, is suddenly uprooted from her family home. Her mother tells her that they are moving back to her hometown because she has to take care of her mother. Llorena is shocked because she was not aware that her grandmother, who shares her gift, is still around. What follows is a story that deals with spirituality, metaphysics and love.
Danielle Soucy Mills’ novel Illusion Of An Ending is a gripping story about a young man who is gone too soon, a grieving mother, and a young girl with extraordinary abilities; three people who suddenly find themselves connected to each another. Life after death is a mystery that is intriguing for all of us because we all have friends and relatives who are already dead and, inevitably, all of us will die. So this is a theme that will attract the attention of readers and the book certainly does not disappoint. Written from various characters' perspectives, it is like getting into the skin of the main protagonists. I think one of the biggest achievements of this book is that it gives us a picture of life after death that makes dying easier to accept. Highly recommended!