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 Second Cup
Can someone else steal your suicide? (The Butterfly Effect Book 1)
Sarah Marie Graye
2018 Finalist
320 Pages
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Fiction - Literary
The Second Cup by Sarah Marie Graye is a novel about four friends who find out how fragile life can be and how much someone else’s life can impact theirs. Jumping between different narratives, this novel is the perfect read for those who like gritty, raw and emotional stories that will have them reaching for the tissue box quite often!
This is the story of four women, Faye, Abbie, Olivia and Beth, who found each other at university and became great friends. Faye fell in love with Jack all those years ago and her heart still belonged to him. Even though there is a chance that he might be with someone else, she decides to try to find him. When she finds out that he killed himself, everything falls apart in the lives of these women. To find out what happened, Faye goes to find Jack’s best friend, Ethan; Abbie is now questioning everything about her life; Beth wants to escape the pain of his death, no matter how she gets it; and Olivia is the one left wondering what will happen to the four of them and how their lives will pan out. How can the death of one person change the lives of four women who were living their lives normally? How can these women survive the death of a friend?
What I really appreciated and enjoyed about the novel is that it came as close to real life as possible. It covered real issues like depression, illness, suicide and unhappiness, and showed how hard these can be on people. Most of us try to hide it, some conquer it, and then there are some who lose the battle and become victims. Sarah Marie Graye covered these issues well and with care. She highlighted these issues and ensured she had the reader’s full attention. A truly amazing and well-developed novel that just blew me away with the writer’s superior writing skills.
Recommend this book:
The Last Valentine
A Labyrinth of Love Letters Novel
Felix Alexander
2018 Finalist
308 Pages
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Fiction - Literary
The Last Valentine is just one of many secrets in the Puerto Rican city of Old Sienna. When Olivia finds a bloodstained love letter in her father’s coat, she becomes entranced by the poetic longing scribed on the page. She resolves to place the letter in the legendary Labyrinth of Love Letters. Even the discovery that the letter is a stolen piece of evidence in the unsolved murder of an unidentified man does not deter her from her goal. Olivia convinces her close friend, Isaac, to help her. Little does the pair know that some of the Labyrinth’s secrets are deeper and darker than the letters exchanged between forbidden lovers. One of those secrets would mean death for Olivia if she were ever to discover it.
The Last Valentine is a novel of romantic love in all its forms, from happy ever afters and the loneliness of unrequited love, to the tragedy of impossible, secret romances confined to whispers and the cover of darkness. There were times when I thought it was glorifying the unhealthy side of romance a bit much, but it works in the context and fits the theme. Felix Alexander’s writing is poetic and evokes a great sense of mood throughout. This is accentuated and refined by its '30s setting and the classicist attitudes of this era. The characters all intertwine and connect with each other, often in ways I didn’t anticipate, and their motives direct the plot down a path littered with deep, dark secrets.
Recommend this book:
A Different Kind of Lovely
A Novel
Petra March
2018 Honorable Mention
352 Pages
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Fiction - Literary
A Different Kind of Lovely: A Novel by Petra March is a story that begins with an intriguing line: “Mina Automne danced through the pain until she managed to turn it into pleasure.” And that is an awesome way of introducing a ballerina, a woman with a terrific dream and an artistic soul. Her energy and beauty draw Neal Medwin towards her. Neal’s entrance into her life is a distraction that could take her away from her resolved course. But she lets him in, tempted by his sweetness, but can she handle the darkness within his soul? When their friendship grows into love — fragile as it is — an unexpected discovery hits, ruining everything Mina has hoped for. Question is: Can Neal let go of his past and fight for this woman?
Petra March writes with a lot of wisdom and her story is filled with emotion. The characters are genuinely flawed and readers can easily connect with what is human in them. There is a fine sense of the tragic woven into the fabric of this story that many readers will connect with, and I particularly loved the way the author explores the workings of the hearts of her characters. The story is rich in emotion and intensity, fast-paced, and cleverly plotted. There is no way the reader won’t fall for Mina, and Neal can sometimes be very annoying. Yes, he is annoying and he is the character who will remind readers of the pessimist in them, of the broken part of their history, a well-crafted character. The prose in A Different Kind of Lovely is crisp and exceptional. This is an engaging story with a gripping plot and characters that are as memorable as they are compelling.
Recommend this book:
Peregrine Island
A Novel
Diane B. Saxton
2018 Honorable Mention
288 Pages
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Fiction - Literary
Peregrine Island: A Novel by Diane B. Saxton is a snapshot of three generations; Winter, her daughter, Elsie, and granddaughter, Peda. Each has very different ideas and feelings and Diane B. Saxton has written a comprehensive description of them. Winter is the family matriarch, while Elsie is her daughter with a very different set of rules; Peda is a young child and an imaginative dreamer. The story centers on an heirloom picture that has hung in the Long Island Sound seaside house for many years. Winter very often can be found sitting and staring into the artist’s portrait. Elsie is not sure what the attraction really is. But suddenly one summer day there is great interest in this work of art as art experts and the artist’s grandsons come seeking to see and appraise the piece. The visitors quickly cause turmoil in the house and lives are about to change.
I found myself immersed in the story and unable to stop reading until the mystery and secrets were revealed. There are many secrets revealed and surprises I never saw coming. Peregrine Island really has to be read and enjoyed, and a detailed review would only serve to spoil the plot. Saxton has written a very strong and literary novel that quickly drew me in and kept me reading long into the night. Peregrine Island is deep reading in that we really get to know the women in a powerful way. If you enjoy generational family history and interaction, this is a must-read.
Recommend this book:
Dog Logic
Tom Strelich
2018 Bronze Medal
418 Pages
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Fiction - Literary
Dog Logic by Tom Strelich is rather like life, harrowing in places, funny in others, occasionally uplifting and sometimes unutterably sad. It concerns the life and adventures of Hertell Daggett, the owner-operator of the Li’l Pal Pet Cemetery, who discovers a long-lost secret experiment dating from the Kennedy era buried deep below the graves. Initial confusion, where the local police launch a raid on what they believe to be a drug production facility, is replaced by an increasingly manic scramble by a huge variety of government agencies to become involved. Hertell Daggett was once a top-flight physicist but, after accidentally being shot in the head, his thought processes follow their own independent paths - paths which do not necessarily merge with those of the many officials and organizations which have quite suddenly arrived on his land. When the President of the USA also becomes involved, things quickly start to spiral out of control to produce ever more dangerous, sometimes ludicrous scenarios and leading to an astounding denouement.
Dog Logic has its origins in the play of the same name by Tom Strelich and works very well as a book. The narrative moves at a steady pace introducing little nuggets of information at just the right times to keep one engaged. Hertell is a solid, well-drawn character whom you cannot help but like - you will find yourself siding with him and urging him on as he struggles against the forces of Big Government. Well written by a talented storyteller, this novel will evoke a wide range of emotions, from outright laughter to shock, indignation and everything in between. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope to see more novels from Mr Strelich in the future.
Recommend this book:
Dreaming of Oranges
An Unreliable Memoir
Marcelline Thomson
2018 Silver Medal
286 Pages
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Fiction - Literary
Dreaming of Oranges: An Unreliable Memoir by Marcelline Thomson is a memoir that captures the spirit of adventure in two young women. In a story set in 1961, readers are introduced to two gutsy young women, just graduated from an exclusive college in Westchester. Instead of thinking about marriage, they set out on an adventure to the Middle East, thanks to the inspiration they got from The Alexandria Quartet by Lawrence Durrell. But while dreams can be fascinating, reality can be something quite different, and these two are about to discover it as they navigate a new and unfriendly terrain, find themselves wanting the same man, finding their lives caught up in the political whirlwind of the region, and fleeing for safety in the desert. Can their friendship ever remain the same after the challenges they face?
Told in a hypnotic, evocative tone, Dreaming of Oranges: An Unreliable Memoir is a rollicking ride for fans of adventure, a story that is so beautifully told and enriched by the finesse of humor that permeates the narrative. The witticism is also exceptional. The pathos is strong, the plot fascinating, and the characters so real that no one would doubt this is a true story. I enjoyed the prose and the way the author captures elements of the setting — the strong images, the smells, the wonderful sights and the myriad sensations that connect characters to places. Here is an example of such beauty: “The scent of lemons, the trembling hand on my skin, the smoke of kebobs in the souk, a muezzin’s cry, the clutch of dust and sand at my throat …” Marcelline Thomson will seduce you with her unique storytelling skill and her ability to allow her characters to speak straight to the hearts of readers. Deeply moving and hugely entertaining.
Recommend this book:
Model Marine: A Novel
Sondra Sykes Meek
2018 Gold Medal
284 Pages
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Fiction - Literary
Molly Monroe: beauty queen, hopeful performing arts major, destined for great things in front of and behind the camera. Molly is always sheltered by older brother Nick, her fierce protector and male role model in the Monroe household. Momma Donna does her best to guide Molly along the right track for a successful career and promising future. If only John Michaelson was not so handsome, so captivating. If only John Michaelson was not such a close friend to the Monroes. If only Molly desired the same things in life as her mother. If only Lieutenant John Michaelson, Nick Monroe’s best friend and the Alpha Company Platoon Commander, could support Molly’s decision to trade her beauty queen existence to be a United States Marine, life would be so much more uncomplicated.
Model Marine by Sondra Sykes Meek is more than a military-themed romance. Meek’s characters represent realistic individuals attempting to adjust to unfamiliar situations while facing life altering events. As a female service person, Molly Monroe is challenged by prejudices within a normally male populated work area. As she strives to prove her worth, she also must sort out her emotions in relationship to family, friends, relationships and work expectations. I really enjoyed the format of this novel, with short reading passages that tease the reader into consuming “just one more chapter.” The flashbacks revealed more insight into the character development while saving time to project the story. Discovering that author Sondra Sykes Meek is a retired Marine Corps Master Sergeant and a Project Manager in the Defense Industry proves that realistic based fiction is plausible and enjoyable.
Recommend this book:
Love, Life, and Logic
A Literary Fiction
Uday Mukerji
2017 Finalist
156 Pages
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Fiction - Literary
“School, career, and family: maybe they’re all as important in life as breathing. But isn’t living more than breathing in and out?” Love, Life, and Logic: A Literary Fiction by Uday Mukerji is a young man’s odyssey to uncover the meaning of life, a story that unfolds through very beautiful settings, taking the reader through the Indian city of Goa, Singapore, and Central Europe. Growing up in Goa, young Rohan has a whole life in front of him. But what does he make of it? At the crossroads of life, he leaves his job and family and sets out to explore the world, seeking answers. Read on to discover his emotional pain, the lust, the love, the loss and, above all, his awakening.
This is a brilliant story that weaves the themes of love, friendship and life’s ultimate meaning into a powerful plot that will have readers enthralled. Rohan is one of those characters that young readers can easily relate to. I enjoyed his portrait — a young and restless man, caught up in an emotional turmoil, unable to resist the pleasures of the world. There were moments when I felt irritated with him, moments when I wanted him to be more of a man than he is. For instance, he seems to be unusually weak in front of women. He could have taken the lead with Adeline, but he lacks the discipline that allows a man to be in control of his life. Nevertheless, the reader will love the way he develops throughout the story and the man he becomes at the end. The conflict is well developed at the emotional level. Love, Life, and Logic: A Literary Fiction is an emotionally charged story that explores crossroads questions that many young people live with; a wonderful read.
Recommend this book:
A Woman to Blame
Vincent Panettiere
2017 Honorable Mention
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Literary
Mike Hegan has given several years of his life to defending his city as an officer, but now they’re ready to push him out the door in the middle of a big case. Mike isn’t having any of that, however. He’s determined to find out what happened in this case and when things start coming together he refuses to give up. It’s difficult to say what a prize racehorse and his trainer have in common with a school janitor, and what any of them have in common with a mob ring, but Hegan is determined to find out no matter what the police department may say about his ability to work cases. A Woman to Blame tells the story of Mike, Ariel, Frankie, Gorman, Trujillo, Portia, Charles and more.
If you’re looking for a story that will keep you guessing with all its twists and turns, then A Woman to Blame by Vincent Panettiere is the perfect book. There are so many characters and you feel as if you’re pulled right into their world. It’s easy to understand each of them and, whether it’s a good or bad character, you feel yourself relating to them. Being able to fully immerse yourself in this story from every angle really keeps you interested. You never know what’s going to happen next or who the good guys and bad guys really are. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes and everything could change in an instant. There’s definitely more to each of these people than meets the eye.
Recommend this book:
The Siege
A Psychological Thriller
James Hanna
2017 Bronze Medal
276 Pages
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Fiction - Literary
The Siege (A Psychological Thriller) by James Hanna is a fiction novel that follows a prison takeover. The Siege will appeal most to an audience of adults who enjoy prison fiction with all of its raw grittiness. The story takes place in The Indiana Penal Farm where one hundred prisoners hold twelve guards hostage in the laundry room. In an attempt to defuse the situation without any loss of life, a dorm counselor, Tom Hemmings, has been brought in to talk the prisoners down. However, with the inmates divided into different gangs and tension building quickly, will Tom Hemmings be able to keep everyone alive and safe?
The Siege by James Hanna is a well-written psychological thriller with a realistic feel. While the book itself is fiction, it is clear that the author has done research into prisons due to the true-to-life feel of the inmates and the prison environment. The Siege reminded me a lot of a negotiator with the hostage situation, and emergency services relying on one person to save the day. I found Tom Hemmings to be my favorite character; he was well developed over the course of the book, and I liked his determination in the face of uncertainty and danger. Overall, I greatly enjoyed reading The Siege by James Hanna and I enjoyed the fast pace and realistic grittiness of the plot!