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:
Guilt Game
L.J. Sellers
2017 Bronze Medal
236 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - General
The suspense is nonstop in the exciting new thriller, Guilt Game by L.J. Sellers. After losing her sister to a cult, Rox MacFarlane is no longer content working as a Federal Agent. It isn't always possible to extricate cult victims legally within the guidelines and rules the agencies employ. With an impressive background as a former CIA agent and police officer, Rox quits her job to start her own investigation firm. Partnering with her step-father, a former police officer, Rox becomes an undercover operative to extract victims of cults for their concerned families. Her newest clients haven't heard from their daughter, Emma, for two months and are concerned that she may be dead. Emma was recruited by an ex-army soldier who handpicks his all-female members for his charity, Sister Love. As Emma is eighteen, they can't force her to return home. When they turn Emma's photo over to Rox, she realizes that Emma has the features and traits of the victims of a murderer stalking a Portland Interstate. As Rox investigates, she begins finding similarities in the two cases. Are the cult leader and the serial killer connected? Can Rox uncover the secrets behind Sister Love Charity before it is too late for Emma?
Guilt Game by L.J. Sellers is a riveting thriller with an exciting plot dealing with the alarming issue of cults. It is a compelling story about the heartbreaking difficulties families suffer when one of their members has been seduced into a radical faction and indoctrinated. The characters are remarkably fleshed out, and it is easy to empathize with them. The story culminates in a surprising twist at the conclusion. I would recommend this book to everyone who loves a brilliant, suspenseful thriller.
Recommend this book:
Behind the Door
A Sizzling, Psychological Suspense (Hidden Motives Book 1)
A. Gavazzoni
2017 Honorable Mention
586 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - General
Behind the Door: A Sizzling, Psychological Suspense - Hidden Motives Book 1 by A. Gavazzoni is a complicated story, but in a really good and intriguing way. I was unable to put this book down, mainly because I didn’t want to put it down, it was so good. The story follows Simone; she is a psychiatrist by profession and a compassionate person by nature. She is the perfect person for the job. Her clientele are men and women who have issues with sex (think kinky sex, but more) and she enjoys her work.
Her life takes a serious and more profound turn when a defense attorney named Carl offers her a job. She needs to help him prove that his client, Mark, is innocent. Mark is accused of killing a woman named Lara and Carl needs Simone’s help to prove that Mark is innocent. Carl provided her with a diary in which Mark wrote every single detail about his affair with Lara. Now it is Simone’s job to prove if he is the killer or not. To make matters worse, there is a killer on the loose who is murdering women. Can Mark be that person? Or is he innocent? Stuck in a moral and professional loop, it is up to Simone to find the truth through words written by Mark in his diary!
The story was fast paced, intense, and very well written. The characters were very strong; even the characters that appeared in just a few scenes were very well-thought out. The narrative is fragmented and the reader is taken into Mark's world via his diary. This not only adds another layer to the novel, but makes it even more interesting. What I really liked about this novel is the fact that it was complicated without being too difficult. It tackles a theme and topic that not many people know about or are comfortable reading, but A. Gavazzoni handled it with grace and with sheer force of artistry! It was intense and simply too entertaining to put down!
Recommend this book:
Darkroom
Mary Maddox
2017 Finalist
292 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - General
Darkroom is a novel of suspense written by Mary Maddox. Kelly instantly felt a twinge of concern when she arrived home and heard Day giggling and smelled the smoky haze generated by the hash pipe her friend and roommate was smoking. Day was a gifted photographer, but her bipolar condition was not stable enough for her to risk getting high. Kelly's concern merged with irritation as she heard the rhythmic creaking of bed springs coming from her guest bedroom that had become Day's since she moved in. Odette was in there, and with a man, and she, Kelly realized, had brought the hashish for Day. Odette had been married off to Stuart, a much older man with pedophilic tendencies, when she was 15 years old to satisfy a debt her father owed to the wealthy man. She would be given a divorce and a settlement once she reached her mid-twenties and was no longer attractive to her husband. But Odette wanted fun now, and she was falling in love with Marcus, a college student. Odette knew that Stuart had assigned Yount, a sadist, as her bodyguard, but she was impatient and, with the confidence of youth, felt she could best both her husband and Yount. When Kelly returned from a trip a week later, Day was gone. Her car was still in the street, and Kelly's own Jeep was garaged and scrupulously clean, but she had disappeared. When Gee, Day's current fling and a big name at the museum where Kelly worked, asked for Kelly's help in finding Day, she had no idea how bad things had actually become.
Mary Maddox's suspense novel, Darkroom, is dark, compelling, and crackling with energy. Kelly is a strong, independent character, who is resourceful and marvelous fun to follow as she tries to resolve her friend's disappearance. Gregory Tyson, otherwise known as Gee, is an unforgettable character, conflicted and torn, and strung out on his own cocaine product. Gee is, in many ways, an antihero, and his story has the makings of a great psychological study. Maddox injects a hint of romance into her plot with the rugged police officer, Cash Peterson, who makes Kelly crazy but is appealing all the same. Darkroom is set in the lush countryside surrounding Boulder, and the author steeps her novel in gorgeous nature descriptions and the biting chill of a crisp mountain winter. Her characters are complex and believable, and she keeps her readers on edge and in a state of suspense throughout the story. I thoroughly enjoyed Darkroom and will be watching for other works by this author. Darkroom is most highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Death By Design
A Josiah Reynolds Mystery
Abigail Keam
2017 Finalist
308 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - General
Death by Design by Abigail Keam is the ninth book in the Josiah Reynolds Mysteries series. As Josiah Reynolds continues to recover, she expects an easy trip in New York City, until she hears her name called out on the street. Enter Bunny Witt, who shares a tale of how her apartments in New York and London have been broken into, but nothing has been stolen. She begs Josiah to find the one responsible. Despite not being particularly fond of Bunny, Josiah agrees to help her. As Josiah's best friend, Matt, returns home after recovering from being shot, she's pulled into a mystery revolving around precious gems and murder.
With an assortment of eccentric and sophisticated characters, Death by Design is a witty, humorous, and charming mystery. Being the ninth in the series, the characters are deeply rooted and developed, their relationships complex, and their chemistry is evident in how easily the banter flows. Abigail Keam writes an array of personality types that are larger than life and emotionally well-rounded, with delightful quirks and full of heart. Josiah is a wonderful and spunky heroine, the kind of character you wish was real. Keam often breaks the fourth wall, but the prose doesn't flounder, instead Josiah's asides serve humorous purposes. Josiah often reminded me of a hard-boiled detective type, with her cynical nature, quick wit, and stubbornness. Death by Design is the kind of mystery that pairs well with a glass of iced tea, one that's hard to put down until the end. A must-read!
Recommend this book:
Stalking Ground
A Timber Creek K-9 Mystery
Margaret Mizushima
2017 Gold Medal
320 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - General
I really enjoyed Stalking Ground. There is mystery, light romance, and a wonderful K-9 dog that makes it hard to stop reading. Adrienne Howard, girlfriend of Deputy Brody, is reported missing. Robo, an amazing German Shepherd K-9 dog, and his human partner, Mattie, lead the forensic team and they soon find Adrienne’s body buried in the snowy mountains. It is necessary for Mattie and Cole to spend the night watching over Adrienne’s grave. Dr. Cole Walker, DVM, is recently divorced and kept busy caring for his animal patients, his two daughters, and helping in the case. Deputy Brody, Sheriff McCoy, and Detective Stella LoSasso all work relentlessly, following clues and interviewing the many possible suspects. No one will rest until the murderer is found and brought to justice.
Margaret Mizushima has written an intriguing mystery with Robo, a K-9 dog, as the hero. I enjoyed learning all of the training and hard work that was necessary to teach Robo and Mattie how to perform so well together. The characters were all believable and the plot was easy to follow. While this is the second book in the Timber Creek K-9 series, it read well as a stand alone. I have not yet read the first book, but found no problems or confusion as to the relationships of the characters or the storyline. I recommend all readers who enjoy animal stories and all mystery fans to read Stalking Ground. There is not much violence, no sex, and therefore its great for young adult readers.
Recommend this book:
The Cardinal's Sin
Robert Lane
2016 Finalist
368 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - General
The Cardinal's Sin by Robert Lane is a thrilling mystery about hit men and known killers. Jake Travis is given an assignment to kill an assassin, known to dress as a cardinal, who targets Special Ops' family members. While on vacation with his girlfriend, Kathleen, Jake completes his mission. But when he returns home to Florida, he discovers he's made a mistake and killed the wrong man. Instead of the assassin, Jake killed a popular cardinal. He confesses to Kathleen, who distances herself from Jake when she learns what he really does for a living. Jake can't spend too much time worrying about what this means for his relationship with Kathleen because he has a job to finish -- killing the real assassin before he strikes again. Jake also contemplates what happened between him and the cardinal he did kill, and why he didn't put up more of a struggle if he wasn't the true assassin.
The Cardinal's Sin is a fun thriller and espionage type story that fans of this genre will really enjoy. Robert Lane has good writing skills. His descriptive passages were very accurate and read authentically. The story's location was well described. You could feel the author is comfortable with the Florida setting. Robert Lane was also well researched on religious doctrine and the dirty secrets behind the life of a criminal. The storyline was unique and I thought quite engaging. I didn't want to put the book down!
Recommend this book:
The Advocate
The Advocate Series, Book 1
Teresa Burrell
2016 Honorable Mention
319 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - General
The Advocate: The Advocate Series, Book One is a legal thriller written by Teresa Burrell. Sabre Brown is an attorney who specializes in Family Law in San Diego. She and her close friend, Bob, have worked a number of cases before the Juvenile Division of the San Diego Superior Court. The latest case they’ve encountered concerns a domestic violence matter involving Gaylord Murdock, an aristocratic Southern man, and Peggy Smith, his heavily pregnant girlfriend. While she had, at first, claimed that Murdock had hit her, she later changed her story to conform with the one he was telling the authorities -- that she had fallen and hit her head. The custody of the two children living with the couple was at issue. Alexis, a ten-year-old, was the genetic daughter of Murdock and his wife, Elizabeth, who had disappeared some years before. The two-year-old boy, Jamie, was Peggy’s son. Sabre is representing those two minors, and she’s determined to find out a lot more about them before she’ll be prepared to release them into either parent’s custody.
Teresa Burrell’s legal thriller is a suspenseful and well-written story based around a plot that grabs the reader and doesn’t let go. Burrell’s characters are so finely drawn and realistic that you can’t help but get involved with their situations. Watching Sabre as she juggles her legal practice with her growing concern for the well-being of Alexis and Jamie, and her ongoing work with Carla, the girlfriend of her brother Rob who has become unstable since his disappearance, is a treat. While many novels, movies and television shows focus on law firms and larger practices, The Advocate gives the reader a good feel for the long hours, challenges and rewards that solo practice can bring. Burrell’s story unwinds smoothly, and I enjoyed every minute I spent reading this authentic and very entertaining mystery/thriller. The Advocate is most highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Madness and Murder
Jackson Mystery Series Book 1
Jenny Hilborne
2016 Honorable Mention
288 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - General
In an engaging and exciting read, one in which the reader will find themselves continuing to turn the pages until the very end, author Jenny Hilborne presents us with Madness and Murder, the first book in the Jackson Mystery Series. Follow the stories of Detective Mac Jackson as he is on a desperate hunt for a murderer, and of Jessica Croft, a young woman who's moved to San Francisco to escape from her past and her family. When Jessica becomes the target of the serial killer on the loose, and the frustrated detective considers using her as bait to catch him, they both realize that they might have to put everything on the line to be free from this madman once and for all.
I very much enjoyed Madness and Murder. Author Jenny Hilborne has done a wonderful job in developing characters that the reader will truly connect with and relate to. Her skills at describing scenarios and environments are second to none, and the storyline flows easily and quickly. Any reader who enjoys mysteries, suspense, thrillers, or stories about people coming from a difficult background and attempting to triumph will love Madness and Murder. This was the first book that I've read by author Jenny Hilborne, but it certainly won't be the last. I will be sure to pick up the following books in this series as soon as I can, and I certainly hope that the author is hard at work on her next novel even as we speak.
Recommend this book:
The Torch Is Passed
A Harding Family Story
Bill Powers
2016 Honorable Mention
300 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - General
The Torch is Passed: A Harding Family Story is written by Bill Powers. Having just graduated college, Andrea finds her world ripped apart when two family members are shot. Her father is one and, with his life hanging in the balance, she must take control of the family business until he recovers. Business partners, Carlton and Jefferson of Oakes Industries make a play to not only take over but own Harding Industries. They offer a staggering amount of money in an attempt to obtain control, but fail despite the amount offered. Why would they be prepared to pay so much for a company worth much less?
Andrea is fast-tracked to adulthood as the world she once knew vanishes. An attempt on her own life leads her to find trusted support in Beth and Riva. Both women are powerfully able to defend and protect not only Andrea, but also those she holds dear. Her determination to keep Harding Industries intact for future growth, takes her along violent pathways, meeting very disagreeable, volatile people.
This is a fast-paced story of greed, murder, and ambition.Thrown into the mix are characters from the Russian mob, whose cold, calculated methods to annihilate anyone crossing their path leave you breathless, and you have a book that will grab you from the very first page. It is a tale of corporate greed and misguided trust and broken trust. I enjoyed this book very much. There’s a lot of detail, but the characters are strong and you quickly determine whose side you are on. Well written.
Recommend this book:
Killer Unleashed
A Humorous Romantic Mystery
Beth Prentice
2016 Bronze Medal
214 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - General
Killer Unleashed: A Humorous Romantic Mystery is a lighthearted, fun whodunit story. Chloe is a girl who can’t say no. The first time she finally does not do what she was asked, her life changes forever. Betty, her elderly neighbor, is moving out of the neighborhood and cannot take her puppy along to her new home. When Chloe decides to keep Theo, a lovable little dog, instead of taking him to the animal shelter as Betty requested, her life is suddenly in danger. Isaac, her next door neighbor and best friend, is always there to pick up the pieces; as is her new neighbor, Brody, who is now living in Betty’s house. There is also a new husband and wife on the block who are weird, mysterious, and pretty unfriendly. Add to that Chloe’s old boyfriend Jack who is hanging around the neighborhood, and all sorts of unusual things start to happen. Chloe, Isaac and Brody soon have to face house break-ins, murders, and an assortment of bad events before the climax and unexpectedly revealing ending. To tell you much more would really ruin the fun of the book.
Killer Unleashed is a very quick and enjoyable read. Author Beth Prentice has a natural knack for creating real life characters with real emotions, thoughts, and behavior while facing things that are out of the ordinary realm of experiences. I urge you to not pass up Killer Unleashed; it will not disappoint. If you are a dog lover or not, you will instantly fall in love with Theo, as well as the human characters. I found myself immersed in the story and not wanting it to end. Killer Unleashed is definitely a winner.