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:
Falcon's Call
Mike Waller
2019 Gold Medal
446 Pages
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Fiction - Science Fiction
Falcon’s Call, written by Mike Waller, is a nail-biting, fantastical science fiction thriller that puts you on the edge of your seat. Joseph Falcon, a retired naval officer and now the captain of a freighter spaceship named “Butterball,” was exploring an asteroid belt deep in the solar system when he was called back to a space station named Kepler. Once he got back, he got the shock of his life. A UFO had been sighted not too far from where he had been exploring, and his new objective was to find out if the space ship was derelict, or if it still had living inhabitants on board. With his new history-changing objective, will Joe Falcon and his crew of what the world usually called “misfits” have what it takes to embark on the most important mission in the history of mankind? Or will they fail and miss out on this once in a lifetime anomaly?
Falcon’s Call by Mike Waller was a very deep, mind-boggling, but very exciting book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. It had many twists and turns, making it very hard to put down. The characters were well defined, and each played an important part in making the story come alive. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. With its fascinating different aspects, it had a way of keeping you on your toes. The science fiction Star Wars meets ET theme made this an awesome read. From murder to mayhem, this book has it all! Because Falcon’s Call has some violence and graphic scenes, I would suggest that only a more mature audience read this book.
Recommend this book:
Quantum Heights
Book one of the Dead Path Chronicles
Richard A. Valicek
2018 Finalist
324 Pages
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Fiction - Science Fiction
Quantum Heights by Richard A. Valicek is Book One in the Dead Path Chronicles, a story that will appeal immensely to fans of M.R. Mathias. The story begins with great action and the reader is seduced by the beauty of the language. The conflict is also introduced very early in the story. The introductory message is a powerful announcement that prepares the reader for a great adventure. The Elysian city of Alamptria receives a threatening message when the bodies of two agents are delivered to the king, dead. Now, the best two warriors are sent on a mission to investigate the crime and they get entangled in a plot that is deadlier than they could ever have imagined. They will have to fight their way through an army of vampires, encounter sly and deceitful characters, and meet with many dangers. Can they survive this mission and bring protection to their people?
I just became a fan of Richard A. Valicek because of his great writing style. The prose is neat and the descriptions are captivating. The plot moves very fast and it is animated by a powerful conflict. The author has carefully imagined the plot to have the reader turning the page. There are many twists and surprising turns and readers will enjoy the way characters unfold throughout the story. The characters are well-developed and readers can easily relate to them. There is a lot of action, yes, heart pounding action, that also makes the read a compelling one. Quantum Heights: Book One of the Dead Path Chronicles is one of the best fantasy stories I have read since this year began and I will be looking forward to the next books in the series. It is a great opening for a compelling series.
Recommend this book:
Soul Mirrors
Wiley Haydon
2018 Honorable Mention
384 Pages
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Fiction - Science Fiction
Soul Mirrors by Wiley Haydon is a well-crafted psychological exploration of a fictional ability called “reflecting”, and the effects it has on twins who are born with the ability. Thomas and Ashley are the first known twins to have the rare power of being able to look into a person’s eyes and receive their whole life in an instant. Every memory that person has is instantly dumped into their own mind. The ability is a blessing and a curse. The government has gotten involved and uses the "Mirrors", as they are called, to solve murders. Soul Mirrors delves into the lives of these two young people and we’re shown in vivid detail how the twins are affected; the good, the bad, and the ugly.
The story line in Soul Mirrors moves slowly and meticulously, trading action scenes for in-depth conversations between the characters. In the hands of many authors, a book like this could get bogged down. But author Wiley Haydon has proven to be a master at weaving an intricate plot through character interaction and clever dialogue. The pacing never suffers as we’re carried along with ease, hanging on every sentence, following our characters on a roller coaster of emotions. He’s painted a picture that is so detailed in its description of how Ashley and Thomas are living with their power that, to me, it felt like the ability to reflect another person could almost be a real thing. Soul Mirrors is extremely well-written, completely original, and gripping from start to finish.
Recommend this book:
Disruption
Singularity's Children, Book 2
Toby Weston
2018 Honorable Mention
260 Pages
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Fiction - Science Fiction
Disruption is Book 2 in the Singularity's Children series by Toby Weston, a futuristic story with an exciting setting, a world in perpetual conflict involving different classes of humans, AI, Buddhist commandos, and even a disgruntled dolphin. The world is run by well-calculated and intelligent, computer-driven propaganda that is designed to keep the poor in their poverty while increasing the wealth and power of those who have it. A king works on building a Utopia called Atlantis and strong woman’s life is in grave danger while an embittered dolphin, two banished hackers and an ex-soldier are in a race to save her. There is just so much action involving memorable characters that readers will find it hard to put this book down, even for a bit.
The narrative is ingeniously done and Toby Weston shows a great gift for character and plot. The story is set in an alternate world that shares similarities with ours, but it is a world facing numerous catastrophes and scientific challenges. There is a marked advancement in technology and lack of humanity in the leaders who rely too much on their technology and not on human values. Keith is one of my favorite characters and Stella. They are well-developed characters faced with impossible choices. The writing is both insightful and highly descriptive and the author conjures up images that will have powerful effects on readers. Conflict handling is impeccable and it combines with the exquisite prose to enhance the plot and make for an enjoyable reading experience. Disruption is exciting and absorbing, a gripping tale that is eminently readable.
Recommend this book:
The First Conception
Rise of Eris
Nesly Clerge
2018 Bronze Medal
328 Pages
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Fiction - Science Fiction
If you’ve read any of Nesly Clerge’s other books…there are five of them, including a trilogy…you know what to expect from The First Conception: Rise of Eris when it comes to riveting, compelling characters, single-minded motivation, a plot that keeps you forever in suspense, and twists you won’t see coming. That’s the magic and skill of Nesly Clerge’s writing. In The First Conception: Rise of Eris, Clerge takes on those men who have an ingrained sense of entitlement when it comes to women i.e. men have the absolute right to women’s bodies, who think they don’t need to ask permission. These men abuse, rape, molest and, in their wake, leave women forever scarred, frightened, suffering from PTSD and unable to tell others what happened to them.
One such woman is Katherine Eris, raped by her stepfather and others, and who, as a child, watched her mother being abused by one man after another. Katherine grows up determined to change the way men treat women. More than that, she is determined to make them suffer as she, her mother and so many others did. With her brilliant mind and medical skills, working in secrecy with hundreds of others like her, she works to pull off the impossible: finding a way for men to give birth while women remain childless for years, meaning ultimately the possible extinction of people on earth! Is she insane? Does this group of motivated women achieve their goal? What is the result? And what is the real story behind Katherine Eris? You have to read to the very end of the book to find the answer to that last question. It’s the twist you never see coming.
The current statistics on sexual abuse of girls and women are unforgivable. No wonder the #MeToo movement has caught on like wildfire and none too soon. Victims of abuse who support that movement will relate to so much of the thinking behind what Katherine Eris and her colleagues hope to achieve and why. Most likely, you won’t be able to put down The First Conception: Rise of Eris. I most certainly couldn’t. Another 5-star brilliant novel from Nesly Clerge. Read it!
Recommend this book:
Mercury in Retrograde
Merethe Walther
2018 Silver Medal
447 Pages
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Fiction - Science Fiction
Mercury in Retrograde by Merethe Walther is a futuristic science fiction thriller that keeps the reader on tenterhooks throughout its nail biting action. The book begins with the main protagonist, Aralyn, who has just served out her prison sentence on Tartarys, the most horrific prison in the galaxy, docking her spaceship at a remote dock on a desolate trading planet, Lyria V, somewhere in the vastness of space. As she walks to the entry gate, Caden Madigan, who had been a fellow runner of banned goods with her as well as her ex-boyfriend, accosts her with a complement of custom agents and guards. Caden is wearing the insignia of a ‘Spector’ of the Universal Decisions Assembly, UDA, the feared secret police entrusted with the responsibility of apprehending ‘Runners’ who smuggled goods between planets across the galaxy. She is searched and some minor drugs are found in her pocket, but she escapes imprisonment due to a technicality. Though Caden tries to convince her that he had no hand in her imprisonment, she is full of bitterness and rejects his overtures. Later, after restoring her relationship with Caden, Aralyn goes to meet her mentor and idol Kragg, a blind old man who was a genius in making guns. She had promised him before her imprisonment to smuggle a package, and before leaving smuggling forever, she just had to keep her promise, one that lands her back in Tartarys.
Merethe Walther shows amazing skills in writing and in her descriptions of the living hell that is Tartarys, and the ordeal faced by our heroine. To avoid spoilers is difficult here because I am tempted to put in at least a line for the numerous subsequent events that follow across the galaxy. There are many other great original protagonists, both good and evil, like Eladia Galven, described as a bitch from Helios; Kita Shinkai whose life she saves; the vindictive Proctor Madigan; the hacker Riordan and more. Suffice it to say that the tale covers many unique scenarios, many spectacular action-packed events, heroism, a wide canvas of human frailty and resourcefulness to make it a book to remember for any reader. There is some sex – nothing explicit. The flow is steady and continuous with each event merging seamlessly with the next. This is a well written book though the ending is open ended, probably leaving a window to a sequel which I am sure will be well received.
Recommend this book:
Election 2064
Book One
Scott McDermott
2017 Bronze Medal
291 Pages
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Fiction - Science Fiction
Election 2064 by Scott McDermott is a fascinating look into the future of American politics. This book follows several characters as they navigate a political landscape that, though rather grim, isn’t vastly different from today’s. It certainly is a lot more treacherous, however. From noble politicians with lofty ideas for fixing a broken country, to super-rich sponsors with their own agendas in mind, Election 2064 follows them all for a full and unbridled perspective. The political minefield includes terrorist attacks, assassination attempts, and well timed entries into the presidential race. In this installment (book 1) no one person emerges as the front runner; rather we are told the story from the beginning of each presidential race.
With exciting plot twists and a story that weaves together effortlessly, Election 2064 shows us, with a frightening parallel to current reality, just how things could go in a divided nation. It is quite interesting, definitely not another political bore. It is action packed and certainly well written. The personalities are vivid, the stories exciting, compelling and steeped in reality. This was an easy and enjoyable read. I especially liked the vivid descriptions of the day's technology. They helped to cement the era in my mind and create a realistic view of the world in fifty or so years down the road. It does end with a bit of a cliff hanger so reading book two is a definite must. However, I certainly did not feel short changed by the story. It was complete enough to stand alone and was a delightful read. I look forward to the release of book two in the series.
Recommend this book:
Escaping Infinity
Richard Paolinelli
2017 Honorable Mention
332 Pages
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Fiction - Science Fiction
Engineers Peter Childress and Charlie Womack are on their way to Phoenix for an important presentation, but Charlie’s shortcuts have gotten them lost. They stumble across the Infinity Hotel and the promise of a meal, fuel and a good night’s sleep before resuming their journey is too good to pass up. However, Peter soon realizes the hotel is frighteningly strange – an unlimited number of floors, guests that appear out of time and place, and the entrance to the hotel has disappeared. No one is allowed to leave.
The concept of Escaping Infinity by Richard Paolinelli takes the sense of wonder of classic science fiction tales that readers would love. Its prologue gives an intriguing foreshadowing to start the story, grabbing my interest right away. The plot is deftly formative, as we follow Peter’s attempt to get him and his friend Charlie out of the deceiving hotel, while trying to avoid the watchful eyes of the hotel’s manager and the front desk clerk named Liz. The narrative is flawless, with its concise and clear prose. The pacing overall is solid, although there were some events that I thought could unfold quicker. That said, it’s not necessarily a weakness, but merely my personal preference for the story.
Paolinelli’s Escaping Infinity is a mixture of hard science fiction, mystery, and some interest in transcendence. There’s a subtle metaphor of fixing societal problems when the opportunity arises in the last half of the story, as the protagonists discover more truth about the hotel and its purpose. All in all, a solid read.
Recommend this book:
The Zeta Grey War
New Recruits
D F Capps
2017 Finalist
439 Pages
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Fiction - Science Fiction
I liked The Zeta Grey War: New Recruits by DF Capps. It has a lot of the elements necessary in a good, action based science-fiction, military style novel. The science is good. The aliens are believable. They are not monsters but intelligent beings who happen to have an agenda that puts them in direct conflict with humanity. There is also the fact that there are two different types of aliens involved in the conflict. One group is out to dominate and use us, and another is willing to secretly help us and, believe me, we need their help. The cards are stacked against us. Rosaq and the Zeta Grey Earth Acquisition Force have all the advantages in this war. They are more technologically advanced. After all, they crossed the stars to come to us. They are experienced. They have done this type of thing before, and on top of that they are telepathic and know much more about the mind than we do. A huge advantage in and of itself. It’s going to be a long, hard war.
The Zeta Grey War reminds me of that hit television show from a few years back, V. I think the V stood for visitors. This book is much better than the show. It might just be the medium. I prefer books to movies or TV most of the time. But I also think it may be the writing of DF Capps. He tells the story well and he has plotted out the sequence of events like a master. The characters are great. I loved the Zadanski family. They represent all that is good about humanity and they make the story much more personal and real than your average alien invasion story. The writing is good. The plot is logical and the tension is real. This is going to be a great series.
Recommend this book:
The Last Detective
Brian Cohn
2017 Bronze Medal
238 Pages
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Fiction - Science Fiction
The first superlative technique that strikes the curious reader of Brian Cohn’s science fiction/mystery, The Last Detective, is the author’s masterful use of descriptive prose, something seen less and less these days, but guaranteed to place one forcefully and engagingly in a most dramatic present. This uniquely creative future moment deserves precisely such a pleasing and powerful ploy, for we find ourselves taken over by mysterious, condescending aliens – slickly referred to as 'slicks' - and immersed in an old school investigation of one particular alien’s bold and inconceivable murder. If that is not enough to catch any jaded sci-fi or mystery reader’s rapt attention, one should check that reader’s pulse for proof of life.
Detective Adrian Grace is the unduly harried flatfoot in this remarkable book, and he is the narrative magnet through whom Brian Cohn expertly unfolds his desperately fascinating plot in The Last Detective. Grace hates the slicks. Loathes them, actually. But they have an irresistible inducement with which to ensure his cooperation and participation: a displaced family with whom the detective longs to be reunited. Written in the style of exquisitely dark and sometimes morbid humor so loved by classic mystery readers, and with a gene pool of realistically portrayed otherworldly beings – the kind you love to hate, so human is their inhumanity – The Last Detective is that truly wonderful of finds: a smart book to transport you and distract you from the real world it so ironically mirrors. Mr. Cohn has done his job with great finesse and style, mixing genres so seamlessly that the reader forgets in which one he might be so thoroughly absorbed. He is absorbed in both. Cliché time: an unforgettable, great read!