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:
Treason Flight
T. R. Matson
2021 Finalist
198 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - General
Do you love movies like Top Gun? If action-packed military thrillers are your genre, waste no time and get yourself a copy of Treason Flight by T.R. Matson. Jack "Rattler" Owen is a strong-willed Navy pilot with an unblemished reputation amongst his peers. After heroically saving a Hawkeye aircraft and its crew over the Persian Gulf, Rattler's fame rises further. As he mourns his upcoming divorce, his friend Clipper introduces him to an Australian woman named Sandy during one of their port calls. But it's cut short when an oil rig owned by a US company comes under siege from Al Qaeda, and a hostage rescue mission is prepared where Rattler must pilot a Hawkeye. However, there might be a traitor in their midst who not only jeopardizes the mission but throws Rattler and his friends into a deeper conspiracy.
Treason Flight is a wild thrill ride that pumps you with constant doses of adrenaline from beginning to end. The plot moves at a blistering pace, and the vividly described action sequences keep the reader hooked to its pages. There are intimate moments where T.R. Matson captures a personalized look into the headspace of a Navy pilot, and it provides a fascinating perspective to the reader. The twists and turns of the plot feel organic yet not-so-easy to predict. I found the characters likable and easy to root for, and Rattler, Clipper, and Sandy were my personal favorites of the bunch. I had an absolute blast reading Treason Flight. I would recommend it to fans of action-oriented thrillers.
Recommend this book:
The Amazon Conspiracy
S. J. Philips
2021 Honorable Mention
247 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - General
The Amazon Conspiracy is a thrilling novel filled with action and intrigue written by S.J. Philips. Henry Foster, chief researcher at the Pitiri Research Station in the Amazon, gets a monumental shakeup when an Australian TV crew led by hosts Clare Andersen and Aidan Green seek his help to navigate the Amazon rain forest. After dining with the local Indian Baniwa tribe, the crew insists on exploring a remote mine, leading to a confrontation with soldiers from an unknown faction that sees Henry, Clare, and their associate, Bill, being held captives against their will. As they find their way out of the forest, Henry and Clare embroil themselves in a conspiracy involving a South American nation hell-bent on proliferating a nuclear weapon.
The Amazon Conspiracy is a delicious mix of mystery, action, and intrigue that you just don't want to put down. Author S.J. Philips takes you on a wild rollercoaster of a ride through the dense forests of the Amazon that make you think about the tenuous relationship of human behavior concerning nature. The narrative flows smooth and fast, complemented by a plot that is riddled with twists and turns to keep your eyes glued to the pages. The characters have well-developed arcs with distinct personalities that make them thoroughly compelling to read. I found Henry, Clare, and Professor Berto to be my personal favorites of the bunch. I would recommend The Amazon Conspiracy to anyone who loves well-written thrillers set in nature.
Recommend this book:
The Dance Towards Death
The Brotherhood Chronicle
Tejas Desai
2021 Bronze Medal
356 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - General
The Dance Towards Death: The Brotherhood Chronicle is a work of fiction in the thriller, crime, and suspense subgenres, and was penned by author Tejas Desai. Written for the mature adult reading audience, the work contains some explicit language, graphic violence, and sexual situations, and is the third installment in the series. In this volume, we find ourselves once again following the exploits of private investigator Niral Solanke as a swirling maelstrom of international crimes brings international influences to a tense peak filled with conflict. A big deal in Long Island sets the stage for more crime and conspiracy, leading to a startling conclusion that readers won’t see coming.
Author Tejas Desai presents modern crime thriller fiction in the most compelling of ways, delivering the kind of action blockbuster we can only dream of in a more enlightened movie industry in the future. I was thoroughly impressed with the many intricacies of the plot and how the narration lends itself to gently reminding readers of those strands until they all coincide and weave into the main plot. The surrounding atmosphere and character work really direct your attention to the right place at the right time for the best impact. The dialogue too was an enormous bonus, with its suave build-up of suspense and easily differentiated characters and personalities, and so many socio-cultural ideas and values blending seamlessly into the plot as a result. Overall, I would highly recommend The Dance Towards Death for readers who enjoy deeply considered and socially aware plotting, realistic thriller characters, and high stakes tension in every chapter.
Recommend this book:
Inside Passage
A Corey Logan Thriller
Burt Weissbourd
2021 Silver Medal
288 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - General
Inside Passage: A Corey Logan Thriller is a work of fiction in the psychological drama, family drama, and intelligent thriller sub-genres, and was written by author Burt Weissbourd. The opening novel to the Corey Logan Trilogy series, we find ourselves in a drama-packed novel for adult readers where our central protagonist is a fierce female ex-con who knows she was set up for crimes she didn’t commit. With a young son to care for, Corey must carefully toe the line with the secret dirt that she has on state attorney general candidate Nick Season, and find a way to skirt the life or death situations that find her en route.
Author Burt Weissbourd has crafted a highly compelling and originally narrated work that uncovers the complexities of politics, social structures, and the human mind as it delivers its exciting and twisting plot. An explosive introduction to what promises to be a thrilling trilogy of novels, I was really impressed with the development of Corey as a capable central hero with much to balance and consider despite her ferocity for justice and the truth. The psychological developments of the plot really hold water, deepening, and becoming more and more intriguing as the story unfolds. I also found the setting descriptive and illuminating, weaving in and around Seattle so vividly that you could be walking the streets there. Overall, I would recommend Inside Passage as a truly immersive and accomplished work of thriller fiction that will suit those who appreciate intelligent and deeply involved drama.
Recommend this book:
Steel Trap
A Jack Steel Action Mystery Thriller, Book 4 (A Jack Steel Thriller)
Geoffrey Saign
2021 Gold Medal
348 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - General
Steel Trap is the fourth installment of The Jack Steel Action Mystery Thriller series by Geoffrey Saign. Jack and Christie embark on a top-secret mission to retrieve a CIA asset from the Bahamas. However, their plan goes haywire when men belonging to a rogue Russian SVR agent, Dima Borodin -- involved with the murky world of human trafficking -- appear to abduct the same agent, Mattia Leone. Matt has a list containing the names of powerful individuals involved with the global trafficking of young women. With their backs against the wall, Jack and his team receive unexpected help from a mysterious woman who saves the life of Matt's girlfriend and former SVR officer Anton Sokolov's daughter, Valentina. But now, a team of rogue mercenaries is on their trail who will stop at nothing to get their way. Can Jack complete this mission?
A breathtaking mix of action and suspense makes Geoffery Saign's wild rollercoaster of a novel an absolute blast to go through. Steel Trap provides thrills galore as we follow a close-knit group of highly trained individuals working in a protection agency hired by the CIA and finding themselves embroiled in a global conspiracy facing mercenaries who match them step by step. The plot moves at a blistering pace, keeping you engaged with its twists and turns and an action-packed narrative. I found the characters well-developed and easy to root for. The camaraderie between the members of the Greensave Protection Agency was my favorite aspect of the book. If you're a fan of action-packed thrillers, definitely check out Steel Trap.
Recommend this book:
Yukon Revenge
A C.E. Brody Novel
Ken Baird
2020 Finalist
506 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - General
Yukon Revenge by Ken Baird is the second C. E. Brody novel. A year after surviving a chase down the Yukon River falls, Brody is just trying to get on with his life. He still has his dogs, his plane and his old pickup truck and he still lives in his old cabin on the river. He thought he was the only survivor from that chase but nothing stays dead and buried forever. A suspicious fire and two murders are just the start. Brody’s dogs have disappeared, his plane has been vandalized and murder at his cabin mean the RCMP are starting to look at Brody suspiciously. When he agrees to fly rock samples from a mine site, the FBI is all over him. They say it's all a scam but the undercover agent they send in with him is an ex-girlfriend – things are about to heat up. When the press ‘convicts’ Brody for three murders, he knows he is in a race against time to solve this, in spite of the RCMP and FBI getting in the way. Can he be lucky a second time?
Yukon Revenge: A C. E. Brody Novel by Ken Baird is a fantastic sequel to Yukon Audit. Once again, Ken Baird’s knowledge and experience in the Yukon shine through in this tense and exciting thriller. I read the first book and opening the sequel was like coming home. I slipped right back into the swing of things easily and was soon engrossed in another tight plot with plenty of action and adventure right from the word go. It was like meeting old friends and being introduced to new ones – a comfortable and exciting read. Once again, the descriptions were excellent as were the characters and, from page one, I was hooked and drawn in. Excellent sequel and excellent pacing; I really hope there will be more in this vein in the near future.
Recommend this book:
Shot Down
Steven Sheiner
2020 Honorable Mention
356 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - General
Shooting in self-defense, the would-be victim has unexpected life-altering repercussions in the suspenseful thriller, Shot Down by Steven Sheiner. Learning about a mass shooting at a theater his family frequents, Dr. Simon Spero is worried about his and his family's safety. Buying a gun and learning to shoot, Simon takes his gun with him wherever he goes. One day, while conducting business at his bank, an armed robber starts shooting wildly around the room. Scared, Simon shoots back and kills the gunman. Unfortunately, the dead criminal is the brother of a dangerous Cuban mob leader. The FBI places Simon and his family in protective custody for two weeks, before leaving them to their own devices. On the day they are released, the media is standing outside their door. How did they know where Simon was located? Soon after he returns home, Simon is placed in custody for murder. This is just the beginning. Intimidation tactics, false accusations, and another arrest bring Simon to his tipping point. Who is behind his demoralization? How can Simon get his life back?
Shot Down by Steven Sheiner is a nail-biting thriller filled with fast-paced action and breathtaking intensity. Engaging from the start, suspense and anxiety run high in this exciting novel, making it impossible to put down. The intricate plot contains a straightforward and resourceful hero and more than one antagonist. Having their own agenda, each character is expertly woven into the storyline, creating a striking and complex conflict from which the protagonist has to extract himself. With more than one villain stirring the pot, the apprehension escalates until the explosive and unexpected conclusion. With extraordinary characters and a remarkably complex plot, this sensational story is sure to gratify those who are fans of thrilling suspense novels with an everyday hero.
Recommend this book:
Heart of a Warrior Angel
From Darkness to Light
Lali A. Love
2020 Bronze Medal
180 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - General
Heart of a Warrior Angel: From Darkness to Light is a work of fiction in the thriller and supernatural fantasy sub-genres and was penned by author Lali A. Love. Recommended for mature audiences due to some sensitive subject matter such as childhood abuse, this well-told short novel takes us on an emotional journey as its many paranormal oddities unfold. Coming from a dark and traumatic background, our heroine Lilac goes on a journey of self-exploration to understand where the evil energies in her bloodline have come from, and how to vanquish them and move forward into the light. The quest is far from easy, spanning several generations in this excellent and emotive family saga.
Author Lali A. Love delivers a superb tale that encompasses a great many different lessons about the human spirit and the divine power to overcome darkness, and as such it will read as both realistic and inspirational despite its supernatural themes and settings. Lilac makes for a highly relatable central character, and I really enjoyed Love’s narrative style and how it brings us closer to the protagonist's most intimate thoughts and feelings. I felt that the subject matter of abuse was sensitively handled and given an empowering storyline as the plot moved forward, which grounds the piece in realism but also pushes towards hope rather than victimhood. Overall, I would definitely recommend Heart of a Warrior Angel: From Darkness to Light to readers who enjoy emotive family sagas but also want real inspiring messages which underpin the emotional adventures they read about.
Recommend this book:
Pretty Little Girls
Agent Victoria Heslin
Jenifer Ruff
2020 Silver Medal
308 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - General
Pretty Little Girls by Jenifer Ruff is an Agent Victoria Heslin thriller. A prep school girl has disappeared and the investigation is about to lay bare secrets the family wanted to be kept hidden, secrets that will shock everyone. Victoria Heslin, FBI agent, joins the local police in the investigation but the more they dig, the more secrets they uncover and the mystery just gets deeper. The parents don’t seem to want to help and the authorities don’t want Victoria’s help – why not? As she digs into the mystery, a sex-trafficking ring is uncovered and she needs help. She and Agent Dante Riviera need to go rogue to get the girls out but can they do it in time? And where does her family fit into the operation?
Pretty Little Girls (Agent Victoria Heslin) by Jenifer Ruff is a compelling story. The subject is one that we hear so much about these days and Ruff has dealt with it in a compassionate yet tasteful and real way. This is a page-turner, grabbing you from the first and not letting you go until the very end. It is an exciting story with plenty of twists and turns that just keep you hanging on and guessing. The main characters are exciting, with their development continuing from the first book in the series but with sufficient detail that, if you read this as a standalone, you will understand them and you will find them easy to relate to. The subject is an eye-opener and the writing is descriptive enough to give you the picture without being graphic. A heart-breaking story, for sure, but a guaranteed thrilling, 'edge of your seat' story that you won't easily put down.
Recommend this book:
Privateers
Charlie Newton
2020 Gold Medal
426 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - General
Privateers is a work of fiction in the crime drama, historical mystery, and contemporary thriller sub-genres, and was penned by author Charlie Newton. In this dangerous and very exciting tale, we discover the roots of hidden gold, stolen from the bank of Haiti during the First World War. In the modern day, three women with ties to the Caribbean return there in search of the gold, with the hope that it will buy them out of a terrible situation in which they find themselves. What results is a powerful story of mysterious government goings-on, modern-day piracy, and a question of what it truly takes to break away from the ties that bind and redeem ourselves in life.
Author Charlie Newton weaves a very gripping story that will keep readers entertained from cover to cover. In true thriller fashion, there are surprises around every corner, along with less-than-moral heroes and even more unscrupulous villains. One of the things which I found unique about the work is its strong female-led cast, with three distinct personalities who each have realistic emotional arcs, strengths, and weaknesses to add to the drama and plot. The settings were also vividly described with vibrant, atmospheric language, which gives the work a cinematic feel and enhances those dark and tense moments all the more. Overall, I would highly recommend Privateers to readers of realistic and gripping thriller fiction, both for its unique approach to character and setting and its accomplished writing style.