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:
Mia
Bernard Leo Remakus

2023 Finalist
191 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Terrorist

Captain Zack Adams is an undisputed hero to the American people, but just what happened to him after his failed mission going after an elusive terrorist, code named Chameleon? No one seems to know for sure, other than that he’s vanished off the face of the Earth, but as he disappears, someone else arrives. Sister Rose seems to have something up her sleeve that no one understands and when she manages what many have died trying to do, it seems like the end for her, and maybe it is. But for Mia, it’s only the beginning as she works to help Captain Adams’ family with the struggles they’ve suffered ever since his disappearance and since a certain young gym teacher came into their lives to turn everything upside down in Mia by Bernard Remakus.
This story is not just about Captain Adams, Mia, Molly and Peter, but also about patriotism, love and overcoming obstacles. It’s all about creating your own future and accomplishing things that you think you can’t. The characters each have problems and flaws and, yet, they still manage to accomplish something amazing for the world (and, of course, for their own families). This book really makes you think about what you’re doing to help others. It’s really interesting and fun to read and I definitely liked it. I’d actually be interested in reading a whole lot more about the characters. It’s a book I’ll tell others about and, as a short book, it’s one you can read all in one sitting.
Recommend this book:
Sticks and Stones
A Cameron Stone Action Thriller
Thomas LeBrun

2023 Honorable Mention
172 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Terrorist

Edmond Raines may have left the life of a protector behind but a recent tragedy gravitates him back to familiar surroundings as he prepares himself for the inevitable reckoning that must come. With the help of his trusted teacher, he tracks down the people that took everything from him. On the other hand, Cameron Stone is still active in the protection business and rises through the ranks, earning the respect of friends and foes alike. These two men are worlds apart in all aspects but a terrorist plot with frightening global ramifications will set them on colliding trajectories as they set aside all who stand in their way in Thomas LeBrun's Sticks And Stones.
Sticks And Stones focuses its storyline on the personal struggles of two individuals involved in the private security business and the sometimes unfortunate consequences that can come from that delicate line of work. Thomas LeBrun takes time detailing his characters using a combination of impressive origin stories and an unusual storytelling technique. His effort results in characters that are not just multifaceted but emotionally well-rounded in a manner befitting a story that balances combat with suspense. The pace is somewhat sedate even during the fighting scenes, which is a first for me, but I like how LeBrun fuses his subplots into a single story arc without disrupting the flow of the novel. Sticks And Stones is entertaining and well worth the reading experience with its detailed fighting and workout aspects and interesting storyline.
Recommend this book:
Contrarian
Lucas Sterling

2023 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Thriller - Terrorist

Srpska - a Hungarian crime syndicate - was planning to make massive profits by causing havoc in the American economy. A hitman, former Homeland Security agent Lars Christopherson, had been hired by the BND - a foreign German intelligence service - to eliminate the threat from the gang. Accompanied by BND’s agent Frederic Ulrich, Lars had successfully raided one of the gang’s premises, thinking they had accomplished their mission. However, a deadly explosion at a nuclear power plant confirms that they were far from stopping Srpska. Lars and Frederic are obliged to work together once again to stop the gang’s evil plan. Unbeknownst to Lars and Frederic, the enemy is closely watching their every move. What will happen to the pair? Will they manage to save the US from the looming disaster? Get yourself Lucas Sterling’s Contrarian to discover how it all goes down.
Lucas Sterling had me hooked on this compelling read, flipping through page after page. If you love an action-packed crime thriller novel laced with a gripping tale of espionage, underdogs, crime bosses, hitmen, terrorists, thrill, tension, and adventure, you will love Contrarian. Sterling incorporates a subtle tone in the narration, and his realistic depictions captured the mood and setting of the scenes. This coupled with the second-person writing style made me feel as if I was right in the middle of all the action, watching every move the cast made. He amplifies this intriguing story with plot twists that sent chills down my spine. I loved how he boldly brought out and simultaneously juxtaposed the characters' qualities. This highlighted the complexity of human nature. Lars is the type of intuitive, intelligent, quick-thinking, strong, agile, and swift protagonist you simply can’t get enough of. This is a magnificent piece of work.
Recommend this book:
The Greek Gambit
Nuke Response Team Alpha--Book One
Charles Salter

2023 Silver Medal
274 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Terrorist

The Greek Gambit is the first book in a promising new thriller series called Nuke Response Team Alpha. Author Charles A. Salter introduces you to Colonel Blake Hunter, who is vacationing in Greece when unknown agents try to kill him and abduct his family. Meanwhile, the Pentagon summons the Nuke Response Team to investigate a series of mysterious rapid aging among people along the North Carolina Coast. It appears that the attempt on Hunter’s life, the kidnapping of his family, and the acute radiation in North Carolina are related. Blake has had his share of combating terrorists. But nothing has prepared him for what he faces right now, as the terrorists that kidnapped his family want him for a task that has something to do with a hyperbaric plasma sphere.
The Greek Gambit is a technopolitical-military thriller that is sophisticated, well-researched, and a perfect example of the genre it represents. As the first book in a new series, it provides the best opportunity to immerse yourself in the actions, methods, and motives of Charles Salter’s recurrent characters, especially that of his protagonist, Blake Hunter. It is a worthy first installment that will whet your appetite to follow Blake’s adventures, as it promises a long-term plot that may rival Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan franchise. Salter blends engaging realism and character authenticity with intricate plotting and over-the-edge suspense. The pacing is consistent with the tension that the storyline provides, always maintaining momentum. Masterful and informative, The Greek Gambit simply draws you in from start to finish. If you love reading high-octane thrillers, this book is one of the best in the genre you’ll ever read.
Recommend this book:
Fade to Blue
Hank Scheer

2023 Gold Medal
284 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Terrorist

Fade to Blue by Hank Scheer is a gripping mystery craftily tailored to fascinate fans of action thrillers. Thirty-two-year-old Dr. Sarah Brenalen was a researcher with MEREIN, the Memory Research Institute in San Francisco. She had created a controversial drug with the potential to cure Alzheimer’s. Six months later, jogging on a beach in California, Sarah was blissfully unaware that her life was about to turn into a living nightmare. Two strangers threatened Sarah with a gun and ordered her to give them a sample of the drug and produce a report about its chemical composition. They fitted Sarah with eavesdropping and global positioning devices so they could control her until she complied. Would Sarah save her drug from getting into the wrong hands?
Fade to Blue by Hank Scheer is a hard-to-beat action-packed suspense thriller. I loved Sarah’s determination and ingenuity in her pursuit of an Alzheimer’s cure and her combat with adversaries. What I liked most were the thought-provoking issues, such as the ethics of drug creation and the impact of privacy breaches on a victim’s state of mind. The author’s fast-moving and reader-friendly writing style made me feel as if I were watching a film. If you are looking for a page-turner, look no further than this book with its relatable characters and ethical dilemmas to keep you captivated from the first page. I highly recommend it to fans of science fiction, adventure, and medical thrillers.
Recommend this book:
Colombian Betrayal
A Bruce & Smith Thriller
Randall Krzak

2022 Finalist
330 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Terrorist

After the demise of her father, Olivia Moreno took charge of the Barranquilla drug cartel. But she was surrounded by wolves. Who could she trust? Things got more complicated when Colombia caught the attention of the CIA. Agent AJ and Colonel Smith arrived in the country to foil the plans of Islamic terrorists using the country as a training ground. They crossed paths with Olivia and extracted her from hiding to get information relevant to their mission. However, when their boss stepped in, Olivia struck a private deal that would either make her or sink her. Will AJ and Colonel Smith succeed in their mission? Will Olivia come out of this unscathed? It’s a cold and cruel world, and only the tough will survive in Colombian Betrayal by Randall Krzak.
Colombian Betrayal by Randall Krzak is an action-packed novel that features deception, betrayal, espionage, power, selfishness, and more. This novel pulls back the curtain and shines a light on drug cartels, politics, law enforcement, government, and the intersection where they all meet. It is a typical case of the more you look, the less you see. Everyone had agendas, and they all doubled as prey and predators. Randall is a superb storyteller who kept me on the edge of my seat with gripping scenes, a brilliant plot, and stylish writing. The characters were formidable, and besides AJ, my favorite cast member was Silvina. She had grit, mental strength, energy, and backbone. This novel is a masterpiece! Do Ramon and Kruz have anything else up their sleeves? Will there be a sequel?
Recommend this book:
Terror's Sword
A Kyle McEwan Novel
Kevin Kuhens

2022 Honorable Mention
364 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Terrorist

A terrorist known only by the nom de guerre "Terror's Sword" is barrelling toward America to attack it with an undetermined weapon of mass destruction. With millions of his citizens facing certain death, Terror's Sword: A Kyle McEwan Novel by Kevin Kuhens relates how the president unleashes elite counter-terrorism case officer Kyle McEwan, the desperate last measure America's chief executives use when all other conventional methods fail to eliminate national security threats.
Verisimilitude, a sense of reality, is vital to stories that revolve and expound upon current events. Terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, in particular the potential use of biological weapons, is as real as any potential threat can be. Kevin Kuhens's background provides all the tools necessary to make Terror's Sword come alive with inside information on the command and control, operational systems, and quantifying factors that make up a counter operation against potential and actual terrorist activity.
Kuhens's writing style is reminiscent of the great conspiracy thriller authors of old - writers like Frederick Forsyth's The Day of the Jackal and The Odessa File or Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Identity. The lead character, Kyle McEwan, like the starring actors of the aforementioned novels, is simultaneously larger than life and as realistic as they come. The terrorist mastermind is equally formidable, and the battle of wits and action between the two and their supporting characters is realistic. In Kyle McEwan, Kuhens has created a heroic character on the scale of a Jason Bourne that will surely be around for many more adventures. This is a top-flight, fast-paced story guaranteed to satisfy readers across the genre spectrum.
Recommend this book:
A Matter of Payback
The Michael Wolfe Saga Book 3
J.C. Fields

2022 Bronze Medal
335 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Terrorist

A Matter of Payback (The Michael Wolfe Saga Book 3) is the latest in the series by J.C. Fields. Two women perished in terrorist bombings in Haifa, Israel, and Madrid, Spain. The attacks were organized by Iranian terrorist Mohammed Al-Qaedi. Michael Wolfe and Ian McGill both lost their loved ones in these bomb attacks, and both are black ops operators who find themselves together on a mission in Iran some twenty years later. When Al-Qaedi targeted London's Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, Wolfe was sent on a mission to stop the extremist. What follows is a harrowing roller coaster ride in an intricately woven espionage story filled with cliff-hangers and international intrigue that culminates in a confrontation between the protagonists.
J.C. Fields certainly does not disappoint his readers. With well-developed characters, and an action-packed and fast-paced plot, it is an extremely suspenseful read. The author’s use of multiple plot twists, foreshadowing, red herrings, and other literary devices is highly effective, so much so that it is difficult not to finish reading the book in one sitting. This is a story of revenge and reprisal set in the dangerous and surreal world of international espionage. A Matter of Payback has a strong main character and an equally strong villain and this makes the story doubly interesting as there is always the element of danger as well as apprehension as to how things will turn out in the end. Highly recommended!
Recommend this book:
Doctor Assassin
A Medical Science Thriller
Mark R Belsky, Jon DiSavino

2022 Silver Medal
316 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Terrorist

Doctor Assassin: A Medical Science Thriller by Mark R Belsky and Jon DiSavino is a fast-paced action thriller that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat until the end. Dr. Max Dent was an ex-assassin for the Israeli Intelligence Services but that was in his past. Max is now a heart surgeon and ready to move forward. However, he was asked to do one more mission. Strange and terrible things were happening. HQ wanted him back as it looked as if Max was the only one who could get the job done. A mysterious illness was slowly taking root in the world. First, it was a case of some college students in Atlanta, and then there were dead people in the Caribbean who had the same symptoms. The threat was way too close to home, and Max needed to do something urgently. Could Max and Lilah solve this case before it was too late?
I did not expect to love this novel as much as I did. There was never a dull moment; something was happening in each chapter that brought new revelations. The twists and turns were believable, and the plot was crafted to be realistic. Jon DiSavino and Mark R Belsky did a fantastic job of creating characters that were human and relatable. Max was smart, understood his options, and made decisions based on what was best for him and the mission. Lilah was the total opposite of Max. She was a little impulsive, more aggressive, and acted before she thought. The two were in complete contrast to each other, which was exactly what the story needed. The chapters were short, the pace was fast, and the dialogue was fun. Doctor Assassin is a perfect medical thriller!
Recommend this book:
The Chameleon
A Jake Palmer Novel
Ron McManus

2022 Gold Medal
358 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Terrorist

Jake Palmer - investigative consultant and former US Navy SEAL - has signed on as a contractor with a top-secret US Joint Special Operations Command team in Islamabad, Pakistan. Palmer is teamed up with Fiona Collin, an operative he's worked with in the past and a woman he may still love. The pair is set to investigate a Pakistani nuclear launch in a major dispute over the Kashmir region. The situation grows ever tenser with the discovery of a shadowy figure, the Chameleon, who may intend to divert a nuclear warhead to the West when the war begins. The nuclear clock has moved from one minute to midnight, and Palmer and Fiona must risk everything to stop what would be the world's first act of nuclear terrorism.
Though fourth in the Jake Palmer series, The Chameleon is my first read from author Ron McManus, and I guarantee it won't be my last. Verisimilitude, a sense of reality, is a vital key for my determination in rating any book I read for review, and Ron McManus clearly understands the art of making a fictional story real. The Chameleon story rocks with reality from the action scenes to the in-depth knowledge of covert military action, counterintelligence operations, government foreign policies, institutional insider information, and finally, but most assuredly not the least, characters that are as real as any living person you'll ever meet. Setting the story in the middle of the years-long, real-life saber-rattling between India and Pakistan over Kashmir is another example of McManus' understanding and skills incorporating that all-important authenticity. Ron McManus has either worked in intelligence or covert military organization, or he's done some phenomenal research. Regardless of which it is, I am confident he has produced a fast-paced, action/adventure thriller that will ultimately give every international top ten bestselling thrillers a run for its money!
