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:
Wounded
Ben Burgess Jr.
2014 Gold Medal
174 Pages
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Fiction - Urban
In Ben Burgess Jr.’s Wounded, Samantha Miller is a beautiful stripper who preys upon women - specifically straight or married women – walking on the dangerous path of violence, seduction, and exploitation. Her precarious ways are due to her troubled past when she was molested as a child and subsequently forced into prostitution by her drug-addicted mother. As a result, Samantha has no trust in men. When the beautiful Sasha starts to work at the strip club as a bartender, Samantha chooses her as the next target. But Sasha is not just another woman to be bedded. Samantha is about to learn how to trust, love and be happy again.
Protagonist Samantha or Sam is sexual and tough at the same time. She makes enough money as a stripper at J’s Gentlemen’s Quarters. Yet we see the cogent side of her as she does not plan to be a stripper for long and is working on building her photography business. Ironically, she uses photography as one of her seduction tools to persuade women to come to her place. Sasha also has issues of her own, but together these women try to heal each other, making Wounded a beautiful, emotionally raw story. To be frank, I didn't like what happened to Sasha. However, Samantha’s life turns out to be better in the end. As a reader who loves a positive ending, it is enough for me. On the whole, the book particularly excels at depicting complicated and realistic characters, making it a worthwhile read.
Recommend this book:
Anti-Drug Matter
Deviled Tongue
2013 Honorable Mention
446 Pages
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Fiction - Urban
Anti-Drug Matter by Deviled Tongue delves into the exciting world of the law enforcement officers who handle the drug world. It introduces us to twin brothers who are both detectives on a drug enforcement beat. Shamel takes on the NYPD narcotics unit while his brother Preacher is in the heart of Virginia in Alexandria. But what would a story about law be without the crime? Mstislab is a Russian Mafia crime lord, and while he is successful he is not content, and wants to become the largest crime boss on the east coast, and perhaps beyond. Circumstances like this set all three on the same path with fate.
The pace is really fast, maybe a little bit too fast in some parts (my only complaint), however a good book at any pace is a good book. I have to say I think Preacher is my favorite of the twins, possibly because he serves in Alexandria which is one of my favorite cities in the world. There are twists and turns like you would expect in a crime novel, and of course the bad guy is a big bad Russian Mob boss, so there is not much about him to like other than the fact that he is really good at being a bad guy.
Anti-Drug Matter by Deviled Tongue is a pulse-pounder from start to finish. Anyone who likes gritty crime novels is going to like this book because it has all of the right elements. Deviled Tongue hits the nail on the head!
Recommend this book:
Hazardous Material
Kurt Kamm
2013 Bronze Medal
224 Pages
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Fiction - Urban
"Hazardous Material" by Kurt Kamm introduces us to a firefighter who is struggling with an addiction to pain killers and also an Outlaw motorcycle gang called the Vagos. He joins the Sheriffs Department in a search for a meth lab that is located somewhere in the Mojave desert along with an aerospace scientist. You have everything combined into this book: drugs, science, mystery and things that might blow up. "Hazardous Material" is the fourth in a firefighter series by Kurt Kamm and I feel personally that it is stand alone as well. You do not have to have read the other books in the series to fully enjoy this one. This book goes in so many different directions that keep you entertained and sucked into it, and yet you keep guessing with every page. The action is non stop and you almost feel as though you need to catch your breath as you go from the opening explosion to the end.
The characters are interesting and to me each one has their own flaw, some being more obvious than others. I like characters with flaws because I can connect with them on a deeper level. If you are reading a book that has perfect characters it feels less human. Kurt Kamm has blended several genres for me with thriller, mystery and adventure with an elegance of writing you do not often see in those genres. If you are someone who likes to read some action-packed story line this is going to be a good book for you. I plan to go back and read the other three in this series as well.
Recommend this book:
Fealty
Spirian Saga Book 6
Rowena Portch
2013 Honorable Mention
340 Pages
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Fiction - Urban
“Fealty” by Rowena Portch is the tale of a modern day fantastical world within our own that crosses the plains of multiple genres. Rae, born with the misfortune of highly sought after powers, is the daughter of Drake, the powerful and cruel clan leader of the Shadows. As Rae’s impending arranged union to a wealthy Shadow member approaches, one man realizes he can’t let her suffer any more of the unspeakable abuse that the women of the Shadow clan endure. Seth, the future leader of an opposing clan, has watched enough from afar of the pain endured by Rae, a woman who for all intents and purposes should be his enemy due to lineage and bitter histories. Seth and Rae break traditions and ago old cultural norms by refusing to accept what their natures view as injustice and become ensnared in a volatile clash between two clans with powers as strong as their hatred for each other. The most plausible fantasy elements you will read today will have you looking over your shoulder after this jolt of fiction.
Portch introduces and builds character after lovable character in a book full to the gills with admirable faces. “Fealty” sucks you into a surreal world that manifests before your eyes like an enticing history lesson. This story is a modern day "Romeo and Juliet", battles with the intensity of Braveheart, and creatively shames True Blood powers. Don’t like fantasy? – Don’t fear, you are going on an epic adventure! Like a critical current conflict you are ashamed to have been unaware of “Fealty” transforming fantasy to impending reality. A chilling race through drama, action, comedy, and romance, all cleverly buckled in for the same tumultuous ride.
Recommend this book:
Monster
Ben Burgess Jr
2013 Silver Medal
282 Pages
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Fiction - Urban
"Monster" is the story of a man's struggle with a difficult childhood and how his early experiences with love transform him into a heartless human being. As the story unravels, we see a once sensible human being turn into a playboy who shuns away from attachments and uses sex to appease his ego and insecurities in life. After a life of endless one night stands, affairs with married women and various promiscuous activities, Ken Ferguson meets Ashley and his views about love seem to change. What follows is a twist that is both compelling and surprising.
Fast-paced and exciting, the novel "Monster" by Ben Burgess Jr. is an entertaining read. Here is a troubled man whose life is forever tormented by his childhood scars. Ken Ferguson's character is well-developed so that even after learning how he treats the women in his life, the reader can still feel sympathy for him. He is on a journey of self discovery and seems to have it all: a flashy car, beautiful women, and an enviable lifestyle. His life experience has made him an empty man, however, and this will be the stumbling block in his search for life's meaning. The story unravels quickly because of a writing style that is both crisp and vivid. The author's use of realistic dialogue should not fail to engage the reader. Reading this book is also like taking a glimpse of what is behind a man's vulnerability. It compels the reader to look deeper and try to understand why people behave the way they do.