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:
Wesley
Loving a Young Book 1
Stacy Eaton

2023 Finalist
178 Pages
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Romance - Contemporary

Wesley by Stacy Eaton follows the story of Charlotte Bennett, a single mother who has experienced one too many traumatic events in her life, leaving her with a strong dislike and distrust of strangers. Her daughter Marisol is her whole world, so when she sees a strange man talking to her daughter at the park, she loses it. Tackling the man, she doesn’t give him any time to explain that he is a doctor simply trying to do a check-up after seeing her daughter fall. When things get serious, she realizes she might have made a grave mistake, which might also have led her to the best man she’d ever met.
Wesley by Stacy Eaton is the exact definition of an emotional rollercoaster; it is an intense story with emotional highs and lows all wrapped up in a beautifully concise book. I didn’t think I would enjoy Wesley as much as I did, but every moment hooked me. I was rooting for Charlotte and Wes’ relationship from the start. However, I was pretty angry with Wes when he didn’t allow Charlotte time to explain her side of the story regarding Marisol’s father. The writing style, tone, and pacing are just perfect, and Eaton did an excellent job of picking just the right time to throw a spanner in the works of the main characters' relationship. It made for such an intense tale which thankfully had a happy ending. I highly recommend giving this a read.
Recommend this book:
Savage Abandon
A Dark Cowboy Mafia Romance Book One
Sky Coppola

2023 Honorable Mention
294 Pages
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Romance - Contemporary

In the novel Savage Abandon by Sky Coppola, Carter Caldwell finds himself facing the consequences of a life-altering decision he made years ago. He left behind his education and the woman he loved in pursuit of revenge, leading to a series of disastrous outcomes. Now, helping his father manage their Wyoming cattle empire offers him an escape, but leaves little room for romance. When complications arise with their new calves, Carter realizes he desperately needs assistance. Enter Dr. Destiny Hart, a talented veterinarian who survived her own traumatic past. As she is hired to aid the rancher, Destiny comes face-to-face with Carter, the man who vanished without a trace a decade ago. Amidst their undeniable attraction, chaos ensues when Carter's brother becomes entangled with the Mafia. With his family, livelihood, and love interest in peril, Carter must go to extreme lengths to protect them all, even if it means taking matters into his own hands.
Did someone order a big fat vat of sizzle? Because...come and get it from Savage Abandon by Sky Coppola. Excuse me while I sit in front of this fan and tell you all about it. Coppola blends a cowboy romance with some serious Mafia plotting that, together, fill the storyline with heaps of suspense. Suspense is also code for excellent pacing, and the plot does move quickly. Even with the attention span of a ferret, I was engaged and constantly questioning what will happen next. The Carter and Destiny chemistry practically drips from the pages and even with the tug-of-war of secrets that makes you want to rope the cowboy in, they do add that lush layer of complexity to their relationship. The book does end on a cliffhanger that is basically the Everest of dropoffs, BUT the next book in the Dark Cowboy Mafia Romance series, Savage Promise, is already out. And that means I am too.... very highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
The Outcast
The Techboys Series
Eve M. Riley

2023 Honorable Mention
282 Pages
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Romance - Contemporary

The Outcast is book two of the Techboys Series. This is a sexy, modern love story by Eve M. Riley. Dr. Kate Thurman and Fabian Adramovich are two very different people with completely different lives. They happen to meet one fateful day at the hospital. One look and there was a spark that made it hard to look away from each other. Kate was a hardworking medical intern who was too hard on herself, and Fabian was a tattooed, chaotic bad boy. They should not fit together but against all odds they did. The love between them was deep and tempestuous. Being together was difficult and their lives and personalities clashed constantly. Dark forces seemed ready to tear them apart and trouble was brewing. Will Kate and Fabian be able to face these difficulties together or will they break apart under the pressure?
Establishing a romance between two people leading very different lives was a narrative challenge that the author tackled with exceptional skill. The chemistry between Kate and Fabian was sizzling hot. Their interactions were often intense but with complicated circumstances and people opposing their relationship, their love for each other was always under threat. It broke my heart to see their romance riddled with misunderstandings and hurt. Riley articulates their love and struggles in a way that pulled at my heartstrings and made me wish all their cares would be resolved quickly. The exciting plotline paints vivid scenarios which made the story easy to follow and hard to put down. The swapping of first-person narratives between Kate and Fabian allowed me to understand their story from two viewpoints. It was so frustrating to see the feelings they were holding back, even when they were together, and sometimes I just wanted to reach into the book and shake them to remind them how important they are to each other. The fact that The Outcast can bring about such strong feelings in me demonstrates how skillfully Riley has portrayed Kate and Fabian’s story. This incredible book had me spellbound from the start. I can’t wait for more from Eve M. Riley.
Recommend this book:
Come As You Are
A Gen X Romance
Jess K Hardy

2023 Bronze Medal
324 Pages
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Romance - Contemporary

Ashley Cooke feels in over her head and barely keeping it together. With her infuriating mother, a ski hill that’s about to go under, and a sleazy ex-husband who keeps trying to buy her out, it’s taking all she can to hold on to her sanity. When her mother suddenly decides to hire a group of former cons and addicts to render much-needed help for the winter season at Bluebird Basin Mountain, Ashley will have to decide if she’s willing to take a risk with her beloved mountain and her heart or end up losing it all. Follow Ashley in Come As You Are by Jess K Hardy as she rediscovers self-confidence and finds love and friendships most unexpectedly.
Words aren’t enough to describe my appreciation for this book, but I’ll do my best. First, I adore the illustrated cover; it’s unique, brilliantly done, and perfectly depicts Ashley and Madigan. It was very refreshing reading about older main characters. Hardy perfectly brought all the characters’ emotions to life; for example, Madigan’s fear when he was learning to ski, especially riding the chairlift, was so palpable I could feel it like it was my own. Hardy’s writing was so beautifully done that I enjoyed the warmth emanating from Madigan, the camaraderie with his crew, and the picturesque, idyllic feel of Bluebird Basin. I honestly didn’t want this book to end. Come As You Are by Jess K Hardy is an amazing romance novel that will give you a warm, fuzzy feeling while reading and long after you’re done.
Recommend this book:
Love is Worth Fighting For
The Meraki Series Book 3
Effie Kammenou

2023 Silver Medal
365 Pages
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Romance - Contemporary

Love is Worth Fighting For is the third novel in The Meraki Series by Effie Kammenou. All Krystina wanted was to become famous on social media and travel to the most beautiful locations. She wanted to achieve those big dreams and do all that away from Loukas. He used to be a great friend, but a mistake in the past made them drift apart. However, that didn’t stop Loukas from trying to win her heart. He got the perfect opportunity to do that when Krystina and her sister traveled to Athens to find out what happened to their grandfather. It all started with a mystery, and before they knew it, Loukas and Krystina slowly realized they weren’t the frenemies they thought they were. As they fell for each other, they discovered there was more to life than just chasing dreams.
Set in the time of the COVID era, author Effie Kammenou worked her magic and made her characters shine. The plot was great, and the execution of it was perfect. I loved Loukas. He was charming, determined, and ready to do whatever it took to win Krystina’s heart. Loukas never overwhelmed her, but he was always there for her and waiting for her to reach out at her own pace. I didn’t like Krystina in the beginning, but she really grew on me. She was headstrong and had the drive to chase after ideas and dreams. Their character development was off-the-charts good. You may feel a little stunned by the chapter count, but it all makes sense. The descriptions in Love is Worth Fighting For were amazing! I felt like I was traveling along with Krystina and Loukas. The descriptions of Greece were magical, and I loved it! Now, I want to read the previous novels in the series and revisit this one. I highly recommend this novel!
Recommend this book:
Fallen Raven
Raven Duet Book 1
Diana A. Hicks

2023 Gold Medal
468 Pages
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Romance - Contemporary

In the first book of the Raven Duet by Diana A. Hicks, Fallen Raven features Aurora’s indoctrination into the five families located in New York City. Somehow her father saved Head Mafia Leader Michael Alfera and was elevated to being his right-hand man. She is made to sign a non-disclosure agreement based on Signoria Vittoria’s threat of death if she fails to follow the rules. Penny de Luca is assigned to help Aurora become accustomed to their rules. Penny tells her to avoid the “Royals," who are the direct heirs to the families. However, it seems Aurora cannot resist the allure of Enzo Alfera. Enzo has the same feelings for the “outsider,” and does his best to avoid interacting with her. Unable to resist his warring thoughts, he succumbs to his inner desire and intends to make Aurora his.
Diana A. Hicks painted a slow-burn romance balanced on the dark edge of danger. The narrative is told between Aurora and Enzo. The transition scenes that unfold are easy to follow. I felt that Aurora was naive to ignore how her father was constantly parading affluent members of the Mafia around her. He even told her that he wanted her to marry someone powerful to secure their family's future. Enzo’s avoidance of Aurora confused me as much as it did her. One moment he appears welcoming and overly friendly toward her, then he acts like he doesn’t know she exists. His best friend, Rex, seems to be the only level-headed member. The descriptions of the school, the hierarchy of each family, and the lavish homes are vivid. The story is unpredictable and it is difficult to trust who is a good or bad guy. The cliffhanger ending offers several different possible outcomes. Fallen Raven will capture the minds of readers who enjoy Mafia political romances with plenty of action to entertain them.
Recommend this book:
The Missed Kiss
Nicola Lowe

2022 Finalist
286 Pages
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Romance - Contemporary

The Missed Kiss by Nicola Lowe is a fresh and flirty contemporary romance novel about a young woman torn between two lovers. Lily is twenty-seven and works as a legal secretary at Draper & Hughes. Lily is perfectly content with her life, but she has been single for four years because of her last relationship that ended horribly. She knows it's time to start dating again. Therefore, her best friend, Cassie, arranged a date with a lawyer named Zack for her. Lily agrees to meet Zack, and fortunately, he will prove to be her chance to fall in love again. However, her other best friend, Luke, who helped her recover from the breakup, just returned home, ready to finally tell her what he feels for her. Thus, Lily will have to decide between Zack and Luke.
I didn't expect a romance novel to be this delightful and intriguing. The Missed Kiss by Nicola Lowe is a fantastic emotionally-charged novel about finding the courage to love and to let someone love you after being hurt. It's a gorgeous and engrossing novel I won't soon forget as it's told with both heartbreaking care and vivid detail. Nicola Lowe is clearly a talented writer who excels at creating love triangles. I fell in love with the characters, and to my surprise, I could not choose which one I would prefer: Zack or Luke. Nicola Lowe's writing is so intelligent and gripping. I know that my next read will be the sequel, To Kiss You Again, as I'm anxious to discover which life Lily has chosen.
Recommend this book:
Jagged Feathers
Jan Sikes

2022 Honorable Mention
380 Pages
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Romance - Contemporary

Jagged Feathers by Jan Sikes is a suspenseful romance with an intense plot that will keep you invested until the end. Vann Noble served his country with pride, but when he lost a limb, he came back. With nothing more to do than reflect on his life and lick his wounds, Vann settles in a cabin outside a small town. He was looking forward to the isolation with the company of his misery and his angelic stray dog. He was not expecting to find Nakina Bird, an enigmatic woman who wanted nothing from him but shelter. With people out to kill her, Nakina had no choice but to seek shelter in a place where no one would even think of finding her. But as days go by, Vann realized Nakina had secrets that she was not ready to share, even if those secrets could get them killed. Would she tell Vann what she was hiding, or were they doing to die?
It has been a long time since I read a really good suspenseful romance and I am glad I came across Jagged Feathers. Aptly named, author Jan Sikes has done a fantastic job of creating an outstanding storyline that rocks the reader's world. It is intense, filled with emotions, and almost makes the reader numb with Vann’s pain. He struggled a lot; he had no purpose outside the military and was almost drifting away when Nakina came knocking on his door. They both needed each other, not only to survive but to live. Jan Sikes created an atmosphere that was sweltering at first, a little claustrophobic because Vann was feeling all these emotions. However, as he started to feel better, the pace changed, and so did the overall feel of the story. I loved the dialogues, the descriptions, and the weight of the story. Emotional and entertaining. I loved it!
Recommend this book:
Chasing Hope
Dana Wayne

2022 Bronze Medal
295 Pages
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Romance - Contemporary

Chasing Hope by Dana Wayne is the story of two lost souls who are trying to find a hold in this world, but they end up finding each other and themselves in the process. Max Logan joined the Marines and for 18 years he gave his best to his country. Things were going well, but one incident led to a chain of events that made him fall hard and get hurt more than just physically. He always wanted a family, but it seems as if it is not in the cards for him. Enter his next-door neighbors Skylar and Maddie, a mother-daughter duo that barges into his life and they don’t seem to be leaving any time soon. They need him and he needs a family, but who will get Skylar and Max to see that they are perfect for each other?
Chasing Hope by Dana Wayne is my kind of romance, one with heavy chemistry between the two protagonists and a surprise element that brings the story together. I absolutely loved how the story developed, how it took flight and ended. The characters were all amazing, but Maddie was my favorite. She was a breath of fresh air that kept the momentum going and ensured that everything came together in the end. While Skylar had my sympathies, my heart belonged to Max who just tried so hard to move forward, survive but keep his heart intact. I enjoyed the fact that the author kept the themes of familial love along with romantic love. The pace was fast, the love was simple yet energetic, and the dialogues were lively enough to make me want to know more about the characters. To say that I loved this novel is not enough! Absolutely beautiful. It deserves these 5 stars.
Recommend this book:
The Refusal
The Techboys Series
Eve M. Riley

2022 Silver Medal
324 Pages
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Romance - Contemporary

Janus Industries, a billion-dollar firm owned by Janus Phillips, experienced a security breach that could take down their entire network. The company brought a struggling Williams Security on board, owned by Jo Williams. It was fiery sparks at first sight for Jo and Janus, who have been through dark times in their lives. Jo focused on keeping her firm afloat while Janus had it all; money, women, and a luxury lifestyle. When Janus Industries experienced another breach in their Hong Kong branch, Jo and Janus traveled there, which led to a blowout. Between their insecurities, press vultures, security breaches, and the potential downfall of a billion-dollar corporation, will the lovebirds find their way to each other? The Refusal by Eve M. Riley has the complete story.
Hurray! The tech world gets its romance series! The Refusal by Eve M. Riley is a slow-burn romance novel that captivated me. It will appeal to both laid-back and hot-blooded, starry-eyed lovers who like to get swept off their feet. The Refusal gave Harlequin and Silhouette collections a run for their money. I love women like Jo, who earn their seats at the table by being excellent at their jobs. Janus was my cup of tea. He was a balanced and well-grounded hunk of a man, seeing where he used to be and his rise to the top. I also fell in love with Fabian. Such loyalty to friendship, even at his expense. I hope to see a Jo and Darcy face-off in subsequent installments. Keep writing, Eve!
