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:
Forever Grace
Ever After Book 2
Linda Poitevin

2016 Honorable Mention
280 Pages
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Romance - Contemporary

Forever Grace: Ever After Book 2 by Linda Poitevin follows Grace, a woman in her thirties, living with four children deep in the woods. Lonely and scared, her main priority is protecting these little kids who are mature beyond their years. With the threat of danger always in their heads, there is nothing that can change her focus from them to anything else. She had no idea what a handsome stranger with his leg in plaster can do.
Sean is a cop, he is a protector and he loves his peace. When he came to his cabin to recuperate from a bad leg after a shooting incident, he had no idea that he would find a family that he will love and cherish beyond anything else. The four children are special and so is their aunt. There is an undeniable chemistry between them, but there is something else. They are hiding, but from what and who? Is this a disaster waiting to happen or he is finally finding kids he can actually call his own?
Forever Grace: Ever After Book 2 by Linda Poitevin is one of those rare romance novels that is not just good, but leaves an imprint on your mind and so you remember it forever. This novel made me so happy. Clean, beautiful and a perfect romance novel that will make you sigh. From the moment I started reading this novel, I knew it was special and I would just simply love it. This beautiful novel is now my all time favorite. I love every single thing about this novel. I love Annabelle, Joshua, that brave little boy. That Annabelly chant was really cute. And gosh the end, it was intense, sweet, and so very romantic. Sean and Grace are now my favorite characters! Five stars through and through.
Recommend this book:
The Lonely Hearts Club
Southern Charmers Book 2
Sandra Edwards

2016 Honorable Mention
141 Pages
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Romance - Contemporary

Cypress Falls is a sleepy little town in Louisiana that gave rise to three sisters; twins Georgia and Ginger, and their older sister, Risa. At one time, Georgia and Risa sang together in a local band, but that is all water under the bridge and food for a longtime grudge that is probably being held against the wrong person. Georgia and Ginger now live in LA, and are coming home for Risa's only daughter's wedding. With sibling rivalry, old boyfriends, and lost loves, it is bound to be an eventful weekend. The Lonely Hearts Club is the story of three sisters, each lonely in their own way and for very different reasons. Author Sandra Edwards weaves together an old-fashioned tale of younger sister making it big and older sister feeling slighted with exes and might-have-beens to form a heart-warming tale of second chances.
The Lonely Hearts Club is the second book in the Southern Charmers series, and who doesn't love a story about some good ole southern men, with looks and charm. As the story develops, we learn that the longtime grudge between Georgia and Risa is really only one sided, and it is being fueled by someone who uses it to their advantage. Old feelings are rekindled and new romances bloom in the garden and backyard of the south. Author Sandra Edwards does an amazing job making you feel for each character and see their side of things. I found myself wanting to smack certain self-involved characters that were using the sisters for themselves, and just waiting, impatiently, for the truth to come out and the sisters to find their place together again. This is a wonderful book, nothing you wouldn't want your teen to read. Great for all ages of readers!
Recommend this book:
Your Soul Was Made for Mine
C. L. Hunter

2016 Finalist
334 Pages
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Romance - Contemporary

Your Soul Was Made for Mine by C.L. Hunter is a sizzling romance that combines romance with different elements of fantasy and history to create a well-balanced story. Billionaire Nolan O'Neil is surprised by the tragic death of his friend, attorney Thomas Stone. Nolan makes a deathbed promise to Thomas to look out his wife, Emmalyn. When Nolan and Emmalyn meet in Ireland, their lives careen onto a different path. Suddenly, their lives are changed forever as they start to uncover amazing secrets. Intense dangers appear from Nolan's past. When an angel begins to guide the pair, the story leads to discoveries that neither character could have imagined. All the while, they are hopelessly attracted to one another in a very hot and steamy way that will leave the reader breathless.
Your Soul Was Made for Mine is a steamy romance with very well written characters, especially the main characters, Nolan and Emmalyn. I loved the attraction between the two and thought the heat on the pages was very well done! Hunter did a nice job of creating passion in a story that involved a widow and the husband's best friend. I thought that relationship was explained well. I also enjoyed the rest of the story, so that this wasn't just a flat romance but it had some body and depth. The setting in Ireland was beautifully described and made me want to travel there immediately! I always appreciate a story that is written well enough to transport me to a new place.
Recommend this book:
P Town
Howard Reiss

2016 Silver Medal
384 Pages
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Romance - Contemporary

In a lovely story that combines love, happenstance and the connections that one can make with people brought together by circumstance, P Town by Howard Reiss is an unforgettable read. Follow the stories of a disparate group of characters who all find themselves in Provincetown for the summer. Each of the characters - Mara, Randy, Ernie, Horton and Reed - come from very different backgrounds and are wounded in their own way. The relationships that they form while in the lovely Cape Cod "P Town," as Provincetown is called, are ones that might serve to bring healing to each in their own way, if they are able to accept it.
I so enjoyed P Town. This book grabbed me from the very first page and kept me obsessively reading until the end. Author Howard Reiss has done a beautiful job in creating characters that his readers will connect with, relate to, and care about. If that isn't a hallmark of a great author, I am not sure what is. The author's scene setting is excellently done, and readers will feel as if they can simply slip through the pages to Provincetown while they are reading. Any reader who enjoys romance or simply a great piece of fiction would love this book. I highly recommend P Town. I look forward to reading more from the very talented Howard Reiss, and certainly hope that he is hard at work on his next book!
Recommend this book:
Chasing Eva
In Light of Shadows Book 1
Camellia Hart

2016 Gold Medal
360 Pages
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Romance - Contemporary

Chasing Eva is the first book of the In Light of Shadows series by Camellia Hart. After ogling over Clive Stanton’s picture on the cover of that morning’s tabloid magazine, Eva, Izzie and Ali make their way to the office. When the elevator doors open, Clive Stanton is inside and glances at each of them until his gaze lights on Eva. He remembers her face from long ago, before she disappeared from his life. It was with Eva that he shared his very first kiss. Eva Avery is now all grown up and in charge of her deceased father’s successful company, S.F. Designs, of which Stanton Industries is their biggest client. However, many clients worry that new leadership after Eva’s father’s death is possibly the beginning of the end, and when she receives a letter advising that Stanton Industries wishes to cease all dealings with S.F. Designs immediately, Eva knows that her company will not survive the blow. Clive gives Eva more time to allow S.F. Designs to flourish once more, while wooing her and trying to rekindle the past. But all Eva knows of Clive is what the tabloids have printed about him, not realizing that tabloids will make up their own stories if they cannot get a scoop. With both Clive and Eva having had so much bad luck in dating, they now have to decide whether a romantic relationship with each other would flourish or be a disaster.
Not since Ednah Walters’ Runes series have I found myself so engrossed in any book. Camellia Hart strays from the normal chase in romance and presents an incredible chemistry that is unsurpassed. Two people who have had so much pain in their lives, after being torn apart as children before finding each other again many years later as adversaries in business, is a delicious mix which is absolutely intoxicating from start to finish. Should this book ever be published in print, I will most definitely be adding it to my home library. Chasing Eva has the perfect balance of love, loss, triumph and defeat, leading to the most feel-good adventure in any romance. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy the thrill of a well-written novel which completely transports them into the world of two people who will do whatever it takes to get their happy ending.
Recommend this book:
Homecoming
A Wisconsin Reunion Romance
Janet Wellington

2015 Finalist
242 Pages
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Romance - Contemporary

In Homecoming, a Wisconsin Reunion Romance by Janet Wellington, Cory had her heart broken in divorce. Her husband used her to get where he wanted to be in his career and then left her for someone younger and richer. Cory moved back to Faythe, Wisconsin, and took a job caring for Tillie and her nine cats. She learned that Tillie was Jake's great aunt – Jake who broke her heart in high school. Jake ran as far and as fast as he could from Faythe when he was eighteen, leaving Cory behind. When Tillie passed away, she left instructions for Jake and Cory to fix up the house, sell it, and then split the profits. Tillie was a bit of a matchmaker, having connected over fifty couples, who then married. Jake and Cory planned to honor their obligations to Tillie and go their separate ways, but there were surprises in store for them.
I loved the beautiful cover of Homecoming, a Wisconsin Reunion Romance, because I am drawn to houses of that era. Cory and Jake's pain from the past was depicted well enough so I could understand why they were fearful of letting down their defenses and getting involved in a relationship. The sexual tension was consistent and I could feel their connection. I liked them both enough to keep hoping they'd get their happily-ever-after. Some interesting and painful circumstances led to their understanding and admitting how they really felt about each other. I especially liked the touching scenes between Jake and his father later on in the book, centered on forgiveness. I also enjoyed how Tillie was a character and played a role in the plot even though she had died. Janet Wellington penned an enjoyably sweet, romantic tale.
Recommend this book:
Heir Untamed
The Royals Book 1
Danielle Bourdon

2015 Honorable Mention
378 Pages
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Romance - Contemporary

Heir Untamed by Danielle Bourdon is about Chey Sinclair, a photographer who is trying to hold onto life with both hands after a tragedy shook her life. She is desperate to make ends meet, but the prospects are not looking good. Just when she thinks everything is ruined, life gives her a chance. A new job offer arrives: live in Latvala for four months and capture the royal family with her camera lens. She takes off, but she was not expecting to fall into the middle of a supreme attraction.
The second in line to the throne, Mattias is a devastatingly handsome man with dark hair and dangerous good looks. Chey feels an instant attraction to the royal prince, but she knows that he is way out of her league. The head of security, Sander Fisk, is another thorn that attracts her too much. Where one is dark and handsome, the other is a blond god. Who can she choose when both are delicious and charming? Does she really want to make a choice? With the drama of the royals, and an unknown foe wanting her out of the castle, can Chey complete her job or will she suffer from being attracted to two amazing men?
I have a confession to make. I saw this novel on Goodreads a year or so ago. If I don’t like the cover of a novel, I don’t usually read it, which is what I did with Heir Untamed by Danielle Bourdon. Now I am so glad that I DID read it now. The story is engrossing and hooks you right from the beginning. Mattias is a really good man whom I enjoyed immensely, but it was Sander who is loved and adored from get go. Sassy, smart and with a mouth that spews the most innovative insults, Sanders took the cake!
Recommend this book:
Gwynneth Ever After
Linda Poitevin

2015 Honorable Mention
334 Pages
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Romance - Contemporary

Gwynneth Ever After is the story of Gwyn Jacobs, single mother of three, working hard to be everything her children need her to be. Several years ago her husband went out to get milk and simply never returned, so she does what she must to survive, which is pretty amazing. That kind of steel, however, comes with limitations, namely that no man has been able to get close to her or the kids in ages. But a chance meeting at the theater throws Hollywood heartthrob Gareth Connor into her path, and turns her well ordered life on its ear. One cup of coffee turns into regular meetings and an eventual meeting of her children. I think Linda Poitevin did a great job of showing how difficult it can be for a woman like Gwyn to date and trust after what she’s been through, while also showing just how crazy life can be when you fall for a superstar.
One of the things I loved best about Gwynneth Ever After is how quickly the kids took to Gareth because it was the one thing that seemed to scare Gwyn the most. Ottawa wasn’t his home so he’d be leaving eventually and her second-guessing everything was typical and annoying. Her skepticism at his interest in her is reasonable, but she gives Gareth a fair shot and they quickly grow to care for one another. I love that Linda Poitevin let us see them weighing the benefits of a relationship; it’s very adult and not very exciting but it is essential to their love story. This was a sweet adult love story with familiar romance themes and a satisfying end.
Recommend this book:
The Calum
Xio Axelrod

2015 Honorable Mention
110 Pages
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Romance - Contemporary

The Calum by Xio Axelrod is a unique addition to the realm we call "New Adult" fiction. Lovie is looking for love in all the wrong places. She also knows it's crazy to think that her Prince Charming could come in the form of a unicorn, or the calum. Yet it's to the Scottish Highlands she goes for Christmas and it's there that she meets the dashing Duff. Who said childish wishes can't come true? The calum is a reference to a "book boyfriend", one thing that I absolutely love doing! Who says you can't find your Edward, your Christian Grey, your Legolas? Okay, so maybe if your dream guy is a 1000-year-old elf, you have some problems, but it worked out for Lovie so, hey, it can work out for you too!
I'm going to be honest, The Calum is not something that I expected. Xio Axelrod was a hoot and a half in terms of character and voice. I absolutely LOVED the dialogue and banter and simply thoughts inside characters' heads. I also wasn't expecting romance to be so much fun, and it really was. I found myself relating to both Lovie and Duff and I enjoyed their chemistry immensely. Additionally, I liked that the romance was interracial. I haven't been able to find that many books with interracial romance in them (other than some pretty weird erotica) so finding this was a breath of fresh air for someone currently involved in an interracial relationship. I will definitely be looking for more from Xio Axelrod!
Recommend this book:
Sand Dollar
A Story of Undying Love
Sebastian Cole

2015 Bronze Medal
225 Pages
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Romance - Contemporary

Sand Dollar is a real romance novel from the pen of Sebastian Cole. Raised and groomed from his infancy to take over the family business, Noah is straight forward, organized, and has a no-nonsense attitude...that leaves him feeling empty inside. Robin is a burst of fresh air and energy, but though they are attracted to each other, a secret threatens to tear them apart forever.
One of the best things about this book was its beautiful cover and awesome formatting. I know that sounds a bit shallow, but I really believe that the cover sets the tone of the story and Sand Dollar's cover is so beautiful that you really feel as though you're about to fall in love. The formatting too was crisp and clear, allowing for smooth, unimpeded reading. While this is a relatively short story, you get a real feel for the characters and I'm getting all choked up just thinking about it! Sand Dollar is a great, feel good, possibly cry-your-eyes-out romance.
Sebastian Cole has a real winner here. Though Noah and Robin seem as different as night and day, their contrasting personalities go far in pulling out their "real" selves, making both of them happy for these changes. What makes this book stand out is that, in the vein of Nicholas Sparks, Sebastian Cole has set "now" as a time in the couple's future...having Noah remember the love and what happened. It captures you, enthralls you, and makes you want to hold Noah and Robin in your heart!
