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:
Chasing the Darkness
Cassie Sanchez
2022 Finalist
294 Pages
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Romance - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Chasing the Darkness is an action-packed epic fantasy novel written by Cassie Sanchez. After the sudden death of King Valerie at the hands of a Fire Spectral, Watch Guard Commander Drexus Zoldac forms a group of elite Hunters who target Spectrals - people with magical abilities - of all kinds. Amongst his recruits is twelve-year-old Jasce Farone, an orphan who, under Drexus's mentorship, turns into the vengeful and murderous Angel of Death, Azrael. When Drexus infuses Azrael with a dangerous serum to grant him Spectral abilities, Azrael becomes even more powerful and unpredictable, leading to the Hunters betraying him. He finds himself rescued by two Spectral siblings named Kord and Kenz, alongside whom he sets off for revenge against his former employers. However, they must destroy Drexus's serum before he creates more abominations.
Filled with action, intrigue, romance, and betrayal, Chasing the Darkness is a wild fantasy ride that keeps your eyes glued to the page. Author Cassie Sanchez weaves an intricate tale of power, revenge, and redemption that fans of epic fantasy will find thoroughly entertaining. The plot moves at a breakneck speed with twists and turns that keep you firmly engaged in the narrative. The characters have well-developed arcs and diverse personalities. Azrael particularly undergoes a significant amount of change as different plot events put him to the test. He experiences a constant battle between his Angel of Death persona and being Jasce Farone, which is well-portrayed. I also enjoyed his relationship with Kenz. I would recommend Chasing the Darkness to readers who love epic fantasy novels.
Recommend this book:
Love in the Time of Wormholes
A Second Chance Sci-fi Romance
Jess K Hardy
2022 Honorable Mention
276 Pages
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Romance - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Love in the Time of Wormholes by Jess K Hardy is a delightful, fast-paced, and warm-hearted rom-com set on an interstellar pleasure craft. Think Star Trek with a super sexy heroine named Sunastara Jeka (Sunny) and the uncharted adventures here are often between the sheets. Sunny takes her job onboard the Ignisar seriously, ensuring the pleasure-seeking guests are catered for, no matter what their desire. She and her crew interact with humor and steamy passion and display the full range of human emotions - even with the artificial intelligence bots onboard. I love how Jess K Hardy weaves a dramatic socio-political backstory as we cheer for Sunny’s happy ending with Freddie, a spunky one-night stand that returns as a crew member. Love in the Time of Wormholes is entertaining with unsuspecting plot twists and many moments of laughter.
Jess K Hardy subtitles the book: A Second Chance Sci-fi Romance and that’s exactly what you get. After five years working onboard the deep space pleasure cruise, Sunny appears wild and crazy on the outside, yet has deep unprocessed emotions on the inside. The author introduces all manners of characters in the right place at the right time to aid Sunny’s personal development, process the loss of her child, and provide Sunny with an opportunity to find love again. The intergalactic connections sit nicely alongside human vulnerabilities that persist no matter where the planet or what the time period. We can all benefit from a little more love. Let’s hope Sunny thinks so too and takes her second chance before it floats off to a distant galaxy. Take a chance on Love in the Time of Wormholes and you’ll enjoy a great sci-fi rom-com with funny and unique characters and an engaging story.
Recommend this book:
Psycho Shifters
An enemies-to-lovers romance
Jasmine Mas
2022 Bronze Medal
280 Pages
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Romance - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Psycho Shifters: An Enemies-To-Lovers Romance is the first book in Cruel Shifterverse by Jasmine Mas - a paranormal romance with a twist. This is a reverse-harem novel written for adult audiences. The story follows Sadie, a young alpha in a world where women are never alphas. Done living under the thumb of other people, she decided to join three other alphas and train for the war against the Fae Queen. Living with three men is difficult, but living with three men who despised her for being who she was is impossible. These 6.5 feet hulking men were tough nuts to break, but Sadie didn’t come this far to just cave in. They think she is not worthy, but they haven’t seen her shifter form yet, and once they do, they will know they are messing with the wrong alpha.
The setting of Psycho Shifters is fantastic and so is the worldbuilding. I have read plenty of omegaverse novels and this one is unique. I love how resistant and resilient Sadie is. She wants to appear stronger than she is, but she is often surprised by her actual strength. She has PTSD because of Dick (aptly named) yet Sadie is determined to move forward and live a better life than before. Cobra, Jax, and Ascher are rude, jerks, and absolute menaces. I have to be honest; I didn’t like any of them particularly because they are the perfect definition of “big, burly, and brute.” However, after reading till the end and that final scene, I believe Jasmine Mas made them this way to leave room for growth and development in future novels. Can’t wait to see what happens next!
Recommend this book:
Dream of Dragons
Dragon Tails
Aja James
2022 Silver Medal
331 Pages
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Romance - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
In Aja James’s Dream of Dragons, the Jade Emperor has summoned Ere, Sorin, and Rui to the palace. Shifu, the emperor’s emissary, advises the group that they are going on a quest to find The Jewel of Dreams. A time limit and other barriers make the quest more dangerous. Rui quickly finds Ere to be too garrulous but believes his bonded mate, Sorin, could make a capable warrior. Rui catches the interest of Wolfe during a tavern brawl. Upon discovering the trio is traveling to Caerleon Castle, Wolfe and his traveling companion, Tristan, offer to join them. Along the way, the normally unfeeling Rui begins to feel an attraction to Wolfe. This bothers her, as she realizes they will most likely become advisors in the tournament held at Caerleon Castle. The prize, called The Dragon’s Eye, was a jewel, and Rui’s group believed this was what they needed to complete their quest. Likewise, Wolfe wanted the jewel to get vengeance.
While Dream of Dragons is a fantasy novel, Aja James made every character’s thoughts relatable. Rui was a loner, yet she had an inner conflict with wanting to be with Wolfe. Wolfe was the same way, and while he lacked remorse for his past, he still didn’t understand what it was about Rui that drew his attention. There were humorous parts in the book, with Ere being the one that could make witty remarks, especially in the face of a dangerous opponent. The time setting was during King Arthur’s reign, and I found the accounts of the various knights and royalty accurately written. I found the in-depth details of the tournament to be intense, and I felt like I was sitting in the stands cheering for Rui and Wolfe. The ending had me on a roller coaster of feelings. One moment I was saying “No!” but the next I was saying “Yes!” For adults who have an affinity for the Dark Ages involving sorcery, quests, epic fantasy battles, and dragons, this book is the perfect fit.
Recommend this book:
The Hunted
Vampire Navy SEAL: Sam & Layla Book 1
S.B. Alexander
2022 Gold Medal
286 Pages
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Romance - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
The Hunted is a work of fiction in the paranormal romance, suspense, and interpersonal drama subgenres and was penned by author S.B. Alexander. It was written for the adult reading audience owing to the use of explicit language and the presence of sexual content throughout. Part of the Vampire Navy SEAL series of romances, this enemies-to-lovers tale focuses on Layla, a vampire hunter who is well-practiced at her job. But when she lays eyes on the muscular bloodsucker Sam Mason, everything changes. Layla needs his help to save her sisters, but can she keep her conflicted feelings for him under control, or will Sam get everything he wants from her?
Author S.B. Alexander certainly knows how to pitch a romance to keep her readers turning page after page. To begin with, this is a highly intriguing crossover combination where military precision in battle combines with supernatural deadly forces to produce some really exciting action scenes and a solid character basis for Sam. From there, Alexander’s intricate portrayal of the tough and hard-edged Layla, and her journey as she slowly loses her inhibitions around the tempting vampire SEAL, offers readers a chance to really sink into the tension all around her. So when the pair finally come together, the payoff is all the more enjoyable and emotive in all the right ways. The dialogue was also a strong point of The Hunted, serving to give a clear sense of the characters whilst also cutting in with some very slick humor and strong romantic themes. A highly recommended read for PNR fans everywhere.
Recommend this book:
Foundra
Emmanuel M Arriaga
2021 Finalist
498 Pages
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Romance - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Foundra by Emmanuel M Arriaga is the story of a man who literally has the weight of the world on his shoulders and with no way for him to get away from his responsibilities. Neven never knew that life could be this complicated. He always had a peaceful existence, so he was baffled when his life turned upside down when he met Lenrete. Immortal and more powerful than he could ever imagine, Lenrete was the catalyst that started a chain of events making him who he is. So he became a Secnic and learned that he was actually quite skilled at killing people. The more he delves deeper into Lenrete’s life, the more he discovers that there are horrifying beings and immortals and some of them are hell-bent on destroying the galaxy. Sure, he is rather good at killing, but will it be enough to keep him alive and save the galaxy? He has to dig deep inside himself to find the courage, the potential and the determination to help everyone survive.
Science fiction is not my usual cup of tea, but when it is this good, I cannot resist it. Full of action and plenty of drama, this novel had me on the edge of my seat and holding my breath. I was invested from the get-go; I wanted to learn more about this galaxy, the people and the way of life. The author provided a healthy amount of background information on some of the most important extra-dimensional beings because, without them, things would have been a little too confusing. Neven is the perfect protagonist for this story; he is sharp, intelligent and willing to work hard, even though he wasn’t so keen on the idea of becoming a Secnic. He adapted quickly and with that, he turned out to be the best of all the characters. The pace was fast, the flow was great and the maps and diagrams of the galaxy helped me put things in perspective. This is an excellent start to a series that will be very enjoyable for avid readers of science fiction and mystery.
Recommend this book:
Marked for Darkness
Possessed by Darkness Book 1
Raven Woodward
2021 Honorable Mention
545 Pages
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Romance - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Harlow has lived on the West Coast since her parents died years ago. When she finally graduates college and lands a job in teaching, she realizes it's not quite what she wanted to do. So she packs up and heads back to New York on her birthday. There, she meets Rex, a nearby tavern owner, and sparks fly. That's not all as she's suddenly given the key to her old family home, learns that one of the most influential people in New York has been watching her and buying her paintings, and that she's part of a paranormal world she never knew existed anywhere other in than her paintings. She doesn't need any extra baggage but finds she is tied to both of the new men in her life. As she struggles with her feelings, evil outside forces are bent on using her for their own will. Read Marked for Darkness: Possessed by Darkness Book 1 by Raven Woodward to see how she fares in an otherworldly realm now her own.
Raven Woodward should be proud of her ability to craft such a spectacularly dark and still fascinating world. The scenes Harlow is compelled to paint turn out to be a second world that she is drawn to in another manner. I found myself drawn to the characters that resemble twisted versions of fairytale creatures like vampires and werewolves. The scenery also has enough similarities to Earth that readers can picture this new planet with their mind's eye. While the visuals are captivating, the storyline was also unique from others I have encountered. It followed similar paranormal romance themes but was different enough to keep readers' attention. Fans of this genre are sure to enjoy Marked For Darkness.
Recommend this book:
Missing Charlie
A Fairytale Romance
Jess K Hardy
2021 Bronze Medal
243 Pages
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Romance - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
There is darkness in this fairytale that is so appealing, and yet reading it feels so liberating, as if assuring you that everything’s all right. Missing Charlie: A Fairytale Romance by Jess K. Hardy takes romantic fantasy to a new level. Five years ago, 23-year-old Nona May Taylor kissed a guy she hardly remembers, and it proved very costly as a witch named Rebecca Delanore placed a curse on her. This curse has transmuted her physiology to that of an octogenarian. As if this wasn’t enough, Rebecca steals her identity, forcing Nona to live a hermit life in a cabin in the Montana wilderness. She lives with a fox, a pig, a hen, a rabbit, and a ferret, and she takes care of them because her animal companions have also fallen under Rebecca’s evil curse. Nona’s life takes a turn when she rescues an injured hiker named Charlie Brown. Nona finds herself drawn to the recuperating Charlie - and he may well be the key to breaking the curse - but life has no guarantees.
After reading Missing Charlie, I reflected that Disney could well adapt this for the big screen as a fairytale movie for adults, which will probably appeal more to viewers and critics than the live-action renderings of their animated blockbusters. As a novel, it has grit, charm, and uniqueness in tackling a common theme in the genre, spinning it into a meaty storyline with the necessary accouterments to give it the wow factor. Jess K. Hardy crafts a strong emotional link between Nona and Charlie, developing their feelings as they get to know each other and find a way for Nona and her family to break free of the curse. Even more successful is how the potency of Rebecca’s magic influence plays an important part in dictating the destiny of those who bear it. It makes for a satisfying resolution at the end. This is a must-read fairytale for grownups and romance fans alike.
Recommend this book:
The Last Lumenian
S.G. Blaise
2021 Silver Medal
317 Pages
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Romance - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
The Last Lumenian is a lavish and engrossing work of fiction in the fantasy, action, and adventure sub-genres, and was penned by author S. G. Blaise. Written for young adult and adult readers alike to enjoy, this immersive tale introduces us to a princess unlike most others, whose fortitude and rebellious nature find her in a precarious position even from the novel’s start. Lilla takes solace in her rebel friends and surrounding servants as his father, the king, is lost to his madness. But when a new general arrives on the scene and a powerful Archgod declares magical war, Lilla discovers that the fight ahead of her is far bigger than she expected.
Author S. G. Blaise has crafted a fantastic escape from reality which is beautifully easy to fall into but very had to let go of at the close. One of the things that really captivated me about the work was its pacing and story construction, which leaves you wanting more and peeking ahead at the end of every chapter. As the story progresses and we learn more and more about Lilla, the character development and close narration give her an inspirational and emotional resonance that makes the story even harder to put down, resulting in a wildly inventive and intricately planned fantasy rollercoaster which delivers everything it promises. Overall, I would highly recommend The Last Lumenian for fantasy fans seeking strong female leads, solid worldbuilding, visceral action, and plenty of magic. A truly epic opening to an exciting new series.
Recommend this book:
Hunting Daybreak
A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Romance (Shattered Sunlight Book 2)
E.A. Chance
2021 Gold Medal
396 Pages
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Romance - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Braving unknown dangers after a Coronal Mass Ejection hits earth, a doctor and her new husband trek across the post-apocalyptic United States to reunite with her family in the thrilling science-fiction novel, Hunting Daybreak (Shattered Sunlight Book 2) by E.A. Chance. Following a powerful CME that wiped out a large portion of the population and disabled technology-supported systems and machines, Dr. Riley Poole, her daughter Julia, and her new husband, Dr. Cooper, are stranded over a thousand miles from Riley's Colorado home. Leaving Julia ensconced safely in western Virginia, the newlyweds start the hazardous trip across the continent to Colorado to find out how the rest of Riley's family fared. With most modern devices inoperable and ineffective, Riley and Coop ride horses and take camping gear. However, they are unprepared for the new government takeover and the militant forces hunting them down. Can Riley and Coop reach the Colorado border without coming to harm? If they do survive, will they find Riley's family safe and sound?
Depicting the effects of an earth-shattering event, Hunting Daybreak (Shattered Sunlight Book 2) by E.A. Chance is a breathtaking science-fiction novel. Set in a post-apocalyptic world that is so close to the present, the story ignites the imagination from the very beginning. Skillfully intertwined within the plot, the environment and culture shifts give the storyline a sense of reality. The protagonists are likable as well as relatable, and I admired their initiative and resourcefulness as they trekked across what would be considered alien and remote territory. The other characters who were not as accommodating or honorable made perfect contrasts and gave the story authenticity. It is a captivating story with engaging characters and a dramatic and intense plot. Profound and inspiring, the exciting and suspenseful tale will entertain and thrill everyone who enjoys post-apocalyptic science-fiction novels that have a plausible storyline.