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:
Memories of the Future
My 2020 Vision
David W. Loomis
2020 Finalist
366 Pages
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Romance - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Memories of the Future: My 2020 Vision is a work of fiction in the science fiction, time travel, and interplanetary adventure sub-genres, and was penned by author David W. Loomis. Written for a generally mature audience, there are some small instances of violence and sexual references, but it is largely non-graphic. The two central characters are grandfather Eon and his grandson Quinn, who find themselves embroiled in a quest to save the planet when the evil fallen angel Dogod begins an onslaught through the universe. As Eon and Quinn travel on, so begins a journey to discover the dark heart of greed, and to spread the power of love.
Author David W. Loomis has crafted a fantastic adventure novel with plenty of amazing universal vistas, foreign planets to explore and amazing twists and turns in the plot. Fans of traditional blockbuster sci-fi adventures will appreciate the spirit of the novel, which is deeply inspired by a love and appreciation for life and the planet we have. The time travel concepts are well planned and well organized within the plot to provide plenty of opportunities for adventure, and the characters have a great emotional bond and common ideals that keep us invested in them as the story unfolds more. I also felt that the dialogue was particularly poignant in getting those underlying messages across. Overall, I would highly recommend Memories of the Future: My 2020 Vision for fans of science fiction and time travel: an action-packed novel with an emotive, effective message at its heart.
Recommend this book:
Kisses Of My Enemy
Harry Ferguson Chronicles
Willliam David Ellis
2020 Bronze Medal
355 Pages
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Romance - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Kisses of My Enemy is the third book in the Harry Ferguson Chronicles by William David Ellis, a gorgeous treat for fans of well-plotted fantasy novels. This author demonstrates a powerful creative mind, weaving a yarn that melds different elements together to create a wonderful reading experience: time travel, history, and magic. Harry is a time traveler with the mission to destroy one of the deadliest technologies of the Nazis. They are conjuring up a demon who is supposed to give limitless power to their soldiers and the witch belle Rodum is charged with protecting it. There is a twist, for the witch falls in love with this time-traveling dragon rider, yet she must destroy him. Thousands of years away, a woman pines for Harry. She is Sarah and she visits him in his dreams. But she is also trapped in her time for the survival of her kind. Can she protect Harry? Can Harry beat the witch and accomplish a deadly mission entrusted to him?
This is, indeed, a fascinating story and I enjoyed the way the author builds the conflict. He uses the idea of forbidden love to raise the stakes. The protagonist is in a very tight spot and the reader follows his motivation keenly and wants to know what happens to him. I was curious from the beginning with the powerful description of the protagonist, waking up to pain and cold, strapped to a steel table. I wanted to know why and who he is and what happens next to him. The historical hints are strong and are evocative of the devious schemes of the Nazi regime. The gorgeous writing got to me quickly and I enjoyed the lyrical character of the prose. Some of the passages are so beautiful in themselves that readers will pause to savor them a bit longer. Here is an example: “Longing for the darkness of hypothermia, he drifted, easing into its dark clutches, but then he heard through the chatter of his own teeth a song.” Kisses of My Enemy is a delightful read with powerful plot points and an ending that wraps it up so well.
Recommend this book:
As The World Falls Down
From the ashes of the old world, something new is rising...
Katy Nicholas
2020 Silver Medal
410 Pages
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Romance - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
As The World Falls Down is a work of science fiction penned by author Katy Nicholas, focused on survival in a post-apocalyptic dystopian world: “From the ashes of the old world, something new is rising...” Our focus is set on a wipeout situation after a mysterious plague kills nearly the whole of humanity. Halley Clarke is a survivor, and when she ventures out and finds Nate Reynolds, she realizes that they can’t have survived without good reason. The virus has changed them both, with instincts and voices they never knew before. Together, they desire the truth of this new world, but it may be the very thing that tears them apart.
Accessible to teen audiences and up for its non-graphic content, author Katy Nicholas has created a highly engaging science fiction and dystopian tale with lots to offer. The backstory of the destruction of humanity is well played out with plenty of excellent detail and thought-out construction, and the strange new world that Nate and Halley embark on is beautifully atmospheric, thanks to the author’s descriptive techniques. The novel is as much a mystery plot as it is a survival tale, and the encounters of the plot structure have a slow but satisfying feel to them as we work towards uncovering the mysteries of the virus, its true effects on people, and what the future of Earth may be. Overall, As The World Falls Down is a great read, recommended for fans of dystopian adventure and mystery tales in unusual settings.
Recommend this book:
Inside the Sun
The 8th Island Trilogy, Book 3, A Novel
Alexis Marie Chute
2020 Gold Medal
384 Pages
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Romance - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Inside the Sun: A Novel is the third book in the 8th Island Trilogy by Alexis Marie Chute. All the worlds are dying and there is nothing anyone can do about it except Ella, her mother Tessa, and her grandfather Archie. What started as a quest to save Ella is now a quest to save all the worlds. To save the worlds, Finnah the Star needs a key and she wants Ella to bring it. The way to salvation is not easy, enemies are coming at them from everywhere, and it is up to Ella, her family, and friends to defeat the villains to save it all.
The cover is gorgeous and fits well with the vibe of the story. It is bright and attention-grabbing, just like the story. This latest installment provides a stunning conclusion to the series and the author has done an incredible job of providing a cohesive story as well. The story itself is mesmerizing. You cannot help but feel a part of Ella’s struggles, Tessa’s desperation, and Archie’s determination. The descriptions are out of this world. The images are vivid, the characters are relatable and heroic yet not unapproachable, and the overall feel of Inside the Sun is magical. I love how Archie, Ella, and Tessa all have their quests and they get enough page space to give readers an ending. The glossary at the back is fantastic for first-time readers, but reading this fascinating yet incredibly hypnotic story in order is an experience unlike any other. Alexis Marie Chute deserves 5 stars and a lot more.
Recommend this book:
Devil's Claim
Dariel Raye and Muffy Wilson
2019 Finalist
347 Pages
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Romance - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Devil's Claim by Dariel Raye and Muffy Wilson is a mesmerizing tale that explores the power of a curse and a family’s struggle to get free from the claims of a demon. A curse has been in their family for generations and now Apache Elder Aidan Stringfellow fears his brilliant son David may be the next victim of a curse made in a moment of quick temper. While he believes he has found a cure, he is far from the truth because David has dark secrets of his own. Katala, whose destiny is linked to David’s, feels the dormant passions in her being awaken. She wants to fight for David, but as she looks at the life of this man, she is plunged into a web of mystery and deceit. She unearths one painful fact after another, so many that she begins to doubt her own identity. Is David redeemable and can a deadly pact with a demon made long ago be voided? Time drives their lives towards the inevitable.
I don’t usually read a novel written by two authors, always feeling there could be some discordance in the narrative voice, but Dariel Raye and Muffy Wilson prove the contrary. The quality of the writing is stellar, exceptionally good, with the evocation of powerful emotions right from the very opening of the story. The curse can’t be reversed. From the start, the reader understands that the premise is strong — something terrible and irreversible has happened. Now, the suspense begins as the reader wants to delve into the secret lives of the characters. They wait in longing for what happens at the end while the authors take them along an exciting path. Devil's Claim is a wonderful achievement and a great offering to fans of strong literary voices. This is a world where the supernatural intersects with the ordinary and where magic collides with human will. It is utterly spellbinding.
Recommend this book:
Hellfire and Handbaskets
A Time Traveler's Journey
Kathryn Hills
2019 Honorable Mention
224 Pages
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Romance - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Hellfire and Handbaskets: A Time Traveler's Journey by Kathryn Hills is a stimulating mix of romance and time travel, with an interesting focus on the emotional development of the characters. Rick Hauser is an ER doctor who suffers from PTSD. He has been a combat medic and has seen the worst of humanity’s misery — so he thinks! But when Amelia Pennington, a blue-eyed, charming woman walks in and asks for his help, her beauty gets the better of him.
Rick doesn’t know then that Amelia Pennington had always wanted to be a doctor, but it seemed like society, including her mother, had conspired to make that dream impossible. She is a medical student running from a crazy man, running from the oppressive society of Boston, 1895, thanks to the rune stones that allow her to travel through time. While Rick would rather have nothing to do with a woman at this time, he can’t ignore it when he finds Amelia again sleeping on a doorstep. The attraction between the two is strong. But can Amelia leave her life back in 1895 in Boston and will Rick risk everything for this mysterious woman?
Kathryn Hills has crafted a spellbinding romance with characters that are rich and believable. Amelia’s background is well explored and it is one of the elements that make the conflict strong. She comes from a family that has many problems, including the illness that afflicted her mother, and an evil man determined to make her life a living hell. Rick is a genuinely flawed character, a man haunted by his past and a character that readers feel sympathy for. The plot is cunningly done and the prose delightful. It is interesting how the language changes, even the dialogues in the 1895 setting. The pacing is fast, and the emotional aspect of the conflict is strong enough to keep readers utterly engaged. Hellfire and Handbaskets: A Time Traveler's Journey is a great achievement and literary entertainment that will certainly delight many fans of time travel and romance stories.
Recommend this book:
Genesis
The Infinity Series Book 2
Bellamy Westbay
2019 Bronze Medal
412 Pages
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Romance - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Genesis is a work of paranormal romance by author Bellamy Westbay, and the second book in The Infinity Series. In the first book of the series, heroine Gwen found herself torn between her hardworking friend Ky, who has nothing, and the powerful Alexander who turns out to be an angel that is several thousand years old. In the first book, Alexander knew his destiny but loved Gwen anyway, and now the story continues as the love of his life lies dying. Now we follow Alexander as he races against the clock to save her, searching the universe for the gatekeepers who hide the cure. If it means betraying his God, then Alexander will still do it, or die trying.
Bellamy Westbay knows how to write a compelling romance. The intricate plot of the interpersonal lives of the main characters really adds to the spice and intrigue of the romantic plot and, though there’s not a great deal of romance for Alexander in this book because he assumes the hero role, he still has steam coming off him on every page. The light fantasy concepts of angels and gods were really interesting and added great background and flavor to the romantic plot, and as Alexander’s adventure builds and he travels around, those elements really come to the fore and make for a great adventure. Overall, Genesis: The Infinity Series Volume 2 is a highly recommended read for fantasy and paranormal romance fans looking for their next crush and their next OTP.
Recommend this book:
The Scythian Trials
Elizabeth Isaacs
2019 Silver Medal
372 Pages
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Romance - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
The Scythian Trials by Elizabeth Isaacs is a fast-paced, action-packed fantasy sci-fi story with a romantic flair. The story begins with Anya (Nya) Thalestris tracking a wounded puma with her friend, doctor, and teacher Jax Nickius. Nya is the last descendant of the first Amazon Queen Oretta, people that are now called the Scythians. Time is fast approaching for their trials in choosing their mates. Nya is not thrilled with the idea. When she was young she had a friend in Ireland named Penn that her parents disapproved of right from the beginning, so they continued their friendship in a hidden fort. When they were finally found out, her parents took her far away back to their home. Once the trials begin, males are vying for Nya's hand by competing against each other to see who will be her equal. She learns of an unexpected suitor and runs away, only to be kidnapped.
Isaacs does an impeccable job of creating an ancient culture that predates the bronze age that is for the most part still thriving, although not as secret as in a modern day world. Isaacs's epic story is loaded with very real heroes, rivals, and sinister villains from both sides. In between the martial arts and combat scenes, there are moments of intimacy and genuine friendships among rivals. At the center of it all is the most sought-after mate; headstrong and rebellious Nya. I was really impressed with the author's writing style, her knowledge of technology, weapons, and martial arts. This story captures the reader from the get-go, and from then on the pages fly by. Especially when Nya is missing, and her royal bloodline is in jeopardy. I was entertained on all levels with Elizabeth Isaacs's magnificently crafted The Scythian Trials. Brava!
Recommend this book:
Dark Opius
Watchtower (Cursed Angel Collection)
Muffy Wilson and Dariel Raye
2019 Gold Medal
312 Pages
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Romance - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Dark Opius is an exciting and highly accomplished work of fantasy fiction by co-authors Muffy Wilson and Dariel Raye. Part of the Watchtower Cursed Angel Collection, the themes of Heaven, Hell and Earth intertwine with love, adventure, battle and faith in this epic standalone story. Our central hero is the angel Gabriel, whose world and mission are thrown into disarray when his charge, Helen, loses her husband in an evil deed committed by the demon Asmodeus. Gabriel goes against the wishes of God to interrupt proceedings and help Helen, but in doing so he sets off a chain of events that will change him and the fate of all worlds forever.
The most intriguing thing about this highly compelling novel is the experiences of Gabriel on Earth, as he learns more about the power of human emotions than he ever thought possible. There is something striking about the first times he undergoes, endearing readers to him as, literally, all Hell breaks loose around him. The descriptions are of equally high quality, giving cinematic imagery of epic creatures and dangerous beasts, as well as strong character development in Gabriel and his love interest, Narsaé, the more that the story goes on. Plot-wise, the threads come together beautifully as more and more events take us towards the startling and brilliant conclusion, and all the while Gabriel’s inner narrative and his emotional battle add a poignant, deeper level to the action. Overall, co-authors Muffy Wilson and Dariel Raye have created a masterpiece in Dark Opius which is not to be missed.
Recommend this book:
Wet Kisses
A Zodiac Shifters Paranormal Romance
Susan Griscom, Zodiac Shifters
2018 Silver Medal
158 Pages
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Romance - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Wet Kisses: A Zodiac Shifters Paranormal Romance by Susan Griscom is a stupendous achievement that blends paranormal and romance in a setting that will blow the reader’s mind. There are great books out there and awesome books about shapeshifters, but this one just stands out in a unique way — the intriguing mystery, the suspense, the mesmerizing setting, the intricacies of the plot, and the exceptional characters. Imagine a dolphin shifter, but he has the fire of a dragon in him as well. It’s Adrian Marlowe, the handsome CEO of Waterscape’s underwater hotel. Reese Briden is a confident, beautiful woman with telekinesis abilities and she has just secured her dream job at the hotel, but the moment she sets eyes on her boss, she knows she wants him, wants him badly. The problem is she may know some things about Adrian, but she doesn’t know about the dragon. Will Adrian come out and reveal what he really is or bear the burden of the secret?
Susan Griscom isn’t just a great storyteller; she knows what it takes to make characters interesting and this means that she knows how to make readers see what drives her characters, the internal conflict that defines who they are. For the dolphin shifter, it’s this newfound ability to transform into a dragon. The problem is: Can he tame the dragon? The writing in this book is impeccably good and it greets the reader as they begin the story with vivid descriptions that make readers feel the setting and get clear images of both locations and the actions. The narrative is focused and suspenseful, and the characters come alive strongly; they are complex, three-dimensional, and hugely relatable. Wet Kisses: A Zodiac Shifters Paranormal Romance is likely to appeal not only to romance fans but to the hard-boiled paranormal crowd as well. You’ll love the dolphin and the dragon, but you’ll want to meet the shark, too.