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:
Damaged
C. K. Green
2018 Finalist
324 Pages
Check current price
Romance - Suspense
Damaged by C.K. Green is the first entry in the Damaged series, and a great achievement for a debut novelist. Eight years ago, Kiera was attacked and badly hurt, left for dead on the roadside. A police officer, Ethan, rescued her then. But she refused to offer any details of what happened to her to the police. She has moved on, heading for a new start in Nashville. It has been eight years and she has succeeded in putting aside memories of that painful night. Then she meets Ethan again on a girls’ night out and it seems like the past is coming back to haunt her. For Ethan, it’s an opportunity to explore a secret crush he’s had on Kiera, but can his need for the truth allow him to genuinely connect with this girl — so close, yet so inaccessible? The reader will be delighted to find out the answers.
The writing is done in a tone that is light and atmospheric and this author creates scenes that are cinematic and focused, thanks to the masterly use of the first person narrative. Character development is one of the author’s strong points, and even if I didn’t find many twists in the narrative, the story focuses on the conflict and the character arc is neatly done. The author offers great insights into the characters, making them real, genuinely vulnerable, allowing readers to experience their emotions. For instance, when we encounter Kiera, we know she is someone who is indecisive, often letting anxiety dominate her judgment, the kind of person who changes plans at the very last minute, and there is a history behind this attitude of hers. The first person narrative voice works and it allows the reader to connect emotionally with the characters. C.K. Green has a gift for storytelling and knows how to keep readers engaged from one exciting page to the next. Damaged is a book for readers who enjoy great characters and romance with deep emotional layers.
Recommend this book:
The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci
An Out of Time Thriller (Out of Time Thriller Series Book 1)
Belle Ami
2018 Finalist
286 Pages
Check current price
Romance - Suspense
In The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci by Belle Ami, Angela Renatus is an art historian plagued with dreams about Leonardo Da Vinci, Giuliano Medici and his mistress, Fioretta Gorini. When the dreams become more vivid, she starts to wonder if they are really dreams. Angela's life is not working out as planned. What was supposed to be a promising start to her career -- an internship at the Getty Museum -- is not the dream job she envisioned for herself. The museum director is less than a gentleman and Angela has to fend off his advances. Meanwhile, art detective Alex Caine contacts her about a missing painting ... by Leonardo Da Vinci. Is it a coincidence? Is it destiny? The mystery goes deeper. If a painting by Da Vinci is discovered today, it will be worth millions. Enough money to kill for. Angela and Alex embark on a journey to discover if the painting really exists. What they discover is so much more than they ever imagined.
The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci is a paranormal, romantic, erotic, historical suspense story with reincarnation at its core. Well-written and fast paced, the story gripped me from page one. The author skillfully shifts from the present to different time periods, and I enjoyed being given a more intimate glimpse of the different characters. I found the concept original and intriguing, and coupled with the author's excellent writing skills, I found the book hard to put down. The mystery was fascinating and the reincarnation aspect made it more so to me, as someone who's interested in this phenomena. The author, Belle Ami, did not disappoint. I loved the historical and romantic aspect most of all. For readers who love history, art, romance and the paranormal, I highly recommend this book.
Recommend this book:
Masters File
The Rider Files Book 2
CB Samet
2018 Honorable Mention
272 Pages
Check current price
Romance - Suspense
Ryan Walsh, special agent employed by the formidable Maxine Rider as a security “consultant,” rarely asks questions of his boss. He knows what is expected of him and is content that any action demanded is for the betterment of the human race. Maxine doesn’t request the impossible. She expects it. In another part of the world, Dr. Jenna Masters too expects positive results in her profession as an emergency surgeon. The difference? Ryan consciously puts himself in harm’s way while Jenna does her best to avoid it. After an exhausting afternoon in the emergency room to save a misdiagnosed Russian mystery man, Jenna finds herself intertwined with not only her husband’s financial sins, but the Russian mafia, the illegal Cuban drug trade, and at the mercy of the dangerously handsome Ryan Walsh.
Masters File: The Riders File Book 2 by CB Samet is a fast-paced tale of crime and unexpected humor. The plot development of CB Samet’s novel is a combination of romance and suspense that lures the reader in, making it a one-sitting read. The influence of a variety of cultures makes this a timely read and more than just a “beach” novel. Although the story does not focus on Maxine Rider, she is the character that pulls the plot together and promises more action to come in future novels, made obvious with the “cliff hanger” at the end of The Riders Book 2. This reviewer cannot wait to read more! Bravo!
Recommend this book:
Balance
The Amped Series: Book One
M.J. Woods
2018 Silver Medal
416 Pages
Check current price
Romance - Suspense
Balance is book one in The Amped Series and I can say that it’s a great promise of what readers should expect in the entire series. The opening takes readers on a rollicking ride into the hearts of two powerful and genuinely flawed characters. Aidan Pierce is a handsome, intelligent, and wealthy man with a dark past. He is haunted by nightmares of the death of his brother and an accident that happened many years ago. Going back to his birthplace, he intends to make things right, but then he meets Alexis Greene, a lawyer in a small New York town; she is intelligent and beautiful. She has also suffered a great loss in her life — the death of her husband — and has focused her energies in building her career. The chemistry between the two wounded souls is so strong, but can they forget their pasts and risk everything for an uncertain future? Balance by M.J. Woods is a compelling romance that explores what happens when people fall in love; it is balanced and deftly written.
I love the narrative style: it is in the first person narrative, with points of view alternating between Aiden and Alexis. The story is told in the present tense and in a voice that is arresting. I also enjoyed the character development and the lead characters are flawed, which makes them real. This isn’t a shallow kind of romance, but one with strong psychological underpinnings. It is a story about people who have known tragedy, people who strive to stay healthy, psychologically and emotionally. I didn’t find it hard connecting with the characters and the plot is crafted to allow readers to navigate the thoughts and hidden corners of the hearts of the characters, to experience their fears and sense of uncertainty. M.J. Woods writes with grace and there is a simplicity in her prose that is intoxicating, utterly charming.
Recommend this book:
Escaping Ryan
Genoa Mafia Series Book 2
Ginger Ring
2018 Gold Medal
247 Pages
Check current price
Romance - Suspense
Escaping Ryan: Genoa Mafia Series is a suspense romance novel written by Ginger Ring. Valentina Caponelli, an attorney, relocates to Lake Genoa, Wisconsin to escape her family’s control. Her attraction to Officer Ryan Donovan deepens, but dating a cop is conflicting, considering that her brother, Roman, is a mob boss. When a killer terrifies the peaceful town, Ryan and Roman investigate on opposite sides to catch the criminal. However, the latter’s methods for gathering information are illegal. Ryan tries not to let his love for the mafia princess jeopardize his job, but when her life is endangered, he makes a decision that could ruin his career and his chances at happiness with Valentina.
Escaping Ryan is Ginger Ring’s second book in the Genoa Mafia Series involving the Caponelli family and Ryan Donovan. It’s a lovely romance with a suspenseful mystery that had its usual suspects, with the identity of the killer only revealed near the conclusion. Valentina is strong willed with a lively personality. Ryan is reserved but is not a person who backs down easily, especially when he wants something. The romantic scenes are not graphic ones, but I wanted to know more about Valentina and Ryan’s past, how they really met as it’s briefly mentioned. Ginger Ring's writing is engaging and I liked how she started the catchy beginning. This is an easy flowing, suspenseful page-turner that also described Lake Genoa’s beauty and its landmarks. Escaping Ryan by Ginger Ring is an enjoyable book if you’re looking for a light read.
Recommend this book:
Finding Lyla
Book Ten In The Bodyguards Of L.A. County Series
Cate Beauman
2017 Bronze Medal
452 Pages
Check current price
Romance - Suspense
Finding Lyla by Cate Beauman is a riveting story with a great setting and an engaging plot. Dancer Lyla Markovik-Avery, the daughter of a former dancer, becomes a serious and committed dancer too. She visits her beloved Russia, traveling with Collin Michaels who is assigned by her somewhat overprotective father as a guard. The chemistry between the two comes off easily and readers will love to see them grow to love each other. But Russia has more surprises for them than they could ever have imagined. Someone wants Lyla dead and getting out of Russia could be the only way to keep her alive. But how can she get out of Russia when anyone she crosses could be a spy following her? Readers will be pulled in as they watch the pair take the path less traveled. Question is: Can they make it out alive?
This is a gripping story that is character-driven and, although there are no great twists in the plot, the author has crafted characters that will keep readers focused and engaged. I wasn’t surprised that Michaels and Lyla could get to like each other. I enjoyed the fact that the relationship between the two isn’t rushed and it comes across just naturally. The action is intense and the writing has a tantalizing feel to it that will have readers gripped by the story. Finding Lyla is the tenth book in The Bodyguards of L.A. County Series and even if I never read the other books in this series, this one read well as a standalone novel, thanks to Cate Beauman’s gift for plot and narrative. I found this book to be well-paced and utterly engaging.
Recommend this book:
His Chance
HIS Series Book 4
Sheila Kell
2017 Bronze Medal
321 Pages
Check current price
Romance - Suspense
His Chance by Sheila Kell is the fourth book in the HIS romance suspense series. This is a book that would appeal most to a mixed audience of mature young adults and adults who enjoy romances with an element of danger mixed in, and who do not mind explicit language and sexual situations. Rylee Hawkins first meets Devon Hamilton when she wakes up in his room in Vegas after a night of drinking. With little to no memory of meeting him, she flees after knocking him out with lamp. Devon Hamilton works at Hamilton Investigation & Security (HIS) and has not been in the field since his time in the CIA, when Greg Donovan was killed four years ago, yet when a member of HIS mentions that Rylee may be in danger, he finds himself being drawn back into fieldwork.
I liked the fact that I was able to enjoy His Chance by Sheila Kell as a standalone novel without any knowledge of the previous books. I felt like I was missing some character development of the Hamilton siblings, but none of that was vital to understanding or enjoying the book. I was originally worried that the book would lean towards being too graphic, due to the elements of trafficking in the book, but Sheila Kell managed to keep the elements realistic without being horrifying. I enjoyed the character interactions between Rylee and Devon, especially as Rylee’s feelings for Devon began to grow, and she realized how much he truly meant to her. I enjoyed this book so much that I am already planning to read the first three books in the series!
Recommend this book:
Spotless
Spotless Series Book 1
Camilla Monk
2017 Honorable Mention
322 Pages
Check current price
Romance - Suspense
Spotless by Camilla Monk is an awesome love story that will actually make a great rom-com one day. The story follows a woman named Island Chaptal. She is a romance novel enthusiast and a boring IT professional. She may seem like a stiff upper crust woman, but she is a warm blooded woman who is waiting for her Mr. Right ... yet when she actually comes across him, he is not someone she anticipated. He is a gentleman, but he is also after something. He wants the diamond that was her grandmother’s and he also wants her house … clean?
Yup, he is a neat freak and together Island and March will try to trace the diamond, and she has to do all that while they fight off people who are not shy of killing and getting what they want. They don’t care if Island is innocent. She and March are going to different places, and maybe along the way they fall in love? Steam up the room and ignite the fire? Well, maybe. You will have to read it to find out.
What can I say? I’m a sucker for a great romance. This novel is clean (almost, there are some steamy scenes that I won’t trade for nothing), with a hero that is swoonworthy, and a heroine that is a little too straight and falls head over heels in love with this amazing man. The characters were beautifully done, they are fully developed, they make you laugh with them and appreciate their wit and charm. A truly 5 star novel that deserves tons of attention.
Recommend this book:
Deceiving Bella
Book Eleven In The Bodyguards Of L.A. County Series
Cate Beauman
2017 Honorable Mention
700 Pages
Check current price
Romance - Suspense
Wow! Just, wow! That’s exactly what I thought when I finished reading Deceiving Bella: Book Eleven in the Bodyguards of L.A. County Series by author Cate Beauman. This book grabbed me from the very start and kept me reading obsessively all the way through to the very end. Follow the story of Isabella “Bella” Colby, a young woman who finally feels as if her life is what she wants it to be: normal. She has good friends, a nice home and a career she can be proud of. She meets her handsome neighbor, Reed McKinley, a retired police officer, just as her long lost father turns up and threatens everything she has worked so hard for. When Reed finds out about Bella’s dangerous past, his developing feelings for her make him prepared to do almost anything to save her. Will he succeed? You’ll need to read this excellent book to find out!
I loved Deceiving Bella. Loved. It. How’s that for a review? Well, it’s absolutely how I felt about this wonderful read by Cate Beauman. The author has done an excellent job in creating characters that her reader will connect with, relate to, and truly come to care about. If that isn’t a hallmark of a great author, I’m not sure what is. The story is exciting and suspenseful, full of romance and just an all-round great read of fiction. I am pleased to be able to highly recommend Deceiving Bella: Book Eleven in the Bodyguards of L.A. County Series and look forward to reading more from the very talented author, Cate Beauman, as soon as I possibly can!
Recommend this book:
Love Bleeds Blue
Hot Cops. Hot Crime. Hot Romance. (Passion Patrol Series Book 4)
Emma Calin
2017 Bronze Medal
302 Pages
Check current price
Romance - Suspense
Love Bleeds Blue (Hot Cops. Hot Crime. Hot Romance.) by Emma Calin is the fourth book in the suspenseful romance series Passion Patrol. This is a book that would appeal most to a mixed audience of mature young adults and adults who have enjoyed the Passion Patrol series and who do not mind profanity, mild violence, innuendo, and sexual situations. Sergeant Sophia Castellana rescues boy band star Charles Gonin from what is believed to be an attempted kidnapping. After being rescued by the beautiful Sergeant Sophia Castellana, Charles becomes determined to have her as his bodyguard and hopefully much more. Will Charles get his wish; will Sophia decide Charles is worthy of her heart; will the two survive the events that are unfolding around them?
Love Bleeds Blue by Emma Calin is a well-written steamy romance that could easily be read as a standalone novel. I really liked the fact that I did not miss out on anything by not having read any of the previous books in the series. I quickly found myself liking Sergeant Sophia Castellana as she was a strong female character who did not lose her femininity. I liked the mix of action and adventure elements as these kept the plot unpredictable, which allowed the story to have a real plot line instead of just coming off as another predictable romance novel. Overall, I really enjoyed the novel and I especially liked the way that the author developed Sergeant Sophia Castellana and Charles Gonin as unique individuals brought together by circumstance.