150 Award Genres
Children
- Children - Action
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- Children - Audiobook
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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
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- Fiction - Fantasy - Epic
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- Fiction - General
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- Fiction - Mythology
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Non-Fiction
- Non-Fiction - Adventure
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- Non-Fiction - Anthology
- Non-Fiction - Art/Photography
- Non-Fiction - Audiobook
- Non-Fiction - Autobiography
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- 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
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Recommend this book:
The Nosferatu Conspiracy
The Sleepwalker
Brian James Gage

2020 Silver Medal
440 Pages
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Fiction - Supernatural

The Nosferatu Conspiracy is a work of supernatural thriller fiction penned by author Brian James Gage, and this novel is book one, titled The Sleepwalker. In this highly graphic and wonderfully disturbing thriller novel (written for adults due to such mature content), we explore the fascinating world at the end of the Romanov dynasty in Russia at the opening of the twentieth century. As well as the political and social climate of the time, the novel focuses on the mysterious and dangerous figure of Rasputin, and spins a highly entertaining and diabolical tale of vampires, mysticism, and death, in place of what Russian officials claim to be the truth.
I adore this time period in history, particularly because of all the mystery and conjecture about Rasputin and his incredible influence over the Romanov family and their policymaking, so to see such a fabulous supernatural tale come out of all that mystery is nothing short of brilliant. Author Brian James Gage weaves his own dark fantasy tale in and out of real history with such an adept hand that he makes you believe that vampires and other such dark conjurings could indeed have been real at the time. What results is a powerfully grim tale with an accurate historical atmosphere and a highly inventive thriller plot that keeps you gripped at every turn, adding layer after layer of darkness to a story you thought you already knew. Overall, The Nosferatu Conspiracy: The Sleepwalker is just the beginning of what is sure to be a truly superb series.
Recommend this book:
The Wake Up
Angela Panayotopulos

2020 Bronze Medal
320 Pages
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Fiction - Supernatural

The Wake Up by author Angela Panayotopulos is a roller-coaster ride from the first page to the last, a book that I read in one sitting. One minute I rooted for our resident main character to succeed, while the next minute I wondered whether the bad guys were truly bad. The protagonist, Lexi, is struggling with a gift she inherited from her grandfather. A gift she considers a curse. She sees people’s true reflections (horns, tail, and all). Practically, the devil inside all of us. She tries to ignore it, but that’s when bad things start to happen.
When the story begins, Lexi is a child, and we experience the story from many perspectives, including her own and her villains, too, while she grows into a versatile young woman. Her road is more than bumpy, and although her skills and the author’s knowledge about glass blowing is remarkable, to me, the amount of innocence and fake innocence that’s woven into the pages made it truly amazing. I loved the contrast between good and evil, while the author managed to blur those lines more often than not.
Angela Panayotopulos has a brilliant sense of humor and an easy to follow, entertaining writing style. I also loved the insecurities, the way the story developed, and, as Lexi grew up, a bigger threat unfolded, keeping me on my toes. The Wake Up is perfect for those looking for a nail-biting read, where every chapter changes your perspective on what truly happened. I was already a fan of the supernatural, but the unique way the author depicted Lexi’s world took my breath away. I can recommend it for fans of paranormal, coming of age, and visionary fiction.
Recommend this book:
The Ninth Session
A Psychological Suspense Novel
Deborah Serani

2020 Bronze Medal
194 Pages
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Fiction - Suspense

In The Ninth Session by Deborah Serani, when psychologist Alicia Reese agrees to take on a referral client, little does she realize what horrors face her. On first meeting Luke/Lucas Ferro, Alicia believes she is facing a client with simple panic attacks, but as the sessions continue, he has some brutal and disturbing confessions to make which throw the client/therapist confidentiality ethics into question. Alicia is determined to help Luke overcome the painful events of his past but at what cost? As her personal struggle to overcome the loss of her husband intensifies, Alicia is not sure if the strange occurrences around her home are the figment of her imagination or is her new client watching her?
The Ninth Session by Deborah Serani has to be one of the best books I have read this year. I literally could not put it down. The author is an absolute master of building tension and suspense. I loved the added touch of Alicia coming from a hearing-impaired family, and the characters are created in a unique way, not with the stereotypical traits of deaf people. Every character has been carefully designed and even the minor characters such as Steve were believable. The relationship between Alicia and Luke was spectacular and I loved how it developed slowly over each session. There are some surprising twists in the plot, which I did not foresee but which were absolutely superb. The dialogue between Luke and Alicia was excellent too. I loved how he played mind games with her as she questioned him. This is a great exploration of the nature/nurture argument for sure. I did empathize with Luke towards the end which shocked me a little because his character was so disturbing. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a suspense novel. But definitely not to be read in the dark.
Recommend this book:
The Hiding Girl
Emily Calby Book 1
Dorian Box

2020 Honorable Mention
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Suspense

At twelve years old, your focus is generally on school, friends, and family – not murder, death, and despair. However, that is exactly where young Emily Calby finds herself when her family is brutally killed by two men and she is the sole survivor. Now on the run from the men who killed everyone she loved most, she finds herself in need of things she has never before considered, like a fake ID. She meets Lucus, an ex-gang member, who has agreed to help her as a mentor of sorts. Emily learns self-defense and about herself during this time. But will she be able to confront her attackers or will more people be hurt? Will she?
The Hiding Girl: Emily Calby, Book One by Dorian Box was an interesting twist on another heart-pounding thriller. I do not often read many thrillers where the main protagonist is in their early teens, though I was quickly fascinated by this tale. It was a unique mix of hope, shattered innocence, pain, fear, and vulnerability. Emily showed incredible strength to keep moving forward when there are people double her age or more who consider giving up and sometimes do in books I have read. That said, as much as I admired Emily, I found myself falling hard for Lucus. Despite his rough exterior, he took in a young girl and gave her protection when she needed it most. He was a much-needed father figure and a wonderfully devoted mentor and friend. Overall, this was a great, suspenseful read and I look forward to a promising thrilling series from Dorian Box.
Recommend this book:
The Weight of a Moment
Michael Bowe

2020 Bronze Medal
358 Pages
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Fiction - Tall Tale

The Weight of a Moment by Michael Bowe is a compelling story that explores the depth of failure, the pain of tragedy, the beauty of friendship and how it can empower people to retake control of their lives after experiencing hopelessness. The reader is introduced to two characters who are genuinely flawed and deeply human as they struggle to reconcile with their pasts. An award-winning journalist and columnist's name quickly becomes a valuable brand for The Philadelphia Post and his articles become more trusted than those of any other journalists. But he can’t forgive himself when one of his articles leads to a tragedy. His heart is filled with chagrin. He runs to Pennsylvania, escaping from his past and it is here that he meets Tom Corbett, a successful antiques dealer who has been shamed by an online video that has shattered everything he’s built — business, marriage, and family. These two men are going to experience a friendship that sets them on the path to redemption and to recreating life, not only for themselves but for others.
A beautifully written and inspiring story that is filled with realism and pathos. Told in the first person narrative voice, it captures the viewpoints of the characters with brilliance. There are insightful passages that compel readers to reflect on the human condition and the idea of meaning. The prose is excellent and it is interesting how the author captures the life of the journalist. The themes of pain, the quest for meaning, friendship, and purpose are deftly handled. The reader quickly understands that life is shaped by moments, sometimes very brief, and these moments could be glances, “tearful goodbyes, fortunate turns, unfortunate accidents, promises kept, promises broken, triumphs, failures, and regrets.” The Weight of a Moment is emotionally rich, psychologically exciting, and inspiring. Michael Bowe makes readers care about his characters and feel like a part of their world.
Recommend this book:
The Lighthouse Keeper
A Story of Mind Mastery
David Richards

2020 Finalist
200 Pages
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Fiction - Tall Tale

The Lighthouse Keeper: A Story of Mind Mastery is a work of fiction in the dramatic, inspirational, and action and adventure sub-genres, and was penned by author David Richards. Written for audiences of all ages, this accessible and interesting work focuses on central protagonist Sam. As the novel’s title suggests, Sam aspires to become a lighthouse keeper and starts work as an apprentice. But the job delivers a lot more than its initial promises and sends Sam off on the path towards an adventure like no other. What results is a beautifully told story of aspirations and making the most out of life.
Author David Richards has crafted a wonderfully adventurous book that will grab all different kinds of readers and sweep them up in its storytelling. The narrative quality of the book is well structured and penned with beautiful prose that helps us get closer to Sam and his surroundings. I found the descriptive work to be cinematic, and I was particularly captivated by the images of the sea and the lighthouse itself. There are stylistic shifts that give us different narrative styles and viewpoints, and this lends itself to the psychological qualities of the book and those deeper moments when Sam is really changing and growing with the tasks set for him. Overall, I would certainly recommend The Lighthouse Keeper: A Story of Mind Mastery for readers seeking a uniquely told story that offers so much more than a first glance may suggest. An accomplished work of dramatic fiction.
Recommend this book:
The Midnight Call
Jodé Millman

2020 Honorable Mention
460 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Legal

The Midnight Call by Jodé Millman is a legal thriller. Jessie Martin is a successful attorney, mentored by a high school teacher, Terrence Butterfield. Midnight. The phone rings and Jessie answers it. Terrence is pleading for help, admitting to killing someone, and loyalty has her rushing to him. There’s a lot at stake here though, not least Jessie’s professional life and her unborn baby. The police arrive to start the investigation into the body of a boy in Terrence’s basement but Jessie is uncertain – is she there as a friend or attorney? A monster betrayal sees Jessie fighting for everything she ever held dear in a bid to get to the truth behind the murder. Is Terrence innocent or has he been playing Jessie all along?
The Midnight Call by Jodé Millman was inspired by a true crime that, to my mind, made it even more gripping. Right from the start, the story drags you into a complex, thrilling plot with plenty of subplots to add mystery. This is an 'action all the way' thriller, there’s no let-up and the story will leave you wanting more – indeed, I hope there is a sequel to this. The characters were fantastic, well developed, and real people that you can instantly relate to, and all the different plots wound together to create a book that you won’t want to put down. The only downside is that I felt there was rather too much going on at times but this was one legal thriller that I thoroughly enjoyed and can't wait for more.
Recommend this book:
The Secret Brokers
Alexandrea Weis

2020 Finalist
380 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Espionage

The Secret Brokers is a work of thriller fiction with plenty of intrigue and was penned by author Alexandrea Weis. Written for adults but highly accessible to all readers due to low levels of graphic content, this mystifying and engaging read takes the world of spies and espionage to dangerous new heights. We find ourselves embroiled in an investigation into the mafia, where protagonist Dallas August puts his organization of elite spies to the task, and charges in headfirst to lead them by going undercover. His target is Gwen Marsh, a beautiful but reclusive character who will give nothing away, no matter how close he tries to get. What follows is a fascinating mystery with plenty of dangerous twists and turns.
Readers who love action novels, as well as spy thrillers, will get plenty of bang for their buck out of reading this excellent and engaging Secret Brokers Series novel. Author Alexandrea Weis has a real talent for keeping her audience guessing right until the very last chapters of the novel, which maintains intrigue and tantalizes readers with clues throughout. Gwen and Dallas make for an interesting pair with strong personalities that clash, but when they come together the sparks do fly. As a series opener, the novel does a great job of setting up Dallas as a central figure in his own right, and fans of the previous Nicci Beauvoir series will also find flashes from the past here and there too. Overall, The Secret Brokers is a highly entertaining and recommended read.
Recommend this book:
The Curious Case of the Missing Head
A Medical Thriller (Jack Rogan Mysteries Book 5)
Gabriel Farago

2020 Gold Medal
523 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Conspiracy

The Curious Case of the Missing Head is a work of thriller fiction set in the medical sub-genre and was penned by author Gabriel Farago. This involved and cunning mystery is a standalone novel, but it also features as the fifth book in the Jack Rogan Mysteries series. In this particular adventure, the Australian journalist Jack Rogan finds himself derailed once again in the search for answers about the vanishing of his mother years ago. When a famous astrophysicist is kidnapped, Jack dives in headfirst to search and rescue, but when his exploits see him arrive at a horrifying hospital ship, things really take a turn for the worst.
Author Gabriel Farago knows how to make a good thriller tick, and the pacing of this quite long novel makes for a fast and furious read that will keep you turning its pages. The different obstacles and enemies which come into play in the novel are grounded in realistic roots, which makes them all the more dangerous and exciting to read about as Jack gets deeper into the mystery. Fans of detective fiction are sure to enjoy this capable hero for his intellect and sharp thinking in a crisis, but there’s also a generosity from the author to allow us to share in the investigation without everything being spoon-fed to us as we solve it. Overall, The Curious Case of the Missing Head is a heart-stopping adventure tale that is sure to become a favorite amongst fans of thriller and crime action books alike.
Recommend this book:
The Pinebox Vendetta
Jeff Bond

2020 Bronze Medal
284 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Political

The Pinebox Vendetta by Jeff Bond is the first book in the Pruitt-Gallagher saga, and it follows the devastating consequences of a feud that has existed between two families since revolutionary times. On a weekend, when the Yale University class of 1996 plans their reunion, each member of the two feudal families belonging to that class is expected to be present. Owen Gallagher is positioning himself for the Democratic nomination for the presidency. Rock Pruitt, an eccentric character whose political career was marred decades ago because of a tragic death in which he was involved, is sailing back to take his rightful place in the clan. Samantha Lessing is a woman with her own personal and marital troubles and she has a plan for the reunion: make an audio documentary of the conflict between Pruitt and Gallagher. What happens next is a revelation with far more repercussions than anyone might have imagined.
This is a story that is written in a style that is atmospheric and with characters that are rich and colorful. The political setting reflects the tensions American politics faces today, with characters that allow ancient feuds to drive them. There is a powerful twist in the story and a lot that no one could see coming. Family, politics, clan loyalty, murder, and mystery are a few of the themes that are deftly written into the story. Jeff Bond is a great storyteller who creates unforgettable characters and a conflict that moves the plot forward in strange directions. The Pinebox Vendetta is intensely emotional, packed with action, and elements that provide utter entertainment to readers. Can’t wait to read the next book in the saga.
