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 - Science/Technology
- 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
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Recommend this book:
The Angel Theory
John Morelli

2023 Silver Medal
369 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Legal

The Angel Theory by John Morelli is about Bill Arena, a man disgusted with and depressed by the law. Now aged 55, he is in the middle of a crisis in his career, marriage, and supporting his children. An old friend from his high school, now a genius physicist, asks Bill for help. Peter Swanteck has made time travel possible, but using it might have unwanted consequences for the world. Peter convinces Bill to help him, and eventually, the control of the project is passed to Bill. With the time machine under his command, he opens Pandora’s box of chaos that slowly destroys his life and everyone around him. Bill Arena has to make a hard choice - destroy the machine before it can be used as a weapon or allow himself to be consumed by self-interest.
John Morelli’s The Angel Theory is an interesting, exciting, and well-written novel that hooks you from the start. While the narrative is partly science fiction with the element of time travel, Morelli grounds his narrative through its main protagonist - Bill Arena. Morelli zooms in on the vividly detailed world of Bill as he goes through various twists and turns that challenge his morals. His focus on characters rather than the quirks of time travel allows Morelli’s novel to expand organically. Through Bill, we realize that sometimes truth is stranger than fiction and probably more complex than we think. This allowed me to engage in a what-if conversation with myself, giving me a better understanding of Morelli’s writing style. This is a cleverly written work that is a must-read for fans of science fiction and thriller narratives.
Recommend this book:
The Hippocratic Deception
Susan Walberg

2023 Bronze Medal
368 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Legal

The Hippocratic Deception is a medical thriller by Susan Walberg. Justina Gonzales is applying for an internship at McIntyre, Jones, and Hancock. Justina has no experience and is ecstatic when she is offered a health law internship. A nurse shares her concern with Mother Marie that a drug diversion is going on and that many people may be involved. Justina is partnered with Frank, and her first assignment is investigating the complaint. When the compliance officer, Michelle, wants to do an audit, one of the doctors yells at her. Michelle disappears after she quits her job. A few employees are starting to disappear, and Mother Marie is threatened to withdraw the complaint. The doctors in the clinic do their best to thwart the investigation and Justina is not sure who she can trust anymore.
Susan Walberg took me on a rollercoaster ride in The Hippocratic Deception. It was fast-paced and full of action and suspense. I just kept turning the pages, unable to put it down; I was too afraid to miss anything. The plot is well-planned and executed. The storyline had my attention from the start and I was intrigued. The chapters alternated between Justina and Therese and flow into each other, The characters are authentic and relatable; they could be anyone I know. My favorite character was Justina because she is strong and knows what she wants out of life. The story is well-written and the twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat. I never knew what would happen next. The Hippocratic Deception far exceeded my expectations.
Recommend this book:
The Amsterdam Deception
Book One in The David Knight Series
Tony Ollivier

2023 Bronze Medal
276 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Espionage

The Amsterdam Deception: The David Knight Series Book 1 by Tony Ollivier places us in the shoes of David Knight, a professional ballerino touring Europe with the Canadian ballet troupe; his first foray into this continent of incredible history and abundant differences. One night after rehearsals, David and his good friend Razor venture out into Amsterdam, seeking an education in this foreign culture. Little did David know that the experience would dump him into a washing machine ride through incredibly complex and dangerous waters, where his very survival would become his absolute objective. Governmental control, greed, and religious dogma all converge on a mysterious target. This cynosure paradoxically becomes both David’s greatest hope and his most dire peril. This is something only David can unlock. The ultimate question to be answered is will David survive the shocking revelation?
Tony Ollivier’s The Amsterdam Deception is a rich, fast-paced adventure through some truly incredible backdrops within Europe. The way these locales are written into the reader’s imagination is palpable, and you can almost feel the chill air of Amsterdam or the smooth transit of the TGV as it races through this exciting journey. The characters are all quite believable, diverse, and imbued with accurate blends of humanity, both good and evil. It was particularly clever how David’s understanding of his circumstances was developed, starting with stark confusion and evolving at a slow burn to the point where he understood what had happened to him and who the players were. The amount of empathy this built for his character was impressive. I would recommend The Amsterdam Deception to all those readers who love quality mystery adventures on a global stage.
Recommend this book:
The Child Riddler
Angela Greenman

2023 Finalist
320 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Espionage

The Child Riddler is a thriller by Angela Greenman. Zoe Lorel’s life was perfect. She had a dream job and was planning to marry the love of her life. Everything changed when Zoe was sent to abduct and interrogate a nine-year-old girl. The girl knew the code to the most lethal weapon on earth, and Zoe must get the code from her before someone else obtains it. When the existence of the weapon was revealed, the girl’s life was in danger. Anyone who could benefit from possessing the weapon was after it. Zoe had become attached to the child and must protect her at all costs. Would Zoe be able to use her skills to keep the girl safe from attack, and what would happen to her when everything was over?
The Child Riddler is an outstanding and brilliant tale of espionage. There was never a dull moment on this roller coaster ride. Angela Greenman had my attention from the first page, and I was hooked until the end. It was fast-paced and a brilliant read. The descriptions of the events were detailed and vivid, and I was drawn into them. It was easy to lose myself in this story and become part of it. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. It was a real page-turner full of twists and turns. The characters were excellently developed and were both authentic and intriguing. My favorite was Zoe. She was tough, intelligent, and had all the skills she needed to be an international spy. This thriller was well-planned and executed. It was a fantastic story, and I loved the ending.
Recommend this book:
The Olympus Project
Gaia Book 1
Zoë Routh

2023 Gold Medal
432 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Environmental

The Olympus Project is a work of fiction in the science fiction and dystopian subgenres and forms the first installment in the Gaia series. It is best suited to mature readers and was penned by author Zoë Routh. In this opening adventure to what promises to be a clever, exciting, and well-developed series, we find ourselves in a future where humanity’s neglect of the global climate has left Planet Earth desolate and unliveable. The titular Olympus Project offers a means to colonize the moon, spearheaded by our central protagonists, the bright minds of Troy Bruin, Xavier Consus, and Xanthe Waters. But this intrepid trio is about to discover that there are those who don’t actually want salvation for the planet unless it’s under their total control.
Author Zoë Routh creates a superb dystopian setting for this thrilling novel, and one which is realized both in the cinematic aspect of the description, but also in its psychological atmosphere thanks to the sinister, tense undertones of the characters and the impending doom which they face should their mission fail. In terms of character development, I found the three personalities of the leading characters to be distinct in dialogue, approach, and attitude, which made it all the more exciting to see them put to the test in different ways and how they utilize the teamwork of their different skills to overcome the horrendous issues they face along the way. Overall, the fascinating concept and the vivid immersive qualities of The Olympus Project make it a fantastic choice for sci-fi readers everywhere and I’d highly recommend it.
Recommend this book:
The Rise and Fall of Antocracy
The Antunite Chronicles - Book 2
Terry Birdgenaw

2023 Honorable Mention
296 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Environmental

In a futuristic timeline on a different planet, insect-like creatures have evolved to the point where they control activities, similar to what we have on Earth. This planet is called Poo-ponic where almost-human size ants, bees, roaches, and worms coexist in harmony. However, a friendship between two ants with drastically different views on life is about to disrupt the harmony of this once-peaceful planet. Anthiery must decide if his friendship with Antilla is worth losing the respect of the ant he loves and what could be his greatest invention ever. Read on as a growing rivalry and its consequences push the planet to the precipice in Terry Birdgenaw's The Rise and Fall of Antocracy.
The Rise and Fall of Antocracy has the initial appearance of a book targeted at children but the more I read, I realized the storyline and content are of a mature orientation with present-day implications befitting a much older spectrum of readers. Terry Birdgenaw goes out of his way to superbly flesh out the background of this interesting story. The organization of the insectoids right down to their names, and the methods of calculating time, is impressive. The ease with which the story transitions across the different generations, and the characters that play primary roles, is remarkably fluid. What I like most about this story is the way Birdgenaw integrates real issues, such as deforestation, genocide, evolution, and the search for the perfect system of government, which is easy to understand and identify with irrespective of the age of the reader. With even doses of romance, action, and adventure, this tale is top-quality and in a class of its own.
Recommend this book:
The God Protocol
Dragon
D. L. Wilburn Jr.

2023 Honorable Mention
351 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Conspiracy

In The God Protocol: Dragon by D. L. Wilburn Jr., John works for DHS and knows that a more extreme Cold War is coming. He is pleased to know that the new satellites will deliver 5G across the world as well as Global Shock. Dr. Berzing reports the potential collision course of several space objects headed toward the edge of the galaxy to NASA. The United States and China are supposedly working together to make first contact, but some believe that both countries are keeping secrets that could cause serious problems later. George runs an internet show where he gives the news headlines an angle of conspiracy that keeps his followers entertained and thinking about what might really be going on behind the scenes. As theories prove to be much more than simple conspiracies, George realizes that his show could cost him more than he anticipated, maybe even his life.
The slowly revealed truth about conspiracy theories and the way the characters backed up each idea with believable context rounded out the well-thought-out plot. This story is unique and has an air of mystery that kept me reading until I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I have no doubt that future readers won’t be able to put it down either. I liked that this story is not extremely fast-paced but delivers key events and points without feeling overdone or rushed. I recommend The God Protocol: Dragon by D. L. Wilburn Jr. to anyone who enjoys a suspenseful story that twists the things we thought we knew into something new and exciting. I hope to read more from this talented writer.
Recommend this book:
Secrets of the Rabbi's Mafia
Thriller Murder Mystery About a Jewish Rabbi's Secret Mafia's Crime Stories and an Amateur Legal Sleuth.
Irv Segal

2023 Finalist
536 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Conspiracy

Secrets of the Rabbi’s Mafia by Irv Segal is a fascinating mystery on a dazzling mission to delight the most discerning fans of crime fiction and international legal thrillers. The story unfolds in 1995 in Chicago’s Cook County. Jack Cooper is a graduate of Rabbinical College who spent his younger life in the secluded Ultra-Orthodox Jewish community. Recently divorced, Jack braves the turn-point exit from the Ultra-Orthodox lifestyle and ventures out to his first Jewish singles event where he meets Mindy Stein. She is a mother of three, married to Ultra-Orthodox Sender Stein whom she is seeking to divorce. Mindy and Jake take to each other but Mindy’s pending divorce stands in their way. Before long, Jack finds himself investigating the murder of Mindy’s husband.
While reading Secrets of the Rabbi’s Mafia I felt as if I was watching a 4DX film, navigating the uncharted waters of Talmudic law and Ultra-Orthodox Jewish traditions amidst the citrusy scent of esrog and cozy cholent permeating the scenes of atmospheric celebrations of Shabbos and Bar Mitzvah. I was fascinated by the superb atmosphere and exquisite complexity of the plot as it evolves in this easy-to-read and fast-moving story, unforgettable for its all-around brilliance. Irv Segal eruditely enhances the suspense and mystery with witty insights into the Talmudic laws, leading to unexpected revelations. I am delighted to have discovered Segal’s book, and I look forward to reading his next mystery.
Recommend this book:
Particles in the Air
A Dr. Mallory Hayes Medical thriller, Book 1
Jenna Podjasek

2023 Gold Medal
285 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Medical

Jenna Podjasek pens a hold-your-breath, action-packed medical thriller in her debut Particles in the Air. Dr. Mallory Hayes works at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, GA. She enjoys her work and has a boyfriend and a close relationship with her family. Other than being claustrophobic, Mallory’s life is good. Dr. Erik Lindgreen, a genius-level research scientist in the field of gene therapy, works at Paragon Genomics in Sweden. Erik is meticulous, arrogant, and prone to acts of violence. When Erik’s manipulative dark side takes a diabolical turn for the worse, he is called into a meeting and fired! Driven by revenge, Erik partners with a local radical Islamic cell group to engineer a deadly virus. He will have his fame in one way or the other. During the development of this despicable plan, a record-breaking tsunami hits the coast of southern California. Thousands are killed, and tens of thousands are missing. This disaster is perfect for an act of bioterrorism. Dr. Mallory Hayes finds herself in the middle of this horrendous outbreak, fighting against a biological evil never seen or imagined before.
Particles in the Air by Jenna Podjasek is a thrilling read. Time is counting down, pages must turn quickly to keep up with the fast pace of the plot. Podjasek pens short chapters, changing locations often, interconnecting the characters in the timeline of events. The narrative reveals what happens when a sociopathic scientist and ISIS pair up with the disastrous force of mother nature. As she states: “Nature isn’t always predictable,” and neither are Podjasek’s characters. The heroine’s supporting characters shape, sharpen, and prove her dynamic growth throughout the narrative. Likewise, the evil cohorts entangling the villain and his malevolent scheme fuel the fire of good versus evil at an accelerated rate. The surprising twists and unexpected turns propel the action and create an oh-my-goodness shock and awe factor. Podjasek being an immunologist pens authentic science, making bioterrorism real and threatening, which subsequently makes the virus the ultimate antagonist. This is an extraordinary and equally exhilarating read. I am looking forward to what happens next in the life of Dr. Mallory Hayes.
Recommend this book:
The Algorithm Will See You Now
A Novel
JL Lycette

2023 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Thriller - Medical

The Algorithm Will See You Now by JL Lycette is a prophetic medical thriller set in the year 2035, where artificial intelligence serves as a medical diagnostician. One doctor questions its efficacy and ramifications, and it doesn’t stand well with her superiors. Doctor Hope Kestrel is a High Resident at Prognostic Intelligent Medical Algorithms, a Seattle-based hospital taking a quantum leap in diagnostic services, and which is about to merge with Seattle Healthcare Associates. PRIMA is everything that Hope has ever wanted in a healthcare system, the one she wished had existed for her ailing mother. But despite PRIMA’S optimization to help patients flourish, it still makes an error. One patron or patient that is admitted into the service triggers Hope and her intern, Jacie Stone, to scrutinize and investigate. Hope begins to doubt the infallibility of the algorithm. She will come face to face with Marah Maddox, an imposing figure in the business, where Hope will discover a dark secret in the creation of the algorithm.
The Algorithm Will See You Now brings you a theme that is sublime and alternately shocking. The story touches on a subject that we have all experienced. If you have ever gone to the hospital for treatment, this tale is enough to reverberate in your heart and soul. JL Lycette takes inspiration from the medical field and with visionary panache gives you a jaw-dropping what-if scenario in the future of medical diagnostics. The pace has the right balance between building up the tension and giving revelations. Details are evocative and the medical jargon is easy to understand. The fascinating subject matter and the bravura of its protagonist make the medical innovations mesmerizing to read about. This story has an intense emotional structure that will appeal to fans of medical thrillers.
