2019 Book of the Year Award Winners
The 2019 Fiction Books of the Year
First Place - Touching the Wire by Rebecca Bryn
Second Place - Let There Be Light: A Twin Hearts Novel by A.M. Johnson
Third Place - The Return of King Lillian by Suzie Plakson
First Place - Touching the Wire by Rebecca Bryn
Second Place - Let There Be Light: A Twin Hearts Novel by A.M. Johnson
Third Place - The Return of King Lillian by Suzie Plakson
The 2019 Non-Fiction Books of the Year
First Place - Resurrection Lily: The BRCA Gene, Hereditary Cancer & Lifesaving Whispers from the Grandmother I Never Knew by Amy Byer Shainman
Second Place - Breaking Vases: Shattering Limitations & Daring to Thrive: A Middle Eastern Woman's Story by Dima Ghawi
Third Place - King Here: Never Too OLD, Too RICH or Too ANYTHING to Meet Jesus by Trish Porter Topmiller
First Place - Resurrection Lily: The BRCA Gene, Hereditary Cancer & Lifesaving Whispers from the Grandmother I Never Knew by Amy Byer Shainman
Second Place - Breaking Vases: Shattering Limitations & Daring to Thrive: A Middle Eastern Woman's Story by Dima Ghawi
Third Place - King Here: Never Too OLD, Too RICH or Too ANYTHING to Meet Jesus by Trish Porter Topmiller
The 2019 Category Winners and Finalists
Congratulations to all Winners.
Finalists, listed in random order.
2019 Fiction Category Winners and Finalists
Congratulations to all Winners.
Finalists, listed in random order.
2019 Fiction Category Winners and Finalists
Fiction: Action/Adventure
The Outstanding Action/Adventure Actions of Violence: Jack Connor Series Book 1 - Gary Baldocchi Finalists The Mutiny Girl: Book 1 by Karen S. Gordon Steel Force: A Jack Steel Thriller by Geoffrey Saign The Tree of Life: A Dr. Nicklaus Hart Novel by Timothy Browne Amie and the Child of Africa by Lucinda E Clarke Dark Spiral Down by Michael Houtz The Rusted Scalpel: A Dr. Nicklaus Hart Novel by Timothy Browne |
Fiction: Christian/Religious
The Outstanding Christian/Religious Fiction Among the Crepe Myrtles by Kim Williams Finalists Stranded In The Wild by Gary Rodriguez Julia's Gifts: Great War - Great Love by Ellen Gable The Rusted Scalpel: A Dr. Nicklaus Hart Novel by Timothy Browne Where You Lead by Leslea Wahl The Tree of Life: A Dr. Nicklaus Hart Novel by Timothy Browne Grace in Mambasa by Tracy Traynor |
Fiction: Fantasy
The Outstanding Fantasy Hexborn by A.M. Manay Finalists The Rose Queen by Alison McBain The Return of King Lillian by Suzie Plakson Guardian: The Choice-Magical Beasts by Geoffrey Saign Destroyer's Blood by Michael Lynes Zeus Is Undead: This One Has Zombies by Michael G. Munz Fortune's Fool: A Gideon Quinn Case by Kathleen McClure |
Fiction: First Novel
The Outstand First Novel The Return of King Lillian by Suzie Plakson Finalists The Lost Valor of Love by E A Carter Lights on the Sea by Miquel Reina Children of the Elements: A Steampunk Adventure by Ora Wanders Once Upon a Time a Sparrow by Mary Avery Kabrich Life Happens on the Stairs by Amy J. Markstahler BRoken EXIT by K.N. Palmer Shadow Resistance by B.J. Cyprian |
Fiction: Historical
The Outstanding Historical Touching the Wire by Rebecca Bryn Finalists A Hundred Fires in Cuba by John Thorndike How Dare The Birds Sing: A Novel of Love and Fate by Marina Osipova The Lost Valor of Love by E A Carter To My Best Girl: Courage, Honor, and Love in the Civil War: The Inspiring Life Stories of Rufus Dawes and Mary Gates by Steve Magnusen Tread Softly on My Dreams by Gretta Curran Browne The Sheriff's Catch: The Sassana Stone Pentalogy by James Vella-Bardon |
Fiction: Horror
The Outstanding Horror The Rising: The End Time Saga by Daniel Greene Finalists Memoir From Hell by Stephen Ross The Deal Maker by Lou Yardley Atomic City Terror: Curse of the Murderous Dummy by Michael Ray Laemmle Copper Pennies by Carrie D. Miller Crueler and More Unusual: Four More Short Stories of Judicial Horror by Erik Dean |
Fiction and Non-Fiction: Humor/Comedy/Satire
The Outstanding Humor/Comedy/Satire Zeus Is Undead: This One Has Zombies by Michael G. Munz Finalists Bocas: a novel by Thomas M. Barron Trumpism Uncensored Survival Handbook: Tush by Nicholas Dines The Dumb Class: Boomer Junior High by Mike Hatch I Animal by Kevin Del Principe Section Roads by Mike Murphey The Allmoods Cookbook, Second Volume by Evelyn Elgin The Kitchen Therapist |
Fiction: Literary/General Fiction
The Outstanding Literary General Fiction Once Upon a Time a Sparrow by Mary Avery Kabrich Finalists A Well-Respected Man by David W Berner Little Girl Leaving: A Novel Based on a True Story by Lisa Blume Three Ways to Disappear by Katy Yocom I, Claudia by Lin Wilder A Hundred Fires in Cuba by John Thorndike Corner Confessions by Kiersten Hall Dew Angels by Melanie Schwapp |
Fiction: Mystery
The Outstanding Mystery Murder in Plane Sight by Julie Holmes Finalists Between the Lies: A Novel by Cynthia A. Graham Counter Point by Marji Laine The Errant Flock by Jana Petken The Golden Peacock: a Rainee Allen mystery by Lauren B. Grossman Two Hearts Under Fire by Tamara Ferguson Shadowed by Death: An Oliver Wright WW II Mystery by Mary Adler |
Fiction: Paranormal/Supernatural
The Outstanding Paranormal/Supernatural Hypnosis: A Return to The Past by Maria Inês Rebelo Finalists Jordan by Victoria Landis Dickensen Academy by Christine Grabowski Hypnos: Seeking the Zodiacs Book One by RJ Blain Ghost of a Chance by McKenna Dean Duality by Ametra S. Rayford Nights Arose by Andrea Roche |
Fiction: Romance
The Outstanding Romance Until the Last Star Fades by Jacquelyn Middleton Finalists Hope from Daffodils by Karen Coulters Twisted Rock by Jill Sanders Born of Nothing by Jill Ramsower Elliot's Choice by Kimberly Miller Julia's Gifts: Great War - Great Love by Ellen Gable Once Upon a Romance: A Dream Come True by Alex Bailey |
Fiction: Science Fiction
The Outstanding Science Fiction The Chronocar: An Urban Adventure in Time by Steve Bellinger Finalists Falcon's Call by Mike Waller Lucky by RH Webster NanoMorphosis by Marla Anderson Star Marque Rising by Shami Stovall Fortune's Fool: A Gideon Quinn Case by Kathleen McClure Athena's Choice by Adam Boostrom |
Fiction: Novella
The Outstanding Novella Two Hearts Under Fire by Tamara Ferguson Finalists 720 Heartbeats by Jaka Tomc The Window by E.H. Graham Christmas With Niagara by Susan Jean Ricci Two Hearts In Accord by Tamara Ferguson Finger of an Angel by Panayotis Cacoyannis Sharing Sea Glass by Susan Jean Ricci |
Fiction: Thriller/Suspense
The Outstanding Thriller/Suspense The Black Fox: Run for your life... by Gordon Bickerstaff Finalists Dark Spiral Down by Michael Houtz Actions of Violence: Jack Connor Series Book 1 - Gary Baldocchi The Mutiny Girl: Book 1 by Karen S. Gordon AESOP by Michele Packard Steel Force: A Jack Steel Thriller by Geoffrey Saign Status: Missing by D. W. Maroney |
Fiction: Women’s Fiction
The Outstanding Women’s Fiction How Dare The Birds Sing: A Novel of Love and Fate by Marina Osipova Finalists Chance for Rain by Tricia Downing Josephine's Daughter by A.B. Michaels Hope from Daffodils by Karen Coulters Bedside Manners: A Novel by Heather Frimmer Last Turn Home by Lara Alspaugh Still Breathing by E. A. Fournier Both Sides of Love by Kimberly Wenzler |
Fiction and Non-Fiction LGBTQ
The Outstanding LGBTQ Let There Be Light: A Twin Hearts Novel by A.M. Johnson Finalists Candle on the Water: A Novel by M.A. Myers What You Don't See by Livi Hallahan Stitches by Samantha Simard TYSON: a sister's love be limitless by B.L. Wilson Risk: Three Crime-fighting Women Risk All for Love, Lust and Justice by Sam Skyborne The Boys of Summer by Sarah Madison Murder at White Oak by Marko Realmonte |
Fiction: Young Adult/Teen/New Adult
The Outstanding Young Adult/Teen/New Adult Guardian: The Choice - Magical Beasts Book One by Geoffrey Saign Finalists Hexborn by A.M. Manay The Return of King Lillian by Suzie Plakson The Haunter by Kendra Alvey Love: A Tangled Knot by Eichin Chang-Lim Life Happens on the Stairs by Amy J. Markstahler Ranger Nader & The Sunstruck Phantom by Kam Karem |
Fiction: Children’s/Juvenile
The Outstanding Children’s/Juvenile Fiction Puppy Pickup Day: The Little Labradoodle by April M. Cox Finalists Stranded In The Wild by Gary Rodriguez Mylee In The Mirror by Ellie Collins Imagine That: The Magic of The Mysterious Lights by George Yuhasz How I Lost My Ear by Adam Beck Relay by Roy Lieberman Etty Steele Vampire Hunter by Grayson Grave |
Fiction: Children’s Illustrated
The Outstanding Children’s Fiction Illustrated Imagine That: The Magic of The Mysterious Lights by George Yuhasz Finalists Ruby, Alfie and the Mother's Day Card by Hil Gibb Dorje the Yak by Caryn Hartman Relay by Roy Lieberman The Witch's Cat and The Cooking Catastrophe by Kirstie Watson Puppy Pickup Day: The Little Labradoodle by April M. Cox Dash and Victoria Find True Love by Vicki Tashman |
2019 Non-Fiction Category Winners and Finalists
Non-Fiction: Business/Sales/Economics
The Outstanding Business/Sales/Economics Beyond Product: How Exceptional Founders Embrace Marketing to Create and Capture Value for Their Business by Jill Soley and Todd Wilms Finalists Owning the Dash: Applying the Mindset of a Fitness Master to the Art of Family Financial Planning by Anthony C. Delauney Fifty Scams and Hoaxes by Martin Fone 5 Critical Things For Successful Book Signings by Adam Dreece |
Non-Fiction: Career/Occupational
The Outstanding Career/Occupational Being Indie: A No Holds Barred Self-Publishing Guide for Authors by Eeva Lancaster Finalists The Work at Home Training Program: The Ultimate Guide to Working at Home, Making Extra Money, and Avoiding Scams by Bethany Mooradian Champion Your Career: Winning in the World of Work by Halimah Bellows The Shield of Silence: How Power Perpetuates a Culture of Harassment and Bullying in the Workplace by Lauren Stiller Rikleen |
First Non-Fiction
The Outstanding First Non-Fiction Breaking Vases: Shattering Limitations & Daring to Thrive: A Middle Eastern Woman's Story by Dima Ghawi Finalists Straining Forward: Minh Phuong Towner's Story by Michelle Layer Rahal Resurrection Lily: The BRCA Gene, Hereditary Cancer & Lifesaving Whispers from the Grandmother I Never Knew by Amy Byer Shainman Short Hair Detention: Memoir of a Thirteen-Year-Old Girl Surviving the Cambodian Genocide by Channy Chhi Laux Finding Hope in the Journey: Recognize His Message by Heidi Tucker Married to Merlot: A Memoir With a Message of Hope by Martha Louise Unwanted: How a Mother Learned to Turn Shame, Grief, and Fear into Purpose, Passion, and Empowerment by Linda Smith |
General Non-Fiction
The Outstanding General Non-Fiction Breakdown: A Clinician's Experience in a Broken System of Emergency Psychiatry by Lynn Nanos Finalists No Dancing, No Dancing: Inside the Global Humanitarian Crisis by Denis Dragovic Unwanted: How a Mother Learned to Turn Shame, Grief, and Fear into Purpose, Passion, and Empowerment by Linda Smith Transition Point: From Steam to the Singularity by Sean A. Culey Hindsight: Coming of age on the streets of Hollywood by Sheryl Recinos The Joy of Cruising: Passionate Cruisers, Fascinating Stories by Paul Thornton The Reclusive Writer & Reader of Bandra by Fiza Pathan |
Non-Fiction: History
The Outstanding History Missing: A World War II Story of Love, Friendships, Courage, and Survival by Kenneth D. Evans Finalists Silent Spring - Deadly Autumn of the Vietnam War by Patrick Hogan The Face Of A Monster: America's Frankenstein by Patricia Earnest Suter Low on Gas: Nick Mamer's 1929 Venture - High on Sky by J.B. Rivard An American Story: My Family and Yours - Liberation of the Inner Self is Power by Dr. Mamie Smith Tobacco, Trusts, and Trump: How America's Forgotten War Created Big Government by Jim Rumford |
Non-Fiction: Education/Reference
The Outstanding Education/Reference The Learning Project: Rites of Passage by Lincoln Stoller Finalists How to Survive Your Freshman Year by Yadin Kaufmann and Mark Bernstein Tobacco, Trusts, and Trump: How America's Forgotten War Created Big Government by Jim Rumford Holistic Gemz: How to treat seasonal allergies naturally by Keisha Christian Writing the Cozy Mystery: Expanded Second Edition by Nancy J. Cohen |
Non-Fiction: Health/Medicine/Fitness
The Outstanding Health/Medicine/Fitness Resurrection Lily: The BRCA Gene, Hereditary Cancer & Lifesaving Whispers from the Grandmother I Never Knew by Amy Byer Shainman Finalists Look What Dragged the Cat In: The Rise of an Opioid Crisis by Scott Stevens Unblinded: One Man's Courageous Journey through Darkness to Sight by Kevin Coughlin and Traci Medford-Rosow Your Body's Environmental Chemical Burden: A Resource Guide to Understanding and Avoiding Toxins by Cindy Klement 90 Days to Live: Beating Cancer When Modern Medicine Offers No Hope by Rodney Stamps and Paige Stamps Raising The Bottom: Making Mindful Choices in a Drinking Culture by Lisa Boucher Responsive Dementia Care: Fewer Behaviors Fewer Drugs by Helen Buell Whitworth and James A Whitworth |
Non-Fiction: Memoir/Biography/Autobiography
The Outstanding Memoir/Biography/Autobiography (Tie) Straining Forward: Minh Phuong Towner's Story by Michelle Layer Rahal Freckled: A Memoir of Growing Up Wild in Hawaii by TW Neal Finalists Breaking Vases: Shattering Limitations & Daring to Thrive: A Middle Eastern Woman's Story by Dima Ghawi Short Hair Detention: Memoir of a Thirteen-Year-Old Girl Surviving the Cambodian Genocide by Channy Chhi Laux Why Can't Somebody Just Die Around Here? - A story of war, deprivation, courage, perseverance, and triumph by Gerhard Maroscher A Light in the Darkness: Transcending Chronic Illness through the Power of Art and Attitude by Lisa Sniderman Resurrection Lily: The BRCA Gene, Hereditary Cancer & Lifesaving Whispers from the Grandmother I Never Knew by Amy Byer Shainman The Last Surviving Child: A Memoir by Thuy Rocco |
Non-Fiction: Parenting/Family/Relationships
The Outstanding Parenting/Family/Relationships A Mother's Heart: Memoir of a Special Needs Parent by Eichin Chang-Lim Finalists She's Got This!: Essays on Standing Strong and Moving On by Hartman Joanne and Hill Mary Claire Love Is the Answer, God Is the Cure: A True Story of Abuse, Betrayal and Unconditional Love by Aimee Cabo Nikolov Helping your Troubled Friend by Richard Schwindt |
Non-Fiction: Christian/Religious
The Outstanding Christian/Religious Non-Fiction King Here: Never Too OLD, Too RICH or Too ANYTHING to Meet Jesus by Trish Porter Topmiller Finalists God Is Out to Get Us: At All Costs - The Life of Abraham by Carol Bond Wagner The Little Love That Could: Stories of Tenacious Love, Underdogs, and Ragamuffins by Pamela Capone Judgment Of The Nephilim by Ryan Pitterson Sammy: Hero at Age Five by Mary Schmidt and Gene Donley Cross of a Different Kind: Cancer & Christian Spirituality by Anthony Maranise |
Non-Fiction: Self-Help
The Outstanding Self-Help A Year of Living Kindly: Choices That Will Change Your Life and the World Around You by Donna Cameron Finalists Sitting on the Toolbox: Buddha's Wisdom for a Joyful Life by Venerable Bhante Sujatha and Stacey Stern Belonging: Remembering Ourselves Home by Toko-pa Turner Raising The Bottom: Making Mindful Choices in a Drinking Culture by Lisa Boucher A Mother's Heart: Memoir of a Special Needs Parent by Eichin Chang-Lim And Then I Got Fired: One Transqueer's Reflections on Grief, Unemployment & Inappropriate Jokes About Death by J Mase III Your Precious Sight: An Optometrist's Most Memorable Cases by Eichin Chang-Lim |
Non-Fiction: Spiritual/Inspirational
The Outstanding Spiritual/Inspirational Belonging: Remembering Ourselves Home by Toko-pa Turner Finalists Sitting on the Toolbox: Buddha's Wisdom for a Joyful Life by Venerable Bhante Sujatha and Stacey Stern A Light in the Darkness: Transcending Chronic Illness through the Power of Art and Attitude by Lisa Sniderman Saying Yes: An International Love Story by Patrice Lefebvre King Here: Never Too OLD, Too RICH or Too ANYTHING to Meet Jesus by Trish Porter Topmiller The Little Love That Could: Stories of Tenacious Love, Underdogs, and Ragamuffins by Pamela Capone Jewel in the Mud: Zen Musings by Harmony Kent |
Non-Fiction: Travel/Nature/Photography
The Outstanding Travel/Nature/Photography Dancing With Death: An Epic and Inspiring Travel Adventure by Jean-Philippe Soulé Finalists Excess Baggage: One Family's Around-the-World Search for Balance by Tracey Carisch U.S. Route 1: Rediscovering the New World by Mark A. Marchand Love in The Eye of The Storm: Hurricane Irma, Saint Martin & Togetherness by Billy Nahn Walkabout to Wisdom: Awakening to Nature's Teaching in the Australian Outback by Lachlan Hughson Amsterdam Exposed: An American's Journey Into The Red Light District by David Wienir |
Non-Fiction: Human Interest
The Outstanding Human Interest Hindsight: Coming of age on the streets of Hollywood by Sheryl Recinos Finalists I Don't Belong Here by Ms Melissa Grunow King Here: Never Too OLD, Too RICH or Too ANYTHING to Meet Jesus by Trish Porter Topmiller Champion Your Career: Winning in the World of Work by Halimah Bellows Intoxicating Tango: My Years in Buenos Aires by Cherie Magnus |