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
 
​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
​The 2019 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: Children’s/Juvenile

The Outstanding Children’s/Juvenile Non-Fiction

Little Miss HISTORY Travels to THE NORTH POLE by Barbara Ann Mojica

Finalist
​
Acting Scenes for Kids and Tweens: 60 Original Comedy and Drama Scenes for Young Actors by Mike Kimmel
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
Non-Fiction: Art/Music/Performing Arts

The Outstanding Art/Music/Performing Arts

Monologues for Teens: 60 Original Monologues to Stand Out, Inspire, and Shine by Mike Kimmel

Finalists
​
Clowns Dancing on a Tank by Hank Brusselback and Brad Armstrong