IndieReader Discovery Awards 2024 Entrants
Added as our reviewers read them, find the latest verdicts for the 2024 IndieReader Discovery Award entrants, leading up to the big winner announcement in June!
Is it political unrest or wealth inequality when the evil and the benevolent blur lines? Mike Trigg’s cunningly crafted, bias-bending thriller, BURNER, challenges the definition of extremism when it’s defined by preconceived opinions and leaves readers to decide which side–if either–is truly evil.
Wonderful characters and a unique storyline give THE EXTRAORDINARY IMAGINATION OF JENNY FIGMENT (by Jennifer Hayes) its sweet and charming attraction for younger and older kids alike. This “chapter book” contains a glossary to help kids discover new words from the text, and the lifelike illustrations help bring the story along. With easy-to-read chapters, each just a few pages long, “JENNY” is a nice addition to story time.
Written by Sheryl Bass and illustrated by , BABY DRAGON’S BIG SNEEZE is an inspiring book based on the themes of empathy and mutual understanding. By witnessing Mirabelle’s bravery and seeing the generosity of the townspeople, readers learn that people can overcome any misunderstandings when they show kindness and cooperation to one another. The book is sure to resonate with readers of all ages based on its positive message.
Hank Quense’s CREATING YOUR FIRST NOVEL is an essential reference for budding writers that meticulously details the phases required for a successful writing career. Quense, a prolific author of over thirty novels, goes beyond story design to demonstrate how prospective authors can create marketing plans for their books that will allow them to pursue the more business-oriented end of the profession. Given that it captures the elements necessary to produce successful books in the twenty-first century, this is an integral companion that all genre writers should acquire.
SOULSCAPES by Lee Woodman lyrically weaves together nature, mythology, mysticism, and human relationships and will transports readers across time and space, leaving them with a feeling of peace and tranquility and a desire for more.
Through a combination of mini memoir, well-researched statistics on sex trafficking, and information on therapy through natural aids like psilocybin, meditation and spiritual pursuits, the author Sarah Lauren presents her chosen methods for healing the inner child damaged by sexual abuse in her fascinating and courageous book, ALCHEMIZING EXPLOITATION.
QUIET DESPERATION by Rodney Nelsestuen offers a deeply introspective exploration of its protagonist, Winston Williamson, showcasing the complexity of human frailty and moral ambiguity. Despite the novella’s somewhat leisurely pace in parts, Nelsestuen’s skillful character development and poignant portrayal of inner turmoil make it a compelling literary work that draws readers into Williamson’s world. Readers will find themselves empathizing with his flawed yet captivating journey of self-discovery.
Logan D. Irons’s novel OATHS OF BLOOD is a story about bravery and devotion. It is a masterly representation of the terrible attack at Jerusalem, which imparts to readers a sense of religious fervor possessed by crusaders, the tactics used by their commanders, as well as issues concerning their living conditions. The book excels in detailing the intricate dynamics within the crusading army, highlighting the personal ambitions, alliances, and heavy toll of the campaign. Through vivid descriptions and well-crafted characters, Irons’s offers a nuanced exploration of the medieval mindset, the concept of honor, and the cost of conquest, making it a compelling read for those fascinated by history and the human condition amidst the crucible of war.
Richard I Levine’s TO CATCH THE SETTING SUN is a suspense-packed thriller where a serial killer stalks the young women of Oahu. Hank Benjamin is a down-and-out detective who has a personal connection to the case and knows the killer will strike again. The vigorous plotline doesn’t lose any steam as Hank partners with a female detective to halt a sadistic killer before he claims another victim in this absorbing crime novel.
In the enchanting narrative of THE STRANGE TWINS OF BEN MORE by Anthony Spaeth, readers are transported to the mystical Hebrides. Gad and his faithful pony, Lull, embark on a perilous journey, where they encounter a host of mythical creatures, from menacing monsters to the enigmatic enchanter Hoon. Infused with vivid imagery and thrilling adventures, this captivating tale seamlessly weaves elements of mythology with adventure, promising a delightful reading experience for both younger audiences and adults seeking an engaging and intriguing story.
K.T. Conte’s AWOKE (The Unseen War Book 1) is a promising beginning to a unique paranormal romance series—one that blends Biblical imagery, epic combat, and surprising eleventh-hour twists.
In BETTING ON BERNIE: A Memoir of a Marriage, Martha Marks touchingly details her 50-year marriage with businessman-turned-fine artist Bernie. More sincere and self-assured than most memoirs, this work is a testament to love’s complexity and beauty.
With THIN PLACES, the second book in the Miskatonic series, Barbara Cantrell has woven another frightful and compelling adventure for Ellen Logan. It’s winter quarter at the University and Ellen already has a full plate: her jealous boyfriend Phil, a celebrity stalker, and a serial killer making a mess all over town – not to mention her eagerness to be a part of the university’s exclusive “special program,” which doesn’t seem to want her back. Then, on top of it all, her friend is kidnapped and the investigation – again alongside Professor Andrew Carter – leads her down a wildly dangerous path. Another thrillingly dark exploration of the mythos of the Miskatonic, THIN PLACES is a wonderful addition to Cantrell’s sinister series.
When best friends Stella and Hana find the war journals of Stella’s grandfather and great-grandfather in the attic, they plan to turn them into a larger school project, but then another war comes along and impacts them even more personally. Charles Bruckerhoff’s PLOWMAN: HARVEST OF GRAIN & INNOCENCE has a strong political intonation that examines themes of law and order and character-building with a deep bench of cursory characters — from the present and past — that enforces his message of morality and an American government that has gone awry.
Author Renaii West expertly intertwines backstory in this double narrative amateur-sleuth mystery. The story mesmerizes readers with a quirky cast of belly dancing and pyrotechnic performers determined to find the truth of their friend’s death. The arrogant, creepy “villains” learn they shouldn’t have crossed Brighid LaFlamme et al. as they find themselves on THE WRONG SIDE OF THE FLAME.
After the loss of his husband David, Jesse and his son Matthew are just trying to make it through each day in the wake of their grief. Out of the blue, Jesse’s niece Gloria turns up – pregnant after an assault – looking for a safe space away from the judgment of her conservative family and the restrictive abortion laws in Texas. In his efforts to help Gloria, Jesse is drawn back into the hateful drama of his family back in Lubbock and has to contend with all of resurfacing memories of their disowning of him as a young man – not to mention saving Gloria from an even worse fate. Timely and emotional, Bill VanPatten’s REFUGE is a beautiful story about finding your true family in the face of overwhelming hatred and prejudice. Readers will be drawn into this rich tapestry that VanPatten has woven, full of relatable characters trying to navigate complicated, stressful situations with grace and dignity. The world is a vicious and harrowing place to exist, sometimes even in our own homes, but we all hope for kindness, love and justice to prevail.
Shady J. Srour writes about his experience in the SECRETS OF HEALING THE BRAIN by recommending the amalgamation of allopathic conventional medicine with alternative health modalities. A varied approach of utilizing natural therapy and herbal medicine in support of conventional medications might be the answer, as each person’s body is unique; not one-size-fits-all. In this compendium, he proposes a vegan diet, low stress, exercise, and eliminating technological interferences as a pathway to optimal brain health.
PRICE OF VENGEANCE by Kurt D. Springs is a creatively detailed science-fiction adventure that delivers suspenseful military action with remarkable character depth. A young outsider must battle against enemy forces to save his planet, forcing him to face discoveries about where he comes from, who he truly is, and the strong bonds he learns to embrace.