IndieReader Discovery Awards 2025 Entrants
Added as our reviewers read them, find the latest verdicts for the 2025 IndieReader Discovery Award entrants, leading up to the big winner announcement in June!
OMEGA I: THE CREATION is a gripping thriller that dives into the dark world of child sex trafficking and the failures of the legal system, following a group of ordinary citizens who take justice into their own hands by forming the Omega Group. David J. Story crafts a morally complex narrative with sharp, direct writing that immerses readers in both the victims’ suffering and the relentless pursuit of justice by the Omega Group. With fast-paced storytelling, vividly drawn characters, and a thought-provoking exploration of justice versus vengeance, this gripping novel combines emotional depth, high-stakes action, and an unflinching look at real-world horrors, making it a must-read for crime thriller fans seeking both intensity and substance.
Clarinetist David Singer’s biography, FROM CAB DRIVER TO CARNEGIE HALL is a delightful mix of musical detail and life experience. As a young Jewish boy in the 1950’s, with parents and family members who escaped the horrors or World War II, he suffers from their trauma which often turns abusive. At the same time, his aptitude for music, especially the clarinet, opens new doors. He fell in love, married, made tough decisions in favor of his family, and cobbled together jobs to pay the bills while working on his music. That paved the way for performing for Presidents Carter and Clinton, and working with pianist Rudolf Serkin. Singer’s style is conversational and engaging. While he doesn’t shy away from the more disturbing incidents in his life, neither does he define himself by them. The love of music shines through, and the daily details of rehearsals, individual practice, performance, and building a life both in and out of the musical world are beautifully rendered. The details of his international adventures and his expressive curiosity shine, and the behind-the-scenes anecdotes are fascinating. The memoir FROM CAB DRIVER TO CARNEGIE HALL is energetic, clever, and informative.
Scott Parrish’s BILOXI: A STORY OF HOPE is a stirring historical fiction novel set during the civil rights movement that resulted in school desegregation. Through ambivalent characters, such as Charlie, who loses a leg in a farm accident and is forced to move his family down south, where things are very different, the tense racially divided atmosphere is captured with blacks and whites refusing to mix in the recently desegregated school. However, when his son boldly decides to befriend their black neighbors, he and his wife must ask themselves whether it is enough to simply avoid cruelty or if they need to do more.
Jessica Levine’s third novel in the THREE COUSINS series takes place in the 1970’s, prior to the events in THE GEOMETRY OF LOVE and NOTHING FORGOTTEN. Julia, Robin, and Anna are all bright young college women, eager to define themselves and build lives of worth, art, and love. To do so, they have to navigate the misogyny put on them by their families and even, at times, by the men who claim to love them. Along the way, they learn about generational trauma, and how to unlearn the harmful lessons their mothers taught them out of lack of their own choices. The three central protagonists are engaging, smart, and funny. Their love and loyalty for each other, and the way they unite to help each other grow and change into the best they can be, makes for a terrific journey. Levine renders the obstacles, current events, joys, sorrows, and daily details of the time with a clear eye and a loving heart. A coming-of-age novel that makes the reader eager to know the rest of these characters’ lives, Jessica Levine’s THREE COUSINS will keep the reader’s light on well into the night for the best possible reasons.
Raising children is a different experience for most people, but because making parental mistakes is a part of the game, sharing the wisdom learned can be a valuable outcome. FIRESIDE REFLECTIONS: A PAPA’S LESSONS FOR A SUCCESSFUL LIFE by Alan Dahl gives readers a glimpse of life’s ups and downs and how building a strong family and personal character leads to a solid platform, generation after generation. With stories, lessons, and personal insight, the author lays out the realities of life.
THE LIFE AND SPIRITUAL JOURNEY OF NO ONE by R.J. Fidalgo is a profound and deeply personal narrative that blends raw life experiences with spiritual awakening. Through vivid storytelling and introspection, the author takes readers on a transformative journey of self-discovery, offering insights into balance, resilience, and the pursuit of inner peace.
IMMORTAL GIFTS, the first book in the IMMORTAL VAMPIRES series by Katherine Villyard, reimagines the vampire tale through the eyes of Abraham, a Jewish violinist in 19th-century Prussia who becomes a vampire after a well-intentioned patron turns him. As he flees from an ancient enemy driven by intense hatred, Abraham’s journey spans centuries and continents—ultimately finding him in modern-day New Jersey, where he hopes for peace, only to discover that danger still lurks. A unique mix of historical depth, emotional complexity, and supernatural suspense, this novel explores the harsh realities of prejudice and survival, making it a must-read for fans of dark fantasy and character-driven stories.
It’s not so easy to believe in what someone thinks is a fairy tale, but in THE BALLAD OF WALKER OWENS by Greg M. Dodd, the story brings a father and son closer together. Easy-to-read chapters and an underlying theme of faith bring the story of time travel to an almost believable ending. Or is it really true? A fun, realistic fantasy that opens the door to “anything is possible” dimensions.
Many writers – and workshops – will advise wannabe scribes to ‘just write’ or ‘make up a storyboard’ or simply concentrate on the how-tos of writing. Not Karin Adams. THE ONE-WEEK WRITING WORKSHOP is a printed version of her live workshops and takes readers through seven days of well-orchestrated instructions, beginning with icebreakers and reminders. Each day introduces a new element, from generating ideas to revisions (and a mandatory day of rest!). Remedies for procrastination are also included; overall, a good process for any writer-to-be (whether of fiction or not) to follow.
MIDNIGHT FOR JUSTICE is the thrilling first book in the Warren and Carmichael Legal Thrillers series, where two lawyers—Lt. Duncan Carmichael, a seasoned U.S. Navy officer, and Sydney Warren, a bold ACLU volunteer—are thrust into a decades-spanning conspiracy. Their journey begins with the defense of a sailor accused of murder on a naval base, but years later, a mysterious yacht wreck on Vancouver Island connects their old case to stolen military weapons and a violent far-right extremist uprising. Set in the breathtaking Pacific Northwest, this fast-paced legal thriller intensifies with each chapter, combining rich character development and meticulously researched legal details, making it a captivating start to a promising series.
TANGLES, the title of Kay Smith-Blum’s book is more than apt: Alternating stories from Mary Boone and Luke Hinson, at first, seem unrelated – except as next-door neighbors in the northwest United States. Mary’s tale centers on highly classified scientific work during the mid- and late 1940s; Luke’s, his doctoral thesis about radioactive waste in Washington State waters. The tangles: Luke’s relationship to Mary’s twins; Mary’s disappearance; radioactive impacts on area citizens, and more. Sobering, realistic narrative with easy-to-like protagonists.
In this impactful and absorbing memoir, Michael Shandler shares his extraordinary journey from an emotionally and physically abusive childhood in 1950s South Africa to the psychedelic counterculture of the ’60s and ’70s before graduating with a doctorate in 1983 and becoming a sought-after life coach and award-winning author. Shandler effortlessly takes the reader through decades, continents, and cultures as he searches for spiritual fulfillment and a sense of belonging. Written with compelling candor and peppered with a diverse mix of fascinating characters that step from the page, KARMA AND KISMET is a vivid and moving read that deserves a broad audience.
Ernestine Whitman’s beautiful memoir COUNTER MELODIES is structured as a prose sonata, integrating the two forms to create a book that’s intentionally lyrical and profoundly memorable. She loved music and loved playing the flute from a young age and crafted a professional life as a musician. The price she paid, and how she learned to heal the many wounds inflicted on her along the way are told in an unsparing but beautiful prose. Whitman takes the reader on the journey with her, including behind-the-scenes, with the nuts and bolts of working in a professional orchestra, navigating rehearsals, practices, and touring. Throughout it all is Whitman’s love for her profession. COUNTER MELODIES is a moving memoir, sure to stay with the reader.
CONSIDERING US by Jenn Bouchard follows Devon Paige—a private chef who, after a scandalous affair ruins her career, takes a new job at a prestigious boarding school where she reconnects with Kyle Holling, a man from her past. As she navigates a blossoming romance with someone new, Devon is forced to confront old feelings and decide whether to rekindle her connection with Kyle or pursue a fresh start. With a blend of humor, emotional depth, and a compelling storyline, this novel beautifully explores second chances and the complexities of love, making it a perfect read for romance lovers.
Francesco Paola’s debut novel, LEFT ON RACHO, is an engaging suspense novel following a burned-out tech entrepreneur, Andrew, coming to a dead-end desert town to help his childhood best friend save his cannabis business. The book digs into the nuts and bolts of both the legal and illegal aspects of the cannabis business world in great detail, along with the extreme party aspect involved in marketing and raising funds from investors. It also intersects with the issues of illegal immigration and the for-profit prison culture. Along the way, Andrew falls in love and learns a lot about his own values, boundaries, and loyalties. The setting is an additional character in the story, making the Mojave Desert come to life.
RIGHTEOUS ALLEGIANCE by George Yuhasz is a brilliant blend of intrigue and action, delving into themes of loyalty and resilience in the face of political turbulence. Yuhasz creates a vibrant narrative with highly drawn characters, captivating readers in a story that combines personal sacrifice with a nation’s struggle for freedom. This novel will appeal to followers of gripping, character-driven dramas.
Dr. Suhayya Abu-Hakima’s ENTREPRENEUR HERETIC OR HERO OF INNOVATION? is an easy-to-assimilate text on becoming a successful entrepreneur. Though the good doctor’s two start-ups targeted AI products – one enabling compliance with content laws; the second, delivering emergency messages – her seven steps to winning are clear and comprehensive. Embedded within the teachings are lessons learned and beliefs, both good messages for any aspiring business person. Start learning here.
Set against the dynamic background of New York’s tech and social scenes, Eve M. Riley’s book THE PHOTOGRAPH dives deeper into the investigation of relationships, identity, and personal development. Riley’s skill in creating clever, multidimensional characters ensures that readers are completely engrossed in a story that blends humor, heartbreak, and self-discovery. This book provides a unique take on modern romance and the difficulty of navigating love in a constantly changing environment.