🏆Writing Contest Winners🏆
We're very pleased to announce the winners of NBR's Writing Contest!
Winners June 2025
🏆Fiction🏆
A Bend in the Willow
by Susan Clayton-Goldner
🥇 1st Place
Overall Score: 9.4/10
Character Development – 9.5/10
The protagonist, Catherine Henry (formerly Robin Lee Carter), is powerfully rendered. Her emotional trauma, resilience, and protective instincts as a mother are deeply believable. Secondary characters, including her son and husband, are also given substantial arcs and emotional weight.
Narrative Arc – 9.5/10
The structure skillfully balances past and present, building suspense around Catherine’s past while maintaining a strong forward drive. The emotional reveals are timed perfectly, giving the story both personal and thematic momentum.
Prose Quality – 9.3/10
Elegant, rich, and lyrical. The writing demonstrates literary finesse without losing accessibility. Descriptions are emotionally loaded without veering into melodrama.
Theme and Emotional Impact – 9.5/10
Themes of redemption, forgiveness, and identity are deeply embedded in the narrative. The emotional resonance is high, and the moral stakes are compelling.
Originality – 9.1/10
Though it treads some familiar ground (abuse survival, maternal protection), it stands out due to the depth of its voice and emotional realism.
Judges' Note: A polished, literary novel with high emotional stakes and character depth. Very few flaws. Exceptional in its genre.
A Hush at Midnight
Secrets, Scandals and a Recipe for Murder
by Marlene M. Bell
🥈 2nd Place
Overall Score: 8.9/10
Character Development – 8.7/10
Annalisse and Alec are well-established as series characters, with chemistry and banter that feel natural. Supporting characters have vivid personalities, though a few might lean toward archetypes.
Narrative Arc – 8.9/10
Tightly plotted, with a mystery that unfolds cleanly and keeps the reader engaged. The pacing balances action and dialogue well, with a gradual layering of clues.
Prose Quality – 9.0/10
Crisp and atmospheric. Descriptive passages are effective without slowing the pace. Dialogue is a standout—sharp, modern, and authentic.
Theme and Emotional Impact – 8.6/10
Themes of trust, legacy, and mortality are subtly woven into the story. While less emotionally intense than other entries, it succeeds in generating intrigue and suspense.
Originality – 8.7/10
A familiar mystery setup, but the execution and international flair give it freshness. The inclusion of animal rescue themes and luxury settings adds flavor.
Judges' Note: Smart and commercial. Great voice, great pace, and broad appeal. Feels like the work of an experienced author who knows her audience.
Stolen Secrets
Book 1 Deadly Secrets Texas Trilogy
by Denise Diana Huddle
🥉 3rd Place
Overall Score: 8.4/10
Character Development – 8.2/10
Sarah Chandler is a strong, assertive female lead, and her dynamic with Ethan Tanner provides romantic tension. Some characters are drawn a bit more broadly (e.g., the antagonistic tool pusher), but the core cast is compelling.
Narrative Arc – 8.6/10
The book begins with an engaging prologue and a fast-paced opening scene involving a drilling accident. The plot moves swiftly with plenty of action, mystery, and chemistry.
Prose Quality – 8.3/10
Clear, engaging, and suited to commercial suspense fiction. Occasionally leans toward expository or functional dialogue, but never distracts from the story.
Theme and Emotional Impact – 8.2/10
Themes of corporate greed, family legacy, and environmental danger are handled thoughtfully. The emotional tension in high-stakes scenes is strong, though subtler emotional beats could be more nuanced.
Originality – 8.5/10
The oil-field mystery angle is fresh and timely. The Texas ranch setting is vivid and immersive.
Judges' Note: Cinematic and fast-paced. Strong hook and a smart, confident female lead. A compelling entry that stands out in suspense or romantic thriller categories.
⭐ Honorable Mentions ⭐
🏆Nonfiction🏆
Ninety-Nine Fire Hoops
by Allison Hong Merrill
🥇 1st Place
Overall Score: 9.5/10
Character Development – 9.6/10
Allison’s transformation from a vulnerable, language-limited immigrant to an empowered woman is vividly portrayed. The cast—including Cameron, in-laws, and cultural gatekeepers—are multidimensional, and even the narrator’s past selves feel like distinct characters with layered growth.
Narrative Arc – 9.5/10
The memoir is structured with remarkable clarity and momentum. The juxtaposition of emotional flashbacks with real-time setbacks builds suspense and catharsis. It reads like a novel, with well-timed twists and redemptive peaks.
Prose Quality – 9.6/10
Lyrical, poignant, and often poetic. Merrill blends humor, metaphor, and raw vulnerability with grace. Her ability to write emotionally heavy moments with stylistic lightness is rare.
Theme and Emotional Impact – 9.7/10
Themes of identity, abandonment, cultural dislocation, and empowerment are powerfully interwoven. The emotional resonance is profound and enduring, particularly for readers drawn to stories of survival and self-definition.
Originality – 9.1/10
While immigrant memoirs are a known category, Merrill’s lens is wholly unique. Her Taiwanese-to-Texas journey, paired with spiritual and linguistic displacement, makes this a standout.
Judge’s Note: A literary memoir of rare power—beautifully written, emotionally rich, and deeply human. It embodies both vulnerability and resilience with tremendous skill. Nearly flawless.
Little Boy, I Know Your Name
Second generation Trauma
by Mitchell Raff
I🥈 2nd Place
Overall Score: 9.1/10
Character Development – 9.3/10
Mitchell’s portrayal of his inner conflict, shaped by trauma and abuse, is painfully authentic. Secondary figures like Uncle Issa and Aunt Sally provide vital contrast, grounding the memoir in love as well as loss.
Narrative Arc – 9.0/10
The structure toggles between past and reflection in a way that enhances tension and introspection. While not as tightly plotted as a novel, it builds with an emotional through-line that crescendos into healing.
Prose Quality – 9.0/10
Candid, reflective, and at times devastating. Though more direct and less stylistic than literary memoirs, its honesty gives the language a raw poetic strength.
Theme and Emotional Impact – 9.5/10
Themes of generational trauma, identity, abandonment, and redemption are explored with searing openness. It’s hard to read without reflection—and that’s its power.
Originality – 8.6/10
Holocaust legacy stories are familiar, but this one stands out for focusing on the inherited trauma and how it manifests in parenting, identity, and masculinity across decades.
Judge’s Note: A bold, deeply personal account of trauma and transcendence. Its emotional integrity outweighs any structural imperfections. Honest, brave, and important.
No Ordinary Love
by BB Gabriel
🥉 3rd Place: No Ordinary Love by BB Gabriel
Overall Score: 8.8/10
Character Development – 8.9/10
Gabbi’s character is fully formed through her inner monologue, flashbacks, and trauma response. The book also subtly captures the complexities of family, support systems, and perpetrators, adding emotional realism.
Narrative Arc – 8.8/10
The memoir captures both a physical journey (the trip with her sister) and a psychological one (confronting trauma). The pacing is emotionally deliberate, though the structure leans more experiential than traditional arc.
Prose Quality – 8.7/10
Direct and affecting. While not as lyrical as other entries, the prose delivers its emotional punch clearly. Strong dialogue and internal narration ground the reader in lived experience.
Theme and Emotional Impact – 9.2/10
Powerful depiction of domestic abuse, PTSD, and healing. The memoir bravely explores how trauma resurfaces and how survival is a layered, nonlinear process. It’s both harrowing and ultimately hopeful.
Originality – 8.3/10
Survivor memoirs are an established form, but this one is distinguished by its urgency and educational mission, including real-world resources and advocacy.
Judges' Note: A raw and necessary memoir that sheds light on intimate partner violence with compassion and strength. Socially vital, emotionally resonant, and thoughtfully composed.
⭐ Honorable Mentions ⭐
🏆Children's Books🏆
Callie the Cat and her Rainbow Lunch
A Deliciously Colorful Adventure
by Kae Kelley
🥇 1st Place by Kae Kelley
Overall Score: 9.4/10
Concept and Educational Value – 9.6/10
This vibrant story transforms lunchtime into a delightful learning experience, promoting healthy eating and color recognition. The rainbow lunch concept is simple yet brilliant, making it a highly accessible introduction to nutrition for young readers. The step-by-step format also fosters participation and curiosity.
Narrative Engagement – 9.3/10
Callie the cat’s enthusiastic voice and the interactive quest for colorful foods create a sense of adventure on every page. The dialogue between siblings feels natural and cheerful, encouraging collaboration, exploration, and fun learning moments at home or in classrooms.
Visual and Structural Appeal – 9.5/10
The book’s visual rhythm—naming, searching, choosing—offers predictability that young children crave while maintaining engagement. The vivid examples of food for each color and the final celebratory lunch reinforce the learning journey. Bonus content like the create-your-own lunch page extends the book’s utility well beyond the last page.
Character and Voice – 9.2/10
Callie, Kiki, and Squeaks bring warmth and playfulness to the reading experience. The dialogue-driven structure invites participation and mimics sibling dynamics with charm. The cat’s curiosity is contagious, and readers will find joy in Callie’s imaginative, can-do attitude.
Originality – 9.4/10
While books about food or color aren’t new, this combination of nutrition education, rainbow-themed fun, and character-driven storytelling makes for a fresh, wholesome take that feels as delightful as it is purposeful.
Judges' Note:
Callie the Cat and her Rainbow Lunch is a playful and colorful invitation to healthy habits. With irresistible charm and interactive storytelling, this book encourages children to look at what’s on their plate with wonder, not reluctance. A standout for both its learning value and read-aloud appeal.
Prickles the Porcupine Learns about Peace Peace is a Fruit of The Spirit
by Janet Ashmore
🥈 2nd Place
Overall Score: 9.2/10
Moral Message – 9.6/10
At its heart, this is a story about emotional intelligence, teaching young readers how to process conflict and seek resolution through dialogue, not anger. The alignment with the spiritual message of peace as a fruit of the Spirit is seamlessly woven without feeling preachy, making it ideal for faith-based and character-building reading.
Storytelling Technique – 9.1/10
Prickles’ journey from frustration to understanding is thoughtfully constructed. The story allows children to witness both emotional escalation and peaceful resolution. The use of repetition, such as the “whish-swish” digging sound, adds rhythm and auditory fun, while reinforcing the conflict that drives the plot.
Characterization and Empathy – 9.2/10
Prickles is a relatable character whose need for peace resonates with both children and adults. Patty, the exuberant puppy, offers contrast and ultimately a beautiful example of problem-solving through empathy. Their dynamic models compromise and cooperation in a child-accessible way.
Illustrative Structure and Engagement – 8.9/10
The structure alternates cleanly between action and reflection, giving young readers space to think. Visual suggestions are strong, though the text-driven format may rely on additional illustrations to reach its full immersive potential.
Originality – 9.1/10
Blending woodland storytelling with spiritual growth, Prickles the Porcupine stands out as a faith-centered parable for kids. Its gentle handling of conflict resolution and personal growth makes it both timely and timeless.
Judges\ Note:
With tenderness, humor, and spiritual insight, Prickles the Porcupine Learns About Peace gives children language and tools for handling frustration in a meaningful, character-building way. A lovely blend of values and storytelling that deserves a place in every moral development bookshelf.
Rooted
A Seedling's Journey
by Tammy Cranston
🥉 3rd Place: Rooted
Overall Score: 9.1/10
Theme and Message – 9.4/10
This heartfelt tale beautifully allegorizes growth, resilience, and mentorship. Dendro’s story mirrors the challenges of growing up, coping with loss, and finding strength through guidance. The metaphor of tree growth offers a rich foundation for discussions on perseverance, purpose, and the passage of time.
Emotional Resonance – 9.3/10
The bond between Dendro and Grandpa Oakey is touching and genuine. From the first storm to the passing of his mentor, the book gracefully navigates complex emotions with sensitivity. The story doesn’t shy away from loss but transforms it into a legacy of courage and support.
Narrative Arc – 9.0/10
The progression from seedling to tree is structured with clarity and growth, culminating in the “Seed to Tree” ceremony—a rite of passage that brings satisfying closure and symbolic triumph. The pacing allows children to digest each milestone without overwhelm.
Imagery and Language – 9.0/10
Cranston’s language is lyrical and accessible, with moments of poetic cadence. The imagery of swirling rings, screeching storms, and helpful owls adds richness to the storytelling, and young readers will be captivated by the earthy, nurturing setting.
Originality – 8.8/10
While the "growing tree" metaphor has been explored before, Rooted distinguishes itself through its blend of natural science (like dendrochronology), emotional intelligence, and the powerful intergenerational wisdom woven throughout.
Judges' Note:
Rooted: A Seedling's Journey is a warm and reflective tale that plants important ideas in young readers’ minds—resilience, remembrance, and rootedness. Both metaphorical and meaningful, it invites children to see growth not as a straight line, but as a journey nurtured by those who came before.
⭐ Honorable Mentions ⭐
🏆 Poetry 🏆
Exits :
Selected Poems
by Stephen C. Pollock
🥇 1st Place
Overall Score: 9.4/10
Poetic Craft – 9.6/10
Pollock demonstrates masterful control of language, rhythm, and structure. From tightly woven formal verse to looser lyrical explorations, each poem is polished, intellectually sharp, and stylistically confident. The craftsmanship reveals a deep poetic literacy and an artist at the height of his form.
Thematic Depth – 9.5/10
Themes of mortality, impermanence, and the natural world are explored with philosophical insight and emotional clarity. The poems often meditate on death not with despair, but with reverence and complexity—balancing the clinical and the poetic with seamless grace.
Imagery and Voice – 9.3/10
Pollock’s images are both haunting and intricate. His ability to infuse scientific or medical motifs with metaphysical undertones gives the collection a rare dual resonance. The poetic voice is mature, composed, and reflective, with occasional ironic or melancholic undertones.
Cohesion and Structure – 9.2/10
The collection is thematically and tonally unified, framed by a strong curatorial eye. The addition of paired artwork deepens the sensory and symbolic experience, though a few pieces feel more abstract than necessary.
Originality – 9.1/10
While many poets have explored death and nature, Pollock’s medical and scientific lens offers fresh terrain. His background subtly informs the metaphors, making this a strikingly original contribution to contemporary poetry.
Judges' Note: A breathtaking collection of formal and lyrical poems, Exits is a meditation on mortality delivered with intelligence, tenderness, and precision. A masterful and resonant work of poetic reflection.
Was It a Dream?
Navigating Life's Journey Through Poetry
by Larada Horner-Miller
🥈 2nd Place
Overall Score: 8.9/10
Poetic Voice – 9.2/10
Horner-Miller’s voice is heartfelt, grounded, and deeply personal. Her conversational yet lyrical tone invites readers into intimate moments with openness and sincerity. It’s the kind of poetry that feels spoken, lived, and shared.
Emotional Resonance – 9.4/10
This collection excels in emotional transparency. Whether reflecting on grief, memory, spirituality, or personal milestones, the poems offer catharsis and vulnerability. The healing arc—from heartbreak to peace—is touching and authentic.
Narrative and Structure – 8.6/10
Structured across key life chapters, the collection functions almost as poetic memoir. While the chronological arrangement works well, a few sections feel uneven in pacing or less distilled than others.
Literary Merit – 8.5/10
Though less experimental or technical than other entries, the poems find strength in clarity and heart. The free verse style is accessible and earnest, though some pieces could benefit from tighter line work or greater metaphorical layering.
Originality – 8.7/10
Themes of aging, loss, and identity are familiar territory, but Horner-Miller brings them to life with distinctive cultural and geographical grounding. Her blend of New Mexican landscapes, spiritual reflections, and life-stage wisdom feels both warm and original.
Judges' Note: A moving poetic journey through time, memory, and meaning. Was It a Dream? reads like a personal invitation—gentle, generous, and ultimately life-affirming. It may not push stylistic boundaries, but it embraces the heart with uncommon grace.
The Way the Cookie Crumbled
by Lizzy Judge
🥉 3rd Place:
Overall Score: 8.5/10
Creativity and Voice – 9.4/10
Judge’s playful imagination and clever wordplay bring delightful characters and absurd scenarios to life. From tweeting sheep to robotic houses, each poem bursts with charm and theatrical energy. Her voice is witty, rhythmic, and fully committed to entertaining readers of all ages.
Accessibility and Appeal – 9.2/10
Perfectly suited for children and families, the collection has strong crossover potential thanks to its humor, rhymes, and light-hearted storytelling. Poems are engaging from the first line and easy to read aloud with enjoyment.
Structure and Flow – 8.3/10
While the poems are consistently well-paced and energetic, the collection feels more like a loose anthology than a tightly curated sequence. Still, the variety adds fun and unpredictability.
Literary Merit – 7.8/10
Within its genre, the work is high-quality. That said, compared to the emotional and thematic weight of the top two entries, this collection’s lighter tone makes it less competitive in a traditional literary contest—but exceptional for its niche.
Originality – 8.7/10
Though whimsical poetry is a known form, Judge’s voice and characters are undeniably her own. From sentient cookies to armadillo rock stars, the imagination at play here is rich and original.
Judge’s Note: A jubilant collection of whimsical verse that feels like Dr. Seuss meets Roald Dahl. Judge’s poems are theatrical, clever, and joyfully absurd. Less a literary heavyweight than a crowd favorite—but a standout in its own right.
Congratulations to ALL Winners and Participants!
We loved reading your books and truly appreciated all of them!
Winners December 2024
🏆Fiction🏆
Ultimatum
(Ultimatum series Book 1)
by Vladimir Fleurisma (Author)
It’s only been 18 months since the 50 year resource war ended in nuclear fire. Now everyone must contend with the new super predator seeking to establish its place as the new apex predator. D is a marine raider with one simple mission. Reach Three Mile Island. To do this he’ll have to cross a nuclear wasteland of sunless cold and sheering winds. Avoid the new mutated apex creature that controls this new world and be wary of anyone else also looking to reach Three Mile Island. He’ll either do it or kill every person and animal he can trying to do it.
Bottled Lightning
by L.M. Weeks
AN INTRIGUING CLIENT. A PASSIONATE ATTORNEY. A DEADLY GAME.
Top global technology lawyer Tornait “Torn” Sagara knows he shouldn’t get involved with his beautiful client, Saya Brooks, whose revolutionary lightning-on-demand invention will solve climate change and render all other energy sources obsolete. But their shared connection as hafu (half Japanese, half American) draws them irresistibly together.
Saya’s technology could save the world, but what’s good for the planet is bad news for those who profit from the status quo. Now, someone wants to stop Saya from commercializing her invention and will go to any lengths—even murder—to do so. When Torn takes Saya for a spin on his motorcycle, they are viciously attacked. That death-defying battle on a crowded Tokyo expressway is only the start of Torn’s wild ride.
As the violence escalates, Torn discovers that everything he values—his reputation, his family, and even his life—is on the line. Racing from the boardrooms of Tokyo to the wilds of
Forgotten Realm of Secrets
by Rose M. Delorane
With Rose M. Delorane’s masterful storytelling, this tale weaves together magic, mystery, and the supernatural into a fast-paced epic saga that draws readers from middle grade to adult. Step into immersive worlds, encounter unforgettable characters, and brace yourself for twists that reveal a world where nothing is as it seems.
He was an outcast. Born into a distant, isolated realm, Lit was different from everyone around him—in both body and spirit. This paranormal world, frozen in another time, demands uniformity, while everything remains hauntingly unchanged. Lit struggles to find his place among the inhabitants of this realm, yet he dreams of discovering his true world.
But leaving this realm has never been possible. The people of this forgotten land believe their border marks the very edge of existence.
Beyond the border lies what the inhabitants believe to be a vast, bottomless void—an abyss from which none have returned. Convinced no one can survive beyond this boundary, the realm forbids anyone from leaving. Bound by ancestral fears and tales of doom, no one has dared to defy the warnings…except Lit.
Driven by a relentless need to uncover his identity and the secrets hidden by the realm, Lit dreams of a world beyond the limits of this harsh and dismal boundary. Determined to find answers, he shrugs off warnings of the evil and malevolent dangers that may exist, and makes a life-altering choice that will change his fate, as well as the realms, forever.
⭐ Honorable Mentions ⭐
🏆Nonfiction🏆
The Good Daughter Syndrome
Help For Empathic Daughters of Narcissistic, Borderline, or Difficult Mothers Trapped in the Role of the Good Daughter
by Katherine Fabrizio
You love your mother, but she drives you crazy.
She controls, criticizes, and butts into your life constantly. Then when you try and set boundaries, the pushback, and resulting guilt is so bad you tell yourself... it's just not worth it.
Is your mother narcissistic, borderline, or just plain difficult?
Are you empathetic, sensitive, and kind?
Do you feel stuck in your relationship with Mom-
-trying to please her but never feeling good enough?
- feel responsible for Mom's emotional well-being?
-struggle to set boundaries without feeling guilty or get so much pushback you end up feeling like ...it's just not worth it?
If so, chances are you have fallen into one or all of the hidden psychological traps that constitute The Good Daughter Syndrome.
I’m Not Dead… Yet
How I turned my misfortunes into strengths
by Dr. Joshua Caraballo
In "I'm Not Dead...Yet: How I Turned My Misfortunes Into Strengths," Industrial-Organizational Psychologist Dr. Joshua J. Caraballo takes readers on an unforgettable journey through the depths of his personal struggles and triumphant resilience. With poignant honesty and raw vulnerability, Joshua shares his battles with mental health, addiction, self-hate, surviving cancer, and coming to terms with his queer identity.
This memoir is an open invitation into Joshua's life, a connection point for those facing or who have faced similar hardships, and a beacon of hope and empowerment for anyone in need of strength. Through his experiences, Joshua illustrates that despite monumental setbacks, it is possible to emerge stronger and more resilient.
Readers will glean valuable insights into the power of resilience, the lessons inherent in adversity, and the importance of self-acceptance free from judgment. Joshua's narrative offers coping mechanisms for societal taboos, strategies for managing mental and physical health challenges, and a profound message about the significance of self-acceptance.
Trauma and Ecstasy
How Psychedelics Made My Life Worth Living
by Alex Abraham
Forget everything you think you know about psychedelics. They’re not punchlines. They’re not party favors for aging hippies. Instead, as Alex Abraham discovered, they are an innovative approach that can help heal trauma and chronic pain.
Trauma and Ecstasy takes a long, hard look at pain, from the sudden unexplained pelvic floor discomfort that afflicted Alex at the end of a trip abroad to the deeply rooted anxiety and shame of a childhood robbed of innocence. In this powerful and courageous memoir, Alex takes you on his journey of healing from sexual abuse while searching for answers to his health issues that traditional medicine failed to explain or treat.
Trauma and Ecstasy is quite likely the most engaging, honest, and compelling memoir of surviving childhood sexual trauma you’ll ever read. It offers the hope of real help for healing from the emotional and physical aftermath of abuse and chronic pain.
⭐ Honorable Mentions ⭐
🏆Children's Books🏆
Charlie and Sophie's Great Escape
by Farial English
For Charlie and Sophie, every walk is an adventure, and they're impatient to be off! Leaving their boy behind, they run into the woods to explore on their own. It's great fun until Charlie disturbs a nest full of eggs and comes face-to-face with a large, angry bird.
Will the big bird attack them?
Will they ever see their boy again?
Join the two puppies on their wild adventure as they try to find their way back home.
Speechless
by Thomas Ray Garcia
Eight year-old Amelia Martinez is terrified to deliver a speech at the Grand Oratory. However, when the intolerant Mr. Rhetorick steals the village’s voices, Amelia must use her public speaking skills to save Voz from eternal silence. On her quest, Amelia gains confidence at every turn, from speaking to forest animals to finding her own voice. Speechless combines the fantastical and pragmatic in a tale that inspires children to stand up and speak! All proceeds from Speak With Style books are dedicated to supplying children with educational materials on public speaking.
Chubby the Bear's Big Choice
by Daryl McCullough
Chubby the Bear enjoys eating honey and swinging on the branches of redwood trees high above the forest floor. When bear-cub bullies tease and shame him about his weight, Chubby wrestles with how to respond. Two of his forest friends – a raccoon and a beaver – encourage him to embrace his differences, which might even be his strengths. Chubby takes matters into his own paws and delivers an unforgettable message to his bullies. He makes a big choice to stand up for himself and demonstrate his courage and skills. In doing so, he finds his confidence and ability to love himself and his body. Ultimately, Chubby the Bear also earns the respect and attention of the other bear cubs, who see things differently in the end.
Chubby the Bear’s Big Choice is a picture book with messages for children and adults, especially those struggling with bullying, body image, weight, or self-esteem issues. Chubby teaches to trust in ourselves and celebrate our individuality, which is a true gift! Readers of all ages will enjoy its sumptuous illustrations that bring the imagination to life in all of nature’s beauty.
🏆 Poetry 🏆
Unheard
by Bhavini Bhargava
This book is a compilation of the emotions and feelings that remain unspoken and subsequently 'unheard'. The author writes her unfiltered and in-depth thoughts as she experiences different seasons of life, and hopes to take you all on a poetic journey of passion, determination, love, hate, belief and faith.
A Brighter TOMORROW
by Lori Schneider MD
No one could have truly predicted the mass devastation of the pandemic of 2020. Everyone in the world has been affected and forever changed in some way by the pandemic. Hopefully, most people will emerge as better human beings, with a greater level of understanding and support for their fellow man.
During this tumultuous time, I was overwhelmed with emotions regarding COVID-19, politics, racial injustice, love, and courage. I turned to pen and paper to express my feelings and discovered poetry as an extremely cathartic form of writing.
Through poetry, I found great insight and solace during a very dark time in history. I believe poetry is the window to the soul that can help illuminate the darkness.
I hope the reader finds great comfort and hope for the future through the poetry and beautiful artwork contained in this book. Together we can have a brighter tomorrow!
Moonlight in My Eyes
by James Richard Hansen
Moonlight in My Eyes has brightened the year 2023 with poet James Richard Hansen’s exquisite descriptions of nature and his part in it. The moon, stars, wind, the sea, and occasionally even the sun, paint every nuance of his feelings with the music of words. In 42 poems that capture the magic of the night, we get to share a palette of emotions by one who sees and loves life in all its moods and shades, the dark and the light, and every facet of the spirit.
Most of the poems are short, and every word belongs, a perfect symphony of insights and sensations. And with each rereading, the visitor gains new depths, new vibrations on the strings that the poet’s words set into motion. Every line and image awakens sympathetic harmonies, and like classical music, the clear and simple language elicits the most complex emotional responses. Each poem embraces the mind and its rainbow of passions. Each poem invites repeated readings and reveals new discoveries of both the poet’s soul and the reader’s yearnings. Here is a small excerpt:
Congratulations to ALL Winners and Participants!
We loved reading your books and truly appreciated all of them!
Winners July 2024
🏆Fiction🏆
1st
Place
A Daughter of the Trolls: A Numina Parable
by McKenzie Catron
Are you afraid of the bogeyman?
Eighteen-year-old Sparrow can’t remember a time when she wasn’t. And neither can her mother—or the trolls, imps, gnomes, and faeries who all live in the Glade and call it home. Though Sparrow’s weak heart keeps her wheelchair-bound, she and her mother have dedicated their lives to protecting the Glade, especially from the worst bogeyman of them all: the skin-stealing, poison-ingesting witch called Black Annis.
But one night, Sparrow makes a terrible mistake, and everything she once held dear is taken from her. The Glade is no longer a sanctuary, and the only way Sparrow can save her mother and her friends is to journey out into a monster-ridden world that wasn’t made for her or her wheelchair. Joined by her half-goblin friend, Rush, Sparrow will have to confront her fears before the ones they love are lost forever.
A Daughter of the Trolls will appeal to fans of European folklore and the darker Grimm Brother’s fairytales. This is a spine-tingling young adult fantasy adventure about evil witches, monsters, and the imperfect heroes who face them all. You’ll join Sparrow and her faerie friends on a life-changing journey where they face not only their outer demons but their inner ones as well.
2nd
Place
Caretaker (The Goodpasture Chronicles)
by R.J. Halbert
A family desperate for a fresh start finds themselves tangled up in a strange connection to a mysterious old house.
After experiencing marriage troubles and dark pasts, Ian and Lyana Keane are ready to leave Boston behind and move with their two kids—Ariel (15) and Zach (12)—to the sleepy New Hampshire town of Littleton. They are inexplicably drawn to an old house that they all feel an immediate connection to—a home complete with a rich history, extensive grounds, intriguing character, and a Caretaker.
But as time goes on, strange things begin to happen with the house and the family living within its walls. They see recurring symbols, experience realistic hallucinations, uncover mysteries they can’t explain. One by one the Keane family realise that dark forces - or something stronger - are afoot. Be it cursed ancient mythology, dark magic, or just chilling coincidence, the Keane family are forced to rely on Marshall the caretaker for help, but is he really as kind and cooperative as he seems?
One thing is clear: the Keane family is more connected to this house than they could have ever anticipated.
But will it have the power to save their family from tragedy? Or will it tear them apart for good?
The Heretic: A Novel (The Heretic Trilogy)
by Allysha Lavino
Research and inspiration come together in this spellbinding spiritual adventure through history and mystery. Allysha Lavino takes us on a magical journey into the hidden histories of France and the real life secrets buried in code through the ages. This enchanting visionary fiction epic invites us to step into the story and discover how the wisdom of our ancestors could change the modern world forever.
As secret was hidden in the Languedoc of France, but this ancient wisdom has always been a deadly heresy. Cultural anthropologist Lily Ann Harper is on a quest for facts when mysterious Sir Anthony Leclair invites her to Rennes-le-Château, where she is unwittingly thrust back through history. Forced to confront her greatest fears, Lily awakened to a mystical power buried deep inside. Face to face with an age-old enemy, she must choose―embrace the magic of the ancestors and find her place in the Pattern . . . or lose Everything.
Are you ready to become the hero of your own story? HERETIC MEANS “ABLE TO CHOOSE.”
⭐ Honorable Mentions ⭐
🏆Nonfiction🏆
1st
Place
Reality Check: Making the Best of The Situation - How I Overcame Addiction, Loss, and Prison
by Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino
Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino gives fans the inside scoop they’ve been begging for with his explosive tell-all.
In this page-turning whirlwind of action-packed, unbelievable stories, Mike paints a raw and uncensored picture of his rise to stardom, steep fall, and amazing renaissance, all told with unwavering honesty. Divulging everything from drug-fueled orgies to what really happened behind the scenes of reality television’s most loved and dysfunctional family, Mike’s book reveals all for the first time.
In his familiar, straightforward voice, he hilariously tells of intoxicated run-ins with celebrities like The Rock, Robert Downey Jr., Drake, Jay Leno, Leonardo DiCaprio, David Hasselhoff, Jason Statham, Lil Wayne, Kristin Cavallari, Whoopi Goldberg, and more. Alongside the comical moments, he describes more poignant events, such as the frantic searches for opiates to sate excruciating withdrawals, including one such time in Italy, which led to the infamous wall headbutt fight with Ronnie.
No punches are pulled in this unfiltered tale, relating Mike’s darkest thoughts after trying heroin, going to prison, and grieving his wife’s tragic miscarriages. However, like in all true redemption stories, Mike never gave up, and readers are sure to be inspired by his determination to get clean and sober and become the man he is today. With pure candor and vulnerability, he delivers details on the mindset that got him through those dark times and onto the enlightened, sober path he walks today. Through personal anecdotes and invaluable life lessons, Mike teaches readers how to overcome obstacles and embrace change. From conquering personal demons to finding redemption, he proves that it’s never too late to turn your life around and make the best of any situation.
Honeymoon at Sea:
How I Found Myself Living on a Small Boat
by Jennifer Silva Redmond
When Jennifer Shea married Russel Redmond, they made a decision to spend their honeymoon at sea, sailing in Mexico. The voyage tested their new relationship, not just through rocky waters and unexpected weather, but in all the ways that living on a twenty-six-foot sailboat make one reconsider what's truly important.
In this charming, meditative memoir, Jennifer recounts that fateful first year, moving back and forth with the currents of her life. On their voyage, the couple sailed Watchfire to Baja California's Sea of Cortez, where they spent twelve months before sailing south along Mexico and Central America and through the Panama Canal. Jennifer's unique experience on the boat weaves through time as she explores the events that lead to taking her first step onto Watchfire—from her bohemian 1960s childhood in Southern California to the years she spent as a struggling actor in New York.
As Jennifer’s grandfather once said, “If you want to get to know someone, take a long trip in a small boat.”
The memoir begins and ends with the couple on their current sailboat in San Diego and then in Port Townsend, Washington. More than thirty years later, their honeymoon at sea continues.
Belonging Matters: Conversations on Adoption, Family, and Kinship Paperback
by Julie Ryan McGue
Belonging Matters supports the adoption community while creating a conversation with those not directly touched by adoption. The collection explores the pursuit of identity and the boundaries of family and kinship. It challenges the reader to embrace all of who we come to be, and to discern with whom and where we belong. Because belonging defines the human experience, and it is what nourishes our spirit, fuels us with purpose, and compels us to soar beyond the limitations of our lived experience.
⭐ Honorable Mentions ⭐
Congratulations to ALL Winners and Participants!
We loved reading your books and truly appreciated all of them!
Winners 2023
🏆Fiction🏆
1st
Place
The Secret of the Magic eyePad: Putney Hicks Inventor Adventures
by
Marsha Tufft
She dreams of becoming an inventor. First, she has to survive middle school… Putney Hicks just wants things to go right for once. A socially awkward girl dropped among rich kids in an experimental STEM institution, the anxious twelve-year-old can’t seem to see her own potential. But life sprinkles in a surprise when she receives a mysterious tablet housing an advanced, talkative intelligence. Wondering if the friendly pixie in the device is alien or supernatural, Putney is determined to keep it safe while exploring its possibilities. But when competitive art and science projects lead to an ill-advised bet with a wealthy mean girl, the would-be engineer may be in way over her head. Will Putney’s mysterious new mentor help her make it through her first week in class? The Secret of the Magic eyePad is the award-winning first book in the Putney Hicks Inventor Adventures middle grade series. If you like girls in STEM, preteen drama, and clever innovations, then you’ll love Marsha Tufft’s lighthearted tale. Buy The Secret of the Magic eyePad to click through to fabulous fun today!
3rd
Place
False Idols
by
Mark Damon Brooks
In a world where superheroes exist, it will take one normal man to remind everyone what it means to be a hero. Malcolm Mills has a problem with the Newton Force. He has his reasons. Yet the rest of the world loves the world’s only superheroes. Gifted with super strength, flight, telepathy, and indestructible skin, the Newton Force aren’t the heroes they appear to be. They’re more comfortable doing commercials and signing autographs than fighting crime. When an exo-suit clad criminal conducts a brazen attack in broad daylight, it results in the death of Malcolm’s friend. Now Malcolm is going to do the one thing the Newton Force won’t. He’s going to find the criminal and save the day. Along the way, Malcolm discovers a criminal who is as brilliant as he is ruthless. And who is rapidly evolving from a low-level villain to a full-fledged supervillain.
2nd
Place
Seriously, Murder?
by
Monica Hoopes
Alice Humphries is a small-town Jersey lawyer, and she knows what she’s doing. Kind of. And hell—even if she doesn’t, she and her best friend Don can normally figure it out. They are recent law school grads who’ve opened up their own practice, and they’ll take just about any case they can get to keep the electricity on and buy donuts on Fridays. But when they’re assigned to a high-profile murder through the Public Defender’s Office, they find themselves in over their heads. The victim: a well-known divorce attorney found shot to death in his office. Their client: his blond, botoxed, and bitchy wife. Alice and Don have to get her out of jail, keep her out of jail, and figure out what the hell they’re doing in the process. And meanwhile, they still have two other clients to contend with: a 23 year-old hot-blooded drama queen who pelts her on-again-off-again older lover with snowballs and erects giant snow penises on the hood of his car, and a brash-mouthed Texas pageant mom who assaults a fellow contestant with a giant cupcake and stuffs her four-year old’s bra for the win. And then there’s sexy Assistant Prosecutor/enemy of the defense, Jake Harris. Alice can’t figure out whether she wants to strangle him or make out with him, but the feeling is definitely mutual. Seriously, Murder? is the first installment in a laugh-out-loud romcom murder mystery series that will keep you wanting more! Don and Alice are at the heart of this story, and they just might save the day (if they don't kill each other, first).
🏆Nonfiction🏆
3rd
Place
The Luckiest Unlucky Person I Know: A Practical Memoir
by
Kristin Smith Westbrook
“I’m sorry to report this, my dear, but you have invasive ductal carcinoma,” the doctor said. Carcinoma, I thought. Sounds like a fun, funky dance step from the ’60s. Come on, everybody, let’s do the carcinoma! Ever wonder how to live your best life when you’re in the middle of your worst nightmare? If so, this is the guidebook for you. The Luckiest Unlucky Person I Know is a memoir that offers practical exercises to find clarity and balance in the face of adversity. Through personal stories of living with metastatic breast cancer, surviving a near-death experience, and managing grief and loss, this book will inspire you to approach challenges and adversities with humor, grace, and gratitude. If you are living with a chronic disease, trauma, grief, or a difficult obstacle in your life, the lessons in The Luckiest Unlucky Person I Know will have you feeling lucky too.
1st
Place
ER Doctor: Tales of an emergency room doctor
by
Paul Weinberg, M.D.
Paul Weinberg spent 30 years in the Emergency Room (or ER) as a medical doctor and has seen everything, Described as "a strange career" by the author, entry into the field is unrestricted and open to all who are brave (or foolish) enough to start into the stream without the knowledge of the tsunami ahead. The strangeness of the practice is apparent from the very first visit to a busy urban ER. The swarm of commotion and great vividness of the scene can be dizzying. The relentlessness of the torrent and its strange day and night rhythms can enthral and repel like no other practice or job. In turns shocking, sad and funny, this book contains remarkable tales, inside stories and the experiences of a doctor's career in ER. Emergency medicine in America is a critical asset to its healthcare system. The ER doctor is located at the interface of the public and the first point of healthcare. If a doctor is needed outside of office hours, nights, or holidays, if the patient is uninsured or has inadequate insurance, or is of such a social state that they might be unpleasant to be around, no one is turned away at the ER. In short, the life of the ER doc is one where no situation is off limits.
2nd
Place
The Life She Once Knew: The Incredible True Story of Queena, The Bloomingdale Library Attack Survivor
by
Vanna Nguyen
In 1981, a young woman faced death as she lay on the floor of a small boat in the South China Sea fleeing the life she once knew in Vietnam. In 2008, her teenage daughter lay fighting for her life after being brutally raped and abandoned while returning books at a library near Tampa, Florida. The attack in front of the Bloomingdale library left Queena with a traumatic brain injury, sentenced to a life unable to walk, see, or speak. As Vanna Nguyen lovingly poured herself into caring for her now severely disabled daughter, she also battled with reliving her own Vietnam War survival story. And she must decide, can she forgive the attacker whose unforgivable decision changed both their lives as they knew them forever? In The Life She Once Knew, Vanna candidly chronicles the deeply spiritual and emotionally powerful journeys of these two strong women as they fight for their lives and their futures decades apart.