Chanticleer Book Reviews

Author: chanti

  • The Chanticleer Cover Design CCDAs Non-Fiction First Place and Grand Prize Winners for 2024!

    The Chanticleer Cover Design CCDAs Non-Fiction First Place and Grand Prize Winners for 2024!

    The Cover Design Awards recognizes emerging new talent and outstanding works in every genre. The Grand Prize Winner, Genét Simone’s book, Teaching in The Dark will be promoted for years to come in our annual Hall of Fame article, as well as be featured on the Cover Design contest page year ’round!

    The best part about being a Chanticleer Int’l Book Award Winner is the love and attention you get all year ‘round!

    The 2024 CCDA Winners were announced at the 2025 Chanticleer Authors Conference in April, and you can see the official winners post here!

    Join us in celebrating the very first group of First Place CCDA Winners for Non-Fiction!

    A Gold Ribbon dividing this section from the next

    Anne Gately – Sunburnt: A Memoir of sun, surf and skin cancer

    Also a 2024 Journey First Place Winner!

    Australians love the sun – our outdoor lifestyle is part our trademark appeal. It’s also the reason that every thirty minutes someone is diagnosed with melanoma. Why skin cancer is called Australia’s National Cancer, and two out of three Australians are likely to be diagnosed with it before turning 70.

    After living an average Aussie life playing sport, spending languid days on the beach, and falling in love with ocean swimming, Anne Gately received unwelcome news. She had Stage IV melanoma.

    Yet Anne is one of the lucky ones. After a dire prognosis, she dug deep to face the clear and present prospect of death, head-on. In Sunburnt, her revealing memoir, Anne recounts the emotions and challenges of her life-saving immunotherapy treatment under the care of Professor Georgina Long to come through the other side.

    Not only has Anne survived, she is issuing a clarion call for a change to the bronzed Aussie culture. In Sunburnt Anne combines a nostalgic view of a charmed Aussie childhood, a jolting review of Australia’s sun-worshipping norms, and enough scientific research to encourage us all to redefine our relationship with the sun.

    Find it Locally and on Amazon!

    Marianna Marlowe – Portrait of a Feminist

    Portrait of a Feminist Cover

    Through braided memories that flash against the present day, Portrait of a Feminist depicts the evolution of Marianna Marlowe’s identity as a biracial and multicultural woman—from her childhood in California, Peru, and Ecuador to her adulthood as an academic, a wife, and a mother.

    How does the inner life of a feminist develop? How does a writer observe the world around her and kindle, from her earliest memories, a flame attuned to the unjust?

    With writing that is simultaneously wise and shimmering, nuanced and direct, Marlowe confronts her own experiences with the hallmarks of patriarchy. Interweaving stories of life as the child of a Catholic Peruvian mother and an atheist American father in a family that lived many years abroad, she examines realities familiar to so many of us—unequal marriages, class structures, misogynist literature, and patriarchal religion. Portrait of a Feminist explores the essential questions of feminism in our time: What does it look like to live in defense of feminism? How should feminism be evolving today?

    From Chanticleer:

    Marianne Marlowe’s memoir, Portrait of a Feminist, reveals the evolution of her feminism through a collection of thought-provoking essays.

    “I would say, if it were possible, I was born a feminist” is at the heart of Marlowe’s story. She relates to this defining identity throughout years spent in Peru, California, and Ecuador, where she navigates childhood, marriage, motherhood, and a professional career.

    The section titles reflect periods in Marlowe’s life that correspond to nature’s rhythms— “Seeds Planted”, “The Growing Years”, “Maturation”, and “Harvesting”—and maintain strong connections between her thematically-linked experiences.

    As a Peruvian American woman, Marlowe navigates the concepts of gender, race, and culture from a personal and critical point of view.

    Read More Here

    Find it Locally and on Amazon!

    Linda M. Lockwood – Sky Ranch: Reared in The High Country

    At the age of eight, Linda Lockwood moves with her family to an isolated ranch in eastern Washington State. Within two years, she’s patrolling the ranch on horseback alongside her border collie—herding sheep, killing rattlesnakes, and defending the ranch’s livestock from coyotes, bears, and even trespassing hunters—and working tirelessly to realize her dream of training horses. But her most daunting challenge is one hard work can’t overcome: her mother is descending into madness. And Linda’s deepest fear is that she might inherit the schizophrenia that threatens to dismantle her family.

    At age twenty-five, Linda marries, but the joy of her first pregnancy is darkened by her mother’s suicide. Then she endures a painful miscarriage and the death of her beloved grandmother, traumatic events that send her back in time to the births and deaths of animals—domesticated and wild—that she loved in childhood. Eventually, her own family grows, but her happiness is haunted by questions people have tiptoed around all her life. How did her mother become schizophrenic? What did she endure as a patient in 1960s mental hospitals? Might Linda and even her children be next to battle that catastrophic mental disorder? Driven by the courage and will she sharpened as a rancher, Linda vows to find out.

    Find it Locally and on Amazon!

    Kathryn Caraway – Unfollow Me

    Also the 2024 Journey Grand Prize and a Clue First Place Winner!

    This book about the author’s harrowing experience with a stalker is not yet released, but we are excited to see it come out and see her story get told. To find more information see the authors website kathryncaraway.com or her advocacy project at unfollowme.com

    This book also releases on Kickstarter soon, along with a fictional thriller sequel where the victim gets her revenge! Follow it here: The Unfollow Me Duet by Kathryn Caraway — Kickstarter

    Kasey Claytor – Finding the Light: Navigating Dementia with My Son

    Finding the Light Cover

    What happens when a younger person gets dementia and becomes filled with peace?

    Finding the Light is a poignant memoir about a mother’s journey caring for her son with a terminal form of early-onset dementia, Frontotemporal Degeneration, or FTD. From the overwhelming tasks that must be done to ultimately sharing the meaningful insights that can be gained in this experience, you can’t come away without being deeply moved.

    Claytor shares ways to lessen the toll of caregiving with stress-reducing methods and options for self-care, financial tips, and suggestions for good estate planning.

    But most importantly, her message is about developing a way to instill a sense of well-being in dementia sufferers and their caregivers.
    When Kasey Claytor found out that her 49-year-old son had Frontotemporal Degeneration, her world came crashing down…

    Finally grappling with this situation head-on, she set out to learn everything she could about this devastating condition and create an environment around her son that would hopefully give him a sense of well-being despite the odds.

    From Chanticleer:

    Some stories are impossible to look away from, and from its very first sentence, Finding the Light, Navigating Dementia with My Son by Kasey J. Claytor proves itself one of them. “…when my 49-year-old son, Justin, was first diagnosed with a form of early-onset dementia, I was stunned.” Without hesitation, the book draws readers into a saga of family, illness, and resilience.

    Although a memoir, Finding the Light is in many ways an instructional text, too. Readers don’t need similar medical situations to draw from Claytor’s lessons of improvement. The conversational, approachable writing style serves this purpose well.

    Although it’s in chronological order, this is an unconventional, modern text.

    Traditional scene-based paragraphs are offset by poetry, informative sidebars, and even the full text of letters sent throughout Justin’s illness. Claytor deftly shifts between these sections, building a cohesive narrative from which readers can easily learn.

    Read More Here

    Find it Locally and on Amazon!

    A Gold Ribbon dividing this section from the next

    And now, the first ever GRAND PRIZE WINNERS in Non-Fiction for the Chanticleer Cover Design Awards!

    Genét Simone- Teaching in the Dark

    Teaching in the Dark Cover

    Also a 2024 Hearten First Place Winner!

    A young teacher buys a one-way ticket to Shishmaref, Alaska. Within minutes of landing, she finds herself dealing with unexpected, rustic accommodations, and the culture shock of living in a remote Iñuit community. She relies on her courage, resilience, and wit while enduring freezing temperatures, power outages, loneliness, and first-year teacher anxieties and missteps, but eventually realizes that those challenges pale in comparison to the life lessons she learns about the heart of teaching—lessons from her students, their culture, and their community, on the vast, windy landscape at the edge of the Chukchi Sea.

    From Chanticleer:

    How does place shape who we are—and who we’ll become? In this memoir, Teaching in the Dark, Genét Simone puts that question to the test by recounting her first year as a teacher.

    The initial year of teaching is never an easy feat, but for Simone it was especially challenging, and transformative. She spent it with Native students in the remote island village of Shishmaref, on the Arctic edge of Alaska—no small wonder the school year became an unforgettable one.

    Today, Simone has decades of teaching experience to draw upon. Yet, in this memoir she rarely employs her present voice to reflect on the past. Instead, the narrator remains in the moment: a young and inexperienced Simone, who only knows that she feels destined to be a teacher. When she signs up for the Shishmaref teaching job, she doesn’t even realize that it’s on an island.

    Read More Here

    Find it Locally and on Amazon!

    Thank you for joining us to celebrate the 2024 Cover Design First Place and Grand Prize Winners!

    Your book can join the Tiers of Achievement, but only if you submit to the Chanticleer Int’l Book Awards!

    The tiers of achievement for the CIBAs

    Got a great Fiction Book? The 2025 Cover Design Awards are open through the end of July!

    Note: Late submissions are accepted until the dates change on the website!

    Blue button that says Enter a Writing Contest
    Submit to the Cover Design Awards Today!
  • ARES by Jayson Adams – Hard Science Fiction, Space Exploration, Sci-Fi Thrillers

    ARES by Jayson Adams – Hard Science Fiction, Space Exploration, Sci-Fi Thrillers

     

    Blue, Gold, Badge, CIBACommander Kate Holman thought she understood the perils of leading humanity’s first manned mission to Mars. In Ares, Jayson Adams’ breathless science-fiction thriller, the Red Planet—and Holman’s own crew—confront her with threats she couldn’t possibly have expected.

    A secret mission changes everything for the Ares crew.

    As the spacecraft makes its final descent, a videotape from Earth delivers shocking news: Holman will be relieved of her command once they land. The expedition’s true mission remains classified even from her, and leadership transfers to Julian, the one fellow astronaut she detests most (a dislike the reader will almost certainly share).

    When a catastrophic malfunction nearly destroys their landing attempt, Holman’s quick thinking saves the mission but leaves their situation precarious. What follows is a cascade of disasters that test every ounce of the crew’s training, ingenuity, and will to survive.

    Ancient mysteries and modern perils collide at the face on Mars.

    Adams masterfully weaves together hard science fiction with elements of archaeological mystery. When the crew’s mission leads them to the legendary “Face on Mars” and discoveries that suggest an ancient human presence on the Red Planet, the line between scientific discovery and supernatural threat begins to blur. The team faces not only the harsh realities of equipment failures and communication breakdowns but also the psychological toll of isolation in an unforgiving environment.

    The novel’s strength lies in its relentless pacing and believable character development. Even as the situation grows increasingly desperate, readers never lose sight of these astronauts as real people struggling against overwhelming odds. Adams grounds the story in credible science while building tension through both external threats and internal crew dynamics.

    A merciless environment tests human ingenuity and spirit.

    Ares succeeds because it places recognizable human emotions and relationships within an extraordinary setting. Holman emerges as a compelling protagonist whose leadership skills face their ultimate test when conventional solutions fail and survival depends on improvisation and courage.

    The Martian landscape becomes almost a character itself—beautiful, alien, and utterly hostile to human life. Adams captures both the wonder of being the first humans on another planet and the terror of being completely cut off from any possibility of rescue.

    Ares by Jayson Adams is a gripping tale of survival and human determination will appeal to science fiction enthusiasts and general readers alike who enjoy stories of adventure, mystery, and the indomitable human spirit facing the unknown.

    Ares by Jayson Adams won Grand Prize in the 2024 CIBA Cygnus Awards for Science Fiction.

     

  • Chanticleer 10 Question Author Interview Series with Steven Mayfield – Grand Prize Award-winning Author of Delphic Oracle

    Chanticleer 10 Question Author Interview Series with Steven Mayfield – Grand Prize Award-winning Author of Delphic Oracle

    CHANTICLEER 10 QUESTION AUTHOR INTERVIEW SERIES
    with Award-Winning Author, Steven Mayfield

    Happy Summer Chanticleerians! We’re thrilled to bring you another fantastic interview with Humor & Satire Grand Prize Winner Steven Mayfield!

    From writing “bad poetry” at age nine to authoring award-winning novels, Steven Mayfield has taken quite the journey—including a two-decade detour through medical school and scientific writing. Here, he shares how that medical training actually made his fiction stronger, where he finds his story ideas (hint: be careful what you say around him!), and why he believes readers should give stories more than just one page to capture their attention.

    While Mayfield won the Humor & Satire Grand Prize for his book Delphic Oracle, he also received Chanticleer recognition for his book The Penny Mansions, and his new book Sixty Seconds is available now!

    Chanti: Steven, let’s start at the very beginning. Can you tell us a little about yourself and how your writing journey first began?

    Mayfield: I began writing bad poetry when I was nine years old and started a novel at twelve. I drew from that history to create the protagonist of my next book. He also starts a novel at a tender age, which he describes it as “plagiarism by paraphrase.” That pretty much nails my early efforts, as well. In college and for a couple of years afterward, I wrote more poetry and short stories, began another novel, and wrote sketch comedy. I then gave up creative writing and went to medical school. Over the next two decades I authored or co-authored a number of medical and scientific pieces, and as a result, when I resumed writing fiction in the early ’90s, my work was tighter and more disciplined. I’ve been solely a writer for the last twenty years.

    Chanti: That’s such an interesting path from medicine back to creative writing! There’s often a moment when writers truly believe they can do this professionally. When did that realization hit for you—when did you truly believe you were an author?

    Mayfield: For me, the question is “When did I believe I could write?” After completing a sophomore college assignment to write a book review, the professor asked me if I’d ever thought about writing as a profession. I had but didn’t think it realistic until that moment. A year later, one of my short stories won the Mari Sandoz competition. After that, I always thought of myself as a writer, regardless of what I did to make a living.

    Chanti: The support from our educators can truly be all it takes to have that pivotal moment. Your background in medical writing is fascinating. Do you find that scientific training makes you more of a rule-follower, or do you like to break the conventional writing rules?

    Mayfield: Writing for the scientific and medical literature forced me to strictly adhere to rules of grammar and syntax. As a result I think it’s important to know those rules so that when you break them, it’s for a reason; e.g. using sentence fragments for emphasis or rhythm.

    red, pen, paper

    Chanti: That’s such a smart approach—knowing the rules so you can break them intentionally. I’m curious about your creative process. Where do your story ideas come from? How do you find those sparks of inspiration?

    Mayfield: I shamelessly exploit things people say or do. I’m being flippant but not entirely inaccurate. I wrote Treasure of the Blue Whale (Regal House 2020) after some friends told me an apochryphal story over dinner about the alleged discovery of whale ambergris on a beach in Northern California back in the 1920s; The Penny Mansions (Regal House 2023) was inspired by the Italian towns that are trying to stabilize their populations by offering one Euro houses for renovation; and Sixty Seconds (Regal House, July 2025) was prompted after I saw the movie, A Royal Night Out. My current work-in-progress, “The Bank House, was born from a conversation with a neighbor in my old Portland neighborhood who grew up in an Irish village where the bank was part of a residence provided to the bank manager. So…people should be careful about what they say when I’m within earshot. They might end up in a book.

    Chanti: I love that you’re constantly mining conversations and experiences for material! When it comes to the actual writing process, how structured are you? Do you have a daily routine or specific approach?

    Mayfield: I think I’m fairly structured. When I begin a book, I set up a log to track my daily word counts. I aim for a minimum of 250 words/day, a modest goal, but one that keeps me going on days when I don’t feel inspired. I then try to write every day, beginning by revising what I wrote the previous day and then adding new material. As the story builds, the daily word count builds with it, and once the first draft is done, I have typically averaged about 750 useable words/day.

    Chanti: That’s a strong and sustainable approach. Every writer has their literary heroes. Can you share five authors who have really shaped your work and tell us how they’ve influenced your writing?

    Mayfield: Muriel Spark: Does more with the simple declarative sentence than anyone I’ve read.

    Sinclair Lewis: Unmasks puffery, hypocrisy, and injustice.

    Kurt Vonnegut: Gives other writers permission to stray off-point as long as the reader is kept beside you and you don’t waste their time.

    Jean Shepherd: Like me, a yarn-spinner.

    From left to right we have Muriel Spark, Sinclair Lewis, Kurt Vonnegut, and Jean Shepherd

    A cumulative fifth choice comprised of several writers who share my publisher, Regal House: 1. Barbara Quick, whose elegant prose blends history and fiction, 2. Michael Strelow, whose command of language awes me, 3. Richard Martin, whose prose is inimitable, wise, and hilarious, 4. Michael Bourne, who has the ability to make unlikeable protagonists likeable, 5. Mimi Herman who is funny and understands how to mine small towns for literary gold.

    Chanti: What a diverse and thoughtful group of influences! I love the shoutout to your follow authors! Writing is definitely a craft that requires constant development. Beyond reading great authors, what do you do to keep growing and sharpening your skills?

    Mayfield: I listen when someone gives me feedback. If a reader is lost or bored, it’s my job to fix my work, not their job to guess what I was thinking when I wrote it. It’s also important to read work by other people and to workshop material in progress. I’ve been in the same workshop group for thirty-one years and their input is invaluable.

    Chanti: Thirty-one years with the same workshop group is incredible dedication! What exciting projects are you working on now? What can your readers look forward to seeing from you next?

    Mayfield: I’ve been engaged in final editing and pre-release marketing for Sixty Seconds (Regal House, July 2025) and I’ve just finished a sixth draft of a new novel, The Bank House. It follows a few months in the life of a thirteen-year-old boy who moves to a new town where his family will live in a former mansion that now has a bank in its living room. It’s a coming-of-age novel with my usual brand: heart, humor, and a dash of crime. I’m hoping for a spring/summer 2027 release.

    Chanti: The Bank House sounds absolutely intriguing, and I’m looking forward to reading Sixty Seconds now that it’s come out. You mentioned earlier that it’s the writer’s job to make things clear to the reader, but what is the most important thing a reader can do to support a writer they enjoy?

    Mayfield: Give us a chance. Agents would have us believe that a reader must be captured in the first page, but that’s marketing advice and doesn’t necessarily relate to good story-telling. It took me 100 pages to get into A Soldier in the Great War by Mark Helprin, one of my favorite books.

    Chanti: That’s such wise advice about patience with storytelling! Finally, on a more personal note—what excites you most about the actual process of writing?

    Mayfield: I can create a world where everyone does exactly what I want. Such power has always been restorative, but in our present climate of political chaos and heartlessness, it’s better and far cheaper than psychotherapy.

    Steven Mayfield is a past recipient of the Mari Sandoz Prize for Fiction and the author of over fifty scientific and literary publications. After a short stint as a sketch writer in Los Angeles, he attended medical school at the University of Nebraska followed by post-doctoral training and teaching/research appointments at the University of Iowa, Brown University Program in Medicine, and the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas. After a hiatus away from creative writing that lasted almost twenty years—during which he published forty-two scientific articles, abstracts, chapters, and reviews—Steven began to again write fiction in 1993 with short stories appearing in literary journals and anthologies since 1994. He retired from medicine in 2004 and spent several years working as a free-lance editor before publishing Howling at the Moon in 2010 (Mount Parnassus Press). Regal House has been his publishing home since 2020 for three novels: Treasure of the Blue Whale (2020), Delphic Oracle, U.S.A. (2022), and The Penny Mansions (2023). A fourth novel, Sixty Seconds, is out now from Regal House!.

    Steven’s books have been honored with numerous awards, including an IBPA Benjamin Franklin Silver Medal, a CIBA Mark Twain Book Awards Grand Prize ribbon, and an Independent Publishers Group Gold Medal. His last three novels were all Foreword Indies Finalists.

    Steven currently resides in Oregon with his wife, Pam. He can order beer in four languages. His wife can say, “Pay no attention to this man” in five.

  • 2025 CCDA Spotlight for Fiction and Non-Fiction

    2025 CCDA Spotlight for Fiction and Non-Fiction

    You Have 3 Seconds to Sell Your Book!

    The Cover Design Book Awards (CCDAs) for Fiction and Non-Fiction

    Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover—Or Do!

    The submissions for the 2025 Cover Design Awards – CCDAs – are underway, and both Fiction and Non-Fiction divisions close on July 31, 2025!

    In the three seconds it takes you to read this sentence, a potential reader has already decided whether your book is worth their attention. That’s the brutal reality of today’s marketplace: your cover has exactly three seconds to communicate genre, grab attention, and compel someone to pick up your book or click that buy button.

    The Chanticleer Cover Design Awards celebrate the visual art of storytelling—recognizing the designers, publishers, and authors who understand that powerful cover design isn’t just decoration, it’s marketing. Whether displayed 50 feet tall at a trade show or reduced to a thumbnail on Amazon, your cover is your book’s most important piece of retail real estate.

    The 5-Element Formula for Cover Success

    Every winning cover must instantly communicate five critical elements:

    • Genre – Is it clearly science fiction, romance, mystery, or a memoir within those crucial three seconds?
    • Target Audience – Does it speak to young adults, literary fiction readers, business professionals, or general trade audiences?
    • Mood – Suspenseful, romantic, humorous, dark, or inspirational—the emotional tone must be unmistakable.
    • Timeframe – Contemporary, historical, futuristic, or period-specific settings should be immediately apparent.
    • Place/Culture – Whether it’s small-town America, ancient Rome, or outer space, location context sells books.

    As Chanticleers founder Kiffer Brown says: “Effective covers sell the first book. The content between the covers sells the second book.”

    Celebrating Our First ever 2024 Grand Prize Winners for the CCDAs!

    Fiction Grand Prize Winner:
    Luna by Strider Klusman

    This YA steampunk adventure cover perfectly exemplifies winning design—immediately communicating its genre through Victorian-inspired mechanical elements, targeting young adult readers with dynamic character positioning, and establishing a fantastical mood that promises adventure. The cover tells potential readers exactly what they’re getting: imaginative steampunk storytelling for the YA market.

    See our Review of Luna Here!

    Non-Fiction Grand Prize Winner:
    Teaching in the Dark by Genét Simone

    This powerful memoir cover demonstrates how non-fiction design can convey both emotional impact and genre clarity. The visual elements immediately signal this as narrative non-fiction while the mood suggests a serious, transformational story that will resonate with educators and readers interested in social justice themes.

    See our Review of Teaching in the Dark Here!

    Both winners will be regularly promoted throughout the year and for the next five years in our upcoming Hall of Fame posts. They’ll also be invited to participate in Chanticleer 10-Question Interviews and receive featured coverage across our promotional platforms.

    Design Categories That Drive Sales

    Fiction Categories:

    • Literary/Contemporary/Satire – Sophisticated design for discerning readers
    • Romance – Emotional connection and genre expectations
    • Historical Fiction – Period authenticity with modern appeal
    • Supernatural & Speculative Fiction – Otherworldly elements that intrigue
    • Suspense/Thriller/Mysteries – Tension and danger in visual form
    • Youth Reads – Age-appropriate design that appeals to young readers and their parents

    Non-Fiction Categories:

    • Narrative Non-Fiction Works – Story-driven design for memoir, biography, and true stories
    • Advisory/How-To/Guides – Clear, professional design that builds trust and expertise

    Looking at Cover Excellence

    Check out some of the outstanding cover designs we’ve celebrated recently that showcase the perfect marriage of artistic vision and market savvy!

    These covers represent the gold standard: designs that work whether they’re displayed in bookstores, featured in online retailers, or showcased at book fairs and conferences.

    See the Chanticleer Difference for Yourself!

    We’re excited about all the exceptional cover designs we receive every year. The Chanticleer International Book Awards offers an incredible $30,000 in cash, prizes, and promotion across all divisions!

    Your cover design deserves recognition in an industry where visual impact drives sales. From indie authors investing in professional design to major publishers showcasing their best work, the Cover Design Awards celebrate the artistry that makes books impossible to ignore.

    Your Cover is Your Silent Salesperson

    The Cover Design Book Awards for Fiction and Non-Fiction

    In bookstores, at trade shows, on digital platforms your cover works 24/7 to sell your book. Whether you’re a designer proud of your visual storytelling, a publisher showcasing your best releases, or an author who invested in professional design, the Cover Design Awards provide the recognition that turns great design into marketing momentum.

    You know you want it…

    Don’t let your cover blend into the crowd—the deadline is July 31, 2025!

    Submit to the Cover Design Awards today and make your book impossible to ignore!

  • THE PROBLEM With SCIENCE FAIRS, CICADAS, And SEWERS: Lorelei the Lorelei Book 2 by Kristen J. Anderson, Illustrated by Audrey Suau – Children’s Friendship Books, Picture Books, Children’s Self-Respect & Determination Books

    THE PROBLEM With SCIENCE FAIRS, CICADAS, And SEWERS: Lorelei the Lorelei Book 2 by Kristen J. Anderson, Illustrated by Audrey Suau – Children’s Friendship Books, Picture Books, Children’s Self-Respect & Determination Books

     

    Lorelei, the charismatic and outspoken seven-year-old, leaps at the chance to save her school’s science fair from disaster in Lorelei the Lorelei: The Problem with Science Fairs, Cicadas, and Sewers, second book in Kristen J Anderson’s Lorelei the Lorelei series.

    Beyond excited for the science fair, Lorelei prepares a project with a mission. She hopes to change people’s perception about cicadas, which most consider a gross nuisance of a bug. On the day of the science fair, during a trip to the restroom, Lorelei encounters a plumbing catastrophe.

    With the help of her family and friends, Lorelei put a plan in motion to protect the school fair, while learning valuable lessons about sportsmanship, classroom behavior, and empathy. She may be silly and likeable, but some of her quirks can get her into trouble too!

    Even when she gets into trouble, Lorelei is always and unapologetically herself.

    Readers see Lorelei express her emotions, usually with loud and sudden enthusiasm. In the lead up to the science fair, Lorelei feels excitement, nervousness, disappointment, and even a moment of frustration towards her class rival. The supportive adults in Lorelei’s life, from her grandma and grandpa “Bumpa” to her teachers and school administrators, help to steer Lorelei in the right directions whenever she responds inappropriately to a situation.

    As Lorelei says herself, she is only a kid and learns about emotions and social skills every day.

    Lorelei the Lorelei: The Problem with Science Fairs, Cicadas, and Sewers is a story that will get kids excited about science projects and will make older readers nostalgic for exciting days at school, whether a science fair, a special assembly, or even a short field trip.

    Excellent for beginner chapter book readers, Kristen J Anderson’s Lorelei the Lorelei series is a must-read for young inquisitive minds.

     

  • The 2025 Book Series Award Hall of Fame

    The 2025 Book Series Award Hall of Fame

    Literary Worlds That Keep Readers Coming Back for More

    The Series Awards Hall of Fame Celebrates Multi-Volume Excellence

    A stack of books flying into the blue sky for the Book Series Awards

    ***Submit Your Series Today***

    You have until July 31st to submit to the 2025 CIBAs!

    The greatest series don’t just tell stories—they create literary universes that readers never want to leave. From epic fantasy realms to historical journeys that span generations, from paranormal adventures to deeply personal family sagas, the Book Series Awards Hall of Fame showcases authors who’ve mastered the unique art of sustained storytelling across multiple volumes.

    These Grand Prize Winners prove that exceptional series require more than just writing multiple books—they demand the vision to build worlds worth revisiting, characters complex enough to evolve across volumes, and the skill to maintain quality while keeping readers surprised. Each series represents a different approach to the challenge of creating literary experiences that grow richer with every installment.

    A Vengeful Realm by Tim Facciola

    The Scales of Balance (book 1), 2023 Overall Grand Prize Winner

    The Scales of Balanceopens with an amnesiac gladiator, a queen certain her husband must die for the sake of the kingdom, and a prince who will do anything to save his father. Tim Facciola’s first novel in the high fantasy seriesA Vengeful Realmis threaded through with plots of assassination and political intrigue, all fueled by a divine struggle for dominance.

    A Vengeful Realmis a study in richness. Its characters, setting, and world-building, the vital elements for a strong fantasy, pull the reader into the land of New Rheynia where the most valuable currencies are loyalty and power.

    Facciola excels at characterization, beginning with an engaging tapestry of backgrounds.

    The gladiator Zephyrus’ first memories are in a temple hearing the words of a prophecy that he can’t understand. Depending on the interpretation, he could bring peace or destruction. His only guide is his iron morality, which he hopes is enough to bring him back to who he once was.

    Read More Here

    While Facciola builds epic fantasy worlds filled with gods and gladiators, historical fiction proves equally powerful for series storytelling…

    A Gold Ribbon dividing this section from the next

    Ghosts Along The Oregon Trail by David Fitz-Gerald

    A Grave Every Mile Cover

    A Grave Every Mile (Book 1)

    Each day’s trumpet blasts the predawn quiet of the sleeping wagon train, demanding that its migrating families face what’s ahead, whether incredible scenery or mortal danger, in David Fitz-Gerald’s A Grave Every Mile.

    This beautifully told story mixes adventure, survival, community, and history, all shown through the eyes of Dorcas, a feisty mother of four. She’s dreamed of hitting the trail to the storied West for so long, but much about this trip and their destination remains unknown.

    Another wagon travels alongside hers. Who are they? Will they remain strangers, or become friends? Now that Dorcas stands with her family at the trail’s starting point and on the brink of changing their lives forever, a tremor of doubt surfaces about what lies ahead. Is her family strong enough to face their future? Will it be everything she and her husband hoped for? That future is 720,000 turns of the wagon wheels away, and there may be A Grave Every Mile. It all starts with that first pull by the team of oxen.

    The action starts on page one when an intense fistfight breaks out amid a crowd of people stocking up their wagons.

    Read More Here

    Lighten the Load Cover

    Lighten The Load (Book 2)

    Once on a grand adventure to a new life with her husband and young family, Dorcas suddenly finds herself the sole shepherd for her children into the unknown, in David Fitz-Gerald’s historical fiction novel, Lighten the Load.

    Owner of a fully loaded wagon, in a train of travelers on the truly wild western trail, Dorcas must give every decision her full attention. She faces immediate life-altering choices, some threatening her own safety and others putting her children at terrible risk. The expedition rolls forward over a mystery yet to be solved and an underlying paranormal mystique.

    On this dangerous venture west, Dorcas is called upon often to help and comfort her fellow travelers. As she and her family face escalating dangers and devastating catastrophes, can she learn to Lighten the Load and accept help when she desperately needs it?

    Read More Here

    Stay with the Wagons Cover

    Stay With The Wagons (Book 3)

    The wheels roll relentlessly westward. In Stay with the Wagons, book 3 of David Fitz-Gerald’s Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail series, the families upon those wheels must face not only the consequences of the trail behind them but also new dangers that lie ahead.

    Dorcas, the resilient mother, widow, and adventurer will need to summon forth all her remaining strength– physical and emotional– to survive these new challenges. Especially with her children to protect. Their community of waggoneers have supported each other through great hardship, but cracks are growing between them.

    Amongst its incredible beauty, the country they travel through contains great danger, wild animals, and a hidden evil energized by greed and violence. There is a promise, a hope of happiness on the trail west if you Stay With The Wagons, but nothing is guaranteed.

    Read More Here

    Snarling Wolf Cover

    Snarling Wolf (Book 4)

    In Snarling Wolf, David Fitz-Gerald’s fourth installment of an adventurous migration to Oregon, wagon wheels sidewind along and through the serpentine Snake River.

    It’s summertime, hot and dangerous on the cross-country trails. Wild animals, and the titular Snarling Wolf, ominously share the wilderness with a caravan of travelers. The group has become accustomed to their daily routines, but their remote destination seems almost mystical, moving always farther away, taunting and driving them toward madness.

    Widowed Dorcas Moon is determined to do anything it takes for her beloved children to survive and thrive in a new life in a new land. But this difficult trip takes its toll on her family in surprising ways, and will leave them forever changed.

    Dorcas Moon deeply fears an animal attack on their unprepared people.

    Read More Here

    Rolling Home Cover

    Rolling Home (Book 5)

    David Fitz-Gerald concludes the Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail series with a grand finale for an eclectic cast of characters, as the long wagon train is finally Rolling Home to their new lives in the wild west of Oregon.

    With the end of the trail just out of reach, however, their hopes dwindle and their hunger rages. The rigor of the western environment continues to test their determination and threaten vows of heartfelt romance. These weary people ache and mourn losses, while seeking new ways to survive and pull each other forward in the face of impending winter.

    This wagon train of travelers will also face venomous villains who have been lurking in the shadows, outlaws waiting for their best opportunity to pounce.

    Read More Here

    Historical series can span different time periods and themes, as demonstrated by our next paranormal historical series…

    A Gold Ribbon dividing this section from the next

    The Curtis Jefferson Series by Vince Bailey

    Path of the Half Moon (Book 1)

    After being charged with burglary and attempted arson, fifteen-year-old African American boxer, Curtis Jefferson, has been sent to Fort Grant, a juvenile detention area in Arizona in Vince Bailey’s Path of the Half Moon.

    All of the creepy stories and whispered warnings about the former US military outpost used by the US cavalry to eliminate the Apache a hundred years ago pale in comparison to the truth Curtis finds there. Curtis faces racism from both inmates and guards, to make matters worse, he is also very aware of the presence of something not of this world. He quickly discovers (though he doesn’t want to admit it) that he is sentient to the fort’s bloody past atrocities. As the site where Pinal and Aravaipa Apaches were slaughtered, the fort seems to be a crossroads where past and present meet. From mournful coyotes to hundreds of circling vultures, Curtis can’t escape the strange visions and events inside and outside the fort. When he attracts the unwanted attention of Harvey Huish, an inmate with unusual abilities, Curtis creates a powerful enemy bent on revenge and humiliation.

    Read More Here

    Courses of the Cursed Cover

    Courses of the Cursed (Book 2)

    Imprisoned in a boys’ institution for a crime he did not commit, Curtis Jefferson must again face his nemesis, Harvey Huish. In Courses of the Cursed, the second installment of Vince Bailey’s paranormal Curtis Jefferson series, the fight comes with much higher stakes.

    Estranged from his constant companion, Randy, Curtis continues his training alone, bewildered as to why Randy believes Harvey to be more than a vicious bully. But as Curtis’s strange visions and dreams increase, he needs Randy more than ever. He begins to question whether Randy has been preparing him for an encounter beyond the violence between boys.

    Unbeknownst to Curtis, he isn’t the only one being tortured by the evil of Fort Grant. A local artist, Ray Cienfuegos, has his own date with destiny. As the last male descendant of his family, Ray’s fate is tied to the massacre that occurred near the fort almost one hundred years ago.

    Read More Here

    Merging Paths Cover

    Merging Paths (Book 3)

    Having escaped unjust imprisonment at the Fort Grant facility for juveniles, Curtis Jefferson is on the run, in Merging Paths, the third installment of Vince Bailey’s gripping, paranormal, Curtis Jefferson Series.

    With only a small jug of water and the clothes on his back, Curtis has to cross the Sonoran Desert and find a way back to his mother and grandmother in Jacobs Well. But his trip is plagued by more than thirst, hunger, and fear of animals. A racist sheriff’s deputy, Myron Aycock, is hellbent on finding Curtis not only for the acclaim such an arrest will give him but also for vengeance against the beating he received at the hands of the aspiring boxer.

    Trapped and desperate, Curtis is rescued by a mysterious figure and taken to Isabel and Ray Cienfuegos. After hearing Curtis’s unsettling stories about Fort Grant, the two understand that they have all been fighting the same evil forces – under the control of the sadistic Ezra. In a final confrontation, Isabel faces off against the wicked spirit, but just as they believe their problems are over, a new threat arises under the guise of friendship, and Isabel makes a life-changing decision that will mark her forever.

    Read More Here

    From contemporary paranormal settings, we move to one of literature’s most enduring legendary cycles…

    A Gold Ribbon dividing this section from the nextThe Guinevere’s Tale Trilogy By Nicole Evelina

    Daughter of Destiny (Book 1), 2015 Overall Grand Prize Winner

    Guinevere asks us, the readers, to listen to her words in the prologue of Daughter of Destiny, book one in The Guinevere’s Tale Trilogy. She implores, “I will take back my voice and speak the truth of what happened.” So shall the lies be revealed and Camelot’s former glory restored.”

    Daughter of Destiny is the first of three historical fiction novels narrated by Guinevere in the series of Guinevere’s Tale, by Nicole Evelina. Her tale begins during her young turbulent childhood in fifth-century Britain. It is a time of struggling to come to grips with her special powers. She’s studying to become a priestess, competing against her future lifelong enemy Morgana, and coping with the politics and violence ravaging her homeland in England’s fifth century. The novel follows Guinevere as she is separated from her family in Northgallis, during her early years in Avalon. It follows her training in the magical arts and eventual return to her war-ravaged homeland.

    Read More Here

    Camelot’s Queen (Book 2)

    Meet Guinevere: a sage military adviser, a priestess of Avalon, and the mother of a dynasty. In Nicole Evelina’s Camelot’s Queen: Guinevere’s Tale (book two), Guinevere must learn to reconcile her past with her future; what she was with what she must become.

    No longer a young lover with dreams of a home with her former betrothed, Guinevere must quickly learn how to be a queen and to navigate the rocky waters of marriage to the high king, Arthur Pendragon. Over time, Guinevere proves a great success until she cannot give Arthur the heir he needs.

    Kidnapped by a ruthless man bent on revenge, Guinevere must find the strength to hold tight to her sanity while regaining her rightful place. Upon returning from her horrific ordeal, she finds her position as queen in jeopardy and her once-strong relationship crumbling as she struggles to hold her growing restlessness and loneliness at bay.

    Read More Here

    Mistress of Legend Cover

    Mistress of Legend (Book 3)

    In Mistress of Legend, the enticing finale of Nicole Evelina’s Guinevere’s Tale trilogy, matters are life-and-death by the second sentence, pulling readers deep into Guinevere’s fate in this retelling of Arthurian legend.

    We come upon heroine Guinevere in the midst of an ill-fated romance with Lancelot. It’s far from her first troubled entanglement, but the stakes rise as she’s severely injured and faces even more threats, pursued by possible enemies. The novel’s beginning is woven with backstory, which adds suspense to the drama unfolding in Guinevere’s present. This summarizing might be slow for readers familiar with the series, but makes the story accessible for those who haven’t picked up the first two books.

    Many more characters appear, waving the web of intrigue Guinevere finds herself caught in.

    Read More Here

    Legendary retellings showcase one approach to series writing, while historical fiction based on real events offers another profound path…

    The Devil’s Bookkeepers Series By Mark H. Newhouse

    The Devils Bookkeepers The Noose cover Image

    The Noose (Book 1)

    Mark H. Newhouse has created an intense, harrowing, story of love and loyalty surrounding life within the Lodz Ghetto in Poland, established to control a sizeable portion of the Jewish population under Nazi domination in the first book in the series, The Devil’s Bookkeepers: The Noose.

    The author’s viewpoint is focused through the lens of Bernard Ostrowski, an engineer who will join three other men chosen for their related skills to report on daily happenings in the ghetto while secretly codifying incidents that the Nazis would not have wished to have recorded. Ostrowski and his cohort – the distinguished but embittered Oskar Rosenfeld, a noted Zionist, Julian Cukier, a journalist, and Oscar Singer, the youngest of the crew and the most impulsive. As Ostrowski opines privately, “Two Jews are a debate. Three, an argument. Four? A war.” Yet the four will co-exist, all trying in their separate ways to fulfill their assignment and please their highly controversial boss, Chaim Rumkowski.

    Read More Here

    The Devil's Bookkeepers Book 2: The Noose Tightens with Chanticleer Badge

    The Noose Tightens (Book 2)

    Mark H. Newhouse, son of German Holocaust survivors, includes the very personal and poignant first-hand sourced materials made available to him by the Yale University Press in his important historical fiction series, The Devil’s Bookkeepers. This inclusion lends a ribbon of humanity and compassion that raise the series to premiere status – a study, if you will, of the immutable human spirit. Newhouses’ series should encourage all who read it that hope is a gift and kindness and understanding is the answer to hate. It is a gripping story of love and survival that will haunt you until it’s shocking climax.

    From the first day of 1942, the conditions in the Jewish ghetto of Lodz, Poland, deteriorate. In Mark H. Newhouse’s historical fiction novel, The Devil’s Bookkeepers: Book 2, The Noose Tightens, those who thought their situation would get better now wish to survive and save their loved ones, But can they?

    Read More Here

    The Devil's Bookkeepers 3: The Noose Closes, Cover

    The Noose Closes (Book 3)

    In The Noose Closes, book three of the award-winning series, The Devil’s Bookkeepers, author Mark H. Newhouse continues the story of his compelling characters and their difficult predicaments in the closing months of World War II in occupied Lodz, Poland.

    Newhouse is a gifted writer and educator, born in Germany to Holocaust survivors. His series is a fictionalized account of what happened in the Lodz ghetto, a barbed-wire enclosed slum in Poland during the Nazi occupation. As he deftly utilizes the first-hand accounts of those who were there, we witness the ribbon of humanity and compassion woven through each book. This raises the series to premiere status – an exceptional if sobering examination of the immutable human spirit. His series should encourage all who read it that hope is a gift and kindness is the answer.

    Read More Here

    These Authors Mastered the Art of Serial Excellence

    From Tim Facciola’s epic fantasy trilogy that earned both Series and Overall Grand Prize recognition, to David Fitz-Gerald’s five-book historical saga that transforms a dangerous journey into an unforgettable literary experience, these Hall of Fame winners understand what readers crave: the promise that great characters and compelling worlds will continue to evolve and surprise.

    What sets these series apart?

    • Character development that spans multiple volumes
    • World-building that deepens with each installment
    • Consistent quality that rewards reader investment
    • Marketing power that builds loyal readerships

    Your Literary Universe Awaits Recognition

    The Series Awards recognize what publishers and readers already know: successful series create something greater than the sum of their parts. They build communities, generate anticipation, and provide the kind of sustained reader engagement that single volumes rarely achieve.

    Whether you’ve completed a trilogy that ties together all narrative threads or launched an ongoing series that promises years of reader investment, the Series Awards celebrate the vision and commitment required to create literary worlds worth revisiting.

    Don’t let your series remain undiscovered—submit by July 31, 2025!

    A stack of books flying into the blue sky for the Book Series Awards

    Those who submit and advance will have the chance to win the Overall Grand Prize of the CIBAs and $1000!

    The Series Awards: Where literary universes find their audience!

  • The 2025 Global Thriller Hall of Fame for High Stakes Suspense!

    The 2025 Global Thriller Hall of Fame for High Stakes Suspense!

    When Everything is at Stake, These Authors Deliver

    Global Thriller

    ***You have until July 31st to enter the Global Thriller Awards!***

    The Global Thriller Awards celebrate stories where individual actions determine the fate of nations—or species. Our Hall of Fame showcases authors who’ve mastered the art of maximum-stakes storytelling, proving that the best thrillers don’t just entertain; they remind us that heroes can emerge when humanity needs them most.

    From underwater civilizations fighting for survival to international conspiracies threatening global stability, these Grand Prize Winners understand that when the world hangs in the balance, readers demand heroes worthy of the challenge. Each of these celebrated works demonstrates what happens when exceptional writing meets planetary-scale peril.

    We’re here to celebrate the past Grand Prize Winners that showed us just how high stakes the suspense can be!

    A Blanket of Steel: The Rise of Oceania Book 6
    By Timothy S Johnston

    The review for this year’s Grand Prize Winner is forthcoming. In the meantime, here is our review for the previous book in the series and 2023 Cygnus Grand Prize Winner, The Shadow of War:

    In Timothy S. Johnston’s The Shadow of War, gripping personal, ecological, and political battles rage undersea for autonomy and power against the powerful surface nations. But even the ocean depths churn with betrayal, conflicting loyalties, and the ruthless ambitions of humanity.

    This thriller opens on the dystopia of the year 2131, when rising sea levels have forced humanity to establish and inhabit underwater colonies. The fear of environmental collapse is heightened by the prospect of war as the colonies struggle to maintain their independence.

    A simple scientific exploration of the Chagos trench by two geologist brothers takes a horrific turn, snapping the science fiction tension with the impact of gore horror. A slight touch by one brother on the hull of their Seacar causes his hand to suddenly dissolve into a strange mass, melting flesh away from bone. This opening foreshadows the enigmas and anomalies to be unravelled in a vast undersea mystery.

    Read More Here

    Roman Conspiracy cover

    Jake Fortina and the Roman Conspiracy
    By Ralph R. “Rick” Steinke

    Talk about a ripped-from-the headlines thriller in Jake Fortina and the Roman Conspiracy!

    In this multinational geopolitical thriller by Ralph R. “Rick” Steinke, a power-crazed Russian oligarch wants to usurp the current Russian dictator to take his place as the head of the government. He forms his own paramilitary force to steal priceless paintings from a Vatican church with plans to resell them for billions to fund his campaign. But why stop there? He also explodes illicit small-scale atomic weapons to further destabilize the Russian leader and cast himself as the country’s new czar.

    Meanwhile, a crazed U.S. right wing military adjutant buys loads of AK-47s from the Italian mafia to arm U.S. paramilitary groups intent on enforcing their own far-right views in America.

    Read More Here

    Hybrid Hysteria Cover

    Hybrid Hysteria
    By Charlie Robinson

    Two professors uncover a conspiracy to sterilize liberal Americans with specially-manufactured electric cars, in Charlie Robinson’s thriller, Hybrid Hysteria.

    Dr. Theresa Lauzon, endowed assistant professor at SUNY-Canton’s Department of Automotive Engineering, comes to Charlie “CC” Cavanaugh, university Chaplain and physics PhD, with two troubling revelations.

    First, while testing an electric car donated by the Gauss Hybrid Electric Automobile Company (GHEA), she’d discovered troubling spikes in its battery’s electromagnetic field. She connects these spikes to a rash of infertility and miscarriages along the Pacific coast, where GHEA cars have boomed in popularity.

    Second, Theresa is pregnant, and the father is GHEA’s technician-on-loan to SUNY-Canton, Jay Fish. And though Fish recently disappeared from campus, Theresa has much more complicated problems.

    Read More Here

     

    The Chameleon Cover

    The Chameleon
    By Ron McManus

    The Chameleon: A Jake Palmer Novel by Ron McManus takes on one of the most terrifying issues in the modern world: nuclear weapons in the hands of terrorists.

    Amidst the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan, the world’s superpowers recognize that both nations possess large nuclear arsenals, which intelligent, well-armed fanatics threaten to steal for their own nefarious purposes. If these weapons went off, they could easily lead to World War III. To prevent this, the U.S. eagerly takes on the role of supervising the security of these weapons in both countries.

    In this terrorism thriller, India and Pakistan clash over the disputed Kashmir region. Pakistan’s leaders decide to secretly deploy a variety of nuclear weapons to the front, sending them along backroads in unmarked trucks. But in a carefully planned attack, terrorists kidnap one of these vehicles containing three nuclear weapons, before substituting a precise duplicate truck to take its place. The theft is not discovered until the decoy truck reaches its destination.

    Read More Here

    Cover of William Maz's The Bucharest Dossier, Chanticleer Grand Prize Global Thrillers Winner 2020

    The Bucharest Dossier
    By William Maz

    Bill Hefflin is a man apart—apart from life, apart from his homeland, apart from love

    At the start of the 1989 uprising in Romania, CIA analyst Bill Hefflin—a disillusioned Romanian expat—arrives in Bucharest at the insistence of his KGB asset, code-named Boris. As Hefflin becomes embroiled in an uprising that turns into a brutal revolution, nothing is as it seems, including the search for his childhood love, which has taken on mythical proportions.

    With the bloody events unfolding at blinding speed, Hefflin realizes the revolution is manipulated by outside forces, including his own CIA and Boris—the puppeteer who seems to be pulling all the strings of Hefflin’s life.

    The Bourne Identity Meets John le Carre’s The Spy Who Came In from the Cold

    Buy it here!

    Now that you’re set on your next reads, what are you waiting for? The only way to join this amazing list of Global Thriller Winners is to submit today!

    Those who submit and advance will have the chance to win the Overall Grand Prize of the CIBAs and $1000!

    Submit to the CIBAs Today!

    Now is your chance to touch the hearts of readers everywhere. Your Thriller story deserves to be discovered, and you can submit to the 2025 Global Thrillers Awards by the end of the month. Don’t miss this chance to give your book the recognition it deserves.

    The Global Thriller Awards is your chance to shine!

    The 2025 CIBA Grand Prize Winners at CAC25

  • Happy Fourth of July! Celebrating Independence with Indie Authors and a Review Sale!

    Happy Fourth of July! Celebrating Independence with Indie Authors and a Review Sale!

    Happy Fourth of July!

    Celebrating the Independent Author’s Marketing Revolution

    American flag, stars, red, white, blue

    You’ve claimed your independence to drive your own publishing future, create exactly what you want to create, and present your work to the world on your own terms. That same revolutionary spirit that led you to believe your stories deserve their chance with readers is what’s reshaping the entire publishing landscape.

    This Fourth of July, let’s celebrate what independence means for authors—and how smart independents are turning their freedom into a competitive advantag

    The Freedom to Move Fast (And the Responsibility That Comes With It)

    Faster Publication Timelines Self-publishing can shave months—even years—off the traditional publishing process. You control the timeline, the decision-making, and when your book is ready for readers. No waiting for publishing house committees or seasonal catalogs.

    Higher Revenue Potential While traditionally published authors typically earn 10-15% royalties, self-published authors can keep 35-70% of their book’s revenue. That’s a significant difference when you’re building a sustainable author career.

    woman, books, box, house, reading

    Complete Creative Control” From cover design to pricing strategy, distribution channels to promotional campaigns—it’s all in your hands. No publisher override on your vision.

    Longer Shelf Life: Traditionally published authors may see their book front and center on the bookstore shelf for several months but be unceremoniously replaced by a publisher’s newest release. Self-published authors can keep their book visible for a lifetime when they put in the time and effort to promote it. This gives self-published authors a HUGE advantage!

    The Independence Challenge: Standing Out in a Crowded Marketplace

    But here’s where independence gets interesting (and where many authors stumble): with great freedom comes great responsibility—especially when it comes to marketing and discoverability.

    Traditional publishers provide built-in credibility through their established reputation and industry connections. Independent authors need to build that credibility themselves, which is where professional validation becomes crucial.

    The Credibility Gap Readers, reviewers, and industry professionals often make quick judgments about book quality based on professional markers. Independent authors who invest in professional services signal that they’re serious about their craft and committed to quality—just like their traditionally published counterparts.

    Marketing Amplification Your independence means you’re also your own marketing department. Professional tools like editorial reviews don’t just validate your work—they provide marketing ammunition you can use across multiple platforms and for years to come.

    Celebrating Smart Independence: The Professional Author’s Approach

    The most successful independent authors aren’t just celebrating their freedom—they’re strategically leveraging it. They understand that true independence means having the resources and credibility to compete at the highest level.

    Professional editorial reviews serve as both validation and marketing fuel. When Chanticleer Book Reviews provides a thorough, honest assessment of your work, you’re not just getting feedback—you’re getting a powerful marketing tool that includes:

    • A comprehensive 450-word review you can use across all promotional materials
    • Professional SEO optimization that keeps your book discoverable long-term
    • Social media promotion to extend your reach
    • Integration with our promotional magazine for additional visibility

    This Fourth of July: Declare Your Marketing Independence

    This year, we’re celebrating the spirit of independence with authors who are ready to take their marketing to the next level. Because true independence isn’t just about having the freedom to publish—it’s about having the tools and credibility to succeed.

    Ready to amplify your independent author advantage?

    Submit your book for a Chanticleer Editorial Review and discover what professional validation can do for your marketing strategy.

    Our Editorial Review packages are specifically designed to maximize your digital footprint and provide the marketing ammunition independent authors need to compete effectively. Find out why serious independent authors consider professional reviews essential infrastructure for their publishing business.

    Do you have a book that deserves to be discovered?

    Use the code CBRHUR7KQK3H for $75 off an Editorial Review

    And use this code TNBXBZ6QYSM2 for $25 off a Children’s Book Review! 

    Submit your book for an Editorial Review with Chanticleer!

    Chanticleer Editorial Review Packages are optimized to maximize your digital footprint. Reviews are one of the most powerful tools available to authors to help sell and market their books. Find out what all the buzz is about here.

  • The 2024 Series First Place Round Up

    The 2024 Series First Place Round Up

    A stack of books flying into the blue sky for the Book Series AwardsThe Series Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in Genre Fiction (and now Non-Fiction). The Grand Prize Winner, Tim Facciola’s Series, A Vengeful Realm will be promoted for years to come in our annual Hall of Fame article, as well as be featured on the Series contest page year ’round!

    The best part about being a Chanticleer Int’l Book Award Winner is the love and attention you get all year ‘round!

    While these Award Winning Series are all Multi-book sagas, we are going to showcase the most important part of a Series. The beginning. Having a good start makes it memorable. The first book is the foundation, laying the first stitches into what later becomes a whole tapestry, telling their story.

    Join us in celebrating the 2024 first in the series of the First Place Series Winners!

    A Gold Ribbon dividing this section from the next

    Karen Inglis – The Secret Lake

    When Stella and her younger brother, Tom, move to their new London home, they become mystified by the disappearances of Harry, their elderly neighbor’s small dog. Where does he go? And why does he keep reappearing wet-through?

    Their quest to solve the riddle over the summer holidays leads to a boat buried under a grassy mound, and a tunnel that takes them to a secret lake.

    Who is the boy rowing towards them who looks so terrified? And whose are those children’s voices carried on the wind from beyond the woods?

    Stella and Tom soon discover that they have travelled back in time to their home and its gardens almost 100 years earlier. Here they make both friends and enemies, and uncover startling connections between the past and present.

    Find it Locally and on Amazon!

    Glen Dahlgren – The Child of Chaos

    Nothing can stop the gods of Order… except a roll of the dice.

    The Longing gnaws at young Galen, an irresistible force dragging him toward an ancient vault where Chaos slumbers. He doesn’t crave power, just an escape from Order’s suffocating grip and the twisted nightmares that haunt his sleep. But visions flicker in his mind, painting a world devoured by the very chaos he’s compelled to unleash.

    He’s not alone in this desperate pilgrimage. Another soul thrums with the same Longing, fueled by ambition and vengeance. The race to the vault is a collision course, a clash of desperation and darkness.

    Now, Galen stands at the precipice: trust his wild imagination, a double-edged sword that’s always landed him in trouble, or unleash the torrent that threatens to drown the world… unless, somehow, he can bend the very fabric of chance with a throw of his ancient, wood-carved dice.

    Find it Locally and on Amazon!

    Sandra Wagner-Wright – Ambition, Arrogance and Pride

    In 18th Century Salem, Massachusetts, the ambitious Derby and Crowninshield families vie for power amid a shifting social and political landscape.

    After the heartbreaking loss of their first child, Mary Hodges Derby and her husband Captain Richard Derby are blessed with a healthy son named Richard who is soon followed by four brothers and three sisters. All but one of the Derby boys follow their father to sea to secure their fortunes from America’s lucrative but treacherous trade routes to the West Indies and beyond.

    When Captain Derby’s oldest son comes of age, he decides to retire from the sea and establish a merchant house. Two of Richard’s brothers follow him as captains of their own ships, but Captain Derby keeps his son Hasket ashore to manage the family’s growing trade network.

    George Crowninshield, the youngest of four brothers, sails for the Derby family enterprise and ultimately marries Hasket’s sister Mary. Meanwhile, George’s sister Eliza makes a match with Hasket Derby.

    Though the two families are united by wedlock, rivalries, political turmoil, and questionable choices reveal the complex consequences of unchecked ambition, arrogance, and pride.

    Set during a pivotal time in Salem’s history when Americans broke their colonial ties with Great Britain, this gripping work of historical fiction explores the depth of human relationships through nuanced characters and vivid historical details. Recipes from the era bring the sights and flavors of 18th century Salem to life, while a glossary illuminates the context of the times.

    From Chanticleer:

    Sandra Wagner-Wright’s historical novel, Ambition, Arrogance and Pride, chronicles the rise of some of Salem, Massachusetts’s founding families, through the revolutionary war and beyond as they make their fortunes in far-off ports.

    Wagner-Wright tells this story through several points of view, but it is her strong female characters who carry this story, women like Mary Derby, whose courtship and marriage to George Crowninshield begins this saga.

    We follow Mary as she brings new life into the world while her husband is out at sea as captain of a merchant vessel. Wagner-Wright has done her research, making real the perils of pregnancy and childbirth in the 1700s. In keeping with the time and the rate of infant mortality, we suffer with Mary each time she loses a precious child.

    Men such as Captain Richard Derby and George Crowninshield travel the sea in search of foreign ports, while women like Mary, Lydia, and Eliza hold their families together in this intricate and expertly crafted story.

    Read More Here

    Find it Locally and on Amazon!

    Taryn R. Hutchison – One Degree of Freedom

    Fifteen-year-old Adriana Nicu lives in the sheltered world of Bucharest, Romania, in the year 1987. Under the rule of Communist president Nicolae Ceaușescu, citizens of Bucharest live with the eyes and ears of the government ever present. Adriana’s future, which will involve becoming an engineer, is locked in against her will.

    During a visit to her aunt’s apartment, Adriana walks through a wardrobe into a hidden room filled with stacks of forbidden novels. Stories bring light into the darkest of circumstances as her family begins to unravel and her life strangely parallels those of her novels’ heroines. Adriana’s childhood loyalties and her belief that God doesn’t exist are called into question as her circumstances force her to rethink things she once believed were certain.

    Find it Locally and on Amazon!

    Kari Bovee – The Pryce of Conceit

    Also a Chanticleer 2024 Mystery & Mayhem First Place Winner!

    Murder takes center stage!

    1885. Arabella Pryce is struggling with heartbreak. In keeping with her late husband’s final wishes, she must leave behind her dazzling celebrity and breathe new life into their namesake hotel in Colorado.

    But when a beloved town beauty is found dead, all eyes—and suspicion—turn to her.

    With blood-stained evidence, handsome sheriffs, and libelous journalists turning her investigation into a dangerous drama, this determined thespian fears she’s missed her cue for survival.

    Amid whispered betrayals and shadowed secrets, a mischievous ghost guides her through a maze of perilous clues, drawing her ever closer to a truth more shocking than the lies surrounding her.

    Can she unmask the true killer and clear her name before her reputation is ruined forever?

    DiscoverThe Pryce of Conceit, the riveting first installment in The Pryce of Murder historical cozy mystery series, and witness a performance where murder is the main act!

    Find it Locally and on Amazon!

    J.L. Oakley – The Jøssing Affair

    Chanticleers 2016 Goethe Grand Prize Winner!

    British-trained Norwegian intelligence agent, Tore Haugland, is a jøssing—a patriot—sent to a fishing village on Norway’s west coast to set up a line to receive weapons and agents from England via the “Shetland Bus.” Posing as a deaf fisherman, his mission is complicated when he falls in love with Anna Fromme, a German widow. Accused of betraying her husband, she has a young daughter and secrets of her own. Although the Allies have liberated France, the most zealous Nazis hang on in Norway, sending out agents to disembowel resistance groups. If Haugland fails, it could cost him his life and the lives of the fishermen who have joined him. When Haugland is betrayed and left for dead, he will have to find the one who betrayed him and destroyed his network. He will also have to prove that the one he loves was not the informer. In wartime love and trust are not always compatible.

    From Chanticleer:

    At a time when true identities are carefully protected and information can get you killed, heroes emerge to fight the evils of Nazi-occupied Norway in J.L. Oakley’s highly suspenseful and beautifully penned historical fiction novel,The Jøssing Affair.

    In a quiet Norwegian fishing village during the Nazi occupation, risk lurks everywhere. Most residents are patriotic members of the resistance, “jøssings,” but there are “quislings,” too. Those who collaborate with the Germans and tout the Nazi propaganda of Nordic brotherhood between the nations. Mistaking the two is a matter of life and death.

    At the heart of the narrative is Jens Hansen who is an exceedingly mild-mannered handyman and a deaf-mute. Jens helps his friend Kjell on this fishing boat but mostly keeps to himself, communicating with paper and pencil when asked a question.

    But Jens has a secret. His real identity is that of Tore Haugland, a man who will risk his life repeatedly as a British-trained member of the resistance. He and Kjell coordinate the transport of weapons and agents via the “Shetland bus,” a fleet of small fishing boats and a few American submarine chasers, that make excursions from the coast of Norway to the Scottish Shetland Islands.

    Read More Here

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    Ralph R. “Rick” Steinke – Major Jake Fortina and the Tier One Threat

    At the behest of rogue Iranian government officials, two terrorists break into the grave of an American veterans cemetery in the Suresnes suburb of Paris. What they take from that grave could lead to the deaths of millions of Israeli and US citizens, as well as Jews around the world. US Army Major Jake Fortina, a military attaché stationed at the US Embassy in Paris, is called upon by the FBI and French and Italian law enforcement and intelligence officials to help defeat Iran’s nefarious plan. Beginning in Paris, this international drama leads readers from Afghanistan to England, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Turkey, and the United States in the scramble to save the world from a terror unknown since the deadly Spanish flu outbreak of 1918.

    From Chanticleer:

    Why would Iranian terrorists break into a Paris cemetery and steal the bones of an American Jewish WWI veteran? The answer lies in the deadly parallel history of WWI and the Spanish flu, but it’s a mystery that Jake Fortina will have to uncover in Ralph R. “Rick” Steinke’s thriller, Major Jake Fortina and the Tier One Threat. 

    During WWI, the Spanish Flu killed millions of people—some estimates as high as 100 million—but a Jewish nurse tossed off the flu like a cold and continued to serve her country. Iran’s leaders believe the DNA in her bones will let them develop a virus that could kill Americans and Israelis by the millions while simultaneously developing immunity for Iran’s own population.

    This threat drives the story as it reaches deep into multiple countries and their governments, who collectively try to figure out the importance of the bones theft and, ultimately, what to do about it.

    Read More Here

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    Mike Murphey – Tales of Physics, Lust and Greed

    In the mid-21st century, time travel becomes a reality through a top-secret government-corporate initiative. Enter Marshall Grissom: socially awkward, perpetually overlooked, and unexpectedly thrust into the heart of this groundbreaking project.
    Joined by the alluring and mischievous Sheila Schuler and the dangerous industrial spy Marta Hamilton, Marshall embarks on a journey that challenges everything they thought they knew about time and causality. As evidence mounts that the past may be irreversible, corporate investors demand proof the past can be manipulated—or threaten to pull the plug.

    The unlikely trio is sent back to Marshall’s high school days with a seemingly simple mission: save the life of his unrequited love. But in a world where powerful corporations will stop at nothing to protect their interests, the travelers find themselves in a deadly game of cat and mouse. With time running out and lives on the line, Marshall and his companions must navigate the treacherous waters of temporal manipulation, corporate greed, and their own conflicting motivations. Can they change the past without destroying their future?

    Find it Locally and on Amazon!

    Rose Prendeville – Mistress Mackintosh and the Shaw Wretch

    Also a Chanticleer 2023 Chatelaine First Place Winner!

    In 1725, a secret convent has been established on the Aberdeenshire coast.

    Jory Mackintosh is more excited by healing herbs than husbands or holy prayers. She craves freedom—and a chance to sneak into medical school. Instead, on the eve of her escape, she becomes an unwilling pawn in her family’s schemes with a rival clan.

    Finlay Shaw, the disgraced younger brother of the laird, has spent ten long years atoning for his past failures, but nothing can wash away the stain of fratricide. When the clans order him to escort Jory to her new life as a nun, thus securing an alliance with the freshly formed Black Watch, it’s his last chance for redemption. Too bad for Finn, Jory has no intention of following orders.

    Trapped on the road together, often with only one bed between them, the two butt heads and match wits, forced to acknowledge the dark shadows that have haunted them both for years. Can they learn to trust each other, and themselves, to fly in the face of their families’ wishes, or will they choose the solitary futures they always believed they deserve in this unorthodox runaway bride story?

    Find it Locally and on Amazon!

    Thank you for joining us to celebrate the 2024 Series First Place Winners!

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    Your book can join the Tiers of Achievement, but only if you submit to the Chanticleer Int’l Book Awards!

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    Got a great Fiction Book? The 2025 Series Book Awards are open through the end of July!

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    Submit to the Series Awards Today!
  • The 2024 Global Thriller First Place Round Up for High Stakes Suspense

    The 2024 Global Thriller First Place Round Up for High Stakes Suspense

    Global ThrillerThe Global Thriller Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of High Stakes Thrillers. The Grand Prize Winner, Timothy S. Johnston’s book, A Blanket of Steel, will be promoted for years to come in our annual Hall of Fame article, as well as be featured on the Global Thriller contest page year ’round!

    The best part about being a Chanticleer Int’l Book Award Winner is the continued love and promotion for your book!

    The 2024 Global Thriller Winners were announced at the 2025 Chanticleer Authors Conference in April, and you can see the official winners post here!

    Join us in celebrating the 2024 First Place Global Thriller Winners!

    A Gold Ribbon dividing this section from the next

    T.O. Paine – The Delusion

    Don’t believe everything you read on the internet. It’ll drive you crazy. Literally.

    Emma has sacrificed everything for her research in psychology at the University of Baltimore, dedicating her twenties to studying the persuasive effects of social media on the masses.

    And, just when it’s about to pay off, her relentless graduate professor mysteriously disappears. They never got along, and the detective on the case blames her.

    Now, desperate to clear her name, Emma sets out on a dangerous adventure only to discover a web of shocking lies and twisted motivations. Dark forces set in motion during the ‘90s converge, intertwining the dot com era, social media, and toxic manipulation.

    A sinister, narcissistic madman has stolen her research, and with it, he can persuade the world to do as he wishes.

    Emma is the only one who can stop him.

    Find it Locally and on Amazon!

    Charlie Robinson- Heavy Hysteria

    From Chanticleer:

    Scientific and moral questions swirl in Charlie Robinson’s latest thriller, Heavy Hysteria: A Novel of Corporate Intrigue Involving the Minerals of this Sacred Earth.

    Readers are thrust into a suspenseful journey with worldwide implications alongside Dr. Charlie Cavanaugh, a 68-year-old priest and scientist.

    Arriving home after a spiritual retreat, he is surprised by an FBI agent sitting with Cavanaugh’s gun on his lap. The agent has subverted a freshly enhanced security system to retrieve Cavanaugh’s encrypted, unpublishedHybrid Hysteriareport from a concealed USB stick.

    The FBI needs Cavanaugh’s assistance with a delicate national security issue.

    Read More Here

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    Tony Ollivier – The Tokyo Diversion

    David Knight is still having a rough time…

    Having survived the implanting of another man’s memories, ballet dancer David Knight is struggling to adjust. He has been hunted, attacked, and almost killed because a TV minister wanted the acquired memories destroyed; injuring his best friend. Now a year later, the memories are gone, but his life will never be the same.

    While trying to find his new normal in Canada’s premier dance company and living a pauper’s life, he’s fired because of anger issues. But when friend and aging spymaster Asher Fitzsimmons offers him a three-day contract for some light surveillance of one of the world’s largest security software companies, he jumps at it. However, David is soon embroiled in a corporate conspiracy that drags him to Japan to save the life of a billionaire’s daughter and uncover the greatest sleight of hand in history.

    Will David Knight survive The Tokyo Diversion?

    Find it Locally and on Amazon!

    Ralph R. “Rick” Steinke – Change of Mission

    IN THIS COMPELLING third installment of the Jake Fortina global thriller series—set predominantly in Italy—US Army Lieutenant Colonel Jake Fortina and his Italian Carabinieri bride, Sara Simonetti-Fortina, must each face deadly threats from different enemies. Meanwhile, Jake’s decision to seek a change in his life’s mission turns out to be far more momentous than expected. Jake’s new mission will require him and Sara to face criminal and dark international enemies head-on, and to seek the assistance of his closest allies while employing his vintage resourcefulness and agility. Will the assistance provided by a highly trusted US Army sergeant and a Ukrainian Air Force colonel be sufficient for Jake Fortina to accomplish his mission? Find out in this fast-paced and heart-pounding thriller!

    From Chanticleer:

    This Series also won a First Place in the 2024 Series Award, book 1, Major Jake Fortina and the Tier One Threat, will be showcased in the first-place post for Series. You can also check out our review for book 2, Jake Fortina and the Roman Conspiracy, Our 2023 Global Thriller Grand Prize Winner here:

    Talk about a ripped-from-the headlines thriller in Jake Fortina and the Roman Conspiracy!

    In this multinational geopolitical thriller by Ralph R. “Rick” Steinke, a power-crazed Russian oligarch wants to usurp the current Russian dictator to take his place as the head of the government. He forms his own paramilitary force to steal priceless paintings from a Vatican church with plans to resell them for billions to fund his campaign. But why stop there? He also explodes illicit small-scale atomic weapons to further destabilize the Russian leader and cast himself as the country’s new czar.

    Meanwhile, a crazed U.S. right wing military adjutant buys loads of AK-47s from the Italian mafia to arm U.S. paramilitary groups intent on enforcing their own far-right views in America.

    Read More Here

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    Ron Singerton – Ruptured

    RUPTURED: The story of a family torn apart, unsuspected betrayal, terrorism, secession, and potential civil war as the nation is sundered.

    Following the loss of a hotly contested election, Jefferson Calhoun Lee, a former U.S. senator with a questionable past establishes the Nationalist Christian Republic of America, a conglomeration of states with ties to the old Confederacy.

    Janice, wife of FBI Director Steven Whitinghill, accompanies her debonaire lover James Goodwin, a close friend of Lee, to the NCRA’s capitol in Montgomery, Alabama where Lee is sworn in as the all-powerful leader of the new nation. Amid mounting chaos U.S. President Edith Barnes is encouraged to declare war as powerful members of the NCRA engage in draconian measures that spin out of control. Janice, having severed her relationship with husband and daughter, learns of Goodwin’s checkered past and attempts to survive as her world turns upside down.

    Find it Locally and on Amazon!

    Sheri T. Joseph – Edge of The Known World

    In a near future where DNA tests are used at ID checkpoints, brilliant Alexandra Tashen is hiding in the open. After a blissful childhood on a Texas ranch, she learned of the secret in her genes—a harmless inherited marker and ancestry that would get her deported to a brutal regime and likely death. Her adoptive father’s experimental gene therapy masks her marker, but not completely. Every security check is a one-in-ten chance of getting caught.

    When her father vanishes, Alex risks everything in a headlong and often comic search across nations. A volatile love triangle develops with two brothers—one a disgraced intelligence officer, the other a damaged, charismatic diplomat—each guarding secrets of their own. As betrayals mount and the secrets unravel, Alex must confront the confounding choices between love, family loyalty, and moral obligation.

    Edge of the Known World blends the tension of a global thriller with the heart of a love story.

    Find it Locally and on Amazon!

    Carla Seyler – A Place Unmade

    Valentina Sorelli is a part-time graduate student and full-time marketing director of a community park in New Orleans. Jack Stillman is a corporate executive who hijacks his company’s research for personal gain, and he doesn’t care about the consequences. Their separate paths intersect when Valentina meets Jack’s son Sam, who becomes the link between the worlds of scientific discovery and corporate espionage.

    As the story unfolds, Valentina and her classmates unite to try to stop Jack. They get a little help from a corporate whistleblower as well as the FBI. Valentina’s friendship with one of her classmates evolves into something more as they fight for their lives. A Place Unmade takes the reader on a provocative journey into the dangers lurking in our decreasing lack of biodiversity and patentable genetics.

    Find it Locally and on Amazon!

    Randall Krzak – Frozen Conquest

    Frozen Conquest Cover

    An international criminal gang, known as Diablo Corps, plans a series of devastating attacks to take over the G7 countries unless their demands are met. Secure in their hidden headquarters in Antarctica, they possess the means to disrupt the leading world economies. The CEO wants what other power-hungry people want—more power.

    Will the G7 bend to the will of these rogues or will evil triumph? Diablo Corps believes their previous infiltration of the international banking system and world stock exchanges will allow them to risk all on a single gamble.

    The Scandinavian Protection Agency joins forces with Bedlam to thwart the efforts of the group and restore faith. Will Antarctica become a smoking ruin or will the world suffer an economic meltdown?

    From Chanticleer:

    Frozen Conquest by Randall Krzak is a thrilling and intense conflict between the cold of Antarctica and the blazing ambition of those seeking global control, fusing the issues of power, greed, and survival into a high-stakes adventure.

    The icy edge of Antarctica serves as the center of a sinister organization, Diablo Corps. The ruthless leader, Walter Brown, threatens global mayhem if his aspirations for power are not met. With technological efficiency and the ability to disrupt critical infrastructure, Diablo Corps is poised to leverage its capabilities against the G7. Soon, an anonymous climate-related warning is sent out, with events such as the hacking of the London metal exchange proving to authorities the true weight of that threat.

    Such dire actions demand an immediate answer. A classified team of specialists is called upon to gather at Ramstein Air Base. With naturally skilled leader Craig, sharp and observant Evelyn, and the humor and humility of Rufus and August, the promising recruits form the Bedlam Quick Reaction Force (QRF) and venture out into the peril of a frozen land.

    Read More Here

    Find it Locally and on Amazon!

    Thank you for joining us to celebrate the 2024 Global Thrillers First Place Winners!

    Global Thriller

    Your book can join the Tiers of Achievement, but only if you submit to the Chanticleer Int’l Book Awards!

    The tiers of achievement for the CIBAs

    Got a great High Stakes Suspense Thriller? The 2025 Global Thriller Book Awards are open through the end of July!

    Blue button that says Enter a Writing Contest
    Submit to the Global Thriller Awards Today!