Chanticleer Book Reviews

Category: Contest News

2014 Journey Award Finalists–Official List

The results for the Finalists for the 2014 Journey Awards are in!

The Journey Awards recognizes new and emerging talent in the genre of Narrative Non-Fiction. It is a division of the Chanticleer Book Reviews Blue Ribbon Writing Competitions.

There are nine sub-categories for the Journey Awards for Narrative Non-Fiction.

Congratulations are in order to the following authors whose works have made it out of the slush pile and past the first round of judging. These works will go on to compete for First Place Category Winner for their respective categories within the 2014 Journey Awards for Narrative Non-Fiction. First Place Category Winners receive a competitive prize package including: shelf talkers, digital award badges, stickers, a complimentary book review and more.

Soviet Letters by Michael Schneiderstein

One Thousand Days in the Asylum by Shanny Nadudvary

Coulda, Woulda, Shouda: a Mother’s Lessons, Learnings, and Insights from Her Daughter’s Battle with Cancer by Kenna P. Marriott

Thwarted Escape: A Journey of Migrant Trails and Returns by Lopa Banerjee

Five Thousand Brothers in Law: Love in Angola Prison by Shannon Hager

Caregiving Our Loved Ones by Nanette Davis

Once Upon a Road Trip by Angela N. Blount

The Breast is History: An Intimate History of Breast Cancer by Bronwyn Hope

Private Svoboda: Hope is the Last to Die by Steven Roberts

Horse Vet; Chronicles of a Mobile Veterinarian by Courtney S. Diehl, DVM

Three Day Rule by Jack L.Cooper

Moroccan Musings by Anne B. Barriault

Waking Reality by Donna LeClair

CURBChek Reload by Zach Fortier

Bread and Butter: a Memoir and Recipes From a Writer’s Hearth by Jane Ward

The Accidental Teacher: Life Lessons from My Silent Son – an Autism Memoir by Annie Lubliner Lehmann

Entry into the 2015 Journey Awards is now open. The deadline is February 28, 2015.

October 23, 2014
Summer 2014 Short Stories and Novelettes Writing Competition Finalists
The Finalist results for the 2014 Winter Short Stories and Novelettes are here. We are pleased to announce the following authors whose works have made it to the Finalist round and will go on to compete for first place overall winner.

Congratulations are in order to the following authors:
- My Square Inch of Alaska by Sharon Short
- You’re the One by Alix Nichols
- Philbert Colfax: Life’s Out of Kilter by Stephen J. Flitcraft
- For the Love of Ellen by Carla Shaffer Evans
- The Stone God’s Wife by Sharon Anderson
- Ruth Judges Joshua by Dermot Davis Cleveland
- Worlds Away: Point of No Return by Barry Kirkwood
- A Collection of Sayings from Leptis Magna by Michael Hugos
- A Tale of the Later Roman Empire by Michael Hugos
- Shakedown by J.Gunnar Grey
- Who Killed Bootsy Carter by Roxanne Dent
- Santa Claus is Missing by Saul Greenblatt
These finalists will continue on to compete for first place overall winner for the 2014 Summer Short Stories and Novelettes.
October 10, 2014
The Cygnus Awards 2014 Finalists – Official List
The results for the 2014 Cygnus Awards Finalists are in.

The Cygnus Awards recognizes emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of SciFi & Fantasy Fiction. It is a division of Chanticleer Book Reviews Blue Ribbon Awards Writing Competitions.

The Cygnus Awards has eight sub-genres which are: Steampunk, Science Fiction, Time Travel, Fantasy, Paranormal, Mythological, Soft Sci-Fi/Young Adult, and Speculative Fiction.

Congratulations are in order for the following authors who made it to the Short List, The Cygnus 2014 FINALISTS OFFICIAL LIST:
- Selah J. Tay-Song for Dreams of a Vast Blue Cavern
- Robert L. Slater for All is Silence
- Yuan Jur for Citadel 7, Earth’s Secret: Enemy of Existence
- Ryan Henry for Betrayal on Triton
- V. Lakshman for Mythborn: Rise of the Adepts
- Sara Stamey for The Ariadne Connection
- D. C. for Prodigy Genius
- Michael Simon for Natural Selection
- H. G. Bleackley for ISO
- Jane Baskin for The New Earth: Rhapsody
- Tom and Nancy Wise for The Borealis Genome
- Laura Burroughs for The Foxes of Caminus
- Sherrill Nilson for Karda: Adalta
- Jianna Higgins for Filled to Completion
- Simone Pond for The City Center
- Robert Carrell for The Pinks and the Kinks
- Samantha Bryant for Going Through the Change
- Ryan Henry for Betrayal on Titan
- James Zerndt for The Cloud Seeders
- James Musgrave for Jane the Grabber
- J. M. Salyards for Shadow of the Last Man
- Michael Suma for Natural Selection
- Time Vander Meulin for A Humble Heart
- Christopher Pepper for Outrider Legion
- Allen W. Johnson for Blood Line Secrets
- Paul C. Breslin for Observer of the First Order
- Zachary J. Kitchen for The Unbeliever
- Alisse Lee Goldenberg for The Strings of a Violin
- Lorrie Farrelly for Time Lapse
- Jessica Schaub for Gateways
- Jamie Smith for Shadow Wars: The Arcana
- Richard Pulfer for Godtown
- Michael Murphey for About Time
- Terri-Lynn DeFino for Beyond the Gate
- Robert G. Ferrell for Goblinopolis
- Michael Wolff for Smoke and Mirrors
- Joannah Miley for The Immortal Game
- Brett A. Lawrence for The Shadow Guardians
- Jesikah Sundin for Legacy: The Biodome Chronicles
- Ashland Menshouse for The Last Guardian and Keeper of the Magi
Finalists will continue on to compete for a first place category win in their sub-genre, and then for the overall grand prize of the 2014 Cygnus Awards. First place category winners will receive an award package including a complimentary book review, digital award badges, shelf talkers, book stickers, and more.

We are now accepting submissions into the Cygnus Awards 2015. Deadline is January 31, 2015.
October 4, 2014
The Official List of the Chanticleer 2013 Grand Prize Winners of the Blue Ribbon Writing Competitions

We are excited and honored to have announced the the grand prize award winners at the Inaugural Chanticleer Authors Conference’s Awards Banquet held on Saturday, Sept. 20th, 2014 at the Hotel Bellwether by beautiful Bellingham Bay, Wash.

CBR– Discovering Today’s Best Books!

The Chanticleer Grand Prize Award 2013 for
Overall Best Book:

The Prodigal by Michael Hurley

Michael Hurley was awarded the $1,000.00 Grand Prize Cash Award and the gorgeous Chanticleer Grand Prize Blue Ribbon along with his digital badge and golden stickers.

Photo: Elaine Dillon

Read Review

The Chanticleer Genre Grand Prize 2013 Winners are as follows:

The Cygnus Grand Prize for SciFi and Fantasy Fiction 2013 was awarded to:

Virtues of War
by Bennett Coles

View Cygnus Category 1st Place Winners — Read Review

The Journey Grand Prize Ribbon for Narrative Non-fiction 2013 was awarded to:

More Faster Backwards, Rebuilding David B
by Christine Smith

View Journey Category 1st Place Winners — Read Review

The M&M Grand Prize Ribbon for Mystery & Mayhem Fiction 2013 was awarded to:

Fatal Induction
by Bernadette Pajer

View Mystery & Mayhem Category 1st Place Winners — Read Review

The Dante Rossetti Grand Prize Ribbon for YA Fiction 2013 was awarded to:

The Borealis Genome
by Thomas P. Wise and Nancy Wise

View Dante Rossetti Category 1st Place Winners — Read Review

The Chaucer Grand Prize Ribbon for Historical Fiction 2013 was awarded to:

Propositum
by Sean Curley

View Chaucer Category 1st Place Winners — Read Review

The Laramie Grand Prize Ribbon for Western, Pioneer, Civil War Fiction 2013 was awarded to:

Unbroke Horses
by Dale B. Jackson

View Laramie Category 1st Place Winners — Read Review

The Chatelaine Grand Prize Ribbon for Women’s Fiction and Romantic Fiction 2013 was awarded to:

Choices
by Kate Vale

View Chatelaine Category 1st Place Winners — Read Review

The CLUE Grand Prize Ribbon for Mystery/Thriller/Suspense Fiction was awarded to:

Raggedy Man

by Clyde Curley

View CLUE Category 1st Place Winners — Read Review

The Paranormal Grand Prize Ribbon for Paranormal/Supernatural Fiction was awarded to:

The Watcher
by Lisa Voisin

View Paranormal Category 1st Place Winners —Read Review

The Somerset Grand Prize Ribbon for Literary, Contemporary, & Mainstream Fiction was awarded to:

Individually Wrapped
by Jeremy Bullian

View Somerset Category 1st Place Winners — Read Review

Now this is something to CROW about!

We invite you to read the Chanticleer editorial book reviews of these stellar works. The reviews will be published on our website and in the Chanticleer Reviews online magazine. If they are not currently posted, they will be coming soon!

We are currently accepting works into the CBR International Blue Ribbon Writing Competitions.

September 23, 2014
The Paranormal Awards 2013 for Supernatural Fiction: First in Category Winners
The Paranormal Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Supernatural Fiction.

The Paranormal Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Gothic and Paranormal Fiction as defined as stories that are set in a normal world where there are supernatural or speculative characters or elements that are beyond the range of scientific explanation that interact in what is otherwise considered a normal construct. Gothic fiction (also known as literary horror i.e., Frankenstein, Dracula, and Poe’s works (not graphic horror) is also another sub-genre of Paranormal Fiction.

We are honored to post the Official List of 1st in Category Winners for the Paranormal Awards 2013.

These 1st Place Category Winners have been read cover to cover and have made it through seven rounds of judging. The authors of the winning titles will receive a Chanticleer Editorial Book Review and promotional package.

First Place Category winners will compete for Overall Best of Paranormal Awards for Supernatural Fiction 2013. Overall Best Book for the Paranormal Awards 2013 will win a $250 purse and will compete for the Chanticleer Blue Ribbon Awards Grand Prize for Best Book 2013 and a $1,000 purse (U.S. Dollars). Awards will be announced and presented at the Chanticleer Awards Banquet on September 20th, 2014.

The Overall First Place Genre Winner for the Paranormal Awards 2013 is:

Lisa Voisin, The Watcher

The First Place Category Winners Titles & Authors of the Paranormal Awards 2013 are:
- Young Adult: Spirit Legacy by E.E. Holmes
- Contemporary Gothic: Poe, Nevermore by Rachel M. Martens
- Angels/Demons: The Watcher by Lisa Voisin
- Historical: The Immortal American by L. B. Joramo
- Mystery/Thriller: The Dream Jumper’s Promise by Kim Hornsby
- Romance: Montana Mustangs by Danica Winters
- Urban/Edgy: The Third Option by Ben A. Sharpton
- Supernatural Powers: Witch’s Malice by David Hutchison
- Vampires/Werewolves: Dancing on the Dark Side by Mairin Fisher-Fleming
Honorary Mention for Best New Manuscript: Bayview by Penny Page

Congratulations to the Paranormal Writing Competition 2013 Finalists and 1st in Category Winners! https://www.chantireviews.com/2014/03/26/paranormal-awards-2013-finalists-official-list/

The staff and judges at Chanticleer Blue Ribbon Writing Competitions want to thank everyone who participated in the Paranormal Awards Writing Competition 2013.

We invite you to participate in the 2014 Paranormal Awards! Click here for more info.

CBR – Discovering Today’s Best Books with International Writing Competitions!
June 29, 2014
The CLUE Awards for Thriller, Mystery, & Suspense Fiction: First in Category Winners
The CLUE Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Thriller, Mystery, and Suspense Novels.

We are honored to post the Official List of 1st in Category Winners for the CLUE Awards 2013.

These 1st Place Category Winners have been read cover to cover and have made it through seven rounds of judging.

The Clue First in Category 2013 Winners will receive:
- a Chanticleer Editorial Book Review package
- Digital CBR Blue Ribbon badges
- CBR SEO package
- Social media promotion
- Adhesive stickers
- Chanticleer 2013 Best Books 1st in Category Listing
First Place Category winners will compete for Overall Best of the CLUE Awards for Thriller, Mystery, and Suspense Novels 2013. Overall Best Book for the CLUE Awards 2013 will win a $250 purse and will compete for the Chanticleer Blue Ribbon Awards Grand Prize for Best Book 2013 and a $1,000 purse (U.S. Dollars). Awards will be announced and presented at the Chanticleer Awards Banquet on September 20th, 2014.

The Overall First Place Genre Winner for the Clue Awards 2013 is:

Clyde Curley, Raggedy Man

The First Place Category Winners Titles & Authors of the CLUE Awards 2013 are:
- Romantic Suspense: Small Town Storm by Elise K. Ackers
- Steamy/Action/Thriller: Buried Threads by Kaylin McFarren
- Debut Novel: The Last Dance by Lonna Enox
- Historical Mystery: Forevermore by Jim Musgrave
- Caper/Adventure: Too Many Violins by Mark Reutlinger
- Private Eye: Fire Trap by Richard Mann
- Police Procedural: Eleven by Carolyn Arnold
- Classic Detective: Raggedy Man by Clyde Curley
- Mystery/Crime: Deadly Recall by Donnell Ann Bell
- Amateur Sleuth: Death Over Easy by Toby Speed
- Thriller/Suspense: Grind His Bones by Richard Newell Smith
- Medical: Without Consent by Bev Irwin
- Psychological Thriller: The Grave Blogger by Donna Fontenot
Congratulations, again, to the CLUE Awards 2013 Finalists!

The deadline for the Clue Awards 2014 was September 30, 2014.

We are now accepting entries for the CLUE Awards 2015.

Click here for more information about how to enter the CLUE Awards 2015 for Mystery/Thriller/Suspense Novels, a division of the Chanticleer Blue Ribbon Writing Competitions.
June 7, 2014
The Somerset Awards for Literary & Mainstream Fiction: First in Category Winners
The Somerset Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Contemporary, Mainstream, and Literary Fiction.

The Somerset Awards is a division of Chanticleer Blue Ribbon Writing Competitions. This contest division is named after W. Somerset Maugham (1874- 1965), author of “The Moon and Sixpence,” “Of Human Bondage,” “Razor’s Edge,” and other literary masterpieces. Maugham was trained and qualified as a medical doctor. He served in the Red Cross ambulatory corps in WWI, then was recruited in the British Secret Service. During and after the war, he traveled extensively.

We are honored to post the Official List of 1st in Category Winners for the Somerset Awards 2013.

These 1st Place Category Winners have been read cover to cover and have made it through seven rounds of judging. The authors of the winning titles will receive a Chanticleer Editorial Book Review and promotional package.

First Place Category winners will compete for Overall Best of Somerset Awards for Contemporary, Mainstream, and Literary Fiction 2013. Overall Best Book for the Somerset Awards 2013 will win a $250 purse and will compete for the Chanticleer Blue Ribbon Awards Grand Prize for Best Book 2013 and a $1,000 purse (U.S. Dollars). Awards will be announced and presented at the Chanticleer Awards Banquet on September 20th, 2014.

The Overall First Place Category Winner for the Somerset Awards 2013 is:

Jeremy Bullian, Individually Wrapped

The First Place Category Winners Titles & Authors of the Somerset Awards 2013 are:
- Contemporary: Chocolates on the Pillow by Sean Dwyer
- Satire: Brain: The Man Who Wrote the Book that Changed the World by Dermot Davis
- Mainstream: The Prodigal by Michael Hurley
- Speculative Fiction: Individually Wrapped by Jeremy Bullian
- Adventure/Suspense: Tarnished Hero by Jim Gilliam
- Literary: The Opposite of Everything by David Kalish
- Women’s Fiction: Cheating the Hog by Rae Ellen Lee
- New Adult: Saving Faith by Patrick M. Garry
Congratulations to the Somerset Writing Competition 2013 Finalists and 1st in Category Winners!

The staff and judges at Chanticleer Blue Ribbon Writing Competitions want to thank everyone who participated in the Somerset Awards Writing Competition 2013. The selection process was quite competitive.

We are now accepting entries into the Somerset Awards for 2014. Click here for more info.

CBR — Discovering Today’s Best Books with International Writing Competitions!
May 4, 2014
The Official List of the Somerset Awards 2013 Finalists
The Somerset Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in Contemporary, Mainstream, and Literary Fiction.

Finalists will compete for 1st place category positions. 1st Place Category winners will compete for The Somerset Awards Grand Prize for Overall Best Book 2013 and a Chanticleer Book Review and SEO package, a $250 purse, and promotional opportunities. The grand prize winners of ten genres will compete for the Chanticleer Blue Ribbon Grand Prize 2013 and a $1,000 purse.

The Somerset Awards is a division of Chanticleer Blue Ribbon Writing Competitions. The contest divisions is named after W. Somerset Maugham, author of The Moon and Sixpence, Of Human Bondage, Razor’s Edge, and other literary masterpieces.

These finalists have made it through the first three rounds of competition. The first sixty to ninety pages of each work have been read by CBR judges. They are presently making the next circuit of rounds. From here on out each round is more competitive as the judges determine if works will continue to move forward to best of category.

We are honored to announce the Official Finalists of the Somerset Awards 2013:
- Stormy Weather by Dermot Davis
- Mother Teresa’s Advice for Jilted Lovers by Donna Barker
- Individually Wrapped by Jeremy Bullian
- In Search of Sticks by Randy Kaneen
- Opposite of Everything by David Kalish
- Cheating the Hog by Rae Ellen Lee
- The Devil Wears Scrubs by Freida McFadden
- Morning Star by Roger Schick
- Surviving 26th Street by Carol June Stover
- Sparrows Cannot Catch Me by R. Mursell
- Midlife Fanilow by J. M. Holder
- The Prodigal by Michael Hurley
- Chocolates on the Pillow by Sean Dwyer
- Tarnished Hero by Jim Gilliam
- How to Make a Pot in 14 Easy Lessons by Nicola Pearson
- The Botanist’s Daughter by Angela Belcaster
- Family Bonds by Kate Vale
- Color of Lies by Abbe Rolnick
- The Orbiter by Jana Krause
- The Fosters, a Novel by C. Alease
- Never Turn Your Back on a Wolf by Jennifer Mueller
- Take the Pilgrim Road by Frank T. Klus
- Saving Faith by Patrick M. Garry
- The Apprentice by Jana Barkley
- Brain, the Man Who Wrote the Book that Changed the World by Dermot Davis
- Sacred Mountain by Ken Farmer & Buck Stienke
- Freak Story by Jim Musgrave
From the this list, only six First in Category award winners will be chosen.

Congratulations to the Finalists and Good Luck in the next rounds of the Somerset 2013 Competition.
- 1st Place Category winners will be announced in approximately two months.
- We are now accepting entries into the 2014 Somerset Awards.
https://www.chantireviews.com/services/#!/~/product/category=5193080&id=21521214
March 30, 2014
Paranormal Awards 2013 Finalists – Official List
The Paranormal Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Gothic and Paranormal Fiction as defined as stories that are set in a normal world where there are supernatural or speculative characters or elements that are beyond the range of scientific explanation that interact in what is otherwise considered a normal construct. Gothic fiction (also known as literary horror i.e., Frankenstein, Dracula, and Poe’s works (not graphic horror) is also another sub-genre of Paranormal Fiction.

Finalists will compete for 1st Place Category positions. First Place Category winners will compete for The Paranormal Awards Overall Best Book 2013.

The Paranormal Awards 2013 is a division of Chanticleer Blue Ribbon Awards Writing Competitions.

These Finalists have made it through the first 3 rounds of competition. The first sixty to ninety pages of these works have been read; they are presently competing in the next series of rounds. From here on out, each round is increasingly more competitive as the judges determine if the works will move forward to best of category.

We are honored to announce the Finalists of the Paranormal Awards 2013.

CBR Official List of Titles & Authors Finalists for the Paranormal Awards 2013 are:
- The Immortal American by L.B. Joramo
- Third Eye Witness by Kathi Bjorkman
- Death Sword by Pamela Turner
- Montana Mustangs by Danica Winters
- The Dream Jumper’s Promise by Kim Hornsby
- Dark Dancer by Maureen Fisher-Fleming
- Spirit Legacy by E.E. Holmes
- The Witch’s Malice by David Hutchison
- Bayview by Penny Page
- The Third Option by Ben A. Sharpton
- Second Sight by Ben A. Sharpton
- The Watcher by Lisa Voisin
- The Djinn Master’s Legacy by Emily Ford
- Poe, Nevermore by Rachel Martens
- Azriel, The Angel Chronicles by Mark D. Chevalier
- Three Squared by Koko Nervelli
Now this is something to CROW about!

Congratulations to the all those whose works made it to the Paranormal Awards 2013 Shortlist!
- Good luck to all in the next competitive rounds for 1st Place Categories!
- 1st Place Category winners will be announced in approximately two months.
We are now accepting entries into the Paranormal Awards for 2014. Click here for more info.
March 26, 2014
The Official List of The CLUE Awards 2013 Finalists
The CLUE Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Thriller, Suspense, and Mystery Fiction.

Finalists will compete for 1st Place Category positions. First Place Category winners will compete for The CLUE Awards Overall Best Book 2013.

The CLUE Awards 2013 for Thriller/Suspense/Mystery Fiction is a division of Chanticleer Blue Ribbon Awards Writing Competitions.

These Finalists have made it through the first 3 rounds of competition. The first sixty to ninety pages of these works have been read; they are presently making the next series of rounds. From here on out, each round is increasingly more competitive as the judges determine if the works will move forward to best of category.

We are honored to announce the Finalists of the CLUE Awards 2013.

CBR Official List of Titles & Authors Finalists for the CLUE Awards 2013 are:
- Small Town Storm by Elise K. Ackers
- An Accusing Finger by Richard E. Gower
- Death Over Easy by Toby Speed
- Forevermore by JimMusgrave
- Disappearance by Jim Musgrave
- Stray Cats by Geoffrey Mehl
- Guarding Shakespeare by Quintin Peterson
- Without Consent by Bev Irwin
- The Space Between by Sydney T. Blake
- Firetrap by Richard Mann
- Beyond the Bridge by Tom MacDonald
- Connections by Sandra Olson
- Deadly Recall by Donnell Ann Bell
- Parchman Preacher by Michael Hicks Thompson
- Don’t Cry Over Killed Milk by Stephen Kaminski
- Raggedy Man by Clyde Curley
- The Grave Blogger by Donna D. Fontenot
- Grind His Bones by Richard Newell Smith
- Buried Threads by Kaylin McFarren
- Poe, Nevermore by Rachel M.Martens
- The Last Dance by Lonna Enox
- Auditory Viewpoint by Lillian R. Melendez
- Eleven by Carolyn Arnold
- Trophies by J. Gunnar Grey
- Spiked by Sharron Gold
- Fyre & Ice by Barbie Ray
- Third Eye Witness by Kathy Bjorkman
- Too Many Violins by Mark Reutlinger
- The Politician’s Daughter by Marion Leigh
- Blue Coyote by Karen Musser Nortman
- Peete and Repeat by Karen Musser Nortman
- Blue Coyote Hotel by Dianne Harman
- Blue Coyote in Provence by Dianne Harman
Now this is something to CROW about!

Congratulations to the CLUE Awards 2013 Finalists!
- Good luck to all in the next competitive rounds for 1st Place Categories!
- 1st Place Category winners will be announced in approximately two months.
We are now accepting entries into the Clue Awards for 2014. Click here for more info.
March 3, 2014