Book Award 2022

Browse through these submissions for the Page Turner Book Award 2022. This is an international writing contest for published authors to showcase their books.

The Woods at Barlow Bend by Jodie Cain Smith book cover
"The Woods at Barlow Bend" by Jodie Smith
Genre: Young Adult

One shot fired in the Alabama forest changes Hattie's life forever. Her father is accused of her mother's murder, the truth of her parent's marriage becomes the hot gossip in town, and Hattie is saddled with the care of three siblings in this true crime, coming-of-age set in the Great Depression.

Man standing on the side of a mountain.
"American Past Time" by Len Joy
Genre: Drama

September 1953...

Dancer Stonemason is three days from his major league debut. With his wife and son cheering him on, he pitches the greatest game of his life. And then loses everything.

Told against the backdrop of postwar America, this is the story of what happens after the cheering stops.

Silhouetted couple holding hands.
"Better Days" by Len Joy
Genre: Suspense & Thriller

Back in '76 the hometown had a parade for DARWIN BURR. Now he works for his wheeler-dealer boyhood pal, coasting on that past glory. When his friend vanishes, the Feds wants his help. Or else. He risks everything to protect his buddy and learns that in this game heroes don't get parades.

Rural landscape with pond
"Everyone Dies Famous" by Len Joy
Genre: Drama

As a tornado threatens, a stubborn old-man who has lost his son teams up with a troubled young soldier todeliver a jukebox to the weatlthy developer having an affair with the soldier's wife. EVERYONE DIES FAMOUS is a story about the uncommon lives of everyday people. How they live and how they die.

An older Shakespeare stands in a dark forest alongside his companions, a woman and a boy, whilst threatened by some horrible beast in the foreground.
"This Thing of Darkness" by Allan Batchelder
Genre: Historical Fiction

Miserable in retirement, Shakespeare fakes his own death and sets sail for the New World, where he must deal with paranoid locals, curious Powhatans, and do battle with a horrible monster out of legend.

Desert Landscape
"Dry Heat" by Len Joy
Genre: Crime

The day All-American Joey Blade turns 18, he learns his ex-girlfriend is pregnant, is betraryed by his new girlfriend, and is arrested for the attempted murder of two police officers. Then things get bad.

DRY HEAT is a crime novel about a boy who loses everything but his heart.

Too Many Goodbyes, a novel of adventure and love
"Too Many Goodbyes" by Gloria Coppola
Genre: Contemporary Fiction

In a world where love and loss is inevitable, one may find it necessary to see with new perspective, otherwise grief may stifle their soul journey. One women's journey connecting her to the mystical and magical world of love and lessons.

Timothy Scott: Shadow Island cover featuring the Dark Entity and overshadowed hero Timothy.
"Timothy Scott: Shadow Island" by Tobey Alexander
Genre: Childrens Middle Grade Books

Only twelve and he’s expected to save the world. Bullied by his peers and alone in the world, he fights his demons with the help of an invisible friend. Wanting nothing more than to escape, Tim is offered the chance to escape to a hidden world, an offer he takes without question.

"The Illusion Of A Boy" by Leeann Werner
Genre: Young Adult

Jessie is tormented by the ghost of her abusive father. She'll need to pull together the pieces of her fractured mind to find herself and the courage for one epic battle. The dead aren't gone but linger on in your mind.

Cover of Don't Feed the Elephants!
"Don't Feed the Elephants! Overcoming the Art of Avoidance to Build Powerful Partnerships" by Sarah Noll Wilson Noll Wilson
Genre: Non-Fiction

In Don't Feed the Elephants! Sarah explores how you can address the true elephant in the room: avoidance. She shares tips for having conversations you may be avoiding, invites you to get curious instead of furious, and shows how to own your role rather than passing blame.

Title: No Pistol Tastes the Same. A battle cross sticks in the dark ground with storm clouds around it. A charred letter with "I love you Daddy" on it floats on the breeze.
"No Pistol Tastes the Same" by Jacob Paul Patchen
Genre: Drama

Sgt. Grimm's pistol tastes like bourbon, and love has its limits.

PTSD is destroying Marine Sgt. JP Grimm. But Sgt. Grimm is destroying his family. How far can love go when lives are at stake? Now, he must save them all from a catastrophic solar flare while trying to save himself in the process.

"The Illusion Of A Girl" by Leeann Werner
Genre: Young Adult

Jessie Taylor seems like a normal 15-year-old girl, but she’s an illusion of what people expect her to be. She and her brother bravely struggle as they fight to survive their violent father. No one foresees the girl Jessie becomes, the dark abilities she possesses or the vengeance she'll take.

Infected, The Shiners - Tara Ellis Cover
"Infected: The Shiners" by Tara Ellis
Genre: Young Adult

A story of alien plots, ancient prophecy, and unyielding courage.