Fiction Fiesta: BREW Fiction Book Excellence Award Winners, 2023

“History teaches us that Literary Book Awards have always been the quickest and easiest way to achieve global fame. They have helped countless authors to shoot to stardom.”

– Mouloud Benzadi

The BREW Fiction Book Excellence Award is one such literary award. Presented by the multi-award-winning website, The Chrysalis BREW Project, the BREW Fiction Book Excellence Award is presented to noteworthy fiction books in various categories. The winners are selected by a panel of judges consisting of readers, writers, and professionals from a relevant field on the basis of predetermined benchmarks, best practices, and standards.

The Chrysalis BREW Project announced the 2023 winners of the BREW Fiction Book Excellence Award on December 1, 2023. All the award winners are extremely read-worthy. Hence, if you are looking to add new fiction books to your TBR list, look no further.

Here is the list of all the books that won the prestigious BREW Fiction Book Excellence Award 2023:

Guilty of Stealing His Heart: Never Say You Love Me by Nancy Lynn White

Category: Book of the Year, American Historical Romance of the Year and Christian Fiction of the Year

Set between 1844 and 1860, Guilty of Stealing His Heart: Never Say You Love Me is a poignant historical novel penned by Nancy Lynn White. The book follows Carrie Wagner, a beautiful widow who has been betrayed by all her loved ones. When she decides to start over in Columbus, Ohio, her life takes an unprecedented turn with the arrival of ex-Pinkerton detective JT Grant. The book is perfect for fans of historical romance novels.

The Soul Machines by Alexandru Czimbor 

Category: Historical European Fiction of the Year

Alexandru Czimbor’s The Soul Machines is a spectacular historical fantasy novel set in 19^th century Europe. The story follows Tudor, Roli, and Sami, all young boys belonging to different socio-economic backgrounds in Transylvania. Their lives take an irreversible turn when Tudor gets his hands on a mysterious artifact. The novel is highly intriguing and sheds light on the social, economic, and religious life of 19^th century Europeans. The Soul Machines is highly recommended to history buffs and fantasy aficionados.

Cheerful Obedience by Patrick McLaughlin 

Category: War Fiction of the Year

Cheerful Obedience by Patrick McLaughlin mirrors the author’s experiences during the Vietnam War. The novel follows the adventures of Connor Patrick McKall, a young college student who forgoes his service deferment and joins the war. The novel is fast-paced and is perfect for readers who like war and adventure stories.

Wealth and Privilege by Jeanette Watts 

Category: Historical Fiction of the Year

Jeanette Watts’ debut novel, Wealth and Privilege, takes us on an unforgettable journey in 1880s America. The book revolves around Thomas Baldwin, a man desperately in love with one woman yet married to another. Along with Thomas and Regina’s personal lives, we also get insights into various historical events like the railroad riots of 1877, the creation of the Homestead Steel Works, the assassination of President Garfield, and the Johnstown Flood. The book is well-researched, and I am confident that fans of nuanced historical novels will love this.

Vanished on the Vaudeville Circuit by Carolyn Summer Quinn 

Category: Historical Mystery of the Year

Vanished on the Vaudeville Circuit is a thrilling historical mystery penned by Carolyn Summer Quinn. Set in the 1920s, the book follows August La May, a man living happily on the Orpheum Circuit in vaudeville with his two daughters, Florabelle and April. His life takes a turn when his wife remerges after being missing for four years and his talented daughter, Florabelle, goes missing.

Chronicles of the Enchanted Vanguard: Seraphina and the Divine Mandate by Luminescence Goh 

Category: New Book of the Year

Luminescence Goh’s Chronicles of the Enchanted Vanguard: Seraphina and the Divine Mandate is set in a world that is in the clutches of evil. It is up to Seraphina, Lyra, Finnegan, and their friends to save the world. Along the way, their friendship, love, perseverance, and strength are tested as they confront dragons, mages, angels, sirens, and other mythical creatures as they give their all to complete their quests. The best part of this book is that Goh tries to educate us about environmental issues all the while engrossing us in a fantastical tale.

The Islander by David W. Berner 

Category: Novella of the Year

The Islander is a heart-touching novella by David W. Berner. The book revolves around Seamus Damp, an aging author trying desperately to live a life of solitude on an island off the Dingle Coast. He is compelled to face the demons of his past when a young woman named Maggie enters his life. Berner masterfully portrays human emotions in his novella.

An Enemy Like Me by Teri M. Brown 

Category: Military Romance of the Year

In An Enemy Like Me, Teri M. Brown showcases the myriad intricacies of war. It follows Jacob Miller, a first generation American of German descent. After losing his father, Jacob and his mother had to go through a lot to survive the Great Depression. When he marries Debbie and starts a family, he is sure that all his troubles are in the past. However, WWII changes everything. Jacob is torn between his love for his family and his devotion to his country. An Enemy Like Me beautifully shows the dilemmas one has to face when the world is ravaged by war.

Erift’s Journeys: Secrets of the Sealed Forest by J.T. Tenera 

Category: Magical Fiction of the Year

Jacob and his best friend, Eric, are avid video gamers. They are thrilled when they are invited to a video game event. Little do they know that their foray into the event will be the start of a magical journey very similar to the quests of their beloved video games. This book is highly recommended to video game fans.

1871: Rivers on Fire by Paul Buchheit 

Category: Family Saga Fiction of the Year

1871: Rivers on Fire is set in a time when Chicago and the north woods of Wisconsin were raved by a blazing fire. Liz and Robert, a young couple, come to America from London with the aim of promoting new findings in the neuroscientific field. During their travels, they come across a number of challenges. The novel is perfect for fans of family fiction and historical novels.

Cargo 3210: Ties That Bind by Aaron Walker Sr.  

Category: Alien Invasion Science Fiction of the Year

3210: Ties That Bind is an innovative science fiction novel by Aaron Walker Sr. In the year 3210, the world has entered into an era of intergalactic travel. It follows Marcus La’Dek and his Raven Squad as they find themselves embroiled in an adventure on whose results the galaxy’s fate rests. The action-packed novel is super-suspenseful and is bound to keep you on tenterhooks till the very end.

Botheration: Part Two: Waves of Dinosaurs by Vito Di Barone 

Category: Young Adult Fiction of the Year

Botheration: Part Two: Waves of Dinosaurs by Vito Di Barone follows Matty Weber and his friend, Freddie Carter, as they go on a school trip to Dinosaur National Monument in eastern Utah. On this trip, they find themselves on a thrilling quest for survival. The book is perfect for young adults and fans of adventure novels. 

The Bravest Soldiers by Elaine Aucoin Schroller 

Category: 20^th Century Historical Romance of the Year

Elaine Aucoin Schroller’s The Bravest Soldiers is the second book in The Immense Sky Saga series. Sophie and Joe Parker had both been soldiers in the Great War. After returning home to Sydney, Australia, they hoped to live a peaceful life. However, war looms on the horizon when the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor. The men in the family soon became involved in the war leaving the women in the homefront. The Bravest Soldiers depicts the struggles of the women who had to wait while the men went to battle. The story gives us a fresh perspective on the war.

Circus Home: A Novel of Life, Love and New Jersey by Jason Ollander-Krane  

Category: Magical Realism of the Year

Circus Home: A Novel of Life, Love and New Jersey centers around Brendon Hardy, a man who spent all his life as a carnival performer. In his dotage, his daughter convinced him to live in an assisted care facility. Brendon decides to live out his remaining hears in the New Jersey Home for Retired Circus and Carnival Performers. He gets the brilliant idea to chronicle the colorful lives of all the remaining residents of the facility. Thus, we get transported to 1880s Brooklyn, 1920s Mississippi, 1940s Detroit, 1950s New York City, a west-bound wagon train, exotic Havana, pre-revolution Kiev, and Washington DC on the eve of WWII as we get enmeshed into the lives of the various residents. Circus Home: A Novel of Life, Love and New Jersey is a beautiful novel that tugs at the reader’s heartstrings. 

Cogitatio: Shadows in the Wind – Book Two by McKinley Aspen 

Category: Science Fiction of the Year

McKinley Aspen’s Cogitatio is the second book in the Shadows in the Wind series. The book revolves around Kathryn Beck, a young woman recruited by an elite organization. Kathryn is sent on a top-secret mission to Alaska. To her utter shock, she is wrongfully framed and imprisoned. Now, it is up to her to unveil the conspiracy that put her in jail and clear her name. This short story is supremely entertaining and is highly recommended to fans of supernatural adventure tales.

My Place Among Them: A Novel by J. Stanion 

Category: Political Fiction of the Year

The original manuscript of My Place Among Them was written by J. Stanion’s grandfather in 1902. When Stanion found it, she backed the story up with extensive research and gave it a contemporary form. The book revolves around John Iron Horse and Carter Heath. John was only twelve when he survived the massacre at Wounded Knee. He was then sent to a school that aimed to wipe out his Indian heritage. There, he formed a bond with Carter Heath, a well-intentioned teacher. The book gives us a unique outlook into the travails of the Native Americans during the 19^th century.

The Secret Life of Bears by Joann Slead

Category: Children’s Fiction of the Year

The Secret Life of Bears by Joann Slead is a standout in Christian children’s literature, seamlessly merging the charm of bear-themed stories with profound spiritual insights. Through the endearing characters of Papa Bear and Baby Bear, the book beautifully mirrors the profound relationship between God and His children. With engaging text and vibrant illustrations, it captures the essence of a child’s connection with God, depicting Papa Bear as the embodiment of Jesus’ love, a guide, and a protector.

Conclusion

Book Awards give recognition to authors and make sure that their legacy is passed on to future generations. With so many novels published each year, literary awards also ensure that readers get their hands on the best of the lot. The BREW Fiction Book Excellence Award is an esteemed award that is bestowed on books that are truly deserving. So, if you are a fiction lover, do get your hands on the BREW Fiction Book Excellence Award winners. You will definitely not be disappointed.

Do comment and let me know which of these novels have caught your attention.