BREW Fiction Book Excellence Awardees

The BREW Fiction Book Excellence Award recognises outstanding works of fiction that invite readers into worlds that feel both familiar and magical, and celebrates books that seamlessly blend the everyday with the extraordinary. From suspenseful thrillers to emotionally rich narratives, the award highlights stories that fascinate through strong character development, emotional depth, and immersive storytelling. Each entry is carefully reviewed by judges who are members of the BREW Laureate Council, with close attention given to how powerfully the book engages the reader and brings its world to life. Ultimately, this award honours fiction that lingers long after the final page, offering vivid, memorable reading experiences that resonate with readers.

Table of Contents

2025 Winners

Overall Book of the Year

Jake Fox: Ties That Blind by Michael Stockham

Category Winners

Jake Fox: Ties That Blind by Michael Stockham – Legal Thriller of the Year
Muddy the Water by Jessica Barrows Beebe and Matt Barrows – Suspense of the Year
Hatfield 1677 by Laura C. Rader – Historical Fiction of the Year
The Third Estate: Secrets of the Manor by D.R. Berlin – Literary Fiction of the Year
Fall When You’re Ready by Jennifer Carr – Clean Romance of the Year

2024 Winners

Overall Book of the Year & Literary Fiction of the Year

The Bright Freight of Memory by Greg Fields

Category Winners

Historical Fiction of the Year:
- Daughters of Green Mountain Gap by Teri M. Brown
Time-Travel Fiction of the Year:
- Bad Love Medicine by Kevin Schewe, M.D.
Historical Romance of the Year:
- Vermilion Harvest: Playtime at the Bagh by Reenita M. Hora
Supernatural Thriller of the Year:
- Dreams and Illusions: A Gabrielle Dorian Mystery by Rebecca Olmstead
Young Adult Fiction of the Year:
- Rogues of the Crosslands: Azoria’s Blade by John Daze
Coming-of-Age Fiction of the Year:
- The Serpent’s Tongue (NOVA 02) by C.T. Emerson
Science Fiction of the Year:
- Sentience Hazard by Alexandru Czimbor
Short Story Collection of the Year:
- Taking Flight by Jacques Sardas
Children’s Picture Book of the Year:
- Nate’s Noisy Nose by Frances Mackay
Publisher of the Year:
- Koehler Books, Publisher of The Bright Freight of Memory by Greg Fields

2023 Winners

Book of the Year

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

Category Winners

Historical European Fiction of the Year
- “The Soul Machines” by Alexandru Czimbor
War Fiction of the Year
- “Cheerful Obedience” by Patrick McLaughlin
Historical Fiction of the Year
- “Wealth and Privilege” by Jeanette Watts
Historical Mystery of the Year
- “Vanished on the Vaudeville Circuit” by Carolyn Summer Quinn
New Book of the Year
- “Chronicles of the Enchanted Vanguard: Seraphina and the Divine Mandate” by Luminescence Goh
Novella of the Year
- “The Islander” by David W Berner
Military Fiction of the Year
- “An Enemy Like Me” by Teri M Brown
Magical Fiction of the Year
- “Erift’s Journeys: Secrets of The Sealed Forest” by J.T. Tenera
Family Saga Fiction of the Year
- “1871: Rivers on Fire” by Paul Buchheit
Science Fiction Of the Year
- “Cargo 3120: Ties That Bind” by Aaron Walker Sr
Young Adult Fiction of the Year
- “Botheration: Part Two: Waves of Dinosaurs” by Vito Di Barone
20th Century Historical Romance of the Year
- “The Bravest Soldiers” by Elaine Aucoin Schroller
Magical Realism of the Year
- “Circus Home: A Novel of Life, Love and New Jersey” by Jason Ollander-Krane
Christian Fiction of the Year
- “Guilty of Stealing His Heart: Never Say You Love Me” by Nancy Lynn White
American Historical Romance of the Year
- “Guilty of Stealing His Heart: Never Say You Love Me” by Nancy Lynn White
Thriller Fiction of the Year
- “Cogitatio: Shadows in the Wind – Book Two” by McKinley Aspen
Children’s Fiction of the Year
- “The Secret Life of Bears” by Joann Slead
Political Fiction of the Year
- “My Place Among Them: A Novel” by J. Stanion

2022 Winners

None

2021 Winners