Edge-of-your-seat adventures, bold voices, and unforgettable journeys—each one a BookFest Fall 2024 winner featured in Times Square!
Whether you’re craving inspiration, adventure, a laugh, or a tear, this curated collection is brimming with literary gems you won’t want to miss. Each title captured the attention of readers and judges alike, standing out among hundreds of entries for their originality, storytelling, and impact. These aren’t just books—they’re experiences. So grab a cozy chair, your next favorite read is waiting in these award-winning books.
Black Rose Cocoon by A.G. Flitcher
A chilling psychological thriller set in 1986 Halburton City, where a serial killer is targeting children—and no one is safe. Flitcher dives into themes of trauma, secrecy, and survival with masterful tension and emotional weight. A haunting, multi-layered thriller that lingers long after the final page.
Fractured State: In the Blighted Earth by R.M. Tembreull
In Fractured State by R.M. Tembreull, Chaos, the Destroyer, has set his sights on North America—specifically Texas—as the epicenter of his most expansive campaign yet. His goal: to trigger the Great Cascade and plunge Earth into the Discordant. As the eternal war between Earth Mother’s Natural Order and Chaos’s Force Corrupted rages on, the planet’s delicate life balance hangs by a thread. With the guardians of the Natural Order weakened and scattered, hope is fading fast. This bold reimagining of existence invites readers to see Earth as a sentient being—and asks: if our world could feel, would we treat it differently?
Tears of the Aeon by R. F Pina
Tears of The Aeon: The Gothic War transports readers to 376 AD, a pivotal moment in history when the Roman Empire teetered on the edge of transformation. Amid looming war and supernatural forces, the Visigoths—led by the enigmatic Chieftain Fritigern—seek refuge from the brutal Huns within Roman borders. As empires clash and alliances fray, ancient powers stir beneath the surface of a world already in turmoil. This epic tale blends historical drama with mythic undertones, weaving love, betrayal, and destiny into a story that reshapes forgotten history. It’s a haunting reimagining of a time when gods and mortals shared the battlefield.
Every 9 Minutes: A Memoir by Christina Vitagliano
Christina Vitagliano shares a gripping memoir of surviving childhood abuse and reclaiming her voice. With raw, unfiltered honesty, she recounts her path through darkness toward empowerment. Her story is deeply emotional, yet it radiates resilience and hope. It’s an unflinching account of pain, but also a testament to the power of healing and advocacy. A moving narrative that speaks for those silenced too long.
Planet Ripple: Minnow’s World Vol. 9 by Nicholas Anderson
Planet Ripple follows Minnow, a disabled woman navigating life in a post-global flood world where power-hungry forces seek to control the newly emerging land. Now a navy ensign, Minnow finds herself at the heart of a brewing civil war, targeted by enemies who want her silenced. To survive, she and her companions must venture into the mysterious depths of a forgotten world—one that may hold answers only Minnow can grasp. This gripping graphic novel series blends action, resilience, and rich sci-fi storytelling. Through it all, Minnow’s strength shines as she battles oppression while confronting her own physical and mental challenges.
Taken by His Sword by Florence A. Bliss
In a world of swords and secrets, young Alexandra dreams of becoming a master fighter—until a stolen kiss from Lord Philippe shatters her resolve. When she discovers his betrayal, she walks away from love and chooses a life as a fierce, respected mercenary. Years later, fate brings them back together when Philippe hires a guide for a perilous mission, only to realize she’s the woman he never stopped thinking about. Alexandra, now hardened and sharp-tongued, has no intention of forgiving the man who broke her heart. But as danger closes in, sparks fly—and this reunion may prove even more explosive than the war they face.
Operation Superglue by Stacy Lee
In Operation Superglue, thirty-five-year-old Lina Rivera—bestselling YA crime novelist and single mom—goes undercover as a high school senior to reconnect with her teen audience. Still mistaken for a teenager thanks to her youthful looks, Lina sees the assignment as the perfect chance to gain insight for her next novel. But life in high school circa 2024 is nothing like it was in 1999, and her outdated instincts start raising eyebrows. Partnered with her ex-husband on the case, Lina is pulled into a whirlwind of secrets, second chances, and self-discovery. As her past choices come back into focus, she begins to realize that some things—like glue—can be peeled apart and put back together.
Truth and Evil by G. Edward Martin
During the height of World War II, a young German soldier is abruptly killed on the Russian front after committing an unthinkable crime. Thrust into the afterlife, he stands before God expecting judgment—but instead, he is sent back to relive the moment until he truly understands the weight of his actions. What unfolds is a powerful spiritual journey as he battles the father of lies and confronts the darkest and brightest aspects of humanity. Through cycles of suffering and revelation, the soldier begins to grasp the true nature of truth, evil, and redemption. In the crucible of his transformation, he evolves beyond his past, becoming something far greater than the man he once was.
The Sofa King by Cynthia Lucas
The Sofa King: Stolengold (Book Two) follows Skye Daniels, who has always lived in the shadow of her rock star twin brother, Slade, founder of the band Stolengold. After a heartbreak with a man who used her to get close to the band, she retreats into a quiet life house-sitting and babysitting for her best friend Annabeth. Everything changes when she ends up at one of Stolengold’s concerts and meets their bassist, the wild and boozy Saint James. What begins as a wager soon turns into something deeper as Skye discovers the pain and tragedy hidden behind his rockstar bravado. Now, Saint James is determined to win her heart and escape the shadows of his own past.
Chocolate Drop by Edwina Martin-Arnold
Some people say I’m beautiful, others just stare—but either way, I’m learning to love myself and my rich dark skin. Jian Patu looks at me like I’m the only thing that can quench his thirst, and I can’t deny I’m drawn to him too. Just as our connection starts to spark, COVID hits—and the riots come roaring in after. Both of us are essential workers, caught in the storm of a world unraveling. Our chemistry is undeniable, but the question is: can our new love survive the chaos closing in around us?
Born in Space: Unlocking Destiny by Jeremy Clift
When Teagan Ward donates her eggs to science, she never expects it will lead to seven children born in a space lab. As Earth descends into chaos from climate disaster and war, she learns her biological children are part of a secret mission to seed life among the stars. Desperate to reunite with them, Teagan is pulled into a dangerous tangle of betrayal, ambition, and interstellar politics. Born in Space: Unlocking Destiny is a sweeping story of maternal courage, sacrifice, and love that spans galaxies. Teagan must fight to protect her children and reshape the fate of humanity itself.
House of Honor – The Heist of Caravaggio's Nativity by Margaret Ann Philbrick
Two Italian sons—one a reckless heir, the other a mafia loyalist—are drawn together by a woman and a lost masterpiece in this gripping tale of loyalty and redemption. Orazio Bordoni, a wild soul inspired by the painter Caravaggio, crosses paths with Nicolo Giotto, the principled son of a powerful Sicilian clan. As their friendship deepens, they become entangled in the dangerous underworld of art, faith, and power. When the Vatican and the criminal elite begin to reveal their secrets, both men must decide how far they’re willing to go in the name of family, love, and legacy. House of Honor is a thrilling blend of art, intrigue, and the eternal pull between honor and survival.
Red Brick Road by J.T. Maxwell
When a freak blizzard hurls Brendon Connor into a bizarre and twisted world, he’s forced to confront his flaws on a surreal journey of self-discovery. Red Brick Road is a bold, irreverent reimagining of The Wizard of Oz, packed with crude humor, violence, and chaotic charm. As Brendon stumbles through strange landscapes and stranger characters, the story pays homage to old tech, new ideas, and the fragile beauty of humanity. Beneath the madness lies a surprising message about what it means to be good in a broken world. For fans of literary absurdity and offbeat adventure, this wild ride is a must-read.
Trash Can Terry by Ian Griffin
Set in the late 1980s and early ’90s, Trash Can Terry tells the heartfelt story of Lucas and Autumn, a young couple whose romance blooms with the help of an unexpected guide. Their path crosses with Trash Can Terry, a wise and enigmatic homeless man whose presence quietly reshapes their lives. As their love deepens, so does their bond with Terry, built on empathy, friendship, and a shared sense of humanity. When tragedy strikes, the trio is tested in ways none of them could foresee, and the strength of their connection is pushed to its limits. This moving tale of love, loss, and resilience proves that sometimes the greatest lessons come from the most unlikely places.
Chosen to Fall by Emmie Hamilton
Faria Agostonna, heir to the Queendom of Anestra, is done being told that her destiny is fixed—that her life must follow a path chosen by the Fates. Expected to be life-bonded in an ancient Elven ritual, she longs for freedom, even as a rising darkness threatens her people’s survival. To save her realm, she must decide what sacrifices she’s willing to make, even if it means forsaking her own heart. Meanwhile, Nellie, a teenage shapeshifter banished from Earth and hiding in Anestra, is tasked by Queen Amira to protect Faria at any cost. As rebellion stirs and identities are tested, both young women must confront the truths they’ve buried and the power of choosing their own fate.
