CHANDLER, AZ (November, 2016) – Winners of the 2016 Royal Dragonfly Book Awards have been announced and Behind the Mask by Dana Ridenour has earned this year’s $300 Grand Prize as well as First Place designations in the Fiction Novel and First Time Author categories. Behind the Mask is the story of special agent Lexie Montgomery, who is just beginning to understand the FBI’s undercover division motto: “You build relationships to betray relationships.” Lexie's first assignment is infiltrating a radical cell of the Animal Liberation Front. Underground and operating in splinter groups throughout Los Angeles, the only way in is through Savannah Riley, a new recruit. Savannah left the safety of her small southern town for the bright lights of the city. Pulled into the animal rights movement by her college roommate and a gorgeous anarchist, she sinks deeper and deeper into the dark, paranoid world of ALF extremists. As the actions of her cell escalate beyond simple demonstrations and graffiti, Savannah turns to Lexie to keep her grounded. But as the two women grow closer and the FBI's case builds, Lexie is forced to decide what betrayal really means.

Additional first-place winners include Losing a Hero to Alzheimer's: The Story of Pearl by Patricia M. McClure; A Home for Abigail by S. Marriott Cook; The Amazing Journey of Solomon the Sockeye Salmon by Pamela Cannalte, illustrated by Steven Beutler, Designed by Jody Mattics; The Family Tree: The Night of the Storm by Laurie Copmann, illustrated by Laurie Copmann and Shirley Kraus; The Spirit of Villarosa: A Father's Extraordinary Adventures; A Son's Challenge by Horace Dade Ashton, Marc Ashton, Libby J. Atwater; If It Does Not Grow: Say No - Eatable Activities for Kids Kerry Alison Wekelo; Sir Pigglesworth's Adventures series by JoAnn Wagner, illustrated by David Darchicourt; Animal abc: Book to Look by Gabriela Rzepecka-Weiß; How the Bunny Learned to Fly by Sean David Maday; Dragons are Real by Valarie Budayr, illustrated by Michael Welply; Just Indian by Jackie Neypes, illustrated by Tyrelle Smith; The Tales of Reese: Finn's Wish by Rachel Mahan, illustrated by Gau Family Studio; The Seeds of Injustice by Micheal Jimerson; Stinky Blinky by Troy Kent, illustrated by Amanda Erb; Star Sapphire and the Land of Gems: The Crystal Cavern (Book 3) by Anthony Pardoe; A Trip to Remember by Michele Spry; The Accidental Vigilante by Robert Sterling Hecker; Am I Going to Be Okay? Weathering the Storms of Mental Illness, Addiction, and Grief by Debra Whittam, illustrated by Jeff Tift; The Reading Promise by Troy Kent, illustrated by Elisa Moriconi; Moon Full of Moons: Poetry of Transformation by Kat Lehmann; The Apocalyptic Gospel: Mystery, Revelation, and Common Sense by Justin Mark Staller; String by Timothy Bryant Spear; Forever Skating Forward by Joanne Vassallo Jamrosz; and Ascension by Hannah Rials.

"We had a very tight competition this year and our judges definitely had their work cut out for them," says Linda F. Radke, president of the Dragonfly Book Awards program. “I want to extend my sincerest congratulations to all of our winners.”

For a complete list of winners, visit www. DragonflyBookAwards.com and click on "Winners." The next Royal Dragonfly Book Awards contest is already underway. The final deadline for submissions is October 1, 2017.

In addition to the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards, Story Monsters LLC also has two additional book contests: The Purple Dragonfly Book Awards and the Story Monsters Approved! program. The final deadline to enter the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards contest, which recognizes outstanding children's literature, is May 1, 2017. The Story Monsters Approved program identifies quality children's books that have been kid-tested and judge-certified, making it easier for buyers to choose exceptional fiction and nonfiction books that parents will approve and youths will enthusiastically devour. There is no deadline to enter and books are judged as they are received. For rules and submission forms for these contests, visit www.DragonflyBookAwards.com and click on the contest of choice.

For more information about the Dragonfly Book Awards and Story Monsters Approved! program, email info@storymonsters.com or call 480-940-8182.

###