The 2017 NM-AZ Book Awards Banquet was held on November 17, announcing winners in 61 categories. 
Winner of the Fiction – thriller/suspense category is Joseph Badal, author of Dark Angel.
 
In “Dark Angel,” the second in the Lassiter/Martinez Case Files series, Detectives Barbara Lassiter and Susan Martinez pick up where they left off in “Borderline.” Assigned to a murder case, they discover that their suspect is much more than a one-off killer.
 
When they discover a link between their vigilante killer and the home invasion crew, they come into conflict with powerful men in the FBI who are motivated more by career self-preservation than by bringing justice to innocent victims. 

About Joseph Badal

Joe Badal, award-winning author

Joseph Badal worked for nearly four decades in the banking and financial services industries, most recently serving as a senior executive and board member of a NYSE-listed company. 

Prior to his finance career, Joe served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army in critical, highly classified positions in the U.S. and overseas, including tours of duty in Greece and Vietnam. He earned numerous military decorations.

He holds an undergraduate degree in International Finance (Temple University) and an MBA (University of New Mexico) and is multi-lingual. He graduated from the Defense Language Institute, West Coast, and from Stanford University Law School’s Director College.

Joe has had 11 suspense novels published,

  • The Pythagorean Solution
  • Evil Deeds (Danforth Saga #1)
  • Terror Cell (Danforth Saga #2)
  • The Nostradamus Secret (Danforth Saga #3)
  • Shell Game
  • The Lone Wolf Agenda (Danforth Saga #4)
  • Ultimate Betrayal
  • Borderline (Lassiter/Martinez Case Files #1)
  • Death Ship (Danforth Saga #5)
  • The Motive (Cycle of Violence #1)
  • Dark Angel (Lassiter/Martinez Case Files #2)
  • Sins of the Fathers, the 6th in the Danforth Saga, will be released on October 3, 2017.

Joe writes a monthly blog titled Everyday Heroes, which can be accessed on this website. His short stories Fire & Ice, Ultimate Betrayal, and The Rock, were included in short story anthologies. Joe has written dozens of articles published in various business and trade journals and is a frequent speaker at business and writers events.

All of Joe’s books are available in both print and eBook formats. 

 
Other NM-AZ Book Awards Winners include: 

Activity Book for Children or Adults sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Ross Van Dusen Color Jason & His Funny Machines Rio Grande Books

Anthology sponsored by Mary Kay Stein
Ander Monson & Craig Reinbold How We Speak to One Another Coffee House Press

Anthropology/Archaeology sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Barbara Roth Agricultural Beginnings in American SW Rowman & Littlefield

Arts Book sponsored by Jean & Ross Van Dusen
Michele Penhall Stories from the Camera UNM Press

Biography – Arizona subject sponsored by Dr & Mrs John Zeigler
Richard Shelton Nobody Rich or Famous Univ of AZ Press

Biography – New Mexico subject sponsored by Dr & Mrs John Zeigler
Diana Pardue & Norman Sandfield Awa Tsireh: Pueblo Painter and Metalsmith Heard Museum

Biography – Other sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Barbara Marriott Paint ‘n Spurs Fireship Press

Business Book sponsored by Paul & Barbe Rhetts
Sherri Burr Entertainment Law in a Nutshell West Academic

Children’s Picture Bilingual sponsored by Santa Fe Public Library
Patricia Mihok A Look at Chihuahuan Desert Mogollon Publications
Marisol Paramo, illustrations by Acey May & Marisol Paramo Bella the Caterpillar Community Publishing

Children’s Picture Book sponsored by Tinkertown Museum & Story Monsters LLC
Ross Van Dusen Lyle Got Stuck in a Tree Rio Grande Books

Cookbook sponsored by Jean & Ross Van Dusen
Dave DeWitt 1001 Best Hot & Spicy Recipes Agate Publishing

Crafts/Hobby/How-to Book sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Bruce Taubert Wild in Arizona: Photographing AZ’s Wildlife Analemma Press

eBook Fiction sponsored by Sue Boggio & Mare Pearl
Melissa Bowersock Skin Walk New Moon Publishing
Karen Odden The Lady in the Smoke Alibi/Random House

eBook Nonfiction sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Jean Ashurst Alligators in the Moat Ed Ashurst Publishing
Gail Rubin Kicking the Bucket List Rio Grande Books

Fiction – adventure or drama sponsored by Sunbelt Editions
Melody Groves She Was Sheriff Five Star Publishing
Sabra Brown Steinsiek ‘Til the End of Time Artemesia Publishing

Fiction – cozy mystery sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Patricia Smith Wood Murder on Frequency Aakenbaaken & Kent

Fiction – historical fiction sponsored by Lani and David Kyea
W Michael Farmer Mariana’s Knight: The Revenge of Henry Fountain Five Star Publishing
A Gabriel Melendez The Book of Archives Univ of OK Press

Fiction – mystery/crime sponsored by Book & Table, Valdosta, Georgia
Claire Stibbe Night Eyes Noble Lizard Publishing
Ross Van Dusen Who Stabbed Reverend Wicker? CreateSpace

Fiction – other sponsored by Sue Boggio & Mare Pearl
John Nichols The Annual Big Arsenic Fishing Contest UNM Press

Fiction – romance sponsored by Sue Boggio & Mare Pearl
Sabra Brown Steinsiek A Time for Love Artemesia Publishing

Fiction – science fiction & fantasy sponsored by Aakenbaaken & Kent Publishers; Patricia Smith Wood
Douglas Arvidson A Drop of Wizard’s Blood Crossquarter Publishing Group
Zelda Leah Gatuskin Digital Face: Stories Amador Publishers

Fiction – thriller/suspense sponsored by Sunbelt Editions
Joseph Badal Dark Angel Suspense Publishing

First Book AZ sponsored by Southwest Writers
Rachel McRae Daughters of Science Glass Beaker Publishing

First Book NM sponsored by Southwest Writers
Riley Mitchell The Essential Paranormal Bucket List Rio Grande Books

Gardening Book sponsored by Paul & Barbe Rhetts
Baker Morrow Best Plants for New Mexico Gardens and Landscapes UNM Press

Gay/Lesbian Book sponsored by Maida Tilchen
Joanne Bodin Orchid of the Night Mercury Heartlink

Guide Book sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Barbe Awalt The Ultimate Christmas Bucket List Rio Grande Books

Health Book sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Pam England Ancient Map for Modern Birth Seven Gates Media

History Book – AZ sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Gil Schmerler Henrietta Schmerler and the Murder that Put Anthropology on Trial Scrivana Press

History Book – NM sponsored by Diane Layden
Mark Childs & Ellen Babcock The Zeon Files: Art and Design of Historic Route 66 Signs UNM Press
Frances Levine Doña Teresa Confronts the Spanish Inquisition Univ of OK Press

History Book – Other sponsored by Sunbelt Editions
Melissa Savage Río: A Photographic Journey down the Old Rio Grande UNM Press

Juvenile Book sponsored by Santa Fe Public Library
Donald Willerton The Lost Children Terra Nova Books

Multi-cultural Subject sponsored by Nasario & Jan Garcia
Anita Rodriguez Coyota in the Kitchen: A Memoir of New and Old Mexico UNM Press

Nature/Environment Book sponsored by Vicky Ramakka
Slim Randles The Fly Fisherman’s Bucket List Rio Grande Books

New Age Book sponsored by Jean & Ross Van Dusen
Rheanni Lightwater SOS Soul Oriented Solutions Soul Resources LLC

Nonfiction – other sponsored by Santa Fe Public Library
Matt Donovan A Cloud of Unusual Size and Shape Trinity Univ Press

Parenting/Family Issues Book sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Vaunda Nelson Don’t Call Me Grandma Lerner Publishing Group

Pets/Animals sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Tobi Lopez Taylor Orzel: Scottsdale’s Legendary Arabian Stallion Arcadia Publishing & History Press
Rosemary Zibart Kit Coyote: A Brave Pup Z Productions

Poetry – AZ sponsored by Jeanie Williams & PenPower
Gene Twaronite Trash Picker on Mars Kelsay Books

Poetry – NM sponsored by Joann Bodin; Jeanie Williams & PenPower
Catherine Strisik The Mistress: poems 3: A Taos Press

Political Book sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Jack Campbell, Trimmer, Poling Jack M Campbell: Autobiography UNM Press

Reference Book sponsored by Jean & Ross Van Dusen
Henrietta Christmas & Paul Rhetts The Basic Genealogy Checklist Rio Grande Books

Religious Book sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Marion Amberg Shrines and Wonders: The Pilgrim’s Guide to Santa Fe & Northern NM Amor Deus Publishing

Science Book sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Ross Van Dusen What Makes the Lightning? Rio Grande Books

Self-help Book sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Gail Rubin Kicking the Bucket List Rio Grande Books

Spanish Language Book sponsored by Lani and David Kyea
Barbe Awalt ¡No Toques Este Libro! Rio Grande Books

Sports/Recreation sponsored by Sunbelt Editions
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Arcadia Publishing

Travel Book sponsored by Patricia Hodapp; Tinkertown Museum
Martin Link New Mexico Kicks on Route 66 Rio Nuevo Books

Young Adult Book sponsored by SOMOS
Janie Chodosh Code Red Poisoned Pen

Young Readers Book sponsored by Santa Fe Public Library
Loretta Hall Miguel & Michelle Visit Spaceport America Rio Grande Books
Sue Houser The Corn Whisperer Irie Books

Best Cover Design-Fiction (<6×9) sponsored by Sue Boggio & Mare Pearl
Sabra Brown Steinsiek A Time for Love Artemesia Publishing
Ross Van Dusen Who Stabbed Reverend Wicker? CreateSpace

Best Cover Design-Non-Fiction (<6×9) sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Slim Randles The Fly Fisherman’s Bucket List Rio Grande Books
Gail Rubin Kicking the Bucket List Rio Grande Books

Best Cover Design-Fiction (6×9) sponsored by Ruthe Francis
Jeanne Burrow-Johnson Prospect for Murder Artemesia Publishing
Roberta Parry Killing Time Mill City Press 
Best Cover Design-Non-Fiction (6×9) sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Joseph Sanchez & Angelica Sanchez-Clark Historic Route 66: A New Mexico Crossroads Rio Grande Books

Best Cover Design-Fiction (>6×9) sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Ross Van Dusen Lyle Got Stuck in a Tree Rio Grande Books
Ross Van Dusen What Makes the Lightning? Rio Grande Books

Best Cover Design-Non-fiction (>6×9) sponsored by New Mexico Book Co-op
Martin Link New Mexico Kicks on Rt 66 Rio Nuevo Books
Diana Pardue & Norman Sandfield Awa Tsireh: Pueblo Painter and Metalsmith Heard Museum

Tony Hillerman Fiction Award sponsored by Wordharvest
Sue Boggio & Mare Pearl Long Night Moon UNM Press
Jonathan Miller Luna Law Casa de Snapdragon
Becky Masterman A Twist of the Knife Minotaur Books

Father Thomas Steele History Award sponsored by Paul Rhetts & Barbe Awalt
Lenny Foster Enchanted Land, A Taos Twenty Year Retrospective Wink Books
Lenton Malry Let’s Roll This Train UNM Press

Best AZ Book sponsored by NM Book Co-op
Barbara Marriott Paint ‘n Spurs Fireship Press

Best NM Book sponsored by Patricia Smith Wood
Anita Rodriguez Coyota in the Kitchen: A Memoir of New and Old Mexico UNM Press

Best Book sponsored by NM Book Co-op
John Nichols The Annual Big Arsenic Fishing Contest UNM Press

The New Mexico Book Awards is organized 
by The New Mexico Book Co-op, 
a not-for-profit organization serving authors and publishers

Sponsors, 2017 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards
Aakenbaaken & Kent Publishers, Joann Bodin, Sue Boggio & Mare Pearl, Book & Table, Valdosta, Georgia, Ruthe Francis, Nasario & Jan Garcia, Patricia Hodapp, Lani & David Kyea, Diane Layden, New Mexico Book Co-op, Santa Fe Public Library, Story Monsters LLC, Tinkertown Museum, Vicky Ramakka, Paul & Barbe Rhetts, SOMOS, Southwest Writers, Mary Kay Stein, Sunbelt Editions, Maida Tilchen, Jean & Ross Van Dusen, Jeanie Williams & PenPower, Wordharvest, Patricia Smith Wood, Dr. & Mrs. John Zeigler

New Mexico Book Co-op, 925 Salamanca NW, Los Ranchos, NM 87107
info@nmbookcoop.com www.nmbookcoop.com 505/344-9382