HOUSTON, Jan. 12,
2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PenCraft Book Awards has proudly
announced the top 3 winners of its 8th Annual PenCraft Book Awards
Competition. This prestigious event celebrates outstanding literary
achievements across various genres. The winning authors were
selected from a diverse pool of talented writers, showcasing
exceptional storytelling and creativity. These top winners
demonstrated remarkable skill and dedication, earning them
well-deserved recognition in the literary community.
Our Top PenCraft Best Book of the Year award winner is "Hunting
The Truth" by Kathleen Donnelly,
published by Carina Press. It is a
gripping tale that captivated readers with its intriguing plot and
Donnelly's masterful storytelling. "Saving Aziz" by Chad Robichaux and published by Thomas Nelson was honored with PenCraft's
Best Nonfiction Book of the Year Award, recognized for its
insightful and compelling narrative. "Imperfect Magic" by C. N.
Rowan and published by Main Rock Publishing, won PenCraft's Best
Fiction Book of the Year Award for 2024, showcasing a unique blend
of imagination and character development that delighted fiction
enthusiasts. Congratulations to these three talented authors for
contributions to the literary world.
"2024 was rich with literary talent, and we are honored to be in
a position to award three of the best writers," said David Hearne, Editor-in-Chief of the PenCraft
Book Awards. "These awards celebrate outstanding contributions to
literature and recognize these incredibly talented authors for
their significant contributions to the cultural life of their many
readers. This year's competition was fierce, and our judges faced a
challenging task due to the exceptionally high caliber of the
submissions. We are grateful for their diligent work and commitment
to identifying the best of the best."
Hunting The Truth won the PenCraft Book Award for Best book of
2024. Written by Kathleen Donnelly,
a former handler for Sherlock Hounds Detection Canines—a
Colorado-based narcotics K-9
company—this book captures authenticity drawn from her dog-handling
experiences. Although retired from K-9 work, Kathleen infuses
realism into her fiction, bringing K-9 characters to life and
showcasing the remarkable ways dogs assist humans in solving
mysteries. She also highlights the profound bond between dogs and
their handlers. A proud Colorado
native, Kathleen often sets her stories against the rugged beauty
of the Rocky Mountains. She eagerly continues her National Forest
K-9 series with Carina Press and is
set to release a new book in 2025, titled COLORADO K-9 RESCUE, through Harlequin
Romantic Suspense.
In HUNTING THE TRUTH, protagonist Maya
Thompson returns to the Colorado mountains to investigate her mother's
cold case. Newly surfaced DNA evidence leads Maya and her K-9
partner, Juniper, on a dangerous pursuit through the forest,
putting them directly in harm's way.
Author Chad Robichaux's "Saving
Aziz: How the Mission to Help One Became a Calling to Rescue
Thousands from the Taliban" won the PenCraft Best Nonfiction Book
Award for 2024. This compelling narrative unfolds the story of two
warriors whose lives were intertwined by the harsh realities of
war. Their brotherhood, forged over years of fighting for the cause
of freedom, exemplifies courage and dedication. The book captures
the heroic efforts of those who took decisive action, not only to
rescue Aziz and his family during the chaotic US withdrawal from
Afghanistan but to save thousands
of others facing peril under Taliban rule.
"Saving Aziz," is a gripping account of the heroic rescue of
Chad Robichaux's Afghan translator
and his family from the clutches of the Taliban. It provides an
eye-opening look into the complexities and dangers faced during
such missions and is deeply inspiring. It delves into themes of
loyalty and friendship, exploring the bonds formed in
life-and-death situations. It is reminiscent of the powerful
narrative in "The Killing Fields," where Dith Pran, a Cambodian journalist and
interpreter for Sydney Schanberg of
The New York Times, is left behind and
captured by the brutal Khmer Rouge. The parallels between these two
stories highlight the enduring spirit of those caught in the
crossfire of such tyranny. Through courage and determination, the
story sheds light on the human capacity for bravery, and the
lengths one will go to for those they consider friends.
This narrative transcends a personal journey, unveiling a
powerful true story of how Americans and international allies
joined forces to rescue Afghans who had risked everything to
support US troops. As Kabul
crumbled, the Biden administration abandoned these allies, leaving
it to these courageous individuals to rescue their former comrades.
Their actions highlighted extraordinary bravery and humanity amidst
the chaos.
Imperfect Magic, Imperfect Cathar, Book I, by C.N. Rowan,
published by Main Rock Publishing, wins PenCraft's Best Fiction
Book of the Year Award. This dark noir fantasy is both gripping and
heinously funny, capturing readers with its mix of supernatural
suspense and humor. The story follows the adventures of Paul, who
travels from present-day Toulouse,
France, back to 1211 and leaps through time, zig-zagging
between past and present. Each time period is richly depicted with
scenes that correspond to actual historical events, adding depth
and authenticity to the narrative.
Paul, the protagonist and storyteller of this tale, is a
reincarnated "being" who endures torment at the hands of a magical
wizard. His humorous yet tragic experiences as he is physically
persecuted set a unique and often comedic tone for much of the
novel. Paul has lived for 800 years, having been reincarnated many
times, but hasn't gleaned much wisdom, which adds a layer of irony
to his journey.
Throughout the novel, Paul reflects on his past lives and
experiences, providing insights into his character development and
the lessons—or lack thereof—that he's accumulated over centuries.
The historical details are meticulously crafted, making the setting
feel vivid and real, while the characters are well-developed, each
contributing uniquely to the storyline. Although the book includes
moments of gore and violence, they are presented in a manner that
engages rather than disturbs, keeping readers captivated from start
to finish.
Author C.N. Rowan hails from Leicester, England, but presently resides in
the southwest of France, near
Toulouse. He is currently penning
the eighth installment of his series. Beyond writing, Rowan has
been a hip-hop emcee for over 25 years and released an album in
2021. As a sound engineer, he has collaborated with platinum
artists and is eagerly anticipating confirmation of a gold disc for
his work in recording and mastering a French hip-hop track for
associates in Paris. Stay updated
with C.N. Rowan by visiting his website at www.cnrowan.com.
There, you can enjoy his free novella, "An imPerfect Trap," which
offers a glimpse into his intriguing world. Dive into a story
featuring a reluctant hero, a psychotic French Fae, and a
captivating locked room puzzle.
We are proud to shine the spotlight on our top three winners for
our 2024 PenCraft Book Awards. This year, we received a
record-breaking number of books across multiple categories, which
expanded the competition to include a diverse range of new and
exciting authors. These authors hail from both traditional and
independent publishing backgrounds, bringing fresh perspectives and
innovative stories to the forefront.
We want to extend a special thanks to Book Award Pro, TGC
Worldwide, and Indiestoday for introducing us to a wealth of
excellent new books. Their support has been instrumental in making
this year's competition a resounding success. Additionally, the
PenCraft Book Awards would like to express our gratitude to all
participants who participated in the 2024 competition. Your
creativity and hard work are truly inspiring.
PenCraft Book Awards have been conducting literary competitions
since 2017. Its parent company is AuthorsReading. Winning a
PenCraft Book Award boosts a book's visibility and credibility.
Readers trust our awardees, knowing their book was meticulously
vetted. PenCraft Book Awards recognize a wide range of writers,
from emerging talents to established authors. PenCraft Book Awards
fosters an appreciation for storytelling and serious writing. They
believe great literature transcends boundaries and enriches our
understanding of the world. By showcasing these exceptional works,
the PenCraft Book Awards fosters appreciation for storytelling and
serious writing. They believe great literature transcends
boundaries and enriches an understanding of the world.
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