'Silk' Recognized by the National Indie Excellence Awards for Regional Fiction

 

Do a little dance for me! Silk: Caroline's Story has been recognized once more with a finalist medallion, this time for the 16th annual National Indie Excellence Awards in the category of Regional Fiction: Southeast. I've been dreaming of a Southern Gothic award (not that I've yet seen one), but close enough... I'll take it!

Here's the link. Hint: Click on the 'R' (for Regional Fiction), scroll slightly, and it'll come right up!:  https://www.indieexcellence.com/16th-annual-finalists

'Silk' received a Book Excellence Award!

Silk: Caroline's Story has been recognized as a Book Excellence Award Finalist in the historical category.

"Out of thousands of books that were entered into the Book Excellence Awards competition, Silk was selected for its high-quality writing, design and overall market appeal." (<<<They told me to say that!)

To view this award listing, you can visit:  https://honorees.bookexcellenceawards.com/#!/Silk-Carolines-Story-Historical/p/448233102/category=129003501

Tapestry an Award-Winner, Too!

Tapestry: A Lowcountry Rapunzel is trying to catch up with big sis! Silk's sequel has received an award in its very first book contest! It was named a finalist in the category of general fiction for the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Yay!

 

'Stealing Mr. Smith' Reveals the Darker Side of Tanya E Williams' Psyche

Tanya E Williams reveals a darker side of her psyche in her second novel, Stealing Mr. Smith--a sequel to Becoming Mrs. Smith (click for my blog post on that novel).  Tanya's main character, Bernice, reminds me somewhat of my antagonist Jessie Bell from The Silk Trilogy, only she's nowhere near so disturbed nor criminal. Bernice has a similarly difficult childhood, though—she cares for her dying mother, and then is abandoned by her father. She’s scrappy and calculating, but for all that she’s ‘bad’, others are much worse to her. Then she meets Mr. Smith, an actually decent sort (somewhat analogous to my series' Clayton Bell), and after all Bernice has been through, it’s hard to absolutely condemn her for doing whatever she can to obtain him. She does no worse than has been done to her by others, and her intent is arguably nobler, though Bernice wastes precious few thoughts on such concerns. Stealing Mr. Smith is an intriguing read. Who can help but sympathize with Bernice after having experienced the traumas of her childhood with her? In this poignant novel, Tanya steeps us in a historic setting around the time of World War II while sensitively unfolding how this sometimes-devious woman is in part a product of her circumstances.

Kirkus Review of 'Tapestry: A Lowcountry Rapunzel'

"Alexander’s prose ably replicates the rhythms of speech—and life—in the 1920s South... readers will find themselves hooked by the more dramatic elements of this coming-of-age tale... A richly embroidered story of early 20th-century rural life in South Carolina." -from the Kirkus Review of 'Tapestry: A Lowcountry Rapunzel'.

update on 7-19-2023:

I just discovered that Kirkus Reviews' editorial board decided to include their review for Tapestry in their Indie Books feature of their magazine released on 7-1-2022! How curious that these things can happen entirely without our knowledge. It's on page 134. Such an honor to be chosen.

https://d1fd687oe6a92y.cloudfront.net/files/Kirkus_Reviews_070122_Online_Issue.pdf

'Silk' Honored with IndieBRAG Medallion

 Silk: Caroline's Story was honored with the IndieBRAG medallion! So pleased. They told me a month ago, and I've been waiting with bated breath since then to be officially listed on their website and to actually get the medallion. Yippee!

Royal Town Rambles Recommends 'Tapestry: A Lowcountry Rapunzel'

 "It was one of those novels that sucks you in and that you find difficult to put down until you turn the last page. The tie-in to local names and places makes it all the more appealing." Royal Town Rambles recommends Tapestry: A Lowcountry Rapunzel. Check it out!

Read Linda Brown's full recommendation for Tapestry: A Lowcountry Rapunzel at her blog. Note that she has soooo much hard-to-find local history on her Royal Town Rambles blog, focused on Kingstree, SC, and you can join her Facebook page, too!