That’s me with the award and my book with the Gold Seal at the 30th Annual Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) Benjamin Franklin Awards, April 7, 2017, in Portland Oregon.

The IBPA Benjamin Franklin awards include more than fifty categories recognizing excellence in book editorial and design and are regarded as one of the highest national honors for indie publishers. My book, Hostile Takeover:  A Love Story, won the top award and gold seal in the Romance category.

To say I was surprised to win this award is an understatement.  I was shocked and thrilled my first novel earned this coveted prize.  I am so grateful to my publisher, SparkPress, and to Brooke Warner for her support–it was icing on the cake that she was there in Portland to share this with me. So happy that my husband, Roy, was at the gala awards dinner with me as well!  I feel very lucky.

We carried the award back with us in our luggage. So proud!

Thanks to all of my readers for their wonderful support and encouragement. I couldn’t be more proud of this recognition; from the bottom of my heart, thanks to IBPA for this award.

My friends know I love Pinot Noir, so what better way to celebrate the IBPA Benjamin Franklin book award than to go wine tasting in the Willamette Valley?  Here I am at Domaine Serene Winery. Roy and I also visited Archery Summit Winery.  Both places had excellent pinots, and a few are being shipped back to California!