Destiny Played Role in Award-Winning Military-Themed Novel 'Meant To Be'

    WASHINGTON, DC, November 15, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- A military suspense novel, appropriately entitled Meant To Be, will receive the bronze medal in the prestigious 2016 Readers' Favorite International Book Awards contest during a ceremony in Miami, Fla., on Nov. 19.

Written by bestselling historical fiction author Jessica James of Gettysburg, Pa., this contemporary novel has been called "a love letter to the American military," and has been lauded by both men and women for its suspenseful, poignant, and captivating plot.

The novel was also a finalist in Foreword Magazine's 2016 Book of the Year contest and won the 2015 NJRW Golden Leaf Award for Romantic Suspense.

"I never had to wonder what the title of this book would be," James said of Meant To Be, "because as hard as I tried 'not' to write it, fate kept intervening until I realized it was a story that had to be told."

Upon its release, the book received accolades from Publishers Weekly, the industry's leading trade journal, who called it "sweetly sentimental and moving." The Midwest Book Review hailed it as "an extraordinary read" that is "expertly crafted from beginning to end."

The novel tells the story of a special ops soldier who is pushed to new limits when he discovers the person he most wants to protect is the one risking everything to make sure he survives. In its review, Readers' Favorite called it a "love story that portrays honor and devotion to the call of duty. Captivating and mesmerizing."

James, who is the author of four award-winning American Civil War novels and one Revolutionary War novel, says she never planned to write anything other than historical fiction--but the book that would come to be known as Meant To Be, changed that.

"I tried to ignore it, but the twists of fate that occurred--small miracles really--became too overpowering and too numerous to ignore," she explained. "Now that I see how much readers are enjoying it, I'm glad I finally came to my senses and let things work out the way they were supposed to."

Meant To Be starts on the sun-swept beaches of Ocean City, Md., and ends in the rugged mountains of Afghanistan. Combining military suspense, patriotism, and romance, the novel tells the tale of two people who meet by chance on the beach and find their lives connected in a way neither one imagined. One active duty military member described it as, "American Sniper but intertwined with an unforgettable, epic love story," while the Military Writers Society called it "a tapestry of emotion set deeply inside the bravest of Americans: the soldier."

James' books have hit No. 1 on the Amazon bestseller list in a number of different categories (Christian historical fiction, military romance, war fiction, military thrillers), and can be found in more than one hundred libraries, including Harvard and the U.S. Naval Academy.

Though the plots of her books span different eras, all have the same central theme. By weaving the principles of courage, devotion, duty, and dedication into each book, she attempts to honor the unsung heroes of the American military--past and present--and to convey the magnitude of their sacrifice and service.

The Readers' Favorite International Book contest featured thousands of contestants from over a dozen countries, including entries from NYT best-sellers and celebrities like Jim Carrey and Henry Winkler.

Jessica James books are available at internet retailers and bookstores everywhere. For more information, visit Jessica James' website. Readers are encouraged to contact the author to read "the story behind the story" of Meant To Be.

The book video for Meant To Be can be found here.

Jessica James is an award-winning author of suspense, historical fiction, and military fiction ranging from the Revolutionary War to modern day. She is the only two-time winner of the John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction, and was featured in the book 50 Authors You Should Be Reading, published in 2010. Her novels appeal to both men and women and are featured in library collections all over the United States including Harvard and the U.S. Naval Academy.

Other awards:
2016 Readers' Favorite International Book Award Bronze Winner Romance - Suspense
2016 Finalist for BOOK OF THE YEAR in Foreword Magazine's IndieFab contest
2015 NJRW Golden Leaf Award
2014 Valley Forge Romance Writers Sheila Award Finalist
2014 John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction
2014 Reader's Crown Award Finalist
2014 Next Generation Indie Award Finalist in Fiction/Religious
2013 USA "Best Books 2013" Finalist in Fiction/Religious
2012 Bronze winner Foreword Magazine Book of the Year in Romance
2011 John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction
2011 USA "Best Books 2011" Finalist in Historical Fiction
2011 Next Generation Indie Award for Best Regional Fiction
2011 Next Generation Indie Finalist in Romance
2011 Next Generation Indie Finalist in Historical Fiction
2011 NABE Pinnacle Book Achievement Award
2010 Military Writers Society Award in Historical Fiction
2009 HOLT Medallion Finalist for Best Southern Theme
2009 Nominated for the Michael Shaara Award for Excellence in Civil War Fiction
2008 Indie Next Generation Award for Best Regional Fiction
2008 Indie Next Generation Finalist for Best Historical Fiction
2008 IPPY Award for Best Regional Fiction
2008 ForeWord Magazine Finalist for Book of the Year in Romance category

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