Female Author Breaks Into Man's World of Military Suspense/Thriller Novels, Winning Top Award

    WASHINGTON, DC, January 02, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Military Writers Society of America has awarded bestselling military fiction and romantic suspense author Jessica James a Gold Medal for her 2015 release Meant To Be.

Called "a love letter to the American military," the novel has been lauded by both men and women for its suspenseful and poignant plot. It also won the New Jersey Romance Writers Golden Leaf award, a Bronze Medal in the Readers' Favorite International Book Awards contest, and was a Finalist in Foreword Magazine's Book of the Year contest.

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 intertwined 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 Publishers Weekly, the industry's leading trade journal, called it "an endearing page turner," and "sweetly sentimental and moving."

The main character in the novel is 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 has been compared by some to other bestselling suspense/thriller writers, including Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, and James Patterson. She is also the author of four award-winning historical fiction novels and a three-book thriller/suspense series: "Deadline" (May, 2016), "Fine Line" (August, 2016), and "Front Line" (January, 2017).

James' books have hit No. 1 on Amazon 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.

Although the plots of James' 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.

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.

To see a video of MEANT TO BE click here.

Jessica James Awards

2016 Gold Medal Military Writers Society of America
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

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.

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