So many feelings surge through me when I read those words: award-winning author. Happiness. Fulfilment. Gratefulness. Most of all, pride.

A day when I learn that I have won a new award, then, is a fantastic day indeed, and today is one such day.

I was thrilled to learn this morning that The Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) has awarded not one but two Benjamin Franklin Awards for my Andalucian Nights trilogy: Gold for Indiscretion and Silver for Masquerade.

The IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award for excellence in book publishing is regarded as one of the highest national honors for small and independent publishers – and, of course, authors like myself!