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ZEBULON - Former Pike County resident Debbie Kaufman won first place in the Romance Category at the 2015 Georgia Author of the Year Awards (GAYA) held in June at the Kennesaw State University Continuing Education Center. Kaufman was one of 116 nominees in 17 different fiction and nonfiction categories. She won for Journey of Hope, her 2014 Harlequin release. Kaufman is the first-ever winner in the newly added Romance category. More than 100 authors and literary enthusiasts attended the banquet and ceremony.
Accepting the award, Kaufman joked with Georgia Writer’s Association Board President Chris Ward and then expressed her encouragement that such a prestigious award group was acknowledging romance writing as a category deserving of inclusion.
“A lot of public opinion is still stuck with a bodice-ripper image of romance from decades ago,” says Kaufman, pointing out that romance is about relationship, about the happily-ever-after. “And who doesn’t like a happily-ever-after? This is why romance writing, in all its genres, accounts for more than 50 percent of all fiction sales.”
“I am so honored to get to join the ranks of previous winners of this prestigious award,” says Kaufman. “I’m still trying to take it all in, and sometimes feel the need to pinch myself to be sure it wasn’t a dream.”
A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Debbie Kaufman never heeded her mother’s advice to get her nose out of a book. Instead, she parlayed her reading addiction into writing inspirational romantic adventure for Love Inspired Historical (LIH). Her debut novel, The Doctor’s Mission, was LIH’s first missionary-based romance. Her 2014 release, Journey of Hope, continues the series.
Journey of Hope
In Journey of Hope, escaping a society wedding, Annabelle Baldwin followed her heart to Liberia to pursue her calling as a missionary. But when an attempted kidnapping lands her under the protection of Stewart Hastings, Anna's journey takes a new turn. The wounded war veteran needs a guide through the jungle. It's a job the underfunded missionary can't refuse, despite the feelings Stewart stirs in her guarded heart.
Stewart knows he won't succeed without Anna's expertise. And when danger puts her life at risk, he realizes he cannot live without Anna by his side. But what will it take for a man who has lost his faith to capture the heart of a woman who lives for hers?
The judge called Journey of Hope a story of love and redemption “in the tradition of The African Queen,” adding, “Mrs. Kaufman effectively uses all the elements of romance writing to create an inspired love story.”
About the Author
A long-time Georgia transplant, Kaufman knows that she should never be allowed near a book store with a credit card and that the smartest thing she ever did was to marry her husband of thirty-seven years. Their four children and three grandchildren agree.
Concerning her books, Kaufman wants readers to know that the fact her books contain cannibals should be understood as an element of adventurous historical romance stories, and not as the sign of a warped mind. She insists she is as normal as everyone else. Read for yourself to decide. Visit Kaufman’s web site at www.debbiekaufman.com to find out more about her other books and upcoming releases.
Debbie loves her readers and is always happy to chat with book clubs, civic organizations, and other interested groups. She can be contacted through her website or at dlkaufman@bellsouth.net. Click on Debbie's website for links to buy Journey of Hope.