The judges of the 2016 Royal Dragonfly Book Awards contest, which recognizes excellence in all genres of literature, have spoken. The Spirit of Villarosa: A Father’s Extraordinary Adventures; A Son’s Challenge by Horace Dade Ashton, Marc Ashton, and Ventura’s Libby J. Atwater won first place in two categories: biography and memoir and historical nonfiction.
“Winning any place in the Royal Dragonfly Contest is a huge honor because in order to maintain the integrity of the Dragonfly Book Awards, a minimum score is required before a First or Second Place or Honorable Mention will be awarded to the entrant—even if it is the sole entry in a category,” explains Linda F. Radke, president of the Dragonfly Book Awards program. “Competition is steep, too, because there is no publication date limit as long as the book is still in print.”
The book is a glorious account of Horace Ashton’s remarkable adventures juxtaposed with his son Marc’s 2001 kidnapping in Haiti by four armed thugs who clearly plan to kill him. While captive, Marc determines to survive and asks himself, “What would Dad do?”
“I am pleased and honored to have won first place in the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards in two categories twice, in 2014 and in 2016. I urge fellow writers to enter this contest,” said Atwater.
To find out how this true-life adventure culminates, read the book, which retails for $19.95. It can be purchased at www.TheSpiritofVillarosa.com, www.MyBookOrders.com, www.LibbyAtwaterBooks.com, www.Amazon.com, www.BN.com, and through these wholesalers: Ingram, Baker&Taylor, Brodart (library distributor), and Follett Library Services.
To learn more about the Dragonfly Book Awards, visit www.DragonflyBookAwards.com, email [email protected] or call 480-940-8182.
