USA Book News recognizes historical fiction author Jessica James in the 2013 USA Best Book Awards

USA Book News recognizes historical fiction author Jessica James in the 2013 USA Best Book Awards Gettysburg, PA, December 09, 2013 -- USA Book News, the premier online magazine featuring mainstream and independent publishing houses, announced the winners and finalists of THE 2013 USA BEST BOOK AWARDS on November 14. Historical fiction author Jessica James is among the elite group named as a Finalist in the Fiction/Religious category for her latest Civil War novel Above and Beyond.

Jeffrey Keen, President and CEO of USA Book News, said this year’s contest yielded over 1,500 entries from mainstream and independent publishers.

Above and Beyond is the romantic tale of two people thrown together by war and torn apart by destiny. Released in July, 2013, it received a favorable review from Publisher’s Weekly, the book industry’s top trade magazine, and hit #1 on the Amazon bestseller list in the Christian Historical Fiction category.

"The publishing industry has come a long way since I independently published my first book in 2008," James said. "It is gratifying to see that books published by authors can compete, win, and be recognized alongside those of traditional publishing houses."

James, who won the John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction for her last Civil War novel Noble Cause, is well known for her ability to describe the emotions and turmoil of the period, and for her expertise in blending romance with historical fiction. Her books have been compared to Gone with the Wind and Cold Mountain, and are widely read and enjoyed by men and women in both the historical fiction and romance genres.

Called “a real page-turner,” and “attention grabbing,” Above and Beyond is about a Confederate cavalry commander who discovers that faith is more important than glory— and love more important than life. Destined for an honored place among the classics of the American Civil War, Above and Beyond is a book to read, and keep, and remember forever.

Major publishing houses that contributed to this year’s USA BEST BOOK AWARDS competition include St. Martin’s Press, Random House, Simon & Schuster, Penguin, John Wiley & Sons, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Hay House, and Llewellyn Worldwide.

Author Bio: Jessica James is a former newspaper editor who spent 18 years in a newsroom before turning her attention to writing fiction. Her novel Above and Beyond hit #1 in the Christian Historical Fiction category on Amazon, and her last novel Noble Cause is the recipient of the coveted John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction among other national awards. She resides in Gettysburg, Pa., and is featured in the book 50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading, published in 2010. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. More information can be found at www.jessicajamesbooks.com and www.jessicajamesblog.com.

Patriot Press was created by author Jessica James in 2007 as a way to publish books that emphasize the history of our country and traditional American values. All of Patriot Press' books are proudly printed in the USA and contain wholesome content that is both educational and inspirational.

Contact: T Lowery Patriot Press Gettysburg, PA Phone: 717-642-6836 patriotpress@live.com http://www.patriotpressbooks.com http://www.jessicajamesbooks.com