Karen L West books win honors across thriller, fantasy and speculative fiction

Three Karen L West titles have picked up fresh recognition from The BookFest and the UK-based Open Book Award, spotlighting work that ranges from a search-and-rescue thriller to fantasy and island mystery. The awards add to West’s earlier literary honors and broaden her profile across multiple genres.

Why it matters: - The awards give Karen L West broader visibility across three genres at once: thriller, fantasy and speculative fiction. - The recognition also strengthens the marketability of three separate titles, each aimed at a different reader base. - West’s growing list of honors can help drive attention to her back catalog and future releases.

What happened: - The BookFest awarded second place to The Girl in the Redwoods: A Rose and Clive Search & Rescue Thriller. - The BookFest also awarded second place to Sekoia Shifters: The Redwoods Remember. - The UK-based Open Book Award named Sand Dollar Cove: The Five-Year Promise a Highly Recommended Award recipient. - The announcement highlights recognition for three distinct books in West’s catalog.

The details: - The Girl in the Redwoods follows Rose Clarke on a trip to California’s redwoods that turns into a rescue mission when her dog, Clive, finds a wounded 5-year-old hidden in a carved tree. - The thriller’s plot expands into a search for other missing children and a dangerous predator. - Sekoia Shifters: The Redwoods Remember centers on Deputy Cree Wilson, who doubts the runaway label attached to 18-year-old dragon shifter Elara Falkenberg. - The story involves Elara’s escape from a forced political marriage and pressure from a powerful dragon clan. - The book also ties the conflict to records buried in the past, raising questions about power, duty and choice. - Sand Dollar Cove: The Five-Year Promise uses an island setting where a community returns every five years for only 10 days. - The story follows Jaxon Velez, 13, and Etta Harlow, 17, as they challenge traditions and obligations tied to the return. - Historical records in the novel point to former community members who left and never returned.

Between the lines: - The three books share a common theme of characters pushing against systems that limit safety, freedom or belonging. - The awards suggest West is being recognized not just for genre range, but for stories built around moral pressure and personal choice. - West has already built award momentum before these latest honors. - The Girl in the Redwoods previously won a Booky Award for Tensest Thriller and an ACCI Literary Excellence Award for Best Mystery/Thriller. - Sekoia Shifters: The Redwoods Remember previously won a Booky Award for Most Believable Future.

What's next: - West’s website and book pages are now the main places readers can use to find more information and explore the three titles. - More attention from award programs could help position the books for new readers, reviews and interviews. - Karen L West is an award-winning fantasy and science fiction author and a U.S. Navy veteran. - More information is available at Karen L West's website. - The books are also listed on Amazon: The Girl in the Redwoods, Sekoia Shifters: The Redwoods Remember, and Sand Dollar Cove: The Five-Year Promise.

The bottom line: - Karen L West’s latest awards show sustained recognition across multiple genres, with three books now drawing attention for strong storytelling and distinct premises.