Awards and Reviews
Tracy Shawn hopes her writing will help readers feel less alone, more connected, and, in the end, delighted that they curled up with one of her novels or short stories.
Praise for Floating Underwater
Five Stars Reader’s Favorite Sticker for Floating Underwater
2023 Living Now Silver Medal for Tracy Shawn’s novel, Floating Underwater, for General Fiction
“One woman’s mystical journey to move forward while confronting a troubled, mysterious past. Beautifully written; an ethereal, eloquent pleasure.”
~~Marlene Adelstein, author of USA Today bestseller Sophie Last Seen
Starred Review by BlueInk Review:
“Mystical and magical realism permeates this women’s novel, and Amy Harmon fans would embrace Shawn’s adept storytelling. The author delivers spot-on dialogue, believable and enchanting characters, and surprising twists. It’s easy to imagine the novel as a talked-about book club selection (in fact, there’s a list of questions at the book’s conclusion). Poignant and beautiful, Floating Underwater leaves readers yearning for a sequel and another look at these captivating characters.”
~~Starred Review by Patricia Moosbrugger for BlueInk Review
Star Rating 5/5 Review by San Francisco Book Review:
“The writing is stunning…Paloma’s journey toward friendship, love in her marriage, and the realization that her fears have kept her eyes closed to everything happening around her is a journey worth following. This book will remind you to listen to the wind when it speaks and to look for what’s floating beneath the surface of the water.”
~~Reviewed by Jenna Swartz for San Francisco Book Review
Star rating 4.5/5 Manhattan Book Review:
“A mystical journey that will take its readers on a whirlwind tour of beautiful imagery and meaningful life adventures, Floating Underwater is the story about a woman named Paloma Leary who learns that she has some very special gifts to share with the world…This book is wonderfully written in a lovely beach setting…Floating Underwater is the perfect book for someone looking for a bit of fantasy thrown into a realistic setting with realistic characters. Written with special attention to little details, this book is relatable, yet very special and is a one-of-a-kind read.”
~~Reviewed by Kristi Elizabeth for Manhattan Book Review
The US Review of Books:
“This multi-genre read celebrates the many and varied second chances life offers to those open to see them.”
~~Reviewed by Mari Carlson for The US Review of Books
BookLife:
“This dreamy work of magic realism abounds in rich themes and characters as it faces pregnancy loss…Great for fans of Carmen Maria Machado’s Her Body and Other Parties, Glendy Vanderah’s Where the Forest Meets the Stars.” –BookLife Review
Star Rating 5/5 with Reader’s Favorite:
Five Stars Reader’s Favorite Sticker for Floating Underwater
I’m certain that readers who enjoy drama and sublime narration will not want to miss out on this book. I’ve never read anything like it, and it honestly blew me away. Mona Hawke with Reader’s Favorites
~~Reviewed by Mona Hawke for Reader’s Favorite
Awards for Floating Underwater
Floating Underwater won Silver Medal for General Fiction with the 2023 Living Now Book Awards in General Fiction
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Floating Underwater placed as Finalist for The Wishing Shelf Book Awards in Books for Adults (Fiction Category)
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Floating Underwater placed as Finalist for Next Generation Indie Book Awards for General Fiction (70,000 to 100,000 Words)
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Floating Underwater has won a B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree
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Awards for The Grace of Crows
Buy Now On Amazon: https://a.co/d/4TSVhR6
Tracy Shawn has been nominated as Finalist in the Author Category
with the prestigious Shorty Awards for 2015
The first edition of The Grace of Crows Has Been Awarded:
The Jack Eadon Award for the Best Book in Contemporary Drama
Second Place in General Fiction for Readers Views
Runner-Up for General Fiction in the Great Northwest Book Festival.
Reviews for The Grace of Crows
“The Grace of Crows is nothing less than a striking and inimitable literary work.”
US Review of Books, Reviewed by Anita Lock
RECOMMENDED by the US Review of Books
“A stunning debut novel.”
Grady Harp, Hall of Fame Reviewer on Amazon.com
Top 50 Reviewer
Link
The Grace of Crows listed in Arts Scene “Hot List”
Winter Issue 2014
The Grace of Crows author Tracy Shawn interviewed by David Starkey
December 23, 2013
“Shawn’s narrative is intriguing, as turns and twists in the plot reveal generational secrets
and events that were pushed out of sight and mind, but still impact the present. It is written with a sophisticated understanding of psychological dynamics and personalities.”
Reviewed by Kerry Methner, PhD, December 27, 2013
The Grace of Crows featured in “Books of Local Interest”
Winter 2014 Issue
“The novel has already been hailed as a healing opportunity, as well as a ‘deeply
moving heroines journey.’ As of Monday afternoon it had reached the Top 100
in the women’s fiction-psychological category on Kindle.”
Author Tracy Shawn interviewed by Steven Libowitz, October 24, 2013
“The Grace of Crows is a painful but valuable story about how a struggling woman
learns the importance of forgiving and helping others and, more importantly,
letting them do the same for her.”
Reviewed by Sara Hartley, November 2013
“This is a simple, beautiful story, and if you suffer from anxiety, love someone who does,
or just like to be inspired by the human spirit, I suggest you pick up a copy soon.”
Reviewed by Sarah Widdup, October 2013
*****5 Star Review
“This is one of those rare novels that elicit every emotion you have available
through this author’s amazing writing skills.”
Reviewed by Billie Jo, November 2013
“On the Hottie Scale, this book is without a doubt a Hot – Page Turner.”
“Author Tracy Shawn takes the reader on an empathetic journey of self-realization and a hope for the beginning of healing for her character Saylor. Anyone who has suffered or has a loved one with anxiety can easily feel Saylor’s struggles and understand where she is coming from.”
Reviewed by Syreeta, November 2013
***** 5 Star Review
“I feel Shawn is a very empathetic person who has captured her emotions well and laid them out in a story that we all can learn from.”
Reviewed by Digna Dreibelbis, September 2013
“This novel is one fictional journey that sheds light on anxiety and fear. It also pulled on my heartstrings and made me cry several times. Like listening to an old friend pour out their soul.”
Reviewed by Jennifer Hass for Reader Views