SHERMAN, Conn. - s4story -- Emerald Lake Books learned earlier this week that two of its nonfiction authors brought home three gold medals from the Florida Authors and Publishers Association's (FAPA) President's Book Awards. The esteemed juried competition honors the best examples of quality and creativity in new books. The awards ceremony took place August 3 in conjunction with the organization's 2024 conference in Orlando, Florida.

Olympian Simone Biles has demonstrated to the world the undeniable link between our emotional and physical strength. At the same time, these two debut authors shared challenges and solutions to total well-being that has garnered the attention of the FAPA judges.

Deborah Charnes won golds in the How-To/Instructional/Self-Help and Fitness/Health categories. Her book, "From the Boxing Ring to the Ashram: Wisdom for Mind, Body and Spirit" empowers the reader to rise above their physical or emotional struggles and come out a champion. Through storytelling, anecdotes, testimonials, recommendations and the latest research findings, this book shares simple tips to improve mental health and well-being that take as little as ten minutes a day.

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FAPA awarded Bonnie R. Armstrong with the gold in the Autobiography/Memoir category for her compelling story of transformative mind-body-spirit healing. Armstrong's "An Apparently Normal Person: From Medical Mystery to Dissociative Superpower" is a brave, raw and ultimately uplifting memoir that reveals the uncharted territory of her dissociation, a survival mechanism that became a catalyst for healing.

Both award winners' inspiring personal tales were published by Emerald Lake Books (https://emeraldlalkebooks.com) and are available in paperback or eBook directly from the publisher (https://emeraldlakebooks.com/store), as well as from most online book retailers, select libraries, bookstores and other outlets.