A local author has been listed as a contender for a prestigious award for her recently published novel.

American-born Karen Storey, who now lives in Leamington Spa, published her novel, The Approval of Sheep, in October 2025.

After being a huge success and even selling out in America after it was first published, Karen's now is now up for the Romantic Novelists Association's Joan Hessayon Award, having been recognised for its romcom elements.

The Joan Hessayon Award is a prestigious literary prize for debut fiction authors graduating from the RNA's New Writer's Scheme.

Karen shared: "I am thrilled to be a contender for this amazing award! I first joined the RNA in 2019. I remember attending my first event and spotting a group of authors lining up for a photograph. I was told they were up for the Joan Hessayon Award for their debut novels. I remember looking at them and thinking, 'I'd love to be one of them some day.' But not truly believing it would happen for me.

"Yet, with the support of many wonderful writers within organisations like the RNA, I persevered. it'" s a 'pinch me' moment that I will, in a few weeks time, be with fellow 2025 debut authors, celebrating and having our group photo taken for the Joan Hessayon Award."

American-born Karen Storey, who now lives in Leamington Spa, published her novel, The Approval of Sheep in October 2025.

The award is presented annually at a gala evening ceremony (the RONAs), alongside other categories for outstanding novels in the romantic fiction genres.

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This year's award ceremony is set to take place at The Leonardo Royal London City hotel on the evening of 18 May.

Karen's novel, The Approval of Sheep follows the story of Gordon Slee, who fears he was never meant to be born. Anxious since childhood after hearing he was an accident, the forty-two-year-old is still struggling to escape the shadow of his high-achieving family. But a glimmer of hope is on the horizon – a huge promotion within his hotel group is up for grabs, and he is sure that his time has come to make a mark on the world. However, within his own department, redundancies are afoot. He may lose his job before he gets the chance. Until he learns of a historic covenant that preserves the right for sheep to run through the company's top London hotel. Could he convince his boss that he's the man to save the hotel from catastrophe?

Up in Bryn Nefyn, North Wales, live the descendants of the covenant owner. The elderly sheep farmer and his aging hippy brother could use the money the hotel might offer. But along with their strong-willed American shepherdess, they laugh at Gordon's attempts to negotiate a deal. Surely, they couldn't use a covenant that's been forgotten about for over a hundred years.

Or could they..."

Ahead of the awards, Karen will be at Kenilworth Books on Saturday, 11 April from 10.30 am to 1.30 pm for a book signing event and to chat with readers.

On Saturday, 11 April from 10.30 am to 1.30 pm, Karen will be at a book signing event and to chat with readers (image supplied)