SCOTTSDALE, AZ – As a former Merrimack writer who drew inspiration for one of her fantasy books from the Merrimack River, author C.K. Donnelly was awarded an IR Discovery Award in the Young Adult category for her tome “Trine Rising, The Kinderra Saga: Book 1.”

Donnelly, aka Cindy Donnelly Kibbe said she had to read the award announcement email twice because she couldn’t believe her eyes.

“This is my third award for Trine Rising–a book where it’s been a miracle in of itself just getting published,” she said. “This novel was decades in the making and suffered through dozens of literary agent rejections, but I never lost faith that the story would find its fans.”

“Trine Rising” has received awards and rave reviews since its release, including the 2021 Independent Press Association Award for “Fantasy” and the 2020 NYC Big Book Award for “Epic Fantasy.”

Kibbe said “Trine” is a fantasy for those who’ve never read the genre before, or they don’t think they’ll like it as well as for life-long fans of the genre because the characters are very relatable to today’s audience.

What’s more, ‘Trine Rising’ also delivers a unique voice for readers not found in enough books of any genre,” she said. “You can finally read what the ‘bad guy’ is thinking.”

As a journalist, Kibbe spent 14 years in New Hampshire, working as a writer, assistant editor and contributor as various outlets. She has held careers in healthcare and journalism and was honored with several press awards. Currently, she owns a boutique freelance writing, social media, and marketing support agency.

“I loved it there,” she said of the Granite State. “It was a dream come true. I would write about thorny laws and with my background in healthcare, chances are I would do that or a lot of tech stories.”

Although she was business journalist, it was here that she had an inkling to write her first novel, a young adult fantasy.

“I was probably always into fantasy,” she said. “It all really opened up for me as a kid when I saw ‘Star Wars’ for the first time. I was the first generation to see it when it opened, in 1977.”

Kibbe said from then on, she was “a lost cause.”

As for returning to New Hampshire some day for good, Kibbe said there is that tiny urge.

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a gorgeous beach cottage in Rye Harbor?” she said.

“Or on Winnipesaukee. So, there is definitely that tug to life a little closer to water. And I miss the autumn. There is that desire. Who knows?”

“Trine Fallacy, The Kinderra Saga: Book 2,” the sequel to “Trine Rising” is expected to be released this summer.