CALGARY, ALBERTA – June 20, 2008…Annette Stanwick, Calgary resident and author received two national writing awards at a Gala premier event in Mississauga, Ontario June 11. Her book “FORGIVENESS: The Mystery and Miracle” was chosen by The Word Guild as the best Non-Fiction Independently Published Book in addition to receiving the Award of Merit in the category of Life Stories.

At the same time Stanwick was receiving these awards, Canadian media headlines shouted murder, abuse, suicide, betrayal, trauma, abandonment, and loss of every type punctuated by the Canadian government’s long overdue apology to its aboriginal population.

 The power of forgiveness and the timeliness of the message in Stanwick’s book present a profound yet startling solution at this time in local and Canadian history that can heal the wounds that create deep crevices of pain and bitterness in our homes, our communities and in our land.

“FORGIVENESS: The Mystery and Miracle” is an amazing account of how the author overcame the aftermath of the tragic murder of her brother.  She never dreamed she would feel led to publicly forgive her brother’s murderers in the courtroom. Her book answers the question asked by media, “How could you forgive your brother’s murderer?” Her courageous choice to forgive resulted in a profound freedom and peace that impassions her as she speaks to university students, corporate leaders, women’s groups, professional organizations and prison inmates.

A prison inmate serving a life sentence shared a stunning revelation with Stanwick during a prison seminar.  “If only someone had told me as a child I didn’t have to hold onto anger and bitterness, maybe I wouldn’t have killed several members of my own family!”

Maureen Littman says, “I chose to forgive my grand daughter who nearly destroyed our lives.  Without this book it would not have been possible!”

Stanwick was among 230 authors from 8 provinces considered for awards in 31 categories presented by The Word Guild.  The author’s book was a finalist in the category of Relationships, and is also a finalist in 3 categories with the respected Indie Book Awards in the US.

Stanwick, who considers herself a Freedom Facilitator is a business vice president and an international speaker whose motivational messages encourage audiences to climb higher and stretch farther as they search for freedom, peace and personal satisfaction in their lives.

• For more information about this topic or to schedule an interview with Annette Stanwick, please call Clay Stanwick at 403-208-2181 or e-mail Annette@annettestanwick.com or visit www.annettestanwick.com
• “Forgiveness: The Mystery and Miracle,” published by Heart Message Publishing retails for $18.95 and is available nationally in Canada and the US at local and on-line bookstores and the author’s website www.annettestanwick.com