In the competitive world of independent publishing, it is rare for a debut-era novel to capture the attention of two vastly different literary circles. Yet, that is exactly what H.L. Howard achieved in 2024. With the release of A Journey Must Be Taken: Playlist, Howard has managed to bridge the gap between the adrenaline-fueled world of romantic suspense and the introspective realm of religious fiction.

The book’s dual honors in 2024—the NYC Big Book Award Distinguished Favorite for Romantic Suspense/Thriller and the Independent Press Award Winner for Religion: Fiction—signal the arrival of a writer who refuses to be boxed into a single genre.

H.L. signing at AWP, March 7th, 11am at the PWR booth 521 inside the Baltimore Convention Center.

At its core, A Journey Must Be Taken: Playlist is a story of "divine appointments." It follows the life of Tauri, a successful professional who finds himself spiritually adrift despite his outward achievements. His life takes a sharp turn when he encounters Libi, a younger woman whose presence acts as a catalyst for a profound internal and external transformation.

What sets Howard’s work apart is the "Playlist" element—a narrative device where music serves as the emotional connective tissue between the characters. The story doesn't just describe feelings; it provides a soundtrack for them, making the reading experience uniquely cinematic.

The reason Howard is winning awards in both "Suspense" and "Religion" categories lies in the book's balanced architecture of both the suspense as well as the spiritual angle. Howard describes the novel as a "co-creation with Spirit," specifically aimed at an audience that believes in psychic energy, reincarnation, and astrology, alongside traditional religious values. This "New Age" approach to fiction has struck a chord with modern readers who are looking for stories that reflect a diverse, contemporary spiritual landscape.

Critics, including those from Kirkus Reviews, https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/hl-howard-1/a-journey-must-be-taken-playlist/, have noted the "breathless intensity" of the protagonist’s journey. While the book explores the complexities of a middle-aged man navigating a virtual-age romance, its heart remains focused on a universal question: Are our destinies interwoven, or is fate simply having a good time?

H.L. Howard is carving out a niche for readers who want more than just a mystery or a romance. By infusing the thriller genre with deep philosophical inquiry, Howard reminds us that the greatest "suspense" in life often involves the journey toward our own souls.

As a NYC Big Book Award Distinguished Favorite, A Journey Must Be Taken: Playlist stands as a testament to the power of indie fiction to tackle complex, multi-layered themes that mainstream publishing often overlooks.