S.D. Denny, author of “Baker’s Dozen” and Cheris Hodges, author of “More Than He Can Handle” are nominees in the 2009 African American Literary Award Show.

Denny is nominated as breakout author of the year for her first novel.

Hodges is nominated for romance of the year.

Denny tells Creative Loafing that she’s amazed to be nominated.

“It took a few minutes for it to actually sink in! To see my name on a list with so many authors who have inspired me was amazing. I'm honored and feel so blessed just having been nominated,” she said in an e-mail.

Hodges said she found out that she was nominated for the award through a posting on her Facebook page.

“After a friend on Facebook said she voted for me, I said thank you and then looked up the information on the Internet. I was shocked to see that I was nominated with authors like Brenda Jackson, who is a New York Times Bestseller,” said Hodges.

According to the African American Literary Awards Show’s web site, “The AALAS Awards is the first of its kind.  It is the most comprehensive awards show ever to recognize, honor, celebrate and promote the outstanding achievements and contributions that authors and writers make to the publishing, arts and entertainment industries.”

Readers can vote for the nominee by logging on to www.literaryawardshow.com.

Want to check out what got the Charlotte authors nominated?

S.D. Denny says this about Baker’s Dozen:

The Baker's Dozen is about a young woman, facing a time of tribulation in her life when she's suddenly confronted with family secrets and forced to face her biggest fears. It's a story of sacrificial love and triumph that exhibits how fear can be so paralyzing until you confront it face to face. I chose that title because it added a bit of a twist to the story. As you know, a baker's dozen contains thirteen instead of twelve.

Publisher’s Weekly says this about More Than He Can Handle:

Hodges (Let's Get It On) delivers a sizzling romance between sharp, demanding New  Orleans hotel owner Winfred “Freddie” Barker and arrogant firefighter and confirmed bachelor Cleveland Alexander. After they meet at the wedding of their best friends, their champagne-fueled one-night stand turns into a tumultuous affair. Freddie's certain that Cleveland is commitment-phobic like her father, an unreliable ex-con, while Cleveland seethes at Freddie's explosive temper and scornful attitude. Various subplots, including Cleveland's difficulties at work and Freddie's frequent sparring with her friend Lillian, interrupt the swift pacing, but the sensual love scenes are plentiful and vividly executed, and the believable, three-dimensional characters keep things moving.