What I'm Reading Now

The day after Christmas I plan on buckling down and working hot and heavy on my new manuscript to send off to the publisher. In the meantime I am using this lull in my schedule to do something I love even more than writing - reading.

"The Sufficiency of Grace"

by

Sara Fotopulos

Although this novel fits snugly into the Christian Fiction genre you will be sorely disappointed if you expect an "I-love-Jesus-so-ain't-life-grand-and-sunny" message. The plot is humanistic, coarse, and relevant. You won't be satisfied until you turn the last page and you, probably like me will come to the realization that the we need more Christian authors like this. I predict Ms. Fotopolus will be the "Jodi Piccoult" of this genre, the only difference being that underlying (but not too preachy) message about faith.

"Home to Roost - and other peckings"

by

Deborah Devonshire

Deborah, The Dowager Duchess of Devonshire is the

youngest of the much-celebrated and often times scandalous Mitford sisters of Britain.

This book is basically a compilation of her earlier speeches as well as scribblings from her diary. Most often very funny (I adore British humor) and sometimes heartbreaking as she opens up her journal to her feelings in the days leading up to the funeral of John F. Kennedy. (The duchess' brother-in-law was married to Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy and was closed to the Kennedy brood when Joseph, Sr. was an ambassador in England).

Please share what YOU are reading.

(Books make great stocking-stuffers.)

Until next time,

Kathie

I trust you all had a happy and over-abundant day of Thanksgiving. I know we did here at the Truitt household.

It was a busy, busy weekend. Two of our children (son-in-law and daughter) own an Italian Restaurant in Washington D.C.'s DuPont Circle, "Floriana".

Pause a moment while I brag...."Floriana" was recently named one of the top five Italian restaurants in D.C. and the metro area. The restaurant is located at 17th and Q - call ahead for reservations and feel free to name drop (Kathie Truitt) and I am sure you'll get one of the best tables just (snap fingers!) like that.

Anyway, back to Thanksgiving - the kids closed the restaurant for the day and hosted around 20 people for before-dinner cocktails and an exquisite late afternoon meal.

The following night we started what we hope will be a tradition. Rachael, my mother and I took Sophia with us to attend the Potowmack Debutante Reception in Georgetown on Friday night. (More on that to come with photos, of course).

On Saturday night we went to the Debutante Ball, sans Sophia. It was a perfectly lovely, formal evening but definitely not for a toddler. (Pictures to follow in a day or two)

It was also my 29th wedding anniversary. Sorry, no wedding photos - I'm fodder for enough jokes as it is.

I have so much I want to share with you, so much going on but I am limited on time today.

Tomorrow. I promise.

Right now, though, I want to hear about YOU! Yes, you. I am so sorry that I don't get a chance to come over and comment on your blogs - especially those of you that always leave comments (especially you, Miss Dollie D.) but I promise every day I visit everyone on my blog roll and visit all of those who've left comments. I really am interested in you and what's going on.

So, please leave me a line or two and let me know what's going on in your life. It can be good/bad/indifferent. Even if I don't 'talk back' for a while I can always send up a prayer of rejoicing, thanksgiving and encouragement on your behalf.

Until next time,

Kathie

*Disclaimer: if you haven't read my novel "False Victim: Based on a True Story" then todays post will be totally foreign to you. I apologize, these are things I just need to say. Tune in next week to my regularly scheduled programming*

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and with the exception of my beautiful family and amazing friends I feel this year I have more than usual to be thankful for. I have a lot of ground to cover so I'll strive to keep this as concise as possible.

Dear Lynn,

It's you whom I am most thankful for. While you worked ever so diligently to destroy my life God was using you to elevate me to heights I didn't know possible. You had no clue that during those years that you were trying to take my child, discredit me, ruin my career and have me (falsely) imprisoned that even then I had made a promise to turn it around and make it the best thing that ever happened me. And with His guidance, I have.

How different my life would be now if Anne, someone I trusted so completely to step forward with the truth, hadn't have let fear of you overrule her sense of decency.

How different indeed.

But that's all in the past. No time to dwell. There are e-mails to be answered from my publicist, readers, movie and documentary producers. There are daily schedules to be checked wondering what city or state I am in from week to week and of course some time in between all these I have to find a few minutes to work on my next novel.

I'm not boasting. No, far from it.

As I said, if it hadn't been for you....

My only hope now is that the people you've done this to your whole life (there are many) can find some sort of peace and semblance.

But most of all my prayer is for the person you're hurting right now - because God knows you can't stop yourself.

**To my dear readers - especially book clubs who've hosted me in your homes this year - I think you understand my desire to vocalize my feelings right now. I am so thankful to all of you. After all what good is it to be a writer if people don't want to buy your book? Thank YOU for taking a chance on this first-time author. My love to all of you and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.**

Where's Kathie?

I got an e-mail last week from a follower that said they miss my schedule updates. Ask and ye shall receive! Really I should post this more often to keep myself straight because I thought I was supposed to be in Baltimore this weekend. Wrooonnggg. Anyhoo - here it is....my updated schedule!

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Saturday, November 13th

Glen Allen, VA

1-3pm

Borders

9750 W. Broad Street

804-965-0733

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Sunday, November 14th

(pssttt - these events are my favorite)

Private Book Club

Panera Bread

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Thursday, November 18th

Private book club

Alexandria, VA

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Friday, November 19th

11-6

Book Festival

FREE admission and open to public

Holiday Inn

Charlottesville, VA

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Saturday, November 20th

Borders

(time announced later)

8518 Fenton

Silver Spring, Maryland

301-585-0550

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Wednesday, December 1st

6-9pm

Stratford Elementary School

Alexandria, VA

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Saturday, December 4th

Borders Express

(time announced later)

8200 Perry Hall Bvld.

Baltimore, MD

410-931-7383

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Thursday, December 9th

John Alexander Chapter, DAR

Private Book Club

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Friday, December 10th

10-2

Borders

Baltimore Washington Airport

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Wednesday, December 15th

11:00 - 4:00

Pen Lovers Paradise

2488 North Landing Road, #112

Princess Anne Shoppes

Virginia Beach, VA

757-427-1887

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There's nothing I like more than meeting my readers and fellow bloggers - except tromping through mud and muck of a horse barn in my favorite wellies. But other than that, there's nothing I love more.

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(if you're passing through blogland please take a moment to leave me a comment. I'll come over and visit your blog as soon as possible!)

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Kathie

3 and 1/2 - number of days I had Sophia (granddaughter) while my daughter went to New Orleans to a wedding.

3 and 1/2 - number of days I went without a shower because she wouldn't let me out of her sight.

2 - number of times she screamed if I tried to put her down.

0 - number of times I walked around a three-story house without her sitting on my left hip.

12 - number of times I went to the bathroom with her sitting in my lap for the same reasons listed above.

5 - number of times she played 'chef' with the dog food.

6 - number of times I caught her eating the dog food.

3 - number of times I successfully pried the dog food from her mouth.

1 - the number of times she screamed because she didn't want to sleep in her crib.

3 - the number of nights she slept clinging to Grandma.

24 - the number of joints and muscle-aches Grandma has from sleeping in one position for 3 nights with a 19 pound toddler curled up on her chest.

13 - the total number of open mouth kisses that Sally the lab/husky mix got from Sophia for the whole weekend.

4 - pieces of dog food Grandma found stuffed in the silverware compartment of the dishwasher.

2 - number of hours Grandma cried after taking Sophia back home.

8 - hours of sleep Grandma expects to get tonight as she prepares for bed.

50 - number of years Grandma hopes to spend with Sophia

and

3 - number of the pieces of dog food Grandma just found under her pillow....

'til next time,

Kathie

Just this once I'm going to cheat....

You all LOVE the Hillbilly Debutante of the Month segment but this month I have just been consumed with author/book tour duties and I just have not had time to work on it. I do have a nominee but I want to be able to do her justice, so I'll feature her for December.

However, I'm not leaving you in the lurch for a November HDOM. I'm just going to do it a little different this time.

I'd like to name Mia at http://aspiring-homemaker.blogspot.com as honorary Hillbilly Debutante of the Month.

I found her blog by accident on Sunday and I spent all afternoon reading it back to the beginning.

I think you will love her - especially my readers who love the simple life.

Mia and her family gave up a life in the suburbs to move to the country and live as 'homesteaders.'

This young lady is absolutely precious and I promise if you go over and visit her you'll love her.

WARNING: Mia's blog is ONLY to be read when you have time to spare. You will NOT be able to walk away from it.

Thank you, dear reader for your understanding, but mostly thank you SO much for your support. Book sales are awesome and I found out from my publisher that I am a best-selling author!

Until next time,

kathie