Book Club Fun!

L to R: Marsha, Debby, Gloria, Tamara, Lucille,
Phyllis, Bonnie and Toni (seated)

When Bonnie Fisher, a friend from church, told me her book club had chosen my last Love Inspired Suspense, THE GENERAL'S SECRETARY, for their August read, I was thrilled and even more so when she asked if I would join them last night when they discussed the book.

The ladies were so warm and welcoming. Phyllis, who keeps track of their reading selections, said that in the nine years since the book club had started, they’d never had an author at their meetings. Of course, I felt honored that they had read—and liked—my story and that they had invited me to spend the evening with them.

Carol (L) serves Toni (R)

We met in Toni’s lovely home and Carol served as hostess, ensuring our plates and glasses were filled.

L to R: Lucille, Tamara, Phyllis, Gloria, Carol, Bonnie and Marsha.

Look at the yummy treats Marsha prepared!

There was lots of laughter and good cheer as we talked about books and the types of stories we love to read. I told them about my journey to publication and my writing schedule now that I’m published as well as the process for submitting a proposal and then seeing a story through the editing stages to final copy.  We also talked about Christian publishing and Love Inspired’s success within the inspirational genre.

The evening passed too quickly, but they asked me to return another time, which I’d love to do. What writer wouldn’t want to gather with such charming ladies and talk about books and writing!

Thank you, Bonnie, for inviting me to your book club. I had a delightful time.

Tell me about the book clubs in your local area. As a writer, do you enjoy meeting with book club readers? As readers, do you often host authors at your monthly book club meetings?

Happy reading! Happy writing!

Wishing you abundant blessings,

Debby Giusti

www.DebbyGiusti.com

www.seekerville.blogspot.com

THE SOLDIER’S SISTER

By Debby Giusti

WHO WILL PROTECT HER?

Someone wants Stephanie Upton dead. A warning to leave town is just the beginning. Fearing for her life, Stephanie turns to Special Agent Brody Goodman for help and protection. But can she trust him when he’s convinced her own brother is a prime suspect? Torn between her devotion to two men—an estranged brother whose trust she yearns to regain and an agent she may be falling for—Stephanie doesn’t know who or what to believe. As feelings between her and Brody escalate, she’ll have to choose sides to stay alive.

Pre-order now at Amazon

Honoring The Stars and Stripes

Debby Giusti here!

I’m wearing red, white and blue and waving Old Glory in honor of Flag Day, held each year on June 14. While the Fourth of July is the celebration of our country’s birthday, The Stars and Stripes has her own special day established by a proclamation from President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 and signed as an Act of Congress by President Truman in 1949.

Hopefully, all citizens honor the flag, but no where is that respect more visible than on a military installation. Visit any Army post and you’ll be awakened by reveille, a bugle call that announces the raising of the flag by the post honor guard. At 5 P.M., a cannon fires and a bugler sounds retreat. Cars stop, passengers and passersby come to attention and salute the flag until the colors are retired.

The flag has special significance for the military. Not only does it lead our soldiers into battle, but it also covers them in death. No scene is more poignant than the flag-draped coffins of our fallen heroes returning home from war. The Stars and Stripes honors their sacrifice and is a visible reminder of our country’s pride in her brave men and women in uniform, both living and dead.

I’m proud of our military heroes and love writing stories about those who serve. God bless our military. God bless the USA.

Happy Flag Day!

Wishing you abundant blessings,
Debby Giusti
www.DebbyGiusti.com
www.seekerville.blogspot.com 
www.crossmyheartprayerteam.blogspot.com

Leave a comment to be entered into a drawing for the latest book in my Military Investigations Series: THE GENERAL’S SECRETARY.

Each stand-along book in the series is available in print or e-book and can be found at Amazon.com: The Officer’s Secret, The Captain’s Mission, The Colonel’s Daughter, and The General’s Secretary. Watch for The Soldier’s Secret, to be released in September. 

THE GENERAL'S SECRETARY 

By Debby Giusti 

Trusting the Wrong Person Can Be Deadly... 

Lillie Beaumont's dark past has just turned up on her porch--fatally wounded. The dying words of the man imprisoned for killing Lillie's mother suggest hidden secrets. Criminal Investigations Division special agent Dawson Timmons agrees. He has his own motive for seeking the truth, and it gives Lillie every reason to doubt him. But even as they reluctantly begin to face painful secrets together, Dawson fears that a murderer is waiting to strike again. And this time, Lillie is right in the line of fire...

I'm praying for you...

Just wanted you to know I pray daily for all the members of the Cross My Heart Prayer Team. Also for all those who read my stories and all the wonderful folks I meet in my travels.

Do you have a special prayer request? Add it in the comment section so I can lift up your intentions to the Lord.

God loves you. So do I!

Wishing you abundant blessings,
Debby

My Amish Suspense

Debby Giusti here!

I just received the go-ahead from my Love Inspired Suspense editor, Emily Rodmell, on the proposal for the sixth book in my Military Investigations Series. The story—untitled at this point--features a heroine in the US Army Criminal Investigation Division who grew up Amish. I’m thrilled Emily liked the idea and excited about including some of my past experiences with the Amish in the story.

My dad was career army and we lived in numerous spots around the country, but he and my mother were originally from Ohio, and I graduated from The Ohio State University. Often during college, friends and I would head to Plain City, an Amish community not far from Columbus, to enjoy the wonderful restaurants that featured favorite Amish delights.  

Sometimes we'd head farther north into Holmes County that boasts of having one of the largest Amish communities in the US. Picturesque farms dot the rolling hills, and we’d pass horse drawn buggies on the way to local dairies that sold cheese and ice cream, which provided special treats on a hot summer’s day and a lovely escape from campus life.

After marrying, my hubby and I lived in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where I’d shop at the nearby Amish farmers’ market stocked with local produce and fresh baked pies and breads. Often we’d drive to Lancaster County, in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, with favorite stops at Intercourse and Bird-in-Hand. Visiting Zook’s Fabric store was fun. On one trip, my husband bought a straw hat, and I found a lovely hand stitched slip for my youngest daughter.

As you know, the Amish speak Pennsylvania Dutch, a derivative of the German language. My great-grandparents came from Fulda, and my husband and I lived in Germany for three years. I became quite fluent in German while there. Hearing the Amish dialect reminds me of my time in Deutschland and makes me feel a certain kinship with the Amish.

Doing research and pulling information from my past for this next book has been so much fun, but now I need to write the story. I’ll keep you posted on my progress in the days ahead.

Have you visited Amish communities? What did you think of their plain lifestyle? Do you enjoy reading Amish stories? 

Wishing you abundant blessings,

Debby Giusti
www.DebbyGiusti.com
www.seekerville.blogspot.com

The General’s Secretary, book 4 in my Military Investigations series, is available here. The Soldier’s Sister will be released in October. Watch for the Amish story, book 6, in March 2014.

THE GENERAL'S SECRETARY

By Debby Giusti

Trusting the Wrong Person Can Be Deadly...

Lillie Beaumont's dark past has just turned up on her porch--fatally wounded. The dying words of the man imprisoned for killing Lillie's mother suggest hidden secrets. Criminal Investigations Division special agent Dawson Timmons agrees. He has his own motive for seeking the truth, and it gives Lillie every reason to doubt him. But even as they reluctantly begin to face painful secrets together, Dawson fears that a murderer is waiting to strike again. And this time, Lillie is right in the line of fire...

You're Invited...

Barbara Vey (L) and Debby Giusti (R)
at the Reader Appreciation Luncheon 2012

Barbara Vey, Contributing Editor to Publishers Weekly, is hosting her second annual Reader Appreciation Luncheon, and you're invited.

Held at the lovely Crowne Plaza Hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Saturday, April 27, the day starts at 10:30 A.M. with a Meet and Greet. New York times Bestselling Author James Rollins is the keynote speaker. He'll be joined by 37 additional authors, including some of your favorites.

Each author will host a table. I'll be bringing gifts and a book for all those sitting at my table. In addition, everyone attending will receive a huge bag of books and goodies to take home. Books will also be available for sale and signing.

Debby and her winner with the tote Debby gave away
last year.

In addition, each author donates a basket jammed packed with fun gifts that will be given away, along with other baskets raffled off throughout the afternoon. Add a delicious lunch, great conversation, and an opportunity to get to know the authors you love to read and you can see that Barbara Vey's Reader Appreciation Luncheon a reader's dream come true.

To learn more about the event, go to: http://www.BarbaraVeyReaders.com
If you can join me for the day, email Barbara, at  barbaraveyreaders@gmail.com and let her know you want to sit at my table. I'd love to see you there.

Happy reading!

Wishing you abundant blessings,
Debby Giusti
www.DebbyGiusti.com
www.seekerville.blogspot.com
www.craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com

THE GENERAL'S SECRETARY

By Debby Giusti

Trusting the Wrong Person Can Be Deadly...

Lillie Beaumont's dark past has just turned up on her porch--fatally wounded. The dying words of the man imprisoned for killing Lillie's mother suggest hidden secrets. Criminal Investigations Division special agent Dawson Timmons agrees. He has his own motive for seeking the truth, and it gives Lillie every reason to doubt him. But even as they reluctantly begin to face painful secrets together, Dawson fears that a murderer is waiting to strike again. And this time, Lillie is right in the line of fire...

Debby Giusti here!



I celebrated the release of THE GENERAL'S SECRETARY, the fourth book in my Military Investigations series, last Thursday, with a signing at Omega Book Center, in Peachtree City, Georgia. Karen Duncan owns the shop and always makes her customers feel right at home.

She also makes writers feel very special and provides a cozy signing area and even baked treats for those who stop in to browse or buy. A number of folks call in orders, some as far away as Arizona and Oklahoma. I personalize their copies and Karen mails them to anywhere in the US.

L to R: Elfi, Denise and Alida enjoy shopping at Omega Books!

 

Book signings at Omega Books are always special!

As a way of thanking the community, I donate a portion of the proceeds to a local charity. Last week's event benefited our local St. Vincent de Paul Conference that runs a food pantry and provides financial aid to the needy in our area.

I'm always overwhelmed by the support of so many dear friends and faithful readers. Thanks to all who made the signing so special.

Tracy Sands, author of THE CHRISTIAN ALPHABET,
won the drawing for my gift basket. Congrats, Tracy!

Happy reading!!!

Wishing you abundant blessings,
Debby Giusti
www.DebbyGiusti.com

www.seekerville.blogspot.com

THE GENERAL'S SECRETARY

By Debby Giusti

Trusting the Wrong Person Can Be Deadly...

Lillie Beaumont's dark past has just turned up on her porch--fatally wounded. The dying words of the man imprisoned for killing Lillie's mother suggest hidden secrets. Criminal Investigations Division special agent Dawson Timmons agrees. He has his own motive for seeking the truth, and it gives Lillie every reason to doubt him. But even as they reluctantly begin to face painful secrets together, Dawson fears that a murderer is waiting to strike again. And this time, Lillie is right in the line of fire...

Murder on the Menu 2013

Debby Giusti here!

Mix close to 100 readers with thirteen authors. Add four panel discussions where authors talk about books and writing, lots of time to mix and mingle, a yummy lunch as well as a book signing and what do you get? Murder on the Menu.

Friday, I drove to Montgomery, Alabama, for the annual event that benefits the Library System in nearby Wetumpka. That evening, authors and readers enjoyed a delicious Chinese dinner where the conversation focused on mystery and suspense.

L to R: Susan Hayes, Library Director, Susan's hubby, Debby McCarley,
Friends of the Wetumpka Library Programs Director, and author Sara DuBose.

L to R: Annette Barnes, Fran Holland, President of the Friends of
the Wetumpka Library (FOWL), and Debbie Herbert, FOWL Secretary

L to R: Authors Jennie Bentley, Debby Giusti, Lexi George,
and Laura Hayden

R to L: Keynote speaker and best selling mystery author Dean James,
Neal Lynn and author Vincent O'Neil.

The next morning everyone gathered at the Wetumpka Civic Center. The mayor, along with library director Susan Hayes and event coordinator Tammy Lynn, were there to welcome us.

Debby with Mayor Jerry Willis

I met so many delightful folks who love books and enjoy chatting with authors. Special thanks to Deb Hoyt and Muffin Hand for their gracious hospitality throughout the weekend. I feel like we're old friends.

Everyone had a good time!

Lots of interesting panel discussions.

L to R: Muffin Hand, Deb Hoyt, Lucie Barnes and Beth McGuire
add fun to the day in their movie star attire.

A special thank you to all those involved in hosting the event and to all the wonderful people in Wetumpka.

Happy reading! Happy writing!

Debby Giusti
www.Debby Giusti.com
www.seekerville.blogspot.com

THE GENERAL'S SECRETARY

By Debby Giusti

Trusting the Wrong Person Can Be Deadly...

Lillie Beaumont's dark past has just turned up on her porch--fatally wounded. The dying words of the man imprisoned for killing Lillie's mother suggest hidden secrets. Criminal Investigations Division special agent Dawson Timmons agrees. He has his own motive for seeking the truth, and it gives Lillie every reason to doubt him. But even as they reluctantly begin to face painful secrets together, Dawson fears that a murderer is waiting to strike again. And this time, Lillie is right in the line of fire...