My husband and son spent this past weekend together at Starved Rock State Park. It turned out to be bitterly cold and windy. With snow here in Wheaton, and similar harsh winds, I had reoccurring images of them being blown from the tippy top heights of various beautiful canyons. But of course they were fine and had a great time, drinking home-brewed root beer and eating “the best pizza ever,” playing backgammon in the beautiful lodge where the likes of Louis Armstrong once performed, watching movies. And their last day warmed up so they were able to get in a hike at Matthiessen Park too. They came home with wet socks and a kind of blustery bravado.
Meanwhile back at the ranch . . . actual copies of BROKEN GROUND showed up on my doorstep. Two copies, count them, two. My daughter snapped this picture of me (verklempt), Big hands, little head, all-but-illegible book covers, but you get the idea. It’s real. It’s here. In less than 30 days, the book will drop, landing on shelves in various bookstores an libraries (virtual and literal) near you.
I found out, too, that BROKEN GROUND got it’s first big review in RT Magazine. Actually the review comes out in May, at the same time as the novel, but I was given a sneak peek.. I’ll share an excerpt here with you:
“The characters remind the reader that while the world is full of broken people, promises . . . there is hope. Ruth is an encouraging character who finds herself after losing everything.”
—RT Book Reviews- 4 Stars.
It’s cold enough again today, after walking our dog Kitsu, I built a fire in the fireplace. I work at the library tonight, but before that time, before picking kids up from school, etc., I’m going to start reading my novel. I do this once after I get it in its final form, when it feels both imminent and distant. I always have to work up my nerve. A fire in the fireplace helps. Time to get reacquainted.
