Monday, November 02, 2015

Grateful by Gail Kittleson

 As November rolls in, it’s natural to think thankful thoughts. Here in the Midwest, the harvest has gone well, winter’s chill is just around the corner, and our hearts turn toward home and hearth. Now, that’s a statement that fits 1946, the year we meet Dottie Kyle, the heroine of my debut novel, In This Together.
 
The book’s November release adds to my gratitude this year. Being such a late-blooming writer magnifies my sense of satisfaction at the culmination of this labor of love—although I realize Dottie’s journey into the minds and hearts of readers is only beginning.
 
For me, the best part of the journey has been getting to know Dottie, a down-home woman like many others of the “Greatest Generation.” Dottie bears her losses quietly, even that of her son Bill in World War II and her husband soon after.
 
Now, the war’s over and she makes do, as always. Her cooking and cleaning job at the local boarding house gives her a reason to wake up in the morning. She walks to work early, unaware that someone watches her pass by his house.
 
Dottie’s widower neighbor Al observes her progress morning and evening, sunshine and rain, and wonders how he can possibly woo this “peach of a gal” who seems to manage quite well without him. Of course, he can’t know how lonely her house looms when she enters at night, bone-tired, or how much she longs—and fears—to meet her grandbabies out in California.
 
And Dottie? She has no idea second chances lurk right around the corner. This story, categorized as SUPER SWEET, may offer readers no reason to blush, but contains plenty of personal challenges for Dottie, the kind of heroine you’d want for your best friend.
 
And thank you, TWRP, for making this release possible.
 
 

3 comments:

Liz Flaherty said...

Sounds wonderful, Gail! Congratulations and best of luck.

Gail Kittleson said...

Thanks, Liz - so good to see you here!

Carolyn Paulaitis said...

Can't wait to read it! Heard it's coming out any day.