This is it! The First Sentence Fridays Finale for THE FORGIVING KIND!
This upcoming Tuesday, January 29th, the book will be released, and if you’ve pre-ordered, e-books will be available immediately and trade paperbacks will either ship that day or arrive very shortly. Hey, take a picture of your copy and send it to me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram! If you spot the book in a store, send it to me on any of those social media sites, tell me where it is and I’ll share it out on my own social media. 😉
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As you know, I was born in North Carolina and have lived here most of my life with the exception of attending third and fourth grade in Michigan. Dad and Mom thought they might do better if Dad got a job working in Detroit at one of the auto corporations because he was a skilled mechanic. Some of you may remember it was there he experienced his first ever “wildcat” strike, and it wasn’t long after that they made the decision to move back home.
While I’d made friends there, I also remember being bullied because of my accent. “Hick, North Carolina monkey, dumb,” and other varieties of name calling and petty little crimes made some of my days at school miserable. It was the sort of thing kids will do when someone doesn’t fit their idea of normal. When I think of Michigan, I hate to admit, most of that is what molded my impression of my time there. (Sorry, Eldonna – you’ve more than made up for it!)
I was glad when we moved back to North Carolina, the place where I fit in, where I belonged, where no one would make fun of how I talked, or wrinkle their nose at the idea of eating collards, grits, hushpuppies (aren’t those shoes???) or fatback. Home meant hot weather, cicadas, sweet tea, and the familiar curve of the road on the way to my aunt’s house.
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Sonny Creech and her family are heading home, and while I wondered if this was a spoiler for you, I don’t think so – you have no idea what has happened, or why this is happening.
Chapter 34
Quick as Mr. Fowler had moved us in, we left the big, ugly house even faster.
Thank you all so very much for following along each week! It’s hard to believe we’ve spent the last eight and half months together, with me only feeding you crumbs of this story. I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I have, and that it’s given you an adequate sneak peek into the story.
Also, it would make me so happy, if after you read the book, you post a review! I’ve said this before, but I have to beat the drum again because reviews are so important to authors. It doesn’t have to be fancy, or even more than a sentence, but just a way for others to know your thoughts. Two places to do this are Amazon and Goodreads.
Thank you again, and I hope to see you at a book event. I keep my event page updated, so be sure to check back often to see what’s new and if I’m going to be in an area near you.
If you haven’t seen the book trailer yet, take a peek!
I’m sorry you had such a crappy experience in Michigan, but you’re right, kids can be mean when someone doesn’t fit their idea of normalcy. Thank goodness you hightailed it back to North Carolina where you felt at home.
I’d never had grits or collard greens or hushpuppies until I moved to California and found a Cajun diner nearby. I still don’t like fatback but the blackened trout at Bon Temps Creole Cafe here is beyond delicious!
I’m thrilled for your upcoming release of THE FORGIVING KIND. This story is sure linger with readers long after they close the book. I’ll be sure to copy my Goodreads review to Amazon on Tuesday. I wish I lived closer so I could attend some of your events. One of these days I’ll get to the other coast.
Happy Pub Week, Donna!
So funny you found those foods at a Cajun diner, but hey, “Looziana” has such an eclectic mix of foods, it doesn’t surprise me!
I’m getting ready to be on the road for sure. Getting to some of the events will be nerve-wracking. (Atlanta = CRAZY) I love traveling in my state though, and most of the events are here! I wish you lived closer too. We might get to meet at Pulpwood – if there’s a way I can make that trip next year, I’m going to try!
Thank you for all your support, Eldonna! xoxo
I just want to know…what are you going to blog about next? Can’t wait to get my audio copy and of course you know I will review it!
OMG, I have NO idea. Maybe about events as they happen (with pictures) or . . . NO IDEA! I can’t wait for you to get the copy either, and hope you’ll love it. I’m anxious to hear this new narrator.
Donna, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the first line Fridays. But you really didn’t have to entice me to read another book of yours. I’ve had my Kindle copy on preorder for quite a while. Can’t wait for it to show up! And, of course, I will review on Amazon and Goodreads. As an aspiring writer myself, I’m so aware of the importance of those reviews.
Kids…anywhere…can be mean. I was born in Ohio and we moved to Kentucky when I was eight years old. My parents had moved to Ohio before I was born so my dad could get a better job. But when that went belly up, they moved back to Kentucky with me in tow. I remember kids here making fun of my Ohio accent. Apparently, they had never been around someone who said ‘running’ instead of ‘runnin’. Now if you hear me talk, you’d think I was always a Kentuckian. LOL
I would definitely show up at one of your events if I were close enough. Guess I’ll have to hope I’m traveling your way at some point when you are making an appearance.
I’m really glad you enjoyed them! And truly, thank you in advance for reviewing – I really do appreciate it!
As to moving to Kentucky -I bet you were thinking, “what are they doing moving me to here?!?!” It’s funny, after all these years, my mother (from Maine) has never lost her Northern accent. She still says certain words with that very specific New England flavor and she’s been down here for over 60 years.
It would be great to meet – who knows, maybe I’ll come closer in our direction one of these days.
Can’t wait to hear what you think about the book, and I hope it doesn’t disappoint!
Congratulations, Donna, book three is on the shelves.
Thanks for doing the first sentence Fridays again. I enjoy trying to gain insights from these things.
Thank you, Craig! I enjoy doing it – it’s a lot of work, but it’s a fantastic way to introduce readers to a new book. I hope you were able to get something from them!