Home.
I had to step out of the house today to run to a nearby pet store for some cat food -- my cats are spoiled with a specialty food they've enjoyed for years. Anyway, I was struck by an odd reminder of how much I love living in the somewhat small town that I inhabit. I live in a formerly old farm town that's evolving into a nice suburb in Northern Kentucky. I've lived in Northern Kentucky most of my life so I know lots of little winding backroads. Without thinking, I started down a series of backroads to avoid some late-day traffic when I was stopped at a stop sign, waiting for my turn to take a right. As I sat at the intersection, a lady turning up the street I was on slowed long enough to call out her window to warn me that the road was blocked due to a wreck. This was a frequent occurrence on this road following storms like we had been experiencing, but I hadn't thought of that when I turned onto the backroads. She saved me a great deal of time and frustration, and she was a complete stranger to me.
Sure, I've encountered my share of idiots, morons, and (excuse me) a$$holes while living here, but more times than not, the people here are extremely nice and generally don't mind taking a couple minutes to help a stranger. It's a town where you wave to strangers as you walk past them and wish them a "good day". Things feel a little slower here and relaxed despite the pound of the rat race that is rushing by on the interstate that snakes through the area.
Today just proved to me that home is so much more than the place where you reside, but it's also the community in which you live in and the people that surround you. I've dreamed about living a lot of places and I have that opportunity because of my job, but I know that I would miss being here in so many ways. I would miss the hills and green trees that flank every road. I would miss being minutes away from my family. I would miss being recognized in stores, not as a published author, but as my siblings' sister. I would miss sitting on my front porch and waving to the evening walkers as they pass by. I live in a very good area.
But none of this has anything to do with my good news....
I am happy to report that I received my first review for Burn the Night and it was fantastic! RomanticTimes Book Reviews was wonderful enough to not only give the book a rating of 4-1/2 stars (their top rating), but the book was named a "Top Pick" for the month!! Whoo-hoo! I feel like I can breathe a sigh of relief. I try not to read reviews, but I do peek at the first few that roll in to get a feel for how the book is being received.
There's just over 32 days until Burn the Night will hit the shelves. Make sure that you stay tuned! My publisher should be releasing a large excerpt of the book soon and I will post a link when it is available.
3 comments:
I know what you mean about the small town; my hubby and I have lived here in NC since 2002. The town we live in isn't horribly small, but the town I work in is. I'm the face of the library there, and as such, I run into people I know pretty much everywhere within a 10 mile radius. It's a bit weird at times, but nice, too - sort of like being a minor celebrity. And when my husband was extremely ill last summer, I found out just how much they cared about me; no one entered the branch without asking how he, and I, was doing.
Nice to know that we are still human beings and can treat each other humanely! (oh, and great news about the book, too!)
Congratulations, Jocelynn!! That is fabulous! I am so pleased for you, you just can't know. :-)
And I'm right with you there on the small-town goodness. When the corner store stocks your favorite brand of butter, and you complain because you aunt got there before you and bought them out . . . There's something really good about that.
Thanks so much! I'm so relieved that the book has been well-received so far.
While I love visiting big cities, I know I could never live in one. Small towns have that wonderful cozy feel.
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