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Debby Giusti: My Old Kentucky Home & Giveaway

10/30/2011

 

This week we welcome Debby Giusti to Author Memories.

Debby Giusti
Debby Giusti is a medical technologist who loves working with test tubes and petri dishes almost as much as she loves to write.  Growing up as an Army Brat, Debby met and married her husband--then a Captain in the Army--at Fort Knox, Kentucky.  Together they traveled the world, raised three Army Brats of their own and have now settled in Atlanta, Georgia, where Debby spins tales of suspense that touch the heart and soul and have garnered several prestigous awards.  Debby has also written magazine articles for Southern Lady, Woman’s World, Our Sunday Visitor, and Army and Family.

My Old Kentucky Home
By Debby Giusti

I grew up as an Army brat, which means my dad was in the service. I married a great military guy so I’m also an Army wife.  Our son is in the military.  You guessed right!
I’m an Army mom, as well.
Picture
My Military Investigations Series for Love Inspired Suspense is set in Fort Rickman, Georgia, a fictional Army post I created.  Despite the Georgia locale, when the stories play out in my mind, the scenes take place at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

I attended kindergarten at Knox and went to 7th and 8th grades on post.  My parents lived there when I was in college, and after graduation, I worked in the hospital on post.  It was at Knox that I met and married my husband, said goodbye to my parents and traveled to Fort Bliss, Texas, where hubby and I started our new life together.

My husband was never again stationed at Fort Knox, and I didn’t return to post until our son and daughter-in-law were assigned there a few years ago.  The first time we visited, I felt an overwhelming sense of coming home.  Seeing signs for Fort Knox, as we neared, filled me with excitement, almost a giddiness I hadn’t expected.  Entering post, I had a lump in my throat, and tears stung my eyes.  Everywhere I looked was a déjà vu experience. 

Picture
The United States Bullion Depository (Gold Vault)

The first landmark I spotted was The United States Bullion Depository or Gold Vault as it’s often called. During my kindergarten years, my family lived in quarters nearby, and I often stared out my bedroom window, wondering about the riches stored within that sturdy structure.  Later, my father had the opportunity to tour the Vault.  He told me about the elevator that took him to the depository where gold bars were kept as well as the precious gems also guarded at the facility.  
 
Picture
Fort Knox Main Chapel

Driving on, we passed the Main Post Chapel where hubby and I had been married years earlier. The church predates the post and was built in 1899 for the tiny town of Stithton, Kentucky.  When land was used to create Fort Knox, the church was given to the military and has served military personnel since that time.

Picture
Fort Knox Quarters

My parents have passed away so seeing the house where I lived before my marriage was bittersweet.  The quarters had been built in the early 1930s when Camp Knox became a permanent military installation. I always wished the walls could talk and tell stories about the people who had lived there down through the decades.  

When I write my stories, I see the Post Headquarters where my father worked and the parade field where his retirement ceremony was held.  The chapel my characters attend is the church in which I was married.  Houses play an important role in a number of my stories and are modeled after the brick quarters I lived in long ago. 

Thanks for allowing me to share a few of the many memories that are woven into the stories I love to write, and I hope you will enjoy reading.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Leave a comment with a valid email address by midnight, Nov 6th
to be entered to win a copy of Debby's latest novel,
 The Captain’s Mission.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Captain's Mission, Love Inspired Suspense, Oct 2011

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A Demonstration Turned Deadly
 
When one of his soldiers is killed by live ammunition during what was supposed to be a simple training exercise, Captain Phil Thibodeaux wants answers. Even if it means working with the Criminal Investigation Division that seems certain to pin the blame on him. But after CID agent Kelly McQueen defends his conduct, Phil realizes that there’s more to the dedicated agent than meets the eye. Maybe she’s someone he can trust, after all. And he’ll need someone to rely on as investigations lead him to doubt everyone else—even his own soldiers.

Read the Excerpt


Military Investigations by Debby Giusti:
Each story stands alone so the books can be read in any order

Book 1 - The Officer's Secret, May 2011 (still available)
Book 2 - The Captain's Mission, Oct 2011
Book 3 - The Colonel's Daughter, Aug 2012

You can find Debby online at:

www.DebbyGiusti.com
www.seekerville.blogspot.com
www.craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com/
Debby Giusti link
10/30/2011 08:10:58 am

Hi Anita,
Thanks for inviting me to share a bit about my past. Love your blog and appreciate the opportunity to talk about my years at Fort Knox.

Hugs!

Debbie D
10/30/2011 09:11:32 am

Sounds like a great book. Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9(at)verizon.net

Anita Mae
10/30/2011 09:20:14 am

You're very welcome, Debby. Even as a young Canadian I knew all the gold was stored at Fort Knox :) but I never stopped to think about the surrounding area or the families nearby.

I really appreciate you picking this story to share with us. And we have one thing in common, too... I was also married in a military chapel.

It was at the air base in North Bay, Ontario and although both Nelson and I were in the military, I was given the option of wearing a wedding dress instead of my uniform. (Phew!) Yes, I chose the dress. And Nelson looked so dashing in his uniform. :D

julie lippo link
10/30/2011 10:15:47 am

This sounds like a great book! I love reading your blog :) Please include me in the give away

Bonnie Engstrom link
10/30/2011 11:02:41 am

What a fascinating interview. I'm excited to learn more about Debbie and her love of history. This is one novel I am anxious to read. It sounds like fun and filled with historical information. Blessings, Debbie and Anita.

Bonnie

Debby Giusti
10/30/2011 11:36:09 am

Hi Debbie D!
You're in the drawing.

Debby Giusti
10/30/2011 11:37:37 am

Anita Mae,
I'm sure your wedding was beautiful! Seems like only yesterday, right? :)

Debby Giusti
10/30/2011 11:38:31 am

Hi Julie,
I love Anita Mae's blog too! Yes, you're in the drawing for THE CAPTAIN'S MISSION.

Debby Giusti
10/30/2011 11:40:06 am

Hi Bonnie, thanks for your kind words about THE CAPTAIN'S MISSION.

Jackie Smith
10/31/2011 07:18:25 am

I have been so anxious to read a book by Debby! She sounds like such a great person and great writer. I hope to catch her at a book signing! Please enter me (a GA lady). Thanks.
jackie.smith[at]dishmail[dot]net

Debby Giusti link
10/31/2011 07:55:41 am

Hi Jackie, thanks for stopping by the blog and leaving a comment. Anita Mae picks the winner, but I know you're in the drawing! Good luck!

JOYE
11/1/2011 09:51:17 am

Interesting information about Fort Knox. Your book sounds really good.

Debra E. Marvin
11/1/2011 09:54:15 am

Hi Debby and Anita!

I finally got over here tonight after telling Anita I'd visit. It was a special treat to hear your Fort Knox story, Debby.

Of course, I would have loved to have a photo of you and your husband at your wedding. No wonder you have so much depth to your stories and love to incorporate the military, and I felt your excitement upon returning to Ft. Knox as Army Mom!

Thanks Ladies!

Julie Lessman link
11/1/2011 10:00:29 am

DEB AND ANITA -- What a fun interview!! I don't get a chance to drop in to blog interviews like this like I want to, but I am sure glad I saw this one. It's SO much fun learning more about one of my Seeker buds. I'll have to do this more often! :)

Hugs,
Julie

Rose
11/1/2011 10:00:29 am

I'd love to read this book!

Debby Giusti link
11/1/2011 10:59:23 am

Hi Joye! Thanks for stopping by the blog! Love your name. :)

Debby Giusti
11/1/2011 11:02:17 am

Hi Deb,
It was exciting going back to Fort Knox. Army brats often don't go back...we're always moving someplace new.

A wedding pic. Oh my gosh, I didn't think of that. Next time, okay? :)

Debby Giusti
11/1/2011 11:03:44 am

HI Julie,
You must have had some spare time! :)

Thanks for stopping by. Isn't Anita Mae's blog lovely! So sweet of her to invite me to blog.

Debby Giusti
11/1/2011 11:04:32 am

You're in the drawing, Rose!

Missy Tippens
11/1/2011 12:38:51 pm

Being a Kentucky gal myself, I've actually visited there, Debby. It's fun for me to think of you living there! It's a beautiful place.

Anita, don't enter me. I already have all Debby's wonderful books!

Debby Giusti
11/1/2011 01:21:48 pm

Hi Missy, thanks for stopping by to say hello. All of Kentucky is beautiful, isn't it? Lovely state. Great people!

Anita Mae
11/1/2011 02:40:07 pm

I really appreciate y'all telling me you like my blog. The idea came after a lot of prayer asking for a fresh approach.

Yes, I look really good in my wedding pic. I can say that now although I didn't think so at the time. When I look at the pics, though, I see my curves were actually in the right places. LOL

And Debby, if you email me your wedding pic, I'll add it in.

Julie and Missy, it'd be great if the two of you could find time to post here as well. You're both such terrific writers, I'm sure the readers would love to know more about you and your next release. :)

Starr Bryant
11/1/2011 10:25:40 pm

My first visit to Anita Mae’s blog-- thoroughly enjoyed it. Marked it in my favorites – I’ll be back. Thank you Debby for sharing, the walls of Fort Knox Quarters may not be able to talk to tell those stories but you could craft them from your imagination into some great novels. I am putting all three of your Military Investigations on my reading list for 2012 and will tell others about them. Blessings, Starr

Jo
11/2/2011 12:28:54 am

Debby,

Thanks for sharing. Great interview. I would love to read this series so please enter me for the giveaway.

Blessings,
Jo

misskallie2000
11/2/2011 02:43:26 am

Hi Debby, I enjoyed your interview and look forward to reading your books. I love romance with mystery and suspense so I know I will love your series.
I enjoyed your look back at Fort Knox. We have several military bases here in Georgia but I have only been to one but have visited several out of state.
Thanks for stopping by to chat and share with us.

Anita Mae, I also like your blog.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Jan Drexler link
11/2/2011 03:30:55 am

Hi Anita Mae and Debby!

How nice to get to know you both better here! Love your blog, Anita!

Debby, we visited Ft. Knox in early 2002 - so soon after 9/11 that security was VERY tight. Our mission was to visit the Patton museum (great museum, by the way), but because of security we didn't get to see much else. We did see the Depository from a distance - impressed our boys!

Thanks for your first hand memories of such an historic place.

JackieW
11/2/2011 03:48:54 am

Thanks for sharing such interesting memories of your life in Ft Knox...I've never been there so it was a good travologue for me. Your book sounds interesting too...I'll have to pick up a copy to read.

Anita Mae
11/2/2011 05:28:30 am


Starr, Misskallie and Jan, thanks for taking time to stop by and comment. I especially like the compliments. :D

Debby Giusti link
11/2/2011 12:07:24 pm

Star,
Thanks for your kind words! Hope you enjoy the Military Investigations Series!

Debby Giusti
11/2/2011 12:08:22 pm

HI Jo,
You're in the drawing! Thanks for stopping by Anita Mae's blog.

Debby Giusti
11/2/2011 12:10:24 pm

HI Miss Kallie!

You're a Georgia gal! Hubby and I live in the Atlanta area. Love the beautiful fall this year.

Debby Giusti
11/2/2011 12:12:25 pm

HI Jan,
Sorry you couldn't tour post while you were there. The Patton Museum is amazing. I'm sure your guys loved seeing all the historical displays.

Debby Giusti
11/2/2011 12:13:32 pm

Hi Jackie W,
Hope you enjoy the series!

Cynthia Owens link
11/3/2011 07:15:38 am

Debby,
Years ago when I attended the Moonlight & Magnolia's Conference you handed out a card with the Writer's Prayer on it. I've read and pondered those words many times.
Thanks for the encouragement then and for sharing the background on your latest series now. I'm also an Army brat who lived at Fort Knox. Your pictures were a wonderful surprise and took me waaay back.
Looking forward to reading The Captain's Mission.

karenk
11/3/2011 09:19:18 am

HI Debbie and Anita Mae,

A wonderful posting...thanks for the chance to read this fabulous novel :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Merry
11/4/2011 07:29:04 pm

I enjoyed hearing about Debby's life and her military connections. As a former military wife, Debby's new series has drawn my attention plus she writes amazing romantic suspense stories. Thanks for a chance to win one of her books!
worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

Deborah Malone link
11/5/2011 08:35:15 am

Debby,

I really enjoyed your story about growing up at Fort Knox. I could only imagine what it must have been to grow up there and then come back and visit as an adult. Don't we pretty much write about what we know. This book sounds very interesting and I would love to read it.
Deborah Malone
debbiejeanm at gmail dot com

Sherri Shackelford link
11/6/2011 12:45:55 am

Beautiful memories! Thank you for sharing :)

Debby Giusti link
11/6/2011 06:56:59 am

Cynthia, how fun to learn you lived at Fort Knox! We'll have to compare stories of our time on post!

Glad you like The Writer's Prayer!

Hugs!

Debby Giusti
11/6/2011 06:57:45 am

Hi Karen, thanks for stopping by the blog!

Debby Giusti
11/6/2011 06:59:19 am

Hi Merry,

Army wives are the greatest! Thanks for all you've done to support your military hubby.

Thanks, too, for your sweet words about my writing!

Debby Giusti
11/6/2011 07:00:36 am

HI Deborah, thanks for reading about my time at Fort Knox and for leaving a comment. You're in the drawing.

Debby Giusti
11/6/2011 07:01:09 am

Hi Sherri, thanks for stopping by the blog!

Janice Garey
11/6/2011 08:30:41 am

I loved reading the memories about Fort Knox and seeing the photographs. It seems you got story nugget treasure from living so close to that gold.

It would be great to win one of your books. Thank you for making that a possibility.

Anita Mae
11/7/2011 01:14:29 pm

Hey Janice, I saw your comment yesterday and then forgot to answer, but I did enter you in Debby's giveaway.

And now that all the names have been thrown into the random.org thing-a-ma-bobbie, it has spit out a name. And the winner of Debby's newest release is...

Jo

Congratulations, Jo!

Debby will be in touch with you re your postal info.

Thank you everyone for taking the time to stop by and visit.


Comments are closed.
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