Motherhood is a symphony, from the first movement, through crescendo after crescendo, to the finale. Don't Let Me Keep You Women's Fiction by Kathie Giorgio Book Tour with Guest Post & Giveaway
of
Don’t Let Me Keep You
By Kathie Giorgio
Book Summary
Motherhood is a symphony, from the
first movement, through crescendo after crescendo, to the finale.
Hildy Halverson, a genius in math and science,
is pushed by her parents to step into a male-dominated field and change the
world for women. But Hildy, enamored of the scientific force of the human body,
and her own body’s ability to create and sustain life, decides to go against
contemporary expectations. She marries young and raises a houseful of kids.
Hildy wants her children to choose their own
life paths. As each child is born, she tells them, “You can be whatever you
want to be, and whatever you want to be will be great.” Despite her efforts to
not influence her children, Hildy does so, often in unexpected ways. Each child
is introduced in that first private moment between Hildy and her new baby. This
is followed by a chapter revealing that child’s life, years later. Woven
throughout is an underlying grief over the death of the sixth baby soon after birth.
That grief is more pervasive than any of them expect.
In this ambitious novel, the struggles and
joys, fatigue and exhilaration of motherhood, are captured in the full panorama
of family life. Hildy lovingly raises her children, then lets them go, finding
herself along the way.
Publisher: Black Rose Publishing (October 3, 2024)
Print length: 230
pages
Reviews
Don’t Let Me Keep You is a lyrical meditation on
motherhood seven times over, gestating, unfurling with rhythmic, poignant
prose. Over decades we see each of the Halversons through the eyes of the
others, bringing into sharp focus how differently each member can experience the
same family. The way children protect their mothers, the way mothers remain
children themselves, and what a mess we can still make of things despite our
best intentions. That we can choose to love each other regardless of who we
turn out to be, no matter what.
–Maggie Ginsberg,
author of Still True
Don’t Let Me Keep You follows a math prodigy’s
unconventional and slightly obsessive journey through motherhood. Giorgio’s
dynamic characters and complex emotional bonds turn this family saga into a
propulsive page turner wherein motherhood as a career is an empowering choice.
At once gritty, heartbreaking, and hopeful, Don’t Let Me Keep You shows
the fallibility of the human condition through the haunting eyes of a mother’s
love as she struggles with the age-old question, Am I a good mother?
--Marisa Rae Dondlinger, author of Open and Come
And Get Me
The thing I love about Kathie Giorgio's books are the
surprises. Her books are not like anyone's. They are fresh, unique, and
wonderful. Don't Let Me Keep You is all that and more. This is a story
about motherhood, childhood and family. Belonging, expectations, and the
enduring power of love. Of course, because this is Kathie's novel, there is
poetry, and vignettes. A cast of characters worth knowing. And many
opportunities to reflect on our lives as parents and children. I highly
recommend Don't Let Me Keep You.
--Karen E. Osborne, Author of True Grace and Reckonings
With delightful
finesse, author Kathie Giorgio weaves a flawless web of family love that
weathers plenty of storms, but still comes out shimmering.
--Mary Ann Noe, author of Water the Color of Slate
Purchase a copy of Don’t Let Me Keep You on
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Let-Me-Keep-You/dp/1685134882
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dont-let-me-keep-you-kathie-giorgio/1145428066
Black Rose Publishing: https://www.blackrosewriting.com/womens/p/dontletmekeepyou
You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/211567748-don-t-let-me-keep-you
Kathie Giorgio
GUEST
BLOG: YOU’VE BEEN BANNED – NOW WHAT?
In the news last year, on March
22, 2023, the American Library Association reported that there was a record
number of requests to ban library books and materials in 2022. The ALA started
to record banning numbers in 1982, so that’s a lot of history to cover. Book
banning has been all over the news lately, not just for libraries, but in the
schools and in bookstores themselves. The news in 2024 has not been good. With
all the attention spent in the media on the subject of banning, I hoped the
numbers would get better. Instead, they are growing steadily worse.
Some people joke that book banning must be
good for writers, because a well-publicized ban is almost instantly followed by
that book zooming up in sales, as everyone rushes to see what all the fuss is
about. But actually, having your book(s) banned feels like the most intense
slap in the face. It feels like a slap, followed by duct tape being put tightly
over the mouth. Someone, or a lot of someones, doesn’t want you to say what you
want to say, and they’re willing to use force if necessary.
My first experience with
censorship started pretty mildly. As a senior in high school, in 1978, I wrote
a short story that was set in Heaven. God was actually a computer, and Jesus
was a computer technician, or what I called way back then, a “computer
mechanic”. The angel Gabriel was a trumpet-playing, drug-using jazz musician.
And the proverbial end of time occurred when God-the-computer essentially blew
up, and Jesus couldn’t fix him. However, instead of it being the end of
everything, there was only a crazy thunderstorm. Nothing happened. Earth
continued.
The story was accepted in the
school’s little literary magazine, and word got out about its topic. Parents
complained, saying it was sacrilegious and shouldn’t be allowed, but my
creative writing teacher, and the administration, stood beside me and the story
was published. I was proud of the support, but as the sales of the magazine
were greatly decreased that year, I also felt incredibly mortified and guilty.
That’s a pretty jarring experience for a 17-year old writer. For quite a few
years, I tiptoed in my writing, and since it wasn’t true to who I am, pretty
much all of my stories failed.
Years later, when I got my feet
back under me, I had a story accepted at a literary magazine that was published
at a well-known college. There was a faculty advisor and graduate students
running the magazine and they praised me to high heaven. I was to be the lead
story. About six weeks later, I received an apologetic email from the advisor.
Seems the magazine had to be trotted in front of the advisory board of the
college, and they felt my story was “inappropriate”. Why? It mentioned
masturbation.
I felt slapped in the face
again. I was only in my late twenties at that point. But this time, I picked
myself up faster and submitted the story again, elsewhere. It was eventually
published.
When I finally entered the world
of book-publishing at the tender age of fifty, I not only had my feet back
under me, I had them firmly planted. Years of writing, writing, and writing,
hundreds of stories being published, along with poetry and essays, and
following the pull of what I wanted to do – write for change in the world –
helped me to be steadier when I put my words about controversial subjects out
there. I’ve had 15 books traditionally published in 14 years, the latest on
10/3/2024, and, at times, earned the descriptions of “dark”, “disturbing”,
“brave”, “fearless”, and “honest”.
But I am not untouched by what
the ALA calls the highest numbers of books being banned. That same creative
writing teacher, who stood by me when my God-as-computer story was published,
has remained by me all these years, and as each of my books were published, he
donated them to the library in the school where I graduated from, and to another
school he eventually transferred to and taught until his retirement. He is a
much lauded and revered teacher, and I was placed on my school’s “Wall of
Stars” in 2021. Yet during the summer of 2022, as a result of the book-banning
sweeping our country, my school district also swept through their libraries…and
my books disappeared.
Why? Because the topics are
“inflammatory”.
This one wasn’t a slap in the
face, but an all-out sucker punch. At the same time, given the nature of what’s
happening in our country, it wasn’t unexpected. So I got back up, soothed my
hurt feelings, brushed myself off, and returned to my desk. My novel that was
published after my books were banned, Hope Always Rises, was released on
February 28, 2023. It’s on the topic of suicide and our treatment of those who
choose to end their lives. My latest book, with a very close-up view of
motherhood, was just released on 10/3/2024.
Hurt feelings go away. And duct tape
just doesn’t stick to my mouth.
The best way to deal with book
banning? First off, fight against it. Support every author whose books have
been banned. But second, keep writing. Write your very best.
Those whose minds and ears are
open will hear. And sometimes, your work is just what a closed mind needs.
About the Author
Kathie Giorgio is the author of a total of fifteen books:
eight novels, two story collections, an essay collection, and four poetry
collections. She’s been nominated for the Pushcart Prize in fiction and poetry
and awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Wisconsin Library
Association, the Silver Pen Award for Literary Excellence, the Pencraft Award
for Literary Excellence, and the Eric Hoffer Award In Fiction. Her poem “Light”
won runner-up in the 2021 Rosebud Magazine Poetry Prize, and her work has also
been incorporated into many visual art and musical events. Kathie is the director and founder of
AllWriters’ Workplace & Workshop LLC, an international creative writing
studio.
She lives with her husband, mystery writer Michael Giorgio,
and their daughter Olivia, in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Three of her adult children,
Christopher, Andy, and Olivia, live close by, along with her solo
granddaughter, Maya Mae. One adult child has wandered off to Louisiana and
lives among the mathematicians and alligators.
You can follow the author at:
Website: http://www.kathiegiorgio.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathiegiorgioauthor/
X/Twitter: @KathieGiorgio
Instagram: @kathiegio1
Join us as we celebrate the launch of Kathie Giorgio's novel Don't Let Me Keep You. Read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of her book.
https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
Blog Tour Calendar
Join us as we celebrate the launch of Kathie Giorgio's novel Don't Let Me Keep You. Read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of her book.
https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
Kathie Giorgio reveals how she had 15 books published with traditional publishers in 14 years, including her latest Don't Let Me Keep You.
https://www.traceylampley.com/guest-author-interviews
Get a peek inside Don't Let Me Keep You with today's excerpt.
www.whatisthatbookabout.com
Rochie will be reviewing Kathie Giorgio's latest novel Don't Let Me Keep You.
https://thefrugalistamom.org/
Author Kathie Giorgio writes about controversial books and the hurdles they face in today's post: You've Been Banned. Now What?
https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/
Learn what Michelle thinks about Kathie Giorgio's latest novel: Don't Let Me Keep You.
https://michellecornishauthor.com/blog/book-reviews
Is Writer's Block real? Learn what author Kathie Giorgio has to say today on CreateWriteNow!
https://www.createwritenow.com/journal-writing-blog
In a complicated world, author Kathie Giorgio shares how she takes on controversial topics in her writing.
https://thefrugalistamom.org/
Author Kathie Giorgio shares the challenges of writing through illness and crisis.
https://www.michellecornish.com/blog
What's on your TBR list for November? Learn more about Kathie Giorgio's latest novel Don't Let Me Keep You.
https://www.astorybookworld.com/
Kathie Giorgio writes about the precarious balancing act of writing and raising children.
https://chapterbreak.net
Don't miss today's interview with novelist Kathie Giorgio.
https://lisahaselton.com/
Still deciding on your November read? Check out today's review of Don't Let Me Keep You by Kathie Giorgio.
http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com
Author Kathie Giorgio shares her thoughts on Writing as a Business.
https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com
The spotlight is on Kathie Giorgio's latest novel, Don't Let Me Keep You.
https://www.thefaeriereview.com
Jodi is reviewing Don't Let Me Keep You by Kathie Giorgio.
https://www.jodiwebbwriter.com/blog
In today's guest post, learn if author Kathie Giorgio is Plotter, Pantser or Both?
https://www.kaeceymccormick.com/blog
Author Kathie Giorgio writes about Depression: Putting One Foot in Front of the Other.
http://madelinesharples.com
Looking for a good book for the Thanksgiving holiday? Leslie is reviewing Don't Let Me Keep You by Kathie Giorgio.
https://www.storeybookreviews.com
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