Award-winning author Debby Giusti’s first book is a riveting and compelling story filled with suspense and romance. At a celebration in honor of the launching of her career as a novelist, the author will talk about how she writes a fast-paced suspense romance, and will include interaction with the audience with Q&A, and a book signing. The event will be held on Saturday, April 14, at 1 p.m., at the Fayette County Public Library. The event is free and open to the public, and light refreshments will be served.

“Nowhere to Hide,” by Giusti, won first place in The Maggie Award for Excellence competition, sponsored by Georgia Romance Writers. It is a gripping thriller from the first scene as the main character witnesses the attempted kidnapping of her six-year-old son from the school playground, while screaming for him to, “Run, Tyler run!” This fright just seven months after her husband had been killed.

Giusti has a second book, “Scared to Death,” due out in August 2007 from Steeple Hill, a publishing company which features wholesome Christian entertainment.

One of the highlights of Giusti’s career occurred at the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in Nashville, Tenn., when she met her editor, Krista Stroever, associate senior editor at Steeple Hill. She recalls that while she was waiting to hear if her book had been accepted, she received a call from Stroever stating that they were going to buy her book. “I was so excited, which Krista must have realized because she suggested I get a paper and pencil to jot down some of the information she wanted to give me. Thank goodness I followed her advice. When I got off the phone, I couldn’t remember any of the details of our conversation. And, yes, I did shout for joy!” she said.

Writing has been a part of Giusti’s life since childhood. An avid reader, she loved to “publish” newspapers for the neighborhood children. She wrote her first (unpublished) book at age ten about seven girls aptly titled “We Are Seven.” However, in eighth grade she discovered a love of science and later received a bachelor of science degree in medical technology from Ohio State University in Columbus.

While working as a medical technologist at Ireland Army Hospital at Fort Knox, Kentucky she “met and married handsome Army Captain Tony Giusti in a beautiful military wedding.”

“I had been raised an ‘Army Brat’ and it followed that I became an Army wife,” she said. Her son is a Captain serving in Iraq. As a tribute to Army wives she wrote an essay entitled “Sisterhood,” which is a tender and moving story depicting the daily lives and feelings of this dedicated but ever transient group of courageous spouses. The calligraphy piece is suitable for framing and hangs in many military homes.

Giusti’s non-fiction writings have been in her field of medical technology, such as articles for “ADVANCE for Medical Laboratory Professionals” and others. She has been published in “Southern Lady Magazine,” “Woman’s World Magazine,” and also has two stories in the “Chicken Soup” book series– “A Christmas Visit” in “Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul 2” and “Coats for Kosovo” in “Chicken Soup for the Volunteer’s Soul.”

The book launch event is sponsored by the Fayette County Public Library and the Friends of the Fayette County Public Library. A reception will follow including talks with the author, a book signing, with books available for purchase, and light refreshments.

The Fayette County Public Library is located at 1821 Heritage Park Way, Fayetteville. For additional information, please contact the library at 770-461-8841.

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