From Kathy’s Heart...
Winter 2008

"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ,
in accordance with his pleasure and will." Ephesians 1:4-5

Chose. What a powerful word. There's something so special about our being selected by God, and I'm not sure any of us really comprehends the depths of it.

Recently, I witnessed in an earthly way just how special it is to be chosen. My husband Paul and I were considering adopting a cat through our local humane society. We were still in the "thinking about it" stage and decided to go to PetSmart and find out what supplies we would need.

The moment we walked in the front door, I spotted cages in a glass room off to the side and remembered that PetSmart works with the local humane society to adopt out animals. I glided in the direction of the glass room, promising myself that I was just going to look. I wanted a black cat and spotted two as I approached the cage. But in the next instant, I was drawn to the cries of a buff-colored, blue-eyed cat that meowed her little heart out as if to say, "Choose me! Choose me! Choose me!"

Paul reminded me that we were there just to look at cat supplies. So after a few minutes of stroking our meowing friend, we wandered up and down the aisles of seemingly endless options and eventually left the store with nothing more than a whopping list of possibilities.

But over the next five days, I couldn't get that sweet, blue-eyed cat (I had already named her Samantha) off my mind. Paul finally realized I was hopelessly smitten and suggested I call to see if the cat was still available. Miraculously, she was! I couldn't believe any animal that adorable would still be there and was all the more convinced she was meant to be ours.

But we had a big problem. I was recovering from hip surgery and couldn't drive, and Paul had an incredibly tight work week. He was hosting an appreciation breakfast for sixty pastors, at which a renowned Bible scholar was scheduled to speak. Plus his boss was coming in town. I knew it would be at least two days before he could break loose to help me. By then, the cat would surely be gone.

I explained my dilemma to my dear friend Susie Killough, and the next morning she rearranged her busy schedule and took me to PetSmart so I could get the ball rolling on the adoption. Once I was assured the cat was mine, Susie and I spent two dizzying hours, choosing everything from a kitty condo to cat litter to squeaky toys, then she loaded it all into her car and hauled it to my house. She carried the bags inside, opened each package, and even set the kitty litter and the food and water dispensers in the proper place. But before I could bring the cat home, I needed to get my afternoon physical therapy session out of the way.

So the minute Susie drove off, another friend, Dottie Hilsman, arrived to take me to PT. I had emailed Dottie earlier and explained what was going on, and she offered to stop at PetSmart after PT so I could pick up Samantha. The whole time I was working with my therapist, all I could talk about was how much I wanted that cat. As soon as my PT session was over, Dottie and I made a beeline for PetSmart. I proudly presented the clerk with the adoption papers, and she helped us get the cat out of the cage and into the carrier. Dottie toted the carrier out to the car and off we went. Fifteen minutes later, I opened the latch on the cat carrier, and Samantha tentatively took her first steps in her new home. Whew! What a drama!

Samantha is part Seal Point Siamese, part Himalayan, and totally adorable!

Samantha has no idea what I went through to adopt her. And while there's no comparison in the way God through Jesus adopted us, I do think we're a little like Samantha—oblivious to the passionate determination of the One who chose us to be His own.

Lessons seem to come through the simplest of circumstances. And my fierce determination to adopt Samantha has caused me to begin this New Year with a deeper appreciation of what it means to be chosen—though in my case, it was by the God of the Universe, who wanted me so badly that He sent his Son to die so I could be his adopted child. I can't comprehend why he wanted me ... I'm just so grateful He did.

The Latest On My Books

There are now nearly a quarter million Kathy Herman books in the hands of readers around the globe! I find that both astounding and humbling. I thank each of you for your support of my work.

Phantom Hollow #2, Never Look Back, is off to a great start, with sales exceeding expectation and reader feedback better than ever. It tickles me that so many of you admit to being caught off guard by the surprising elements in this story. Each book in the series will stand alone, but since each also builds on the one that precedes it, you’ll get even more out of the stories if you read them in order.

The third and final book, The Grand Scheme, is scheduled to release in April 2008. This story deals with envy and is based on James 3:16, "For when you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice." It picks up where book two left off, and doesn't miss a step. I don't want to tell you too much lest I spoil the surprises, but I think it has the most intricately woven suspense plot I've ever written and is a very satisfying ending to the series. Just when you think you've got it figured out ... think again. If you'd like a sneak preview, you can read the prologue and first chapter on my website.

Recent Events

I did a book signing at LifeWay Christian Store in Tyler, Texas the day after Thanksgiving, starting at 5:00 a.m. until early afternoon. The store hosted a live remote featuring Mike Edwards of KTBB radio, who kept things lively and also interviewed me and several people on the store staff. Early bird customers enjoyed a free continental breakfast, hot wassail and goodies, and super sales galore. It was a fun way to usher in the Christmas gift-buying season, and I had a marvelous time signing books for shoppers of all ages.

Also, on Saturday, December 15, I did an unannounced booksigning at the same store from 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. and had a great time signing books one and two of the Phantom Hollow Series. I spent much of the time just visiting with customers about how and why I do what I do. Several times heads turned when a fan recognized me and told me how much he or she enjoyed my books. I’m delighted to say that lots of East Texans got Kathy Herman books for Christmas.

New Series in the Making

I signed a contract for a new series called the Sophie Trace Trilogy. The setting for the series is East Tennessee, and Paul and I recently took a road trip and explored the small towns that lay in the shadow of the Great Smoky Mountains. I had fun combining some of the elements from each place in order to envision my fictitious town of Sophie Trace. I've posted some photos on the WHAT'S NEW page of my website, as well as the explanation for how I came up with the name Sophie Trace and also the fascinating legend that will fuel the first book in the trilogy, tentatively titled, Red Shadows. Take a peek.

How Did My Surgery Go?

I'm healing well from my second hip revision surgery this past July and progressing with each passing day. But this is going to be a slow process since the sciatic nerve was damaged during the surgery. It's going to take up to a year for me to regain function in my right foot. And there will be ongoing physical therapy for months down the road. I've so appreciated the prayers that many of you have said on my behalf. My having to deal with three physical therapy sessions a week cuts into the flow of my writing. Though I've faced this before and, with God's help, have always managed to meet my deadlines, I can't tell you how much I value your prayers.

Till Next Time ...

In closing, I want to thank each of you for supporting my work. And a special thank you to those who have written me through the guest book page on my website and shared your enthusiasm, encouragement, and the ways the Lord is using my words to bless you. It's truly humbling. I’m praying that God will pour out abundant blessings on each of you in the New Year.

In Him,

From Kathy’s Heart... Winter 2008