1. I hear you have pets in almost all of your books. Tell us about them.

I love critters, all kinds of critters, so it was natural for me to include them in my books. My romantic comedy series, The Three Baers, is set in ranch country Wyoming–a perfect setting for all kinds of critters! There are (so far) four books in the series and each one features animals. Now, don’t always expect a loving kitty or lapdog. No, my critters are more of the comical and unexpected variety.

In the first book, Baer Truth, there is a dog and he is pretty amazing, in fact, he befuddles the humans occasionally. But there is also a Black Angus Bull named Frosty, and he becomes quite the pet. Amazon link: http://amzn.to/2162jjb

In the second book, Baer Necessities, there is a dog of the smarter-than-most-humans variety and a grizzly bear who doesn’t really know he’s a bear. Amazon link: http://amzn.to/2bfrsE2

In the third book, Baer Facts, a certain Black-Footed Ferret adds a lot of laughter. A little back story: I fell in love with these particular ferrets in South Dakota on an RV trip. These native furballs were almost extinct when a small group of them were found in Wyoming. A group has been working hard for almost forty years to bring them back. So, of course, they had to play a part in my book. Amazon link: http://amzn.to/2byI1uZ

And in the fourth book, A Very Baery Christmas, a holiday skunk hitches a ride for a very special Christmas road trip. As you can see, animals play a special part in this series. Amazon link: http://amzn.to/2amK3NV

2. Why did you add pets to your books?

I can’t tell you how many times pets have saved my sanity, literally. I wouldn’t want to live in a world without their beauty, majesty, and affection.

I live out in the boonies on what we call Dust Bunny Farm. (That’s a story in itself!) My kids were in 4-H, and we are

Diesel

surrounded by farms with cows, horses, hogs, goats and, of course, wildlife. Deer, hawks, and fox all roam around here, and we’ve even been graced to spy a few Bald Eagles in the last few years.

My husband and I were raised with horses, cows, and chickens and that continued with our daughters. We’ve been lucky enough to share our farm with chickens, dogs, cats, goats, rabbits, a few wounded squirrels who were returned to the wild, and one rehabilitated falcon.

Now, we just have Diesel the Wonder Dog. He is a rescue who just celebrated his 15th birthday. He still makes me smile every single day.

All these animals have touched my heart, and I wanted to be sure to include them in my books. I guess it’s my way of saying thank you for all the warmth, love, and smiles they’ve brought me.

3. What other books have you written?

Besides the Three Baers series, I’ve also written a number of other books. If you land on my webpage, you’ll see my tagline is “eclectic author.” That pretty much describes my storytelling. I can’t seem to write within just one genre.

I have another romantic comedy called Heart River Inn set in the Pocono Mountains at a lover’s resort. It was one of the most fun books I’ve written. Amazon link: http://amzn.to/2a5O1ON

My last few books have been cozy mysteries and humorous thrillers. I think they evolved from my warped sense of humor. I love thriller movies, and all I can think of watching them is “what if someone like me were caught up in this spy game?” Well, I wouldn’t be very good at it, but it could make for some funny moments, and a story is born! I’ve written 14 books and have three already scheduled for this year.

My latest series is the Mayson-Dickson Mysteries. Here’s the blurb for the first book in the series, Mayson-Dickson, the Line is Drawn:

Imagine being told you have a twin sister and that your entire life has been a lie. Then an assassin’s bullet kills the only person who knows everyone’s secrets. Emme Mayson and Jackie Dickson started a private investigation firm to learn the truth. What they didn’t count on were the dead bodies that keep appearing. Mayson-Dickson–Northern logic, Southern charm, and murder! Amazon link: http://amzn.to/2a1CYVG

4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.

My writing has received the Author / Ambassador at Library Journal Self-e Authors, Winner Queen of the West Reader Favorite Award, Amazon Bestseller–Historical, Double finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards in the Mystery and Humorous Categories, and Baer Truth received 4.5 stars from RT Book Reviews. Nearly all of my books have received 4–5 stars.

5. How do you promote your books?

This is probably the hardest thing about writing. My favorite promotion is to participate at writer’s conferences and actually meet readers. Traveling and conference fees, however, can make this expensive.

Primarily, I use social media. I send out a monthly newsletter, which lists new books, WIP [Works-in-Progress], or books I’ve put on sale, sometimes ONLY for my newsletter readers. And my newsletter features a fun column called Dust Bunny Bits, which features slice-of-life articles.

I also have a Facebook author page and a private Facebook reader page, as well as Twitter and Instagram. So, any readers who enjoy my books can find me online. I also have a webpage, and it has links to everywhere else!

6. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?

The best place to start is on my webpage: www.jociemckade.com I (usually) keep it updated with my latest releases, buy links, and links to other places I’m loitering online instead of writing!

I invite you to subscribe to my newsletter. I send it only once per month, unless Spielberg wants movie rights to one of my books, then y’all are getting a special newsletter! Here’s the link: https://www.jociemckade.com/contact

And here are the links to my other online places:

Website
Author Facebook Page
Amazon Author Page
Goodreads Author Page
Pinterest Page

My Pinterest page has boards for each of my books, so you can get an idea of locations and the characters as I see them. Plus, a few other boards, you know, for all those things I’m gonna make someday!

Marcia James: Thank you, Jocie, for stopping by my Go Pets! blog! I look forward to reading your books!

READER INVITATION: Want to win a free ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun and share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks! Each month, I’ll randomly pick one of the pet photos to win and to feature on my social media pages and in my reader newsletter. To leave a comment and a photo, click on the word “Reply,” which is just below the social media icons for THIS interview. (Don’t scroll past this interview to the next interview.) Go Pets!