Gayle Irwin
1. I hear you have a pet in your series. Tell us about the books.
I write a series called Pet Rescue Romance in which I weave pet rescue and adoption into the love stories. The books can be found in e-book and paperback formats on various sites, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Smashwords, and Apple Books.
There are five books in the series:
Rhiann’s Rescue – series prequel. FREE through Book Funnel: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/g828yqfh5h
Rescue Road (Book 1) – a full-length novel
Amazon Kindle: https://amzn.to/2W7fpBe
Other e-book platforms: https://books2read.com/u/4DE9Oe
Paws-ing for Love: A Christmas Story – a novella
Amazon and other e-book platforms: https://books2read.com/u/3RJdPj
My Montana Love – a novella
Amazon Kindle: https://bit.ly/3uxqlc6_MTLove_Kindle
Other e-book platforms: https://books2read.com/u/4A79RJ
Finding Love at Compassion Ranch – a short novel
Amazon Kindle: https://amzn.to/2AM7sLk
Other e-book platforms: https://books2read.com/u/4j2RNZ
2. Why was it important to you to feature rescue pets your books?
Sadie
I’m an advocate for pet rescue and adoption. My romance series weaves this theme into each book. I began adopting rescued pets more than 30 years ago, and currently, three rescues live in my home: two dogs and a cat. I’ve worked for two different humane societies, and I continue donating my time and funds to rescue organizations, including a percentage of monthly book sales to various groups, like Best Friends Animal Society in Utah, National Mill Dog Rescue in Colorado, Hearts United for Animals in Nebraska, and my community’s Humane Society.
Murphy and Bailey
I’ve been blessed to have wonderful pets in my life. Currently, I have a long-haired black and white cat named Murphy; she will be 18 years old in a few months. (Her sister, Bailey, passed away in early March from acute kidney failure.) Both kitties came to live with my husband and me when they were 10 weeks old.
Our dogs are a 12-year-old springer spaniel named Sadie, whom we adopted more than three years ago from English Springer Spaniel Rescue, and
Jeremiah
Jeremiah, an eight-year-old black-and-white shih tzu that was rescued from a puppy mill when he was three. We adopted him five years ago from Hearts United for Animals in Nebraska, an organization that often takes in puppy mill survivors. Jeremiah has been with us more than five years, and he is the mascot for my Pet Rescue Romance series. I based a primary dog character named Jax on Jeremiah, and he often goes with me to signings and speaking events.
I love animals of all kinds! If I could wave a magic wand and have all the money needed, I’d open a pet rescue sanctuary, like my primary female character, Rhiann!
3. What other books have you written?
I’ve written children’s books, including a trilogy based on another dog my husband and I had before we adopted Jeremiah. Her name was Mary, and she was a lovely springer/cocker mix. Her books teach children life lessons, such as kindness and appreciation for nature. A Kind Dog Named Mary is about kindness toward pets and people and is geared for younger children, PreK to 2nd grade. A Dog Named Mary Visits Yellowstone National Park and A Town Dog Named Mary Visits a Ranch are written for older elementary-aged kids. Each book shows photos of Mary and the people she’s met and the places she visited and includes activities in the back of the book, thereby being educational and fun as well as sharing stories of our dog.
I began my author life writing for children. A blind springer spaniel named Sage, whom my husband and I adopted in 2001, was the catalyst for my early work. I wrote a chapter book for older children sharing her story of courage, perseverance, and trust, hoping to encourage young readers to face life challenges with those same qualities and characteristics. I also wrote a friendship story about Sage and the other animals living with us at the time.
I’ve written other children’s stories as well, including an activity book titled Cody’s Cabin: Life in a Pine Forest, that encourages kids to go outside and explore based on the adventures of a cocker spaniel named Cody, and BobCat Goes to School, a humorous tale of a cat getting locked in a school and all the mischief he gets into (that story is based on a true story about my parents’ neighbor cat). All of my children’s stories include educational components such as nature observations and writing activities.
The books are available as print and e-books on Amazon through my Author Central page: https://www.amazon.com/author/gayleirwin
I’m also a contributing writer to eight Chicken Soup for the Soul books, including the January 2023 release “My Dog Did That.” It’s Jeremiah’s rescue and adoption story.
4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.
One Amazon reviewer said of Rescue Road, “What a clever idea for a sweet, clean romance. Bringing people together through rescue pets, second chances for both pets and people.”
Another stated, “This story accomplishes what it sets out to do; an easy, pleasant read about cute animals, adoption, and romance. Even the setting has that feel of quietness. A great book for when you want to turn down the world outside and relax.”
About Finding Love at Compassion Ranch, one reviewer said, “I really enjoyed this tale of ‘older’ love…. Ms. Irwin’s writing style is very readable, which is a good thing because I plan to read more of her books!”
About a few of my children’s books, buyers have said, “Encouraging exploration and appreciation of the outdoors in a fun way. Rules are emphasized for safety. Easy reading and lovely photos make this a good book for dog lovers, outdoor lovers, Yellowstone lovers and as an introduction to exploring with your senses.”
And “My four-year-old granddaughter was engaged in this story and the lively photos from the beginning. When I read her the part about Mary seeing a squirrel, my granddaughter jumped off the couch, got on all fours, wiggled her little butt and said, ‘This is how Milo acts when she sees a squirrel.’ Even after the first reading, she is still interested in the story. My son read it to her, and she asked him if he could find the rabbit. She remembered what was coming in the story and remained eager to engage.”
5. How do you promote your books?
I promote my books primarily in three ways: on social media, through my twice-monthly newsletter, and with Book Funnel. I’ve also used a few paid promotions, including the Fussy Librarian, Book Raid, Bargain Booksy, and Romance Devoured to promote special sales of my romance books. [Readers] can also join my newsletter through this link or via my website.
Any readers interested can download my Pet Rescue Romance prequel, Rhiann’s Rescue, for FREE at Book Funnel here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/g828yqfh5h.
The free novella highlights my main female character, Rhiann, who helps pet rescue organizations while also caring for her elderly grandmother and working as a freelance writer. Here is a short description of Rhiann’s Rescue:
She has dreams and goals–but could those be interrupted?
Freelance writer Rhiann Kelly dreams of starting an animal rescue sanctuary. Her beloved grandmother supports her vision. However, they don’t agree on when or where that goal should transpire. During their annual winter trip to Arizona, the two women once again clash over relocating…and Rhiann’s reluctance to date. However, when art gallery owner and nature photographer Elias Griffin steps into her life, Rhiann reconsiders. Can she protect herself from another heartbreak and maintain her goal to help animals and care for her grandmother, or will she decide Elias is worth the risk?
6. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
As mentioned, people can sign up for my newsletter via Book Funnel when they download the free novella. There is also a sign-up form on my website: https://gaylemirwin.com/author
Amazon Author Central page: https://www.amazon.com/author/gayleirwin
Social Media Links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GayleMIrwin
Twitter: https://twitter.com/home
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wycabinlady/
I appreciate the opportunity to be a guest on your blog! Thank you for showcasing my romance and children’s stories and my passion for pet rescue and adoption and appreciation for nature and animals! – Gayle
From Marcia: Gayle, thank you for being my April interviewee! I love discovering novels that feature rescue pets, and I look forward to reading your books!
MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST! Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks!
Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or 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!
Judythe Morgan
1. I hear you have dogs in two of your novels. Tell us about the books.
Dogs have always been a part of my life. It’s just natural that dogs appear in two stories of the Fitzpatrick Family series: When Love Trusts and When Love Comes Home.
When Love Trusts
Growing up together in a small Texas town, Josh Fitzpatrick and Mara Burke always had each other’s backs, right up until Mara dated—then dumped—his best friend. A relationship built on love and trust…until it wasn’t.
Josh is an Army sniper home on medical leave with wounds that go deeper than the shrapnel dug from his thigh. While his body recovers, he wrestles with guilt over what happened in Iraq and waits for news of possible disciplinary action.
Mara is a single mom and administrator at a home for boys, still hiding the terrible secret that created the ten-year chasm between them.
When the boy’s home needs volunteers after a grass fire, Josh steps in. The sparks from their youth soon ignite a new passion, but will sharing their secrets be enough to overcome the pain and hurt that lies between them?
When Love Comes Home
Sammy Fitzpatrick and Tiffany Fischer eloped on prom night. The next day her father forced them to sign annulment papers and then whisked her off to art school. Sammy and Tiffany made secret plans to go to Guatemala with a mission group.
When she and her parents disappear without a trace, Sammy heads to the mission field missing a chunk of his heart and resigned to a life alone.
Ten years later, he discovers the annulment papers were never filed. Tiffany is still legally his wife, but she doesn’t know it. She’s engaged to someone else. His heart has never let him forget. But is he too late?
2. Why did you add dogs to these books?
Next to Ireland and all things Irish, I love Old English sheepdogs (OES). We’ve had six. The American Kennel Club describes the breed as smart, gentle, and adaptable. They’re also clowns and gentle giants who don’t realize their size.
Our Finnegan thinks he’s a lap dog. If I sit, he’s on my lap:
We’ve given all our OESs unique names: Azariah, Obadiah, Micah, Rhinestone, and Tobias. Finnegan MacCool, pictured above, is named after Fionn mac Cumhaill, the legendary Giant’s Causeway giant in County Antrim Ireland.
I model dogs in my books after our pets. You’ll find the OES Moo in When Love Comes Home. Like my Finnegan, Moo senses Tiffany’s moods. He doesn’t climb into her lap, but you’ll find him nudging her hand and plopping his head down whenever she sits. Moo got his name because her farm manager warned her, he’d be as big as a cow.
In When Love Trusts, Bear is an OES mix that Josh rescues and gives to Mara’s son. Bear’s a big reason Josh and Mara reconnect. Mara’s son chose the name Bear [because he’s] big and black and walking like a bear.
3. What other books have you written?
I write sweet small-town romance, romantic suspense, a blend of women’s fiction and romance, and military romance.
You’ll find a total of six books in the Fitzpatrick series. All are heartwarming stories about siblings finding second chances for love. Link for all the Fitzpatrick Family series: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08W8CTXY7
You can find the other books and series listed on my website along with blurbs: https://www.JudytheMorgan.com
4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.
Before I became published, I entered writing contests and placed in many. That affirmation persuaded me to pursue publication. Now reviews on Amazon and Goodreads–the good, the bad, and the ugly–are my confirmation.
I love hearing from my readers. Their comments and emails with personal messages like those below keep me writing:
“… waiting with bated breath for your new book.”
“Finished When Love Come Home last week. Wow, a lot of twist and turns. Love the read!”
5. How do you promote your books?
I promote my books with guest blog appearances like this one, my weekly blog at https://JudyTheWriter.com/ and my newsletter, which you can subscribe to here: https://JudytheMorgan.com/
6. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
Your blog readers are invited to follow me on any (or all) of these social media sites:
Amazon Author Page: https://amazon.com/author/judythemorgan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Judythe2
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JudytheMorgan/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6450879.Judythe_Morgan
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/judythe-morgan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judythe2/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judythehixson/
WIN A JUDYTHE MORGAN EBOOK!
Judythe: “I’ve shared the names of the two dogs in my Fitzpatrick Family books and how the dogs got those names. If you have a pet, how did you choose your pet’s name?”
Answer the above question in this interview’s Comments section for a chance to win either When Love Trusts or When Love Comes Home (winner’s choice).
From Marcia: Thank you, Judythe, for being my March interviewee! I love discovering romances that feature pets and look forward to reading your books! And thank you for offering an ebook to one lucky commenter!
MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST!
Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks! Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or 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!
Laura Strickland
1. I hear you have a wolfhound in your novel. Tell us about the book.
Loyal and True, the first book in my Hearts of Caledonia Trilogy, is a historical romance set in ancient Scotland. The heroine, Barta, is the daughter of a Pictish chief. A blunder in judgment costs the life of her dearest companion, her wolfhound, Loyal. But the bond between them is so strong and unbreakable, Loyal finds a magical means to return to her, though not in any way she could have imagined.
Here’s the blurb: In defiance of her father, Caledonian tribeswoman Barta leads a daring raid against invading enemy warriors. But the fight goes badly, and her beloved war hound, Loyal, is killed. Unable to imagine existing without her dearest companion, she nevertheless must return home and accept blame for her terrible blunder.
For the first time in his life, Loyal is unable to rise and follow his mistress. When he appeals to the Goddess for mercy, she grants him leave to return on one condition: it must be in the form of a man. And only if Barta recognizes him for who he truly is will he be permitted to stay.
Loyal never suspects that, as a man, his connection with Barta will deepen, becoming passionate enough to transcend nearly any change. Will Barta recognize him before he’s lost to her forever?
Find Loyal and True here: https://www.amazon.com/Loyal-True-Hearts-Caledonia-Book-ebook/dp/B078JY3WWV/ref=sr_1_1
2. Why did you add a dog to this book?
I have always bonded deeply with my dogs, establishing attachments that keep us connected even when we’re far from one another physically. This, as I’ve found, can be good or bad, since it sets up a wonderfully close relationship but serves to spur things like separation anxiety in the pet. This story was something of an experiment. I asked myself (as authors tend to do) what if those bonds could reach beyond death? And since I’m convinced that a couple of my dogs have returned to me in subsequent doggie bodies, what if a deceased wolfhound could return, magically transformed into a man? Would the bonds still hold? Would they recognize each other? Would the love endure?
Since first leaving home, I’ve lived with and cared for seven dogs. The last five have been rescues. This photo is me and my latest, Tinker, on his morning ride. He is considered special needs due to past abuse and has many emotional problems. He loves his rides, so we take him on one every day.
3. I’m amazed at all of the different genres/sub-genres you’ve written in.
As you can probably tell, I like to reach beyond the ordinary limits of the genres in which I write. I also like to go genre hopping, everything from Scottish Historical, which was my first love, to Western Historical, to Contemporary, to Steampunk. I include animals, and the pursuit for animal rights, whenever I can.
4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.
Two of my Buffalo Steampunk Adventures novels have won the N. N. Light Book Award, and my Scottish Historical, The Reiver’s Cub, won me a RONE award. My greatest honor, though, remains bringing enjoyment to my readers!
5. How do you promote your books?
You can find me on Twitter, on Facebook, and on guest posts such as this one. I also love to do Facebook takeovers with other authors. It’s so much fun!
6. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
If you’re curious about my work and all the genres in which I write, you can check out my books here: http://www.laurastricklandbooks.com
I’m also on Amazon Central at: http://www.amazon.com/Laura-Strickland/e/B001KHSACW/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
And on Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/760146.Laura_Strickland
From Marcia: Laura, thank you for being my February interviewee! I think it’s wonderful that you rescue pets and support pet causes. And I love discovering novels that feature interesting animals/pets. So I look forward to reading your books!
MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST! Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks! Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or 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!
Jacqui Murray
1. I hear you have animals in your Man vs. Nature novels. Tell us about the books.
Man vs. Nature is a series of trilogies, each addressing a time in man’s evolution when we should have died out but didn’t. The first trilogy, Dawn of Humanity, takes place 1.8 million years ago when man was new on the landscape. We had no homes, weapons, clothing, few tools, no religion, and no fire. The next trilogy, Crossroads, takes place 1 million years later when man has learned to be tough, plan, create some weapons, and become a lot more human. We are still prey to larger predators but we give them a good fight! The next trilogy, Savage Land, jumps about 800,000 years ahead and deals with a time in man’s evolution where despite our dominance in the animal world, we still couldn’t beat Nature. It’s a dark time in our history when our species almost disappeared from the planet. The first book in this trilogy is due out in about two years.
But Jacqui (you say), I thought dogs were important to your stories?
Absolutely. For most of man’s evolutionary history, we considered animals dominant. In my stories, man and animal create critical partnerships that allow both of us to live better. Look at each book cover—they all include a proto-dog companion.
The latest novel in the Dawn of Humanity series—just published in October—is Natural Selection. It features a prehistoric dog named Ump and a Homotherium cat named Kit, both valued members of man’s tribe. Here’s the blurb for that book:
Lucy and her tribe leave their good home to rescue captured tribe members who are in grave danger. Since leaving her mate, Lucy created a tribe that includes an eclectic mix of species—a Canis, a Homotherium kit, and different iterations of early man. More will join and some will die, but that is the nature of prehistoric life, when survival depends on a mix of man’s developing intellect and untiring will to live. Each brings unique skills to the task of saving Raza and his Group from sure death.
Based on true events from 1.8 million years ago in Africa, Lucy and her band struggle against the harsh reality of a world ruled by nature, where predators stalk them and a violent new species of man threatens to destroy their world. Prepare to see this violent and beautiful world in a way you never imagined.
If you’d like to watch a trailer for Natural Selection, check this YouTube link: https://youtu.be/jZhlvou9hvg
2. Why did you add animals to these books?
In my life, animals are valued and cherished. This is a picture of my beloved puppy, Casey:
In the prehistoric world in this series, the big cats and proto-wolves were the alpha predators in a feral world. Man was his prey and had no idea that these domineering animals weren’t more powerful than the two-legged upright creatures they preyed on. I wanted to explore that sort of ‘frenemy’ relationship, show how each species found value in working together.
3. What other books have you written?
I first wrote non-fiction education books (they can be found at Structured Learning). I was a tech teacher without a curriculum so wrote one and then kept going. Then, as a hobby, I switched to fiction—thrillers—stories of flawed super heroes who saved the world at great personal cost. The ultimate super hero was our earliest ancestors, people who survived a feral world without claws, fangs, or physical power, where they were prey not predator. The story of how they endured powerful predators, violent natural disasters without clothing, weapons, or homes is pretty exciting! I write these stories as a series of trilogies, each addressing a time in man’s evolution when we should have died out but didn’t. The one I’m working on right now is called Savage Land.
4. How do you promote your books?
I sell all of my books through Amazon, as print or digital. They’re even free if you’re a member of Kindle Unlimited or Amazon Prime. You can find them on my Amazon Author page.
Here’s a quick visual summary of the three trilogies, their tagline, and what you can expect in the stories:
Most of the promotion is done through my blog, WordDreams. That’s where I stay in touch with other writers like me who love to talk and explore writing. My other social media links are:
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Jacqui-Murray/e/B002E78CQQ/
Blog: https://worddreams.wordpress.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacquimurraywriter/
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/askatechteacher
Twitter: http://twitter.com/worddreams
Website: https:/JacquiMurray.net
From Marcia: Jacqui, thank you for being my January interviewee! I love discovering novels that feature interesting animals/pets, and I look forward to reading your books!
MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST! Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks! Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or 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!
Madison Michael
1. I hear you have a cat rescuer in your novel. Tell us about the book.
I have not actually released my cat rescuer book yet. The novel, Way Past Crazy, is part of a new romance series I will be publishing in 2023. The prequel, Crazy to Wed, is available now on Amazon. The series is about eight girlfriends who form a pact in third grade to be friends forever.
The first novel, Crazy to Wed, takes place twenty-years later. The remainder of the novels kick off with the twentieth high school reunion of these women. At the reunion, one of the women dares the others to marry in twelve months or pay an embarrassing forfeit. The dare is accepted, and almost immediately, love is in the air! In each novel we get to know all of the “Crazy Eights” a bit better, but only focus on one love story per book.
My cat rescue story centers around Avery, the shyest of the Crazy Eights. Avery prefers the company of cats to people and works for a feral cat rescue group. She also feeds a feral cat every night outside the Village Hall. She gets a not-unwelcome surprise when a fellow cat lover steps out of the dark one night. Turns out these two have more to share than their love of animals 🙂
2. Why did you add a cat rescuer to Way Past Crazy?
Gracie “snooping” on my desk
I love cats. To be honest I love dogs too, but I especially love cats, kittens and all things feline. I have two rescued cats that hover over my desk, or on the keyboard, whenever I am writing. Gracie and Annabelle are destined to make an appearance in future novels, but they are not the reason I wrote about cat rescue and Avery.
Annabelle sleeping on my desk
In truth, each the eight books in the All’s Crazy in Love Series pays homage to a friend that lives far away from me. I miss my friends, terribly. It is the price one pays for moving around the country as I have. Avery is based loosely on one of those friends, a lovely, shy woman who does indeed feed a feral cat every morning and night, who volunteers for a rescue organization and who fosters cats. I believe in her efforts on behalf of helpless animals, and while the plot of my story is fictional, as are many of Avery’s character traits, there is a kernel of my friend there.
3. What other books have you written?
Before the Crazy’s, my primary books were about four successful, if spoiled, rich boys from the suburbs of Chicago. I like writing about powerful men who get in their own way sometimes, and who need love to lead them in down the right path.
You can discover more with a free novella for the series, Bewildered. Sign up at on my website, www.MadisonMichael.net. Or order the entire series from Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/The-Beguiling-Bachelors-5-book-series/dp/B074C4FFKF
It is also available in Kindle Unlimited.
I briefly worked at a local Bed and Breakfast and began a series that takes place in B&Bs. Desire & Dessert and Moonlight & Moet are also exclusively on Amazon. I might have snuck a dog into one of these stories, too. Can’t help it if I love pets!
4. How do you promote your books?
Helping new readers discover my novels is a challenge. First, some readers disdain romance novels. While my books are definitely about romance, complete with a bedroom scene or two, they are really about characters discovering what is holding them back from claiming their happiness. I have heard my stories described as contemporary fiction, women’s fiction and romance.
Second, there are a lot of new books being published every day, so the competition for readers is fierce. I try to remember that and appreciate and thank my fans every chance I get. I offer them links to free book events and tell them about a new authors they might enjoy. I do this with two newsletters: one a bit more personal and one about other authors. Each newsletter is emailed twice a month. To sign up for either–and get a free story or two–go to my website www.MadisonMichael.net
I do run the occasional ad, but I am far more likely to run a free weekend for a novel and promote the opportunity on sites like fussylibrarian.com or redfeatherromance.com. I don’t think readers should always get books for free. Authors work too hard and incur too many expenses to simply give away their books. But a thank you, I appreciate you, free weekend now and then feels good to me.
5. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
To find me on Amazon, my author central page is: https://www.amazon.com/Madison-Michael/e/B01EVUGG6G
To learn more about me and my books or to sign up for my newsletter: www.MadisonMichael.net
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/madisonmichaelromance
On Instagram: www.instagram.com/madisonmichaelromance
On Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/madisonmichaelromance
From Marcia: Thank you, Madison! I love discovering stories that feature pets, and I look forward to reading your books!
MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST! Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks! Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or 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!
Jewelia Gibson
1. I hear you have a pet in your latest novel. Tell us about the book.
Yes! Society: West Coast is the third in a four-book series called Society Coastal. It’s a bit of a naughty book for most people, but all is fair in love and sex. This book follows the younger brother of the hero from the first two books.
The pet, a three-legged cat, belongs to the heroine. She calls him Charlie, and he charms nearly everyone who comes within his orbit. It’s amusing to see him eating kitty treats from the palms of men’s big hands when really, Charlie has THEM eating out of the palm of his hand–or in this case, his paw.
Society: West Coast book blurb:
Damien Sullivan was done with the dark misdeeds of West Coast Society. He doesn’t have patience for their dirty games or the parade of submissives out to get His attention, and His collar. Until her, with her sun-fired hair, sweet fragrance and stunning turquoise eyes. This is the one promised to Him by the gypsy elder. She’s His angel, and He’ll move heaven and earth to make her His.
Sierra Drake ran away to save herself from her vile stepfather, who planned to auction her virginity to the highest bidder. In a small town, she lucked into her dream library job before running, literally, into her future. In Damien, Sierra will find love and the trust that He’ll cherish the most precious gift she has to give. From Him, she’ll learn His lifestyle that will tie her to Him and His bed…and change her life forever.
When women along the West Coast start disappearing, Damien worries a group is trafficking the females to a terrible fate. When Sierra goes missing, He vows to find her and rain down hellfire on anyone who stands in His way. Will He find His angel before she vanishes forever?
Society: West Coast Amazon buy link: {Coming this month; check https://JeweliaGibson.com/ for link}
2. Why did you add a cat to this book?
The heroine needed a focus other than her own dire situation. Enter a cat with a medical issue, and Sierra found more than just the need to run and hide. Now she has someone depending on her, which forces her to learn her own strengths and overcome her weaknesses.
3. What other books have you written?
For years, I’ve written romance–mainly suspense or sweet–under my Tabitha Gibson pen name, including the Bodyguards, Inc. stories. Those novellas and short stories can be found at www.TabithaGibson.com along with a few free reads.
But for the Society Coastal series, written under my Jewelia Gibson pen name (https://JeweliaGibson.com/), I was highly influenced by the Fifty Shades books–not just for the erotic side of the stories, but what led Christian Grey into the life of BDSM, His backstory and how finding true love changed everything for Him. There is a lot more to Fifty Shades than just kinky sex, paddles and handcuffs.
Society: East Coast is the first book in the series, and Society: Coast to Coast is the second book. Both books feature Dane Sullivan and Serafina Daniels.
Society: East Coast book blurb:
He didn’t expect to find her or the danger that followed. Can He keep her safe from the imminent darkness?
Dane Sullivan, Dominant & MMA fighter, wasn’t interested in meeting someone new, let alone a potential submissive, but a blind date changes His mind about everything.
Serafina Daniels, a beautiful but troubled artist, was just learning to trust life again, when a scare has her running to the gorgeous fighter. Determined to be brave, she spends an erotic night in His arms.
Dane shows Serafina the strength of His Dominance, the beauty of her submission and the passion that’s their destiny. But will she accept His collar around her neck for life? When Dane’s vicious rival and Serafina’s dark past threatens to tear them apart, He will stop at nothing to keep her safe and His forever.
Society: East Coast Amazon buy link: https://tinyurl.com/23y8aanf
Society: Coast to Coast book blurb:
He made a mistake that could cost Him everything.
Dane Sullivan finally had it all: trusted friends, the MMA championship belt and His collar around Serafina’s beautiful neck. He was even considering a traditional piece of jewelry that would bind her to Him another way. He finally let His guard down.
Serafina Daniels never thought she’d be safe and in love again, until Dane. But her dark past steals her away from all she holds dear. Will she live until Dane rescues her…or never see the light of another day?
Dane would travel to the depths of hell to save Serafina. She’s His world, and anyone who tries to stop Him will pay the ultimate price. But will He make it in time?
Society: Coast to Coast Amazon buy link: https://tinyurl.com/2yf6evel
4. How do you promote your books?
I have Twitter and Instagram accounts for both of my pen names. I tweet and retweet, as well as share my Instagram posts/stories, on both accounts. The more eyes the better!
I also have invested in PR Ads with sexy pics and quotes from the book I’m promoting at the time, tweeting the ads on both accounts as well as posting/sharing on both Instagram accounts. Here’s an example of one of the ads:
Finally, I purchased a book promo video. Approximately 13-15 seconds long, it’s a moving promo that draws the eyes in to see what’s going to pop up next. Purchasing this video also allowed me to help the small business owner who, in turn, tweeted it out to her followers. Even more eyes. Win Win.
I look for a lot of pinned tweet exchanges on Twitter as well. It’s easy to retweet something; in return, my work gets retweeted to more potential readers.
Use hashtags! I’ve gotten Likes and replies from hashtagging, but don’t go overboard. Be selective. Instagram shows you a number of people using the hashtag you might use, so you know which are the best for promoting your books. Twitter does too but only the hashtags currently being used. As Twitter has limited characters, make sure you use the hashtags that are more widely used, seen, known.
5. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
For my erotic work and the Society Coastal series, check out this website: www.JeweliaGibson.com There you’ll find links to my Jewelia Gibson books and those Twitter and Instagram accounts.
For my non-erotic work, check out this website: www.TabithaGibson.com There you’ll find links to my Tabitha Gibson books, Twitter and Instagram accounts and free reads.
Thank you for this great opportunity, Marcia! I appreciate it!
CONTEST: Jewelia Gibson is offering an Amazon ebook of Society: East Coast to one lucky, randomly chosen commenter on her interview!!
From Marcia: Jewelia, thank you for being my November interviewee! I love discovering novels that feature pets, and I look forward to reading your books!
MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST! Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks! Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or 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!
Linda Hoover
1. I hear you have animals in your novel, Heart’s Journey. Tell us about the book.
Heart’s Journey, book two of the Heart’s Desire series, is set on a farm in 1880 Iowa. Julia is from an upper-class family in Boston who met and fell in love with Jacob while he was in Boston helping at his uncle’s jewelry store. She had never been in a kitchen, let alone on a farm, but after a lot of prayer, God made a way for them to be together. Jacob dreamed of having a farm of his own and on the recommendation of a friend, he and Julia went to Iowa.
Farms have animals, and Julia was nervous about being around them at first. At one point she asked if cows and chickens bite, then was upset to learn she would be feeding animals they would later eat. There are also barn cats. One makes a surprise appearance later in the story.
After many mishaps, Julia asks a neighbor for help and gains confidence as she learns to cook, garden and handle other household duties. Jacob and Julia grow closer, but a personal loss for Julia triggers a disagreement leading to estrangement and deeper issues Jacob must confront. Can their faith in God bring forgiveness and reconciliation?
Heart’s Journey Buy Links:
Amazon print book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/099818067X
Amazon ebook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BB4XDJ74
2. Why did you add animals to this book?
I’m an animal lover, and you can’t have a farm in the 1880s without cows, chickens, pigs and horses, so it worked well. We have two cats and a little dog in our house that keep things interesting:
3. What other books have you written?
Heart’s Desire is book one of the Heart’s Desire series. Here is the book blurb:
In 1880 Boston, Julia Phillips’s father betroths her to wealthy Lucien Harris to cover up a tragic secret. She has no interest in Lucien, but Jacob Anderson, a kind jewelry store clerk has captured her attention. Can she put off Lucien long enough to convince her parents to accept a man who isn’t in the upper-class?
Jacob works with his uncle in Boston, but when he has enough money, he plans to buy land for a farm in Iowa. When Julia walks into their store, his priorities change. Their mutual attraction grows into love, and he wants to be the man she marries. But how can he with so little money?
Julia feels increasing pressure from Lucien to pretend she’s happy about the upcoming wedding. Then, she discovers the arranged marriage is based on blackmail. Her family will be ruined if she doesn’t comply.
Will God make a way for Jacob and Julia to have their heart’s desire?
Heart’s Desire Buy Links:
Amazon print book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0998180645
Amazon ebook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08R26D2JD
I also have two stand-alone titles. Lighter Than Air, like the Heart’s Desire books, is a Christian historical romance set near Brighton, England in 1900.
Lighter Than Air Buy Links:
Amazon print book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1726673073
Amazon ebook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GV4R21J
Mountain Prophecy is a young adult Christian historical fiction with romantic elements set in 1918 in the Appalachian Mountains.
Mountain Prophecy Buy Links:
Amazon print book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0998180602
Amazon ebook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M6UFUC8
4. How do you promote your books?
Blog interviews, sales promotions, and talking it up on Facebook and Instagram.
5. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
My website (https://www.lindahooverbooks.com) is a great place to find out about me and my books. I encourage you to browse all the pages. On the BOOKS page, you can read a blurb about each book and go to the sales page by clicking the cover of the title you’re interested in.
On my website, you can subscribe to my newsletter that will keep you up to date on my writing, activities, and giveaways. You’ll also receive a copy of a novella, Joel & Ella, by clicking on the Joel & Ella cover or the signup box at the bottom of the page. Or you can click this link: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/itgsd090xu
You can also find me on Facebook, Goodreads, Instagram, Pinterest, and Bookbub. This LinkTree address will take you to my social media or website destination of your choice: http://linktr.ee/lindahooverbooks
From Marcia: Thank you, Linda, for being my October interviewee! I love discovering novels that feature animals and pets, and I look forward to reading your books!
MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST! Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks! Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or 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!
Ann Raina
1. I hear you have a dog in your novel. Tell us about the book.
Blind Trust is a sensual thriller. FBI Agent Matthew Montagna joins Nicolas Hayes’ FBI team to investigate a series of bank robberies in Washington, DC, and its vicinity. Though he loves his work, he has trouble dealing with his past in Chicago, his criminal ex-wife, and the loss of his home and his friends—not to mention his dog, who moved in with the neighbors because Matthew couldn’t take him to DC. He’s unhappy about his entire situation and wishes for his old companion. Then he meets a dog owner in the building where he lives. Matthew is quickly enchanted with the dog, Bingo, and spends time in the neighbor’s apartment, not knowing that he’s in the center of a dangerous plot.
Blind Trust Blurb:
The citizens of Washington, DC, were lucky the bank robbers’ escape truck didn’t explode at the Federal Triangle Station. FBI agents Hayes and Montagna take over the investigation, convinced the robbers will strike again and become more ruthless with every successful assault.
While Agent Hayes tries to keep pace with his lover’s kinky bedroom fantasies, Agent Montagna has trouble dealing with his ex-wife’s past and his immediate future—booze and bullets alike.
Blind Trust Buy links:
(Available in ebook and print)
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Blind-Trust-Nick-Jacklyn-Raina/dp/1487423403
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48992224-blind-trust
Extasy Books: https://www.extasybooks.com/ann-raina/978-1-4874-2384-1-blind-trust/
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blind-trust-ann-raina/1134100864
2. Why did you add a dog to this book?
Blind Trust is the third book in the series, and when I introduced Matthew Montagna to the team, I wanted to make him special—not the average kind of guy. He had lived through a hurtful divorce, had been urgently requested to leave the Chicago FBI office, and that meant leaving behind his house and his dog. Matthew is in a bad shape when he starts working with Nicolas and Jason, which makes him more vulnerable, more sensitive. Though he’s also a man quick to joke, he’s also very lonely without his dog.
I can relate to him very well. Since I bought my horse eight years ago, I haven’t been on a vacation without him. On the contrary, I found ways to travel with him so that we can spend more time together. He’s a wonderful gelding, sixteen years old by now, and my trusted partner on every ride through the woods. He’s gentle and he has stamina. We’ve been on day trips, riding more than twenty miles. He’s quite courageous—once we met an ambulance in the woods (yes, with lights and sirens on!), and he just stepped aside the path and let the van pass. I hope that he’ll be with me for many more years.
3. What other books have you written?
The series with FBI Agent Nicolas Hayes, his partners, and his lover, Jacklyn Hollander, has nine books by now, with one more in editing and another one in writing (almost done…). They are mainly thrillers or crime stories, but with an erotic twist. For example, Nicolas is in a D/s relationship [Dominance and submission] with his lover, and they both enjoy their time together.
Since Nicolas is working in the serious crimes’ division, he and the team deal with serial killers, brutal bank robbers, and other criminals, who are too hard to handle for the local police forces. There is always a lot of action and suspense involved in every story.
But I also like to have a look at the partners’ private lives—Jason finds a lovely woman he marries, Matthew gets a dog, and new agents come in, bringing with them their private fun and sorrow.
I really like Famous Murders because of the interaction of the FBI agents and the suspects, as well as the ways the murderer kills his victims.
Famous Murders Blurb:
After three murders in the Washington, DC, vicinity, FBI Agents Hayes and Beckham are assigned to solve the case. Although the murders seem incoherent at first, it becomes clear that there are connections between them. It turns out that the murderer is far from having reached the end of his deadly list.
Aside from the investigation, Agent Hayes has to find a way to get on with his demanding girlfriend and her challenging love games. Can he do both and not lose himself?
Famous Murders Buy links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/-/de/dp/B07Q5SM196/ref=sr_1_1?__mk_de_DE=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=23QD7N85TYCTS&keywords=Famous+Murders+Ann+Raina&qid=1659893759&s=digital-text&sprefix=famous+murders+ann+raina%2Cdigital-text%2C192&sr=1-1
Extasy Books: https://www.extasybooks.com/ann-raina
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ph/en/ebook/famous-murders
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Famous_Murders_Nick_and_Jacklyn_2?id=Oq6-DwAAQBAJ&gl=US
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/famous-murders-ann-raina/1131170508
I also loved writing Chosen Brothers because I had the chance to write a criminal plot playing in a small town on a horse ranch. Nicolas can show that he’s able to go undercover, and he makes a new friend on the way.
Chosen Brothers Blurb:
In Florence Town, people appear to live life without a care in the world. When members of one of the leading families are suspected of building bombs, FBI Agent Nicolas Hayes is sent undercover to investigate. He learns a lot more than anticipated about the dark secrets behind the scenes of a placid rural life.
Chosen Brothers Buy links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/-/de/dp/B08CTV14YF/ref=sr_1_1?__mk_de_DE=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=2WJCUA0O5Y8SC&keywords=Chosen+Brothers+Ann+Raina&qid=1659893949&s=digital-text&sprefix=chosen+brothers+ann+raina%2Cdigital-text%2C173&sr=1-1
Extasy Books: https://www.extasybooks.com/ann-raina
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chosen-brothers-ann-raina/1137332113?ean=2940164482640
4. How do you promote your books?
I promote my books with the ladies from RAM PA. They do professional advertisements for my books on Facebook and on Instagram. You can find me there: Ann_Raina_author. Currently, they’re advertising Clandestine Dealings, the last book I published:
5. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ann-Raina/e/B004ZFFNAS%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share
Instagram: Ann_Raina_author
Email: annraina@yahoo.com
From Marcia: Thank you, Ann, for being my September interviewee! I love discovering novels that feature pets and look forward to reading your books!
MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST! Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks! Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or 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!
Mariah Lynne
1. I hear you have a dog in your novel. Tell us about your book…OR let your dog do the honors. 😉
Hi everyone. My name is Sam, and I’m the dog in Mariah’s latest romance, Paws For Christmas. As you can tell by my photo on the cover, I’m big, furry, and very happy. Mariah named me for her late, real-life dog Sam, who she said was so sweet she loved him to pieces! Like my namesake, I’m lovable, smart, and can sniff out when someone needs love.
When the book opens, I’m lost and need help finding my owner. I must be the luckiest dog ever, because I wander into Jessica Munroe’s yard as she is putting up Christmas decorations. I am dirty and cut up because I had wrangled my way out of my master’s car after a bad crash. I ran from the accident because the flashing lights scared me.
Jessica Munroe is a beautiful freelance writer, but she looks sad and distracted. One look at me, and I sure took care of that. I later found out that just two weeks earlier she had had to put her best friend–her dog Mazy–to sleep and her ER doctor fiancé had left her for his nurse.
My story takes place just before Christmas on a small, beautiful Gulf Coast island just like the one Mariah lives on. Despite visiting tourists, the island is just a small town where everyone knows each other.
Jessica takes me to her vet where they find an ID tag while combing out my matted fur. I get a nice bath, and Jessica’s vet exams me. She suggests I be put in a shelter until my owner can be located. Jessica will not hear of it, especially right before Christmas, so she takes me home and we do some computer research of our own. Well, she does all the research; I just lay at her feet and stare up at her in love. Once she finds the name of my owner and what happened to him…well, let’s just say, it’s up to me to give this story a happy ending!
Love,
Sam
P.S. Side effects of reading Paws For Christmas are a happy heart, an uplifted spirit, new confidence in the future, and a smile on your face!
Paws For Christmas Buy Links:
Barnes and Noble: Paws for Christmas by Mariah Lynne | NOOK Book (eBook) | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)
2. Mariah, why did you add Sam to this book?
I’m a dog lover and animal lover. [See photo left with a sled dog puppy.] All my heroines–no matter what genre–have pets. I served as a director for a county-wide no-kill shelter for three years and always remember the sage advice my brother gave me when I was a girl: “Always try to save a life by adopting a shelter pet.”
We adopted our Sam [see above right] when he was just under one year old, and he must have felt completely lost like the Sam in the story because his owners had abandoned him. I’d like to tell you more about him.
My dog Sam was part German shepherd, part Golden Lab, and part comedian. From the moment his golden brown eyes met mine, I knew I was in for a heck of a ride. Sam was ninety pounds, full of energy, curiosity, and spunk. He didn’t have a mean bone in his body unless, that is, you threatened to harm his family. I watched him lick a baby’s feet and swim in a lake with baby ducklings.
I thought I’d share a short Christmas memory:
We alternated years visiting family for Christmas, and that was our year to cook. It was a beautiful snowy day, the kind Sam loved to frolic in. After I stuffed the turkey and put it in the oven, I asked Sam if he wanted to go outside again to play. But evidently the aroma coming from that roasting pan sent Sam’s nose and stomach into a frenzy. He kept sniffing the air and stayed in the kitchen, not wanting to miss anything turkey.
When it was time to eat, I placed the wonderful food into serving dishes. Sam watched attentively, but since he’d had a hearty breakfast, I was sure it was just curiosity. As my husband carved the turkey, we heard loud slurping noises coming from the kitchen. I got up to see where the noise was coming from. Did I leave the water running? Was something dripping? No, but I did leave the turkey pan on the extended oven rack to cool.
I walked into the kitchen to see him slurp up the remaining juices in the roasting pan. Thank goodness I had already strained the small bones to make gravy. He looked at me with those huge brown eyes and wagged his tail, not skipping a second of slurping. I didn’t know whether to laugh or scold him. You guessed it. I laughed and gave him a big hug. My husband always said I would make a terrible dog obedience trainer.
Sam lived to be fifteen, enjoyed a happy life, and we shared many more wonderful memories together. That’s why he was my inspiration for the character of the dog in Paws for Christmas.
3. What other books have you written?
I write contemporary romance, cozy mystery, and Time Travel adventure. My latest cozy mystery, A Gem Of A Murder, is set on a Gulf Coast island called Seabliss Island and has a dog in it named Spike.
A Gem Of A Murder Blurb:
A sleepy Florida Gulf Coast beach town suddenly comes alive as two best friends–local merchant Mariah Linley and island psychic Moonbeam–find themselves in the middle of some pretty strange business. The two novice sleuths are drawn into a web of murder, deception, and drugs that stretches as far west as Mexico and as far south as the Keys.
A Gem of a Murder is a cozy mystery set in 1986 and laced with a little romance. With a backdrop of stunning locations, the story will take you on a memorable vacation without ever leaving home! So grab your sunscreen and park that imaginary lounge chair in the sand under swaying palm trees. But watch your back. There’s a murderer on the loose!
Amazon Buy Link For A Gem Of A Murder: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09SVSPC83
My last Time Travel adventure-romance is The Duchess’ Necklace, and the story also has a dog.
The Duchess’ Necklace Blurb:
Amelia Augusta Ethrington, 18th century Duchess of Abbington and fourth in line to the English throne, is considered by society an old maid at thirty-two. She refuses to marry and relinquish her authority to a husband. Instead, she finds romance in trysts with strangers. Amelia’s claim to her duchy is embodied in the form of an intricate, valuable necklace, The Abbington Jewels. But an unscrupulous time traveler seduces her and snatches the necklace.
Amelia risks everything to time travel with a gypsy seer to find the scoundrel and retrieve her necklace before her jealous male cousins lay claim to her duchy. Complications arise after she meets Ryan Redstone, a museum appraiser sent to acquire the jewels. Amelia finally falls in love but knows she must focus on her quest to regain both her necklace and title. The Duchess is faced with the most difficult decision of her life. Love in the present? Or defending her honor in the past?
Amazon Buy Link for The Duchess’ Necklace: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0728LH88J/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i4
4. Tell us about your reviews.
One Book More review of Paws for Christmas:
“Jessica and Trey are both kind and sincere and have such positive outlooks on life even when things aren’t going their way. I also like that they are both so caring and selfless. Jessica takes in a stray dog (Sam), gets him medical attention, and then looks for Sam’s owner. Sam is so sweet and charming! He has a jubilant and playful personality that endears everyone he meets. A sweet contemporary romance with a wonderful holiday spirit, Paws for Christmas is a heart-warming story…it is a light and fun read.”
Nana’s Book Reviews: A Gem of a Murder:
“This is a very unique cozy mystery, set in 1986 in a small town. The plot is interesting and engaging. The characters were quirky and when they joined forces they did great surprising things… My favorite parts were Moonbeam’s interactions with the spirits. This is a lovely cozy mystery perfect for those who love this genre. I highly recommend this and I will rate it 4 stars.”
The Paranormal Romance Author’s Guild’s 5-Star review of The Duchess’ Necklace:
“This is a story with an unexpected twist. The Duchess’ Necklace tells of true love that surpasses time. With a mixture of romance, history, and fiction, this is a fast-paced and engaging story. It is a story that takes you through time, on an adventure of love and excitement.”
5.Tell us more about yourself.
A graduate of Syracuse University, I reside on a beautiful SW Florida Gulf Coast island. My island lifestyle and scenery serve as the backdrop for all of my stories. Before writing fiction, I owned the first video store on our island like my character in A Gem of a Murder, and became active in my national trade association, meeting many Hollywood celebrities.
I inherited my love of good stories from my parents, and writing is my passion. I love to create memorable characters and–since pets are my other passion–all my heroines have pets like Sam, Duchy, or Spike. When not writing, I enjoy watching movies, traveling (even though we were stranded in beautiful Australia for 8 days at the start of the pandemic), swimming, reading a good story, and always spending time with my wonderful husband, Jerry.
6. Where can readers learn more about your books?
My website: https://mariahlynne.com
My Amazon Author Central page: https://www.amazon.com/Mariah-Lynne/e/B00AYH099G/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MariahLynneAuthor
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mariahlynneauthor
Twitter: @MariahLynne1
Mariah Lynne e-mail: MariahLynneauthor@yahoo.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard?ref=nav_profile_authordash
From Marcia: Thank you, Mariah, for being my August interviewee! I love discovering romances that feature pets and look forward to reading your books!
MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST! Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks! Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or 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!
J. ARLENE CULINER
1. I hear you have pets in your novel. Tell us about the book.
Pets make an appearance in almost all my books. In my latest release, A Room in Blake’s Folly, we see a Nevada town evolve from a silver boomtown to a semi-ghost town in six different stories. All six are romances even though some don’t turn out the way we expect they might.
In the second story–the romance between a brothel owner and a silver baron (set in 1927)–we meet the dog Russ, one of the many animals left behind in the early 1900s when people abandoned dying boomtowns and headed further west.
In the fifth story, one that takes place in 2021, several dogs as well as snakes and spiders steal the limelight. So do my hero and heroine Lance and Lucy who are both (unsuspectingly) linked to that earlier brothel owner and silver baron; there are often genetic surprises in small communities!
A Room in Blake’s Folly blurb:
If only the walls could speak…
In one hundred and fifty years, Blake’s Folly, a silver boomtown notorious for its brothels, scarlet ladies, silver barons, speakeasies, and divorce ranches, has become a semi-ghost town. Although the old Mizpah Saloon is still in business, its upper floor is sheathed in dust. But in a room at a long corridor’s end, an adventurer, a beautiful dance girl, and a rejected wife were once caught in a love triangle, and their secret has touched three generations.
Buy Link: https://books2read.com/BlakesFollyRomance
2. Why did you add animals to this book?
Osselot
I add animals to my stories because I can’t imagine life without them. My dogs and cats all come from pet shelters (or else I find them along the road), and they are usually settled in near me when I write. They’d never forgive me if I didn’t mention them.
Osselot, a very stubborn twelve-year-old, was living with an elderly woman who could no longer care for him. My vet asked me to take him in.
Yellow
Yellow was a nine-year-old I found wandering along the road. She had been abandoned by her owners who had chopped off her tail—why do something so stupid and cruel—and the stump was still bloody. She was a wonderful dog and lived to the age of eighteen.
Virgule—I found him at the local dog pound—was a terrible monster when young, chewing up anything that was plastic (my telephone, computer transformer, plugs). He calmed down after I adopted Yellow. He’s now twelve and very staid.
Virgule
As for snakes and spiders, those creatures so hated by many, I appreciate their beauty and the role they play in maintaining a balanced environment. I hope, with my stories, I can convince a few people to take a more sympathetic look at these beasties.
Lucy Barnes, the heroine of the fifth story in A Room in Blake’s Folly, particularly loves spiders. And one day, when she’s photographing one, she happens to meet Lance Potter, the hero. Here’s how:
Lance saw the woman doubled over in the dirt road, her legs bent backward and to each side of her in what looked to be an exceedingly painful position. Had she been hit by a car? Probably not: few enough cars passed this way. She might have had an attack of some sort. He loped toward her, thinking only of rescue and alleviating pain, because that’s what a veterinarian’s job is all about, and humans happen to be animals, too.
He was less than ten feet away, when she raised her head and glared at him with fury. The look, as toxic as a poison arrow, halted him in his tracks. She certainly didn’t look as though she needed his help. She didn’t look as though she’d ever need anyone’s help.
“Um…I’m sorry. I saw you down there, in the road, and I thought…” He saw her fury seep away, transform into visible regret.
“You chased it away.”
“Right.”
Swinging her bent legs into a more reasonable position, she stood up without using her hands. For someone who wasn’t young, she looked to be in perfect shape. Or at least she had maintained an admirable flexibility. What was her name? Lucy something…oh yes, Lucy Barnes. For the first time, he noticed the camera.
“Look, I thought you had fallen or…”
“Yes, I realize that’s what you thought.” She didn’t look as though she were about to forgive him for it either.
“You were taking a photo?”
“Yup.”
“Of what?”
“A Xysticus.”
“A what?”
“Oh, sorry. A ground crab spider.”
“Of a ground crab spider?”
She relented slightly. “They’re called crab spiders because they look and move like crabs.”
“Yes,” he said dryly. “I think I’ve worked that one out.”
“Right.”
“What for? Why were you taking a photo?”
“Because I like them. I like macro photography. I like taking photos of spiders, and this particular spider was very pretty.”
“Pretty. Got it.”
She looked annoyed again. “Veterinarians don’t consider arachnids worthy of notice?”
“Did I just tell you that?” he said a little too defensively because she was right: he never noticed them. Okay, he never killed them either, because he knew how useful they were, but that was as far as things went. “What was particularly pretty about that one? I mean spiders look like spiders to me. I never thought aesthetics came into it.”
“Really?” She even looked surprised.
“Really.” Inwardly, he sighed, regretting his attempt to maintain chatty conversation. It was always the same when you dealt with nuts, cranks, and fanatics: they couldn’t understand how normal people functioned.
3. What other books have you written?
I have two other books that take place in Blake’s Folly, Nevada, and they are filled with animals. In one, All About Charming Alice, my heroine is a herpetologist, a woman who studies snakes, and she also rescues abandoned dogs.
In the other, Desert Rose, the rescue dog Noodle makes an appearance (although Rose is, at first, a very reluctant dog owner). However, I don’t have the new covers for these new editions, so we’ll just have to wait for a month or two.
However, I also have a rescue dog in my romantic mystery, The Turkish Affair, and he plays a very important role when my heroine finds herself in a very nasty situation.
The Turkish Affair blurb:
Love and Danger at the ancient Hittite site of Karakuyu
Priceless artifacts are disappearing from the ancient Hittite site of Karakuyu in Turkey, and the site director has vanished. Called in to solve the mystery, archaeologist Renaud Townsend is hindered by both his inability to speak the language and the knowledge that the local police are corrupt. His attraction to translator Anne Pierson is immediate, although he is troubled by her refusal to talk about the past and her fear of public scandal. But when murder enters the picture, both Anne and Renaud realize that the risk of falling in love is not the only danger.
Buy link: https://books2read.com/TheTurkishAffair
4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.
For those who want to read a lovely review and analysis of A Room in Blake’s Folly, it can be found here: https://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com/2022/05/review-tuesday-room-in-blakes-folly-by.html
Other than that, I have won awards for my non-fiction (the Tanenbaum Award for Canadian History) book about Romanian immigration to Canada, and was shortlisted for the Foreword Magazine prize.
5. How do you promote your books?
I try to guest blog as often as possible, and I give Zoom conferences about my non-fiction books. I also have guests who will leave recipes on my own blog, Food for Love, and that should be fun for everyone.
6. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
Author Website: http://www.j-arleneculiner.com
Blog: http://j-arleneculiner.over-blog.com
Storytelling Podcast: https://soundcloud.com/j-arlene-culiner
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-arlene-culiner
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JArleneCuliner/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jarlene.culiner/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7158064.J_Arlene_Culiner
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jarleneculiner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jarleneculiner/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JArleneCuliner
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/jarleneculiner-quirky-romances
Thank you for interviewing me (and my animal and insect friends) on your blog, Marcia.
From Marcia: Thank you for being my July interviewee! I love discovering romances that feature animals and look forward to reading your books!
MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST! Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks! Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or 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!