McKenna Dean
1. I hear you have a Jack Russell Terrier (JRT) in your paranormal romances. Tell us about the series.
Yes, I do! The “Redclaw Origins” series is set in the 1950s, and the main characters have a Nick and Nora (from the 1930s Thin Man movies) vibe to them, so I thought it would be fun to add a little terrier, much like their dog Asta. Of course, being a paranormal romance, nothing is simple! And Captain is not a normal dog…he’s a shapeshifter! The only one of his kind. What he shifts into is a surprise, so you’ll have to check out the story to find out what his other form takes, but I have to say, the dichotomy between my own little JRT’s cuteness and his ferocity when faced with prey was a factor in my deciding on Captain’s shifted form!
In Bishop Takes Knight (“Redclaw Origins” book 1), we meet former socialite Henrietta (“Rhett”) Bishop as she struggles to find work with her unusual skill set. A misread address and her own pluck win her a job at Redclaw Security, but the new job isn’t what it seems. Mechanical devices seem to have a mind of their own, and Rhett’s new co-workers are a little strange. When she takes down a dangerous intruder in the office, Rhett gets promoted to field agent—and is let in on the secret: Redclaw Security is an elite paranormal agency that investigates matters in the hidden shifter world. One of the unit’s primary functions is to collect a series of mysterious, powerful artifacts and remove them from of the public sector.
The problem is Redclaw Security isn’t the only organization searching for such items.
Enter Dr. Peter Knight: a former nuclear scientist embittered by the murder of his wife. He wants no part of any secret organization, despite having a talent for working with the strange technology. But Rhett convinces him to join Redclaw, and together they become society’s darlings as well as Redclaw’s newest agents. Along with the shapeshifting dog, Captain, and a sentient ray gun bonded to Rhett, they are a force to be reckoned with. It’s Bringing Up Baby meets Warehouse-13 in this award-winning series debut!
Buy Links: Amazon Barnes and Noble Apple Kobo
The adventures continue in Bishop’s Gambit, when Rhett and Peter pose as a married couple in a posh 1950s suburban community while investigating a series of deadly paranormal events. After the debacle of their first mission, Rhett has a lot to prove to Redclaw and seeks to carry out her assignment without the distraction of a budding relationship with Peter Knight.
Too bad there’s only one bed in the new house! Or that in Forest Grove, malice is served with a slice of apple pie and a smile.
It’s Leave it to Beaver meets The X-Files in this award-winning installment of the Redclaw Origins series!
Buy Links: Amazon and these other retailers.
The “Redclaw Origins” books explore the beginnings of the Redclaw Security firm. Set in the 1950s, the romance is closed door, and the emphasis is on the investigations. Rhett is an unconventional woman of the time, having been raised by a much-beloved father who took her on all his adventures around the world. Being relegated to a desk, when she’s a much better shot than she is a typist, was trying for her until she found her place at Redclaw.
2. I heard you have another series featuring the Redclaw Security firm.
“Redclaw Security” is a steamy contemporary paranormal romance series with the emphasis placed on shifters and their mates, along with the dangers facing Redclaw Security agents. Each story can be read as a standalone, though there are cameos of characters from previous installments, and characters getting their own stories are often introduced in the one before.
The Panther’s Lost Princess, which is the first in the “Redclaw Security” series, is available on Amazon and KU.
Ghost of a Chance, which is the “Redclaw Security” book 2, is available on Amazon Barnes and Noble Apple Kobo
I have plans for a spinoff series that focuses on a single team within the Redclaw agency which solves Major Shifter Crimes in case-based stories. The “Better off Red” series is on the back burner for the moment. If only I didn’t have a demanding day job!
3. Why did you add a dog to this series?
I work with animals for a living, so I include them in almost every story I write. Dogs, cats, horses, you name it. Animals are such an important part of my life. I can’t imagine not having a pet be a character in a story! I think my animal background is why I’m drawn to shifter stories as well.
As I mentioned earlier, Bishop and Knight have a real Nick and Nora vibe with their banter as they solve cases, and that alone made me want to include a spunky little dog to the series. But I also inherited Captain, my mother’s little JRT, when she died, and I’ve fallen completely in love with him! I’d never had a small dog before—all my other dogs are German Shepherds. I was worried Captain wouldn’t fit well into our household at first. But he was the BEST addition ever. He meshed in with our family as though he’d always been a part of it: sleeping with the cats, playfighting with the big dogs, and worming his way onto our bed and into our hearts. When I decided to give Rhett a little dog in the “Redclaw Origins” series, I knew Captain was perfect for the role.
4. What other books have you written?
I
’ve also recently begun writing a series of small-town cozy mysteries (so far, nothing paranormal!) under the name M. K. Dean, featuring house-call veterinarian/amateur sleuth Ginny Reese and her trusty German Shepherd, Remington. I am having a LOT of fun with this series, and there are lots of animals in those stories too!
The first book, An Embarrassment of Itches, was released in July 2021, and the next installment, The Dog Days of Murder, will be out in early 2022. It’s Diagnosis Murder meets All Creatures Great and Small!
An Embarrassment of Itches is currently available only on Amazon, but will be coming to other retailers in the near future.
5. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.
Readers and reviewers have been very generous with their praise of my stories! The “Redclaw Security” series won Third Place for Best Romance/Paranormal/Fantasy/Vampires & Shifters in the Paranormal Romance Guild 2018 Reviewer’s Choice Awards.
Ghost of a Chance was also a finalist in the 2019 Bookseller’s Best Awards.
Bishop Takes Knight is a Top Pick at The Romance Reviews and a Crowned Heart of Excellence recipient at InD’Tale Magazine and has been nominated for a RONE Award! Bishop Takes Knight was voted Best Paranormal/SFF Romance in the 2020 New England Reader’s Choice Awards, Best Light Paranormal Romance in the 2020 PRISM awards, and is a Bronze Medal winner in the Royal Palm Literary Awards for Blended Fiction.
Bishop’s Gambit was named a Top Pick by The Romance Reviews! Kirkus Reviews describes it as “thoroughly entertaining and witty, with a nicely judged mix of genres.”
Bishop’s Gambit also placed Second in the 2021 Daphne du Maurier Awards for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense and placed Second in the 2021 PRISM Awards for Light Paranormal Romance.
An Embarrassment of Itches is a Crowned Heart of Excellence recipient from InD’Tale Magazine and is a finalist in the 2021 N.N. Light’s Book Awards.
6. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
The easiest way to find me is to go to my linktree! There you can choose which pen name/Amazon author page/BookBub/Facebook accounts you wish to follow. There’s a link for my website (which you can also follow) and my newsletter signup as well. I have an Instagram accounts (where I share a LOT of pet pictures), and I’m toying with the idea of joining TikTok, though I haven’t yet. I’m rarely on Facebook, but I post to Twitter a LOT. I tend to post slice-of-life stuff to the website blog most weeks, and almost never send out newsletters, though I hope to get a bit better about that in the future! But if you follow my Amazon author accounts or my BookBub accounts, you’ll always get notification of any new releases.
McKenna Dean/M.K. Dean: https://linktr.ee/McKenna_Dean
From Marcia: Thank you, McKenna, for being my January interviewee! I love discovering stories that feature dogs 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!
Margot Johnson
1. I hear you have dogs in your novels. Tell us about the books.
In Love Takes Flight, dogs bring Erin and Drew together. Erin owns a golden retriever and runs a dog kennel business. A daring jet pilot, Drew leaves his Border collie at her kennel but soon gets stranded there in a huge, prairie blizzard. Forced together, Erin and Drew overcome an icy start, but secret fears threaten to keep them apart.
In Love Leads the Way, Tessa and Mark clash at work when his boss forces him to enroll in the leadership program she manages. They both own golden retrievers, and at first, a love of dogs is the only thing they share in common. But both are single parents and have mothers with dementia…and even though she’s his coach, maybe they both need lessons in love.
2. Why did you add dogs to these books?
I’ve always loved dogs because they are cute, funny, and loyal, and I like people—and characters—who also love dogs. I think it’s a sign of a good heart. In a book, dogs add fun, love, and connections.
On a windowsill in our home, I display a little plaque that says, “Home is where the dog is,” and I believe it’s true. One of our walls is decorated with quirky artwork featuring dogs. Over the years, I’ve owned three golden retrievers and a Border collie, and all were a big part of our family. My daughters joked that sometimes they thought I liked the dog better than them. (The dog definitely listened better!)
Our thirteen-year-old golden retriever, Sophie, inspired the golden retrievers in my books with her gentle, friendly nature, her ability to sense moods, and her endearing habit of carrying soft objects in her mouth. We said a sad goodbye to our Border collie, Jake, when he became ill two years ago. Our house is definitely calmer and quieter without him, but we still miss him.
3. What other books have you written?
I write feel-good stories about women who chase their dreams and bump into romance along the way. They live in small communities near my home in the Canadian prairies, and they count on an eclectic mix of family and friends (and often dogs) to make their lives interesting and fun.
As well as Love Takes Flight and Love Leads the Way, I have a new release, Let it Snowball, a Christmas novella that’s part of The Wild Rose Press Christmas Cookie series. It’s the first book in a planned, three-book series. A Sweetheart Tour adventure (led by Merilee, the heroine from Let it Snowball) is in the works right now, and I hope it will be released in time for Valentine’s Day. Merilee doesn’t yet have a dog, but maybe someday she’ll realize what she’s been missing!
In Let it Snowball, Merilee shares her famous cookie recipe for chocolate snowballs. Maybe you’ll want to add it to your Christmas baking list.
Merilee’s Famous Chocolate Snowballs:
Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1/4 cup 2% or whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Icing sugar
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add egg, milk, and vanilla and mix well.
Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
Gradually add to creamed mixture. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Shape into 1 inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets and bake until tops crackle (7-8 minutes).
Remove to wire racks and cool. Roll in icing sugar.
Enjoy!
4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.
I’m really excited about this review from New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh:
“I loved Let It Snowball. From the first page I wanted to book a place on Merilee’s nightly Season’s Eatings Christmas tour bus with its three stops at cookie shops to sample and buy. On the last page I wanted to book ahead for the Valentine’s tour! Margot Johnson has a way of making a festive atmosphere seem very real. Combine that with a warm and gentle love story that feels truly authentic, and you have a winner of a story.”
I love hearing feedback from readers. I hope everyone who reads Love Takes Flight, Love Leads the Way, and Let it Snowball will post a review.
5. How do you promote your books?
I promote on Facebook, Twitter, and through author blogs and websites. Local media were great about covering the launch of my first two books because of the local setting.
6. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
I’m online on Facebook and Twitter, and I’d love to have readers visit my new website and sign up for email updates so we can stay in touch.
Book Links:
Website: margotjohnson.ca
Facebook: MargotJohnsonAuthor
Twitter: @AuthorMargot
From Marcia: Thank you, Margot, for being my December interviewee! I love discovering stories that feature dogs 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!
Neil Plakcy
1. I hear you have a Golden Retriever mystery series. Tell us about the series.
In Dog We Trust (https://amzn.to/2YyBfmF) is the first book in the series.
BLURB: Semi-reformed computer hacker Steve Levitan returns to his hometown of Stewart’s Crossing with his tail between his legs after a brief stay as a guest of the California penal system for computer hacking. When his next door neighbor is killed while walking her golden retriever puppy Rochester, Steve takes the leash and joins forces with the big, enthusiastic dog to find her murderer. Rochester’s nose for crime has taken them through twelve full-length novels and a collection of short stories.
2. Why did you create a mystery series featuring a dog?
When we adopted a golden retriever puppy in 2000, we already had a Yorkie who had firmly established my husband as his human. So Sam was left to bond with me. Years of long walks, belly rubs and tug-of-war cemented our relationship until I was certifiably puppy-whipped. I wrote the first book to celebrate him, and when he passed, I kept his memory alive by continuing the series. His replacements, Brody and Griffin, are sweethearts, but they don’t have the same personality quirks that endeared Sam to me. They do give me endless opportunities for research, though.
3. What other books have you written?
My first published mystery novel, Mahu (https://amzn.to/3C1XXCf), is a police procedural set in Honolulu. I’ve written twelve in that series, because even in the sunshine dark shadows can lurk.
I also write an adventure series (Book 1: Three Wrong Turns in the Desert: https://amzn.to/3FYCBZ7 ) about a pair of bodyguards who travel the world and rescue clients from dangerous situations.
And to round things out, I also write contemporary and historical MM (Male/Male) romances.
4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.
I was delighted to receive a Lefty award for best police procedural from the attendees at the Left Coast Crime fan convention in Hawaii for the second in my Mahu series, Mahu Surfer. I’ve also been a four-time finalist for the Lambda Literary Awards. But my favorite reviews are those from fans who have enjoyed my books or have fallen in love with my characters. (I’m looking at you, Rochester.)
5. How do you promote your books?
I love to attend mystery fan conventions, such as Bouchercon, Malice Domestic and Left Coast Crime. I lower the prices on my books occasionally and advertise them through paid newsletters like BookBub and Ereader News Today, and I also communicate regularly with my newsletter subscribers.
6. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
My website is http://www.MahuBooks.com, and my Amazon author page is http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001JP4EL6.
Additional links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neil.plakcy
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/126217.Neil_Plakcy
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/neilplakcy/boards/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NeilPlakcy
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/neil-s-plakcy
From Marcia: Thank you, Neil, for being my November interviewee! I love discovering mysteries that feature dogs 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!
Cynthia Terelst
1. I hear you have cats, dogs, and horses in your novels. Tell us about the books.
I currently have four novels published. They are all contemporary romances set in Australia.
My writing motto is to share a little bit of history, some Australian scenery and a whole lotta love.
The Cat’s out of the Bag shares the romance between a tortured heroine and secret billionaire who meet at a cat shelter. In billionaire romance, money is no object but the personal lives of our billionaires are not smooth sailing. It includes a road trip across Australia.
For The Cat’s out of the Bag, I used my experience fostering kittens for a local rescue to help me with the personalities of the cats at the shelter. Mike is the star cat of the book. A lot of Mike’s traits are based on my cat, Kimmy (right).
The Cat’s out of the Bag Book Blurb:
She’s started a new life. He’s escaping his. Can two tortured souls find a future together?
Evie’s a survivor. After rebuilding herself and her life, she’s feeling the one thing she never thought she would-happy.
Until Jesse…
When she meets Jesse while volunteering at a cat shelter, dark memories of her past return. She is stronger now and wants to trust him, but after all she’s been through, is trust even possible?
Jesse’s a self-made billionaire yearning to get away from his empty life and the money-hungry parasites who inhabit it.
The plan?
Go to sunny Australia, leaving his old life behind, to find himself. But instead of finding just himself, he finds Evie, who is everything anyone should aspire to be. Now, what he aspires to be is hers.
But to be hers, he needs to tell her everything and putting your heart on the line is hard.
The quest to find a cat a forever home leads them to travel across the country together. Will they find the strength to confide in each other? Or will the close quarters drive them apart?
Find out in this emotionally-charged contemporary romance that will give you all the feels.
**This is a stand-alone romance with medium heat**
Buy Link:-https://books2read.com/u/3k5GNK
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie is a second-chance romance set around a fake million-dollar scavenger hunt in Sydney. Second-chance romances have a different structure and feel to a standard romance. This is because of the history between the two main characters. They know each other already and are still harbouring strong feelings for one another, whether they admit it or not. In this story, we learn about Tara’s childhood dog who was there with her and her brother growing up.
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie Book Blurb:
When she left him…Tara couldn’t explain why.
After five years, did she still have feelings for Shepherd? Her brother’s passing hit Tara hard and it left a scar. That night, at the party, when she saw Shepherd high, Tara had no choice, it was over. It brought up too many painful memories and she wouldn’t go through it again. The decision was simple.
She had to leave. No goodbye.
For Shepherd, losing Tara broke his heart. Not knowing why she left, well that pain he addressed with drugs, alcohol, and meaningless relationships. After he hit rock bottom, he cleaned up and came up with a plan to get her back. Could it work?
It was his only shot.
Would a desperate ruse, with the best intentions but costing a fortune, give him the chance to win her heart for good? Or would it ruin him?
Will she be brave enough to be loved?
You’ll adore this second-chance romance, because true love is worth the gamble. It will keep you turning the pages until the end.
Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/mqgVnd
Get Off Your High Horse is a modern royal and sports romance revolving around the game of polo. The story is based in Brisbane and Maryborough. I shine a light on Maryborough, my hometown, when the characters visit the birthplace of P.L. Travers, author of Mary Poppins. In this story, I was able to combine my love of horses and Australian culture into the story.
Get Off Your High Horse Book Blurb:
When two opposites collide, will their differences ignite a spark?
Frankie and Sebastian live totally different lives. Lives that are entwined through polo, the sport of kings. How entangled will they become?
Australian farmgirl, Frankie, has no interest in high society or the rich, arrogant riders she has to deal with, especially Sebastian. Her heart may be softening to his kindness and love of horses, but her brain won’t be convinced. She’s looking forward to her summer break on the farm, away from him…
…until her parents invite Sebastian to stay.
Sebastian never felt comfortable in his role as the Crown Prince of Oleander. He’d rather spend his days working with horses, playing polo and being with Frankie, whose fiery spirit has set his heart aflame.
But pressure from his mother, the Queen, to return to his royal duties is mounting. Everything he desires is in danger of being ripped away.
Can Sebastian convince Frankie that his hopes and dreams aren’t so different from hers, or is he destined to return to a life he doesn’t want, alone?
Buy Link:-https://books2read.com/u/3LY7V5
Down the Rabbit Hole is a small-town romance between two best friends. It is not your typical small-town romance as the town itself is not very friendly. It is illegal to keep rabbits as pets in my home state of Queensland and the rabbit, Shorty, who is rescued highlights this. Shorty is based on a hare that was run over by a lawn mower. He was given to my daughter to care for.
Down The Rabbit Hole Book Blurb:
Love and secrets are a tricky combination.
For Emily, going home isn’t easy, especially when her small town never felt like home in the first place. She escaped Alma seven years ago when she went to university, but now her estranged father needs her help. At least returning means spending time with the only good thing in town—her best friend, Luke.
Luke always knew Emily needed to be free of their hometown, so he withheld his true feelings. Even though she has returned, he knows she will never stay. He tries hard to respect the boundaries of their friendship, but every moment they spend together makes it harder to deny their connection. Self-control dissipates. One kiss turns into two…
But is Luke really the man Emily remembers? When Emily discovers Luke has betrayed her trust, they could lose the most precious thing of all—each other.
Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/3n7nPK
2. Why did you add animals to these books?
I love animals. I don’t think life would be complete without them. It felt natural to me to add them to my stories. They just add another element of enjoyment.
I have two cats of my own and have fostered kittens in the past, saving many lives. My oldest cat, Kimmy, is 14 and Possum is 13. They have completely different personalities—one is an introvert and the other an extrovert. Here’s Possum (right).
My daughter has two horses. I used a lot of her knowledge and experience in Get Off Your High Horse. They are both chestnuts—one gelding and one mare. Blue is 19 years old. He is quite healthy for his age and is a pretty laid-back horse. Sometimes we joke that he’s like a hippy. Duchess is 9 and has so much energy that sometimes it feels like it could burst out of her. She is an off-the-track thoroughbred.
3. What book genres do you enjoy writing?
I write contemporary romance. I have always enjoyed reading romance novels; I started as a teen. I chose contemporary romance because I thought I would fail at the amount of research required for historical romance. Let’s just say that I was fooling myself. Contemporary romance requires a LOT of research. I have researched things such as how to train polo horses, different bush walks, historic sites in Sydney and toilet training rabbits.
4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.
I’ll share some of my favourite reviews for each book.
The Cat’s out of the Bag–“I gotta say, this book was everything and nothing like I expected. I could not put it down once I started it and did not want it to end when I got there. An emotionally charged story-line that grabs you right from the start, keeping you engrossed throughout.”
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie–“Wonderfully written vivid descriptions with attention to detail will make you feel as if you are experiencing everything yourself. This was a wonderful story so full of emotions from hurt and anger to guilt and love, I couldn’t put it down.”
Get Off Your High Horse–“I absolutely loved reading Get Off Your High Horse. This book was simply brilliant. I have to say I loved the addition of the horses and that they were not just brushed over as staging but they had their own personalities. There was nothing not to love about Frankie, as for Sebastian who doesn’t love a conflicted prince?”
Down the Rabbit Hole–“This is a well-written story which is emotionally charged, and with family, heartbreak, and love, which all leads to an entertaining and all-consuming page turner.”
5. How do you promote your books?
I find promotion the hardest thing of all. I have a newsletter where I share my writing with readers. I try to give them some insight into my writing process and my current work.
Word-of-mouth is the best form of advertising for any writer.
I’m trying to learn Facebook ads and Amazon ads to widen my audience.
6. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
I am present on most social media platforms and try to engage with my readers regularly. You can find me here:
Website: http://CynthiaTerelst.com/
Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/p9p9y0
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CynthiaTerelst
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthiaterelstauthor/
Facebook–For the Love of Words FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/572605370313807/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cynthiaterelstauthor/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cynthia-terelst
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Cynthia-Terelst/e/B07ZCTX8SB/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/cynthiaterelst
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/cynthiaterelst
From Marcia: Thank you, Cynthia, for Being my October 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!
Daryl Devoré
(NOTE FROM MARCIA: Instead of putting an author photo here, Daryl chose this adorable photo of Licorice, saying it was from “the day after we rescued her. Her mother was feral and had to abandon her.”)
1. I hear you have a horse and a dragon in your novel. Tell us about the book.
The Last Dragon is my medieval fantasy romance and yes, there is a horse. His name is Gladur, and he is Prince Hawkyns’ mount. He is a Charger. That is the general name for the type of horse a knight would ride. The breed would be Friesian. A horse big enough to carry a knight in full armour. Gladur has been trained to help Hawkyns in his quest.
What is the Prince questing for? A vicious devil-monster called Ayrradex. Telling you anymore will give away spoilers. So, I will let the blurb leak out any teasers.
The Last Dragon Blurb:
What do dragons, knights and romance have in common? Grab a copy of multi-published author Daryl Devore’s medieval fantasy romance–The Last Dragon–and discover the answer.
A sorcerer craving dominance merged with a dragon, the power overwhelmed him causing him to split into three dragons. Demora ruled thought but was lost in time. Yidithe offered protection, shining like the light of the sun. Ayrradex craved chaos, reveling in destroying souls.
Many knights died attempting to slay the devil beast. One knight, Prince Hawkyns, did not fear death. He’d lost everything. Away on a mission when Ayrradex attacked his father’s kingdom, Penrythe, Hawkyns returned to find his noble father – feeble and defeated. His wise mother–crazed. His beautiful wife and unborn child–dead. Only a pile of ashes remained for him to bury. He knelt before his King and vowed to slay the devil-beast or be slain.
Derry was born with powers that terrified her parents. They delivered her to a nunnery to be raised in secret. Jathe, a wise sorceress, discovered the young girl and trained her to one day use the secret hidden in her soul.
Legends spoken around campfires hinted the sole way to destroy Ayrradex was when the hearts of a knight and a golden dragon became one. But after a vicious battle with Ayrradex, the golden dragon was thought to be dead.
Can Prince Hawkyns’s bravery and Derry’s powers end the reign of the devil-beast’s terror?
The Last Dragon Buy Links:
Amazon–eBook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QPW4CVF
Amazon–Print: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QRVJ59P
Amazon–Hardcover: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B095GLQ4NP”
Amazon–Audio:https://www.amazon.ca/The-Last-Dragon/dp/B094YMNP6B
Audible Audio: https://www.audible.ca/pd/The-Last-Dragon-Audiobook/B094YRKT76
2. Why did you add the horse and dragon to this romance?
I didn’t add the dragon to the story. It is the reason for the story. A long time ago, I wrote another medieval romance, and someone mentioned that while reading it they kept expecting a dragon to pop up. Well, that thought nestled itself in the back of my mind and then one day, the dragon flew forward and demanded that the story be written.
The horse was an obvious addition. The knight had to ride something.
3. What other books have you written?
Numerous other books. I don’t stick to one genre or heat level. I have numerous hot romances. Some sweet romances and some New Adult books.
I have an unusual episodic romance–The Gift–that also has two great pets: a large bumbling sheepdog (Reginald) and an adorable little kitten (Tulip).
I am currently writing another medieval fantasy that is filled with other animals and creatures. There are two horses–Cheffyl and Hickory. And I was thinking of adding a unicorn.
- Tell us about your kudos or reviews.
My favourite review for The Last Dragon came from The Reading Café. This is the bottom half of a long review:
“This has the potential to be a film, I was drawn into the pages, and time just ceased to exist! Beautifully written, thought out well, and executed brilliantly. The characters were so different from what I’ve read. Hawkyns feeling he’d let his father and family down. Derry wanting more from her life.
“There is a twist to the story that I totally didn’t see coming. In fact there was two… It’s a slow-burning love story, which is nice to read once in a while. The action is fast-paced and well-written. The fury and anger that both Hawkyns and Derry feel is well explained. How could a village turn on Derry? And how can they think of even offering up the new born babe to the dragon? I liked when Hawkyns explains to Pariset that he would be honoured to be his friend and King in the future.
“ So does Hawkyns defeat the dragon? How is Derry pivotal to the plot? And can they honestly be together when Fate may have different plans for them? Love may not conquer all!!!
“I’m hoping for more stories in this land. I’m hoping to see more of Pariset, Derry and Hawkyns. Do I recommend this book? Hell yes I do. Knights, dragons, fair maidens and magic. What’s not to like and recommend. It’s George and the dragon meets Disney and a whole lot more!”
Link to Review: http://www.thereadingcafe.com/the-last-dragon-by-daryl-devore-a-review/
5. How do you promote your books?
I have a blog. I do interviews on other blogs. Did a book blog tour. Also, I promote my books on Twitter, etc. Below are some links where a reader can find my book and learn about it or get a copy to read and review.
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-last-dragon-by-daryl-devore
BookSprout: https://booksprout.co/book/69199/the-last-dragon
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/daryldevore2013/the-last-dragon/
Also, for this book, I had an audio version made to add to availability of it. More about this at the end of my interview.
6. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
Best place to learn about my books is either:
My blog: Romance–Sweet to Heat. All my books are on the sides. Sweet romances on left. Hot romances on right. https://daryldevore.blogspot.com/
Or:
My Newsletter. It comes out every other month. Email me at daryl.devore@yahoo.ca
To connect with me–and I love chatting with readers–either leave a comment on my blog or tweet me @daryldevore. I am on lots of different media, but I use Twitter the most.
Win a Free Daryl Devoré Audiobook!
Now, for more about the audio version of The Last Dragon. I have a promotional code for a free audio copy of The Last Dragon. A special commenter can win a promo code–or if they prefer an ebook–I can send that instead. I will let Marcia randomly choose the special commenter.
From Marcia: Thank you, Daryl, for your interview AND for your offer of an audiobook! I love discovering romances that feature animals–including dragons!–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!
Mona Karel
1. I hear you have animals in your novels. Tell us about the books.
I used an Irish Setter in Teach Me To Forget (odd, since I’ve never owned an Irish!) He just sort of showed up while I was describing the heroine’s motor home.
BLURB:
Her past was behind her…or so she’d thought.
Bethany Acton has come a long way from the day she was an abused child-bride of a dissolute jet setter. Now divorced and single, she writes for a lifestyles magazine, lives out of her motor home, and answers only to her boss—when he can find her. She has overcome her horrendous past and taken control of her own life. But when Jonathan Merritt, a rising star in wildlife photography, enters her world, she learns that control is a tenuous thing.
His past was despicable, but it hasn’t affected his future…until now.
Jonathan knows he has met the woman with whom he wants to spend his future, but first he must admit his role in her past. Afraid the truth will turn her against him, he tries to gain her trust and affection before confessing. But the longer he hesitates, the harder it becomes to tell her. Can Jonathan gain enough of her love and trust for her to forgive what he did—or will his past indiscretions destroy his only chance for happiness?
Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Teach-Me-Forget-Mona-Karel-ebook/dp/B00822G7Y6/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=mona+karel&qid=1627423505&s=books&sr=1-1
One of my favorite book “pets” is Mosby, the gray stallion in A Question of Honor, which starts the Stormhaven series, with horses in each book.
BLURB:
Sydney Castleton has worked hard to put her less than savory past behind her…until her sister asks for her help. Devin Starke has fought too many battles, seen too many deaths, to look forward to a peaceful future…until his best friend and partner asks him to help return the horse his wife, Sidney’s sister, took when she left.
Stormhaven, a ranch in northern New Mexico, has become a place for fighting men to readjust to the world, a sort of decompression chamber for those who have seen too much. Devin Starke is such a man. And Sydney isn’t far behind him.
When the sparks ignite between them, Devin and Sydney fight the attraction, as neither one is good at relationships. But when Sydney is attacked and fighting for her life, Devin realizes things aren’t quite what they seem. Can these two overcome the issues from their past, or are they doomed to lose any chance for love in the future?
Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Question-Honor-Stormhaven-Story-Stories-ebook/dp/B00WHHG8WS/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=mona+karel&qid=1627423430&s=books&sr=1-2
2. Why did you add animals to these books?
At one time I thought my life would be all horses all the time. Then reality set in (as in how expensive it is to keep horses), plus I met Salukis and I was a goner. I met my husband at a Saluki show, we were together for many Saluki filled years and I was able to offer him home hospice among our Salukis.
Writing about horses is a way for me to keep that first passion alive. The premise for A Question of Honor came from a divorce I heard about, where the wife kept the dogs since the husband wanted them. People can be so…interesting.
3. What other books have you written
In addition to the Stormhaven Romantic Suspense, I’ve written Paranormal Romance and Contemporary Romance.
4. How do you promote your books?
Interesting question since I’m becoming a live again author after a loooong dry spell with a difficult publisher. I’m just about to go indy on myself…YES. The question is do I stick with Mona Karel (which originally was going to be my author name for those racier books) or do I stand up proud and claim MY books in MY name. What do you think?
5. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
Come visit me at Mona’s Place: https://mona-karel.com/blog/ Her intermittent blog, some recipes, some sillies. Always sillies.
From Marcia: Thank you, Mona! 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!
Augustina Van Hoven
1. I hear you have a cat in your novel. Tell us about the book.
I actually have two books that have “pets”. The first book is The Scattering of Seeds. This is the first novel in the “New Frontier” series. It is a futuristic romance series about three ships that leave earth to colonize a new planet. The series follows the third ship, The Halcyon, which becomes the victim of conspiracy and sabotage. The colonists are allowed to bring pets with them since they will not be returning to earth. The colonial governor’s granddaughter, Sophie, is six and has brought her cat. Jimmy is a tuxedo cat. The governor is an Ian Fleming fan and said the cat reminded him of James Bond…all it needed was a bow tie. The name stuck. Jimmy is the reason the hero and heroine meet. He is an important character in the story.
The Scattering of Seeds blurb:
Two worlds, one other-worldly adventure…
The handsome Duncan McGregor believes the answers to the questions in his soul can be found by looking to those who have come before him. And just like his ancestors, he’s venturing into a new world to begin a life they could only have dreamed of—a life in outer space. And yet as he reaches this wild new frontier, he finds that his old-fashioned values are being tested by this hard-edged life.
And his first hurdle is no less than Ariel Lindstrom, the daughter of the governor, who may look like an aloof fairy princess but who acts with strength and courage. Thanks to her experiences inside the corrupt world of politics, she’s been forced to grow up fast and hard. She fears her life is about to grow more difficult if rumors of an alliance between the corporation she works for and an alien regime are true.
For them to survive, they must blend the lessons learned by experience with the freedom and bravery that lies in the hearts of an explorer. Can their two worlds come together, or will their adventures in outer space only end in disaster?
The Scattering of Seeds buy links:
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1366513065
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-scattering-of-seeds
My book, The Curse, is book two in my paranormal romance series. It has a cat in it, but cat isn’t really a cat at all. Laren Balantar is under a curse. During the day he is a man, but at night he turns into a long-haired black cat. He retains all his memories and intellect but he cannot speak.
The Curse blurb:
Prince Laren, a Tovenaar destined to be the ruler of his house, has only one goal. Break the spell that forces him to go catting around at night and unleash his wrath on the sorcerer responsible. Then he meets a woman with fiery hair, deep blue eyes, and the body of his dreams. She’s but a pawn in the looming conflict between members of the hidden community. And the prince is torn between his old and new desires.
Juliet Cooper’s plans were simple: sell her great uncle’s property, return home, find a job, and get on with life. But then she meets Laren—in both human and cat form. And her plans get complicated. Juliet finds she can’t leave until she knows the secrets that her great uncle’s property and the handsome, blue-eyed man are hiding, unaware of the price she might have to pay.
When Juliet is attacked by Laren’s opponents, he must decide whether to rescue her, risking not only the wrath of the community members who shelter him and his princely future, but also his life.
The Curse buy links:
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-curse-augustina-van-hoven/1137102966?ean=2940164304461
Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1516167548
KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-curse-68
Books2Read: https://books2read.com/u/4AK1wN
Have you ever wondered why all cultures on earth have the same myths and legends? Men who can turn into animals, men who drink the blood of others, elves, fairies, magic? It’s because these creatures are real. The “Tovenaar” series tells you who these people are, where they come from and why they are here. Laren is introduced in the first book of the series, The Hidden, but he is the main character in the second book, The Curse.
The Hidden blurb:
They’ll risk everything for each other…
Lily Montgomery is finding refuge from her vicious divorce and constant self-loathing by writing about the monsters who inhabit her dreams. But then, when she’s rescued by a vampire, she discovers that her monsters are real. Not only that, she’s being pursued by shapeshifters who fear she’ll reveal their secret to humans. Her rescuer is the only constant in her now chaotic world. And, to Lily’s surprise, she fears more for her heart than she does for her life when she’s around him.
Valerian DuCharme is an unusual vampire. Although he’s an enforcer for one of the houses of The Hidden, he’s welcomed by the principled everywhere for his charisma, his caring, and his powers. Valerian lost his true love when he was turned, and his heart has been encased in ice for hundreds of years. Until he meets Lily. And he warms to her charms. But his job is to keep Lily safe. Can he do that and love her, as well?
The Hidden buy links:
Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1500280915
KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-hidden-32
2. Why did you add a pet to The Scattering of Seeds and a paranormal cat in The Curse?
The character of Jimmy the cat was planned since I got the original idea for the book. I thought about the families who left the old world to immigrate to the new. In the future, the technology of colony ships would allow peoples to take a lot more of their personal possessions. Having families bring their pets would help with some of the stress of the voyage to a new world.
For the character of Laren, who is a powerful magic user, I needed a curse that would break his power and leave him helpless and dependent on others. In The Curse, Laren is befriended by Karl, the human assistant for the vampire Valerian DuCharme. There are some great scenes where Karl and Laren have to communicate while Laren is in cat form.
3. Do you have any pets?
I have two cats, Zayden and Tyrion. Both of them are rescue cats. Zayden is twelve and Tyrion is ten. Zayden is a long-haired black cat and was the inspiration for Laren’s curse. I watched her have to deal with seeds and twigs in her fur, and I thought that would be interesting for a powerful man to have to deal with. A good way to humiliate him which, of course, was the reason he was cursed.
Tyrion wandered into our back yard when he was six weeks old. Someone had dumped him into the forest around us. Our dogs were alive then, and they were barking at him and had him backed up to the sliding door. He was terrified. We brought him into the house, and he’s been with us ever since.
4. What other books have you written?
I have four series of books. I write paranormal romance, time travel romance, futuristic romance and ghost romance. The “Rose” series contains my ghost romance books. There are three books in the series.
The “Love through Time” series are my time travel books. There are three books and three novellas currently in the series with another book and novella coming out later this year.
The “New Frontier” series are my futuristic books. There are two novels and one novella in the series with a third book coming out next year.
The “Tovenaar” series is my paranormal series. There are two books currently with a novella coming out in August.
5. How do you promote your books?
I promote my books on my social media sites as well as my newsletter, book tours and ads on BookBub and Amazon.
6. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
Readers can find out more about my books on my website, social media sites, Amazon page and BookBub page. They can also sign up for my monthly newsletter.
Website: https://AugustinaVanHoven.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/augustinavhoven
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/Augustina-Van-Hoven/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/augustinavhoven/
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Augustina-Van-Hoven/e/B06Y3JKV7T%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share
BookBub page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/augustina-van-hoven
Newsletter sign up: https://augustinavanhoven.com/join-newsletter/
BIO: Augustina Van Hoven was born in The Netherlands and currently resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and pets. She is an avid reader of romance, science fiction and fantasy. When she’s not writing, she likes to work in her garden or, in the winter months, crochet and knit on her knitting machines.
FREE EBOOKS CONTEST! Augustina is giving away two of her Amazon Kindle ebooks: The Scattering of Seeds and The Hidden. Comment on her blog post below to be entered into the contest to win an ebook!
From Marcia: Thank you, Augustina! I love paranormal romances 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!
Alana Lorens
1. I hear you have pets in your novel, Tender Misdemeanors. Tell us about the book.
Tender Misdemeanors is a romantic suspense novel from The Wild Rose Press, which tells a story that could come from today’s headlines. Federal agents in the northwest U.S. often have clashes with ecotagers—those who commit acts of ecological sabotage—and white supremacist/government conspiracy theorist types as well. Here, we have one woman trying to stand against both.
Tender Misdemeanors blurb:Caryn Orlane has law enforcement in her blood; her father was a cop, and his father, too. She’s a federal agent in northwest Montana, protecting the old forests and keeping the peace.
Levi Bradshaw also believes in protecting the forests, but has a very different MO. He’s the leader of a group of eco-warriors, determined to save the trees of the Bitterroot by legal—and illegal—means.
When they meet in the woods at gunpoint, their encounter ignites a spark of interest, despite operating on opposite sides of the law. When their worlds turn on them, they only grow closer. If they don’t work together, can either survive?
2. Why did you add pets to Tender Misdemeanors?
You can tell a lot about people by how they treat animals, so it seems like a good window into the characters. Hero Levi Bradshaw has a pair of Rhodesian Ridgebacks, as well as a rescued pointer he saved from near-death. Heroine Caryn Orlane lives in a motor home, so her pet is a large green iguana named Niabi. All of these babies are part of the action in the story, too!
Personally, I’m a cat person. LOL. I have worked with a few different cat rescues here in the mountains, and have fostered everything from week-old, bottle-fed kittens to 17-year-old Bengals looking for their final home. At this present moment, we have one old-lady calico bobtail, a gray tabby, two tuxedo cats, two tortoise-shell cats, a cow (black and white Holstein looking) cat, and a little gray fluffball. Here’s a picture of them hanging out on our catio in the morning.
3. What other books have you written?
Although I write a bit more as alter ego Lyndi Alexander (sci-fi and fantasy), as Alana, I have one series, the Pittsburgh Lady Lawyers, which are standalone romantic suspense stories about women who practice law in Pittsburgh, my former stomping grounds. I also have several novella-length stories of various word counts, including Secrets in the Sand, a romantic suspense novel (approx. 35,000 words) about a bordello madam and a runaway doctor:
Secrets in the Sand blurb: After a run of bad relationships, Lily Pearl Evans has finally become an independent woman. In the New Mexico desert town of Chaparral, she works for herself, sets her own rules, and is determined no man will hold her back again.
Gene Nicholas worked for more than a decade to achieve his dream to be a doctor. Wanting to share his gifts with those less fortunate, he leaves south Florida to volunteer for Doctors Without Borders in Mexico.
When Gene provokes a showdown with the local Mexican drug cartel, he becomes a man with a price on his head. On the run, he ends up on Lily’s doorstep–a mystery man forced to conceal his past to protect them both. With the cartel’s dangerous web drawing tight around them, can Lily and Gene survive a drug lord’s revenge?
Secrets in the Sand Book Trailer here
Secrets in the Sand Buy Links on Amazon Barnes and Noble
4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.
From reviews for Tender Misdemeanors:
“The premise is a fresh twist on the outlaw and lawman trope, which has always been a favorite of mine. The story is set in Montana, but there’s not a rancher or cowboy in sight. Instead this fast-paced story has eco-terrorists and murder.” — Kathy Otten
“If you are looking for an engaging, entertaining read, Tender Misdemeanors, by Alana Lorens, will not disappoint. The characters are likable and relatable without becoming a trope. They feel human with human problems, and they cross traditional gender lines in refreshing ways.” — Maggie Fry
“Could not put this book down, read it in one sitting. Author Lorens did her research and it shows loud and clear with from the breath-taking setting to the unforgettable characters, both human and animal.” — Kat Henry
“From the moment Levi crosses Caryn’s path, the spark between them is undeniable!
Read full review in the 2020 Summer issue of InD’tale Magazine.”
“I found her characters, both flawed and strong, alternately, captivating. It had everything a romance should have.” — Amy Bovaird
5. What made you set Tender Misdemeanors in Montana?
I had the good fortune to live in Missoula, in western Montana, for awhile back in the 1970s. The Bitterroot Mountains are beautiful, and their solid granite feels so old and perfect. The forests are essential to the place—those who protect the old trees from indiscriminate harvesting are heroes in my eyes, though there are those who would disagree with me. I’ve set a separate fantasy series there as well as this book. I’d live there—if it didn’t snow from approximately Labor Day through Memorial Day!!
6. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
BIO: Alana Lorens has been a published writer for more than forty years, after working as a pizza maker, a floral designer, a journalist and a family law attorney. Currently a resident of Asheville, North Carolina, the aging hippie loves her time in the smoky blue mountains. She writes romance and suspense as Alana Lorens, and sci-fi, fantasy and paranormal mystery as Lyndi Alexander. One of her novellas, That Girl’s The One I Love, is set in the city of Asheville during the old Bele Chere festival. She lives with her daughter on the autism spectrum, who is the youngest of her seven children, and she is ruled by two crotchety old cats, and six kittens of various ages.
Website: http://Alana-lorens.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlanaLorens/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4829967.Alana_Lorens
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Alana-Lorens/e/B005GE0WBC/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
Book trailer for Conviction of the Heart: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a84IZoH-JKw
Book trailer for Second Chances: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEMtSxd6FQQ
Book trailer for Voodoo Dreams: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D1aJmCwdYk
Marcia James: Thank you, Alana, for stopping by my Go Pets blog! I look forward to reading your novels!
READER INVITATION: 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!
Jana Richards
1. I hear you have pets in your Masonville Small-Town Romance series. Tell us about the series.
I do have pets in my Masonville Small-Town Romance series. And honestly, it’s gotten a bit out of control…
I started the series with Child Of Mine. I wanted to tell stories set in a small town about people who overcome hardships, disappointments and even trauma to find their happily ever after. Child Of Mine is Lauren and Cole’s story. They’ve been friends since they were kids, but Lauren marries Cole’s brother Billy. What Lauren doesn’t know is that Cole has always been in love with her, even after she married his brother.
After Billy dies in a car crash, comfort turns to passion on the day of the funeral and results in a surprise pregnancy. When news of Lauren’s pregnancy gets out, everyone assumes Billy is the father, and Lauren is too afraid of scandal to set them straight. Cole insists on marriage. He wants nothing more than to claim Lauren and the baby as his. Though Lauren marries him, he’s not sure if he’ll ever have her heart. Read more about Child Of Mine on my website.
Cole is a veterinarian and loves animals. When Lauren and Cole marry, she moves into his house with him and his dog Brady, who adores Lauren.
Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Child-Mine-Masonville-Book-1-ebook/dp/B07MBVK9LY
So, the series starts with just one pet. But then in book two, To Heal A Heart, Blair Greyson, a veterinary technician, moves to Masonville to work at the veterinary clinic with Cole. Blair comes to live with her grandfather on his farm just outside of town, and she brings her two rescue horses, Stormy and Rainbow, with her. Her grandfather has an elderly golden retriever named Jake who’s his constant companion. Blair meets Garrett Saunders, who is Lauren’s brother, when she finds his rescue horse Harry on the road to Masonville. They make a deal for Blair to board Harry at the farm in exchange for Garrett helping with some repairs on the barn.
During the course of the book, Garrett’s other sister Charlotte convinces Blair to adopt Frisco, a three-legged cross breed dog who’s never going to win any prizes for beauty. So that’s five more pets added to the list. If you’d like to read more about To Heal A Heart, check it out on my website.
Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Heal-Heart-Masonville-Book-ebook/dp/B0875SLGK6
Then in Unexpected, the pet count expands even more. Jamie Garven is a veterinarian who works at the Masonville Veterinary Clinic with Cole and Blair. After a painful divorce, Jamie fills her house with pets. She has an aquarium full of angel fish, two rescue dogs named Sammy and Rex, and an African Gray parrot named Hector that she adopted after his owner died. Jamie doesn’t believe she’ll ever have children, so her pets fill a void in her life. But all that changes when Ben Greyson and his two stepdaughters move in next door. Unexpected is currently with my editor and will be published later this year.
I’m currently working on Strong Enough, the fourth book in the series. This is where the animal count gets totally out of hand. Charlotte Saunders is a nurse who volunteers with Best Friends Haven for Dogs in nearby Bismarck. She takes her work at the shelter very seriously. She’s adopted two dogs herself, a Beagle named Daisy, and River, a German Shepherd/lab cross. When animal protection officers remove over thirty dogs from an animal hoarding situation and bring them to the shelter, Best Friends Haven becomes unmanageably overcrowded and is on the brink of collapse. They may have to euthanize most of the hoarder dogs, starting with the four pregnant dogs. Charlotte is heart-broken.
But then her brother Garrett and sister-in-law Blair step in to house the hoarder dogs in their barn. And Blair’s brother Damon, who is establishing a retreat for military veterans on the farm, offers help in looking after all the dogs. He’ll do just about anything to make Charlotte happy. I’m hoping to finish Strong Enough soon and send it out into the world!
2. Why did you add pets to this series?
Honestly, I didn’t set out initially to include so many animals. I gave Cole a dog in the first book because many of the vets I know have pets/animals of their own, sometimes several. Then, as I got to know my characters, it made perfect sense that they would be dedicated to animal welfare. By the fourth book, rescuing both animals and people is a strong theme.
Aside from that, I love animals. We had our dog Lou for fifteen years. We lost her almost a year and a half ago and I miss her every day. Fortunately, my daughter has a cat named Gibson that we get to babysit every once in a while, so that takes some of the sting away. We had cats for years before we had Lou, so I guess I’m a hybrid dog/cat lover!
3. What other books have you written?
A couple of my other books also prominently feature pets. In my paranormal comedy Burning Love, Iris gets evicted from her apartment after her careless cooking causes a kitchen fire. She has a hard time finding another place for her and her cat Whiskers to call home. Finally, she rents a room in the house that Riley is fixing up. Whiskers and his black lab Buddy get along great, eventually. But a few curtains get shredded first!
Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Burning-Love-ebook/dp/B003552TVU
In One More Second Chance, Julia’s six-year-old daughter Ava gets a white kitten she calls Snowball. That name pays homage to my white cat Snowball. She was my pet when I wasn’t much older than Ava.
Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/More-Second-Chance-Lobster-Cove-ebook/dp/B00S46KSX6/
I write mostly contemporary romance, including contemporary small-town romance, but I’ve dabbled in romantic suspense and paranormal romance as well. I’ve also written romantic comedy and stories set during World War Two. One of my next projects is going to be a time travel romance. I can’t wait to get to work on it!
4. Tell us about your reviews.
I got some really nice reviews for my last release, To Heal A Heart:
“This book wrecked me! I read it all in one sitting. I just couldn’t put it down. It was such an emotional roller coaster.”
“With her latest novel, author Jana Richards shows, once again, her gift for snappy dialogue, multi-layered characters and gut-wrenching emotion. This is not a book to pick up, thinking you’ll read for a few minutes before turning in. No no no. To Heal A Heart is one of those page turners you will not forget soon…On a scale of 1-5, To Heal A Heart deserves a 7.”
“OMG I love this book but make sure you have tissue handy. You will definitely need them.”
5. How do you promote your books?
I do a variety of things. I blog, I use social media and I guest at lovely blogs like Marcia’s. I’ve begun experimenting with Amazon and Facebook ads. I also have a newsletter and I love connecting with readers there. I always love new readers to sign up and you’ll receive a copy of my full-length book Take A Chance On Me when you do! Sign up at https://www.janarichards.com/contact.html#newsletter
6. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
Glad you asked!
Website: http://www.janarichards.com
Blog: http://janarichards.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JanaRichardsAuthor
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JanaRichards_
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/janarichards
Amazon UK Author Page: http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B002DEVWWG
Newsletter Signup: http://janarichards.com/contact.html#newsletter
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2892274Jana_Richards
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jana-richards
Marcia James: Thank you, Jana, for stopping by my Go Pets blog! I look forward to reading your novels!
READER INVITATION: 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!
Beverley Bateman
1. I hear you have a paranormal dog in your novel, Death Southern Style. Tell us about the book.
Death Southern Style is set in New Orleans among the ghosts and voodoo. A woman is murdered. Julie Ann, her daughter, arrives right after her mother’s death. She begins a search for the killer and the reason for the murder. She stays in her home, hoping for a connection with her mother who had psychic abilities. A small dog appears out of nowhere in the house. She protects Julie Ann from attacks as Julie Ann searches for the killer and a family secret.
Death Southern Style blurb: When Perrine Dupré dies under suspicious circumstances, her daughter, Julie Ann Dupré, returns to New Orleans to find the truth about her mother’s death. She uncovers a family secret, hidden for years. Now someone is trying to kill her. Will the little dog who appears after her mother’s death help her? Is the sexy detective out to help her, or is he part of police corruption?
Detective Connor O’Reilly, a native of New Orleans, comes from a family of police. He’s an honest cop but realizes there is corruption in the division. His father may have died as part of that corruption. He meets Julie Ann, checks out her mother’s death and finds it was badly handled. Julie Ann deserves the truth, and he wants to find it for her.
Julie Ann and Connor work together to unravel the real reason behind Perrine Dupré’s murder, Julie Ann’s mysterious past, and why people want her dead, while developing their challenging relationship. Can they both survive? And can their relationship survive?
2. Why do you add animals to your books?
I’ve always loved animals, dogs, cats, hamsters and even rabbits. I’ve had cats, but I’m mostly a dog person and have had several dogs, all sizes. They become part of the family. My last two were Shiba Inus. They lived until they were sixteen. Losing them was like losing a family member. A short time later we adopted a ten-year-old rescue dog named Benji. He was found abandoned on the street.
Animals become part of my family. So, when I write I feel pets, usually dogs, should be included as part of the family and part of the story. Sometimes they’re there as family members, and other times, like in Death Southern Style, they are a secondary character, important to the heroine and the story.
3. What other books have you written?
I mostly write romantic suspense with strong heroines. Sometimes western romantic suspense. It has to be a romance with a HEA [Happily Ever After], and I love to have a mystery or a murder. A couple of the books I’ve written are below.
The Foundation Series – The Fourth Victim: Sara’s Story
Blurb: Sara’s emotionally abusive husband dies unexpectedly. She’s struggling to reclaim the intelligent, independent person she was before she married. She vows never to let a man take over her life again. Now she’s part of a special team, training to help other women and on the track of a serial killer.
Mac is responsible for training women in special ops techniques, so they are prepared when they are challenged to save other women. When he meets Sara, sparks fly between them. He wants her to quit the training and let him take care of her.
Can Mac step back and trust her in a dangerous situation? Can Sara and Mac resolve their issues, or will they go in opposite directions?
And of course, we have a dog, a golden lab named Gloria.
Buy Links for The Fourth Victim:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JQ97L8M?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/the-fourth-victim-9
iTunes: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-fourth-victim/id1440048796?ls=1&mt=11
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Beverley_Bateman_The_Fourth_Victim?id=_Od3DwAAQBAJ
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-fourth-victim-saras-story-beverley-bateman/1129787236;jsessionid=DCE3DC6D307F1874CC82403A3F744C44.prodny_store01-atgap02?ean=2940155751731
Targeted – The Hawkins’ Family Series: Kye’s story
Blurb: After an eleven-year absence, Janna Kincaid inherits a ranch and is forced to return to a town she only remembers with unhappiness, a man to whom she was briefly married and never wants to see again, and someone is trying to kill her.
Kye Hawkins has loved Janna since he first met her. They were married, but a few weeks later she ran away without an explanation. He still hasn’t figured out why. Now she’s coming back. Does she still love him? Can he rekindle the romance and also prevent her from being killed?
Janna doesn’t want Kye’s help in anyway, yet he always seems to be there when she’s in trouble. Can they work together to find a killer, save the Native burial ground and home of the spirits, and find romance again?
And yes, there’s a scruffy rescue dog named Lucky.
Buy Links for Targeted:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Targeted-Hawkins-Ranch-Kyes-Story-ebook/dp/B016E1RAP6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446771859&sr=8-1&keywords=beverley+bateman
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/targeted/id1054711828?ls=1&mt=11
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Beverley_Bateman_Targeted?id=pnfgCgAAQBAJ&hl=en
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/targeted-14
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/targeted-beverley-bateman/1123164617?ean=2940152823387
4. How do you promote your books?
I’m not a marketer or promoter. I’d rather write. I’m on Triberr and Twitter, and I do promote there. I promote with Amazon Ads, NN Light’s promos, author spots on guest blogs, my twice weekly blogs on my blog site, my website, some contests. and posts on multiple Group loops. I should do more, but then I’d give up more writing time.
5. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
Website: www.beverleybateman.com
BLOG: http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Beverley-Bateman/e/B008M01F5E
author@beverleybateman.com https://outlook.live.com/mail
Facebook Author page: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorBeverleyBateman?ref=hl
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beverley.bateman.18
Twitter: @kelownawriter
Pinterest http://pinterest.com/okwriter
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/okwriter/interest
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7052567.Beverley_Bateman
LinkedIn: babateman@shaw.ca https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverleybateman/
Instagram: Beverley.Bateman
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/beverley-bateman
Marcia James: Thank you, Beverley, for stopping by my Go Pets blog! I look forward to reading your novels!
READER INVITATION: 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!