Sadira Stone
1. I hear you have a cat in your Book Nirvana series. Tell us about the series.
As a lifelong bookworm, how could I not want to write a romance series set in a quirky bookshop? Of course, the fascinating women who work there provide a cast of heroines for the series. And as a lover of erotic literature and art, I had so much fun researching the books Clara Martelli, widowed owner of Eugene, Oregon’s Book Nirvana, keeps in a luxurious little room behind a red door. I didn’t invent any artists or writers—every name mentioned in the book is worth Googling if you’d like to see the racy pictures for yourself!
Blurb for Book Nirvana 1: Through the Red Door:
Letting him inside could be her salvation…or her undoing.
Clara Martelli clings to Book Nirvana, the Oregon bookshop she and her late husband Jared built together. When rising rents and corporate competition threaten its survival, her best hope is their extensive erotica collection, locked behind a red door. In dreams and signs, her dead husband tells her it’s time to open that door and move on. When a dark and handsome stranger’s powerful magnetism jolts her back to life and he wants a look at the treasures of that secret room, she can’t help but want to show him more.
Professor Nick Papadopoulos is looking for historical erotica. Book Nirvana’s collection surpasses his wildest dreams, and so does its lovely owner. A widower, he understands Clara’s battle with guilt, but their searing chemistry is too strong to resist. Besides, he will only be in town for two weeks, not long enough for her to see beyond the scandal that haunts his past.
Buy Links: https://books2read.com/u/bxnz0P
Blurb for Book Nirvana 2: Runaway Love Story:
Fierce passion or long-cherished dreams…she can’t hang onto both.
High school history teacher Doug Garvey is trying to enjoy his last few weeks of summer vacation, but receiving his final divorce decree hits him harder than expected. After a brief fling fizzles, he fears love just isn’t in the cards for him. If only he could find someone who’s real, someone interested in something beyond herself…maybe a new running partner who can keep up with his more carnal appetite. When sexy, straight-talking Laurel runs across his path, he dares to hope again.
Fired from an art gallery, Laurel Jepsen shelves her pursuit of an art career in San Francisco to help her beloved great aunt Maxie move into assisted living. While out on a morning run, she’s harassed by a group of teens until a tall, broad-shouldered hottie steps in, pretending to be her boyfriend with a kiss that makes her wish it were true. But she’s only passing through, not looking for a relationship.
Their fierce chemistry burns up the sheets—and the couch, the shower, the forest—but falling in love would ruin everything. Laurel can’t stay in Eugene, and he can’t leave. Doug’s only hope is to convince her the glittery life she’s after could blind her to the opportunities already in her path.
Buy Links: https://books2read.com/u/mqrGQe
Blurb for Book Nirvana 3: Love, Art, and Other Obstacles:
She’s a free spirit. He’s a one-woman man.
Rejected by her family for her bisexuality, graphic artist Margot DuPont yearns for a life with no fences, no limits, and no family ties. Between college, work at Book Nirvana, and an art competition, she barely has time for her part-time girlfriend, much less a flirtation with her competitor.
Dumped into the foster system at a young age, ceramics artist Elmer Byrne craves a big, loving family of the heart. His artist family almost fills that need, but something is missing…until Margot. But when he offers his heart, her thorny defenses shatter him.
Thrown together in an art competition that could jump-start one artist’s career, but not both, their irresistible attraction forces them to reconsider the meaning of success.
Buy Links: https://books2read.com/u/bar2RP
2. Why did you add a cat to these books?
King’s Books’ Herbert
Alas, I have no pets at the moment, though I do spend lots of time with my granddogs, a pair of long-haired miniature dachshunds named Elle and Mila. I love both dogs and cats, along with fish and birds. I’ve had Westies, a shepherd mix, a bitey cat, a ginormous pair of mated Oscar fish, a pair of zebra finches named Fred and Wilma, and a lovely Mexican red knee tarantula named Lucretia—because, you know, poisonous lady.
I’ve met quite a few bookshop cats over the years, and my favorite is Herbert, a huge, friendly floof who greets customers at Tacoma, Washington’s King’s Books—when he’s not snoozing on the book displays.
3. What other books have you written?
All my books so far are steamy contemporary romance set in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. If you like your romance on the spicy side with lots of humor and a bit of family drama, check out my Bangers Tavern Romance series, set in a neighborhood bar in my former hometown of Tacoma. I’m writing book four now.
4. Tell us about your kudos.
I’ve won a few awards, including the 2020 IDA award for Best Erotic Romance Novel for Love, Art, and Other Obstacles and Best Erotic Short for Gelato Surprise, a standalone older woman/younger man beach romance novella. Runaway Love Story was a finalist for the Stiletto Award for Contemporary Romance, and Christmas Rekindled was a Rone Award finalist.
5. How do you promote your books?
I spend far too much time on social media, so you’ll find me pushing my books on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
6. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
I’d love to hear from you! Please visit me on all the socials:
Author website: https://sadirastone.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sadirastone/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SadiraStone
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18568049.Sadira_Stone
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/sadira-stone
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Sadira-Stone/e/B07KWK5FBX
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sadira0641/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sadirastone/
Author newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/q7x4c6
Sign up for Sadira’s newsletter and get a FREE steamy seasoned romance novella: Cupid’s Silver Spark: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/43zaw5wntq
Thanks so much for letting me visit today!
From Marcia: Thank you, Sadira, for being my May interviewee! I love discovering romances that feature 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!
Ilona Fridl
1. I hear you have a pet in your novel. Tell us about the book.
Golden North is the second book in my Dangerous Times series. There are three altogether, but I wrote them so they could stand alone. The story is about the two Shafer brothers, Josh and Zeke, who move to Juneau, Alaska in the early 1920s. Josh had purchased the old gold rush era opera house to fix up. Where the pet comes in: Zeke’s wife Addy decides they have to do something about the mice in the building, so she gets a calico cat named Chloe from a restaurant owner who has cats to keep mice out of the food storage. Chloe later plays into a murder mystery.
Golden North blurb:
Josh Shafer has purchased an old run-down theater and bar in Juneau, Alaska Territory, to get away from his abusive father. He invites his brother Zeke and Zeke’s new wife Addy, who are on the run from a crime family, to come and help him.
Muriel Giovanni, Addy’s cousin, was married into the crime family until her husband was killed in a shootout with the police. Then she learns the Giovannis want her new daughter. With the help of her parents, the young widow takes her baby and follows her cousin to Alaska, where hopefully the crime family won’t find her. Or will they?
2. Why did you add a pet to Golden North?
Animals can add so much to a story. They are their own characters, and you can use them as such. I love cats and dogs equally, but for this story, I thought a cat would work well. Our last pet was a dog. I don’t have a picture in my files, but Kayto was a mix. She looked like a Border Collie with black, white and tan markings. She lived to be almost eighteen years old. We didn’t get another pet after she passed for various reasons.
3. What other books have you written?
I have published eight books. Golden North is second in the Dangerous Times series along with Silver Screen Heroes, and Bronze Skies. Most of my books are historical, but I do have a woman’s fiction set from the 1960s to the 1990s.
Silver Screen Heroes blurb:
What happens when a motion picture studio in 1920 is taken over by a crime family? Addy and Zeke, a stunt double and a director’s assistant, work with the police to bring the gangsters to justice. But Addy’s cousin has married into the crime family. When Addy is given a key to bring down the family and the studio, will she use it?
Bronze Skies blurb:
When her plane-crazy high school sweetheart goes off to join the Army Air Corps, Pam Wright writes him often but is disappointed that he doesn’t reply to every letter. She’s lonely, hurting from his seeming lack of interest, and dances with someone else one Saturday night. By the time Pearl Harbor is attacked, Lieutenant Tom Shafer has been home on leave, explained how busy he’s been with officer training, and made sure Pam will be waiting for him after the war. He’s also had a fight with the guy who won’t leave her alone after that one dance. But is it safe to leave her in the same town with this obsessed bully? How can Tom fulfill his promises to protect both his country and the love of his life?
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Bronze-Skies-Ilona-Fridl/dp/1601549318/ref=sr_1_2
4. Tell us about your reviews.
“SILVER SCREEN HEROES has it all. Suspense, romance, mystery, history.…I found myself drawn into the story on several levels.” ~Night Owl Romance Reviews Top Pick (4.75 Stars)
“Ilona Fridl’s GOLDEN NORTH is truly an adventure worth joining. Take an armchair travel opportunity to go to Alaska. This wild state is a wonderful backdrop for such a great novel.” ~Night Owl Reviews Top Pick (4.75 Stars)
“[BRONZE SKIES is] a quick and enjoyable read that drew me in from the first page to the last even without reading the first two books…There was romance, some laughter, lots of angst, and a few tears. There was family, friends, history, battles, casualties, injuries, a stalker, mystery, and suspense.” ~Romancing the Book (4 Roses)
5. How do you promote your books?
Because I am in a wheelchair and housebound, it’s almost impossible for me to get out to signings and conferences. I have to rely on the internet to get the word out on my books.
6. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
Website: http://www.IlonaFridl.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/IFridl
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100062913266892
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3416410.Ilona_Fridl
From Marcia: Thank you, Ilona, for being my April 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!
Gayle M. Irwin
1. I hear you have a Pet Rescue romance series. Tell us about it.
Yes, I do! This is a sweet series weaving pet rescue and adoption into the love story. Rescue Road is the first novel, about a woman (Rhiann) who moves to Montana from Washington state to set up an animal rescue sanctuary. She meets EMS captain Levi Butler, who claims the land Rhiann purchased belongs to him. Enter another person who desires the property, and you have a bit of drama mixed into the story. The book is available in both paperback and e-book formats on Amazon and other platforms:
Buy Links for Rescue Road:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2W7fpBe
Draft2Digital Universal Link for Barnes & Noble, Kobo, etc.: https://books2read.com/u/4DE9Oe
Rescue Road Blurb: Freelance writer Rhiann Kelly shelved romance for years. Her dream of starting an animal sanctuary takes deep roots after finding the perfect location in southwestern Montana and purchasing the property for back taxes. Emergency medical technician Levi Butler knows his elderly friend left the ranch to him in his will. Levi anxiously awaits the probate to be complete so he can plan his retirement and begin his dream of raising and selling horses. When Rhiann and Levi find each other at the ranch simultaneously, sparks fly–and not the romantic kind. Yet their mutual attraction deepens, especially after Levi finds Rhiann injured in an accident.
Meantime, land developer Dallas Patterson sets his sights on charming Rhiann to obtain the land. Can Rhiann and Levi work together to detour Patterson and find a solution in which neither needs to give up their dream, or will the fence line of their hearts–and the property–separate them forever? Can their broken paths weave their hearts together as they travel the rescue road?
Other books follow Rhiann and Levi, including a Christmas novella published last year. Paws-ing for Love also brings in some drama as Rhiann experiences a significant health issue and the community of Colter, Montana, where Rhiann and Levi live, experiences the loss of a special community member. Rescue dogs and cats are part of the story as well. Readers can find Paws-ing for Love on Amazon and other platforms, again either in paperback or e-book format.
Buy Link for Paws-ing for Love: https://books2read.com/u/3RJdPj {this includes Amazon}
Paws-ing for Love Blurb: Christmas Hope or Heartbreak? Colter, Montana waltzes in brilliance during winter, with glistening snow on mountain peaks and diamond-like frost on trees and rivers. Romance and dreams flourish in this Christmas card setting. However, news of friends missing after a raging blizzard and a later accident and subsequent illness disrupt the lives of Rhiann and Levi Butler, who operate a horse ranch and pet rescue sanctuary. Will the joy of Christmas be silenced or strengthened after a pair of stray animals take refuge at the Butlers’ property? Can a cat named Mina and a Corgi christened Maverick deliver hope, or will they add more heartache for a couple and community struggling with fear and sorrow?
2. Why did you add rescue pets to this series?
Jeremiah
I have a heart for rescue animals. My husband and I adopt our pets, dogs and cats, from various groups. We currently have an English Springer Spaniel named Sadie, whom we adopted in 2019 from English Springer Spaniel Rescue, and a puppy mill survivor, a Shih Tzu named Jeremiah.
In fact, Jeremiah is the model for a dog in both Rescue Road and Paws-ing for Love (in the stories the dog’s name is ‘Jax.’). Our two 17-year-old cats are sisters whose pregnant mom was rescued, and we adopted two kittens from the litter. Our pets delight our hearts!
I volunteer for various rescue organizations, helping transport dogs and cats either into rescue from animal shelters or transport to their adoptive families. I once helped transport a Great Pyrenes mix going from Colorado to Canada! (A short story about her appears in an edition of Chicken Soup for the Soul.) I also donate a percentage of book sale proceeds to rescue organizations and animal shelters.
3. What other books have you written?
I began my author career as a children’s book writer. I wanted to inspire children to face difficulties in life with courage and perseverance. At the time, I had a blind English Springer Spaniel named Sage; she became blind over time due to Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). I knew she could be an inspiration to kids, and so I wrote Sage’s Big Adventure: Living with Blindness; the book published in 2007. The next year, we began school and library visits. Sage was amazing! Kids loved her and enjoyed her story.
I wrote several more children’s books about the next springer my husband and I adopted after Sage’s passing. Her name was Mary. I wrote three books about her, teaching kids about kindness and about nature. Now that we have Sadie, adopted six months after Mary’s passing, I envision a children’s book titled Sadie, the Smiling Spaniel, a book joy and gratitude in little–and big–things, like watching butterflies, listening to birds sing, finding friends, and having a loving home. Sadie is a joy-filled dog, and her big spaniel smile delights my husband and me! Readers interested in my children’s books can find them all on Amazon. Here’s a link to my Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/37WMk0V
4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.
I’ve won several awards from Wyoming Writers, Inc., the state-wide writers’ group in Wyoming, where I live. One of the awards was for the education my children’s books provide, for I often put activities in the back of the books, especially the three ‘Mary’ books. My romance series is well-liked also, with people leaving reviews that include “should be a Hallmark movie!”, “What a delightful book!”, “If you love dogs, you will love this book!” and “What a clever idea for a sweet, clean romance.”
5. How do you promote your books?
I’m on social media promoting my books and the works of other authors I enjoy, and I use Book Funnel group promotions. Joining Book Funnel group promotions has helped bring greater awareness to my romance novels (I haven’t yet tried with the children’s books), and I love being part of such a community of similar authors. The most recent one I joined was called “Animal Sidekicks,” in which several romance authors and mystery book writers joined.
Speaking of Book Funnel, anyone interested in reading the prequel to the series, titled Rhiann’s Rescue, can do so for free by going to Book Funnel and downloading the book. The story is about Rhiann and her grandmother and what set Rhiann on the path to establishing an animal sanctuary in Montana.
Here’s the link to the FREE story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/g828yqfh5h
I also do speaking engagements for various groups, and I guest on other author blogs, like this one. I am grateful to authors like you hosting authors like me!
6. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
There are several ways people can follow me online and learn more about me and my writing:
My author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GayleMIrwin
I’m also on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wyoauthor1
I joined Pinterest and hope to become more active on it this year: www.pinterest.com/gaylemirwin
I have a new website, as I’m garnering freelance writing jobs with magazines and newspapers, and I’m promoting that part of myself as a writer through this new website: https://gaylemirwin.com/. I blog on my website twice a month, and people can sign up for a twice-monthly newsletter on my website as well.
Here again is my Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/37WMk0V
Thank you for hosting me on your blog! I appreciate the opportunity!
From Marcia: Thank you, Gayle, for being my March interviewee and for offering a FREE story! 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!
Alice Renaud
1. I hear you have a pet water monster in your novel. Tell us about the book.
Blurb for Mermaids Marry in Green:
Caltha Dooran is the toughest, fiercest shape-shifting mermaid in the western seas. She has three Clans to rule, and no time for romance. But when a warlock, Jonty, turns up and asks her to come with him to London to capture an afanc, a water monster, she can’t say no. In London, away from her duties, her attraction for Jonty grows…and they soon fall under each other’s spell. But will his past and her responsibilities pull them apart, or can they find the only true magic, the one that binds two souls together?
Drawing by Grant Herbert
The afanc is a mythical Welsh water monster, which has the head of a crocodile, and the body and paws of a beaver. He is rescued by the heroine, Caltha, and becomes her devoted companion. He helps to bring the hero and heroine together so plays an important part in the story.
Buy Links for Mermaids Marry in Green:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FCQQ75P
Books2Read: https://books2read.com/u/3LglAN
2. Why did you add this unusual pet to this book?
Tabitha
I love animals, and I also love Welsh myths and legends. (My mother is Welsh, and I spent all my childhood holidays in Wales.) Welsh legends are full of weird and wonderful creatures. As well as the afanc, there is the Ceffyl Dwr, the Water Horse, and the Giant Cat of Anglesey. Now that’s a feline I’d like to meet!
My favourite pet is indeed the cat, or The Cat as I’m always tempted to write, because The Cat is an animal that would definitely write its name in capitals if it could write (and maybe they can but are hiding it from us). We don’t have a Cat at the moment, since our last pet went to the great basket in the sky, so I content myself with the neighbours’ and family’s Cats, like Tabitha, my aunt’s tabby, shown here staring at the neighbour’s feline:
3. What other books have you written?
Mermaids Marry in Green is the third book in the paranormal romance “Sea of Love” series, which follows the lives and loves of three young shifter merfolk. Each book is a standalone story featuring a different couple.
Blurb for A Merman’s Choice, book 1 in the “Sea of Love” series:
For centuries the shape-shifting mermen of the Morvann Islands have lived incognito among humans. But one of them, Yann, has developed some bad habits. Like rescuing humans, even when doing so risks revealing his true nature. When he fishes Alex out of the sea, he doesn’t expect her to reappear eight months later, and turn his life upside down by asking him to be her guide. Over the course of a few days, Yann and Alex grow close. But some mermen hate humans. Their hostility, and Yann’s secret, threaten to tear the couple apart just as they are discovering that they are soul mates. Can Yann overcome the obstacles in his path and make the right choice?
Buy Links for A Merman’s Choice:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2QglyeI
Books2Read: https://books2read.com/u/31xw7a
Blurb for Music for a Merman, book 2 in the “Sea of Love” series:
Rob Regor knew that humans were trouble. All the shape-shifting mermen of the Morvann Islands knew it. And human women were double trouble…especially when they were lying on the road in front of a digger.
Rob has a mission. Go to the mainland. Work as a policeman. Spy on humans. Report back to his father, the head of the Regor Merman Clan. It should be easy. Until he has to arrest Charlie. Rob can’t fight his attraction to the sexy eco-warrior, and it puts him on one hell of a collision course with his family and his Clan. Will he break the rules–or break her heart, and his?
Buy Links for Music for a Merman:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ZkU5wR
Books2Read: https://books2read.com/u/mdG7Bw
4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.
Both Mermaids Marry in Green and the “Sea of Love” series won their categories in the Paranormal Romance Guild Reviewer’s Choice Award 2020. All the books have garnered lots of 5-star reviews, which can all be found on Amazon, Goodreads and Bookbub.
5. How do you promote your books?
I promote my books mainly on social media, in blogs, and on Bookfunnel. I have also recorded podcasts and published videos of me reading excerpts of my stories. My publisher, Black Velvet Seductions, has a newsletter which you are very welcome to sign up to, to get the latest news, deals, and freebies!
6. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AliceRenaudAuthorRomance/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/alicerauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18670218.Alice_Renaud
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/alice-renaud
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Alice-Renaud/e/B07L52P17B
Website: https://nomadauthors.com/alicerenaud/alicebooks.html
Newsletter: @BVSBooks
First to get freebies! Deals! And latest news! Hot and steamy! Soft and tender! Romance you will love! Become an Insider, sign up to our newsletter. https://blackvelvetseductions.com/?page_id=2472
COMMENT & WIN! I am offering a free ebook of Mermaids Marry in Green to one lucky person who comments on this blog interview! So don’t be shy! Tell me about your pets, and post pictures if you like.
From Marcia: Thank you, Alice, for being my February interviewee! I love discovering stories that feature unusual pets—especially paranormal ones!—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!
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!