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Madison Michael

Marcia James' Website Posted on December 1, 2022 by MarciaNovember 28, 2022 14


1. I hear you have
a cat rescuer in your novel. Tell us about the book.

I have not actually released my cat rescuer book yet. The novel, Way Past Crazy, is part of a new romance series I will be publishing in 2023. The prequel, Crazy to Wed, is available now on Amazon. The series is about eight girlfriends who form a pact in third grade to be friends forever.

The first novel, Crazy to Wed, takes place twenty-years later. The remainder of the novels kick off with the twentieth high school reunion of these women. At the reunion, one of the women dares the others to marry in twelve months or pay an embarrassing forfeit. The dare is accepted, and almost immediately, love is in the air! In each novel we get to know all of the “Crazy Eights” a bit better, but only focus on one love story per book.

My cat rescue story centers around Avery, the shyest of the Crazy Eights. Avery prefers the company of cats to people and works for a feral cat rescue group. She also feeds a feral cat every night outside the Village Hall. She gets a not-unwelcome surprise when a fellow cat lover steps out of the dark one night. Turns out these two have more to share than their love of animals  🙂


2. Why did you add a
cat rescuer to Way Past Crazy?

Gracie “snooping” on my desk

I love cats. To be honest I love dogs too, but I especially love cats, kittens and all things feline. I have two rescued cats that hover over my desk, or on the keyboard, whenever I am writing. Gracie and Annabelle are destined to make an appearance in future novels, but they are not the reason I wrote about cat rescue and Avery.

Annabelle sleeping on my desk

In truth, each the eight books in the All’s Crazy in Love Series pays homage to a friend that lives far away from me. I miss my friends, terribly. It is the price one pays for moving around the country as I have. Avery is based loosely on one of those friends, a lovely, shy woman who does indeed feed a feral cat every morning and night, who volunteers for a rescue organization and who fosters cats. I believe in her efforts on behalf of helpless animals, and while the plot of my story is fictional, as are many of Avery’s character traits, there is a kernel of my friend there.


3. What other books have you written?

Before the Crazy’s, my primary books were about four successful, if spoiled, rich boys from the suburbs of Chicago. I like writing about powerful men who get in their own way sometimes, and who need love to lead them in down the right path.

You can discover more with a free novella for the series, Bewildered. Sign up at on my website, www.MadisonMichael.net. Or order the entire series from Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/The-Beguiling-Bachelors-5-book-series/dp/B074C4FFKF

It is also available in Kindle Unlimited.

I briefly worked at a local Bed and Breakfast and began a series that takes place in B&Bs. Desire & Dessert and Moonlight & Moet are also exclusively on Amazon. I might have snuck a dog into one of these stories, too. Can’t help it if I love pets!

 

4. How do you promote your books?

Helping new readers discover my novels is a challenge. First, some readers disdain romance novels. While my books are definitely about romance, complete with a bedroom scene or two, they are really about characters discovering what is holding them back from claiming their happiness. I have heard my stories described as contemporary fiction, women’s fiction and romance.

Second, there are a lot of new books being published every day, so the competition for readers is fierce. I try to remember that and appreciate and thank my fans every chance I get. I offer them links to free book events and tell them about a new authors they might enjoy. I do this with two newsletters: one a bit more personal and one about other authors. Each newsletter is emailed twice a month. To sign up for either–and get a free story or two–go to my website www.MadisonMichael.net

I do run the occasional ad, but I am far more likely to run a free weekend for a novel and promote the opportunity on sites like fussylibrarian.com or redfeatherromance.com. I don’t think readers should always get books for free. Authors work too hard and incur too many expenses to simply give away their books. But a thank you, I appreciate you, free weekend now and then feels good to me.


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

To find me on Amazon, my author central page is: https://www.amazon.com/Madison-Michael/e/B01EVUGG6G
To learn more about me and my books or to sign up for my newsletter: www.MadisonMichael.net
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/madisonmichaelromance
On Instagram: www.instagram.com/madisonmichaelromance
On Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/madisonmichaelromance

 

From Marcia: Thank you, Madison! I love discovering stories that feature pets, and I look forward to reading your books!

MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST! Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks! Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or a photo, click on the word “Reply,” which is just below the social media icons for THIS interview. (Don’t scroll past this interview to the next interview.) Go Pets!

Posted in Uncategorized | 14 Replies

Jewelia Gibson

Marcia James' Website Posted on November 1, 2022 by MarciaOctober 25, 2022 17

1. I hear you have a pet in your latest novel. Tell us about the book.

Yes! Society: West Coast is the third in a four-book series called Society Coastal. It’s a bit of a naughty book for most people, but all is fair in love and sex. This book follows the younger brother of the hero from the first two books.

The pet, a three-legged cat, belongs to the heroine. She calls him Charlie, and he charms nearly everyone who comes within his orbit. It’s amusing to see him eating kitty treats from the palms of men’s big hands when really, Charlie has THEM eating out of the palm of his hand–or in this case, his paw.

Society: West Coast book blurb:

Damien Sullivan was done with the dark misdeeds of West Coast Society. He doesn’t have patience for their dirty games or the parade of submissives out to get His attention, and His collar. Until her, with her sun-fired hair, sweet fragrance and stunning turquoise eyes. This is the one promised to Him by the gypsy elder. She’s His angel, and He’ll move heaven and earth to make her His.

Sierra Drake ran away to save herself from her vile stepfather, who planned to auction her virginity to the highest bidder. In a small town, she lucked into her dream library job before running, literally, into her future. In Damien, Sierra will find love and the trust that He’ll cherish the most precious gift she has to give. From Him, she’ll learn His lifestyle that will tie her to Him and His bed…and change her life forever.

When women along the West Coast start disappearing, Damien worries a group is trafficking the females to a terrible fate. When Sierra goes missing, He vows to find her and rain down hellfire on anyone who stands in His way. Will He find His angel before she vanishes forever?

Society: West Coast Amazon buy link: {Coming this month; check https://JeweliaGibson.com/ for link}

 

2. Why did you add a cat to this book?

The heroine needed a focus other than her own dire situation. Enter a cat with a medical issue, and Sierra found more than just the need to run and hide. Now she has someone depending on her, which forces her to learn her own strengths and overcome her weaknesses.

 

3. What other books have you written?

For years, I’ve written romance–mainly suspense or sweet–under my Tabitha Gibson pen name, including the Bodyguards, Inc. stories. Those novellas and short stories can be found at www.TabithaGibson.com along with a few free reads.

But for the Society Coastal series, written under my Jewelia Gibson pen name (https://JeweliaGibson.com/), I was highly influenced by the Fifty Shades books–not just for the erotic side of the stories, but what led Christian Grey into the life of BDSM, His backstory and how finding true love changed everything for Him. There is a lot more to Fifty Shades than just kinky sex, paddles and handcuffs.

Society: East Coast is the first book in the series, and Society: Coast to Coast is the second book. Both books feature Dane Sullivan and Serafina Daniels.

Society: East Coast book blurb:

He didn’t expect to find her or the danger that followed. Can He keep her safe from the imminent darkness?

Dane Sullivan, Dominant & MMA fighter, wasn’t interested in meeting someone new, let alone a potential submissive, but a blind date changes His mind about everything.

Serafina Daniels, a beautiful but troubled artist, was just learning to trust life again, when a scare has her running to the gorgeous fighter. Determined to be brave, she spends an erotic night in His arms.

Dane shows Serafina the strength of His Dominance, the beauty of her submission and the passion that’s their destiny. But will she accept His collar around her neck for life? When Dane’s vicious rival and Serafina’s dark past threatens to tear them apart, He will stop at nothing to keep her safe and His forever.

Society: East Coast Amazon buy link: https://tinyurl.com/23y8aanf

Society: Coast to Coast book blurb:

He made a mistake that could cost Him everything.

Dane Sullivan finally had it all: trusted friends, the MMA championship belt and His collar around Serafina’s beautiful neck. He was even considering a traditional piece of jewelry that would bind her to Him another way. He finally let His guard down.

Serafina Daniels never thought she’d be safe and in love again, until Dane. But her dark past steals her away from all she holds dear. Will she live until Dane rescues her…or never see the light of another day?

Dane would travel to the depths of hell to save Serafina. She’s His world, and anyone who tries to stop Him will pay the ultimate price. But will He make it in time?

Society: Coast to Coast Amazon buy link: https://tinyurl.com/2yf6evel

 

4. How do you promote your books?

I have Twitter and Instagram accounts for both of my pen names. I tweet and retweet, as well as share my Instagram posts/stories, on both accounts. The more eyes the better!

I also have invested in PR Ads with sexy pics and quotes from the book I’m promoting at the time, tweeting the ads on both accounts as well as posting/sharing on both Instagram accounts. Here’s an example of one of the ads:

Finally, I purchased a book promo video. Approximately 13-15 seconds long, it’s a moving promo that draws the eyes in to see what’s going to pop up next. Purchasing this video also allowed me to help the small business owner who, in turn, tweeted it out to her followers. Even more eyes. Win Win.

I look for a lot of pinned tweet exchanges on Twitter as well. It’s easy to retweet something; in return, my work gets retweeted to more potential readers.

Use hashtags! I’ve gotten Likes and replies from hashtagging, but don’t go overboard. Be selective. Instagram shows you a number of people using the hashtag you might use, so you know which are the best for promoting your books. Twitter does too but only the hashtags currently being used. As Twitter has limited characters, make sure you use the hashtags that are more widely used, seen, known.

 

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

For my erotic work and the Society Coastal series, check out this website: www.JeweliaGibson.com There you’ll find links to my Jewelia Gibson books and those Twitter and Instagram accounts.

For my non-erotic work, check out this website: www.TabithaGibson.com There you’ll find links to my Tabitha Gibson books, Twitter and Instagram accounts and free reads.

Thank you for this great opportunity, Marcia! I appreciate it!

 

CONTEST: Jewelia Gibson is offering an Amazon ebook of Society: East Coast to one lucky, randomly chosen commenter on her interview!!

 

From Marcia: Jewelia, thank you for being my November interviewee! I love discovering novels that feature pets, and I look forward to reading your books!

MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST! Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks! Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or a photo, click on the word “Reply,” which is just below the social media icons for THIS interview. (Don’t scroll past this interview to the next interview.) Go Pets!

 

Posted in Uncategorized | 17 Replies

Linda Hoover

Marcia James' Website Posted on October 1, 2022 by MarciaSeptember 26, 2022 22

1. I hear you have animals in your novel, Heart’s Journey. Tell us about the book.

Heart’s Journey, book two of the Heart’s Desire series, is set on a farm in 1880 Iowa. Julia is from an upper-class family in Boston who met and fell in love with Jacob while he was in Boston helping at his uncle’s jewelry store. She had never been in a kitchen, let alone on a farm, but after a lot of prayer, God made a way for them to be together. Jacob dreamed of having a farm of his own and on the recommendation of a friend, he and Julia went to Iowa.

Farms have animals, and Julia was nervous about being around them at first. At one point she asked if cows and chickens bite, then was upset to learn she would be feeding animals they would later eat. There are also barn cats. One makes a surprise appearance later in the story.

After many mishaps, Julia asks a neighbor for help and gains confidence as she learns to cook, garden and handle other household duties. Jacob and Julia grow closer, but a personal loss for Julia triggers a disagreement leading to estrangement and deeper issues Jacob must confront. Can their faith in God bring forgiveness and reconciliation?

Heart’s Journey Buy Links:

Amazon print book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/099818067X
Amazon ebook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BB4XDJ74

 

2. Why did you add animals to this book?

I’m an animal lover, and you can’t have a farm in the 1880s without cows, chickens, pigs and horses, so it worked well. We have two cats and a little dog in our house that keep things interesting:

 

3. What other books have you written?

Heart’s Desire is book one of the Heart’s Desire series. Here is the book blurb:

In 1880 Boston, Julia Phillips’s father betroths her to wealthy Lucien Harris to cover up a tragic secret. She has no interest in Lucien, but Jacob Anderson, a kind jewelry store clerk has captured her attention. Can she put off Lucien long enough to convince her parents to accept a man who isn’t in the upper-class?

Jacob works with his uncle in Boston, but when he has enough money, he plans to buy land for a farm in Iowa. When Julia walks into their store, his priorities change. Their mutual attraction grows into love, and he wants to be the man she marries. But how can he with so little money?

Julia feels increasing pressure from Lucien to pretend she’s happy about the upcoming wedding. Then, she discovers the arranged marriage is based on blackmail. Her family will be ruined if she doesn’t comply.

Will God make a way for Jacob and Julia to have their heart’s desire?

Heart’s Desire Buy Links:

Amazon print book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0998180645
Amazon ebook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08R26D2JD

I also have two stand-alone titles. Lighter Than Air, like the Heart’s Desire books, is a Christian historical romance set near Brighton, England in 1900.

Lighter Than Air Buy Links:

Amazon print book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1726673073
Amazon ebook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GV4R21J

   

Mountain Prophecy is a young adult Christian historical fiction with romantic elements set in 1918 in the Appalachian Mountains.

Mountain Prophecy Buy Links:

Amazon print book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0998180602
Amazon ebook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M6UFUC8

 

4. How do you promote your books?

Blog interviews, sales promotions, and talking it up on Facebook and Instagram.

 

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

My website (https://www.lindahooverbooks.com) is a great place to find out about me and my books. I encourage you to browse all the pages. On the BOOKS page, you can read a blurb about each book and go to the sales page by clicking the cover of the title you’re interested in.

On my website, you can subscribe to my newsletter that will keep you up to date on my writing, activities, and giveaways. You’ll also receive a copy of a novella, Joel & Ella, by clicking on the Joel & Ella cover or the signup box at the bottom of the page. Or you can click this link: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/itgsd090xu

You can also find me on Facebook, Goodreads, Instagram, Pinterest, and Bookbub. This LinkTree address will take you to my social media or website destination of your choice: http://linktr.ee/lindahooverbooks

 

From Marcia: Thank you, Linda, for being my October interviewee! I love discovering novels that feature animals and pets, and I look forward to reading your books!

MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST! Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks! Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or a photo, click on the word “Reply,” which is just below the social media icons for THIS interview. (Don’t scroll past this interview to the next interview.) Go Pets!

Posted in Uncategorized | 22 Replies

Ann Raina

Marcia James' Website Posted on September 1, 2022 by MarciaAugust 16, 2022 13

1. I hear you have a dog in your novel. Tell us about the book.

Blind Trust is a sensual thriller. FBI Agent Matthew Montagna joins Nicolas Hayes’ FBI team to investigate a series of bank robberies in Washington, DC, and its vicinity. Though he loves his work, he has trouble dealing with his past in Chicago, his criminal ex-wife, and the loss of his home and his friends—not to mention his dog, who moved in with the neighbors because Matthew couldn’t take him to DC. He’s unhappy about his entire situation and wishes for his old companion. Then he meets a dog owner in the building where he lives. Matthew is quickly enchanted with the dog, Bingo, and spends time in the neighbor’s apartment, not knowing that he’s in the center of a dangerous plot.

Blind Trust Blurb:

The citizens of Washington, DC, were lucky the bank robbers’ escape truck didn’t explode at the Federal Triangle Station. FBI agents Hayes and Montagna take over the investigation, convinced the robbers will strike again and become more ruthless with every successful assault.

While Agent Hayes tries to keep pace with his lover’s kinky bedroom fantasies, Agent Montagna has trouble dealing with his ex-wife’s past and his immediate future—booze and bullets alike.

Blind Trust Buy links:

(Available in ebook and print)

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Blind-Trust-Nick-Jacklyn-Raina/dp/1487423403
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48992224-blind-trust
Extasy Books: https://www.extasybooks.com/ann-raina/978-1-4874-2384-1-blind-trust/
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blind-trust-ann-raina/1134100864

 

2. Why did you add a dog to this book?

Blind Trust is the third book in the series, and when I introduced Matthew Montagna to the team, I wanted to make him special—not the average kind of guy. He had lived through a hurtful divorce, had been urgently requested to leave the Chicago FBI office, and that meant leaving behind his house and his dog. Matthew is in a bad shape when he starts working with Nicolas and Jason, which makes him more vulnerable, more sensitive. Though he’s also a man quick to joke, he’s also very lonely without his dog.

I can relate to him very well. Since I bought my horse eight years ago, I haven’t been on a vacation without him. On the contrary, I found ways to travel with him so that we can spend more time together. He’s a wonderful gelding, sixteen years old by now, and my trusted partner on every ride through the woods. He’s gentle and he has stamina. We’ve been on day trips, riding more than twenty miles. He’s quite courageous—once we met an ambulance in the woods (yes, with lights and sirens on!), and he just stepped aside the path and let the van pass. I hope that he’ll be with me for many more years.

 

3. What other books have you written?

The series with FBI Agent Nicolas Hayes, his partners, and his lover, Jacklyn Hollander, has nine books by now, with one more in editing and another one in writing (almost done…). They are mainly thrillers or crime stories, but with an erotic twist. For example, Nicolas is in a D/s relationship [Dominance and submission] with his lover, and they both enjoy their time together.

Since Nicolas is working in the serious crimes’ division, he and the team deal with serial killers, brutal bank robbers, and other criminals, who are too hard to handle for the local police forces. There is always a lot of action and suspense involved in every story.

But I also like to have a look at the partners’ private lives—Jason finds a lovely woman he marries, Matthew gets a dog, and new agents come in, bringing with them their private fun and sorrow.

I really like Famous Murders because of the interaction of the FBI agents and the suspects, as well as the ways the murderer kills his victims.

Famous Murders Blurb:

After three murders in the Washington, DC, vicinity, FBI Agents Hayes and Beckham are assigned to solve the case. Although the murders seem incoherent at first, it becomes clear that there are connections between them. It turns out that the murderer is far from having reached the end of his deadly list.

Aside from the investigation, Agent Hayes has to find a way to get on with his demanding girlfriend and her challenging love games. Can he do both and not lose himself?

Famous Murders Buy links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/-/de/dp/B07Q5SM196/ref=sr_1_1?__mk_de_DE=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=23QD7N85TYCTS&keywords=Famous+Murders+Ann+Raina&qid=1659893759&s=digital-text&sprefix=famous+murders+ann+raina%2Cdigital-text%2C192&sr=1-1
Extasy Books: https://www.extasybooks.com/ann-raina
Kobo:  https://www.kobo.com/ph/en/ebook/famous-murders
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Famous_Murders_Nick_and_Jacklyn_2?id=Oq6-DwAAQBAJ&gl=US
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/famous-murders-ann-raina/1131170508

I also loved writing Chosen Brothers because I had the chance to write a criminal plot playing in a small town on a horse ranch. Nicolas can show that he’s able to go undercover, and he makes a new friend on the way.

Chosen Brothers Blurb:

In Florence Town, people appear to live life without a care in the world. When members of one of the leading families are suspected of building bombs, FBI Agent Nicolas Hayes is sent undercover to investigate. He learns a lot more than anticipated about the dark secrets behind the scenes of a placid rural life.

Chosen Brothers Buy links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/-/de/dp/B08CTV14YF/ref=sr_1_1?__mk_de_DE=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=2WJCUA0O5Y8SC&keywords=Chosen+Brothers+Ann+Raina&qid=1659893949&s=digital-text&sprefix=chosen+brothers+ann+raina%2Cdigital-text%2C173&sr=1-1
Extasy Books: https://www.extasybooks.com/ann-raina
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chosen-brothers-ann-raina/1137332113?ean=2940164482640

 

4. How do you promote your books?

I promote my books with the ladies from RAM PA. They do professional advertisements for my books on Facebook and on Instagram. You can find me there: Ann_Raina_author. Currently, they’re advertising Clandestine Dealings, the last book I published:

 

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

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ann-Raina/e/B004ZFFNAS%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

Instagram: Ann_Raina_author

Email: annraina@yahoo.com

 

From Marcia: Thank you, Ann, for being my September interviewee! I love discovering novels that feature pets and look forward to reading your books!

MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST! Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks! Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or a photo, click on the word “Reply,” which is just below the social media icons for THIS interview. (Don’t scroll past this interview to the next interview.) Go Pets!

 

Posted in Uncategorized | 13 Replies

Mariah Lynne

Marcia James' Website Posted on August 1, 2022 by MarciaAugust 1, 2022 15

1. I hear you have a dog in your novel. Tell us about your book…OR let your dog do the honors. 😉

Hi everyone. My name is Sam, and I’m the dog in Mariah’s latest romance, Paws For Christmas. As you can tell by my photo on the cover, I’m big, furry, and very happy. Mariah named me for her late, real-life dog Sam, who she said was so sweet she loved him to pieces! Like my namesake, I’m lovable, smart, and can sniff out when someone needs love.

When the book opens, I’m lost and need help finding my owner. I must be the luckiest dog ever, because I wander into Jessica Munroe’s yard as she is putting up Christmas decorations. I am dirty and cut up because I had wrangled my way out of my master’s car after a bad crash. I ran from the accident because the flashing lights scared me.

Jessica Munroe is a beautiful freelance writer, but she looks sad and distracted. One look at me, and I sure took care of that. I later found out that just two weeks earlier she had had to put her best friend–her dog Mazy–to sleep and her ER doctor fiancé had left her for his nurse.

My story takes place just before Christmas on a small, beautiful Gulf Coast island just like the one Mariah lives on. Despite visiting tourists, the island is just a small town where everyone knows each other.

Jessica takes me to her vet where they find an ID tag while combing out my matted fur. I get a nice bath, and Jessica’s vet exams me. She suggests I be put in a shelter until my owner can be located. Jessica will not hear of it, especially right before Christmas, so she takes me home and we do some computer research of our own. Well, she does all the research; I just lay at her feet and stare up at her in love. Once she finds the name of my owner and what happened to him…well, let’s just say, it’s up to me to give this story a happy ending!

Love,
Sam

P.S. Side effects of reading Paws For Christmas are a happy heart, an uplifted spirit, new confidence in the future, and a smile on your face!

Paws For Christmas Buy Links:

Amazon: Paws For Christmas – Kindle edition by Lynne, Mariah. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ AmazonSmile.

Barnes and Noble: Paws for Christmas by Mariah Lynne | NOOK Book (eBook) | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

 

2. Mariah, why did you add Sam to this book?

I’m a dog lover and animal lover. [See photo left with a sled dog puppy.] All my heroines–no matter what genre–have pets. I served as a director for a county-wide no-kill shelter for three years and always remember the sage advice my brother gave me when I was a girl: “Always try to save a life by adopting a shelter pet.”

We adopted our Sam [see above right] when he was just under one year old, and he must have felt completely lost like the Sam in the story because his owners had abandoned him. I’d like to tell you more about him.

My dog Sam was part German shepherd, part Golden Lab, and part comedian. From the moment his golden brown eyes met mine, I knew I was in for a heck of a ride. Sam was ninety pounds, full of energy, curiosity, and spunk. He didn’t have a mean bone in his body unless, that is, you threatened to harm his family. I watched him lick a baby’s feet and swim in a lake with baby ducklings.

I thought I’d share a short Christmas memory:

We alternated years visiting family for Christmas, and that was our year to cook. It was a beautiful snowy day, the kind Sam loved to frolic in. After I stuffed the turkey and put it in the oven, I asked Sam if he wanted to go outside again to play. But evidently the aroma coming from that roasting pan sent Sam’s nose and stomach into a frenzy. He kept sniffing the air and stayed in the kitchen, not wanting to miss anything turkey.

When it was time to eat, I placed the wonderful food into serving dishes. Sam watched attentively, but since he’d had a hearty breakfast, I was sure it was just curiosity. As my husband carved the turkey, we heard loud slurping noises coming from the kitchen. I got up to see where the noise was coming from. Did I leave the water running? Was something dripping? No, but I did leave the turkey pan on the extended oven rack to cool.

I walked into the kitchen to see him slurp up the remaining juices in the roasting pan. Thank goodness I had already strained the small bones to make gravy. He looked at me with those huge brown eyes and wagged his tail, not skipping a second of slurping. I didn’t know whether to laugh or scold him. You guessed it. I laughed and gave him a big hug. My husband always said I would make a terrible dog obedience trainer.

Sam lived to be fifteen, enjoyed a happy life, and we shared many more wonderful memories together. That’s why he was my inspiration for the character of the dog in Paws for Christmas.

 

3. What other books have you written?

I write contemporary romance, cozy mystery, and Time Travel adventure. My latest cozy mystery, A Gem Of A Murder, is set on a Gulf Coast island called Seabliss Island and has a dog in it named Spike.

A Gem Of A Murder Blurb:

A sleepy Florida Gulf Coast beach town suddenly comes alive as two best friends–local merchant Mariah Linley and island psychic Moonbeam–find themselves in the middle of some pretty strange business. The two novice sleuths are drawn into a web of murder, deception, and drugs that stretches as far west as Mexico and as far south as the Keys.

A Gem of a Murder is a cozy mystery set in 1986 and laced with a little romance. With a backdrop of stunning locations, the story will take you on a memorable vacation without ever leaving home! So grab your sunscreen and park that imaginary lounge chair in the sand under swaying palm trees. But watch your back. There’s a murderer on the loose!

Amazon Buy Link For A Gem Of A Murder: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09SVSPC83

My last Time Travel adventure-romance is The Duchess’ Necklace, and the story also has a dog.

The Duchess’ Necklace Blurb:

Amelia Augusta Ethrington, 18th century Duchess of Abbington and fourth in line to the English throne, is considered by society an old maid at thirty-two. She refuses to marry and relinquish her authority to a husband. Instead, she finds romance in trysts with strangers. Amelia’s claim to her duchy is embodied in the form of an intricate, valuable necklace, The Abbington Jewels. But an unscrupulous time traveler seduces her and snatches the necklace.

Amelia risks everything to time travel with a gypsy seer to find the scoundrel and retrieve her necklace before her jealous male cousins lay claim to her duchy. Complications arise after she meets Ryan Redstone, a museum appraiser sent to acquire the jewels. Amelia finally falls in love but knows she must focus on her quest to regain both her necklace and title. The Duchess is faced with the most difficult decision of her life. Love in the present? Or defending her honor in the past?

Amazon Buy Link for The Duchess’ Necklace: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0728LH88J/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i4

 

4. Tell us about your reviews.

One Book More review of Paws for Christmas:

“Jessica and Trey are both kind and sincere and have such positive outlooks on life even when things aren’t going their way. I also like that they are both so caring and selfless. Jessica takes in a stray dog (Sam), gets him medical attention, and then looks for Sam’s owner. Sam is so sweet and charming! He has a jubilant and playful personality that endears everyone he meets. A sweet contemporary romance with a wonderful holiday spirit, Paws for Christmas is a heart-warming story…it is a light and fun read.”

Nana’s Book Reviews: A Gem of a Murder:

“This is a very unique cozy mystery, set in 1986 in a small town. The plot is interesting and engaging. The characters were quirky and when they joined forces they did great surprising things… My favorite parts were Moonbeam’s interactions with the spirits. This is a lovely cozy mystery perfect for those who love this genre. I highly recommend this and I will rate it 4 stars.”

The Paranormal Romance Author’s Guild’s 5-Star review of The Duchess’ Necklace:

“This is a story with an unexpected twist. The Duchess’ Necklace tells of true love that surpasses time. With a mixture of romance, history, and fiction, this is a fast-paced and engaging story. It is a story that takes you through time, on an adventure of love and excitement.”

 

5.Tell us more about yourself.

A graduate of Syracuse University, I reside on a beautiful SW Florida Gulf Coast island. My island lifestyle and scenery serve as the backdrop for all of my stories. Before writing fiction, I owned the first video store on our island like my character in A Gem of a Murder, and became active in my national trade association, meeting many Hollywood celebrities.

I inherited my love of good stories from my parents, and writing is my passion. I love to create memorable characters and–since pets are my other passion–all my heroines have pets like Sam, Duchy, or Spike. When not writing, I enjoy watching movies, traveling (even though we were stranded in beautiful Australia for 8 days at the start of the pandemic), swimming, reading a good story, and always spending time with my wonderful husband, Jerry.

 

6. Where can readers learn more about your books?

My website: https://mariahlynne.com

My Amazon Author Central page: https://www.amazon.com/Mariah-Lynne/e/B00AYH099G/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MariahLynneAuthor

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mariahlynneauthor

Twitter: @MariahLynne1

Mariah Lynne e-mail: MariahLynneauthor@yahoo.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard?ref=nav_profile_authordash

 

From Marcia: Thank you, Mariah, for being my August interviewee! I love discovering romances that feature pets and look forward to reading your books!

 

MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST! Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks! Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or a photo, click on the word “Reply,” which is just below the social media icons for THIS interview. (Don’t scroll past this interview to the next interview.) Go Pets!

Posted in Uncategorized | 15 Replies

J. ARLENE CULINER

Marcia James' Website Posted on July 1, 2022 by MarciaJune 24, 2022 11

1. I hear you have pets in your novel. Tell us about the book.

Pets make an appearance in almost all my books. In my latest release, A Room in Blake’s Folly, we see a Nevada town evolve from a silver boomtown to a semi-ghost town in six different stories. All six are romances even though some don’t turn out the way we expect they might.

In the second story–the romance between a brothel owner and a silver baron (set in 1927)–we meet the dog Russ, one of the many animals left behind in the early 1900s when people abandoned dying boomtowns and headed further west.

In the fifth story, one that takes place in 2021, several dogs as well as snakes and spiders steal the limelight. So do my hero and heroine Lance and Lucy who are both (unsuspectingly) linked to that earlier brothel owner and silver baron; there are often genetic surprises in small communities!

A Room in Blake’s Folly blurb:

If only the walls could speak…

In one hundred and fifty years, Blake’s Folly, a silver boomtown notorious for its brothels, scarlet ladies, silver barons, speakeasies, and divorce ranches, has become a semi-ghost town. Although the old Mizpah Saloon is still in business, its upper floor is sheathed in dust. But in a room at a long corridor’s end, an adventurer, a beautiful dance girl, and a rejected wife were once caught in a love triangle, and their secret has touched three generations.

Buy Link: https://books2read.com/BlakesFollyRomance

 

2. Why did you add animals to this book?

Osselot

I add animals to my stories because I can’t imagine life without them. My dogs and cats all come from pet shelters (or else I find them along the road), and they are usually settled in near me when I write. They’d never forgive me if I didn’t mention them.

Osselot, a very stubborn twelve-year-old, was living with an elderly woman who could no longer care for him. My vet asked me to take him in.

Yellow

Yellow was a nine-year-old I found wandering along the road. She had been abandoned by her owners who had chopped off her tail—why do something so stupid and cruel—and the stump was still bloody. She was a wonderful dog and lived to the age of eighteen.

Virgule—I found him at the local dog pound—was a terrible monster when young, chewing up anything that was plastic (my telephone, computer transformer, plugs). He calmed down after I adopted Yellow. He’s now twelve and very staid.

Virgule

As for snakes and spiders, those creatures so hated by many, I appreciate their beauty and the role they play in maintaining a balanced environment. I hope, with my stories, I can convince a few people to take a more sympathetic look at these beasties.

Lucy Barnes, the heroine of the fifth story in A Room in Blake’s Folly, particularly loves spiders. And one day, when she’s photographing one, she happens to meet Lance Potter, the hero. Here’s how:

Lance saw the woman doubled over in the dirt road, her legs bent backward and to each side of her in what looked to be an exceedingly painful position. Had she been hit by a car? Probably not: few enough cars passed this way. She might have had an attack of some sort. He loped toward her, thinking only of rescue and alleviating pain, because that’s what a veterinarian’s job is all about, and humans happen to be animals, too.

He was less than ten feet away, when she raised her head and glared at him with fury. The look, as toxic as a poison arrow, halted him in his tracks. She certainly didn’t look as though she needed his help. She didn’t look as though she’d ever need anyone’s help.

“Um…I’m sorry. I saw you down there, in the road, and I thought…” He saw her fury seep away, transform into visible regret.

“You chased it away.”

“Right.”

Swinging her bent legs into a more reasonable position, she stood up without using her hands. For someone who wasn’t young, she looked to be in perfect shape. Or at least she had maintained an admirable flexibility. What was her name? Lucy something…oh yes, Lucy Barnes. For the first time, he noticed the camera.

“Look, I thought you had fallen or…”

“Yes, I realize that’s what you thought.” She didn’t look as though she were about to forgive him for it either.

“You were taking a photo?”

“Yup.”

“Of what?”

“A Xysticus.”

“A what?”

“Oh, sorry. A ground crab spider.”

“Of a ground crab spider?”

She relented slightly. “They’re called crab spiders because they look and move like crabs.”

“Yes,” he said dryly. “I think I’ve worked that one out.”

“Right.”

“What for? Why were you taking a photo?”

“Because I like them. I like macro photography. I like taking photos of spiders, and this particular spider was very pretty.”

“Pretty. Got it.”

She looked annoyed again. “Veterinarians don’t consider arachnids worthy of notice?”

“Did I just tell you that?” he said a little too defensively because she was right: he never noticed them. Okay, he never killed them either, because he knew how useful they were, but that was as far as things went. “What was particularly pretty about that one? I mean spiders look like spiders to me. I never thought aesthetics came into it.”

“Really?” She even looked surprised.

“Really.” Inwardly, he sighed, regretting his attempt to maintain chatty conversation. It was always the same when you dealt with nuts, cranks, and fanatics: they couldn’t understand how normal people functioned.

 

3. What other books have you written?

I have two other books that take place in Blake’s Folly, Nevada, and they are filled with animals. In one, All About Charming Alice, my heroine is a herpetologist, a woman who studies snakes, and she also rescues abandoned dogs.

In the other, Desert Rose, the rescue dog Noodle makes an appearance (although Rose is, at first, a very reluctant dog owner). However, I don’t have the new covers for these new editions, so we’ll just have to wait for a month or two.

However, I also have a rescue dog in my romantic mystery, The Turkish Affair, and he plays a very important role when my heroine finds herself in a very nasty situation.

The Turkish Affair blurb:

Love and Danger at the ancient Hittite site of Karakuyu

Priceless artifacts are disappearing from the ancient Hittite site of Karakuyu in Turkey, and the site director has vanished. Called in to solve the mystery, archaeologist Renaud Townsend is hindered by both his inability to speak the language and the knowledge that the local police are corrupt. His attraction to translator Anne Pierson is immediate, although he is troubled by her refusal to talk about the past and her fear of public scandal. But when murder enters the picture, both Anne and Renaud realize that the risk of falling in love is not the only danger.

Buy link: https://books2read.com/TheTurkishAffair

 

4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.

For those who want to read a lovely review and analysis of A Room in Blake’s Folly, it can be found here: https://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com/2022/05/review-tuesday-room-in-blakes-folly-by.html

Other than that, I have won awards for my non-fiction (the Tanenbaum Award for Canadian History) book about Romanian immigration to Canada, and was shortlisted for the Foreword Magazine prize.

 

5. How do you promote your books?

I try to guest blog as often as possible, and I give Zoom conferences about my non-fiction books. I also have guests who will leave recipes on my own blog, Food for Love, and that should be fun for everyone.

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

Author Website: http://www.j-arleneculiner.com
Blog: http://j-arleneculiner.over-blog.com
Storytelling Podcast: https://soundcloud.com/j-arlene-culiner
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-arlene-culiner
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JArleneCuliner/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jarlene.culiner/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7158064.J_Arlene_Culiner
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jarleneculiner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jarleneculiner/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JArleneCuliner
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/jarleneculiner-quirky-romances

Thank you for interviewing me (and my animal and insect friends) on your blog, Marcia.

From Marcia: Thank you for being my July interviewee! I love discovering romances that feature animals and look forward to reading your books!

MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST! Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks! Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or a photo, click on the word “Reply,” which is just below the social media icons for THIS interview. (Don’t scroll past this interview to the next interview.) Go Pets!

Posted in Uncategorized | 11 Replies

Karen McCullough

Marcia James' Website Posted on May 31, 2022 by MarciaMay 31, 2022 14

1. I hear you have a pet in your novel. Tell us about the book.

Falling for the Deputy is a fish-out-of-water, an enemies-to-lovers and a second-chance romance story, where a Boston banker moves to a small town in Georgia after a series of personal tragedies. The move is good for her career, and she hopes it will give her time to recover in a different environment.

Blurb: After losing at love twice, Barbara Wilton needs a change, some place far from her home in Boston, so she takes a position as manager of a small branch bank in Willow Ridge, Georgia. She’s done with relationships and ready to concentrate on her career. The experience in Willow Ridge will help her move forward in the banking industry, but she doesn’t plan to stay there permanently. Nevertheless, an invitation to join the Hopeless Romantics book club, a position on a planning committee, helping a little league team that needs coaching, and being adopted by a stray dog begin to wind her into the community.

Chris Harper was a police officer in Charlotte until his marriage fell apart. With his mother and elderly aunt in deteriorating health, Chris returns home to Willow Ridge to help them and takes a job as chief deputy to the local sheriff. The wound left by his failed marriage is still raw and, despite his mother’s nagging, he’s not interested in pursuing any relationship, even with the attractive new bank manager.

Fate, helped by a few local residents, conspires to push Barbara and Chris together. They meet during a false alarm at the bank and then he assists her with a car problem. But when his aunt receives a foreclosure notice on her house, Chris is angry with Barbara for not warning him that his aunt was behind on her payments.

She agrees to help him work out the problem with the bank, but the deeper issues between them keep flaring. Can two wary, wounded people learn to trust again and find happiness together? Find out in this sweet, second chance, enemies to lovers romance.

The Hopeless Romantics of Willow Ridge series are sweet, small-town contemporary romances. Each book is a standalone and can be read individually or as part of the series.

Buy Falling for the Deputy here.  (It’s also free to read in Kindle Unlimited)

The entire Hopeless Romantics of Willow Ridge series is here.

2. Why did you add a pet to this book? 

Mookie

Part of Barbara’s embrace of life in small-town Willow Ridge comes when she finds a stray dog. She can’t abandon him, but when she learns the local shelter isn’t a no-kill one, she knows she can’t leave him there either. Despite her ignorance of caring for pets, she agrees to foster him. To her surprise, she finds in him a warm companion and comfort in hard times.

Gremlin

In some ways, her relationship with Mookie mirrors Barbara’s adjustment to the town of Willow Ridge: hesitant approach at first, willing to try to make the best of it, starting to get attached, the realization of the virtues, and finally a full embrace of the town when she decides to adopt the dog.

I used to have pets: a dog, Gremlin, that I adored, a cat, a parakeet, a rabbit, and numerous hamsters. The dog was mine, but the rest of them belonged to my children. They’re all long gone now.

3. What other books have you written?

I’ve written a lot more books than have been published, but since my first book came out from Avalon books in 1989, I’ve had somewhere around three dozen novels and novellas published (some under a pen name).  I write across many genres, including mystery, fantasy, romance, paranormal, and romantic suspense. Many of my books can be categorized in more than one genre. My romances generally include a mystery and my fantasy and paranormal novels include romance and suspense.

   

My most recent books before Falling for the Deputy include three short romances that are part of the No Brides Club Series, and the second book in the Market Center Mysteries series, Wired for Murder. (The third book of that series, Playing at Murder, was originally scheduled for this month but has been pushed back to fall.) I also have had a number of short stories in various anthologies and various genres.

You can learn more about my books at my website: https://www.kmccullough.com

4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.

Over the years, I’ve been a semi-finalist in the Writers of the Future contest, a finalist in the Daphne, Prism, Lories, Epic ebook awards (four times), Rising Star, Dream Realm, and International Digital Awards. I’ve won an Epic ebook award, Vixen award and most recently, the Bould Award for best short story.  My books have a lot of five-star reviews and my short romance, No Time for Surprises, was an Amazon number #1 Bestseller.

5. How do you promote your books?

Badly. I do have a presence on social media and I actively promote (in a low-key way) on Facebook, Pinterest, and my own blog. I used to do a lot of Amazon advertising, but lately the cost has risen so much it’s hard to get a decent return on the investment.

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

Website: https://www.kmccullough.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarenMcCulloughAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kgmccullough

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kgmccullough/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kgmccullough12/

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Karen-McCullough/e/B0043TJ870/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/karen-mccullough

Blog: https://kmccullough.com/kblog/

 

From Marcia: Thank you, Karen, for being my June 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!

Posted in Go Pets | 14 Replies

Sadira Stone

Marcia James' Website Posted on April 30, 2022 by MarciaApril 30, 2022 10

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!

Posted in Uncategorized | 10 Replies

Ilona Fridl

Marcia James' Website Posted on April 1, 2022 by MarciaMarch 24, 2022 11

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?

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Golden-North-Dangerous-Times-Ilona-ebook/dp/B003ZYEY96/ref=sr_1_1?crid=20VDJMLDDD8MI&keywords=ilona+fridl&qid=1647282957&sprefix=%2Caps%2C411&sr=8-1

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?

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Silver-Screen-Heroes-Ilona-Fridl-ebook/dp/B002NGO50A/ref=sr_1_9?crid=20VDJMLDDD8MI&keywords=ilona+fridl&qid=1647284197&sprefix=%2Caps%2C860&sr=8-9

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!

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized | 11 Replies

Gayle M. Irwin

Marcia James' Website Posted on March 1, 2022 by MarciaFebruary 25, 2022 12

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!

 

Posted in Go Pets, Uncategorized | Tagged Gayle M. Irwin, Rescue dogs | 12 Replies

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