Blog – Page 2 – Marcia James' Website

Laura Ashwood

Posted on November 1, 2020 by MarciaOctober 26, 2020 12

1. I hear you have pets in your novels. Tell us about your corgi book.

My book, A New Leash on Love, is part of The Celebrity Corgi series published by Sweet Promise Press. The premise of the series is that each main character is some type of celebrity that has a very spoiled pet corgi. The main character in my book, Prince Dorian of Avington, has Gatsby. When he goes on a goodwill tour of the U.S., he needs to hire a travel companion to look after Gatsby while he’s at his appearances.

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

Having a pet in the series was part of the premise of the series, but part of why I was drawn to write in the series. I have three dogs myself and two of them go everywhere with me, so I very much could relate to traveling with a pet, although I don’t have a special person hired to care for them. Pets bring so much joy to my life, and I honestly can’t imagine not having one. In any book that I can fit a pet, there will be a pet.

3. What other books have you written?

A Little Something Sweet is a contemporary romance that is part of The Java Cupid Romance series. It’s been called “Hallmark in a bakery” by one reviewer. In that book, the main character finds a kitten in a dumpster (so sad) and gives it a home.

An Agent for Clarissa is part of the Pinkerton Matchmaker series and is a sweet historical romance. Due to the setting of that book, I was unable to give her a pet, but the book is full of mystery and intrigue.

Right now, I am writing A Bride for Levi (which will likely be published by the time this interview is live), which is a part of the Proxy Bride series. It’s also a historical sweet mail-order bride romance. The main character, Levi, saved an abandoned pup.

I’m also delving into the world of Women’s Fiction and will have a book out in March, 2021 with a special needs dog.

4. How do you promote your books?

As a new author (I just started writing in 2018), I am still learning how to promote. I do a lot of newsletter swaps and belong to several sweet romance author Facebook groups.

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

My website is (www.LauraAshwood.com), and they can follow me on any of my social media (links below).

Twitter
Instagram
Pinterest
Facebook
Bookbub

I also have a private Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/lauraashwoodbooks), and Amazon page (https://www.amazon.com/Laura-Ashwood/e/B07D2HNHBN/).

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

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

C.A. Phipps

Posted on October 1, 2020 by MarciaSeptember 23, 2020 7

1. I hear you have a pet in your October cozy mystery. Tell us about the book.

Mocha Mayhem blurb:

George is a plain tabby–or is he? Left orphaned by a murder, the Finch sisters had no intention of doing more than finding him a home.

A seaside wedding.

The perfect catering job for The Cozy Café.

Except for the body!

Wanting to put the café firmly on the map, Scarlett didn’t imagine things would go so horribly wrong when she was offered the contract at the last minute. Along with her sisters, she’s once more embroiled in a case where people aren’t who they say, and murder appears to be an inconvenience.

Sadly, when money has too much power, families are in turmoil, and a close friend hides their feelings, Scarlett has no idea how to untangle the web.

Even the sheriff is struggling to get people to talk and knowing that the culprit is in their midst makes things decidedly uncomfortable.

Meanwhile, George the cat is unimpressed to have a visitor in the house and is determined to let everyone know about it!

The Cozy Café mysteries are light, cozy mysteries featuring a family-focused café owner who discovers she’s a talented amateur sleuth—and a magnet for animals.

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087Z91BWG

The Cozy Café Series

Book 1: Sweet Saboteur
Book 2: Candy Corruption
Book 3: Mocha Mayhem

Enjoy a FREE sweet treat recipe in every book.

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

I write small-town stories, and it always seems right to include a pet. When my children were small, my sister’s dog had puppies and along with my other sister, we took one each. Her father was a terrier, but her mom looked more like a corgi, so the litter was a mixture, and Zara appeared to be a fluffy black terrier. Here is a photo of my nephew Adam with Zara:

Even without a pedigree, Zara was a lady and our fierce protector—no matter the size of the potential foe. We had our girl for nearly 18 years, and it was a terrible loss when she went over the rainbow bridge. In fact, it took years to even think about growing our family again. Hopefully our new [four-legged] girl will be with us in a month or so. I love all animals, but my hubby is a dog-lover all the way.

3. What other books have you written?

I’ve written about 30 books in total over 2 pen names. 8 are cozy mysteries, and the other are romance and sweet romance with one non-fiction.

My cozy mysteries are written under C. A. Phipps with 2 series out and another to come next year. I’m so happy I made the decision to write them, and my aim is to make them fun and intriguing.

The Maple Lane Mysteries began my journey into cozies, and in this series there is a large ginger Maine Coon called Big Red. He is also protective, and it doesn’t stop at the family. Maple Falls is his domain, and no one should forget that. Leastwise, criminals and murderers!

Apple Pie and Arsenic

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D99GXF6

Deadly pies!

Spring Festival and murder.

Can Maddie clear her name?

Finding the body was a shock. Accused of putting it there pushes Maddie over the edge and into the Sheriff’s path. Her ex-flame is as confused as she is when the mystery heats up with another batch of clues.

Danger threatens at every turn, and when Maddie ends up on her own, scared and out of her depth, it seems that even an award-winning baker isn’t safe from Maple Falls’ first serial killer. As the timer ticks down in the race to find the murderer before Maddie’s put in jail or the body count climbs, she enlists the help of her friends.

If only solving murder were as easy as apple pie!

Do you love Murder She Wrote? Then you’ll enjoy Maddie’s style, because she’s not taking no for an answer either.

Bagels and Blackmail

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D8SVRLG

Catnapping and more!

Who stole Maddie’s cat?

More than a pet…so much more. And, Big Red’s not the only one taken.

It’s a catastrophe for the owners who, like Maddie, considers them family members. While the Sheriff, who happens to be her ex-boyfriend, is doing what he can to solve the mystery, Maddie can’t sit by and wait. Going against her darling Gran’s wishes, she once again decides to do her own detective work—with a little help from her friends.

If you love your pet, this cozy mystery will have you cheering for Maddie, because she won’t give in until every animal is home!

Get your copy now!

Maple Lane Mysteries
Book 1: Apple Pie and Arsenic
Book 2: Bagels and Blackmail
Book 3: Cookies and Chaos
Book 4: Doughnuts and Disaster
Book 5: Eclairs and Extortion

4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.

I am a USA Today Bestselling Author. Here are several of my reviews:

5-Stars Review for Mocha Mayhem

“I just love the Finch girls and the usual characters in the series! Scarlett and her sisters step in as replacement caterers at a wedding where nothing is as it seems. The mystery had plenty of turns to keep me guessing. I recommend this to anyone looking for a good read! I received an ARC [Advanced Reader Copy] and this is my honest opinion.” By Mary Nickell

5-Star Review for Apple Pie and Arsenic

“I really enjoyed reading this book. The small town vibe is well done. Maddie and her friends, the girlz, Ethan and, especially Gran, all add to the fun. Maddie has to do some growing up. She continues to deny her feelings for Ethan, but that just means that the gang will be back for another book! I really enjoyed this mystery.” By Bernadette Cinkoske

5. How do you promote your books?

I promote my books mainly through my newsletter, then Facebook, Bookbub, Amazon and a few promo sites which work for me.

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

When you sign up to my newsletter, along with the latest news and new releases, you can pick up a free recipe book from Gran and Maddie, and soon Scarlett Finch will add a few recipes too!

I’d love you to follow me on other platforms and come chat on Facebook or by email.

Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/cozy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorcaphipps
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/caphipps
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/c-a-phipps
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/caphipps
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CherylAPhipps
My Website also has all my books and links: http://caphipps.com

Marcia James: Thank you, C.A., for stopping by my Go Pets blog! I look forward to reading your novels!

Reet Singh

Posted on September 1, 2020 by MarciaAugust 31, 2020 8

1. I hear you have a pet in your novel, No Escape From Love. Tell us about the book.

Hi Marcia, I’m delighted to share that I have not one, but two books with pets in them (and a third, which is a work-in-progress). Here’s a little bit about them (they both involve cats):

No Escape from Love Blurb:

Will the demons from their past tear them apart?

After personal tragedy strikes, Mohini Kapoor runs away from the city to her grandparents’ home in a village in Punjab. Though she manages to pick up the pieces of her broken self, and even builds a life for herself, the horror of her experience is difficult to forget. She buries it deep down inside her subconscious mind until the arrival of a stranger threatens to resurrect the old demons.

Reputed photojournalist, Aalok Ahuja, has to hide out for a few days to escape circumstances beyond his control. When his friend recommends Tejopur, a remote village in Punjab, Aalok expects life to be simple there and, perhaps, even boring–instead, his world is thrown into chaos by a woman more desirable, and vastly more complicated, than any he has ever known.

When their destinies collide, attraction flares, but secrets threaten their new-found feelings.

Buy link: http://getBook.at/NEfL

A Christmas Conspiracy Blurb:

Christmas has never been more complicated!

Goldie Gill works in a recruiting firm in Toronto and has had it with his mother’s single-minded desire to see him married off to a nice girl. Goldie has no wish to find himself a nice girl–he is perfectly happy living the single life and hanging out with his cat, Billy.

It takes a chance encounter with a dusky, doe-eyed, scatter-brained beauty, just before Christmas, for Goldie to seriously reconsider his plans. But he soon learns that his meeting with the girl isn’t a happy coincidence–somebody has been meddling. What is the conspiracy and how is Goldie going to get to the bottom of it considering that the girl has disappeared?

Buy link: http://mybook.to/CC2019

2. Why did you add a pet to these books?

It may sound strange to some, but I include pets in my stories even though I am not myself a pet person. That’s because I adore people who keep pets and are good parents to them. My son has a cat named Billy, who is a rescue–and a very central member of his family. Billy, thrilled to be featured in A Christmas Conspiracy, is a vociferous supporter of my writing and pops up to endorse my books on Instagram and Twitter from time to time. You can say hi to him here after he is done with his Me-Time.

In No Escape from Love, Tiger is Mohini’s cat, also a rescue, who loves the great outdoors. Much to Mohini’s dismay, Tiger takes to the mysterious man who invades their quiet existence in the village of Tejopur. Mohini, suspicious of the man’s true intentions, is torn between trusting her own instinct or taking a cue from the faith that her cat reposes in the interloper.

3. What other books have you written?

From the two blurbs shared, it’s easy to guess that I write romance–contemporary and imbued with humor and passion–the heat level varies from sweet to hot. There is no pet in Satin and Sapphire, but it is my first romance with a turbaned hero and I adore the cover–so, do have a look at it:

Satin and Sapphire Blurb:

Danger meets delight in Asar Kalan!

Dr Danvir Sandhu has been dealt a cruel hand–his house of cards comes tumbling down when he loses, one by one, all the things that bring meaning to his life. He has barely found equilibrium when a serendipitous event brings Latika Anand into his orbit, and he struggles to stay aloof even as his heart yearns for a future with the maddeningly enticing fashion designer.

Considerably bruised after a break-up that is as unexpected as it is callous, Latika is thrown into an even more precarious situation that threatens her life. Both experiences convince her to return to her roots and tackle old demons even if it means denying the attraction she feels for a certain utterly fascinating physician.

Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YLBP4N6/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2

4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.

I’m sharing two reviews each for my books with pets:

No Escape from Love:

jazz singh

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this HEA!

The long wait for Reet Singh’s next has ended. No Escape from Love doesn’t disappoint. Aalok and Mohini, both damaged and fighting personal demons, meet and chemistry flares between them. She’s fiery and volatile, he’s damnably logical. Can love be far behind? As always, Reet’s characters are real and reel you into their topsy turvy lives. And yes, he’s as sexy as hell!

Leena

5.0 out of 5 stars A great entertainer!

Written in pristine language, with understated elegance and tongue-in-cheek humour, this was a breezy romance with all the tropes in place. It was lucid, just like the characters who were unabashed in displaying their emotions 😉 All of it sautéed with Punjabi tadka, made it all the more entertaining.

The hot and cold skirmishes between Mohini and Aalok were quite interesting and the confusion and drama that ensued with the arrival of more characters was downright hilarious at times. It reminded me of the classic comical capers or even the comedy of manners. Tiger the cat and Raja the teddy-bear were adorable, and were as much a part of the tumultuous interaction. And so was Mohini’s daughter Ria who added all the sweetness required to make a lovely story.

The rustic village in Punjab and the charming old house with its garden was a perfect backdrop. The description showed how much the author loved writing about something very close to her heart.

A great entertainer, Reet. I hope you come up with more!

A Christmas Conspiracy:

Ruchi

5.0 out of 5 stars Really cute love story 🙂

The author handled both humor and romance fabulously in this short, hilarious story. For the first time I loved the secondary characters in a romance more than my hero and heroine. Waiting to read more from the author.

Adite Banerjie

5.0 out of 5 stars A special treat

Christmas, coffee and a surprise date…what’s not to love! My fave character though is the wily matchmaking mom with the cutest name. Don’t miss out on this festive read.

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

Here’s where I can be found:

Facebook

Twitter

My Website

Goodreads
Amazon author page

Instagram

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

Maddie Evans

Posted on August 1, 2020 by MarciaJuly 28, 2020 3

1. I hear you have a border collie in your sweet romance. Tell us about the book.

Pepper is a major player in my book, A Tease and a Trail Run. It’s the second book in the Brighthead Running Club series of sweet/cozy romances about a running club in a coastal Maine town. (You can read them out of order.)

Charlotte has just broken off her engagement after she discovered her fiancé was cheating, and instead of going on her honeymoon this month, she’s going to house-sit for her aunt and uncle. While she’s in Brighthead, she reconnects with Brandon, an old friend who’s still reeling from the death of the woman he loved for years.

Available at select retailers: https://books2read.com/b/BrightheadTrail

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

I didn’t add a pet as much as the book formed around her. While I was thinking of reasons that Brandon and Charlotte would begin running together, or why Charlotte even needed to house-sit at all, I came across stories of super smart border collies, and I fell in love. I could never have a dog that much smarter than me, not to mention so high-energy, but I could certainly write such a dog.

On her first day in Brighthead, Charlotte returns from the grocery store to find three horses in her front yard. The problem? They don’t own horses. It turns out that Pepper has long since figured out how to get through the invisible fence (“Did we forget to tell you that?”), and when Pepper saw three horses in the road, she knew they shouldn’t be out there—so she herded them into the safest place she could. This dog is smart, and Charlotte’s never had a dog at all, let alone a working dog.

Brandon offers take Pepper every morning for a run so she’ll burn off energy, and soon Charlotte joins him for runs. (And thus starts the romance.) Pepper remains a major player, at one point jumping a fence into forbidden territory to help Charlotte when she’s on the ground and bleeding, and at the end getting between Charlotte and her vindictive ex.

(Pepper doesn’t get hurt, don’t worry! I hate dog stories where the dog dies. Pepper shows up, just as energetic and happy, in two other Brighthead books.)

3. What other books have you written?

There are five books in the Brighthead Running Club romances. In Book Three, Cashman has a stray cat who wanders into his shop every day. In Book Four, Shelly has a betta fish that she got to “replace” her ex when he ghosted her—which is more than a little awkward now that he’s back in town. In a way, the pets of these characters tell you a bit about who they are and what they want. I hadn’t really thought about it when designing them, but Cashman is very much like a stray cat, and you’ll have to read Shelly’s description to understand why she loves Fred the betta fish.

The Runaway Train stories, a different series, starts with a runaway teen and a guy from tiny-town-Texas rescuing a litter of puppies that’s been thrown over a fence and abandoned.

And in the next few months, I’m going to be releasing a series about musicians (also set in Maine) called the Castleton String Quartet. The first one, a novella, should be available for free once it’s got a cover and a title (little details) and I’ll let readers know how to get it if they sign up for my mailing list. (Which you can do here: http://eepurl.com/dEJjI1)

4. How do you promote your books?

For the past few months, I haven’t been promoting at all other than a few Amazon ads. I’ll ramp things up when I get the Castleton books ready to go, with a free series magnet novella (number zero?) to start, plus promos on the first novel. I’m also planning to put all of the Brighthead books into Kindle Unlimited so subscribers can read them for free.

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

You can join my mailing list here, http://eepurl.com/dEJjI1, but if you’d rather connect with me on Facebook, I have a page there too: http://facebook.com/TheMaddieEvans

At my website, you can see the covers of all my books: http://www.MaddieEvans.com

I also write under the pen name Jane Lebak: https://www.amazon.com/Jane-Lebak/e/B004FRUOLY/

Thank you so much for having me here today to talk about Pepper! It was fun learning about border collies before I started writing, and now it’s fun to share her with others.

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

Kimberly Beckett

Posted on July 1, 2020 by MarciaJuly 1, 2020 2

1. I hear you have horses in your novels. Tell us about your Horses Heal Hearts series.

Horses Heal Hearts is a five-book contemporary romance series in which the hero and heroine meet in an equestrian setting.

Book #1, Dressage Dreaming, is dressage:

A once in a lifetime horse, but only one of them can have him.

For very different reasons, Michael Stafford and Jessica Warren need the right horse to fulfill their dreams to compete in international dressage, and the black stallion Tempest is that horse. When Tempest’s owner requires them to compete head-to-head for Tempest, they discover the tension between them is not just about the horse, but about the strong attraction neither of them can deny.

Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079Q5Z3S1/

Book #2, Racing Toward Love, is horse racing:

Ian Stafford is a former British Special Forces war veteran who still has nightmares of a friend dying. When he sees a woman being threatened, he intervenes, and the woman escapes. But Ian accidentally stabs an attacker, who dies. Ian is charged with manslaughter, and the woman who can exonerate him has disappeared.

Megan Brady never imagined the thoroughbred colt her family raised would become a British Triple Crown contender. When the Irish mob approaches her brother with a bribe to lose the most important race of his career, he refuses. Megan tries to thwart the mob, but they attack her. If it hadn’t been for the man who saved her, she could have been killed. She must come out of hiding to exonerate Ian, but then the mob would find her. Meanwhile the date of the big race approaches.

Can Megan’s courage in the face of overwhelming odds help Ian come to grips with his grief and allow himself to live and love again? Will Ian be able to trust Megan with his heart?

Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KTDLWQD

Book #3, Lionel’s Leap of Faith, is set in the world of international show jumping:

He doesn’t know the mob has him in its cross hairs.

Lionel Hayes is shocked to discover a world-class jumper among the abused horses he rehabilitates. Unfortunately, the only man with the talent to ride that horse is not only the man of Lionel’s dreams, he has also been recruited by the mob to frame him.

One fateful decision had destroyed Lionel Hayes’ life and led to the death of his longtime partner and lover. But through his work rehabilitating abused horses, and the trust of one special horse, he realized he had to take responsibility for his actions. From that day forward, Lionel vowed to restore his image and resume the career he loved. In the process, he found the horse of a lifetime, Gideon’s Rainbow.

Monty Campbell was a rising star on the international show jumping circuit until he lost his horse to injury. Desperate for a replacement, he learned of Gideon’s Rainbow. To his surprise, the horse’s owner is also a perfect match for him, although the man stubbornly refuses to acknowledge it. How can Monty convince Lionel they were meant for each other? And will the sinister force that seeks to destroy Lionel destroy Monty as well?

Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Lionels-Leap-Faith-Horses-Hearts-ebook/dp/B07XK9FZ16

Book #4, Her Forever Love, focuses on Therapeutic Riding and will be released by Soul Mate Publishing on August 5th. Book #5 in the series will be about polo.

2. Why did you create a series featuring horses?

Ever since I can remember, I have loved horses. I wore out 4 rocking horses before I was 5 years old, and as I got older, I read every horse story in print, from Black Beauty to The Black Stallion. It wasn’t until I got my first job as an attorney for the federal government, however, that I could afford to buy my first horse, and I haven’t been without at least one ever since.

I have been riding and competing in dressage for several years and have earned my United States Dressage Federation Bronze Medal. When I wasn’t reading about horses, I was reading romance novels, and my favorites always involved an alpha male hero riding a magnificent horse. Now I have found a way to combine my love of horses with my love of romance by writing my own version of equine-facilitated happily ever afters. I truly believe that Horses Heal Hearts.

In addition to horses, I have always been a dog person, but since my recent divorce, when my ex-husband took custody of our two adopted off the track greyhounds, I’ve decided to adopt a cat from a local rescue. Wish me luck!

3. What drew you to writing fiction?

I have always been a planner, so my approach to writing is to outline my plot before I even begin to put pen to paper (figuratively)–I’m all about my laptop and word processing. LOL. I enjoy learning about the craft of writing and am always taking classes to improve my skills as a writer. I think if you read my entire series, you would see the quality of the writing improve over time. As I said above, I work full time, so my writing time is evenings and weekends primarily. I try to release at least one but hopefully two books in a year.

4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.

My favorite review is of my first book, Dressage Dreaming, from Uncaged Book Reviews:

“I’m always happy to read a book when it centers around horses and this one did not disappoint. The characters are well developed and the romance develops nicely between our two main characters. For different reasons, both Michael and Jessica need a horse named Tempest, a talented stallion that could bring their careers back to the International level, and the seller agrees to send the stallion to Michael’s farm for both him and Jessica to work with before he makes the decision who to sell to. But neither counted on falling in love…”

5. How do you promote your books?

My books are available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble, and I also offer audio book versions of all my currently printed titles. You can get free promo codes for my audiobooks at http://www.freeaudiobookcodes.com Just search the titles.

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

My website is the best place to learn more about me and about my books: http://www.KimberlyBeckett.com

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

Becky Muth

Posted on June 1, 2020 by MarciaMay 31, 2020 15

1. I hear you have a pet in your novel, The Squeaky Clean Skeleton. Tell us about the book.

The main character of The Squeaky Clean Skeleton is Victoria Solitaire Madison, but her friends call her Tori. She’s a widow who started a housekeeping business with her best friend, Hazel. There’s just one problem–she hates scrubbing toilets (and most other household chores). When they segue to cleaning out the attic of the Livingston mansion, Tori finds a stray cat and takes it home to keep it from winding up at the shelter.

When I was writing the book, I had no idea the cat had any special quirks, like being a cursed totally hot Irishman that only Tori can see. Staying within the rules of magic was a fun challenge and one that gets some awesome tweaks for the next book in the series, which is called The Deadly Dust Bunnies.

Here’s the buy link: https://amzn.to/2TtAc20 and the full blurb for The Squeaky Clean Skeleton:

Hi! I’m Tori Madison, and I hate scrubbing toilets, which is unfortunate because my BFF Hazel and I own Bubbles and Troubles, Blueberry Bay’s premier cleaning service. When Mrs. Livingston asked us to sort through the contents of her attic, however, we thought our toilet-scrubbing days were over. That is…until we found her corpse. As if finding our client’s body stuffed in a steamer trunk wasn’t enough of an upset, someone needed to save her cat from being sent to a local high-kill animal shelter. That person, as it turned out, was me. I had no sooner set up the critter’s litter box in my guest bathroom when he revealed another side. A six-foot-four, hunky, Irish side that only I can see.

Before I could come to grips with my new feline friend’s secret, Mrs. Livingston’s relatives, eager to claim their inheritance, asked Hazel and me to solve the murder. And the amount of the reward was many times over what their aunt owed for the job she hired us to do. Soon we had a plan that included Rune, my new housepet-turned-houseguest.

The more I got to know Rune, the more I wanted to confide in Hazel. But was I risking our lives by keeping my cat’s secret as we went through with our crazy plan to catch a killer? Unfortunately, I didn’t have a choice.

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

The Squeaky Clean Skeleton is part of a shared world from Sweet Promise Press that takes place in the fictional region of Blueberry Bay, Maine. Each series featured some kind of an animal. I hadn’t decided when I started writing the book, but Rune, the cat-Irishman worked himself into the story.

So, I guess you could say it was the cat’s decision, because I’m actually a total dog person.

Our family has three dogs and a turtle, but a cat just felt right for the book. Once Rune revealed his secret, he became one of the most important characters. Rune has already given me some sneak peeks for the third book, called The Merry Messy Mummy, and I’ve been taking diligent notes.

3. What other books have you written?

Two of the other books I’ve written are Protecting Peyton and Healing Hawk. They are part of the Gold Coast Retrievers shared world of romantic suspense books from Sweet Promise Press. In the photo of my three dogs, the golden retriever on the left is Cinnamon, who inspired some of the scenes with Gilda, the dog in Protecting Peyton.

I’ve also written No Time For Lattes, which is part of the No Brides Club series. I’m currently working on No Time For Fairy Tales, which has some characters from the first book.

One of my first romances was Love’s Silver Lining about an older couple who get a second chance at happily ever after, and Love’s Wonderful Life which was inspired by two of my favorite Christmas movies, a Christmas Carol and It’s a Wonderful Life.

The first book I ever wrote was Screaming Jenny, a novella set in my hometown of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. It’s inspired by my favorite haunted story, which takes place just outside the train station. It kicked off a series of short stories set in various states in the Appalachian region of the United States.

You can find all of my books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2A0gBPV

4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.

The readers who review my books are the best because they’re honest. They let me know what they loved–and what they didn’t–which helps me know what to add to (or leave out of) future books I write. I love sharing reviews on social media, especially the glowing ones that make me cry tears of joy. The whole time I’m writing, I worry about whether readers will like it. It’s a big relief when they do.

5. How do you promote your books?

I promote my books on social media, through www.litring.com (which is also my employer) and during in-person events. Although all of my in-person events have been canceled for 2020, I look forward to seeing readers face-to-face again in 2021! As details become available, I’ll add it to the calendar page of my website: https://beckymuth.com/calendar

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

I love interacting with readers! Here are all the places we can connect…

Website – https://BeckyMuth.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/authorbeckymuth
Twitter – https://www.twitter.com/authorbeckymuth
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/authorbeckymuth
Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/authorbeckymuth
Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/author/beckymuth
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/authorbeckymuth
BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/authors/becky-muth
Newsletter – https://beckymuth.com/newsletter

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

PJ Sharon

Posted on May 1, 2020 by MarciaMay 2, 2020 18

1. I hear you have a dog in your series featuring a rookie cop heroine. Tell us about the series.

Hi, Marcia, thanks so much for having me. I’m thrilled to be here and always happy to talk about two of my favorite things…books and dogs!

My Savage Cinderella novella series is based on a book I published back in 2012, Savage Cinderella. In the novel, readers are introduced to eighteen-year-old Brinn Hathaway, who has survived on her own in the High Country of North Georgia since she was left for dead in a shallow grave by the man who kidnapped her as a child. When a young nature photographer, Justin Spencer, catches the wild girl on film and the two form a tentative friendship, Brinn must decide if coming out of hiding is worth the hope—and the danger—that may await her.

A mix of literary fiction, romance, suspense, and coming of age, it was one of those stories that didn’t quite fit onto a specific bookshelf, which is why I decided to self-publish it. I wasn’t sure if the story qualified as Young Adult (YA) or the relatively new (at the time) sub-genre of New Adult fiction. A fellow author once described the “agent pitch” as Veronica Mars meets Nell. Or A Child Called It meets Nancy Drew.

There’s no overt sexuality or language issues, but the subject matter is gritty, and Brinn’s age sets her just outside the YA market. A 2010 Sheila and Golden Palm finalist and a 2013 NERFA and HOLT Medallion winner, Savage Cinderella went on to become a hit on Wattpad with almost four million reads. It was then I decided to continue Brinn’s journey through a series of novellas.

Each 30k “episode” has a crime to solve, a relationship issue to overcome, and a powerful step in Brinn’s personal journey of recovery and healing after all she’d endured as a child. There are now five books in the series: Finding Hope, Lost Boys, Sacred Ground, Broken Angel, and Liberty’s Promise, all of which have social justice themes—and yes…a dog named Eliot.

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

When I first came up with the idea for Savage Cinderella, I was hiking in the woods with my dog, Zak—a golden lab/husky mix who I rescued as a six-month-old pup and who was as devoted to me as any living being on the planet had ever been. He was my constant companion for twelve years and the best hiking pal a girl could want. On this one walk, just like every writer with an overactive imagination, I started daydreaming. I wondered what it would have been like to grow up in the wild and have been raised by wolves. But when I ‘saw’ Brinn running through the woods, she wasn’t running with wolves.

In the original novel, Brinn befriends a bear—yes, a bear—and names her Kitty. This may seem like a stretch, but in Brinn’s lonely world of isolation and survival as a ten-year-old, rescuing a cub who had lost its mother and developing a bond with the animal is what helps her survive cold winter nights and the myriad of dangers she faces throughout the story. It was also symbolic of her own loss, believing her parents were dead and that no one wanted her—a lie that her captor ingrained in her during the two years he’d kept and tortured her. Even after Brinn returns to the world, she and Kitty remain friends and this character comes back in Broken Angel, when Brinn returns to her mountain cabin and is confronted by drug dealers.

For the series though, Brinn needed a sidekick who could accompany her in the real world, and Eliot fit the bill. A gift from Justin, Eliot (named after the author T.S. Eliot) is a loveable yellow lab who is as much an emotional support dog as he is a partner in crime-fighting. He failed out of his first round of canine police training because of his overly independent nature (a characteristic he shares with Brinn).

Eliot doesn’t appear in all the books, but he is always on her mind and a valued friend who keeps her grounded. I enjoyed writing him, and I think well-drawn animal characters can add an incredible depth to our heroes and heroines. Kristan Higgins writes amazing pets into her stories, making them an integral part of her characters’ journeys and offering a reflection in some way to the characters themselves.

Zak is no longer with me and it’s been hard to imagine replacing him, but maybe someday, another dog will come along and find me. Until then, I’ll keep writing them into my stories!

3. What other romances have you written?

One of the best parts of self-publishing is not being pinned down to one genre. I’ve written three contemporary YA romances, Heaven Is For Heroes, On Thin Ice, and Pieces Of Love, all part of what I call The Girls of Thompson Lake Series, since all the characters are friends and live in a small fictitious CT lake town. Each novel is a standalone story, but the friendships and settings overlap. Sami’s Christmas Wishlist is an accompanying novella that brings all the girls together for a heartwarming holiday story.

I also have a dystopian trilogy called The Chronicles of Lily Carmichael; a series RT Book Reviews called “An action-packed read with a strong female lead.” I’m particularly proud of this series as it’s won several awards and was especially fun and challenging to write. You can read the prequel, Soul Redemption on Wattpad or download it free as a thank-you gift for signing up for my newsletter.

Waning Moon, Western Desert, and Healing Waters make up the rest of the trilogy—in which, in the year 2057, in a post-apocalyptic world where three quarters of the population has been wiped out by a global pandemic, and a polar shift threatens the remainder of Earth’s inhabitants with extinction, sixteen-year-old genetically enhanced teen, Lily Carmichael, faces bigger challenges—escape capture by a rogue government agency, save her family, and avoid falling in love.

I know…cheery stuff, right? Despite the desperate and apocalyptic setting, there is a teen romance, a ton of action and adventure, and as with all my stories a “hopefully ever after” ending. It also has a couple of pet wolves—my first introduction to writing animal characters.

4. How do you promote your books?

Promoting me and my books has been one of the greatest challenges for me as an author. I know this is true for many of us. Writers are—by nature—introverts to some degree. We spend a lot of time living in our heads with make-believe characters. I love the writing process (even with its alternating ups and downs of creative euphoria and doubt-filled exasperation). But the selling process and treating my writing as a business—not so much. I have a particularly difficult time balancing writing and promoting simultaneously. I enjoy engaging with readers, but it’s sad and a little scary to leave the writer’s cave and face the real world again, lol.

When my head is in a story, I need to stay in that creative space, and marketing and promotions require a whole different mindset. I’ve avoided doing much marketing for the series the past two years as I’ve been writing the five novellas, but now that the series is in a good place to call it complete, and I don’t have any immediate plans for another story, I’m shifting gears. This is, after all, a marathon and not a sprint. A dozen books published in eight years is a good bit of writing. So, now it’s time to devote some effort to sharing them with the world.

I’ve created a marketing plan and a promotions list of to-dos over the next six months that will include getting out to bookstores, visiting libraries, and speaking at schools. I also need to focus on garnering reviews and being more consistent with content creation for social media. Once summer comes, I’ll do more book fairs and farmer’s markets.

One of the most consistently successful things I’ve done with my online community is multi-author events. Cross-promoting with others is fun, not that much work, and usually gives me a good return on my investment, whether through increased sales or a jump in new followers. There is so much that can be done, we can make ourselves crazy. Finding what works for you, that you enjoy—or at least don’t mind—and that gives you a solid return on your investment is the key. And not everything is worth doing. I rarely recoup my costs when I do those short-term sales and pay for advertising on a bunch of cheap sites. I’ll get a bump in numbers sold which is good for a temporary boost in Amazon rankings, but it never pans out enough for me to see a return on investment (ROI). The same with Facebook ads. Some people do great with them, but you need to spend money to make money. Unless you’re fortunate enough to get a BookBub ad, or you have a huge advertising budget, paid advertising has been a bust for me.

I think the best advertising is still word-of-mouth. Getting out and talking about our stories, meeting readers, and creating connections is probably one of the most important things we can do to promote ourselves and our books. That’s why I’m here visiting with you! Thanks again for having me.

Leave a comment on this blog and be entered to win a signed copy of Savage Cinderella!

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

Readers can find me at all the places I hang out…

Website: http://www.PJSharon.com
Follow PJ on Twitter: @pjsharon https://www.twitter.com/pjsharon
“Like” PJ on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pjsharonbooks
Find PJ on Amazon’s Author Central page: http://www.amazon.com/PJ-Sharon/e/B005ONR4IY/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/PJSharon
Read FREE chapters on Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/pjsharon
Signup for PJ’s Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bm7rj5

Author Bio:

In addition to her day job as a massage therapist, PJ Sharon is an award-winning author, fitness guru, lover of kind spirits, and sometimes lost in imaginary worlds. Whether PJ writes contemporary YA, NA, or a dystopian trilogy, there is always a romance at the heart of the story, healing for a troubled soul, and a hopefully ever after end to look forward to.

A black belt in the art of Shaolin Kempo Karate, former figure skating and power skating coach, and singer of Italian art songs, PJ has two grown sons and lives with her brilliant engineer husband in the Berkshire Hills of Western MA where she writes, kayaks, and plays in the dirt as often as possible.

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

Renee Wildes

Posted on April 1, 2020 by MarciaMarch 28, 2020 10

1. I hear you have pets in your novel, A Guardian’s Destiny. Tell us about the book.

A Guardian’s Destiny is Book 5 in my 7-book Guardians of Light series published by Champagne Book Group. (Each book is stand-alone, while also fleshing out the same fictitious, magical world.) It follows the epic journey of Verdeen, a newly graduated elven shieldmaiden who was once Queen Dara’s lady’s maid (from Book 1, A Guardian’s Heart), But Verdeen wanted more, and Queen Dara allowed her to attend the warrior academy. But sometimes fate takes you in unexpected directions:

Not even a Prince of Thieves can prevent love from stealing his heart…

On what should have been Verdeen’s proudest day, she is blocked from advanced warrior training because no war mare chooses to bond with her. Burning with humiliation, she accepts a lesser assignment to the Isle of Ice, serving as bodyguard to human riever, Daq Aryk.

Verdeen’s never paid much attention to men, so focused was she on her training. But she quickly realizes hieing off into a distant wilderness with Aryk is a bad idea. He makes her lose all focus and perspective.

Aryk faces a difficult task: molding six warring clans into a peaceful whole. He’s got nothing against women warriors, but Verdeen is young and inexperienced, her beauty a potentially fatal distraction. She’s a shield-maiden, not a bedmate. But the way she melts at his every touch erodes all his good intentions…and sense.

One kiss unleashes the kind of feverish desire that should occur only once in a lifetime—with a mate. But as their quest takes ever more dangerous twists and turns, their bond could be the one thing that unites a nation. Or make Aryk’s worst nightmare a blood-soaked reality.

Warning: Contains fire and ice, never-gratuitous sex and violence, sword play and self-play, spying and lying, noble intentions and betrayal. In other words, a rollicking good roll in the proverbial hay.

2. Why did you add pets to your book?

Because the love of pets unites us all into a commonality, and how we treat those smaller and weaker than ourselves reveals what kind of person we are. They enhance our existence and teach us a lot about ourselves. They do the same for my characters, allowing my readers to identify with characters made that much more real and sympathetic and believable.

I have three cats, a dog, and a horse. All seniors with health issues, all rescues. I am my vets’ best client. They are family and I would do anything for them.

My oldest cat Chandra is a sweet calico, 18 & deaf, with a heart murmur & kidney failure. My gray Morab mare Sassy is 15 and retired after insulin-resistant metabolic disorder caused her to founder severely a year ago. Both of my male tabby cats are 7 and afraid of anyone not family. Riley is additionally burdened with neurological issues and recurrent dental disease.

My black Chow Abby is 10 with arthritis of the spine and a lifelong special diet after almost dying from bladder stones.

Aryk would do anything for his dog, Fiske, as well. (Picture a red Akita) Here’s a snippet of a scene of a mountain rescue:

Rounding a clump of boulders like scattered marbles, Aryk paused and frowned at the path ahead. A fine latticework of ice crystals covered the surface, as if it had melted and refrozen. He crouched, pointed to a jagged line transecting the snow. Valkyn studied it as well and nodded.

“What?” she whispered.

“Partial thaw,” Aryk said. “Might’ve weakened this area. We cross above that line.”

“Spread out,” Valkyn advised.

They proceeded with caution. Fiske’s fur stood on end as he sniffed the air and paced back and forth, staying close to Aryk. Snow creaked and crunched underfoot, as if the Horn groaned at their intrusion. Ominous clouds crept across the sky. The dim light crushed her spirit. The Horn no longer seemed benign. It waited

A sharp crack and Fiske’s startled yelp were the sole warnings as the snow collapsed beneath the dog’s paws, and he dropped. Verdeen screamed as he disappeared into the ground.

Aryk hurled himself to the snow, clutching the line. He wound the line around his hands, drawing the dog back up with every coil.

She didn’t dare move, scarce dared breathe, as Valkyn crept forward on his belly to the edge of the crevasse and snagged Fiske’s harness when the dog came within range, hauling him back onto solid ground. The shaking, whimpering dog tottered to Aryk, who yanked off his gloves and hauled the dog close enough to bury his face in Fiske’s red fur.

Her heart thundered as Valkyn eased away from the treacherous opening. They’d nigh lost Fiske. She’d gotten attached in a few days. How much worse for Aryk, who raised him from a pup?

How can Verdeen resist a guy like Aryk?

3. What other books have you written?

In addition to the seven Guardians of Light titles (A Guardian’s Heart, A Guardian’s Hope, A Guardian Revealed, A Guardian’s Dream, A Guardian’s Destiny, A Guardian Betrayed, and A Guardian Redeemed), I have a paranormal romance, Marek’s New World, and a science fiction romance, Seditious Hearts. I am working on a sequel series to the Guardians of Light that I’m calling Daughters of the Guardians. I also want to do a sequel to Marek and one for Seditious Hearts as well.

4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.

I am a 3-time Epic finalist, a 2-time Ecataromance Reviewer’s Choice Award winner, a 2-time WisRWA Reader’s Choice finalist, an LRC Best Of runner-up for fantasy romance, an OTFS winner, an Ignite the Flame runner-up & a Sheila finalist.

Here’s what Lilly’s Book World https://lillysbookworld.com/2019/10/13/book-tour-reviews-guardians-of-light-series/ thought of A Guardian’s Destiny:

So much magic, so many twists and turns and so many strong heroines! “A Guardian’s Destiny” does not disappoint at all. Verdeen’s pride is wounded, when she is forced to accept a lesser mission. Little did she know the dangers she would face. Aryk also has to face his own pride, when having to trust a woman, as a warrior.

Business set aside, they learn the connection they share runs beyond the field of battle. They will discover the passion one kiss can unleash. Is this enough for them? The world is full of dangers and they have to face a lot!

I don’t know if this is exactly the “crown jewel” of the series, because I have enjoyed all of them. But I do believe this is yet another one full of lies and intrigue. With a twist I never saw coming, I was completely hooked into this world.

After reading this entire series, I can say I’ve missed this feeling of devoting my time to 5 books! I loved the combination between magic, at certain levels, magical beings and shifters and romance. I was hooked and I still am! I plan to revisit the series and follow the author closely!

Here’s what the Library Journal had to say about A Guardian’s Destiny, back when it was first published with Samhain as Riever’s Heart:

After a bloody battle with his fellow Isadorikjans, Daq Aryk decides to travel to the south to get help in uniting the tribes of the frozen north. Aid comes in the form of Verdeen, a feisty Elven champion who is struggling with balancing the warrior of her personality with the awakening woman. As they journey toward Aryk’s home, they must contend with Verdeen’s skepticism, the elements, and enemies, to say nothing of the growing heat between them. This historical fantasy romance steams its way through a traditional hero’s journey home. Readers will enjoy the layers of lovemaking that are balanced with an exciting story line. Between the bloodsport and the intense relationships, there is really something for every romance or fantasy enthusiast here.

Verdict If you like your icy landscapes with some hot love scenes, this is the book for you! Well-drawn characters with lots of facets placed in exciting situations; a fun page-turner.—Emily Thompson, MSI, Ann Arbor, MI

5. How do you promote your books?

Mostly through Facebook & Twitter and the occasional interview and guest blog.

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

Website: http://reneewildesromance.com/
Publisher: http://champagnebooks.com/store/185_renee-wildes
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Renee-Wildes/e/B003ZMXWQE?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2&qid=1584293973&sr=8-2
Blog: https://reneewildes1.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReneeWildes1
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ReneeWildes
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/reneewildes/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2465877.Renee_Wildes
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildesrenee/?hl=en

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

Barbara Meyers

Posted on March 1, 2020 by MarciaFebruary 29, 2020 14

1. I hear you have a cat in your novel, Cleo’s Web. Tell us about the book.

A few years ago, hubs and I moved into one of those over 55 “active lifestyle communities.” At the time, a few of my new neighbors told me I didn’t look old enough to live here. (Even though I was.) I got to thinking, but what if someone wasn’t old enough and needed to slip in under the radar? And cat-sitting a cat who hates her was part of the gig? But she got caught? Thus, Cleo’s Web was born.

Cleo’s Web Buy Links:

Amazon short link: http://amzn.to/2dyvRT7
Universal Link via D2D: https://books2read.com/u/bP1L7j

Blurb:

Unconvincing disguises, reverse stripteases, and an uncooperative feline…

Itching to start over, Cleo Ward is preparing to leave her bad choices and troubled past behind. A temporary gig cat-sitting will benefit her relocation fund. All she has to do is blend in with her aunt’s retirement community.

Easier said than done when Daniel “Web” Webster, the sexy property manager shows up… Nothing gets by Web, especially an intriguing too-young-to-be-a-resident female masquerading as a senior citizen. But since it’s for a noble cause, he might be able to overlook Cleo’s rule-breaking for a favor—or two.

But what happens when Cleo becomes more entangled with Web than she intended? Does she even want to escape the invisible threads he’s woven around her?

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

Winnie

I used to be more of a cat person, but now I’m more of a dog person. We always had cats during my childhood, and hubs and I had two when we were first together. Then we had kids and got a dog, and I guess we became dog people. We found her at the SPCA shelter two years ago. Winnie is like a slightly smaller clone of our dog Pepper, who we had lost the year before. Winnie’s such a lady, who even crosses her legs:

A lot of my friends have cats, and they tell such funny stories about them. My daughter has two cats—one she adores and one who is the bane of her existence. I needed Cleo to have more than one good reason for sneaking into her great-aunt’s community and trying to fly under the radar. Having to care for a cat who despises her made for some funny moments. Also, the cat, whose name is Poe, adores the hero, which irritates Cleo even more.

3. What other romances have you written?

I won’t list them all, but more recently I released the first book in a stand-alone connected series (Red Bud, Iowa) entitled If You Knew. A former adult film actress relocates to a small Iowa town and becomes the target of a nasty political campaign. She’s recently widowed and is pregnant, and…the hero has a past he’s not proud of as well. Next up is the second book in the series, If You Dare, which features If You Knew’s villain as the hero.

If You Knew Buy Link: https://books2read.com/IfYouKnew

Blurb:

In a town filled with lies, is there room for one more?

Widow Devonny Campbell arrives in tiny Red Bud, Iowa, determined to make a new life for herself and the child she carries. But when her former career in adult films is uncovered, she becomes the catalyst for a nasty political campaign which creates a tornado of controversy.

High school coach and guidance counselor Luke Bradshaw knows one strong wind will collapse the house of cards he’s built to contain his demons. He’s falling hard for Devonny in spite of her past. And she might be what trips him up and exposes everything he’s kept hidden.

But Devonny and Luke aren’t the only citizens of Red Bud forced to face the judgment of their peers. As the campaign turns vicious, deeply-buried truths are revealed and lifelong relationships are shattered. Can Devonny and Luke stick together? Or will too much truth tear them apart?

White Roses in Winter is a shotgun wedding story, which features a struggling college-age hero, an overly controlling father who is determined to teach his daughter a lesson she won’t forget, and a jealous frenemy with an axe to grind.

White Roses In Winter Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/4EDekO

Blurb:

The princess. The pauper. And a shotgun…

The only thing Jason is focused on is getting through his last year of college. But the instant attraction between him and Kerrie leads to one unforgettable night together.

When Kerrie’s wealthy, overly-protective father learns she is pregnant, he arranges a temporary marriage to teach her a lesson about choices and consequences. Jason reluctantly agrees to keep his participation in the plan a secret, because it’s the only way he can safeguard his future and his family.

Kerrie is blinded by her romantic fantasy and doesn’t suspect she’s been set up. Meanwhile, Jason guards his heart and vows that when Kerrie leaves with their baby, he won’t beg her to stay.

Just when it seems a future together is possible, lies, betrayal and deceit threaten to separate Kerrie and Jason forever. Faced with losing each other and their baby, will their fragile bond be strong enough?

4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.

Here is one of the best reviews I received for If You Knew:

Review 4/1/19:

https://romance4thebeach.wordpress.com/2019/04/01/if-you-knew-by-barbara-meyers/

“Little did I know this book would make me confront my own biases and prejudices, and learn the importance of acknowledging that who a person is now is often more important than who they once were.”

I love this site [Romance Novels For the Beach] in particular because the reviewer is brilliant at analyzing why a book works or doesn’t. She posts the reviews with memes, and they are such fun to read. And, as the name of her site suggests, she only reviews romance novels.

A *****Five Star Review of White Roses in Winter from the GeeA Gaylene Atkins’ blog: https://gayleneatkins.wordpress.com/2018/03/15/book-review6-white-roses-in-winter-author-is-barbara-meyers/

“White Roses in Winter is definitely a romance in my view; but it comes with much more grit and reality than your average romance genre read. There is suspense. There is action.”

What I loved about Gaylene’s review [above] is she really got what I was trying to convey with White Roses in Winter. That doesn’t always happen.

5. How do you promote your books?

I’m admittedly terrible about promotion. I’m trying to be more active on social media, especially Instagram and Facebook, but I enjoy the creative process of writing so much more. I’d rather write books than talk about them!!

This year, I’m doing monthly giveaways for my newsletter subscribers themed around a holiday or season. The first was for Valentine’s Day. A basket with Starbucks coffee (because I work there part-time), a mug, one of my books, a gift card, chocolate. Who knows what else? Other goodies, for sure. I want to reach out to followers and subscribers who enjoy what I write. And I love giving stuff away to loyal readers. Next one will be for St. Patrick’s Day. J Sign up is via my website.

I’m giving away a free ebook of Cleo’s Web to a randomly chosen person who comments on this blog!

Here are my links:

Web Site: http://www.BarbaraMeyers.com
Draft2Digital: http://books2read.com/author/barbara-meyers/subscribe/1/33163/
Blog: http://barbarameyers.com/blog/
Facebook Author Pages: https://www.facebook.com/BarbaraMeyersAuthorPage and https://www.facebook.com/AJTillock
Amazon Author Page: http://amazon.com/author/barbarameyers
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/barbmeyers1/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbmeyers/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/barbmeyers
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-meyers-5b581842/
Twitter: @barbmeyers and @ajtillock
Twitter URL: https://twitter.com/barbmeyers
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/barbara-meyers
Lakeland Ledger Article: http://www.theledger.com/news/20160313/auburndale-author-finds-success-with-amorous-tales
Alison Nissen Podcast 7/17: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7O9gHayvU8&feature=em-share_video_use

Marcia James: Thank you, Barbara, for stopping by my Go Pets blog and offering to give away an ebook! I look forward to reading your romantic novels!

READER INVITATION: Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook in addition to Barbara Meyer’s 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!

Lyncee Shillard

Posted on February 1, 2020 by MarciaJanuary 28, 2020 17

1. I hear you have pets in your novels. Tell us about them.

I do. I love animals–all animals. Even those that aren’t meant to be pets. I feel it’s really important that animals are allowed to “be.” For example, if you love cats, go to the local shelter and adopt one; don’t smuggle a tiger cub out of the jungle. My books reflect this message.

In my latest release romance adventure–Taking A Risk (available at https://books2read.com/u/3npgqe)–is all about this message.

Blurb: If Leigh Ronaldson is one thing, it’s predictable. What’s wrong with having a routine? Apparently, it makes her boring or so her ex-boyfriend claimed as he dumped her. And her best friend agrees.

She decides to prove them wrong and books an extreme adventure in Ecuador. The hiking, kayaking, and camping she signed up for. She didn’t plan on the hot guide who by just looking at her made her squirm with desire and definitely not the drug cartel who wants them dead.

Nick Greco’s golden rule is never to touch a client. NEVER. But rules can’t be broken. Regardless of how hard he is.

Once the local drug cartel starts hunting them, he knows it will take all his skill to get out of the Amazon jungle alive. And if your life is hanging in the balance, even golden rules can be broken…

My Christmas romance–The Christmas Reunion (available at https://books2read.com/u/mVBJEM)–is set on an animal rescue reserve. So it’s a mix of pets and wild life that has rescued.

Blurb: Five years ago, Joleigh Nelson turned her back on the only man she’d ever love to save her father and unborn son’s lives. Now that man may be the only one who can save her home, the New Forks animal reserve.

Spencer Thompkin has spent the last five years in an emotional wasteland. Unable to let anyone in after Joleigh disappeared without a word. On a routine foreclosure of an animal reserve, he finds not only Joleigh but a son he never knew about.

Can he get over the feelings of betrayal and help Joleigh save her home–the animal reserve? Or will the heartless lawyer part of him prevail leaving Joleigh homeless and without her son?

A Christmas Reunion may not even be enough to save the animal reserve and restore their love.

In my Halloween romance suspense–Murder and Treats (available at https://books2read.com/u/3nYk7B)–there is pet hamster that is a strong secondary character…that is key in solving keeping Lila alive. Mr. Bosworth is cute but don’t let that fool you.

Blurb: Lila Maxwell is coaxed into attending All Treats, a Halloween speed dating event by her best friend. Instead of the soul mate promised, one Halloween ghoul after another appears at her door until Cowboy Bill.

Jax Carlson has spent the last year focusing all of his attention on starting his own business. Hiring Lila Maxell over the Internet as his project manager was the final piece to his prefect plan. Set to open for business in three days, Jax plans on spending a couple of days on his boat relaxing. However, his friend Erik has a different idea–a speed dating Halloween party.

Jax has spent the night plotting the best revenge possible for Erik until Sally opens the door. The woman dressed in the pale lavender Harem costume ignites a fire that Jax thought was impossible without the aid of his formulated dating list.

After a night of mind-blowing sex, Lila sneaks out before they exchange real names, believing it was no more than a one-night stand.

Lila’s first day is full of surprises, the biggest being Cowboy Bill is actually her new boss, Jax Carlson. She thinks keeping her hormones in check while convincing Jax that love doesn’t follow a formula is complication enough until she learns the participants of the All Treats speed dating event are being killed.

My upcoming release–Ethan–has a little yorkie with a BIG attitude.

2. Why did you add pets to your stories?

I think they are amazing characters! They have their own personality, love unconditionally (as a romance writer, how can you NOT use that?), and are an excellent way to reveal your hero/heroine’s personality. Pets make great sounding boards for my characters (and me. My dog–Gunther–is my main planning partner 😊)

I’m a dog person (allergies sort of has determined this). Writing is a solo thing and the great thing about Gunther is that he’s silent, yet there. He’s also a venting source (most of my characters use their pets, their friend’s pets, or the jungle animals for this.)

When we aren’t writing, we enjoy long walks on the beach…even in the winter.

3. What other romances have you written?

I have written a couple paranormal suspense. A Mermaid’s Wish (no animals in this at all, which is weird for me), available at https://books2read.com/u/4AYAeA

Treasure Hunt (a pirate paranormal–no pets but a magical Siberian Tiger named Esmeralda), available at https://www.amazon.com/Treasure-Hunt-Lyncee-Shillard-ebook/dp/B003K16VFY/ref=sr_1_3?qid=1579915138&refinements=p_27%3ALyncee+Shillard&s=digital-text&sr=1-3&text=Lyncee+Shillard

5. How do you promote your books?

One of the key promotions is Charity Sunday and other animal organizations. For example, I donate a part of my sales from Treasure Hunt to a big cat rescue located in Wisconsin. (Esmeralda was based on Memphis.)

For Taking a Risk, I plan on donating part of my sales to the Amazon Wildlife foundation. My pets have given me so much and ask so little in return that I really feel that is a small thing I can do.

I’d love to hear if any of your readers have a favorite animal charity.

[NOTE: Visitors can use this blog’s Comments section to let us know about your favorite animal charity.]

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

I live in the cold Northern Michigan (the place of four seasons–they lie! It’s just different levels of winter) with my husband. Our children have begun their own adventures, and just as I got into the swing of empty nest, then my grandson came to live with us. Now I’m doing 8 again…they argue everything, just case you forgot. And I now remember why I eat doughnuts and drink vodka 😊

When I’m not hanging out with the 8-year-old, I’m writing, reading, crocheting, and making self-care products. I’m a planner babe and vodka wizard. I also enjoy taking pictures. I’m not claiming to have a talent; it’s just something I like to do.

Come and hang out with me…we will talk doughnuts, vodka, and planners…

Website: https://LynceeShillard.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lyncee
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LynceeS/
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3344793.Lyncee_Shillard
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Lyncee-Shillard/e/B007WGBKYK/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1534257851&sr=8-1

Marcia James: Thank you, Lyncee, for stopping by my Go Pets! I look forward to reading your romantic novels!