Marcia James' Website

1.  I hear you have a cat in your romance, Trick or Meet? Tell us about the book.

Trick or Meet: A Halloween Romance is a later-in-life, slow-burn, small-town, steamy Halloween romance. Hannah, the main female character, has a cat who, despite being all black, is named Ghost (her daughter Olivia’s idea!).

Trick or Meet Blurb: In Holidaze, New York, nearly every day’s a holiday–but Halloween is the best time of year for practical, straight-laced Hannah. Her work as a ghostwriter picks up, her candy addiction becomes socially acceptable, and the line between the living and the dead is so thin, she can feel the spirit of Justin, her late husband, in a way she can’t the rest of the year.

Scott is only in town temporarily to research the town’s Halloween celebrations and urban legends–yet soon after they meet, it’s Hannah he can’t stop thinking about. He gets his nose out of the books long enough to tempt Hannah fully back into the land of the living–but does their romance have a ghost of a chance for happily ever after?

Trick or Meet is available for purchase at Amazon and/or to read for free in Kindle Unlimited at https://www.amazon.com/Trick-Meet-Halloween-Romance-Holidaze-ebook/dp/B0BKMKT6SM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2UNCEWP3QFDS6&keywords=trick+or+meet+victoria+bradleigh&qid=1695332264&sprefix=Trick+or+meet%2Caps%2C107&sr=8-1

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

Hannah was widowed young, and besides her daughter, Ghost is the one other living tie to her late husband. Although Hannah continues to move on, including finding a new love in Trick or Meet, Ghost is a much-loved reminder of a person and a life she loved and still misses.

Since childhood I’ve always had cats, and they’re such a comforting, steady link to different phases of one’s life. When I was finishing kindergarten, we adopted a tiny kitten that my sister named Marbley (she was all black like Ghost and looked like a little marble)–and she lived until a few months after I graduated from college! Marbley was with me through all the highs and lows of childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, and was such an affectionate and loyal friend to the end.

My husband and I currently have two cats, a two-year-old orange cat named Fuzz Aldrin who followed me home last November, and a 16-year-old cat named Sophie who we adopted from an animal rescue organization in February. She was supposed to become Fuzz’s best friend but, probably due to their age difference, Sophie didn’t get that memo!

3. What other books have you written?

Trick or Meet is my first book in my Holidaze Love series. The books are stand-alones so you can read them in any order, but they all take place in the small town of Holidaze, New York–where every holiday is celebrated with the excitement it deserves!–and some of the same characters make appearances in all the books.

Kiss Kringle, my second book in the series, is a Christmas romance, and I’m now working on a Thanksgiving romance. Every book features a pet or animal of some sort. Kiss Kringle has a very sleepy dog named Blitzen, and my Thanksgiving romance will feature a couple of pet turkeys.

I also have at least one female character in each book who has a traditionally male job. Trick or Meet has a handywoman named Laura who can fix anything, and in Kiss Kringle, Nico’s aunt is a police officer and Marianne’s great aunt was one of the first female commercial pilots in the U.S.

I would describe the Holidaze Love series as light, contemporary, small-town, later-in-life, medium-steam holiday romances.

4. How do you promote your books?

The most successful promotion for me has been offering Trick or Meet free for a day through Fussy Librarian (https://www.thefussylibrarian.com/). Over 1,000 copies of the Trick or Meet e-book were downloaded that day, and I also got some reads through Kindle Unlimited. I highly recommend Fussy Librarian for both authors and readers!

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

Feel free to visit my website at https://www.victoriabradleigh.com/, where you can find out about my books, email me, or sign up for my newsletter–I love to connect with readers!

Victoria’s Blog Commenters Contest:

I would also like to offer one free, signed paperback copy of Trick or Meet to one lucky person who comments on this blog interview. Happy Halloween!

MARCIA: Thank you, Victoria, for your interview and your contest offer. An autographed paperback book is a great prize! I love holiday romances, and I’ll definitely read yours! Happy Halloween!

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!

1. I hear you have a pet in your novel, For the Love of July. Tell us about the book.

For the Love of July is Book 2 in the “Twelve Months, Twelve Love Stories” series. It takes place in the Midwest and tells the love story of Abby Evans and Kevin Kardell. When they first meet, sparks fly. But not necessarily in a good way. Abby thinks he’s an egotistical athlete, while Kevin doesn’t know what to think, never having met anyone like her before. Then, with one kiss, everything changes between them. But as their love grows, Kevin senses she’s hiding something. Determined to find out what it is, never did he expect to find out what he did.

For the Love of July Blurb:

Think summertime…and baseball comes to mind. But let’s say we mix things up a bit. Think of it as a recipe in the making.

A recipe for love.

Start by tossing together one spunky hometown girl, Abby Evans, who bakes cookies for a living and Kevin Kardell, a hot and upcoming Major League Baseball sensation. A Chicago native and new in town, he is more than ready to show Cleveland just how good he really is.

Add a dash of humor, a pinch of sass and a whole lot of chemistry. Finally, the most important step of all? Add heat. Lots of it.

The result? Bam! Bang! Sha-zamm! You’ve got fireworks! A recipe that’s a winner, hands down!

But of course, there’s a catch…because, as we all know, anything worth having never comes easy.

Buy Links–For the Love of July and other books in the “Twelve Months, Twelve Love Stories” series:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08N6SLTBS
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/shop/lbjoyce12
Draft2Digital: https://www.draft2digital.com/book/

Snickers

2. I understand a very special dog inspired Poppy in this book.

Snickers was a cockapoo I was lucky to have for 18 years. I wish everyone could be lucky enough to have a dog with the personality she had…fun, smart, always happy and just too darn cute. I based Poppy, Abby’s dog in For the Love of July on Snickers. Like Snickers was for me, she was there for Abby, be it a sloppy puppy kiss or a cuddle. I have also included dogs in other books of the series. Mia in A Million Decembers, Popcorn and Snowball in February’s Angel, Mr. Pickles in February’s Angel, and Oreo in Goodbye Heartbreak, Hello May. Some of these little pups keep showing up throughout the series.

3. What other books have you written?

I have written and published 9 books, and I am now working on number 10. Eight of the books (along with the book in progress) are part of the “Twelve Months, Twelve Love Stories” series. I guess you could classify all of my books as Contemporary Romance, even though I find this genre so vague. I like to describe them as falling in the small town, sweet, but with a little bit of spice, and a feel-good kind of romance read. And, of course, always with a happy ending.

I have also started another series, “Holidays in White Oaks Valley.” There is only one book at this time, A Grand Slam Kind of Christmas.

Buy Links (Available in Print, Audio and E-Book):

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Grand-Christmas…/dp/0960031154/
Universal Book Link: https://books2read.com/u/mVgeL6
Independent Book Stores: https://bookshop.org/shop/lbjoyce12

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

Website/blog: https://www.lbjoyceauthor.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lbjoyceauthor

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

All Author: https://allauthor.com/author/lbjoyce/

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/L-B-Joyce/e/B01N2AFD4L/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dsk

MARCIA: L.B., thank you for being my June interviewees! I love discovering novels that feature dogs, 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!

1. Hi, Max. Since Mariah’s story is about you, please tell us about Max–Canine Concierge of Love.

MAX: Thank you for asking. I’m a very cute and lovable (I’ve been told that too many times to count) one-year-old big puppy. Born in a service dog training center, my mom, Goldie, is a beautiful Golden lab. One sunny afternoon, using her nose, she lifted the latch to her pen and took a wonderful free run to a local dog park. At the time, she was in heat.

She entered the park and as she later told me, a handsome Chow mix, who for now I’ll just refer to as Dad, caught her eye. It was love at first sight, so no need to explain any further.

She gave birth to a litter of mixed breed pups who all except for one, you guessed it, me, were placed in loving homes. The director of the center felt I had the intelligence and the patience to become a great service dog.

My trainers repeatedly told me how smart I am, but since I take after Mom, I don’t always like to follow directions. Once I was placed in the service dog training program, she advised me to always follow my heart. My problem is and always has been that I love everyone I meet so much, I want to show them just how much. I would lick the back of a passerby’s hand on walks with my volunteer training family. My actions sadly made that family return me to the center. The director of the training center decided to put me up for adoption but said he would find a very special home for me.

Special home? He kept his word. Nate, an Innkeeper from Sanibel Island, FL, spotted my online adoption information and drove across the state to adopt me. We became instant best friends, and he confided in me that he always wanted a dog he could share with his guests. I knew I was that dog and as he soon learned, I have a very special talent for making guests with broken hearts comfortable enough to tell me about their lost loves. I know they love me as much as I love them and try as hard as I can to give each one of them a second chance at true love. When you read my story, you’ll meet those guests and the unusual ways I introduced them to each other.

After hours of interviews with Mariah taking notes, for a human she wrote a pretty good book about me and my work.

I love humans, so it didn’t take long to discover I have a special talent for helping them fall in love.

2. Mariah, as the author of this book, why did you add Max to this romance?

MARIAH: That’s too easy. Max’s character is based on my own late dog also named Max. He loved everyone he met, including other animals, manatees, and dolphins, and did not have a mean bone in his body. He visited nursing homes where he was loving and kind to the elderly patients. His doggy smile made them smile, as did his hand kissing and tail wagging. Max loved kids and visited our local island rec center and summer day camp where he performed a magic show as Max the Magnificent just like the show in the book.

Left in a basket by the side of the road with his sister when he was but a few weeks old, my Max was rescued and cared for by our county Humane Society. I happened to be there on the first day he was placed in the adoption program. Max, I was told, was his happiest when he was surrounded by people. I held him for the first time when he was eight weeks old and as he snuggled in my arms, I knew I had adopted a smart, happy, and loving puppy.

At that time, I owned a video store on the beautiful island where we lived and served on the board of directors for a no-kill animal shelter. When a speaker from the shelter came to tell our local school kids about the importance of adopting a pet, Max served as his demonstration dog and afterwards the kids lined up to pet him. He had quite a long line of admirers and wagged his tail with each pet and hug.

Max came to my video store with me and positioned himself at the front counter facing the entrance so he could greet everyone who entered. What a hugger! What a lover! He was so cute, he modeled for my store ads and I do mean modeled. When he saw the camera pointed in his direction, he loved to pose.

I remember the first Sunday afternoon after he arrived home, we took him for a boat ride. The clouds opened and it poured all the way home. My mother-in-law, my sister-in-law, and I used our beach towels to keep him dry. Max snuggled into them and smiled, because he knew he had us in the palm of his paw.

Another time I walked him along our seawall. He was about one year old then and was very aware of dolphin sounds and sightings. A dolphin suddenly surfaced near the wall, and Max leaned down to greet it. Their noses were so close they could have kissed. I wished I had my camera with me, but that beautiful picture will stay in my memory forever.

On Halloween Max always wore a costume to my store and received doggy treats from customers. He wagged his tail as he watched me drop candy into the kids’ trick-or-treat bags. His best costume, Count Dracula, was identical to the one described in the book, a black satin cape trimmed in red, which he also wore for his magic shows. As you can see, my Max was perfect for this story.

Max-Canine Concierge of Love Blurb:

Hi. I’m Max, a very smart but rebellious pup who flunked out of guide dog training because I love humans too much to follow any rules. I love every human I meet so much so, I want to help them especially with matters of the heart.

Because of my kind nature, I’m given a second chance at The Two Turtles Inn on Sanibel Island, FL. My pet dad and Innkeeper Nate adopted me not only to be his pet but to share with his guests as the island’s first canine concierge. I may not have followed any rules in school, but I follow my heart as I listen to guests confide in me about their broken hearts. I want to give them a second chance at love just like Nate gave me and discover I have a knack for guiding guests, like my new friend Dr. Aaron Swift, to romance even under the most unusual and often humorous circumstances.

Aaron’s fiancé, Beth, dumped him for his best man four weeks before their wedding. Since Aaron cancelled their honeymoon at the Inn too late to get his deposit back, he decides to use the time to heal his broken heart. He opens up to me on our daily walks, but his healing doesn’t begin until I find him to help a beautiful but injured divorcee. When Beth refuses to exit Aaron’s life, complications arise for the new lovebirds, but will I able to keep them together?

They are not the only ones who need my help. You’ll see when you read my whole story.

Thanks for listening. See you at The Two Turtles Inn!

3. I understand that all of your books feature pets.

MARIAH: The two most recent ones are Paws For Christmas and The Duchess’ Necklace.

The character of Sam in Paws For Christmas is based on my own dog “Sam” who looked just like the dog on the cover and acted like the Sam in the story.

Paws For Christmas Blurb:

It’s the holidays and Jessica Munroe seems destined for misery. Nonetheless she is trying to make the best of it. Her fiancé Jake, an emergency room doctor, dumped her for his nurse and just two weeks prior, she had to put her dog, her best friend Mazy, to sleep.

The pain of losing both the man she loved and her best friend has taken her to a new low. Jessica, determined not to stay down, is now hard at work trying to push through the holiday season by doubling up on Christmas lights and decorations she’s putting up outside her residence.

As Jessica works, a big brown scruffy dog appears in her yard and refuses to leave when she tries to shoo him away. He’s filthy, looks hungry, and seems like he needs help. A dog lover, Jessica takes him to her vet who discovers a metal bone shaped tag buried in his matted fur. The tag reveals his name, Sam, and a phone number to call if he is lost or injured.

Sam’s owner Trey Musgrove is in the hospital, the victim of a head-on collision. Now Jessica’s life is about to change forever thanks to Sam, this big brown scruffy lovable dog.

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!

The Duchess’ Necklace Blurb:

The character of Dukey, Duchess Amelia’s very spoiled dog, is based on my best friend’s regal King Charles Spaniel Prince. An elegant and beautiful dog, Prince could steal a person’s heart as easily as the thief in this story stole The Duchess’ Necklace.

Amelia Augusta Ethrington, 18^th century Duchess of Abbington, fourth in line to the English throne, was considered by society an old maid at thirty-two. She refused to marry and relinquish royal authority to a husband. Instead, she found romance in trysts with total strangers. The center of her attention at that time was a King Charles Spaniel named “Dukey,” who was the only male she ever wanted in her life.

Amelia’s sole entitlement to her duchy was an intricate and valuable necklace. An unscrupulous Time Traveler who wished to steal the jewels and sell them at future prices seduced her, caught her off guard, and snatched the necklace.

Amelia travelled to the future, with the aid of a gypsy seer, to find that scoundrel, kill him and retrieve her title. Things become a bit complicated after she meets a handsome shy museum appraiser sent to acquire the jewels for a client. Amelia is faced with the most difficult decision of her life. Should she follow her heart or regain her title and riches?

4. Where can readers find you and your books (along with Buy Links)?

MARIAH: You can email me, connect with me on social media, and learn more about my books on my website and Amazon Author page:

E-MAIL: MariahLynneAuthor@yahoo.com
MY WEBSITE: (with links to all booksellers that carry my books) www.MariahLynne.com
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Mariah-Lynne-295721153858612/
TWITTER: www.twitter@MariahLynne1
PINTEREST: HTTPS:// www.pinterest.com/MariahLynneAuthor/
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: https://is.gd/fI2fmc

MARCIA: Mariah—and Max!–thank you for being my June interviewees! I love discovering novels that feature dogs, and I look forward to reading your books, especially Max–Canine Concierge of Love!

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!

1. I hear you have a pet in your series. Tell us about the books.

I write a series called Pet Rescue Romance in which I weave pet rescue and adoption into the love stories. The books can be found in e-book and paperback formats on various sites, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Smashwords, and Apple Books.

There are five books in the series:

Rhiann’s Rescue – series prequel. FREE through Book Funnel: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/g828yqfh5h

Rescue Road (Book 1) – a full-length novel

Amazon Kindle: https://amzn.to/2W7fpBe
Other e-book platforms: https://books2read.com/u/4DE9Oe

Paws-ing for Love: A Christmas Story – a novella

Amazon and other e-book platforms: https://books2read.com/u/3RJdPj

My Montana Love – a novella

Amazon Kindle: https://bit.ly/3uxqlc6_MTLove_Kindle
Other e-book platforms: https://books2read.com/u/4A79RJ

Finding Love at Compassion Ranch – a short novel

Amazon Kindle: https://amzn.to/2AM7sLk
Other e-book platforms: https://books2read.com/u/4j2RNZ

2. Why was it important to you to feature rescue pets your books?

Sadie

I’m an advocate for pet rescue and adoption. My romance series weaves this theme into each book. I began adopting rescued pets more than 30 years ago, and currently, three rescues live in my home: two dogs and a cat. I’ve worked for two different humane societies, and I continue donating my time and funds to rescue organizations, including a percentage of monthly book sales to various groups, like Best Friends Animal Society in Utah, National Mill Dog Rescue in Colorado, Hearts United for Animals in Nebraska, and my community’s Humane Society.

Murphy and Bailey

I’ve been blessed to have wonderful pets in my life. Currently, I have a long-haired black and white cat named Murphy; she will be 18 years old in a few months. (Her sister, Bailey, passed away in early March from acute kidney failure.) Both kitties came to live with my husband and me when they were 10 weeks old.

Our dogs are a 12-year-old springer spaniel named Sadie, whom we adopted more than three years ago from English Springer Spaniel Rescue, and

Jeremiah

Jeremiah, an eight-year-old black-and-white shih tzu that was rescued from a puppy mill when he was three. We adopted him five years ago from Hearts United for Animals in Nebraska, an organization that often takes in puppy mill survivors. Jeremiah has been with us more than five years, and he is the mascot for my Pet Rescue Romance series. I based a primary dog character named Jax on Jeremiah, and he often goes with me to signings and speaking events.

I love animals of all kinds! If I could wave a magic wand and have all the money needed, I’d open a pet rescue sanctuary, like my primary female character, Rhiann!

3. What other books have you written?

I’ve written children’s books, including a trilogy based on another dog my husband and I had before we adopted Jeremiah. Her name was Mary, and she was a lovely springer/cocker mix. Her books teach children life lessons, such as kindness and appreciation for nature. A Kind Dog Named Mary is about kindness toward pets and people and is geared for younger children, PreK to 2nd grade. A Dog Named Mary Visits Yellowstone National Park and A Town Dog Named Mary Visits a Ranch are written for older elementary-aged kids. Each book shows photos of Mary and the people she’s met and the places she visited and includes activities in the back of the book, thereby being educational and fun as well as sharing stories of our dog.

I began my author life writing for children. A blind springer spaniel named Sage, whom my husband and I adopted in 2001, was the catalyst for my early work. I wrote a chapter book for older children sharing her story of courage, perseverance, and trust, hoping to encourage young readers to face life challenges with those same qualities and characteristics. I also wrote a friendship story about Sage and the other animals living with us at the time.

I’ve written other children’s stories as well, including an activity book titled Cody’s Cabin: Life in a Pine Forest, that encourages kids to go outside and explore based on the adventures of a cocker spaniel named Cody, and BobCat Goes to School, a humorous tale of a cat getting locked in a school and all the mischief he gets into (that story is based on a true story about my parents’ neighbor cat). All of my children’s stories include educational components such as nature observations and writing activities.

The books are available as print and e-books on Amazon through my Author Central page: https://www.amazon.com/author/gayleirwin

I’m also a contributing writer to eight Chicken Soup for the Soul books, including the January 2023 release “My Dog Did That.” It’s Jeremiah’s rescue and adoption story.

4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.

One Amazon reviewer said of Rescue Road, “What a clever idea for a sweet, clean romance. Bringing people together through rescue pets, second chances for both pets and people.”

Another stated, “This story accomplishes what it sets out to do; an easy, pleasant read about cute animals, adoption, and romance. Even the setting has that feel of quietness. A great book for when you want to turn down the world outside and relax.”

About Finding Love at Compassion Ranch, one reviewer said, “I really enjoyed this tale of ‘older’ love…. Ms. Irwin’s writing style is very readable, which is a good thing because I plan to read more of her books!”

About a few of my children’s books, buyers have said, “Encouraging exploration and appreciation of the outdoors in a fun way. Rules are emphasized for safety. Easy reading and lovely photos make this a good book for dog lovers, outdoor lovers, Yellowstone lovers and as an introduction to exploring with your senses.”

And “My four-year-old granddaughter was engaged in this story and the lively photos from the beginning. When I read her the part about Mary seeing a squirrel, my granddaughter jumped off the couch, got on all fours, wiggled her little butt and said, ‘This is how Milo acts when she sees a squirrel.’ Even after the first reading, she is still interested in the story. My son read it to her, and she asked him if he could find the rabbit. She remembered what was coming in the story and remained eager to engage.”

5. How do you promote your books?

I promote my books primarily in three ways: on social media, through my twice-monthly newsletter, and with Book Funnel. I’ve also used a few paid promotions, including the Fussy Librarian, Book Raid, Bargain Booksy, and Romance Devoured to promote special sales of my romance books. [Readers] can also join my newsletter through this link or via my website.

Any readers interested can download my Pet Rescue Romance prequel, Rhiann’s Rescue, for FREE at Book Funnel here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/g828yqfh5h.

The free novella highlights my main female character, Rhiann, who helps pet rescue organizations while also caring for her elderly grandmother and working as a freelance writer. Here is a short description of Rhiann’s Rescue:

She has dreams and goals–but could those be interrupted?

Freelance writer Rhiann Kelly dreams of starting an animal rescue sanctuary. Her beloved grandmother supports her vision. However, they don’t agree on when or where that goal should transpire. During their annual winter trip to Arizona, the two women once again clash over relocating…and Rhiann’s reluctance to date. However, when art gallery owner and nature photographer Elias Griffin steps into her life, Rhiann reconsiders. Can she protect herself from another heartbreak and maintain her goal to help animals and care for her grandmother, or will she decide Elias is worth the risk?

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

As mentioned, people can sign up for my newsletter via Book Funnel when they download the free novella. There is also a sign-up form on my website: https://gaylemirwin.com/author

Amazon Author Central page: https://www.amazon.com/author/gayleirwin

Social Media Links

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/home

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

I appreciate the opportunity to be a guest on your blog! Thank you for showcasing my romance and children’s stories and my passion for pet rescue and adoption and appreciation for nature and animals! – Gayle

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

MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST! Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks!

Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or a photo, click on the word “Reply,” which is just below the social media icons for THIS interview. (Don’t scroll past this interview to the next interview.) Go Pets!

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

Loyal and True, the first book in my Hearts of Caledonia Trilogy, is a historical romance set in ancient Scotland. The heroine, Barta, is the daughter of a Pictish chief. A blunder in judgment costs the life of her dearest companion, her wolfhound, Loyal. But the bond between them is so strong and unbreakable, Loyal finds a magical means to return to her, though not in any way she could have imagined.

Here’s the blurb: In defiance of her father, Caledonian tribeswoman Barta leads a daring raid against invading enemy warriors. But the fight goes badly, and her beloved war hound, Loyal, is killed. Unable to imagine existing without her dearest companion, she nevertheless must return home and accept blame for her terrible blunder.

For the first time in his life, Loyal is unable to rise and follow his mistress. When he appeals to the Goddess for mercy, she grants him leave to return on one condition: it must be in the form of a man. And only if Barta recognizes him for who he truly is will he be permitted to stay.

Loyal never suspects that, as a man, his connection with Barta will deepen, becoming passionate enough to transcend nearly any change. Will Barta recognize him before he’s lost to her forever?

Find Loyal and True here: https://www.amazon.com/Loyal-True-Hearts-Caledonia-Book-ebook/dp/B078JY3WWV/ref=sr_1_1

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

I have always bonded deeply with my dogs, establishing attachments that keep us connected even when we’re far from one another physically. This, as I’ve found, can be good or bad, since it sets up a wonderfully close relationship but serves to spur things like separation anxiety in the pet. This story was something of an experiment. I asked myself (as authors tend to do) what if those bonds could reach beyond death? And since I’m convinced that a couple of my dogs have returned to me in subsequent doggie bodies, what if a deceased wolfhound could return, magically transformed into a man? Would the bonds still hold? Would they recognize each other? Would the love endure?

Since first leaving home, I’ve lived with and cared for seven dogs. The last five have been rescues. This photo is me and my latest, Tinker, on his morning ride. He is considered special needs due to past abuse and has many emotional problems. He loves his rides, so we take him on one every day.

3. I’m amazed at all of the different genres/sub-genres you’ve written in.

As you can probably tell, I like to reach beyond the ordinary limits of the genres in which I write. I also like to go genre hopping, everything from Scottish Historical, which was my first love, to Western Historical, to Contemporary, to Steampunk. I include animals, and the pursuit for animal rights, whenever I can.

4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.

Two of my Buffalo Steampunk Adventures novels have won the N. N. Light Book Award, and my Scottish Historical, The Reiver’s Cub, won me a RONE award. My greatest honor, though, remains bringing enjoyment to my readers!

5. How do you promote your books?

You can find me on Twitter, on Facebook, and on guest posts such as this one. I also love to do Facebook takeovers with other authors. It’s so much fun!

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

If you’re curious about my work and all the genres in which I write, you can check out my books here: http://www.laurastricklandbooks.com

I’m also on Amazon Central at: http://www.amazon.com/Laura-Strickland/e/B001KHSACW/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

And on Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/760146.Laura_Strickland

From Marcia: Laura, thank you for being my February interviewee! I think it’s wonderful that you rescue pets and support pet causes. And I love discovering novels that feature interesting animals/pets. So I look forward to reading your books!

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