Roxanne Rustand's Blog, page 11

A forever home for Bruno by author Carol Post

 Guest blogger Carol Post

Leave a comment (click on Comments at the bottom of the post)  for a chance to win an autographed copy of Motive for Murder!

 I am amazed and heartbroken over how many pets are just discarded.

Shortly before my husband and I were to leave for the holidays, a tenant moved out of one of our rental properties and abandoned five dogs—a black lab named Jackson, a lab/cur mix named Bruno and a dachshund mix with two puppies. The dachshund disappeared; the neighbors suspect the tenant took her. People advised me to call Animal Control for the other four. But in our county, as in most others, animals brought to Animal Control have a few hours to a few days, usually on the lower end of that range. I’m way too tender-hearted to carry good dogs to their death. So I enlisted the help of a friend and we googled rescue groups and sent dozens of emails asking for help.

Over the next few days, neighbors gave the dogs food we provided, and rescues responded asking for information and pictures. I went out armed with my digital camera, unsure how the two larger dogs would respond to a stranger. I needn’t have worried. They rushed toward me, tails wagging. Once sure they were friendly, I handed my neighbor the camera and sat down to pet them. Bruno immediately pushed me backwards and attempted to plant a sloppy kiss on my face. I went home with some great photos.

The puppies were easy to place. (Who can resist those sweet faces?) The larger dogs weren’t. It was the week before Christmas, and with many rescue foster families traveling for the holidays, there was no room. (Sorta reminds me of another Christmas story.)

Soon we were down to three days until we were to leave, and Bruno and Jackson were still homeless. My boss had lost an older lab and decided to take Jackson. Bruno and Jackson grew up together and were inseparable, so I asked if we could keep them together one more day while we tried to place Bruno. I would have taken him myself, but I live in a condo where I’m allowed two pets. I have a dog and three cats, all rescues. (Three plus one equals two, right?)

My boss told his family about Bruno, and his wife said to make sure he gets a home. When he told her that was out of his control, she said, “Then lie to me!” She promised to distribute Bruno’s pictures around the school where she teaches. By lunchtime, a family had agreed to take him. By the end of the afternoon, both Bruno and Jackson were on their way to their new homes with their first scheduled play date lined up.

Bruno now has a home on ten acres with a loving family, other dogs and cows. He’s living the good life.

Unfortunately there are hundreds more like him who aren’t  that lucky. Calling Animal Control is quick and easy. Contacting rescues involves time and effort. But nothing beats the feeling of knowing some sweet dog or cat has found a forever home and you had a hand in it. In Motive for Murder, Jessica Parker finds herself caring for her deceased sister’s dog. Although she has no interest in owning  a pet, little Buttons winds his way into her heart.

Have you ever taken in a pet you didn’t really want, only to have it win you over?

 HERE IS AN AMAZON LINK FOR CAROL’S NEW BOOK:  Motive for Murder (Love Inspired Suspense)

MOTIVE FOR MURDER

LOVE INSPIRED SUSPENSE

Carol Post

Jessica Parker left Harmony Grove with bad memories and a vow to never return – until she is called back eight years later to deal with her sister’s suicide. When all the evidence points instead to murder, she is determined to find the killer and bring him to justice. Her handsome new neighbor is eager to help, but she’s sure he’s hiding something.

Undercover FBI agent Shane Dalton is in Harmony Grove investigating the crash of a plane full of cocaine and gets more than he bargained for when he runs into Jessica. She’s a little rough around the edges, and he isn’t sure whether she’s involved or is just going to get in his way. But soon it becomes obvious that someone wants Jessica gone from Harmony Grove.

As the threats intensify, Shane finds himself in a race against time to solve both cases. Because the closer they get to the truth, the closer the killer gets to making them his next victims.


4½-Star RT Review -  “…Gripping from the start, the second book in the Harmony Grove series keeps readers on the edge of their seats with the various twists and turns.”

From medical secretary to court reporter to property manager to owner of a special events decorating company, Carol’s resume reads as if she doesn’t know what she wants to be when she grows up. But one thing that has remained constant through the years is her love for writing. She started as a child writing poetry for family and friends, then graduated to articles which made it into some religious and children’s publications. Several years ago (more than she’s willing to admit), she penned her first novel. In 2010, she decided to get serious about writing fiction for publication and joined Romance Writers of America and her local RWA chapter. In 2012, she got “the call.”

Carol lives in sunshiny Central Florida with her husband of thirty-three years, who is her own real-life hero, and writes her stories under the shade of the huge oaks in her yard. Besides writing, she works alongside her music minister husband singing and playing the piano and holds the position of church treasurer. She enjoys sailing, hiking, camping—almost anything outdoors. Her two grown daughters and grandkids live too far away for her liking, so she now pours all that nurturing into taking care of three fat and sassy cats and one highly spoiled dog.

You can find her at 

Legend of the Lady Detective

By guest blogger  Kathleen Y’Barbo

When I set out to write a heroine equal to the task of catching the charming villain Will Tucker in Sadie’s Secrets, there was no doubt Sadie Callum, the well-bred Louisiana-born daughter of sugar cane planter, would be a Pinkerton agent. After all, what other nineteenth century organization allowed women not only to populate their ranks well before they could vote, but also made great use of their unique talents?

Early on, Alan Pinkerton respected the ability of a woman to go where a man might not be allowed. Thus, he made sure that he always had a few well-trained ladies in his employ for those difficult cases where a feminine touch was needed.

Pinkerton agents—both male and female–were well trained and well paid. Their expertise in surveillance was beyond comparison. Allan Pinkerton was an early proponent of using female agents, determining that often it was the lady who was least suspected of being a detective.

One famous lady Pinkerton was the widow, Kate Warne, thought to be the clean-shaven person standing behind Mr. Pinkerton in the photograph from the Library of Congress archives. Kate Warne, a woman who it is claimed walked into the Pinkerton offices seeking a secretarial job only to leave as a detective, is one of the more memorable Pinkertons, and definitely the first female agent.

Among Mrs. Warne’s many accomplishments was the detection of a plot against President-elect Abraham Lincoln. Not only did she learn of the plot, but she also saved the president’s life by helping to smuggle him into Washington DC for his inauguration disguised as her invalid brother. Later, during the Civil War, it has been alleged that Mrs. Warne was quite adept at fitting in on both sides of the lines and brought back valuable intelligence to the Pinkerton offices. Quite the accomplishment considering women were not yet accepted as valuable members of any other crime fighting organization.

And although Sadie Callum is only a fictional detective, I believe Alan Pinkerton would heartily approve of her methods of bringing Will Tucker to justice once and for all. Take a peek at Sadie’s Secret, the third book in The Secret Lives of Will Tucker series, and find out just how she manages such a feat.

Here’s an Amazon link for Sadie’s Secret!   Sadie’s Secret (The Secret Lives of Will Tucker)

Sadie’s Secret

Released February 1, 2014

Harvest House Publishers

Louisiana, 1890—Sarah Louise “Sadie” Callum is a master of disguise, mostly due to her training as a Pinkerton agent but also from evading overprotective brothers as she grew up. When she takes on a new assignment with international connections, she has no idea her new cover will lead her on the adventure of a lifetime.

Undercover agent William Jefferson Tucker is not looking for marriage—pretend or otherwise—but his past is a secret, his twin brother has stolen his present, and his future is in the hands of the lovely Sadie Callum. Without her connections to the world of upper-crust New Orleans and Newport, Jefferson might never find a way to clear his name and solve the art forgery case that has eluded him for years. Only God can help these two secret agents find a way to solve their case and uncover the truth about what is going on in their hearts .

Read the first chapter of Sadie’s Secret here: http://harvesthousepublishers.com/boo...

About  Kathleen Y’Barbo :

Bestselling author  Kathleen Y’Barbo  is a multiple Carol Award and RITA nominee of forty-five novels with almost two million copies of her books in print in the US and abroad. A tenth-generation Texan and certified family law paralegal, she has been nominated for a Career Achievement Award as well a Reader’s Choice Award and several Top Picks by Romantic Times magazine. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, and a former member of the Texas Bar Association Paralegal Division, she is currently a proud military wife and an expatriate Texan cheering on her beloved Texas Aggies from north of the Red River. To find out more about  Kathleen  or connect with her through social media, check out her website at  www.kathleenybarbo.com .

From Scared to Loved…guest blogger Angela D. Meyer

Guest blogger  Angela D. Meyer

Don’t forget to page down–for info on a great promotion going on just through today, February 14!!

One year old Lucy was a scaredy cat when we brought her home from the humane society. She was used to fending for herself on the streets and hissed at any perceived danger. This was usually at our dog, Ranger. He is mixed breed of German Shepard, Golden Retriever and Newfoundland. No wonder our little cat was frightened. She was also a recent mother and prowled our house mewing for her kittens. She avoided us unless she needed food.

To help our pets learn to get along, at first we kept her in the bathroom with her litter box when we weren’t around and at night. Little by little, she gained her complete freedom, but that didn’t mean she trusted Ranger. She still gave him a wide berth. At least she tolerated him.

It’s been almost four years now and there have been some changes. On occasion Ranger and Lucy attempt to play with each other. But much like a boy and girl playing at being interested in each other, one day she wants to play and he wants to be left alone. Then they reverse roles. But when they get the same idea at the same time, we all get quiet and watch. It doesn’t usually last very long and we don’t want to miss it.

Lucy has transferred her motherly attentions to the family. In the mornings she is restless until everyone in the house is up. If Ranger hasn’t been fed yet, she will meander around his bowls until we get the idea that he needs his food as well. Then she finds a spot and takes her morning nap.Lucy loves attention now. As soon as someone sits down, in all likelihood she will jump up in your lap. I still remember the first time she jumped up into mine. I told everyone. She also likes to be held looking over a shoulder like a little baby. And at night you can find her curled up on my daughter’s bed. Unless a guest is sleeping on the couch and then guess where she hangs out.

Lucy has overcome her fears. Slowly, she grew to understand she was no longer abandoned, but loved. She trusts us. She may not like going outside or to the vet, but she tolerates it when we hold her. And with us right beside her, DOG does not necessarily mean danger.She also has a new perspective on life. No longer does she have to forage for herself. We provide everything she needs. And actually, she has gotten quite demanding of what she wants.

I think we need the same kinds of things to overcome our fears. Understanding that we are loved by God and a new perspective – that God is in control. We don’t have to do it ourselves. What have you learned from a pet?

 

Here’s an AMAZON LINK TO CLICK, FOR  ANGELA’S LATEST BOOK!   Where Hope Starts

Where Hope Starts

Cross River Media

Angela D. Meyer

In a city full of dreams… Karen Marino’s life is a nightmare. The New York City restaurant manager is a professional success, but her marriage is in shambles. When her husband, Barry shows up drunk at her restaurant, she loses both. She flees The Big Apple and returns to her Midwestern home to sort through her options. But instead of answers, she finds an old boyfriend ready to rekindle romance, a family full of secrets and an angry brother bent on revenge.

Still in New York, Barry fights his own demons. He knows he messed up, but is powerless to stop his rage and addictions. A fistfight on the streets of the city lands him in jail and forces him to face the possibility of a future behind bars.

Karen knows holding onto her bitterness won’t repair her marriage. But how do you forgive someone when you don’t feel like it? As she searches for the answer, she uncovers the family secret that threatens to tear them all apart. Can she find her way back to the place Where Hope Starts?

 Would you like your own copy of Where Hope Starts? There’s a promotion going on over at Angela’s Facebook page just through February 14. Stop by for a chance at some great giveaways!  www.facebook.com/AuthorAngelaDMeyer

In addition to Amazon, you can find the book at the publisher’s site:  http://crossrivermedia.com/

release date: September 2013

Contact addresses:

Website: www.angeladmeyer.com

www.facebook.com/AuthorAngelaDMeyer

A Valentine’s Day Surprise…by author Susan Reinhardt

Guest blogger  Susan J. Reinhardt

 “Let’s look at rings. I want to see what you like.”

My beloved had popped the question over a month ago, but he’d said a ring wouldn’t be forthcoming until the spring. We headed for the local mall to check out designs and pricing. The snowy landscape made me all the more anxious for the promise of warmer temperatures and a much different kind of ice.

We entered the mall and stopped in our tracks. Stretched out before us was a Bridal Show. Vendors for invitations, catering halls, flowers, and a Bridal Gown fashion show were in full swing. I looked at Beloved, and he raised both hands. “I had no idea this was going on.”

Not to be deterred, we visited several jewelry stores. One particular ring caught my eye. He leaned in close and whispered in my ear, “We can do that today.” My fiancé later commented, “When you held your hand up and smiled, I knew that was the one.”

I looked at him, not fully comprehending those momentous words. A grin spread over his face, and he nodded. The clerk smiled, knowing she had a sale. He purchased the small diamond in a Tiffany setting, and arranged to pick it up in two weeks when it was sized.

The Bridal Show took on a new meaning as we re-entered the mall. Every person, who struck up a conversation, got regaled with the story of my Valentine Surprise.

What changed his mind? He told me that as he prayed the previous week, the Lord impressed on him to put a certain amount in his checking account. With our plans for shopping in place, he thought maybe the engagement ring was the reason.

The ring I liked cost exactly the amount he’d transferred to his account. We rejoiced in God’s provision and the added delight of the Bridal Show.  It was one of the happiest days of my life.

Here is a link to buy Susan’s new book! The Scent of Fear

The Scent of Fear

by Susan Reinhardt

Helping Hands Press

After three years of tenuous peace, John and Ellie Zimmerman are shocked when two old friends show up in disguise. Their world is once again sent into turmoil.

Jim Kenneman, Director of National Security, masterminded the break up of a group persecuting Christians in the Lancaster Tourist Zone. Now, they’re gunning for him. At first, he relies on his negotiating skills, but his best operative convinces him that won’t work.

Monty, a topnotch operative, worked on the Bird-in-Hand assignment and helped bring down the New Patriots. A recurring dream prompts him to rescue his boss from possible murder. The agency might not be sending him on assignment, but he knows God is directing his path – one that could wreck his career, family, and cost him his life.

The operative and Director of National Security disguise themselves and escape from Washington, D.C. with the authorities hot on their trail. They head for Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania but know it’s temporary. Beyond that, the future is a giant question mark.

In their travels, they stumble upon a network of safe houses. They’re fed, clothed, given supplies, and directed one step at a time. They manage to evade the traps set for them and reach their first destination.

With the help of the Zimmermans and their neighbor, Zeb Beiler, the two men move to Holmes County, Ohio, where the Amish shelter them. Jim and Monty are now Jacob Zook and Samuel Yoder. They connect with Dr. Abby Weaver, a Mennonite woman, and the Resistance movement.

A year goes by, and Jacob knows there’s only one way they can lead a normal life. He and Samuel embark on a journey to face their situation head on. They’ll either succeed or meet their Maker.

Susan J. Reinhardt

http://susanjreinhardt.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSusanJReinhardt

Winter jammies….

It’s been so, so cold and snowy here in Iowa–what a winter!  After a number of school closings and late starts, the schools around here had a regular day today–despite windchills at -30 F  this morning.  I felt so badly for all the school kids in town who have to walk to school!  I can’t believe there wasn’t a two-hour delay for them.  :(

Out here in the country, the wind has brought drifts and made doing horse chores a rather miserable affair.  We bring the horses in at night if  the temps are in the teens or lower, and put on blankets when it hits zero, but I’ll bet the horses are longing for spring as much as I am!

Here at the top right is Susie–who looks like a chubby, woolly bear with plenty of personal insulation,  but even she starts to shiver when the windchills are this low.  The other two mares are thinner skinned and have finer coats, so their blankets go on sooner each winter.

So how has your winter been?  Are you a lucky southerner, wearing shorts and enjoying the sun?  Or are you one of the lucky ones who takes vacations on some tropical island around this time of year?

I can definitely see an up side to living a bit south, even though I love having four seasons.

And I will remind myself of that–over and over–when I bundle up to do chores tonight!

Happy trails,

Roxanne

 

 

 

Faithfulness, and a border collie named Lady

 Guest blogger Teresa Pollard

If there is a special place in heaven for amazing animals, I’m quite sure our border collie Lady is there.  To me, she “personified” the definition of faithfulness.  For ten years, we lived way back in the woods up on top of a mountain, so when Kristina and Kevin, my older two children, tell people they had to walk a mile to and from school every day, they are telling the absolute truth.  My youngest daughter, Kara, however, never had to make that walk.  She was very tiny, and we nicknamed her “Virgin Toes” because Lady carried her most everywhere she went.  Every morning, Lady would appear at the back door at 7:15 a.m. to walk with the children down to the bus stop with Kara on her back.  At 3:30 in the afternoon, she would be waiting at the bus stop ready for “pony duty” to make the trek back up the mountain.

But the kids weren’t the only ones Lady helped.  One day, my husband Wade was up at the top of the mountain working on the spring when he heard the rattle of a rattlesnake behind him.  Fortunately, Lady had followed him up and heard it too.  She leaped into the air and caught that snake in her teeth mid-air just as it was lunging toward Wade   He’s absolutely certain, Lady saved his life that day.   I never doubted it either.  I never had to worry about my children’s safety even though we lived in such a remote place.  I always knew if there was a problem, Lady was there.

Fortunately for Lady’s back, we moved off the mountain when Kara was about seven.  We had intended to give Lady to our closest neighbor since we knew she’d have to be on a leash in the city where we were going, but Lady would have none of it.  She jumped up into the furniture truck and wouldn’t budge from it.  We were her family and she wasn’t about to let us go without her.  She stayed with us until she died at about sixteen.  She didn’t even seem to mind the leash; maybe because by that time she was too old to run much anyway.  She was happy as long as she could be right there to say goodbye and hello to the kids when that yellow bus arrived.  When I’m gone, I hope Jesus will say of me that I was faithful like Lady was faithful.

Here’s an Amazon link (for both print and Kindle) for Teresa’s new book: Tokens of Promise

Tokens of Promise    

HopeSprings Books

Teresa Pollard

“Beware, Prince of Hebron, her witching ways are strong.”  Ben Qara’s evil words still rang in his ears.  Judah is sure he was bewitched by the beautiful Tamar.  She is all he can think about.  But no, it must not be.  He will not break his vow to Yah.  He already has a wife, and he will have only one.  Tamar must marry Er.

Rescued from disgrace by the handsome Judah, Tamar is already in love with the kind stranger.  She eagerly followed Emi’s advice on how to win him.  It almost worked.  He’d promised.  If only his servant hadn’t come at that moment, she’d be his wife now instead of going home with him to be his daughter-in-law.   Why had her father agreed to this?  Surely he could see her destiny was with Judah?

“What are you talking about, woman?” Er demanded.  “Tamar is no harlot.  She’s the daughter of a Man of God, and Father bought her from him for me.”

“After he found her naked in the street and bought her back from her rightful husband,” Ruah said spitefully.  Her family was gone from the town, but your father stayed in her home with her through the night.  How many times do you suppose he could have come in to her before my father arrived with the dawn?  You don’t believe me?  Ask the messenger who took the supplies back to Chezib.  It seems the whole town is talking about it.”

Er’s anger seethed, and he vowed revenge.  His father must die.  But not before he would see what he would do to the beautiful “bride” he had intended to foist off on him.

Teresa Pollard is from Richmond, Virginia, and was saved at a young age.  She has a Masters degree in English and Creative Writing from Hollins College, and has served as a Sunday School teacher and children’s worker for most of the last forty years.  Married for forty years, she was devastated by divorce and the death of her youngest daughter, but God has blessed her with a new home and another grandson, and she now resides in Dacula, Georgia.  Her website is TeresaPollardWrites.com

Rudy and the Golden Beginnings Golden Retriever Rescue

guest blogger Mary Hamilton

Rudy came to us from Golden Beginnings Golden Retriever Rescue in Houston almost five years ago. We guessed him to be about eight years old, but the only thing we really knew was that he was found as a stray. I’d never known a dog that didn’t become ecstatic at the word “walk,” but on a good day, Rudy would make it to the end of our driveway and stop. After six months, one obedience class and two trainers, I finally managed to walk him around the block. Both the trainers said he exhibited behaviors consistent with past abuse. I did my best to reassure him those days were over.

We looked for a Golden specifically because our previous dog had lacked an affectionate nature, preferring to be where she could see us but never in the middle of our activities. She’d get up and walk away whenever my kids wanted to pet her. So, I promised my kids our next dog would thrive on attention.

A Golden Retriever seemed like a perfect fit. But it never occurred to me that the kids were nearly grown. Two were out of the nest, the youngest was busy with high school activities. I’m the only one left to provide the attention. We jokingly say Rudy suffers from Attention Deficit Disorder, not because he can’t pay attention but he can’t get enough. He’d bump my elbow with his nose, sending my pen skipping across the page, or my drink splashing across the table. If I made the mistake of sitting on the floor, all 80 lbs. of him would collapse onto my lap. Just as I was getting used to the empty nest feeling—even kind of enjoying it—suddenly I had a toddler again. It wasn’t enough for Rudy to be with me; he wanted to be touching me. Whether he leaned against my leg, laid across my feet, warmed my lap, or rested his paw on my knee, he needed to be close enough to touch me. More than once, I ate a meal one-handed because he insisted I hold his paw with my other hand.

This sweet, beautiful dog shadowed my every move and it irritated me to no end. But maybe God was teaching me something. Too often, I’m content to sit on the sidelines and watch. What if I insisted on being part of the action, like Rudy? What if I continually stayed close enough to touch Him? What if every time life threw me a stick, I eagerly carried it to Him?  I could push this dog away in annoyance, or I could learn from him, watching for a chance to sit at the Lord’s feet, to relax in His lap, to put my hand in His. Hmm. Maybe this old dog could teach me some new tricks, if I pay him some attention.

Hear No Evil,

Book 1 in the Rustic Knoll Bible Camp series 

Mary Hamilton

Brady McCaul’s mother drops him off for a week of summer camp and tells him he can’t come home. She doesn’t want him living with her anymore. While Brady tries to figure out what he did wrong, he becomes fast friends with Steven, a blind but capable cabin mate and Steven’s spunky friend, Claire. But Brady also has to deal with the camp bully. Between his dad’s abandonment six years ago and now Mom’s rejection, Brady’s wounds are so deep only God can heal them…and he’s not convinced that even God cares about him.

Read the first chapter here: http://www.maryhamiltonbooks.com/hear...

Here’s an Amazon link for Mary’s book!  Hear No Evil (Rustic Knoll Bible Camp)

Barnes & Noble link: http://tinyurl.com/kw2xmtr

About the author: Mary L. Hamilton grew up at a youth camp in southern Wisconsin, much like the setting for her Rustic Knoll Bible Camp series. Hear No Evil was a 2012 semi-finalist in ACFW’s Genesis contest, and has won awards in the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and the Cat 5 contest.

Besides writing, Mary loves the outdoors and nature, as well as opening her home to youth Bible studies, pancake suppers and breakfast with her special recipe waffles. She and her husband live near Houston, TX, within range of their three grown children.

Connect with Mary:

Website/blog: http://www.maryhamiltonbooks.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/maryhamiltonb...

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/mhamiltonbooks

Twitter:@mhamilton122

Melinda Curtis…and her new writing partner, with paws

Guest blogger Melinda Curtis

You’d think that as a writer when all your children leave for college, you’d revel in the abundance of spare time on your hands.  No more after-school activities.  No more team dinners to host.  No more sleepovers where no one sleeps.  It could be all writing, all the time.  I was free, except for my husband, of course.

I wrote a lot in 2013 – 5 books and a novella.  I didn’t do much else.  And then my son’s dog won my heart over.  Bonny is a mini Australian Shepherd.  She learned commands quicker than any dog I’d seen before, which also meant she easily outsmarted everyone who didn’t pay attention to her (yep, she’s young).  She cuddled with cats.  She created a route in whatever house she was in – checking up on every person inside.

Bonny reminded me of the Australian Shepherd mix I had growing up on a sheep ranch.  Tippy was the extra pair of hands my mom didn’t have with three kids on 50 acres.He herded kids as easily as he did sheep.

I was about to write a book and decided I had to feature an Australian Shepherd –

enter Abby, a licensed therapy dog, who burst onto the page with the smarts and enthusiasm of the breed.

I finished the book and moved on to writing the next one.  But I was restless and tired.

When my daughter came home for a visit before starting the fall quarter, she pointed out that I might be writing too much and might be using writing to fill the gaps left by my kids leaving.  And then we saw a picture on Facebook of a puppy in need of a home.  Writers under deadline have been known to do crazy things.  I brought home a 3-pound, 8-week old puppy.

Now Tally is 6 months old.  She naps beneath my desk during the day and reminds me I’ve got to get up frequently to enjoy the out of doors.  We work with a dog trainer since I’ve known small dogs to get nervous and yappy (who wants to come to Grandma’s house if she has a cranky little dog?).  “Trainer Tom” finds Tally very amusing.  He used to train dogs for the military.  To him, at seven pounds, she’s practically a cat, but they’ve grown to love each other.  I didn’t plan on becoming a pet parent again at this point in my life, but like most pet owners, I can barely remember what life was like without her.

Dogs were bred to serve, but today most are family.  I’d love to hear how a pet came into your life for the most unexpected reasons and made a special place in your heart.

Here is an Amazon link for Melinda’s new book!

Summer Kisses (A Harmony Valley Novel)

Summer Kisses

A Harmony Valley Novel

by Melinda Curtis

Rebecca MacKenzie’s career as a caregiver for the elderly suited her perfectly. Ease their suffering, hop back in the motor home and move on. Caring without commitment. It was ideal for someone trying to outrun her memories…and mistakes. Someone determined to stay detached. Flynn Harris, her new patient’s grandson, is weakening her resolve in every way. His scrutiny, his suspicion—and worst of all, his kisses—are more than distracting. They’re dangerous. Because she’s teetering on the edge of caring. And revealing her secrets. And…staying.

EXCERPT

The truth pressed at Becca’s throat.

She swallowed it back.

Took a breath.

Risked looking toward Flynn.

Beneath his black ball cap, his reddish-brown hair glinted in the afternoon sunlight, almost as blinding as the rippling river. His jaw was a hard line. She couldn’t look him in the eye.

The truth pressed on her once more.

Becca swallowed it again.

She and the truth had an odd track record. Like the time her father walked out after learning Becca’s mother had Stage Four cancer. Or the first time Terry asked her to marry him. He’d walked out when she said she was scared and needed time to think.

“You have two choices if you want the job.” Flynn’s voice was as unflappable as his jaw line. “You can tell me what you’re hiding, or I can do a background check.”

Tell him the truth? Which version? No one ever really wanted to hear the unvarnished truth. They wanted a massaged answer tailored to their expectations. Telling Flynn about the lawsuit placed her odds of landing the job near zero.

But it was a definite zero if she walked away without saying anything.

“I want this job.” She swallowed and rephrased. “I need this job.” To repair her reputation before it fell from somewhere near barely employable to no-way-in-Hades employable.

About the author:  Melinda Curtis writes the Harmony Valley series of sweet romances for the Harlequin Heartwarming line. Brenda Novak says: “Season of Change has found a place on my keeper shelf”.  Melinda also writes independently published, hotter romances as Mel Curtis. Jayne Ann Krentz says of Blue Rules: “Sharp, sassy, modern version of a screwball comedy from Hollywood’s Golden Age except a lot hotter.”  Melinda is married to her college sweetheart, and has three kids in college.  She follows the NFL because one young quarterback is from her hometown, and follows Duke basketball because Mr. Curtis has a man crush on Coach K.  Her latest release, Summer Kisses, comes out February 1st and is part of the Harmony Valley series and set in a small town winery.  You can learn more about her books at www.MelindaCurtis.net. www.MelindaCurtis.net

Once upon a time there was a dog….

Guest blogger Shirley Raye Redmond

The slice-of-life essay is usually defined as a, “short piece intended to
realistically depict an interesting moment in everyday life.” Writers who
pursue this form of essay writing tap into their personal experiences and
memories for suitable subject matter. When writing fiction, I do the same.
My historical novel, Amanda’s Beau, is embroidered with real-life
circumstances or incidents.

For instance, my son raises chickens as a hobby, so it is no coincidence
that Amanda’s family raises chickens. The hero Gil Gladney takes his
pupils out to explore the old Anasazi ruins on the outskirts of the
village of Aztec. Years ago, I took my own youngsters out to explore the
same ruins. Even Bonita, the rag-tag Irish setter, rescued by Amanda’s nephew Rex, is based on a real dog that once belonged to my father.

As a boy in the 1920s, he owned a dog named Fly and loved her with all his 
young heart. Unfortunately, the dog succumbed to blood lust, attacking chickens and other animals on the family farm. When Fly ran off with my dad’s infant cousin, snatching the baby from a blanket on the ground during a family picnic, my dad was expected to go into the woods with a gun to shoot the dog and rescue the child. Later, when I married, my husband bought me an Irish setter puppy for my birthday. I loved her to pieces, but I could never look at Scarlet without thinking of the excruciating pain my dad must have endured when forced to put down his pet all those years ago. When I began writing this story, I vowed it would have a happier ending.

Sometimes I will use a real comment to enhance the dialogue in the story. Like a bit of lace on the collar of a blouse or a special ornamental button, a remark made by one of my friends, acquaintances, or family members adds an extra little touch to the story line.  A dog-loving neighbor once said to me, “I’ve always liked dogs. They have a peculiar sense of humor all their own. And most of them are more pleasant to be around than lots of people I know.” Again, it is not a coincidence that my hero repeats this opinion when he first meets Rex’s beloved pet for the first time.

Often, after reading a particularly interesting nonfiction book, I feel the need to add something I learned to my fictional story. While writing Amanda’s Beau, I happened to be reading, Rabid, A Cultural History of the World’s Most Diabolical Virus by Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy.  Grim reading, to be sure, and I don’t recommend curling up with this book before bedtime. Rabies is the most fatal virus known to science. The anecdotes recorded in this book made the drama in Old Yeller appear quite tame. However, I could not resist adding my own bit of drama (and trauma!) to my story by having my heroine encounter a rabid skunk.

It’s my hope that these bits of literary embroidery will enhance my tale and perhaps, make parts of the story memorable in a positive way for the  reader.


Here is an Amazon link for Shirley’s new book:    Amanda’s Beau

Amanda’s Beau

Astraea Press

Shirley Raye Redmond
Now available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, and Astraea Press

The year is 1905. It is autumn in the village of Aztec in New Mexico territory. Amanda Dale is burdened with the responsibility of caring for her widowed sister and Ella’s two children—one a premature infant. When
schoolteacher Gil Gladney and his pupils discover the relics of an ancient culture among the ruins outside the village, Gil contacts an old college friend. The possibility of an archeological excavation excites the community of cash-strapped farmers, eager to earn extra money working on the site.
But Amanda becomes smitten by the handsome schoolteacher and distracted by her growing fear that Bonita, the Irish setter so beloved by her nephew Rex, has succumbed to bloodlust and is preying upon the chickens from
which the family earns their living. One mishap after another convinces both Gil and Amanda that life is short and the possibility of happiness is fleeting. In the end, Amanda learns to trust God to provide the happily-ever-after ending she’s been praying for.

www.shirleyrayeredmond.com

The Real Puddles ….by Amanda Cabot

Guest blogger   Amanda Cabot

It’s not unusual for an author to have readers tell her that they love her characters.  In fact, that’s one of the things every author hopes will happen.  It’s less usual, though, to get that kind of fan mail when the character has four feet, but that’s exactly what happened with Puddles, the dog I introduced in Summer of Promise.  He captured readers’ hearts as much as he captured mine.

When I’m asked whether I base my characters on real people, the answer is always a resounding ‘no.’  Oh, I might take a characteristic from a person I’ve met – a firm chin, deep blue eyes or even a stubborn heart – but that’s all.  The rest of the character comes from my imagination.  It was different with Puddles.  All the time I was writing about him, I kept picturing Bradford.  I even had pictures of him close at hand, so I could make sure I described him properly.

So, who’s Bradford?  The story started one summer when my sister decided that our brother Andy deserved a puppy for his birthday.  Caitlin was wise enough to know that our parents wouldn’t agree, so she operated under the ‘it’s easier to get forgiveness than permission’ motto and headed off to the local animal shelter, coming back with an absolutely adorable puppy she’d named Bradford.  As a side note, Caitlin was crafty enough to do this on an evening when our parents were attending a dinner meeting and wouldn’t be back until after the shelter was closed.  The wise girl was taking no chances that she’d have to return the puppy that day.

You can probably imagine Andy’s delight when he saw his birthday gift.  It was the classic boy-meets-dog moment.  Those of you who are parents, try to picture yourself coming home and being greeted with a sign on the door saying, “Be careful.  Bradford is sleeping.”  Of course, being a puppy in a new environment, Bradford wasn’t sleeping.  He was whimpering, seeking attention.  And he got it.  Our mother spent the better part of the night sitting with him, petting him and saying, “My, what big paws you have for such a little dog.”  (If you look closely at the picture, you can see those oversized feet.  Bradford was mostly Belgian shepherd and soon grew into those paws.)

By the time morning arrived, it wasn’t only Andy who’d fallen in love with the puppy.  So too had Mother and Dad.  Though he had been intended as Andy’s birthday gift, Bradford turned out to be a gift for the whole family, so much so that when I was married a couple years later, the now fully grown Bradford was included in one of the family portraits.  And when I wanted to create a canine character in Summer of Promise, there was no question what he’d be like.  With his sweet but occasionally mischievous spirit, Bradford was the perfect role model for Puddles.  Thanks, Caitlin!

 And here is an Amazon link for Amanda’s new book!   With Autumn’s Return: A Novel (Westward Winds)

WITH AUTUMN’S RETURN

AMANDA CABOT

January, 2014

Revell Publishing

Elizabeth Harding arrives in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to establish her medical practice thanks to the wooing of her two older sisters who extolled the beauty of the land. She’s certain she’ll have a line of patients eager for her expertise and gentle bedside manner.

However, she soon discovers the town and its older doctor may not welcome a new physician. Even more frustrating, the handsome young attorney next door may not be ready for the idea of a woman doctor. For his part, Jason Nordling has nothing against women, but he’s promised himself that the woman he marries will be a full-time mother.

Despite their firm principles, Elizabeth and Jason find that mutual attraction–and disdain from the community–is drawing them ever closer. And when the two find themselves working to save the life and tattered reputation of a local woman, they’ll have to decide how far they’re willing to go to find justice–and true love.