Delilah Devlin's Blog, page 159

Anna Hague: It’s all in the Name (Word Puzzle-Contest)

Hello, my name is Anna Hague, and thank you to Delilah for letting me be a guest blogger.

As I’m sure many authors do, I get asked many questions about my creative process. Where do you get your ideas? How can you come up with so many stories? Are your characters hard to write? Where do you get your names?

Bingo! I think that may be one of the hardest parts of writing. Your characters’ histories and personalities are important, but their names have to be perfect for their character. I was once halfway through writing a book for a publisher, and it wasn’t working. I didn’t have a tight deadline, but nonetheless, I had a tentative deadline for a book I wasn’t happy with. What was wrong with it?

I read through the entire manuscript searching for the problem. Every time I read the hero’s name, I cringed. This guy wasn’t a Jason Mathews—not at all. His name removed every bit of sex appeal I knew this guy had. Who was he?

One evening, I was watching Dateline. I love analyzing where exactly the criminal went wrong in case I need to commit the perfect crime. The lead detective’s last name on this murder investigation was Caldera. The name danced into my brain, reclined on red velvet sheets all while eating 70 percent dark chocolate. Conjuring up images of my dark-haired hero with olive skin, the name Caldera personified who I wanted him to be.

Now, for the first name. This is where I have a treasure trove of possibilities. In my other job, I’m a sports journalist, and for the last several years I’ve taken a less stressful version of the job and do freelance reporting for our local high school sports. Every event I go to, I grab a program or lineup list. These team lineups are priceless, and almost every name I have in a book has come from these lists.

The women in my novels, written and to be written, include an Allee, Haley, Emma, Sabrina, Evangeline, Rose, Avery, Lily, and more. My men are Jamey, Cameron, Tyler, Keller, Devon, Adrian, Maverick and Jordan.

Maverick was perfect for Thunderstruck because it’s set at a ranch in South Dakota. When I was writing the paranormal story, I found two kids on the boys’ soccer team named Maverick and knew I had the right name. Who became Mr. Caldera? Jordan. Jordan Caldera replaced Jason Mathews, and then the story sizzled.

Still on my list of athletes are Cannon, Thunder (who incidentally batted back to back in the baseball lineup), Gator, and Tremor. These are real names, not nicknames, and somewhere there has to be a story for all of them, but right now, they’ve yet to wander onto the page. Right now, I’ve got a Rose and Aaron and a Devon and Lily to deal with.

Thank God for high school sports.

Contest

Check out the word search below and find ten names I mentioned in my character list. Email me with your answers, and I will choose a random winner for a $10 Amazon card. Contest ends June 1. Email me at annahague80@gmail.com.

About the Author

Anna Hague spends part of her days in the writing cave creating her own spin on love stories. The other part of her days, she is a freelance sports reporter crafting stories about a variety of athletic events including high school, college, and professional level sports.

Anna reads all sorts of love stories, and she writes the same way. She has an erotic romance series with Wild Rose Press and has published the contemporary romance Heart Series and opened up the paranormal Storm Canyon Series with the first book Thunderstruck.

She lives in Central Indiana with her husband, three parrots, and two dogs.

Her motto: Creating different paths to love because different is the only way I know.

Social Media links:
E-mail: annahague80@gmail.com
Website: www.annahague.com
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/AnnaHagueAuthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010050496430
Amazon Books. http://bit.ly/3hEPjlYAnnaHague
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AnnaHagueAuthor/
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/anna-hague

The Word Puzzle

The post Blog first appeared on Delilah Devlin.

Where are they? Tell me their story! (Puzzle-Contest)

Puzzle Contest

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, solve the puzzle, then tell me where they are and what’s their story!

The post Blog first appeared on Delilah Devlin.

Procrastination Queens (Contest–3 Winners! Plus Open Contests!)

“Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week.”
~ Spanish Proverb

Are you like me?

I just finished a quick, intense gig editing for another author, and now have time to pay attention to my own writing. However, here I am, sleeping in late, not wanting to make my bed, not wanting to look at my work schedule, which if I don’t begin my new project soon, I’ll be crunching words to get the book done in time. “I write better when adrenaline kicks in anyway!” I say.

I tell myself I can start tomorrow. I can add an extra page to my next few days’ work to catch up. The pool is still pretty cool, I can wait to brush the sides to get rid of any algae. I can dust tomorrow. Doesn’t binge-watching some TV series sound like more fun (I’m watching True Blood for the first time)? I need to rest, right?

Excuses, all.

I love this quote: “Procrastination gives you something to look forward to.” ~ Joan Konner

She gets it. We know we’re being stupid, but argh, I just don’t wanna do nuthin today.

How about you? Do you know any funny procrastinator’s quotes or sayings? Do you have days when you look away from the dishes exploding in the sink—not because you have something more important to do, but because you plain ol’ want to do absolutely nothing?

Comment for a chance to win a FREE short story of your choice.
I’ll choose 3 winners!

Open ContestsIt’s a family affair… (Contest–2 Winners) — Last day to enter! Win a FREE book!

COWBOYS COVER (CONTEST) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!

Diana Cosby: Nature’s Inspiration – Kits!!! (Contest) — Win a FREE SIGNED book!

Sunset? Dawn? What’s happening here? (Puzzle-Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!The post Blog first appeared on Delilah Devlin.

Genevive Chamblee: Authors & Readers…

Today is another gloomy day. It’s quite stormy out, and not the typical weather that revs up my creative writing juices. When I glanced at my to-do writing list and potential topics, none jumped out at me. I have plenty that I need to be doing, and the motivation to get going, but not the ideas. Generally, when I find myself stuck in such a situation, I switch to a different project with the hope to salvage at least part of the day, and that a change of pace will spark an idea. That didn’t happen today. Instead, I kept reverting to the questions that were holding my creativity captive on my WIPs. What do readers want?

As an author, I’m always interested in what readers expect from me. Anyone who has ever contacted me about one of my books or short stories with constructive criticism knows that I take what is said seriously. When readers ask, I do my best to deliver. However, sometimes, I have to wonder before I start writing questions that do not surface. For example, do readers like it when writers change their style? That is, if a writer is known for writing in first person, is it off-putting for readers when that writer writes a novel in third person? Or what about a writer who is known for writing steamy romances who changes it up a bit by writing a sweet (sometimes called “clean”) romance? Do readers enjoy learning about authors in the bios of their books? What tropes are romance readers sick to death of?

Another set of questions that crossed my mind was about fads and trends. Who really sets them? Is it the publishing houses or the readers? (Chicken or egg?) Are readers reading what’s out there because that’s all that’s out there? Or are publishers chasing the trends, seeing that a certain type of book does well or is popular and then pushing to publish only those types of books? Are readers truly put off by prologues, or do editors just not dislike them? Are readers more into realistic themes and/or stories or more into fantasy-type romance? Do readers prefer multiple points of view in stories or a singular one?

When I was younger, I loved reading details in book and would get lost in descriptions of rooms and costumes. I wanted the author to paint a world for me and leave no stone unturned. (To be honest, I still do.) Yet, it’s frequently said these days that readers prefer that writers only provide a sketch for the readers to fill in all of the colors and fine strokes and that details only add clutter. It’s said that readers do not want to wade through any descriptions because it slows the pace to less than the action sequence in a videogame. (Maybe that’s why I’m not a gamer.) Thus, do readers want more description in their romances or is less more? Or is that readers want more dialogue than description?

It’s an intricate dance between authors and readers.

Now, it’s time for you to sound off. What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with these points? Let me know your thoughts and opinions in the comment section. Also, let me know if you would like me to cover more of these types of topics or dive deeper into this one. If you like this post, please click the like button and share it. If you’re not following me on Creole Bayou blog, what are you waiting for? There’s always room at the bayou.

If you haven’t heard, my best-selling hockey romance series, Locker Room Love. Book 4, Penalty Kill, releases this August. >>> https://books2read.com/penaltykill

When the scandal of a double homicide threatens to destroy his career, this billionaire hockey player hires an ambitious sports agent to improve his public image. It’s time to let the puckery begin.

Timothée Croneau is that jock—the bad boy superstar with the naughty reputation. He’s handsome, arrogant, and a billionaire. He’s also the number one person-of-interest in a double homicide and recently traded to a losing team who is showing him no love. And wouldn’t it be just his luck that his career splashed in the toilet six months after his long-time agent kicked the bucket? Now, he’s stuck with Ryker Kitsch. An agent is supposed to fix his life, though, not break his heart.

Speaking of breaks, ex-athlete Ryker Kitsch wants his in the sports agency realm. He sees his chance to make a name for himself by helping rebrand his agency’s newly acquired hockey star, Timothée Croneau. The guy needs every lick of positive PR he can get. So, why is the devilishly gorgeous forward fighting him at every step and leaving Ryker to wonder if he’s been hired for a babysitting gig?

The mess Timothée is stirring was never in any contact Ryker was hired to handle. One thing’s for sure. Whether it’s a forecheck or backcheck, collision is inevitable.

Preorder your copy at:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ex0N9p
Other book sellers: https://books2read.com/penaltykill

Missed the three in my hockey romance series? No frets. Out of the Penalty Box (book #1), where it is one minute in the box or a lifetime out, is available at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

Defending the Net (book #2) can be ordered at https://amzn.to/2N7fj8q or www.books2read.com/defending. Crossing the line could cost the game.

Ice Gladiators (book #3) is the third book in my Locker Room Love series. When the gloves come off, the games begin. Available at https://amzn.to/2TGFsyD or www.books2read.com/icegladiators.

For more of my stories, shenanigans, giveaways, and more, check out my blog, Creole Bayou, www.genevivechambleeconnect.wordpress.com. New posts are made on Wednesdays, and everything is raw and unscathed. Climb on in a pirogue and join me on the bayou.

If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feel free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or search me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors or BookBub.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click https://genevivechambleeconnect.wordpress.com/newsletter/ and signup today.

Until next time, happy reading and much romance. Laissez le bon temps rouler.

Resources:

Gailxy/GailygrindHuffington Post QueervoiceJoe.My.GodRomanceRomance Writers of AmericaSouthern Writers of LouisianaSports RomanceThe post Blog first appeared on Delilah Devlin.

Sunset? Dawn? What’s happening here? (Puzzle-Contest)

Puzzle Contest

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, tell me is this happening at sunset or dawn? And what’s happening here?

The post Blog first appeared on Delilah Devlin.

N.J. Walters: Kicking off Summer!

This coming weekend is the Victoria Day Weekend in Canada, or as we call it in my neck of the woods, the May Two-Four Weekend. It’s a statutory Federal holiday and the unofficial kickoff to the summer season. The holiday has been observed in Canada since at least 1845, originally falling on Victoria’s actual birthday (24 May 1819). Now it’s celebrated on the last Monday preceding May 25.

We call it the May Two-Four Weekend to refer both to Queen Victoria’s birthday, but a two-four is also how we refer to a twenty-four pack of beer, always a popular drink on the holiday weekend.

So how do we celebrate?

A lot of folks go camping or to their cabins. I’ve seen snow on the holiday weekend, and I also went swimming one year. Yeah, the weather is unpredictable around here.Drinking. A lot of people will kick back and enjoy a few cold and alcoholic beverages.Grilling. Steaks or burgers or hotdogs…something, but food is essential.Campfire. It’s always a nice weekend to have a campfire on the beach. I haven’t done this in years but did a lot of it during my teenage years.Relax. It is a holiday after all, a three-day weekend to relax with family and friends, maybe curl up and read a good book.

And if you’re looking for something to read, why not check out the FORGOTTEN BROTHERHOOD series.

Who are the Forgotten Brotherhood? They’re a group of paranormal assassins, the misfits that other paranormal creatures fear. They aren’t the monsters lurking under the bed. They’re the ones that kill them.

They live by a strict code: Kill only those that truly deserve it and let their gods sort them out. Kill them before they kill you. Never, ever betray a fellow assassin.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086BT7QJL/

Have a safe and wonderful holiday.

~N.J.

About the Author

N.J. Walters is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, werewolves, dragons, assassins, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.

Visit me at:
Website: http://www.njwalters.com
Blog: http://www.njwalters.blogspot.com
Newsletter Sign Up: http://eepurl.com/gdblg5
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/N.J.WaltersAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/njwaltersauthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/NJWalters
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/njwalters
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/n-j-walters

The post Blog first appeared on Delilah Devlin.

Hot SEAL, A Forever Dad by MaryAnn Jordan **AVAILABLE NOW**

We have another new SEALS in Paradise story! This year’s theme is centered around holidays. The latest release is by my friend, MaryAnn Jordan, just in time for Father’s Day! All buy links are below!

Hot SEAL, A Forever Dad

Benjamin “Pops” Popovich has just finished his last mission and said goodbye to his SEAL team. At thirty, he figured he had a few more good years left in him, but when family responsibilities call, he leaves the familiar to move back to Hope City. After years of missions and living in close quarters with his team, he is looking forward to a little peace and quiet. Now, if the two irrepressible kids from next door could just understand.

Violet Mayfield is doing the best she can… an uninteresting job with a lech for a boss and a townhouse in constant need of repairs. A widow, her joy comes from her two children. As far as she is concerned, their little trio family is all she needs.

Charlie and Lily Mayfield knew their mom was lonely. And they’d met the new neighbor. He was funny, grilled great hamburgers, and had a dog. And they noticed that his eyes always brightened when their mom was around. As far as they were concerned, he’d make a great forever dad. Now… all they need is to get the adults on board.

More SEALS in Paradise Links

Hot SEAL, Heartbreaker by Cat Johnson
Available now!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B089S5S3JL
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/hot-seal-heartbreaker/id1517407932
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hot-seal-heartbreaker-cat-johnson/1137147753
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/hot-seal-heartbreaker

Hot SEAL, Charmed by Parker Kincade
Available now!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08VWF7Q42
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/hot-seal-charmed/id1552125791
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hot-seal-charmed-parker-kincade/1138748474
Kobo:

Hot SEAL, April’s Fool by Becca Jameson
Available now!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08SBPCT8S
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/hot-seal-aprils-fool/id1548771062
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hot-seal-aprils-fool-becca-jameson/1138617937
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/hot-seal-april-s-fool

Hot SEAL, In His Memory by Delilah Devlin
Available now!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08PVV1KGQ
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/au/book/hot-seal-in-his-memory/id1543653235
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hot-seal-in-his-memory-delilah-devlin/1138430889
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/hot-seal-in-his-memory

Hot SEAL, A Forever Dad by MaryAnn Jordan
Available now!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08SC2FR3H
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/hot-seal-a-forever-dad/id1547818382
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hot-seal-a-forever-dad-maryann-jordan/1138579877
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/hot-seal-a-forever-dad

Hot SEAL, Independence Day by Elle James
Pre-order now!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08PSSV2GQ
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/hot-seal-independence-day/id1543730914
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hot-seal-independence-day-elle-james/1138431894
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/hot-seal-independence-day

Hot SEAL, Sweet & Spicy by Cynthia D’Alba
Pre-order now!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08VWJY1PV
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/hot-seal-sweet-and-spicy/id1552473846
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w?ean=2940162566328
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/hot-seal-sweet-and-spicy

Hot SEAL, Labor Day by Cynthia D’Alba
Pre-order now!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08VWXS6MQ
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/hot-seal-labor-day/id1552472938
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w?ean=2940162566311
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/hot-seal-labor-day

Hot SEAL, Midnight Magic by Teresa Reasor
Pre-order now!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08TT4CQFR
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/ie/book/hot-seal-midnight-magic-seals-in-paradise/id1550611527
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hot-seal-midnight-magic-teresa-j-reasor/1138684839
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/hot-seal-midnight-magic-seals-in-paradise

Hot SEAL, Sinful Harvest by Parker Kincade
Pre-order now!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08VWG2QL4
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/hot-seal-sinful-harvest/id1552135783
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hot-seal-sinful-harvest-parker-kincade/1138748630
Kobo: 

Hot SEAL, Silent Knight by Kris Michaels
Pre-order now!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hot-SEAL-Silent-Knight-Crossover-ebook/dp/B08WKMJ7DZ
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/hot-seal-silent-knight/id1553620361
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hot-seal-silent-knight-kris-michaels/1138824132
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/hot-seal-silent-knight

The post Blog first appeared on Delilah Devlin.

Amber Daulton: Arresting Onyx — On Sale Now!

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For the first time ever, both Arresting Mason and Arresting Jeremiah are on sale for $2.99 each. This romantic suspense series features smokin’ hot sex scenes, bad boy heroes, and badass heroines who fight their own battles and keep their men on their toes.

Limited Time Only – May 14 to May 28, 2021

Arresting Mason (Arresting Onyx book 1)

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Their chance encounter resulted in a steamy affair, but will his former gang and a parole officer tear them apart?

Once you’re in a prison gang, you’re in it for life. That’s what Mason Harding thought until the boss accepted his resignation. After the State releases him on parole, a sexy divorcée behind the wheel of a car almost ends his life quicker than a shank. His chance encounter with Mia Eddison results in a night of passion, but her brother—his parole officer—catches them together and doesn’t approve.

Mia falls hard for the cocky ex-con, but not because of his chiseled body. She vows to break through his walls and discover his secrets, but never expects those secrets to threaten her life.

When members of an organized crime ring kidnap Mia to force Mason’s return to the gang, he goes up against an old friend to save the woman he loves. Will his sacrifice be enough or will everything fall apart in a blaze of gunfire?

Add to Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39005064-arresting-mason
Check it out on BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/books/arresting-mason-by-amber-daulton

Arresting Mason – Purchase Links
Amazon – http://amzn.to/2ppcmEJ
Barnes and Noble – https://bit.ly/2uOj90J
Apple/iBooks – https://apple.co/2FVAQMP
Universal link – https://books2read.com/u/m2vvY7

Arresting Jeremiah (Arresting Onyx book 2)

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When threats escalate, will Jim and Calista succumb, or fight for a love they can’t deny?

Injured Parole Officer Jeremiah “Jim” Borden never expected Calista Barlow, the sassy blonde waitress he’s craved for months, to ring his doorbell. She slips into his heart—and his bed—but he’s obsessed with a gangland investigation that threatens his career and maybe even his life.

Calista doesn’t trust easily, not with a daughter to protect and the stalker who keeps calling her. After her violent ex-boyfriend returns, she finds solace in Jim’s arms.

Jim may have to forego his need for answers to protect the ready-made family he adores, but how will he and Calista escape an unseen enemy that is always one step ahead of them?

Add to Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55223686-arresting-jeremiah
Check it out on BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/books/arresting-jeremiah-arresting-onyx-book-2-by-amber-daulton

Arresting Jeremiah – Purchase Links
Amazon – https://amzn.to/32vAlqu
Barnes and Noble – https://bit.ly/2E4eJYO
Apple/iBooks – https://apple.co/35BOuo1
Universal link – https://books2read.com/u/mVKvMP

 

About the Author

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Amber Daulton is the author of the romantic suspense series Arresting Onyx and several standalone novellas. Her books are published through The Wild Rose Press, Books to Go Now, and Daulton Publishing, and are available in ebook, print on demand, audio, and foreign language formats.

She lives in North Carolina with her husband and demanding cats.

Social Media
Universal link – https://linktr.ee/AmberDaulton

The post Blog first appeared on Delilah Devlin.

Diana Cosby: Nature’s Inspiration – Kits!!! (Contest)

©Diana Cosby 2021

As a writer, I refill my muse by taking photographs of nature.  One of my favorite animals to photograph is kits.

I had a tough time deciding what photos to share as baby foxes are so cute.

When the kits first come out of their dens, they are so small.

It’s fun watching the kits play with their den mates.  They jump, roll around, tackle each other, and more.

As the weeks pass, the kits begin exploring the woods around them.

The time to watch the young foxes is limited, as soon they’ll head out on their own to begin their own den.

Contest

ONE winner will be drawn from everyone who posts on my guest blog post about, ‘Nature’s Inspiration – Kits!!!,’ on Delilah’s blog between 16 May 2021– 23 May 2021.  The winner will receive a signed copy of His Destiny , book #4 in the bestselling The MacGruder Brothers Series.

About the Author

A retired Navy Chief, Diana Cosby is an international bestselling author of Scottish medieval romantic suspense. Books in her award-winning MacGruder Brothers series have been translated into five languages. Diana has spoken at the Library of Congress, Lady Jane’s Salon in NYC, and appeared in Woman’s Day, on USA Today’s romance blog, “Happy Ever After,” MSN.com, Atlantic County Women Magazine, and Texoma Living Magazine.

After her career in the Navy, Diana dove into her passion – writing romance novels. With 34 moves behind her, she was anxious to create characters who reflected the amazing cultures and people she’s met throughout the world. After the release of the bestselling MacGruder Brothers series and The Oath Trilogy, she released the bestselling The Forbidden Series.

Diana looks forward to the years of writing ahead and meeting the amazing people who will share this journey.

Diana Cosby, International Best-Selling Author
www.dianacosby.com
The Oath Trilogy
MacGruder Brother Series
The Forbidden Series

The post Blog first appeared on Delilah Devlin.

Gail Koger: Reflections Of A Demented Dispatcher

Thirty-one years of wild requests, screwy questions, bizarre behavior, and outrageous demands have left me with a permanent twitch and an uncontrollable craving for chocolate. Don’t get me wrong. Working as a 9-1-1 dispatcher can be very rewarding. BUT – some days I felt like the whole world was nuts. I mean, c’mon who in their right mind calls 9-1-1 for the winning lottery numbers? Huh? On a normal day my calls ranged from this winner:

A hysterical woman yelled, “My bird is in a tree!” Sometimes I really can’t help myself, so I said, “Birds have a tendency to do that, ma’am.” The woman screeched, “No! You don’t understand. My pet parakeet is in the tree. I’ve just got to get him down.” Like I said, not a clue. “I’m sorry ma’am, but we don’t get birds out of trees.” The woman then cried, “But… But…what about my husband? He’s up there, too!” Okey-dokey. One rescue unit coming up.

To this champion: A man whispered, “Who won the Tommy Hearn fight?” I whispered back, “Sorry, don’t know.” “You don’t! I thought the police were supposed to know everything,” the caller exclaimed in disgust and hung up. Wonder where he got that idea?

My grin died a sudden death as an officer shouted for backup at a local fast-food restaurant. An instant later, he hit his officer’s alert button and yelled, “Step it up!” Okay, this was so not good. No one hurts my guys. I quickly relayed his location to other officers and started a supervisor. The officer keyed his radio again and shouted, “White male…” His radio stuck in the transmit position, the sounds of fists hitting flesh and the grunts of a no-holds-barred fight rang in my earpiece. And then to my utter disbelief in the background, I heard, “Welcome to Jack-In-The-Box. May I take your order?” I wanted to yell no, my officer is getting the crap kicked out of him in the drive-thru lane, but this guy was persistent, “Wanna try our new chicken fingers?” Finally, after what seemed to be an eternity, I heard the wonderful sound of sirens. And the relentless Mr. Jack-In-the-Box tried again, “How about one of our special combo meals?” Later my bruised and battered sweetheart of an officer brought all of us a bunch of chicken fingers. Courtesy of Jack-In-The-Box, of course. The job does have its perks.

One of which is indigestion and heartbreak. Melody, a fellow dispatcher, answered a 9-1-1 line and heard a woman shout, “My ex-husband is banging on my door and I have a restraining order against him.” The crash of breaking glass was followed quickly by the woman screaming blue bloody murder. Shots rang out and the woman’s screams were abruptly replaced by children’s sobbing. The woman’s six-year-old daughter picked up the phone. “My mom said that if anything happened, I could call 9-1-1. Can you please hurry? I’m really scared.” A dispatcher can’t allow her rage and grief to affect her job. That kid needs help and it’s up to you to get it for her. So, you stuff all those feelings deep down inside you and do your job.

And Melody, a true professional, sucked it up and did a terrific job. Her voice was calm, soothing, “What happened to your mom?” The child cried, “A mean man broke all the glass and shooted a gun. My mom fell down. I don’t know where I live, can you find me?”  Melody quickly typed in the information. “Sure, I can. I’ve got police officers coming to help you. Who else is in the house with you, honey?” The little girl sobbed, “My brother and sister. She’s a baby. My mom got blood on her and she won’t wake up.” Melody’s fingers flew over the keyboard, “Okay, are any of you hurt?” The child answered, “No. Are the people coming really nice?” Melody reassured her, “Yes, honey, the police officers are very nice. They are gonna come and help you out, okay?”

A professional 9-1-1 dispatcher must be able to deal with rapidly changing situations and maintain her calm at all times. And some days that can be pretty darn hard. I was reaching for my stash of chocolate when my next call came in. Her voice low and worried, a woman announced, “There’s a strange woman in my bathroom taking a bubble bath.” A bubble bath? Are you kidding me? “You have no idea who she is, ma’am?” The woman said, “No. I really had to pee and when I opened the bathroom door this bitch yelled, ‘Close the damned door. I’m taking a bath here!’ So, I grabbed her clothes and called 9-1-1.” Our well-scrubbed burglar got whisked to jail. Some days catching the bad guys is too easy. Some days eating a handful of Tylenols is easy too.

My headache kicked up a notch when a belligerent man called and said, “I want to report my four-year-old son missing.” “Ok sir, how long has he been missing?” The man snapped, “Four years.” I have to admit I was a bit curious. “Is there a reason you haven’t called before now?” There was a slight hesitation, then he replied, “I’m starting to get concerned, ok?” Wow, four years and now he’s concerned? “Where was the last place you saw him?” “Panama,” he hissed. “Panama,” I parroted incredulously. “Have you made a report with the officials in Panama?” His hostility increased, “No.” “I’m sorry sir, but we can’t take a missing person report for someone in Panama.” He snarled, “Let me talk to someone who knows what they’re doing because you obviously don’t.”

Some citizens of our fair cities have absolutely no idea of what an officer can or cannot do. They aren’t plumbers, electricians, alligator wrestlers (don’t ask), or allowed to shoot down low flying aircraft. We have to educate them. I know. I know. It’s an unending task. But we can do it. No! Wait! Tearing out your hair leaves those funny bald spots. We. Can. Do. It. Really. Would I lie to you?

A career as a 9-1-1 dispatcher is demanding, exasperating, satisfying, and fun. Yeah, fun. Catching a burglar or bank robber rocks. A short happy dance is permitted. You’ve made a difference. Made the world a safer place for a short time. We don’t always win, but when we do, there’s nothing like it. Chocolate, anyone?

Gail Koger links:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1598719.Gail_Koger
https://twitter.com/Askole
https://www.facebook.com/Colettiwarlordbooks/
https://www.amazon.com/Gail-Koger/e/B001K838B

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