Under the Dogwood Tree and Free Books!

Childhood love blossoms then fades to a distant memory for a young librarian and a dashing EMT. But a spunky grandmother, an overanxious dog, and a dash of divine intervention create the perfect environment for romance to bloom the second time around.

Before we look at today's book, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Breaking Free, by Jennifer Slattery, is:

tlhcoupon@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll email you for your snail-mail address, and we'll get your book right out to you.

I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways! Subscribers are entered a second time when they comment.

As I do on occasion, today I want to introduce you to my latest release, the e-novella Under the Dogwood Tree (Forget-Me-Not Romances, March 2016), which is part of Forget-Me-Not's American State Flower series.

Here's a short synopsis of the story:

Bernadette Doyle thinks she’s put her life on hold for the summer, while she cares for Cookie, her aging firecracker of a grandmother.

But Cookie’s run-in with a spastic dog leads to Bernadette’s run-in with a handsome EMT who recognizes “Bernie” as his past childhood love.

The next three months of rekindled romance, uncovered crime, suffered loss, and explored recovery show Bernadette that her life is not on hold. Far from it—her life has just begun.

What is it about Bernadette and her hero, Micah Hart, that will make you care about them?

Bernadette and Micah were both teased as children--Bernie because of the very visible birthmark just below her ear, and Micah because he was chubby. As a result they bonded together as children and grew up to be sensitive, empathetic adults. Although their childhood friendship ended when their families moved elsewhere, the strengths (and weaknesses) of their young relationship are the very things that draw them back together upon crossing each others' paths again.

As I usually do with guest authors' books, I'm showing the actors I pictured while writing my characters. If there were a film version of this story, these are the people I imagine portraying my characters.

I saw my heroine, Bernadette Doyle, as this lovely young woman. I'm sure she's an actress on some show or in film, but I have no idea what her name is. She just has that Irish-heritage look I envisioned for Bernie.




And I pictured my hero, Micah Hart, looking like Alex O'Laughlin of Hawaii 5-0 fame.






I saw actress Beverly Polcyn as Bernadette's grandmother, Cookie.










And I had Anna Kendrick in mind as Bernadette's best friend, Marybeth Logan.



During these early days of the release, the novella is priced at only 99 cents. And I plan to give away a free copy to three subscribers or readers who answer the following question:

What kind of childhood struggle have you (or a loved one) had to overcome? How did that struggle influence you as an adult?

I'll draw names Monday, March 28. To enter, leave your answer below. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com. 

Also, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, as well as my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE.