Sweet Spring and Summer Reads – Romance Books That Feature Pets

Reading a book is a relaxing activity, and one you can do with your pet beside you!

For more than a year, I’ve researched Amazon for novels similar to my interests: contemporary romance stories that feature pets. As an avid pet rescue and adoption advocate, I embarked upon a new chapter in my writing life more than six years ago – to create a novel that educates as well as entertains, particularly informing readers about the challenges and joys of pet rescue and adoption. The result, Rescue Road, released last fall.

Discovering New Books

My Amazon research became more than just research about what’s already out there in such a genre and how much “shelf space” there might be in that line of romance books; it also became a way I discovered new books to read. I discovered Eliza Boyd who writes small-town romance with animals woven into the story, and Linda O. Johnston, who creates a tapestry of mystery within the pages of her romance stories that also highlight pet rescue and adoption. Both ladies have other books I plan to pick up for my winter 2020/2021 reading.

Recently, I found Debbie Burns who has created a series called “Rescue Me.” Her latest work, Head of Paws, relates the tale of a volunteer rescue transport driver (something I do when I can) who meets veterinarian Gabe Wentworth, who is volunteering for the same rescue. The two of them rescue a dog from drowning and the foundation is set for a delightful romance story. In this book, Debbie creates a few chapters from the dog’s perspective, especially the scene when the animal nearly drowns and another when it’s brought into the rescue and left there (Gabe already has a dog and with his vet practice, works too much to take on another, and Oliva lives with an aging aunt who doesn’t allow pets … except her own). The author’s descriptive writing engages readers; tears filled my eyes as I read the potential drowning scene from the dog’s perspective. I sensed its bewilderment and fear, and I felt its anxiety and longing to trust the two people (Gabe and Olivia) trying to save it. Burns has other books in the series, one of which I started to read the other day (My Forever Home). I look forward to absorbing her words as I did with Head Over Paws.

Add to Your Book Collection

Spring has arrived and summer looms on the horizon. These are great seasons to find new books for yourself and loved ones. Taking to the backyard, the patio, the campground, the beach – wherever your “special spot” may be and lounging with a good book. After the past few months we’ve experienced with all the COVID-19 craziness, something that hasn’t been confined is our opportunity to read. If you enjoy contemporary romance stories that feature animals, check out Burns, Boyd, and Johnston for starters.

In that same vein, I have a new book coming out later this month. Book 2 of my Pet Rescue Romance series, Finding Love at Compassion Ranch, releases May 20, 2020. The story takes place at a sanctuary for former research animals, which I’ve set in western Wyoming near Yellowstone National Park. The story is about Erin Christiansen, whom I introduced in Rescue Road. A widow, Erin has visited her sister in Montana and is returning home to Florida. She’s pledged two-weeks as a volunteer at Compassion Ranch. When she arrives, she discovers the ranch manager is a guy from her high school, Mike Jacobs, himself now a widower. Do the two have a second chance at love or are there too many obstacles to keep them apart?

This clean, contemporary western romance also highlights the fate of research animals, including horses, cows, sheep, dogs, and cats; the ranch’s mission is based on that of Kindness Ranch, located in eastern Wyoming. The book will be available in print and e-book formats.

I enjoy entertaining readers with my romance stories and I also like to educate them about a topic I’m passionate about: animal rescue and adoption. And I enjoy finding books of a similar nature. I hope you’ll find my new book, and my previous work Rescue Road, as well as the books by the other authors I’ve mentioned, enjoyable spring and summer reading.

Watch the book trailer for Finding Love at Compassion Ranch below.