A call to all animal and/or mystery lovers…

Starting January 1st TODAY I'm asking mystery readers to come together in raising money for a worthwhile cause — to benefit New Jersey's abandoned, abused and neglected animals. I'm pledging for each copy of Last Exit In New Jersey sold through the month of January $1.00 will be donated to the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (www.njspca.org).

The officers at the NJSPCA work hard to make life better for animals, but according to Major Steve Shatkin of the New Jersey SPCA Humane Police, they face an ever-present challenge which makes their task more difficult: an identity crisis. Many people are more familiar with the ASPCA, but tend to overlook the NJSPCA, believing it is part of the same organization (and funding) though this is not the case. The NJSPCA, which was created in 1868, operates 24/7, 365 days a year. The not-for-profit organization receives no government aid or tax dollars, but is funded solely by donations, grants, bequests and fines levied. It is dependent upon donations from caring individuals and organizations in its efforts to protect New Jersey's animals from abuse, cruelty and neglect.

My goal is to raise not only funds, but public awareness for the NJSPCA as they aid the welfare of animals throughout the state. Last Exit In New Jersey, which was published earlier this year, has met with critical acclaim and steadily rising sales. Priced at $2.99, the book is available online through Amazon.com for the Kindle and through Smashwords.com for all other ereaders. Donations can also be made directly to the NJSPCA through their website: www.njspca.org

Being that I've decided to kick this off a bit early, I'll be donating $1.00 for each book I sell through December 2010 as well. Let's see how much money we can all raise!