Our #Rescue Pup's Journey - Kathryn Knight

Otis's Petfinder Profile Pic

Meet Otis, the puppy we are rescuing!  It's been a long time since we adopted a puppy - usually I try to adopt older dogs, as they have a tougher time finding forever homes.  But when I saw this guy on Petfinder.com, I fell in love.  As of Thursday night, the time of this post, he is riding the rescue transport from Alabama to New England.

He and his brother, Milo, were found running down an interstate with their mother.  A kind soul stopped and herded all 3 dogs into her car before they could get hit and took them to a vet's office.  Otis and Milo (lol) were estimated to be about 8 weeks.  Their poor mamma was in very bad shape, extremely malnourished and sick.  But the puppies had been nursing, so they were faring OK.  The mother stayed at the vet's to recover, and the puppies had to deal with an immediate weaning as they went off to a foster house to await adoption.

The guess is that Otis and Milo are part Border Collie, part Retriever, and possibly something else.  I've always wanted a Border Collie--I've heard they are super smart.  And since right now I have a senior dog and an older cat in the house, I know my 2 sons are anxious for an animal that will play with them.  The timing seemed right.

The puppies at their Foster Mom's house

Otis is the smaller dog and was getting picked on a bit by Milo.  We had already completed the paperwork and were anticipating his arrival when we got some bad news.  Milo got a very high fever and was diagnosed with parvovirus, which is very contagious in dogs.  It is dangerously fatal if untreated, but Milo was immediately put into the vet's care.  Now we had to wait to see if Otis would come down with it too.  As they spent all their time together, I feared the worst.

He spent an additional 2 weeks with his foster mom, and amazingly, he did not catch parvo.  Thankfully, Milo recovered and went to another foster house until Otis was cleared for transport.  On Monday he got his clean bill of health, and early Friday morning, we meet the rescue van in Vermont to pick up our new sweet boy. 

I'm so grateful to Sheryl, the foster mom who took such great care of Otis, and continues to love and care for Milo and the 13 other dogs at her house awaiting adoption.  I imagine it must be very hard to love, feed, and sometimes nurse dogs back to health, and then let them go.  People who do this kind of thing to keep animals out of high-kill shelters and increase their chance of adoption are truly special and selfless.

I envision a lot of moments in the next few months where I question my sanity, but mostly I anticipate all the laughter, joy, and happiness Otis will bring.  And I'm already trying to come up with ways to gain forgiveness from both my calm senior dog and my domineering cat.  Wish me luck.

(See "Our Rescue Pup's First Week") for an update!)



Otis's foster mom sent me pictures and videos while we waited

Giveaway & Character Interview - The Devil's Own Desperado

It’s Meet A Hero Monday again!  Today we have Colt Evans, the hero of Lynda J. Cox’s new Historical Western release The Devil’s Own Desperado.  I love the title of the book.  Enjoy the interview and leave a comment to win an e copy of the book!

Thanks for joining us, Colt.  Tell us, when is your birthday and how old are you?

My birthday is November 10^th, and I’m 28. 

How do you spend your days and what are your hobbies?

Before or after I met Amy?  If you want after, I’ve become father to two kids: Saul and Jenny.  Saul’s a handful, a typical 13 year old trying real hard to be a man.  And Jenny is a doll.  She’s seven and as sweet as the chocolate ice cream she likes.  I don’t have time for hobbies, not helping Amy raise those two kids and taking care of the homestead.  I do like to read, though I don’t have a lot of time for it.  Before I met Amy, my days were composed of sleeping most of the day, sitting up all night in a saloon playing poker, and trying my damnedest not to get called out and shot. 

I’d say Amy and the kids have changed your life for the better!  Can you list 3 words that best describe you?

Head-strong, determined, and lucky

Where have you traveled?

I was born in Texas and before I was thirteen, I had seen most of southern Texas.  By the time I was twenty, I’d been in most of the south-west and a lot of the west.  It’s kinda hard to put down roots when every young gun out there is trying to make a name for himself at your expense.

I can imagine.  If you could keep only one material item you own, what would it be?

The Bible my mother gave me at my first communion.  It’s the only thing my step-father didn’t steal from me.

I’m so glad you still have it.  What is your favorite food?  Favorite drink?

A good steak, medium.  And favorite drink: whiskey.  Straight.

Lastly, who would play you in a movie? 

William Levy.

Oh my...he definitely resembles the picture on the book cover!  Thanks all for visiting, please leave a comment and email address to enter the giveaway!

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Link The Wild Rose Press:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=195&products_id=5091

 

Buy Link Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Devils-Own-Desperado-ebook/dp/B009KA3ORW/ref=la_B009LW3JZ6_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351619689&sr=1-1

 

Lynda's author FB page:

www.facebook.com/LyndaJCox

Silver Lake Giveaway and Book Junkies Journal!

I'm double-booked today!  Tony V. Sweeney is hosting me as a guest on her blog, and we're raffling off one e copy of Silver Lake, my paranormal romance.  Here's the link (just one more click, I promise) if you'd like to comment to enter.
http://www.tonivsweeney.com/tvsweeney@tonivsweeney.com/Blog/Entries/2013/1/24_Silver_Lake.html

I also have an article on Book Junkies Journal about how I came up with the idea for Silver Lake - it involves ghosts!  Please check out my story if you have time:  http://www.bookjunkiesjournal.com/kathryn-knight.html


Enjoy the weekend!  Kathryn

Hero Interview and Giveaway - A Second Chance at Forever

Today is the third Meet a Hero Monday, and we have Alex McKinley, the hero of A Second Chance at Forever.  It released the 9th of this month from The Wild Rose Press, and author J.M. Stewart will also be giving away a PDF copy of the book to one commenter.  So please be sure to leave your email to enter!

Welcome, Alex.  First, some background.  When is your birthday and how old are you?

Alex: *takes a seat and folds his hands over his stomach* July 17th. I’m 38.

How do you spend your days and what are your hobbies?

Alex: I’m an attorney with the D.A.’s office. I’m in court a lot and when I’m not, I’m getting my cases together. The days are kind of long. But I enjoy spending time with my girls. Our twins are a month old now. I’m not sure I have a hobby at this point. *laughs* Sleeping. Sleeping would be a hobby I’d like to spend more time on.

As a busy mom, I can understand that!  Can you list 3 words that best describe you?

Alex: Determined. Ang would probably call me a clown.

Angela: *enters the room and seats herself in Alex’s lap* Sentimental. Ang would call him sentimental. And sweet. And dependable. Though that’s more than three.

Alex: *smiles and kisses her softly* The girls sleeping?

Angela: Yes. Finally.*puts a finger to her lips and smiles* Shhh. It took me ages to get them both down.

Thanks for helping him with that one, Angela.  All good qualities!  So, where have you traveled?

Alex: Not very far, I’m afraid. I’m a homebody. I was born in Vegas and moved to New York when for college. I moved home to Vegas a few months ago, just before Ang and I married.

If you could keep only one material item you own, what would it be?

Alex: Ah, the hard question. It doesn’t have an easy answer. Rufus. He’s a white stuff dog I bought for my four year old daughter, Hailey. She and my first wife died a little over a year and a half ago in a drunk driving accident. Rufus was one of her favorite toys and I keep him because he reminds me of her. It’s like a piece of her I can carry with me.

Angela: *slides off his lap and takes a seat beside him, resting her head against his shoulder* He now has a special place in the twins’ room. He sits on a shelf overlooking the room.

That’s a wonderful and sentimental tribute.  Now an easy question: What is your favorite food? Favorite drink?

Alex: Favorite food? Pizza, hands down.

Angela: *laughs quietly* He eats it every Friday night for dinner. Insists on it. Though I’m fairly certain he could probably eat it every day and not get sick of it.

Alex: *grins* How in the world can you sick of eating pizza? It’s the one thing I miss about New York…pizza around here just isn’t the same. Favorite drink would be coffee. It gets me going in the morning. I need a lot of it these days. The twins don’t sleep through the night yet, so we’re not getting much of it. Not that I mind. Going to work exhausted in the morning still makes me smile. It’s the little things you take for granted, like walking the floor all night with a colicky newborn. 

It’s nice to see such an involved Dad!  Finally, who would play you in a movie? 

Alex: *flexes a biceps and grins* Wolverine

Angela: *rolls her eyes, but smiles.* I told him once Hugh Jackman could definitely play him in a movie. He gets a kick out of that, in case you can’t tell. Ever see that movie, Kate and Leopold? I’m afraid I’m not Meg Ryan, though.

 

You two certainly have your own love story!  To read more, please check out the blurb and excerpt below, and don’t forget to comment with email for a chance to win a copy.

Blurb:

Recently divorced and working two jobs, Angela Lewis has no room in her life for love. Yet when her childhood crush finds her at the nightclub where she works as the sexy stripper, Candy Cane, and expresses his interest, Angela can’t resist. She only wants one night to live the fantasy her alter ego provides.           

Alex McKinley is still trying to pick up the pieces of his shattered life, and one night with Candy is exactly what he needs. He gets more than he bargained for, however, when he discovers she's the little sister of his best friend.  Suddenly little Angie’s all grown up and driving him crazy.  

The more time he spends with Angela, the more Alex finds himself falling for the woman she’s become. She makes him want to live again. But can he convince her to take a chance on him?

Excerpt:

“When is your birthday, Alex?”

The minute the words left her mouth she wanted to suck them back. When Alex’s gaze snapped to hers, heat blazed up her neck and into her cheeks. The question gave her away, revealed her thoughts as surely as if she’d spoken them out loud. In front of her family, no less. Oh, her, and her big mouth....

To make matters worse, desire and recognition flared in Alex’s eyes, the memory rising between them.

A night neither one of them could forget. She remembered only too well him telling her exactly that.

“Two weeks,” he said.

“Got any plans?” she asked, to cover the need that sparked in her belly. Like an ember stoked into a tiny flame. One that if given the right amount of fuel could consume her.

Alex didn’t respond the way she’d anticipated, however. The expression drained from his face, his features going stony. Tension rose tight and prickly in the air around them.

Brock looked up from the grill.

Alex shook his head and rose from his seat, his jaw tight, a stiff set to his shoulders that had unease settling in her stomach. “No.” Then he turned to Brock. “Beer in the fridge?”

Brock nodded. Without so much as a glance in her direction, Alex moved around her, stepping through the sliding glass doors into the darkness of the house.

Angela turned to Brock, fear and confusion pounding in her breast. “I said something wrong.”

Her brother shook his head. “It’s his story. He should be the one to tell you.”

She nodded, then turned to stare at the doorway Alex had just disappeared through. She swallowed hard and followed after him.
 

Author bio:

J.M. writes what she likes to call sweet and spicy contemporary romance. She’s a stay-at-home mom who lives in Seattle Washington, with her husband, two boys and their two very spoiled puppies. She’s been devouring romances for as long as she can remember. Writing them has become her passion.

Links:

Website: http://authorjmstewart.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/JMStewartWriter

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-JM-Stewart/129990420383155

Blog: http://jm-stewart.blogspot.com/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3159044.J_M_Stewart

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/authorjmstewart/

 

Buy links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Second-Chance-Forever-ebook/dp/B009KET1SE/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1349187804&sr=8-5&keywords=a+second+chance+at+forever

B&N:

TWRP: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=195&products_id=5088

 

 

How I Got Shelf Space for Silver Lake - Kathryn Knight

I'm thrilled to have received premium shelf space for the entire year at our local bookstore, despite the fact that Silver Lake is my debut novel, published with a small press with limited distribution of print books.  How did I do it?  My persona with the MBA in Marketing wants to say I used a combination of push and pull strategies.  But what it really came down to was hard work and luck.

My first inquiry at the independent bookstore in our town was received with only mild interest.  Local bookstores like to help local authors, but there are many local authors hoping to sell their work.  And since Silver Lake is a POD (print-on-demand) title, ordering copies requires either a leap of faith (no returns) or a consignment agreement (more paperwork).

Determined, I visited a few more bookstores in neighboring towns, dropping off postcards.  And I got lucky--one store was having a Halloween event, and felt my ghost story would be a perfect fit.  Would I be interested in doing a signing at the event?  You bet!  I immediately dropped off some advance copies of Silver Lake by request, and received my first consignment agreement.

Now I had a signing scheduled and I was in one bookstore.  I saw an opportunity to capitalize on these positive developments.  The local paper had agreed to do a story on my book when I first contacted them, so I followed up with the editor there.  I emphasized the Halloween/ghost story connection and politely asked if the article could make it into the paper in time for my book signing.  Another piece of luck fell into place: they said yes, they could do that.

I raced back to the bookstore in our town with something to offer: I was being featured in our local paper this week, and they would list my book signing events.  We quickly set one up--now I had 2 book signings in one weekend with a corresponding newspaper article on the front page of the Arts section.  It was a banner weekend!

So that was mostly a push strategy--hopefully I wasn't too pushy, but I was persistent.  Signings are a lot more difficult that I imagined, but with the help of the bookstore owner and the news article, I began getting Silver Lake into the hands of local readers.

Thankfully, readers liked it--so much so that several members of the town Women's Club nominated it as a 2013 selection for their Book Club.  A book for each month of the upcoming year is chosen in December, and Silver Lake was selected for January.  I was ecstatic!  Now I had a book club creating demand for my book, a pull strategy.  The bookstore owner requested more copies, which I delivered immediately.

Then she showed me the best part: all the town book club selections for 2013 stay up on the main shelf for the entire year, labeled with their club and month.  Silver Lake is up on a shelf beside titles such as Gone Girl, Body Surfing, Room and The 19th Wife.  My next-door neighbor up there is You Learn by Living, by Eleanor Roosevelt.  Nice company!

I wish I knew of a magic formula in this competitive market for those of us without well-known names and enormous advertising budgets.  For me, leg work and lucky timing were two big factors for getting up on the shelf.  But there is one thing that I think is probably the most important: coming out of your comfort zone.  Most authors, including myself, would prefer to write.  It's what we do.  Selling ourselves is hard.  We'd prefer people to just want to read our books--but they never will if they haven't heard of it! 

In terms of digital promotion, I asked my publisher if we could do a limited time Kindle & Nook sale at 99 cents.  It's currently ongoing, so I can't say for certain if a low sale price will generate a significant bump in sales.  But so far, Silver Lake's Amazon sales rank has improved during the sale, so that's encouraging.

So that's my story.  I'd love to hear yours--what has worked for you in terms of marketing?  Have you had any lucky breaks?  Forced yourself out of your comfort zone?  Has it paid off?

 

Giveaway & Character Interview - Heaven Sent

Today's blog is going to be Meet a Heroine Monday!  We have an interview with Tenlee Hawkins, the heroine of Heaven Sent by Sarah Hoss.  Please enjoy the Q&A and leave a comment to enter the giveaway!

When is your birthday and how old are you?
My birthday is in April and I am 33 years old.

How do you spend your days and what are your hobbies?
When I am not in the helicopter saving lives, I like to ride my 4-wheeler through the woods behind my house. I like to go hiking and work in my flower beds.

Wow, you sound busy!  Can you list 3 words that best describe you?
Determined, loving, and hard working.

And where have you traveled? 
I have been to 23 of the 50 United States and to the Bahamas.

That's quite a bit of traveling.  If you could keep only one material item you own, what would it be?
A ring my mother gave me before she was killed.

That sounds like a wonderful sentimental thing to have.  What is your favorite food?
I love home cooked meals, but especially meatloaf.

I love meatloaf too.  Favorite drink?
Coffee keeps me sane!

Agree - the world would be a scary place without coffee.  Lastly, who would play you in a movie?
I would be Julianne Moore.










She's a beauty!  Thanks for the interview Tenlee.  Readers please enjoy the Heaven Sent blurb and more info on author Sarah Hoss.

When forgiveness heals the soul, love heals the heart.

Flight nurse Tenlee Hawkins is used to making quick decisions, but one decision she made the Christmas day her mother died haunts her. Wrestling with the past, she spirals into depression—until the day she finds a man unconscious in her woods and saves his life.

When Sam awakens in the hospital with a concussion and no memory, Tenlee rescues him again. She takes him into her home and her life. But as Sam recovers and remembers who he is, he's torn. A guardian angel isn't supposed to fall in love.

As the promise of true love grows, Tenlee realizes that Sam has helped her much more than she ever helped him. But Sam is filled with guilt knowing he must soon leave. Will it take a Christmas miracle to find the life with Tenlee he’s always wanted?

AUTHOR BIO:

Sarah Hoss grew up believing she could try anything and if she set her mind to it, she would succeed. Sixteen years of dance lessons, Cheerleading, and school plays proved to her that her parent’s words rang true. Writing was no exception. Reading the Outlander series made her fall in love with time travels and the historical places books could take her. Always a child with a vivid imagination, she realized as an adult, she could put her imagination to good use and began writing. Marrying her very own hero, they live in Indiana in the town where she grew up. They have three beautiful children and one hyper dog. When Sarah isn’t writing, she enjoys gardening, camping, and watching her kids’ play sports.

Where to find Sarah-

Twitter- @SarahHoss1

 

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sarah-Hoss/237219983049037

Website- www.sarahhoss.com

Blog- www.heart-of-romance.blogspot.com

You can also find Sarah on LinkedIN, Goodreads, and Pinterest.

 

 

99 cent sale on Silver Lake - Kathryn Knight

I'm celebrating!  It's my first birthday as a published author...last year the contract had been signed, but the book was in the editing stages.  In fact, I remember stressing about edits on Silver Lake's blurb at my birthday dinner last year - but it came out great (see below).  Normally $4.99 for the e-book, Silver Lake will be available for .99 cents for the weekend from The Wild Rose Press (all e formats) and for 2 weeks on Amazon (Kindle) and Barnes and Noble (Nook).  Please find the links below and enjoy this suspenseful reunion romance and ghost story!  And one thing I discovered recently - Amazon offers a free Kindle app for your laptop or other device - I downloaded it recently, it's great :)

Blurb:

Rain Anderson can't decide which is more unsettling—encountering the ghost of her missing friend, or reuniting with the man whose love she foolishly rejected. But one thing is certain: the past has come back to haunt her, quite literally.

Five years ago, Rain's tight-knit group of high school friends unraveled when one vanished during their senior year. Now, a parent's deathbed request has reunited the friends at Silver Lake, including Jason Lansing, the man Rain discarded. Rain and Jason discover the powerful attraction between them has survived, but though Jason is willing to forgive, he can't let himself forget. The possibility of falling for Rain again is too risky.

Slamming doors, crashing objects, flaring fires—clearly the ghost has a message to share. As Rain and Jason struggle to unravel the truth, they must face a desperate spirit in need of help…and a burning passion that refuses to die.

 

 

BUY LINK AMAZON (Kindle)                                         

 

BUY LINK B&N (Nook)

 

BUY LINK TWRP (all)

 

              Free Amazon Kindle app



Giveaway and Hero Interview - The Chief's Proposal

It's the very first Meet A Hero Monday!  Today we have a character interview with Brett Silverfeather, hero of ‘The Chief’s Proposal’ by Sandra Dailey

Welcome Brett.  A little background info would be nice...will you tell us how old you turned on your last birthday?

I turned 32 on October 4^th. I’m a Libra, perfectly balanced. What you have to understand is that the scales are heavy on each end. I can be a fighter one minute, and a lover the next.

Sounds like a nice combination!  So, how do you spend your days and what are your hobbies?

As a county sheriff, I work long hours. When I do have a little down time, I like to hunt, fish, camp, and ride my horses. But, at the end of a long day there’s nothing better than a good book.

I have to agree with that.  Can you list 3 words that best describe you?

1-Native American, 2-stubborn, and 3-Ginny says I’m a sexy beast. I know, that’s more than three words. What can I say? I follow my own rules.

My kind of man.  Do you travel much?

I don’t wander too far from my home in Three Trees, Georgia. Between my job and my band, there’s no time.  I did attend college at the University of Georgia though.

Hmmm, a sherrif and a musician...nice.  If you could keep only one material item you own, what would it be?

My bone handled war knife. Not only because Ginny gave it to me as a wedding gift, but if you read our story, you’ll see how lucky I was to have it one day.

Sounds dangerous!  What is your favorite food?  Favorite drink?

If I have to pick one food it would be the ribs at Big Bob’s Barbeque and Steak House. I drink coffee all day, but I like a nice cold beer when I get home at night.

I love my coffee too.  Last question: Who would play you in a movie?

Well, because of my culture and the length of my hair, I guess I’d have to say Rick Mora. He’d have to pump up a little though.




Yeah, I'd enjoy watching him on the big screen!  Thanks for talking with us Brett...and thanks to author Sandra Dailey for offering a FREE e copy of your story to one lucky winner.  Please enjoy the blurb below and leave a comment with an email contact to enter.

 

Blurb:

Ginny Dearing has finally realized her goal of teaching, but finding a position is proving impossible. After exhausting all possibilities, an Internet ad is her only hope. In a small town hundreds of miles away there is a job with one huge string attached...a husband.

Burned by love once, Brett Silverfeather finds his bachelor life more than satisfying. He’s facing re-election for sheriff, but this time the voters are looking for a family man. Brett finds himself pursuing a marriage he doesn’t want.

Buy links:

The Wild Rose Press - http://bit.ly/PSiSNR

Amazon - http://amzn.to/MCNbDU

Barnes and Noble - http://bit.ly/RTDJ01

 

Message from the author:

One commenter will be chosen from the hat to receive a PDF copy of ‘The Chief’s Proposal’. If you’d like to enter, please include your email address.

I love to stay in touch with my readers and friends:

http://www.sandradailey.com

http://www.sandradailey.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook/sandradailey.author

sandradailey.author@gmail.com

My Favorite Reads of 2012 - Kathryn Knight

Finding time to read AND write each day is a challenge, but I usually manage. As I was picking out some new titles from my Goodreads list, I took a quick look at what I'd read in 2012. Here's my list of my favorites from a few genres--I enjoy reading many different things. The one glaring omission, which people may notice because I'm a ROMANCE WRITER for goodness sake, is Romance. There were just too many great ones to pick from, although I will say that many of the books I chose from other genres have a romantic element.

Here we go:

Fantasy: the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin

I read all 5 ENORMOUS books in this series in the beginning of the year: A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, and A Dance with Dragons. This saga is so amazingly full of plot twists and turns, shocking developments, rich characters, medieval fantasy, and exotic places. The world-building alone is a staggering feat, and I anxiously await the next in the series.


Historical Fiction: The Winthrop Woman by Anya Seton

Published in 1900, this is a fantastic account of one woman's journey to the New World in 1631. I had to get used to the changing POVs, but I learned a great deal about Puritan society in the Massachusetts Bay and Connecticut colonies, and the hardships and dangers of that period as settlers moved along the east coast. And I related to Elizabeth Winthrop, the rebellious young woman who dared to challenge the rules of the time.

Biographies/Memoirs: The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls

People had been telling me I HAD to read this book for years--but memoirs are not my thing usually. Then I saw it on a friend's coffee table and picked it up, and I was hooked from the beginning. The childhood Ms. Walls had was unique: sometimes tragically sad and sometimes beautiful. I was so moved and astounded by this book I gave it to my husband and then had my older son read it.

YA: Wither by Lauren DeStephano (Book 1 of The Chemical Garden)

A poignant story of a young girl in a dystopian world, kidnapped and forced into polygamy for her ability to procreate before society disappears forever, thanks to a mutated gene that scientists created while trying to strengthen the human race.

Literary Fiction: Madeleine's Ghost by Robert Girardi (a re-read)

What can I say about this book? It's one of my all-time favorites. The ultimate combination (for me) of ghost story, love story, mystery, and history, this novel moves between the gritty streets of a run-down neighborhood in Brooklyn and the steamy bayous of New Orleans.

Those are the books that stood out for me over the last year! Did you have a favorite read of 2012?