animal rescue – Nomad Authors Blog

Charity Sunday: Paws of War

How Charity Sunday works: for every comment made on this blog post, I will donate money to the charity named. The same promise is made for every blog site listed in the group–click the Linky Links link at the bottom of this post to see the list of participants and read/comment on any of them to see a donation go to that blogger’s charity. We’re all different! Thanks for your help and your participation!

Sometimes overlooked when talking about the missions our service members perform is the role of animals. So, this month I’d like to feature Paws of War (https://pawsofwar.org/). Their mission is: “To honor and support our veterans, active military members, and first responders with services that enrich their lives through the rescue and training of service dogs for independence, adoption of companion animals, rescue of overseas animals in war zones, and other essential services to assist our heroes in need.” To fulfill this mission, Paws of War brings military service dogs back to the U.S. and finds them homes, and they provide veterans with rescue cats and dogs—some saved from kill shelters—in order to “help a vet and save a pet.” It’s a great cause! Please comment and I’ll send a donation to this wonderful organization. Thank you!

Blurb: Regan, Book 1 of the Sisters O’Ryan series.
Joining in the westward migration, Davey and Regan O’Ryan Stone bought an Oregon farm sight unseen, hungering for adventure. Davey regretted the impulse far past the point of no return, and then he died. Now, unskilled and alone on her farm, Regan fears going home a failure—as a daughter, a wife, and a farmer. With money quickly running out, she gladly accepts the offer of help from Seth Pratt, an acquaintance from the wagon train, and his friend Haywood Lawrence.

One-armed Seth seeks work at the remote farm at the end of an Oregon trail with low expectations. When he finds Regan, alone and widowed, he tamps down desire. She deserves better than a man handicapped in war, searching for his soul. She’s worthy of someone like his Shakespeare-spouting, best friend, Hay. Nothing could have prepared Seth for Regan’s simple solution—that both men stay. On the farm and in her bed.

Buy links:
Amazon Kindle https://www.amazon.com/Regan-Sisters-Publishing-Menage-Everlasting-ebook/dp/B008MOOYC6/

B&N Nook https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/regan-jenna-stewart/

Excerpt:
“I might not have recognized her right off, but I sure haven’t ever forgotten her, Koda,” Seth whispered. “She’s alone out here, and she needs help.” The horse nodded his head and then whinnied. “You’re right,” Seth conceded. “It’s too much to think there’s a place for me here.”

Koda stomped his front left hoof and shook his mane, before calmly munching on another mouthful of hay.

Seth clicked his tongue. “I know. There’s no need my arguing with the notion.”

“So you do carry on conversations with your horse, Mr. Pratt.”

Seth spun around, dropping the brush. “Mrs. Stone. I didn’t hear you.”

She smiled. “I only came down to make sure you found everything to your satisfaction.”

“The bunkroom is nice, and Koda is very happy with his stall.”

She stepped forward and stroked the Appaloosa’s nose. “He’s beautiful. What does Koda mean?”

“It’s Sioux for friend.”

“Well named.” Regan took a carrot from her pocket and fed it to the horse. She gestured toward the pinto in the neighboring stall. “That’s Twinkle. It’s Carolinian for she makes my eyes shine. At least according to my daddy. He says when he gave her to me for my fifteenth birthday, my eyes lit up. He named the horse on the spot.” She strolled over to feed Twinkle a carrot, too.

Haywood came around the stall and leaned on the post. Seth didn’t care at all for the familiar way his eyes followed Regan Stone’s every movement. Then Seth leaned against Koda and gave in, watching her graceful walk. Her voice fell on his ears like a melody. Auburn tendrils escaped from a loose bun and framed her small, round face. Her father had named the horse aptly. Her eyes did twinkle, but not just when she looked at the pinto. Her height lent her a regal air. He longed to hold her against him. With her slender frame and unusual height, they would fit perfectly.

Don’t think about it. It will never happen. Daydreams aside, the differences in their social stature and culture leapt out at him. Still, arousal struck just watching her stroke her horse’s nose. He imagined her stroking him and gasped at the flame of desire that struck. When she swung back toward him, he thought she must have heard.

“I almost forgot!” She smiled over Seth’s shoulder to the next stall. “Here’s a carrot for your horse, too, Hay.” Then she walked to the end stall where another horse stood quietly. “And one for you, Jethro.”

Seth didn’t think to wonder about the fourth horse in the barn. His conscious thought stopped when she called Hay Hay. Seth knew her first, or knew of her, more accurately, and that scoundrel had worked his charm on her to the point she already used his nickname. Good thing he was leaving. The knowledge that Hay would soon be far from Regan took the sting out of the fact that he, too, had to go now that there was no job.

“…I’ll see you then,” she said.

What had she said? His indignation over her use of Hay had waylaid his mind. “All right,” he replied, hoping he wouldn’t end up making a damn fool of himself.

With another smile, she strode from the barn leaving Seth in more emotional turmoil than he’d known in years.

“Now there’s a nice lady,” Hay said.

“She’s awright.” Seth vigorously set to work on Koda’s coat, not wanting to talk to Hay about anything right now, but especially not about Regan.

“All right? Bullshit, my taciturn friend. Too bad there’s no job after all. I might have considered staying on for awhile myself.”

“Right, too bad.”

Hay’s laugh came through the wooden slats. “I think she likes you.”

“Sure. Talk about bullshit.” Since coming home from the war, Seth made a habit of not meeting people’s eyes. Pity filled others’ expressions all too often and he didn’t like dealing with it. His heart had stuttered when he took a good look at the woman standing at the foot of the porch steps. Regan Stone had made an impression that one, brief time they’d met, but he’d kept his distance after that.

“She remembered you. She didn’t remember me. We were on that wagon train together, weren’t we?”

She had remembered him, hadn’t she? “Not hard to recollect a man with one arm. As for you, too bad you’re so damn forgettable.”

Hay laughed again. His laughter was one reason Seth enjoyed his company so much. Though he rarely engaged in the activity, he couldn’t help thinking his soul benefitted from the sound.

“You and I both know too many ladies along our path who disprove that theory,” Hay taunted.

“You have left quite an impression on the women of the west. Not all of it favorable, I might add.”

“Still, I wouldn’t mind rolling around the bed with our lovely widow. I wonder if she would consider—”

Before he could utter another word, Seth had Hay pinned to the stall. “You will not touch her in a frivolous manner. She’s no light skirt, you bastard.”

Hay’s face split into a wide grin. “I knew it. You like her, too.”

Author Dee S. Knight:

A few years ago, Dee S. Knight began writing, making getting up in the morning fun. During the day, her characters killed people, fell in love, became drunk with power, or sober with responsibility. And they had sex, lots of sex.

After a while, Dee split her personality into thirds. She writes as Anne Krist for sweeter romances, and Jenna Stewart for ménage and shifter stories. All three of her personas are found on the Nomad Authors website (www.nomadauthors.com). Fortunately, Dee’s high school sweetheart is the love of her life and husband to all three ladies! On the last Sunday of the month, look for Dee’s Charity Sunday blog posts, where your comment can support a selected charity. Sign up for her newsletter for exclusive access to free novellas, poetry, and stuff.

Author links:
Website: https://nomadauthors.com
Blog: http://nomadauthors.com/blog
Twitter: http://twitter.com/DeeSKnight
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeeSKnight2018
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/265222.Dee_S_Knight
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B079BGZNDN
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/dee-s-knight-0500749
Sweet ‘n Sassy Divas http://bit.ly/1ChWN3K

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New! Second chances–for people and pets! Gayle Irwin

She crouches then pounces upon the enticing mouse like her cousin the bobcat. His tail swishes as he stares and then stalks the feather on the floor like his larger brother the tiger. Domestic cats, like their wild relatives, enjoy the hunt and chase. They entertain their human companions, bringing smiles and laughter. Their purrs soothe stress, and their company delights days.

June is Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month, and in my recently-released book, Finding Love at Compassion Ranch, my main character, Erin, adopts two cats. This clean, contemporary romance is a second-chance story, for the human couple and for the animals featured in the book. Here’s an taste:

That afternoon, as Erin played with the cats, she focused again on the two yellow tabby brothers, Ricky and Rocket. The more she engaged with them, the more certain she was that her daughter would enjoy these kitties. She watched Rocket refocus his attention on a sunbeam dancing across the nearby wall. She laughed as the tabby leaped, as if trying to catch the light. Another sunray on the floor captured his interest, and the cat began zooming around the room. With her cell phone, Erin snapped several pictures of Ricky playing with a catnip mouse and others of Rocket pouncing on rays of sunlight. A few moments later she texted the photos to Brittany along with this message: “I think I’ve found the purr-fect cats for you! Two brothers, about two years old. Playful, fun, and friendly. We already know they get along, they are healthy, and they like people. What do you think? Want me to adopt them for you?”

As she waved a feather toy in front of the tabbies’ faces, Brittany responded with a text: “YES! I already love them. Do they get along with Winston?”

Erin responded, “I’ll plan a sleep-over to find out. Potential adopters can do that here, just like at Best Friends Animal Society.”

“Super!” came Brittany’s response. “Let me know how everyone does.”

Two cats share my house. I adopted them when they were 10 weeks old; they will be 15 years old in August. Murphy and Bailey are sisters, although to look at them you couldn’t think so. Murphy is a long-haired black and white (often called ‘tuxedo’), and Bailey is a short-haired tortoiseshell (black, orange, and white). Their mother was a medium-haired, cream-colored Persian-looking cat. Only two of the six in the litter looked alike, and they were black and gray tabby cats. I’ve been a cat person since I was a child. My first was a calico who followed me home after school when I was nine years old. I named her Precious and she was my companion for more than 10 years.

Buy links:
Amazon ebook
Amazon print
Barnes and Noble
Kobo

Bailey and Murphy cats I weave pet rescue and adoption into my romance stories because that topic is something I’m passionate about. The second book in the series, Finding Love at Compassion Ranch, sees my main character, Erin, volunteering at Compassion Ranch, a sanctuary for former research animals. The fictional sanctuary is based on a real facility called Kindness Ranch. In the book, Erin reconnects with a man she knew in high school when she shows up to volunteer. Both she and Mike, my primary male character, have lost their spouses. Sparks ignite, especially after Erin helps Mike save the life of an ewe and her lamb. However, Erin wonders if she gives her heart to Mike, will she be betraying her late husband and her two grown children?

Pick up your copy of Finding Love at Compassion Ranch, available as an e-book through Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Amazon, and available in print format through Amazon. You can also obtain my first book in this Pet Rescue Romance series, Rescue Road, in which the character of Erin is introduced, through the same outlets.

I encourage you to support your local animal shelter, humane society, or pet rescue organization. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), each year nearly 3.2 million cats and kittens enter animal shelters and humane societies across the United States. Sadly, Rescue cats more than 850,000 are euthanized due to illness, owners not claiming their lost/stray animals, and overcrowding due to lack of adoptions and reclaims. Whether through adoption, fostering, donations of supplies or money, or volunteering, these groups need our help to help the animals they serve.

When people purchase my books, I donate a percentage of sales to pet rescue organizations. I also volunteer for a few groups. In fact, the two cats in my story, Ricky and Rocket, are based on two cats I met at a rescue. Their picture is above.

Happy reading!

Blurb:

A ranch like no other …

Erin Christiansen is still adjusting to life as a widow. She seeks additional healing by volunteering at Compassion Ranch, a sanctuary for former research animals. Upon arrival at the majestic and unique northwestern Wyoming ranch, she meets Mike, a man she knew in high school, whose compassion for animals and people might be the balm Erin needs.

Retired veterinarian Mike Jacobs is no stranger to loss. Five years after the accidental death of his wife, he now serves as ranch manager of Compassion Ranch. He not only fixes fence and provides tours, but he applies his veterinary skills and his heart for animals to his work. Upon recognizing Erin from high school, he can barely believe his first love will spend a few weeks at the sanctuary.

Can Erin and Mike span the years since they have seen each other or do they, like many of the rescued animals, have wounds that run too deep to trust and love again?

Much of the story takes place here, at Yellowstone Lake

Excerpt:

That evening before sunset, Mike secured wire to a wooden post a few feet from the barn. More fencing to his left helped create a new corral, the project he’d been working on all day. He didn’t hear Erin walk up until she called out, “Hi, there, busy guy!”

He stopped his work and looked at her. Her large smile brought one to his face.

“Hi, yourself.”

Mike noticed Winston beside her. He squatted down and said, “Hey there, fella. How are you and those cats doing?”

Winston, his tail wagging, sauntered up to Mike, and the ranch manager patted the little dog’s head.

“They’ve done very well,” Erin responded as she walked closer. “A few hisses and growls by the cats at first, but with Winston’s gentle, sweet personality, the Ricky and Rocket adjusted pretty quickly. Winston learned about cats while at Rhiann’s sanctuary, so he knows not to push the limit.

They all took about a thirty-minute nap on the couch before supper. I think Brittany’s going to be quite happy with the boys.”

As Mike drew to his full six-foot-one height, he noticed Erin held a cloth bag in her hand.

“You don’t have the cats in there, do you?” he asked in a teasing voice as he pointed to the sack.

She laughed slightly and held up the bag. “I think you’d hear a lot of fussing. No, silly. I brought your supper. I’ve been hearing the pounding of nails all afternoon and saw you putting those posts in the ground earlier. I figured you could use a break.”

She opened the container, which held two sandwiches, a small bag of potato chips, and a covered glass pitcher of lemonade. Her kindness startled him. Not that Erin wasn’t thoughtful, but in the midst of her own busy day, settling in two cats, the thought that she would notice he hadn’t taken a break in several hours touched his heart.

“Thank you, Erin. I appreciate your thoughtfulness,” he said in a sincere voice.

She smiled and handed Mike the bag. He reached for the lemonade first and poured a cup from the small thermos. After consuming the tart liquid, he said, “Ah! That hits the spot.” He smiled. “I knew you were a good woman, Erin, I just didn’t realize how much of an angel until now.”

Author Bio:

Gayle M. Irwin is an award-winning author and freelance writer, being recognized by Wyoming Writers, Inc., and the Wyoming Press Association for several of her works. She is a contributor to seven Chicken Soup for the Soul books and the author of many inspirational pet books and stories for both children and adults. Her first novel, a clean, contemporary pet rescue romance titled Rescue Road, released November 8, 2019; the second book in that series she calls Pet Rescue Romance is titled Finding Love at Compassion Ranch – the book released in May 2020. Gayle subtly weaves important life lessons within the lines and pages of her stories, including the importance of pet rescue and adoption. An animal advocate, she volunteers for various dog rescue and humane society organizations and donates a percentage of all book sales to such groups. Gayle resides in Wyoming with her husband and their adopted animals. Learn more about the author, her writing endeavors, including a weekly blog, and her pets, and receive free stories and resources by visiting her website: www.gaylemirwinauthor.com.

New Release! The Cat’s Out of the Bag: Cynthia Terelst

One van. Two hearts. Thousands of kilometres.

Jesse’s a self-made billionaire who yearns to get away from his empty life and the money-hungry parasites who inhabit it. The plan? Go to Australia, tell no one about his money and find himself. Instead of finding just himself, he finds Evie, who is everything anyone should aspire to be. Now, what he aspires to be, is hers. But to be hers, he needs to tell her everything.

Evie has left her past behind. She has rebuilt herself, and her life, into one of happiness. After she meets Jesse, while volunteering at a cat shelter, memories of her past filter back in. She is stronger now and wants to trust him. But after all she has been through, is trust even possible?

The quest to find a cat a forever home leads them to travel across the country together. Can the close quarters drive them to open up to each other? Or will it drive them apart?

Excerpt:

Jesse
I woke up with Evie still wrapped in my arms. Her smell, her touch, the sound of her soft breathing, the peacefulness on her face. It invaded my senses.

I’d never felt so in touch with someone in my whole life. Every day we opened ourselves up a little more, sharing another part of our souls. I couldn’t live my life without her now.

Evie stirred in my arms and settled again. I kissed the top of her head and tightened my arm around her. Opening her eyes, she looked up at me and smiled before closing her eyes again. Not wanting to disturb her peace, I relaxed into the pillows and closed my eyes.

Her hand found my face and trailed down my neck to my chest. She moved her body up so her lips could meet my jawline. Her breasts pushed up against my body. They were perfectly rounded. I wanted to caress them and feel their softness in my palm. I became hard. It took all my self-control to keep my hands still. Her lips found mine, and she kissed me tenderly. As her lips drew away from mine, I opened my eyes to see her smiling at me.

I wanted her. I should have dragged her lips back to mine. I should have held her close, taken charge, kissed her, loved her. Instead, I watched her as she moved away.

Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Cats-out-Bag-billionaire-international-ebook/dp/B07ZC2Y2PG

Let’s meet Cynthia:

NA: How did you come up with the idea for your book?
CT: I saw that billionaire romances were very popular and decided to write one. But I didn’t want it to be like the others I read. It is not primarily about money; I added a couple of twists in there. I like to include social issues in my stories and this one touched on domestic violence.

I decided the characters would go on a road trip because road trips are fun and it also throws the characters in close proximity to each other which adds some conflict.

NA: What sort of research did you do to write this book?
CT: There wasn’t much research required as my daughter and I travelled around Australia for three years and visited many of the places in the book. For places I wasn’t familiar with I did some Googling, looked at photos and went from there.

I decided to write contemporary romance because I knew a lot of research would be required for a historical romance and I was worried about getting facts, mannerisms, speech, etc. wrong.

NA: What is the main thing you want readers to take away from your book?
CT: I think this statement from the book sums it up:
I know it’s hard to trust again when you’ve been hurt so badly. But you need to try. Otherwise, you will miss out on many of life’s joys.

NA: A fun fact about writing your book.
CT: I am a foster carer for a cat rescue, which helped me relate to the cats in care and their personalities.

NA: Do you have a day job? What was your job before you started writing full time?
CT: I am a project officer by day and a writer by night. I much prefer to write. As a new writer I need to build up my back list and earn a sustainable income, before I can make writing my full-time job.

NA: What started you on the path to writing?
CT: I have always loved writing. I wrote my first novel at the age of sixteen. I’d put writing aside for over 20 years. When a friend I work with told me she was working on a novel, it inspired me to start writing again. I found my manuscript and rewrote it. It is not a published work, yet.

NA: What do your friends and family think about your being a writer?
CT: I think they are proud and excited.

NA: The biggest surprise you had after becoming a writer
CT: I have been surprised with how helpful other authors are. They are always willing to share their experience and offer their advice. I find them inspiring.

NA: Do you outline books ahead of time or are you more of a by-the-seat-of-your-pants writer?
CT: I know where my books start, where they finish and some of what I want to happen in between. After that I just write. With my second novel I have tried using the index card method to plot, but found that I stray away from what I planned. I do refer back to the cards though when I get stuck.

NA: What has been one of your most rewarding experiences as an author?
CT: I told my author friend in July that I would write and publish a book by the end of the year and that is exactly what I have done. I am proud of my effort.

NA: Do you have quirky writing habits?
CT: I write my first draft by hand. I feel that my ideas flow easier that way.

NA: Which kind of scenes are the hardest for you to write? Action, dialogue, sex?
CT: My sex scenes were pretty terrible to start with. I think they have improved. One beta reader said my dialogue was like it was in a vacuum, I have worked hard to fix this. Sometimes I would tell and not show. I appreciated when my beta readers would point this out.

NA: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
CT: Relax and do nothing 😊

NA: What are your top three favorite books of all time?
CT: Oh, that is a hard question. When I was younger, I loved The Outsiders. I recently read the Darkest Minds series, which I enjoyed. I can’t decide on a third.

NA: Why did you choose the shirt you have on?
CT: I’m wearing a dress because it is comfortable.

NA: First thought when the alarm goes off in the in the morning?
CT: No. Arggh. And then I hit snooze.

NA: What errand/chore do you despise the most?
CT: Cleaning. I actually pay someone to clean now.

NA: What are you working on now?
CT: My second novel, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie. It is a second chance romance.

NA: What is any question we didn’t ask that you would like to answer?
CT: I can’t think of any. Maybe my favourite food? I would say everything, which would then explain why I am wearing a dress, weight gain due to eating. Lol.

Cynthia:
Cynthia Tereist Cynthia Terelst is a project officer by day and a writer by night. She is a contemporary romance writer who likes to share a little bit of history, some Australian scenery and a whole lotta love. Cynthia does not shy away from difficult topics, as she feels that they should not be ignored.
She lives in Queensland, Australia, where the sun shines at least 283 days a year.