Rescue Road a clean, contemporary romance set in southwestern Montana, an area where I lived for more than 10 years.
Blurb:
Freelance writer Rhiann Kelly shelved romance for years. Her dream of starting an animal sanctuary takes deep roots after finding the perfect location in southwestern Montana and purchasing the property for back taxes.
Emergency medical technician Levi Butler knows his elderly friend George left the ranch to him in his will. Levi anxiously awaits the probate to be complete so he can plan his retirement and begin his dream of raising and selling horses.
When Rhiann and Levi find each other at the ranch simultaneously, sparks fly – and not the romantic kind. Yet their attraction for one another can’t be denied and deepens after Levi finds Rhiann injured in an accident. Meantime, land developer Dallas Patterson sets his sights on charming Rhiann to obtain the land.
Can Rhiann and Levi work together to detour Patterson and find a solution in which neither needs to give up their dream, or will the fence line of their hearts – and the property – separate them forever? Can their broken paths weave their hearts together as they travel the rescue road?
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Print book coming very soon!
Let’s meet Gayle!
NA: Gayle, welcome! We’re so happy you are here with us. How did you come up with the idea for your book?
GMI: Five years ago I took a creative writing class at the community college in my town. Several women were writing romance novels, and I decided to pursue the endeavor. After many setbacks and changes, and a lot of encouragement from others in my writing groups, I picked it up again last November for NaNoWriMo and completed the draft. The idea comes from my desire to entertain but also inspire pet adoption and educate readers about pet rescue. I love the state of Montana and lived there for more than a decade; therefore, since I know the setting well, I created a fictional town but also used the names of real communities in order to bring familiarity about the state (i.e., Yellowstone National Park, the Madison River) and help readers fall in love with the setting as well as the story.
NA: What is the main thing you want readers to take away from your book?
GMI: Two things: Middle age people can fall in love even after they’ve experienced a significant romantic setback, and rescued dogs can also rescue humans.
NA: What’s a fun fact about writing your book.
GMI: I based one of the dog characters on a dog my husband and I adopted a few years ago. My Jeremiah, a Shih Tzu, is the motivation for “Jax” in the story. Jeremiah is a puppy mill survivor, whom I adopted from Hearts United for Animals in 2017; “Jax” is also a Shih Tzu and puppy mill survivor whom my heroine, Rhiann, helped rescue and who welcomes the other dogs she rescues.
NA: What started you on the path to writing?
GMI: I began writing stories as a child, and in college I studied journalism and creative writing. I worked on the student newspaper and student annual magazine. After graduating with my bachelor’s degree, I began working for small-town newspapers in Montana, including as editor for the West Yellowstone News near America’s first national park. When I moved to Wyoming 20 years ago, I served as a reporter for another small-town newspaper and began freelancing for magazines. My short stories are featured in seven Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and I regularly write for WREN (Wyoming Rural Electric News) magazine. I’ve also had stories published in The Prairie Times, a monthly Colorado publication, and in Creation Illustrated, a nature magazine for children. I’ve authored dog books for children and devotional books for dog lovers, as I believe we can learn wonderful life and faith lessons from dogs.
NA: What do your friends and family think about your being a writer?
GMI: I’m an only child and the first person in my family to obtain a bachelor’s degree, and my parents were quite proud; they continue to be my biggest cheerleaders. In fact, my father steered me in the direction of my first job with a Montana newspaper as he was impressed with (what was then) a family start-up and the positive stories the couple sought to tell; I became their first full-time reporter. That was more than 30 years ago. My parents are still living and still cheering me on. My husband of more than 19 years was with me at my first Barnes and Noble book signing with my first children’s book in 2008, as was our dog, Sage, a blind springer spaniel who was the main character of that story (Sage’s Big Adventure: Living with Blindness). I have a wonderful support system in friends, work colleagues (I work part-time for a non-profit), and other writers. These people encourage me, critique my work, and help me persevere, and I’m grateful for each one of them … and also for the pets that inspire me to tell stories!
NA: The biggest surprise you had after becoming a writer.
GMI: How much excitement I feel doing the work! As a reporter, especially in the early days, sometimes the work was stressful due to so many stories and deadlines. However, I’ve matured over the years, and since I don’t have daily deadlines, I find composing stories, whether for a magazine, a Chicken Soup call-out, or for a book, delightful – and that time often passes quickly while I’m writing! The days I’m off work and devote a morning to writing, I blink my eyes and Noon has arrived. I wish time would slow down a bit!
NA: Do you outline books ahead of time or are you more of a by-the-seat-of-your-pants writer?
GMI: I’m a pantser. I know the premise of the story, but I let the words flow and take whatever direction “the characters tell me to go.” I often know how I want the story to end, and I explore pathways to get there. I may cut scenes during the editing process, and I did so with Rescue Road. However, I save those deleted scenes because they could be re-worked and used in another book. For example, I plan a Book 2 (in the works) and Book 3 for this Pet Rescue Romance series, and I may be able to massage some of the deleted scenes from Book 1 and weave into either Book 2 or Book 3. Watching the story unfold as I type on the keyboard is a significant part of the fun of writing for me!
NA: What has been one of your most rewarding experiences as an author?
GMI: When parents, teachers, or children come up to me after a program or book purchase and say how much the story touched them (or a child they love). After taking my blind dog with me on a classroom visit many years ago, I received a note from the teacher who said she had a visually impaired student and he said to his aide afterward, “I didn’t know a dog could be like me. If Sage can be brave, I can be too.” One of the students told me in a note, “I think Sage needs to star in her own movie!” Writing about challenges in life and how dogs can teach us to have courage, to persevere, to forgive, to love, brings me great joy, and helping people understand the importance of rescue and adoption is part of my mission as a writer.
NA: Do you have quirky writing habits?
GMI: I don’t know if this is very “quirky,” but I drink coffee or tea and play instrumental music on Pandora while writing. And, of course, Jeremiah hangs out with me in my home office … as does one of my cats usually. It’s a peaceful setting.
NA: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
GMI: I enjoy traveling and taking nature photos. My goal is to visit all the western national parks before I can no longer travel. My husband and I own some mountain property and cabin, and we enjoy spending time there with our dogs. I also enjoy helping animal shelters and rescues. I’ve transported dogs into rescue and into the arms of new families for various regional organizations during the past 10 years, and I look forward to continuing that volunteer work.
NA: Name a pet peeve.
GMI: Tardiness. Likely comes from my time as a newspaper reporter/editor.
NA: First thought when the alarm goes off in the in the morning?
GMI: How delighted I am to have my pets snuggling with me in bed.
NA: What famous person would you like to have dinner with?
GMI: Betty White – her humor and love for animals totally touch my heart!
NA: What are you working on now?
GMI: Book 2 of my Pet Rescue Romance series and a devotion book about nature.
NA: Tell us about a passion you have.
GMI: My enjoyment of nature and animals stem from my childhood. I was raised in Iowa, and my parents taught me to appreciate and respect the outdoors, both the environment and the wildlife. I was raised with animals – dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, etc. – and my household chores included caring for the animals. I loved doing that! And, I continue that love of caring for animals and nature. I hope to instill the same appreciation and respect for creation to readers through my writing, whether it’s a children’s book, a devotional, a short story, or a novel.
Excerpt:
Rhiann stood on the porch of the mid-century ranch house. Cup of coffee in hand, she watched the blazing orange sunrise. Streamers of light cascaded on the mountains west of the property, casting a rosy glow on the rocks and patches of snow upon the higher elevation. October’s morning danced with the browning grasses of the nearby pastures as touches of frost shimmered upon tan sprigs surrounding the house. Overhead, a flock of Canada geese in traditional V formation honked as they winged their way south.
Rhiann observed them and whispered, “We have something in common. We’re starting over.”
****
As he drove closer to the ranch house, Levi noticed a small, red dual-cab pickup parked near the building. His eyes squinted. He remembered seeing a similar vehicle at the Twin Bridges Campground yesterday. He parked next to the truck.
“Who in the world could that be?” he murmured as he exited his pickup.
He looked at the license plate. He didn’t remember George knowing anyone from Washington state. He saw a heart-shaped sticker on the side. Levi scowled. He meandered to the driver’s side and saw the “Rescue Road” emblem.
“Can’t be,” he muttered.
He looked up when he heard the front door of the house slam. He stared.
“What are you doing here?” he and Rhiann asked simultaneously.
***
Rhiann couldn’t believe her eyes. Left hand on her hip and straw broom in her right, she glared at the man she had met yesterday.
“Well?” she questioned, looking Levi in the eye. “Answer my question. What are you doing on my ranch?”
“Your what? YOUR ranch? This is my land,” he snapped.
“Uh, unless your last name is Kelly or McCallister, I don’t think so.”
Levi stalked toward the front porch. Rhiann took a step back. She looked into his smoldering gray eyes as he said, “George Nelson left this place to me. Just who are you to come claim it as yours?”
Before she could respond, he rushed on, “Are you related to George? I didn’t think he had any kids or grandkids. Are you a niece or something?”
Rhiann shook her head. “I didn’t know Mr. Nelson. I’m the granddaughter of Mary Martha McAllister. She was born here, in that log cabin over there.”
She pointed to the two-room dwelling to her right.
“That’s my house,” Levi said.
She detected the curt tone, and she responded in kind.
“I don’t know why you keep saying you own this property. That cabin, this place, has been mine for nearly four months and was in my family for two generations. I’m just now getting here after settling the back taxes.”
Levi’s face blanched. “Back taxes? What are you talking about?”
At that moment, his cell phone rang. She watched him pull the device from a back pocket of his jeans. He turned away from her.
“Mr. Williamson. Yes, this is Levi Butler. You have news for me?” He paused in his conversation. “I see.”
Rhiann continued observing him. He gradually turned toward her. His eyes darkened, and his teeth clenched. Rhiann took a step back, holding the broom in both hands. I’ll swing this thing at his head if he takes one more step.
“Yes, yes, I’ve met her. In fact, I’m looking at her right now.”
His icy statement sent chills up Rhiann’s spine.
***
Levi gripped the cell phone tighter. His mind tried to process the words spoken by George’s attorney. A few moments later, he said, “I see. Not the news I expected to hear but thanks for letting me know.”
He clicked off and stared at Rhiann. He noticed she held the broom as if to fend off an attacker. He wanted to punch something but knew he couldn’t. He took a deep breath and clenched a fist. He exhaled a ragged breath. A moment of silence ticked by. Levi inhaled again, trying to steady himself. As he released the air and unclenched his fist, he spoke in a terse, but controlled tone.
“Someone who knows nothing about this place, it’s history, or the man who lived here … I guess it’s yours after all.”
Levi stalked to his pickup and jumped into the driver’s seat. He backed the Chevy toward the Y junction and stomped the accelerator. He heard a large spray of gravel as the truck tires dug in, and he drove from the house.
About Gayle:
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. She subtly weaves important life lessons within the lines and pages of her stories, including courage, kindness, perseverance, friendship, appreciation of nature, and the importance of pet rescue and adoption. Her first novel, a clean, contemporary pet rescue romance titled Rescue Road, releases November 2019. A pet rescue and adoption 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, and her pets, and receive free stories and resources by visiting her website: www.gaylemirwin.com.
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