Fiction Furbaby
Fiction Furbaby includes background and stories about pets in fiction, a cover, blurb, buy links, and author social media. It also has a section for shapeshifters used to introduce the animal side of the character and provides a shout out to animal rescue organizations.
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Fiction Furbaby: Meet Stormsinger from Ring of the Dragon by Kayelle Allen @RobsRescues #RLFblog #Pets
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Fiction Furbaby: Meet Abby, Goliath and Daughtry from Rescue Me in the Yesterday’s Promise anthology by Cheryl St john @_cherylstjohn_ @RobsRescues #RLFblog #Pets
I just finished a short story for a new anthology releasing September 1st, and I’m really excited to share a bit about it.
Cheryl, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! We support all furbabies, real life or fictional. We want to know all about your Fiction Furbaby, but first, please tell us about your short story Rescue Me.
Yesterday’s Promise by Cheryl St John and the Aspen Gold Series Authors
Genre Contemporary Romance
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): G
Natalie Jordan was a disappointment to her father, though she acquired the degrees he wanted her to earn and married the man he chose. She was a disappointment to her husband too, but when he dies and she inherits land in Colorado, it’s the perfect time to create her vision of a canine rescue center.
Avery Sawyer is surprising in more ways than one. He’s driven and determined. Natalie needs his help, and he’s willing to give it as long as she forms a partnership for a project so big, she’s hesitant to agree. Natalie has to face her self-doubts in this story of love at first sight.
Meet Abby, Goliath and Daughtry from Rescue Me in the Yesterday’s Promise Anthology
Abby was Natalie Jordan’s first adoption. Shortly after moving to the farm, she took in the skittish White Swiss Shepherd found running loose with a collar imbedded in her neck. Three years later Abby’s bark is still hoarse and she doesn’t use it much. Jackson the vet said her vocal cords were damaged, and it was a miracle she hadn’t starved or suffered permanent damage to her throat and esophagus. Abby is Natalie’s gentle giant, a calm, loving companion.
Goliath, a half-Chihuahua, half-toy poodle that looks like something from a Muppet movie and barely weighs four pounds with a full belly had been her next project. General consensus is that Goliath’s combination of salt and pepper hair mixed with tufts of gray, combined with his pointy ears make him too ugly to be adoptable, but to her he’s adorable. It took weeks of patience to correct his bad habit of lifting his leg wherever he smelled an interesting scent. Now he spends his time watering the entire outdoors.
Natalie’s third house dog is a brown and white Russell terrier she lovingly named Daughtry. Rollie Weston discovered the canine tied to a trash can behind the gas station. Malnourished and filthy, Daughtry had lost his fur due to a skin disease.
With medication and adequate diet, his coat filled in, and he’s now an alert and friendly fellow, though he has an awkward gait and isn’t very fast due to a past leg injury. He loves carrots as treats.
Do you have any working or service animals in your stories? Tell us about them.
Pax, short for Paxton is Avery Sawyer’s service dog. He’s a golden retriever, trained to assist a paraplegic and pull his person in a wheelchair if needed.
Yesterday’s Promise will be available soon at all your favorite book retailers.
Cheryl StJohn Social Media
Cheryl is the author of more than fifty historical and contemporary romances. Her stories have earned numerous awards and are published in over a dozen languages. In describing her stories of second chances and redemption, readers and reviewers use words like, “emotional punch, hometown feel, core values, believable characters and real-life situations.” Her bestselling non-fiction books, Writing With Emotion, Tension & Conflict and Write Smart, Write Happy by Writers Digest Books are available in print and digital.
Website https://www.aspengoldseries.com/
Twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/aspengoldseries
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AspenGoldSeries
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/cheryl_stjohn/aspen-gold-the-series/
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081YPJ5V8
Get to know the Aspen Gold Series Authors better by signing up for an email newsletter https://www.subscribepage.com/n9n7p3Shout out to Rob’s Rescues – founded by a 9-year-old animal activist
Rob’s Rescues is a non-profit organization in Georgia helping people in need care for and feed their pets. It was founded in 2014 by a then nine-year-old boy. Rob’s Rescues is dedicated to collecting pet food for people in need to reduce shelter surrenders, and to advocating for the adoption of shelter pets. Rob writes monthly articles advocating for shelter animals in the Around About Local Media magazine publications. His column was first published in 2014. He also has pet food collection sites for people in need in the community and interviews amazing people. His interviews appear online once they are published in his column.
Rob volunteers for Pet Buddies Food Pantry, the Cherokee County Animal Shelter and Cobb County Animal Control and collects pet food for these organizations and the communities they serve. He also wants to bring attention to smaller, rural shelters. Mostly he wants to get kids to be Rob’s Rangers to teach kids that they can help shelter animals. Rob has also talked to kids in a classroom setting.
Rob’s Rescues is a Non-Profit Corporation and all donations are tax deductible.
Website http://www.robsrescues.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/robsrescues/
Twitter https://twitter.com/RobsRescuesImage credits: Depositphotos, final image by Cheryl St.John
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Fiction Furbaby: Meet Fisher from Brighter Than Gold by Charissa Gracyk @charissagracyk @RobsRescues #RLFblog #Pets
When a treasure hunter discovers clues that lead to a long-lost, sunken ship laden with treasure, she’s forced to turn to the one man who can help her in Charissa Gracyk’s new adventure romance, Brighter Than Gold. The only problem is he stole from her once before and now she can’t trust him.
Charissa, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! We support all furbabies, real life or fictional. We want to know all about your Fiction Furbaby, but first, please tell us about Brighter Than Gold.
Brighter Than Gold by Charissa Gracyk
Genre: Steamy, contemporary action/adventure romance
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
He stole from her before, but claims he’s changed…
Dylan Ford is a liar, a thief and a pirate. And, unfortunately, the only man who can help Hollis Quinn. Because she needs to salvage a shipwreck in deep water and only Dylan has the cutting-edge, specialized equipment to do that.
Hollis wants nothing to do with his equipment or his arrogant, crooked smile. He betrayed her once before and she’s reluctant to trust him again. But, when someone tries to kill her and steals her beloved father’s research, Hollis is forced to turn to Dylan.
As lines blur and truths are revealed, Hollis can’t decide whether she wants to punch Dylan or kiss him. Adventure and intrigue draw them closer and, as they work together to find the priceless cargo, one thing is clear: Dylan Ford isn’t the same person he used to be.
But, can Hollis ever fully trust him?
Meet Fisher from Brighter Than Gold
Full name: Mel “Fish” Fisher
Nickname: Fish
Gender: Male
Species: Canine
Physical description: scruffy shepherd mix
Relationship to main character: best friend
Relationship to the villain/antagonist: Fish is smart and whenever he sees the antagonist, he warns Dylan with a growl.
Where this furbaby came from: Dylan found him scrounging for food in the marina where he lives and rescued him.
What inspired you to create this character?
I’m a big advocate of rescuing animals and it’s always been a natural thing for me to include that in my writing. Since there’s so much adventure in this story, I didn’t have a dog until a later draft—until I knew that Fisher would have a good babysitter available while Dylan and Hollis ran around searching for treasure. And, that is Hiro, Dylan’s business partner who Fisher adores.
What does the main character think about this furbaby?
Dylan finds Fisher digging through trash, thin and hungry, and takes pity on him. He relates to the dog and knows what it means to be on your own and a loner. They instantly bond and Fish becomes his best friend.
How do other characters react to or interact with this furbaby?
When Hollis, the heroine, meets Fisher, she adores him and vice versa. He’s a little scruffy and rough around the edges which reminds her of Dylan.
What does this furbaby add to the story?
I think animals add heart to a story and Fisher is a sweet boy who was there for Dylan when he needed someone most—after the death of his mom. Dylan’s Dad left when he was younger so Fisher is the family he always wanted.
What about this furbaby will readers like, and why?
Who doesn’t love a beautiful shepherd mix?! They’re my favorite—gorgeous, protective and loyal—just like all of my heroes. It’s the breed I always write into my stories.
Please share an interesting fact or tidbit about this furbaby.
Fisher is named after famed treasure hunter, Mel Fisher, who discovered a famous wreck off the Florida Treasure Coast.
Describe a humorous incident involving the animal character.
Dylan is a treasure hunter, lives on a boat and spends a lot of his time diving. Fish loves to jump into the water with him and swim around which earned him the shortened nickname.
About Indiana and Company
Which, if any of the pets in your writing are modeled after your own pets? In what way?
I always have a shepherd mix in my stories because I grew up with one and have my own now. Sometimes, my heroine might have a cat and I always model him after my cat, Whimsy. I’ve even used his name, too! He’s quite a character and acts more like a dog than a cat.
What do your pets do when you are writing?
Indy, my Aussie/German mix, recently passed away, but I still have a German Shepherd mix named Tallulah and a feisty Pomeranian mix named Wixey. Both are rescues/foster fails and sit next to me all day—and sometimes night—as I write. They are my constant shadows and I love it.
What’s the most unusual pet you ever had?
I had an iguana named Zoey for about 12 years. She grew so big that she looked like an alligator and when she sat on my shoulder, her tail hit the ground. I also had ferrets and they were a wild bunch! I’d let them all run around and play together. And, the two bunnies joined in, too! It was quite a little zoo!
Where did you find your pet?
I work with an amazing group called Dawg Squad and Indiana started as a foster that quickly turned into a foster fail. I couldn’t give her up and ended up adopting her myself. I had almost 15 wonderful years with her and I miss her every day.
What do you feed your pet?
They love PetStaurant! It’s a little store up the street that makes small, special batches of dog food and Wixey especially enjoys the venison with lentils, zucchini, kale, ginger and turmeric. They eat better than me and are very spoiled—as all rescues should be.
Describe a toy or favorite item your pet loves.
Indiana had a ratty old bone she loved and chewed on every night. She never wanted any of the new toys or bones. Just that old one.
Where to buy Brighter Than Gold
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B097FC3LL6/
Charissa Gracyk Social Media
Ever since I snuck a romance novel off my aunt’s shelf when I was 10, I’ve loved the genre! I’m even named after a heroine from a romance that my Grandma read while my Mom was pregnant. I think it was meant to be and I’m so excited to share my fast-paced, action/adventure love stories with you.
I’m also a screenwriter and have written over 15 scripts, some of them even produced. I currently live in Los Angeles, but I’m originally from Toledo, Ohio, and visit home whenever I can. Rescuing animals is a passion and my cousin and I have fostered and helped home more than 300 dogs (and a few kitties!).
Website https://charissagracyk.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Charissa-Gracyk-Author-107675804845809
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/charissagracyk.com/
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/135380970-charissa-gracyk
BookBub http://www.bookbub.com/profile/120015000
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Charissa-Gracyk/e/B097S8JMZN/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1
Get to know Charissa Gracyk better by signing up for an email newsletter at https://charissagracyk.com/
Shout out to Rob’s Rescues – founded by a 9-year-old animal activist
Rob’s Rescues is a non-profit organization in Georgia helping people in need care for and feed their pets. It was founded in 2014 by a then nine-year-old boy. Rob’s Rescues is dedicated to collecting pet food for people in need to reduce shelter surrenders, and to advocating for the adoption of shelter pets. Rob writes monthly articles advocating for shelter animals in the Around About Local Media magazine publications. His column was first published in 2014. He also has pet food collection sites for people in need in the community and interviews amazing people. His interviews appear online once they are published in his column.
Rob volunteers for Pet Buddies Food Pantry, the Cherokee County Animal Shelter and Cobb County Animal Control and collects pet food for these organizations and the communities they serve. He also wants to bring attention to smaller, rural shelters. Mostly he wants to get kids to be Rob’s Rangers to teach kids that they can help shelter animals. Rob has also talked to kids in a classroom setting.
Rob’s Rescues is a Non-Profit Corporation and all donations are tax deductible.
Website http://www.robsrescues.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/robsrescues/
Twitter https://twitter.com/RobsRescuesShout out to Dawg Squad
Please include a small blurb about this site and include one link where information may be accessed, such as the home page or donation page.
Dawg Squad is a great organization in Los Angeles run by Carole Pearson and I’ve known and volunteered with her for over 15 years. They especially focus on breeds that may have a more difficult time finding a home like pit bulls and rottweilers and dogs that need some extra medical help. You can find more information at https://dawgsquad.org
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Fiction Furbaby: Meet Justus from Duty Bound by Jessica James @JessicaJames @RobsRescues #RLFblog #Pets @DEFHR
A Union spy relies on her horse to carry her out of danger in Jessica James’s new Civil War novel, Duty Bound. The bond between the two is strong, but is it enough to get them both through the war alive?
Jessica, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! We support all furbabies, real life or fictional. We want to know all about your Fiction Furbaby, but first, please tell us about Duty Bound.
Duty Bound by Jessica James
Genre Historical Fiction
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): G
Duty Bound takes readers across the rolling hills of Virginia in a page-turning tale of action and adventure as a Union spy spars with a renowned Confederate cavalry commander. Gallantry and chivalry are put to the test when Colonel Alexander Hunter discovers that Andrea Evans is not only the woman he promised his dying brother he would protect, but is the Union spy he has vowed to his men he would destroy.
When Andrea falls into Hunter’s hands in enemy territory, he must make the difficult choice to honor the vow to his brother—or continue to stand for the convictions he holds dear.
Duty Bound is Volume I in the Shades of Gray Civil War Serial Trilogy. Called the “greatest love story ever told” when it was first released in 2008, the book has been expanded and enhanced in this new three-book series that has dozens of new chapters and introduces new characters.
Meet Justus from Duty Bound
Gender: Male/Stallion
Species: Horse
Physical description: Description from the book: The charger, black as night and massive in size, could well have been from Satan’s own stable, so swiftly and silently did he move through the swirling vapor. Galloping with neck outstretched and tail sailing behind like a banner, the daunting steed flew across the field like a soaring dragon, steam bursting from his nostrils at every stride.
Relationship to main character: Pet and best friend, hence the name Just Us.
Relationship to the villain/antagonist: The antagonist knows when he sees this animal that his foe is going to get away.
Where this furbaby came from: Justus was bred at the plantation owned by the main character’s father and stolen by her when she ran away at a young age.
What inspired you to create this character?
As a lifelong horse lover, I know the strong bond between young girls and horses. I think the connection would be even stronger during a turbulent time like the Civil War, so I decided to highlight the close relationship with an equine character.
What does the main character think about this furbaby?
Justus is not just a horse, but a best friend who provides a shoulder to cry on and the strength to help get her out of tight situations.
How do other characters react to or interact with this furbaby?
Everyone who sees Justus is in awe of his size, strength, and beauty.
What does this furbaby add to the story?
I think Justus shows the strong bond that can form between human and animal, and how they rely on each other. Andrea, the main character, could not accomplish what she does without Justus.
What about this furbaby will readers like, and why?
I’m not sure why, but readers are drawn to Justus more than any other character. I hear from fans who read the first version of Shades of Gray more than a dozen years ago, and they still remember his name!
Please share an interesting fact or tidbit about this furbaby.
Justus weighs 1200 pounds, drinks at least 10 gallons of water in an average day and eats 20 pounds of hay.
About Ernie
This post is called Fiction Furbaby, but perhaps your own pet does not have fur. If you have a pet that has fins, wings, scales, or other features, please tell us about them here.
Which, if any of the pets in your writing are modeled after your own pets? In what way?
None at the moment.
What do your pets do when you are writing?
Ernie, my 19-year-old cat, likes step on my computer keys, sleep on my chest, and snore loudly.
What’s the most unusual pet you ever had?
A pet duck (Butch) that I won at the local fair.
Where did you find your pet?
My current pet was found near a creek by my nieces and nephew. They were kids when they found her and now have kids of their own!
What do you feed your pet?
Whatever she wants. LOL.
Describe a toy or favorite item your pet loves.
No toys. She sleeps a lot.
Where to buy Duty Bound
Publisher https://www.jessicajamesbooks.com
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08V1BP8MY
Barnes and Noble ) https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/duty-bound-jessica-james/1138746779?ean=2940162221739
iBooks https://books.apple.com/us/book/duty-bound-civil-war-saga/id1552074251
Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/duty-bound-shades-of-gray-civil-war-serial-trilogy-book-1
Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1067516?ref=jessicajamesJessica James Social Media
Jessica James believes in honor, duty, and true love—and that’s what she writes about in her award-winning novels that span the ages from the Revolutionary War to modern day.
She is a four-time winner of the John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction, and has won more than a dozen other literary awards, including a Readers’ Favorite International Book Award and a Gold Medal from the Military Writers Society of America. Her novels have been used in schools and are available in hundreds of libraries including Harvard and the U.S. Naval Academy.
Website https://www.jessicajamesbooks.com
Blog https://www.pastlanetravels.com
Twitter https://twitter.com/jessicajames
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/romantichistoricalfiction
Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/southernromance/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/authorjessicajames/
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/586216.Jessica_James
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jessica-james
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001IYTXOG
One Link https://linktr.ee/AuthorJessicaJames
Get to know Jessica James better by signing up for an email newsletterhttps://www.subscribepage.com/jessicajamesnews
Shout out to Rob’s Rescues – founded by a 9-year-old animal activist
Rob’s Rescues is a non-profit organization in Georgia helping people in need care for and feed their pets. It was founded in 2014 by a then nine-year-old boy. Rob’s Rescues is dedicated to collecting pet food for people in need to reduce shelter surrenders, and to advocating for the adoption of shelter pets. Rob writes monthly articles advocating for shelter animals in the Around About Local Media magazine publications. His column was first published in 2014. He also has pet food collection sites for people in need in the community and interviews amazing people. His interviews appear online once they are published in his column.
Rob volunteers for Pet Buddies Food Pantry, the Cherokee County Animal Shelter and Cobb County Animal Control and collects pet food for these organizations and the communities they serve. He also wants to bring attention to smaller, rural shelters. Mostly he wants to get kids to be Rob’s Rangers to teach kids that they can help shelter animals. Rob has also talked to kids in a classroom setting.
Rob’s Rescues is a Non-Profit Corporation and all donations are tax deductible.
Website http://www.robsrescues.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/robsrescues/
Twitter https://twitter.com/RobsRescuesShout out to Days End Farm Horse Rescue
Days End Farm Horse Rescueâ„¢, Inc., is a volunteer-based animal welfare organization that takes in abused and neglected horses, and provides education about animal abuse. They are an outstanding organization that goes above and beyond to help mistreated and maltreated horses. https://www.defhr.org/
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Read The Furrever Friends Cat Café Sweet Romance Collection by @Kris_Bock #RLFblog #SweetRomance #Romance #Pets
In Kris Bock’s Furrever Friends Cat Café Sweet Romance Collection, people find furry forever friends – and they just might discover romantic true love too.
Kris, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about The Furrever Friends Cat Café Sweet Romance Collection.
The Furrever Friends Cat Café Sweet Romance Collection by Kris Bock
Genre: sweet contemporary romance
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): G
The Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the workers and customers at a small-town cat café, and the adorable cats and kittens looking for their forever homes. Each book is a complete story with a happy ending for one couple (and maybe more than one rescued cat). This collection contains 5 books in the series. (Book 1 is free as an ebook.)
Kittens and Kisses at the Cat Café – book 2
He’s loved her forever. She still sees him as the neighbor kid. Can five desperate kittens bring them together?
Tea and Temptation at the Cat Café – book 3
Can two lonely people get a second chance at finding love?
Romance and Rescues at the Cat Café – book 4
Can getting stranded in a creepy house full of abandoned cats turn these enemies into friends—or even something more?
Christmas Cookies at the Cat Café – book 5
Christmas isn’t the same since Diane’s kids grew up and her husband died – so when her high school sweetheart comes back to town, maybe it’s time for some cozy new holiday traditions.
Cupcakes and Confessions at The Cat Café – book 6
Fiona gave up her baby for adoption 23 years ago. When Sean sits notes how much she looks like his coworker Holly, Fiona is suddenly reunited with her grown-up daughter. Sean steadies Fiona through this emotional roller coaster, but she doesn’t have room for romance – does she?
The Furrever Friends Cat Café Collection: books 1-3 is also available in Paperback.
Where to buy The Furrever Friends Cat Café Sweet Romance Collection
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096YHWW2T
Kris Bock Social Media
Kris Bock writes novels of romance, mystery, and suspense. Her Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the employees and customers at a cat café. Watch as they fall in love with each other and shelter cats. Get a free 50-page novella set in the world of the Furrever Friends cat café when you sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter.
Kris also writes romantic suspense set in the Southwestern U.S. If you love Mary Stewart or Barbara Michaels, try Kris Bock’s stories of treasure hunting, archaeology, and intrigue in the Southwest.
Website https://www.krisbock.com/
Blog https://swarmchairtraveler.blogspot.com/
Twitter https://twitter.com/kris_bock
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kris-Bock-Author-Page/174350342612332
Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/krisbockbooks/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kris_bock_author/
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4735592.Kris_Bock
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kris-bock
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/author/krisbock
Get to know Kris Bock better by signing up for their email newsletter. You’ll get Lions and Love at the Cat Café, a free 50-page novella, plus fun cat photos and links, book news, and a printable copy of recipes mentioned in the cat café novels.Shout out to Rob’s Rescues – founded by a 9-year-old animal activist
Rob’s Rescues is a non-profit organization in Georgia helping people in need care for and feed their pets. It was founded in 2014 by a then nine-year-old boy. Rob’s Rescues is dedicated to collecting pet food for people in need to reduce shelter surrenders, and to advocating for the adoption of shelter pets. Rob writes monthly articles advocating for shelter animals in the Around About Local Media magazine publications. His column was first published in 2014. He also has pet food collection sites for people in need in the community and interviews amazing people. His interviews appear online once they are published in his column.
Rob volunteers for Pet Buddies Food Pantry, the Cherokee County Animal Shelter and Cobb County Animal Control and collects pet food for these organizations and the communities they serve. He also wants to bring attention to smaller, rural shelters. Mostly he wants to get kids to be Rob’s Rangers to teach kids that they can help shelter animals. Rob has also talked to kids in a classroom setting.
Rob’s Rescues is a Non-Profit Corporation and all donations are tax deductible.
Website http://www.robsrescues.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/robsrescues/
Twitter https://twitter.com/RobsRescues -
Fiction Furbaby: Meet Jax from Rescue Road and My Montana Love by Gayle M Irwin @wyoauthor1 @RobsRescues #RLFblog #Pets #RescueDogs
She rescues animals; he rescues people. Can Rhiann and Levi rescue each other? A second-chance romance and the first in a series featuring pet rescue and adoption, this novel takes readers to property in southwestern Montana where three people have totally different views on what happens to the ranch that all three want … but only one can possess.
Gayle, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! We support all furbabies, real life or fictional. We want to know all about your Fiction Furbaby, but first, please tell us about Rescue Road.
Rescue Road by Gayle M Irwin
Genre Sweet, contemporary, small-town romance
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): G
Rescue Road – First in the Pet Rescue Romance series
Sweet Contemporary Small-town Romance
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 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 mutual attraction deepens, especially 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?
Meet Jax from Rescue Road and My Montana Love
Full name: Jax Kelly
Nickname: Jax
Gender: Male
Species: Dog – Shih Tzu
Physical description: White with black patches and speckles
Relationship to main character: My primary female character’s (Rhiann Kelly) dog
Relationship to the villain/antagonist: Jax is wary and suspicious of Dallas Patterson and helps to thwart Patterson’s plan to kidnap Rhiann.
Where this furbaby came from: Came into rescue from a puppy mill operation; Rhiann helped rescue him and then adopted him.
What inspired you to create this character?
Jax embodies my own puppy mill survivor, Jeremiah, who spent the first three years of his life in the mill. He and many other mill dogs were rescued by an organization in Nebraska called Hearts United for Animals; a year after his rescue, my husband and I adopted him. I wanted to showcase Jeremiah’s story subtly into the story to help people realize the situation of puppy mill dogs and the need to rescue and adopt them.
What does the main character think about this furbaby?
Rhiann is totally attached to Jax; he is her companion and best friend as she moves to and settles upon a ranch purchased for back taxes. Her dream is to create an animal rescue sanctuary, with Jax as the mascot. Settling into a new location takes courage, and Jax helps bring that trait to life for Rhiann because of his own courage to settle into a new life as a rescued, adopted dog.
What does this furbaby add to the story?
Jax brings stability into Rhiann’s life after the death of her beloved grandmother, who helped her purchase the property, and thereby, brought Rhiann’s dream of a rescue sanctuary to reality. Jax demonstrates loyalty and courage throughout the scenes he’s in, adding sweetness to the story. He also takes on the role of protector, especially later in the book when the villain attempts to kidnap Rhiann.
What about this furbaby will readers like, and why?
Readers will cheer on this ‘underdog’ as his story and purpose unfold in the book. His devotion to Rhiann and his friendship with her may create a deeper gratitude for their own pets and the joy animal add to our lives. Because of his background as a puppy mill rescue, readers will more deeply understand how a bad start in life doesn’t mean no hope for animals like Jax, and hopefully, they will realize the cruelty inflicted upon dogs confined in puppy mill facilities and seek ways to assist rescue groups that help these animals find freedom and new life with adoptive families.
Please share an interesting fact or tidbit about this furbaby.
In Rescue Road, Jax has a blind beagle friend whom he and Rhiann assist, and the friendship between the two dogs is another testament to the loyalty most dogs have not only to people, but to their own species – even if the breeds are different. Also, in My Montana Love, Jax has a new canine companion, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Diamond; his blind beagle friend receives a new home during Rescue Road, with a vet tech named Trisha.
Describe a humorous incident involving the animal character.
From Rescue Road:
In order to jump-start fundraising for her animal rescue sanctuary, Rhiann and her friends put together a harvest-themed gala. They dress up some of the dogs in special outfits; one of those animals is Jax. With a tux, complete with bowtie, fitted for his small frame, Jax prances around the gathering, drawing attention from people. When Rhiann’s love interest, Levi, shows up, Jax is contently laying in the crook of Rhiann’s arm. Levi needs to apologize to Rhiann for his behavior the previous few days. She uses Jax as a type of fortress, keeping Levi at a distance. After his confession and her acceptance of his apology, he moves closer to Rhiann to kiss her. Levi pats the small dog’s head says Jax, “You’re looking mighty handsome, little buddy, but I need you to excuse us for a moment.” The little dog whines when Levi removes him from the comfort of Rhiann’s arms and then wraps his own around her waist and slowly kisses her. Jax paws at Levi’s pant leg, breaking the moment and generating a laugh out of Rhiann and Levi.
About Jeremiah
Which, if any of the pets in your writing are modeled after your own pets? In what way?
Jeremiah is Jax is many ways. I wanted to share Jeremiah’s story as a puppy mill survivor, so I created Jax to represent him (and other puppy mill survivors). Jeremiah came into our household knowing very little about living in a home; even the TV and telephone were strange noises to him. Slowly, over time, he adjusted and learned what it means to be fully loved and cared for in household. He’s become a joyful, playful pup and through Jax, readers will learn not only about puppy mills, but about the joy an adopted pet brings to a person’s life.
What do your pets do when you are writing?
Jeremiah and Sadie (a springer spaniel) and my two cats (16-year-old sisters Murphy and Bailey) generally sleep while I write: the dogs in my home office, and the cats in their special places in the house (usually a clothing or linen closet). The dogs are now 10 years old, so they, too, primarily sleep … until my husband or I get out a toy or snap the leash to indicate it’s “WALK” time!
Where did you find your pet?
My husband and I adopted Jeremiah through Hearts United for Animals, an animal rescue sanctuary located in southeastern Nebraska. The organization primarily rescues dogs in midwestern puppy mills, but they also take in strays people find and other animals in need of care and adoption.
Describe a toy or favorite item your pet loves.
Jeremiah’s favorite toy is an old washcloth. Because of his small face and mouth, and the fact he only has 12 teeth due to extractions because of poor nutrition, he has a difficult time clamping down on “regular” toys. A washcloth is soft, thin, and easy for him to shake, carry around, and chew on. However, he can enjoy small, soft squeaky toys – his favorite among the four he now has is a green snake, again because of the small size.
Where to buy Rescue Road
Amazon https://amzn.to/2W7fpBe
Amazon Author Page https://amzn.to/37WMk0V
Barnes and Noble https://bit.ly/3w5fgio_BN2021
Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/rescue-road-2
Books2Read https://books2read.com/u/4DE9OeGayle M Irwin Social Media
Gayle M Irwin is a contributor to seven Chicken Soup for the Soul books and the author of many inspirational pet books and stories for children and adults. Her clean, contemporary romance series, Pet Rescue Romance, consists of Rescue Road, released November 2019, Finding Love at Compassion Ranch, released in May 2020, a 2020 holiday novella, Rhiann’s Rescue (the series’ prequel), and My Montana Love (sequel to Rescue Road), released March 2021. She subtly weaves important life lessons within the lines and pages of her stories, including the importance of pet rescue and adoption. Learn more about Gayle and her writing here on her website: https://gaylemirwinauthor.com/
Blog https://gaylemirwinauthor.com/blog/
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Get to know Gayle M Irwin better by signing up for her email newsletter: https://gaylemirwinauthor.com/ OR follow her bi-monthly blog at https://gaylemirwinauthor.com/blog/Shout out to Rob’s Rescues – founded by a 9-year-old animal activist
Rob’s Rescues is a non-profit organization in Georgia helping people in need care for and feed their pets. It was founded in 2014 by a then nine-year-old boy. Rob’s Rescues is dedicated to collecting pet food for people in need to reduce shelter surrenders, and to advocating for the adoption of shelter pets. Rob writes monthly articles advocating for shelter animals in the Around About Local Media magazine publications. His column was first published in 2014. He also has pet food collection sites for people in need in the community and interviews amazing people. His interviews appear online once they are published in his column.
Rob volunteers for Pet Buddies Food Pantry, the Cherokee County Animal Shelter and Cobb County Animal Control and collects pet food for these organizations and the communities they serve. He also wants to bring attention to smaller, rural shelters. Mostly he wants to get kids to be Rob’s Rangers to teach kids that they can help shelter animals. Rob has also talked to kids in a classroom setting.
Rob’s Rescues is a Non-Profit Corporation and all donations are tax deductible.
Website http://www.robsrescues.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/robsrescues/
Twitter https://twitter.com/RobsRescuesShout out to Hearts United for Animals
Hearts United for Animals is a no-kill animal rescue, sanctuary, and welfare organization located in southeastern Nebraska. A main mission for this group is rescuing and rehabilitating puppy mill dogs; they have helped more than 10,000 puppy mill survivors. Large or small, dog or cat, each animal receives love, care, socialization, and medical services, and animals that cannot be adopted (such as those with extreme health conditions) live out their lives at the sanctuary. Learn more about their work and current animals available for adoption, or to donate to this special organization, visit the website here: https://hua.org/