Monthly Archives: August 2014

National Dog Day – Porkchop and Leo

It’s National Dog Day, and since even I have to take an occasional break from Dragon Month, I’ve teamed up with the good folks at Dropcam to talk about what kind of PUPtectors I have.

PUPtectors

First up is Porkchop.  You’ve seen him here before.

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Porky is my fuzzy shadow.  When I’m working, he’s under my desk chair.  When I’m cooking, he squeezes himself between my feet and the stove.  You can always count on Porkchop to be in the middle of the action.

When you have dogs and daughters, a puggle with fairy wings is inevitable.

When you have dogs and daughters, a puggle with fairy wings is inevitable.

Porkchop’s PUPtector personality is the Barking Buzzer.  He will bark any time he has the opportunity.  There’s the obvious stuff, of course, like barking at the mailman or when someone knocks on the door.  But there’s also a bark for every car that goes down our road, a doorbell on TV, the evil yellow school bus that picks up the kids in the morning, or random noises from the mischievous cats.  Yesterday morning the garbage truck came by, and he actually barked with his mouth full.  Too cute.

My other sweet pooch is Leo.

Leo loves his girl!

Leo loves his girl!

He might not look like it from this picture, but Leo is definitely The Bouncer.  He barks at the normal things, like the mailman, and howls mournfully when he hears a siren, but otherwise he’s the strong and silent type.  Leo lets me know what he thinks of people, and I’ve always trusted his opinion.  If Leo doesn’t like you, I don’t like you.  At one point, I was staying in an iffy section of town, and Leo scared off a would-be intruder with his massive bark.  He might be getting up there in his years, and only have three legs, but I always feel safe if Leo is around.

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Happy National Dog Day!  Remember there are many dogs waiting in shelters for your love and attention, so don’t contribute to puppy mills.  Those of you here in Southern Illinois, be sure to visit P.A.W.S. for your next furbaby, and to check out Leo’s modeling debut.

This post inspired by:

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If you liked this post, be sure to check out more of my work at Amazon.

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Filed under Animals, Holidays

Dragon Tears…The Mourning Period

As I’ve mentioned before, The Wanderer’s Guide to Dragon Keeping is a project I’ve wanted to do for a very long time.  It’s changed names, characters, and even the basic plot, but it’s still a dream come true to know that very soon people will be reading it!  It seems, however, that I am in book mourning.

You know that feeling when you finish reading a book, and it’s so good that you just can’t possibly turn right around and pick up something different?  Like it would be an insult to the characters and the story to move on to something else so quickly?  Well, it’s the same way when you’ve finished writing.  And I’ve spent A LOT more time writing this book than anyone will ever spend reading it.

Sure, I have other book projects that have been floating around for awhile, waiting for their turn.  The sequel for The Graveside Detective  (for which I also mourned greatly….I was so attached to Frank) is just begging to be written.  But for the moment, it’s going to have to wait.  I need some time to get over this one.

Want to help me cast off the black veil?  You can pre-order an autographed copy here and join my release event here.  May you mourn as I do.  🙂

 

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Filed under Books, On Writing, Uncategorized

Here Be Pre-Ordered Dragons!

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Hello everyone! I am thoroughly enjoying Dragon Month both here and on my Facebook page!  Sure, it might be Shark Week for some, but who can turn down a whole month of mystical creatures?  Big thanks to everyone who has joined my release event so far!  The main thing I want to let you know about today in the progression of my new release is that you can pre-order an autographed copy of The Wanderer’s Guide to Dragon Keeping right here through my Facebook store!  I’ve already had quite a few pre-orders come in, and it gives me little dragonflies in my stomach to see the numbers tick up!  So thank you again to everyone who has helped me out with this, and if you haven’t yet, well, come join the party!

 

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Filed under Blogging, On Writing, Uncategorized, Writing Excerpts

Release Event for The Wanderer’s Guide to Dragon Keeping

Hello everyone! I’m sure you know by now that The Wanderer’s Guide to Dragon Keeping, a book that’s been in the making for over 15 years, will be released on Amazon at the end of the month! I’m inviting you to come join my release event on Facebook.
What will you get out of it?

-You’ll be among the first to purchase this awesome book (which is enough in itself, right?)

-Purchasing The Wanderer’s Guide as soon as it comes out means you get it for the special release price.

-Joining this event automatically enters you in the upcoming giveaways! (FREE STUFF!)

Why am I having this event?

-What better way to get the word out there than having a party?  (Okay, there won’t be a disco ball or any spiked punch, but you can bring your own and come hang out with me anyway.)

-The more people that purchase this book within a short time frame the better its ranking will be on Amazon, which leads to more sales, which leads to me bringing you more delightful reads!

Thanks in advance for all of your support.  Feel free to share this event with your friends and invite them to join the party as well.

Every girl needs a dragon.

Every girl needs a dragon.

 

 

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Filed under Books, On Writing

A Dragon Dream Come True…Cover Reveal!

When I was about 14, my brother gave me a copy of The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley for my birthday.  It was my first foray into fantasy novels, and the beginning of an incredible stage of my life.  I absolutely fell in love with the genre, and for many years would read almost nothing else.  There have been other genre addictions (historical fiction, chick lit, and that time where if it didn’t say “Stephen King” on the cover I wouldn’t touch it), but fantasy has got to be the longest running and most influential one for me.

Shortly after my addiction started, I decided I would write a fantasy novel.  I had always loved to write and had notebooks full of poetry, so this wasn’t so much of a stretch…except that I hadn’t written anything of that length before and really had no idea how to go about it.  I wrote the first chapter, and there my dream died for many many years.

Earlier this year I decided to revive that old dream.  I have long since lost that first chapter, which might be a good thing because I’m sure it’s terrible.  The story has evolved quite a bit, but nevertheless I am thrilled to be releasing The Wanderer’s Guide to Dragon Keeping at the end of this month!  Be sure to visit my Facebook page to pre-order!

Now here’s a special treat for my fantastic followers:  COVER REVEAL!

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Welcome to The Wanderer’s Guide to Dragon Keeping. You no doubt have stumbled upon this book due to a great need, whether realized or otherwise. You are a very select individual, placed in a very exclusive position of responsibility. Dragon keeping is not for the faint of heart.

 

Aubrey Goodknight is alone. Orphaned at a young age, she long ago stopped believing in the fantasies and mythical creatures she had so loved as a child. When she’s diagnosed with breast cancer, she’s certain things couldn’t be more desolate. That is, until she stumbles across The Wanderer’s Guide to Dragon Keeping, which changes her life completely. Raising a baby dragon in a modern, non-magical world isn’t a challenge she’s sure she’s up to. Now, Aubrey must learn that seeing isn’t always believing, but believing can be the most powerful kind of magic.

 

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Filed under Books, On Writing