#CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--AUTHORS SUPPORTING HERO DOGS (AND SOME CROCHETED CATS!)

Today we’re happy to have sci-fi, fantasy, and paranormal romance author Melisse Aires stopping by to tell us about the newest Pets in Space anthology, which raises money for Hero-Dogs.org. Learn more about Melisse and her books at her blog and website.

A Pet Lover Writes Sci-fi Romance

I am excited to be part of the Pets in Space 6 anthology. All the sci-fi romance stories in this anthology involve a pet, and we donate to a worthy charity, Hero-Dogs.org.

 

I am owned by a small, fuzzy dog and two tortoiseshell cats. I have lived with pets my whole life and can’t imagine not having a pet!

 

Since Pets in Space 6 is a sci-fi romance anthology, I let my imagination go wild while creating “Stranded on Grzbt.” I ended up with Velvet, a tiny lab-created cyber mouse with an elephant-like trunk. She is called Nanosnoot.

 

Velvet has a large part in my story as she helps Mimi and Kyre, my young couple, rescue themselves and their companions from a nefarious kidnapper’s spaceship. As I was writing, a pack of cat-aliens popped up! Luckily, they can communicate by telepathy and consider tiny Velvet a member of their pack. While Velvet works wonders on the spaceship’s computer system, the cats (referred to as Murder cats by the Earth women) provider scouting and ‘muscle.’ 

 

Pets provide joy and assistance in my story. And it is just one of the great stories in Pets in Space 6.

 

In addition to writing, I like to crochet. I found this wonderful cat square pattern, perfect for people like me with bins of leftover yarn. Hmmm, I could do space backgrounds!

 

I contacted the creator, Pony Mctate, about sharing, and she was very gracious. Here are links to the pattern:

https://www.ponymctate.com/post/many-cats-square----free-pattern

 

PDF: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/many-cats-square

 

Pets in Space 6

A limited-edition anthology featuring 11 original, never-before-released stories from some of today's bestselling Science Fiction Romance, and Fantasy authors, Pets in Space 6 continues their vital support of Hero-Dogs.org, the non-profit charity that improves quality of life for veterans of the U.S. military and first-responders with disabilities.

 

Pets in Space® authors have donated more than $15,300 in the past five years to help place specially trained dogs with veterans and first responders. 10% of all pre-orders and the first month’s royalties of Pets in Space 6 will again go to Hero-Dogs.org.

 

Authors include:

 

Behr's Rebel by S.E. Smith

Marastin Dow Book 2

With the help of her two innovative pets, a human woman rescues an alien General and becomes part of the revolution he is leading.

 

Star Cruise: Time Loop by Veronica Scott

Sectors Romance series

Reliving the same terrible day, Raelyn and her pet are in a race to save the interstellar cruise ship.

 

The Cyborg with no Name by Honey Phillips

Can a rogue robotic horse and a misfit mechanical dog protect a wounded cyborg and a lonely scientist from a vicious new enemy?

 

Escape from Nova Nine by Carol Van Natta

A Central Galactic Concordance Novella

In a dangerous asteroid mine, space griffins may be the key to escape for a pirate clanswoman with vital secrets and a wanted fugitive with enemies hot on his tail.

 

Trade Secrets by Cassandra Chandler

The Department of Homeworld Security series

She wanted to find aliens—and discovered much more than she bargained for!

 

See How They Run by JC Hay

TriSystems: Smugglers

In microgravity, even the heaviest heart can fly.

 

Suri’s Sure Thing by S.J. Pajonas

Kimura Sisters Series

Suri and her dog, Finn, are an inseparable pair, and they both suspect her ex-boyfriend is up to no good in this best-friends-to-lovers romance.

 

The Thunder Egg by Greta van der Rol

Can a freighter captain and an academic outwit their pursuers and get a little alien foundling back where she belongs?

 

Worlds of Fire: Metamorphosis by Deborah A. Bailey

An alchemy apprentice doesn't think much of her gargoyle shifter mentor – and his pet – until she finds he's just the person to help her when a transmutation spell goes wrong.

 

Stranded on GRZBT by Melisse Aires

Can a resourceful human trust the alien determined to help her and her companions?

 

Escaping Korth by Kyndra Hatch

Before The Fall series

An alien interrogator recognizes the human prisoner as his fated mate, leading to danger for both of them.

 

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#CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--A CROSS STITCHED DOG & A DOG-CENTRIC ANTHOLOGY FOR A GOOD CAUSE

Today at Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers we’re going to the dogs. We’ve got a cute cross stitch doggy to stitch and a dog-centric mystery anthology for a good cause. 

Directions

Cross stitch design with two strands floss on 14-ct. fabric. Backstitch and French knot the dog with one strand black floss. Backstitch and French knot the words with one strand baby blue very dk.floss.

Summer Snoops Unleashed! 

Looking for cool cozies for hot summer days? Then you will love this purr-fectly paw-some cozy mystery box set from fourteen USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon bestselling authors. Enjoy hours of fun sniffing out clues on sandy beaches, shimmering waterways, and at small-town celebrations in these fourteen brand-new furr-ocious mysteries and cozy crimes full of wily sleuths, cagey plots, and un-fur-gettable tails! Only .99 cents. Proceeds from the pre-orders of the anthology Summer Snoops Unleashed! will go toward charities that help senior dogs.

Titles include:

Werewolf in the Vineyard

An As the Grapes Turn Mystery

By Judith Lucci

Radical Regatta

Corsario Cove Cozy Mystery, Book 4

By Anna Celeste Burke

Fireworks, Forensics and Felonies

By Colleeen Mooney

YOURS

A Kate Hamilton Mysteries Novella

By Fiona Quinn

Pies, Lies and a Last Goodbye

A Baker Girls Cozy Mystery, Book 4

By Maria Grazia Swan

You Can’t Judge a Crime by It’s Aura

A Piper Ashwell Psychic PI Novella

By Kelly Hashway

Yankee Doodle Deadly

A Trailer Park Princess Novella

By Kim Hunt Harris

Death in Mercy

By Susan Boles

Sharpe Pain: A Corpse in the Cabin

A Maycroft Mysteries Novella

By Lisa B. Thomas

Death and Taxes on a Cloud

A Career Crisis Café Mystery, Book 6

By Emily Selby

Ruff Justice

A Second Chance Adventure, Book 5

By Joanna Campbell Slan

High Heel Homicide

A Holly Woods Mystery Novella

By Ava Maloory

A Knead to Kill

An Apple Orchards Cozy Mystery, Book 1.5

By Chelsea Thomas

Spunky Bumpkin

By Sam Cheever

Pre-order now to help senior fur balls of all shapes and sizes.

Kindle

iBooks 

Nook 

Kobo 

HEALTHY LIVING--AUTHOR CAROL VAN NATTA AND SCI-FI CHARITY ANTHOLOGY

Carol Van Natta is a science fiction and fantasy author who writes the Central Galactic Concordance space opera series, as well as paranormal romance. She shares her Fort Collins, Colorado home with a resident mad scientist and various cats. They all want to explore the galaxy. Learn more about Carol and her books at her website. 

Pets in Space + Dogs for Heroes = Win-Win

Earlier this year, twelve authors came together to write stories for Embrace the Romance: Pets in Space 2, a science fiction romance anthology. A strong motivation for me to participate was the chance to support a fabulous charity with 10% of the first month’s sales. Hero-Dogs.org improves quality of life for U.S. veterans and helps them regain independence by raising, training, and placing service dogs and other highly skilled canines, free of charge, with lifetime support of the partnerships. And when we finally manage to explore the stars, of course we’ll take pets. I may have gotten carried away in the number of pets I included in “Pet Trade,” my contribution to the anthology, but I couldn’t pick just one.

Authors Veronica Scott and Pauline B. Jones organized the anthology. They thought it would be fun to mix sci-fi romance and heroic pets and to see what different authors would come up with using the same theme. They agreed they wanted to donate to a charity that helped animals and veterans. Hero Dogs was the perfect fit for the group, with their excellent track record of supplying disabled veterans with wonderfully trained service dogs. I begged shamelessly asked politely to be allowed to join the party.

I asked the other authors as to why this subject and why this charity. Author Cara Bristol said, “Everyone has or has had a pet at one point in their lives. If we were going to travel into space, of course, we'd want to take our furry companions with us. So, to me, sci-fi romance and pets was a fun blend. Besides relating to pets, we can relate to heroes. These are the men and women who gave their all for their country. Supporting Hero-Dogs is a great way to give back to the heroes who need our help now.”

Veteran and current jet pilot Susan Grant said, “As a veteran myself, I think what Hero Dogs is doing to help veterans is so important. As a pet lover, I know the special bond between humans and animals can heal the deepest wounds. As an author, I couldn't pass up the chance to write about that special bond.”

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author S.E. Smith said, “The act of giving back is very important to me. Hero-Dogs is an organization that reminds us there are many wonderful ways to help others. As the daughter of a disabled vet, I can appreciate how much having a furry companion enhances the quality of life for those struggling with day-to-day activities.”

Jessica E. Subject said, “I have seen firsthand how therapy dogs can help people. And I think this is a great opportunity to help this charity along with some of my fellow sci-fi romance authors.” Michelle Howard added, “Hero-Dogs.org combines two things I really respect and love: our service members and dogs. It was a no-brainer to say ‘yes’ when asked to participate.”

Alexis Glynn Latner said, “I have a dear friend who suffers from PTSD, not as a result of combat but because of a horrific car accident. Her dog Rinnie arrived on the doorstep as a sickly stray, but it soon turned out that Rinnie's presence really helped my friend function well and feel OK. Subsequently, Rinnie took to PTSD service-dog training like a duck to water. That has made all the difference in the world for my friend. So I really believe in the kind of good work Hero Dogs is doing.”

Laurie Green said, “When Pauline first mentioned the pets + space idea, I immediately loved it and have been honored to be a part of both story collections. It’s inspiring to know my fictional StarDogs are helping support Hero Dogs and all the wonderful things these service animals do for our veterans. The amazing healing power of animal companions is something I believe in.”

Sabine Priestley said, “Like so many, I have friends and family that suffer from PTSD. Animals have the ability to affect our energies in ways science doesn't fully understand. When I was asked if I wanted to join, and told about Hero Dogs, ‘no’ wasn't an option. The group of authors is outstanding and I'm thrilled to be a part of it.”

Embrace the Romance: Pets in Space 2

The pets are back! Embrace the Romance: Pets in Space 2, featuring twelve of today’s leading Science Fiction Romance authors, brings you a dozen original stories written just for you! Join in the fun, from the Dragon Lords of Valdier to a trip aboard award-winning author, Veronica Scott’s Nebula Zephyr to journeying back to Luda where Grim is King, for stories that will take you out of this world! Join New York Times, USA TODAY, and Award-winning authors S.E. Smith, M.K. Eidem, Susan Grant, Michelle Howard, Cara Bristol, Veronica Scott, Pauline Baird Jones, Laurie A. Green, Sabine Priestley, Jessica E. Subject, Carol Van Natta, and Alexis Glynn Latner as they share stories and help out Hero-Dogs.org, a charity that supports our veterans!

10% of the first month’s profits go to Hero-Dogs.org. Hero Dogs raises and trains service dogs and places them free of charge with US Veterans to improve quality of life and restore independence.

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