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.

Buy Links

paperback

ebook 

FAVORITES, FAILURES & FRUSTRATIONS--GUEST AUTHOR PATY JAGER

Bud

All Paty Jager’s work has Western or Native American elements in them along with hints of humor and engaging characters. Her penchant for research takes her on side trips that eventually turn into yet another story. Her Shandra Higheagle Mystery series, set in a fictional ski resort in Idaho, is full of quirky characters, twists, turns, and a bit of mysticism. Learn more about Paty and her books at her website and blog.

Today Paty talks about one of her favorite things—horses. Tell her which is your favorite animal, and you could win a copy of Killer Descent.

The Smell of a Horse!

Having grown up on a 200-acre farm with cattle, dairy cows, hogs, sheep, chickens, and horses, I love being outdoors and caring for the animals. Which was a good thing when I married a man who enjoys raising cattle. He doesn’t have my love of horses but we compromise. I won’t complain about all the old tractors he buys if he doesn’t complain about my horses.

As a child we had a stubborn Shetland pony my older brother and I rode. His name was Billy, which was kind of coincidental since that was my dad’s name. They both had a stubborn streak. Must be the name. ;) I don’t remember falling off Billy, but he would go under low things and get as close to the corner of the barn as he could, trying to dislodge the rider. It was funny the day my uncle decided he was going to teach Billy to behave. He ended up having to bail off when Billy scraped him off on a building.

We had an older horse, Missy, who was given to us when I outgrew Billy. When I was twelve, some people who purchased hay from my family gave us three horses for the hay. One was a three-year-old mare. She was orange colored – not a sorrel and not a buckskin. She had buckskin in her and had a brown stripe down her back and a black, brown, and orange mane and tail. Her name was Junebug. Since we both had birthdays in June, I claimed her and waited impatiently as my brother trained her. One day while he was in the barn looking for something, I snuck in the corral, untied her, and climbed on. From then on we were best pals. I rode Junebug from the time the snow was gone until it started again for the next six years.

In the summer, my two brothers and I had all day to ourselves, both our parents worked. My older brother had summer jobs, but my younger brother and I would saddle up our horses at least twice a week and pack a lunch. We’d ride the mountain behind our property or the hill on the other side of the canyon until we had to be back to make dinner and do chores.

Some days, I’d just want to be alone, I’d slip the bridle on Junebug, hop on her bareback, and ford the river to wander through the birch and pine trees, daydreaming. During one such trip, I was lying along Junebug’s back, staring up at the sun blinking through the trees, and she jumped sideways. She rarely spooked. I sat up and looked in the direction she jumped away from. I could have sworn I saw a warrior on a horse between the trees. I blinked and the vision was gone.  I think to this day that is why I am fascinated by the Nez Perce band that lived in the Wallowa Country before the white man encroached.

After I left home, my dad sold Junebug to a family with three young girls. I raised a family and went through several different horses trying to find another gem like Junebug. One of our daughters is as horse crazy as I am. She did Horse 4-H, and I went along to all the events. It was fun not only watching her grow as a horsewoman but to learn things I didn’t know. Growing up, I’d just hopped on and rode.  I had my daughter’s first 4-H mare bred by a friend’s stud. In 2000 she gave birth to a colt. I named him Buddy, but usually call him Bud. 

Bud and I worked together to make him my horse. He’s a good sturdy quarter horse. I’ve had a couple of ropers want him because he’s low to the ground and compact, but I wouldn’t sell him for any amount of money. I trained him and enjoy riding him even though he has a lazy streak. When I ride with the grandkids, they are always thirty feet in front of me because Bud is in no hurry to do anything. What is aggravating is when I ride him alone. He thinks everything is going to get him and stops and stares and snorts. Even things he’s walked by a hundred times!

Despite the falls—I’ve had many over the years— horses are my favorite animal. I love their earthy scent, soft noses, and the rhythm of their hooves as they move across the ground. Writing western romance allows me to put my favorite animal in my books.  My character, Shandra Higheagle, in my contemporary mystery series owns horses and enjoys riding on Huckleberry Mountain.

Tell me about your favorite animal and I’ll put your name in a drawing for my ebook Killer Descent.

Killer Descent

Book five in the Shandra Higheagle Mysteries

Abuse…Power…Murder

Once again Shandra Higheagle finds herself a suspect in a murder investigation when an ex-lover is found murdered on a Huckleberry ski run. A past she’d planned to never divulge now must be shared with the first man she’s trusted, Detective Ryan Greer.

Ryan puts his job in jeopardy when he’s booted from the case and uses all resources plus a few extra to prove Shandra is innocent. The information leads them down a road of blackmail and betrayal of the ugliest kind.

Buy Links

paperback 

ebook