INTERVIEW WITH OLIVE: SERVICE DOG EXTRAORDINAIRE
HI OLIVE, THANKS FOR CHATTING WITH US ABOUT ALL THINGS SUNSET IN LAGUNA. LET’S DIVE RIGHT IN.
HOW DID YOU END UP PARTNERING WITH CHRISTIAN WOLFE?
When Christian came to Peaceful Warrior, I was finishing up some training. The minute I sniffed him, I knew he was suffering and I could help him. He wasn’t so sure about me at first, but I knew immediately he was my special person.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT CHRISTIAN THAT CONVINCED YOU HE WAS YOURS?
Well, it was my intuition. I’m very book-smart, but my emotional intelligence is what sets me apart. I simply locked eyes with him and knew deep in my heart he was mine.
UMM…BOOK SMART? AREN’T YOU A PUG?
I’m just trying to communicate in a way you’ll relate to. Training, routines, all that jazz. I consider that school training. My real skills are something else.
OF COURSE, FORGIVE ME. SO, ARE THERE MANY PUGS WHO ARE SERVICE DOGS LIKE YOU?
Actually, yes there are. I know people assume most service dogs are large breeds, but actually pugs are some of the busiest workers out there today.
WHAT IS YOUR SPECIALTY?
Pugs are especially sensitive and intuitive and we can immediately tell if someone is feeling anxious or nervous. We specialize in helping people who feel like a panic attack is coming on or who have generalized anxiety.
WHO IS THE BOSS IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP?
Who do you think?
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT CHRISTIAN THE MOST?
He is brave, honest, loyal and actually very sweet under his tough soldier exterior. He’d make a great dog.
DO YOU APPROVE OF KELLY?
Absolutely! If it weren’t for Kelly bringing Christian out to Peaceful Warrior, I wouldn’t have had the chance to meet him. I like her, she smells really good, and knows how to scratch my belly just how I love it.
WE DON’T USUALLY GET TO INTERVIEW DOGS IN ENGLISH, SO WE HAVE A COUPLE QUESTIONS WE HOPE YOU’LL CONSIDER:
HOW ARE YOU SO EXCITED TO EAT THE SAME FOOD EVERY DAY, YEAR AFTER YEAR?
I don’t understand the question? Doesn’t everybody? I love my kibble! Or do you mean treats? Those are good too.
WHY DO DOGS LIKE TO SNIFF EACH OTHER’S BUTTS?
Oh, I can’t actually share that secret with you. It’s against the dog code. But I will say if humans dispensed with all their formalities, it would be a lot easier to see who your friends are right away.
DO YOU REALLY CONSIDER US BEST FRIENDS?
Absolutely.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CHAT WITH US AND GIVE US SOME INSIGHT INTO CHRISTIAN WOLFE!
****
SUNSET IN LAGUNA BLURB and Buy Links:
Returning to Laguna Beach after four tours in the Middle East, Christian Wolfe leaves the military behind and buys a wine bar, vowing to keep his life simple. He fights to keep his devastating PTSD a secret and refuses to burden anyone else with his baggage. When stunning Kelly Prescott and her red stilettos saunter into town, she drives him past the bonds of his self-control.
Successful in her father’s stuffy law firm, Kelly’s too compassionate to survive in the cutthroat world of corporate litigation. Leaving behind both family and courtroom drama, she moves to Laguna to become general counsel for a nonprofit veterans’ organization.
She didn’t bargain on a gorgeous modern-day Heathcliff, and in Christian, she sees another kind of challenge—one she can’t resist.
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Excerpt:
Maybe he just needed a punishing session with the punching bag or a few fingers of Jameson whiskey. Stop being such a damn wuss. Workouts and alcohol weren’t driving the demons away. He stepped forward.
Something needed to change.
“Christian?” A husky voice lilted his name. His head whipped to the right. A beautiful woman dressed in a conservative dark suit and tortoiseshell glasses stared at him. Somewhere in his brain he registered dangerously toned legs encased in red skyscraper-high stilettos.
Sweat popped onto his brow, and he swallowed, his throat suddenly parched. Recognition flooded his system when he dragged his gaze up from those spiked heels. Her tawny cat eyes captured his—Kelly Prescott. Didn’t she live in San Diego?
“Um, hey, Kelly.” What the hell was she doing at Peaceful Warrior?
“What are you—?”
“Why are you—?”
“Ladies first.” Distract. Deflect. Damn it to hell.
“Well, it’s kind of a secret at the moment, but I’m about to interview for the general counsel position here.” The corners of her rosy lips curved up.
“General counsel?” For some reason he couldn’t seem to utter more than two words at a time.
“Yes. They’ve needed one for a long time and recently got a grant to fund it. So here I am.” She walked toward him. Hints of cinnamon and some exotic scent assaulted his nostrils.
He drew in his abs and expanded his chest. Kind of like a rooster. He grunted. “You’re going to commute?”
“No, if I get the job, I’m actually moving up here.” She shrugged and flashed perfect white teeth, oblivious of his discomfort.
“Huh.” Over a year ago, her golden beauty had caught his attention when she’d accompanied his buddy Nick and Sophie to Vines. He’d been single at the time—hell, he was always single—and asked Nick about her. She was Sophie’s best friend. His attraction cooled when he’d learned she was a wealthy corporate attorney working for her daddy’s firm and dating another lawyer. Too complicated.
“So what are you doing here?” She tilted her head up, still about a foot shorter than he was, even with those damn shoes that would be forever burned into his brain.
“Oh, just taking a break from work, getting some fresh air.” He gestured with palms sweatier than they’d ever been in the searing heat of the Middle East.
Author Bio:
Claire Marti started writing stories as soon as she was old enough to pick up pencil and paper. After graduating from the University of Virginia with a BA in English Literature, Claire was sidetracked by other careers, including practicing law, selling software for legal publishers, and managing a non-profit animal rescue for a Hollywood actress.
Finally, Claire followed her heart and now focuses on two of her true passions: writing romance and teaching yoga. At Last in Laguna is the second book in her Finding Forever in Laguna series from The Wild Rose Press.
Website: www.clairemarti.com
Twitter: @clairepmarti
Instagram: @clairepmarti
