#NewRelease from Gayle Irwin: RHIANN'S RESCUE

Gayle Irwin visits today and she's talking about how she combines her love of animals and her commitment to animal rescue with her writing. Her new novella, Rhiann's Rescue is a prequel to her Pet Rescue Romance series. She's also making us aware that November is Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month. Thanks for the heads-up, Gayle!

Of Pets and Romance

November is Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month, and I’m excited to share my pet rescue holiday romance novella, Rhiann’s Rescue, the prequel to my Pet Rescue Romance series. My heroine, freelance writer Rhiann Kelly, transports dogs for rescue organizations and cares for her elderly grandmother. They live in Spokane, Washington and spend winter months in Arizona. Rhiann dreams of starting her own animal rescue sanctuary. Readers will meet several animals including the grandmother’s beloved senior rescue cat, Poppy, in the story. My two cats are more than 15 years old; therefore, I wove in an older cat and released the book during Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month. The story also introduces readers to a potential love interest for Rhiann – art gallery owner Elias Griffin, who learns about pet rescue and adoption from her. My passion for writing and for pet rescue and adoption is combined in this book as well as in my Pet Rescue Romance series, which currently consists of three books and one short story.

I’ve been a pet rescue and adoption advocate for decades My animals are adopted – the two cats and two dogs (a Shih Tzu and a Springer Spaniel); the Shih Tzu in my first novel within the series, Rescue Road, whose name is “Jax,” is based on my own rescued and adopted pup, Jeremiah. . Animals provide love and loyalty, and therefore, I think fit in nicely with a romance story.

I support pet rescues, including donating a percentage of book sales to different organizations. About 6.5 million dogs and cats enter animal shelters and rescues every year, according to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), and nearly 1.5 million still die in animal shelters. This is a primary reason I weave pet rescue and adoption into my romance books and donate to animal welfare groups.

Book Description for Rhiann’s Rescue:

Rhiann Kelly dreams of starting an animal rescue sanctuary, and her beloved grandmother desires to see her achieve that dream. However, they don't agree on when or where. Because of the older woman's health, Rhiann thinks it best they stay near large cities; Grams wants to return to Montana, where she was born and raised. During their annual winter trip to Arizona, the two women clash once again over relocating ... as well as about Rhiann's lack of desire to date and potentially end up with another broken heart. However, when art gallery owner and nature photographer Elias Griffin steps into her life, Rhiann reconsiders. Can she maintain her decision to not become romantically involved with someone again and keep her eyes fixed on helping animals and caring for her grandmother, or will she decide Elias is worth the risk of possible heartbreak?

Excerpt from Rhiann’s Rescue:

Smile on his face, the man asked, “So what do you do that makes you love your work?”

Rhiann closed the laptop. “I’m a writer.”

“Really? Awesome! I’m a nature photographer and art gallery owner.” He extended his hand. “Elias Griffin.”

She shook his hand. “Rhiann Kelly.”

“Rhiann? A unique, beautiful name.”

“Elias – that’s a name a person doesn’t often hear.”

“Technically, I’m Elias Griffin the third. However, since my father and grandfather have already passed on, I dropped the more formal version.”

“I’m sorry they’ve passed. So have mine.”

“And I’m sorry for your loss, Miss Kelly – or is it Mrs.?”

“You were right the first time,” Rhiann responded, maintaining her smile. 

“Would you mind if I sit for a few  moments, Miss Kelly?”

Rhiann shook her head and responded, “No, please. Have a seat.”

“Thank you.” 

He chose the chair closest to her. Rhiann placed her laptop in a blue, green, and yellow tote bag and looked at her visitor. Dressed in a short-sleeved green polo shirt and khaki pants, the dark brown-haired man appeared more dressed for the golf course than the pool. She pondered his presence in this 55-and-older community. Being Grams’ caregiver allowed Rhiann to stay here.

“So, do you have family here, Mr. Griffin?” He gave her a quizzical look. “You don’t seem to fit the required age group.”

He smiled. “Neither do you, Miss Kelly.”

“I take care of my grandmother, so when we come here during the winter, I can stay with her.”

“My mother is giving snowbirding a try for the first time. She came down the first of the year. I have a home in Mesa with an art gallery in downtown Phoenix and one in Tucson. I visit Mother whenever I can.”

Buy Links:

Rhiann’s Rescue is available in e-book format for .99 cents on various platforms including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. The holiday novella is also available in print format from Amazon.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/38tehAf_RhiannRescue

Other Platforms:  https://books2read.com/u/3yzgYJ

Author Bio:

Gayle Irwin and Jeremiah

Gayle M. Irwin is an award-winning author and freelance writer, being recognized by Wyoming Writers, Inc., and the Wyoming Press Association for several of her works. She is a contributor to seven Chicken Soup for the Soul books and the author of many inspirational pet books and stories for both 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, and a recently released holiday novella, Rhiann’s Rescue, the series’ prequel. A short story, Gram’s Legacy, is available as a free e-book on various book-selling platforms, such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble. She subtly weaves important life lessons within the lines and pages of her stories, including the importance of pet rescue and adoption. An animal advocate, Gayle volunteers for various dog rescue and humane society organizations and donates a percentage of all book sales to such groups. Gayle resides in Wyoming with her husband and their adopted animals. Learn more about the author, her writing endeavors, and her pets, and receive free stories and resources by visiting her website: www.gaylemirwinauthor.com.

Follow Gayle on Social:

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/GayleMIrwin

Pinterest (under Waggin' Tales): www.pinterest.com/gaylemirwin 

Twitter: wyoauthor1 

Author Website: https://gaylemirwinauthor.com/

Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/gayleirwin

Review - A Small Town Christmas by Nan Reinhardt

Blurb:

Winemaker and single father Conor Flaherty is determined to make this Christmas holiday special for his daughter even though his family’s winery, Four Irish Brothers, is facing some challenges.

High-octane Chicago attorney Samantha Hayes is looking forward to some delicious food, fine wine, small town charm, and a break from her hectic big city life when she agrees to do a favor for her boss and help his younger brother with a lawsuit that’s been slapped on his family’s historic winery in River’s Edge. She’s not expecting that her sexy new client will have a smile that will melt her heart and remind her that there’s more to life than work.

Sam falls hard for Conor, his daughter and the small, friendly town, but can she trust her instincts and risk her heart? Sam hasn’t seen a lot of happy-ever-afters in her life, but Conor and the magic of Christmas make her want to believe.

My Review:

A Small Town Christmas is the first book in Nan Reinhardt’s Four Irish Brothers Winery series. I loved Conor and Sam’s story. From the first moment they meet, the chemistry between them is palpable. Although they don’t take their relationship to the bedroom in this story, Ms. Reinhardt does an excellent job of making the reader feel the intense heat between them.

Conor Flaherty has spent two years mourning the death of Emmy, the woman he’d been in love with since junior high. For those two years, he merely survived, and concentrated his energy on raising his young daughter and running his winery. But when he meets Samantha Hayes, it’s as if he comes back to life. Even his appetite improves! 

As much as the feeling is very mutual for Sam, she worries she could never compete with Emmy. All anyone in River’s Edge talks about is how much Conor and Emmy loved each other and how sweet she was. And with his adorable four-year-old daughter Ali, Conor is a package deal. What does Sam know about being a mother? All she has as an example is the cold perfectionism of her own mother. So, she runs. Conor gives her space and time, but it’s almost Christmas and neither he or Ali want to wait any longer.

Ms. Reinhardt has created a small town populated by close knit friends and family that makes readers long for that kind of community. I highly recommend A Small Town Christmas. It’s a sweet romance and even sweeter story. I can't wait the rest of the books in the series!

Review: Liz Flaherty's THE DARK HORSE

I had the great pleasure to read my friend Liz Flaherty's 2018 contribution to the Heartwarming Christmas collection. THE DARK HORSE: A Christmas Carousel Story was my first Christmas read this season and it was a joy to read. I hope you enjoy my review. 

Blurb:

Widowed Chloe Brewton has made a life for herself in Christmas Town, Maine, teaching literature and being the drama coach at the high school. Although she’d loved her husband and their life in the army, she doesn’t really want to start over with someone else, but when she meets Major Row Welcome, in Christmas Town to spend the holiday month with relatives and decide about his future, she feels stirrings of old wishes for happily-ever-after. The attraction is mutual, although the last thing Row wants is to try marriage again, plus he’s about as interested in having a family as…well, he isn’t. But then there’s Connor Michaud and his three younger siblings. Oh, no. What now in Christmas Town? 

My Review:

"The Dark Horse" is a beautiful story about heartbreak and hope, and finding family when you least expect it. A story about a place called Christmas Town, where Christmas magic reigns supreme, could come off as kitschy, but in Liz Flaherty's capable hands, the story has just enough grit mixed with the magic to create the perfect balance. I loved Row and Chloe's story, and I so enjoyed watching these two scarred people fall in love. Can't wait to read more stories in this series!

Magic Time with Liz Flaherty

It may be a little early for Christmas (132 days to go if I counted correctly), but the time seemed right for a little Christmas magic. Liz Flaherty is with me today to talk about her anthology with Harlequin Heartwarming. Welcome Liz Flaherty!

Magic Time

Before every scene, actor Jack Lemmon used to say, “It’s magic time.” It’s a mantra I haven’t exactly made my own, but I like to borrow it from time to time because writing is…well, magic. But I never wrote about magic. Not really, anyway. So where did the title of my novella, The Magic Stocking, come from?

Well, if you’re part of a group within a group—we call ourselves Pods—that includes Shirley Hailstock and Tara Taylor Quinn, once you get done going around shrieking about actually sharing a book cover with them, you start paying attention to what they say. And they were talking about Magic. Our anthology within A Heartwarming Holiday is called Magic Moments and we hope reading our stories gives you some wonderful moments.

Speaking of magic, Christmas Town, Maine, has plenty of it to offer. There are 15 stories this year and it’s killing me that I haven’t read most of them yet, but there are young ballerinas dancing the Nutcracker and Navy SEALs and old friends going into business…what could possibly be better! The writers are all Harlequin Heartwarming authors who are USA Today, national bestselling, and award-winning authors.

Each set of three novellas shares characters and storylines! This collection of PG-rated holiday romances are all set in Christmas Town, Maine, a location introduced in the 2014 Harlequin Heartwarming release Christmas, Actually. A Heartwarming Holiday will bring you laughter, tears, and happily-ever-afters. Like Mr. Lemmon said, it’s Magic Time.

Book 1: Once Upon a Holiday by Anna Adams, Anna J Stewart & Melinda Curtis
Book 2: Holiday Heroes by Leigh Riker, Tara Randel & Cari Lynn Webb
Book 3: 24 North Pole Lane by Carol Ross, Amy Vastine & Cheryl Harper
Book 4: Magic Moments by Tara Taylor Quinn, Shirley Hailstock & Liz Flaherty
Book 5: Nutcracker Sweethearts by Dana Mentink, Roz Denny Fox, & Amie Denman

If this boxed set appeals to you, look for our previous holiday anthology: A Heartwarming Christmas. http://amzn.to/2a6JWcK

Amazon http://ow.ly/nXVO302pwTe
Kobo  http://ow.ly/5S0Y302pwOE
Google http://ow.ly/Ki7b302pwJH
iTunes http://ow.ly/sajU302pwWP

And don't forget, included in A HEARTWARMING HOLIDAY is an exclusive coupon worth $1.00 off any Heartwarming title from Harlequin.com.  Who doesn't love heartwarming romances?

Author Bio:

USA Today bestselling author Liz Flaherty lives in Indiana with her husband Duane. They have three grown children, three children-in-law, and the Magnificent Seven--their grandchildren, who are perfect. When Liz isn’t writing, she sews and frets because she thinks she should be writing. It should be noted she never thinks she should be dusting, sweeping, or cooking. She loves traveling, reading, and eating what other people cook.