I hope you enjoyed the long holiday weekend. But it’s back to the …”grind”.
And that means my Westies love their morning walk. No need to set an alarm. Get out of bed. Put your shoes on. Put their harnesses on. Let’s go! Let’s go! Why are humans so slow?
We go much earlier now that it’s hot. It occurred to me how much Ryder Creed has taught me about dogs and the weather. Weather has played a major role in my books from the beginning. It’s a great way to ratchet up tension and add a layer of urgency.
Maybe it comes from growing up in Nebraska where tornadoes and blizzards are a standard part of life. Certainly, owning a home in the Florida Panhandle and experiencing two hurricanes (Ivan and Dennis) has contributed.
But Ryder now has me looking at subzero temperatures, humidity and thunderstorms from a dog’s perspective. Did you know they can smell a storm coming? It’s the increases of ozone in the atmosphere.
A couple of weeks ago, it was 99-101 degrees here. I took one of the Westies (Maggie) to the vet. I remembered one of Ryder’s tips:
If you put the back of your hand flat to the concrete or asphalt, and you can’t keep it there for five to ten seconds, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
Even the short walk in the parking lot from the car to the vet’s front door could be painful. So, I carried her to the grass before I put her down. Of the pack, Maggie stresses about going to the vet anyway. No need to give her another reason.
As for summer walks on the sidewalk? There’s always early, early morning.
Let’s go! Let’s go!
DEB & ALEX RECOMMEND
While you’re waiting for MIDNIGHT CREED, here are some books both Deb and I (and Maggie) enjoyed.
THE RUNAWAY by Nick Petrie
Nick is a fellow Midwest author (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) who writes the Peter Ash series. This is Book #7, and I think it’s the best yet.
From the jacket: When Peter Ash rescues a stranded woman while driving through northern Nebraska, he finds she’s in far deeper trouble than he could ever imagine.
THE DETECTIVE’S DAUGHTER by Erica Spindler
Erica is a long-time friend, so Deb and I are both excited for this book. It’s the beginning of a new series.
From the jacket: A thrilling crime drama about a woman who risks everything to solve the cold case that destroyed her father—but will it destroy her as well?
THE PASSENGERS by John Marrs
This is a very different thriller that had Deb on the edge of her seat.
From the jacket: You’re riding in your self-driving car when suddenly the doors lock, the route changes and you have lost all control. Then, a mysterious voice tells you, “You are going to die.”
GIRLS LIKE US by Cristina Alger
Neither of us had read Alger before, but we liked her so much we’re now reading THE BANKER’S WIFE.
From the jacket: An FBI agent investigates a string of grisly murders on Long Island that raises the impossible question: What happens when the primary suspect is your father?
WE’RE CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS IN JULY!
At my WebShop you can buy a bundle of signed hardcovers at a crazy discounted price. Treat yourself or have them personalized to a friend for an actual Christmas gift.
Choose the Maggie O’Dell Bundle (DAMAGED, HOTWIRE, and FIREPROOF) for $15 or the Ryder Creed bundle (STRANDED, BREAKING CREED, SILENT CREED and RECKLESS CREED) for $20. Or get both! Free shipping with a total purchase over $49 Click the pictures to go to my shop:
BOOKS, BOOKS AND MORE BOOKS
ENTER TO WIN CONTEST
The winner from the last eNewsletter contest is JOY ISLEY.
FOR THIS MONTH’s GIVEAWAY
TO ENTER JULY’s BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS GIVEAWAY, send an email to (click the email link) [email protected] and tell us what your favorite ice cream flavor is.(By the way, mine is chocolate peanut butter!) One person will win three paperbacks by Isabella Maldonado (my fellow Rogue Women Writer). Her latest, THE FALCON (Nina Guerrera, Book #3) just came out June 28th.
As always, thanks so much for reading and recommending my books. Stay cool!
Take care,
