What is this little girl anticipating as she looks out of a rain-splashed window? The picture could inspire a story. I believe this time of year is filled with anticipation. As I write this post, I’m anticipating the arrival of my daughter and two granddaughters for Thanksgiving. When you read this, they will be here. I’m also anticipating our get together over Christmas in their home. We live in opposite corners of the United States, so our visits are not as often as I would like. They used to live here in Arizona, and we saw them frequently, so it is hard for them to be so far away.
I am also anticipating the release of HOMETOWN HERO, the book that has taken me too long to write. I am anticipating a January 6, 2022 release. It’s the last day of the Twelve Days of Christmas.
You all helped me with the words for the Twelve Dogs of Christmas for that book. Here is the final result.
On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a little doggie on a settee.
On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me two pounds of Masters.
On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me three doggie sweaters.
On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me four bowls of kibble.
On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me five rawhide bones.
On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me six toys a squeaking.
On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me seven leashes straining.
On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me eight balls a bouncing
On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me nine sticks for throwing.
On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me ten combs for grooming.
On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me eleven clippers snipping.
On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me twelve collars jingling.
This month I’m looking for help with my blurb. Now that I’m an indie author, I don’t have to write a synopsis, which is wonderful. However, now I have to write my own blurbs, which my publisher used to do. I will say blurbs are easier to write than a synopsis, but a lot can ride on a blurb, whereas the reader never sees the synopsis. The blurb has to entice the reader to purchase the book. Here is the blurb for Hometown Hero.
Zach Dawson is still dealing with the loss of his football career, his latest love, and the one thing he can’t talk about, when he returns to Kellersburg, Ohio, his hometown. He’s trying to get his life back on track by helping with a charitable endeavor.
Maisey Norberg’s life is turned upside down when she learns that Zach is back in town. She’s been his biggest fan since she was six and he was fourteen. Are her feelings the remnants of a childhood crush on the boy down the street or something grown up?
When Zach and Maisey are thrown together as they help a philanthropist give deserving children a dog, will this shared experience help them find true love?
What do you think? Any suggestions will be considered. I will give away a paperback copy of A Baby to Call Ours to one person who leaves a comment. I will draw the winning name on November 24, 2021 at 9PM MST.
“Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.”
I think it’s a great idea
I really like it
I like the blurb so glad it mentions the dogs. Just a question are 12 dogs being given away. it so you could say “When Zach and Maisey are thrown together as they help a philanthropist give 12 deserving children a dog, will this shared experience help them find true love?”
as you have the 12 dogs of Christmas words having it mentioned in the blurb that there are 12 dogs to give away would add that extra element.
Hi Merrillee! Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy celebrating with your daughter and 2 granddaughters. Difficult having family far away. Beautiful cover for Hometown Hero. This Midwesterner always enjoys reading stories with Midwest settings. I also enjoy reading stories with an unique premise or theme or motif. The Twelve Dogs of Christmas using a familiar carol is unique, therefore as Ausjenny posted carol The Twelve Dogs of Christmas should be mentioned in a blog to let a reader know the unique twist to this story. While I have read holiday many stories with Carols as themes, I would wonder if Zach and Maisey are looking at twelve dogs to find the perfect fit for each child. Each dog comes with unique accessories. So Please mention the Twelve Dogs of Christmas as a subtitle or in the blurb. Best wishes.
Great blurb. I’m also anticipating my daughter and family to arrive Wednesday evening. Happy Thanksgiving.
I like the blurb!! I want to read the book!!
I think the blurb sounds really good, it gives a good amount of teaser to make me want to read it. The only thing you could add, maybe as a tagline or something, would be something like “will the twelve dogs of Christmas bring these two strays together”? Or something like that.
I really like the blurb. Thanks for the giveaway
Sounds like a great book.
I think the blurb looks good, it sounds really interesting
Hi Amy,
I’m glad you like the idea.
Sylvain,
Thanks. Glad you like it.
Hi Ausjenny,
Thanks for that suggestion. That will work nicely.
Hi Renate,
Thanks for the suggestions.
Hi Lelia,
Thanks. I’m happy you get to be with your daughter and family for Thanksgiving. I received sad news yesterday. My daughter’s flight was cancelled because of mechanical problems. Trying to rebook was a nightmare and in the end, she decided they couldn’t work things out. The automatic system actually put one of the granddaughters on a different flight from her mom and sister. So they won’t be coming after all. Thankfully we are going there in a couple of weeks.
Hi Trudy,
Thanks. Glad you like the blurb.
Megan, that is such a good suggestion. Thanks.
Jcp, thanks you so much.
Thanks so much, Kendra.
Hi Angeline,
Thanks. I’m glad you find it interesting.
Sounds good! My only contribution would be concerning the first sentence in the blurb: could it be “when he returns to his hometown in Kellersburg, Ohio.”? Besides that, it all sounds good to me. Best wishes with the launch of this book!
Hi Priscila,
I will consider that change. Thanks.
Enjoyed the post, would love to read more!
PS I have the movie 12 Dogs of Christmas its set in the depression and a girl uses 12 dogs to show the real meaning of Christmas. It was a sweet movie and using the dogs in a Christmas pageant was fun.
I like the propaganda! It sounds interesting, the part where it is mentioned that the heroine had a little crush with the hero at 6 years old when he was an older boy is useful, there are people (like me) who have a weakness for those tropes.
I love your blurb, it really does make me want to read your book, and I love your book cover also! May you and your family have a Blessed and Very Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy all your babies. Thank you for the chance.
Happy Thanksgiving. The story sounds fabulous. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
Alicia, thanks so much. Happy Thanksgiving to you also.
Debra, thanks. Happy Thanksgiving to you also.
Wow! That’s cool. I haven’t heard of that movie. Is it an Australian movie?
Hi Lilly, glad you like that trope.
Teresa, thanks so much.
I love it! I like Ausjenny’s idea of mentioning the number of dogs!
no its from 2005. I had a voucher from a store and saw this title so bought it. here is the link (well not sure how to do a link but the if you copy and paste should work)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0405615/
I realize this is way late, but let me offer this combination of your original blurb, the already made suggestions and a few thoughts of my own:
“Zach Dawson is returning to his home town of Kellersburg, Ohio with a secret and a broken heart. He has lost his football career, his latest love and something that no one can know about. He desperately wants to help his heart heal. Perhaps helping someone else will be the key.
Maisey Norberg’s quiet and lonely world turned upside down when she discovered that Zach Dawson was back in Kellersburg again. She had been his biggest fan since she was 6 and he was 14 and tossing the football in his front yard down the street. Were her feelings for him just the remnants of a little girl’s crush or the hope for something more grown up?
When a local philanthropist establishes a Christmas campaign to give a dog to each of 12 deserving local children, Zach and Maisey are tossed together in a tumultuous tale of puppies and possibilities. Will Zach’s secret keep them apart, or will the 12 dogs of Christmas bring these two strays together?”