My very special guest is my friend, author Katy Lee. Katy and I met back in 2012 when we both were entered in a writing competition on the Harlequin boards. It was “A Speed Date with Emily” where we had to pitch our book online to Emily Rodmell, Love Inspired Editor. Long story short is that both Katy and I were picked by Emily as new authors for the line. It wasn’t long before we discovered that we both lived in Connecticut! Katy has had a great past few months. She is nominated for a Rita award in the romantic suspense category. I’ll be there in New York City cheering my friend on from the audience. Go Katy go!! And she is also a finalist for a Daphne Du Maurier award. Do I have talented friends or what?
Writing Pals…of the Pet Variety
Hello, everyone. I would like you to meet my new writing pal Rue, a 10-week-old kitten. We’ve only had her for a week, but already Rue is shaping up to be a great writing partner. She’s generally playful, but when I sit down to write in the evening each night, she nestles in beside me and watches intently as my fingers fly across the keyboard. Soon she is snoozing, but that’s okay, I’m not expecting her to tell me to fix a scene or to criticize my grammar. It’s her presence I find comforting. It’s hearing her soft purrs while the rest of the house is eerily quiet. It’s knowing I’m not alone in this writing venture that really can be quite isolated and lonely, especially on the long late nights during deadline weeks.
Rue’s not the first writing buddy I’ve had. I lost my last one a year ago, and since Princess Kitty died, I made the decision to write alone. I wasn’t ready for another cat to fill her role. I’ve missed her very much, but this past week with Rue cuddling up to me at night, I hadn’t realized how much I missed having a companion with me while I wove my elaborate tales. (Pun intended.) So, whether I meant to seek a companion out or not, Rue decided to apply for the job, and I don’t think she’s taking no for an answer. Not that I could ever say no to that cute face.
Do you have a writing/reading pal of the pet variety? Tell me about him/her.
One lucky person who comments will win a copy of Katy Lee’s latest Love Inspired Suspense book, Permanent Vacancy.
Thank you for having me visit the Inspy blog! I’ve enjoyed being here.
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Permanent-Vacancy-Love-Inspired-Suspense-
ebook/dp/B00R0H6AM8/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1432253184&sr=1-
1&keywords=permanent+vacancy
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/permanent-vacancy-katy-
lee/1120871140?ean=9780373446766
Bio:
Katy Lee is the author of five published novels. She likes to say she writes higher purpose stories at high speed because her suspenseful romances thrill, inspire, and satisfy the reader—from the edge of their seat. A native New Englander, Katy loves to knit warm wooly things. She enjoys traveling the side-roads and exploring the locals’ hideaways. A homeschooling mom of three competitive swimmers, Katy often writes from the stands while cheering them on. Her Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense, Grave Danger, is both a RITA and Daphne Du Maurier finalist. Keep in touch with Katy at her website, www.KatyLeeBooks.com
Permanent Vacancy: Available Now.
When Gretchen Bauer begins renovating an old Victorian house to turn it into a bed-and-breakfast, she barely escapes several dangerous “accidents” at her home. Colm McCrae, host of the home improvement TV show helping her renovate, refuses to believe these aren’t on purpose. Could this be a harmful ploy by his boss to boost ratings? Yet with Colm’s smooth-talking Irish brogue, Gretchen wonders whether he could be involved. But with a whole town full of neighbors disgruntled about the inn bringing strangers to their shores, Gretchen has a list of more likely suspects. Now she must trust Colm if she wants to keep her new business venture from turning into a five-star death trap.
Belle Calhoune grew up in a small town in Massachusetts as one of five children. Growing up across the street from a public library was one of the coolest things about her childhood. Not only did it spur her literary dreams, but it gave her access to lots of research materials for school. Married to her college sweetheart, Belle lives in Connecticut with her husband, two daughters and two very spoiled dogs. A lover of all things French, Belle has traveled extensively throughout France and enjoys speaking French. A believer in happily ever afters, Belle thinks one of the best perks of being an author is her ability to work in her pajamas. Belle has written three books for Harlequin Love Inspired, with a fourth book contracted. She is also author of the Indy published Seven Brides, Seven Brothers series.
I’m a reader and I have a weenie dog named Samson and a cat named Tator who are my sleeping and reading buddies. Samson we got as a puppy and has been following me around ever since. Tater was a rescue kitty and was surrendered by his previous owner. He was a year old at this time so we lost that important first year. He is super lovey but at the same time he has this flight for life moments that have slowly gotten better over the two years that we’ve had him, thankfully he doesn’t hide anymore and isn’t deathly afraid of our dog anymore. Jenny
Hi Jenny! I love those names. Samson and Tator. How sweet. And I’m a big dog fan myself. I have a toy poodle named Copper and a Chocolate lab named Cognac. They really make life interesting and keep me company in the daytime when I’m home writing. How wonderful of you to take in a rescue kitty. I love stories like that. Blessings. Thanks for stopping by Jenny.
Oh this book sounds so good!! I can’t wait to read it!! I’ve been without a pet for a few years now, but hopefully in the future I’ll have another buddy to keep me company. We used to have a couple greyhounds, so it didn’t matter what I was doing they thought it was nap time!
Hi Abby. Thanks for stopping by. Katy’s books never disappoint. I love greyhounds. They are so beautiful. And the fun part of getting a new pet is that there are so many choices. Even though we have two dogs my girls are always fantasizing about adding a third one to the mix. One likes beagles while the other “needs” a golden retriever. Blessings!
Hi, Katy! Congrats on your RITA nomination! Looks like you and your new writing pal will have a busy year. :D
Congrats on your success. Thank you for the giveaway!
Thanks for stopping by Angel. Katy is having a great year!!! Rue is icing on the cake. Blessings.
Thanks for stopping by Jcp. The giveaway is great isn’t it? I’ve read all of Katy’s books and they really are great reads. Perfect summer beach reads. Blessings!
Oh, a rescue Mama! Thank you, Jenny! My favorite pet as a child was a rescue kitty. He was blind from being attacked by an older cat, but you wouldn’t know it. So loving, he was. Thank you for telling about your pals!
Yes, interesting…and fun!
I had a greyhound too, Abby, growing up. We called her Lovey because she was so lovable. :) Take your time in getting a new pet. I understand.
Thank you, Angel! Will you be NYC?
Thank you both! :)
My reading and writing buddy is Bookie, a 6 month old Maine Coon kitten mix. She loves to swipe at my tablet when I read in bed at night.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Hi Linderellar. Thanks for stopping by. How I love reading and writing buddies. My poodle does that swiping at night….only he aims his paws at my computer keys. LOL. Gotta love ’em. Blessings.
Oh, I love Maine Coon kitties. So pretty…and big.
Your writing buddy is cute. I only have fish and kids to keep my company!
I don’t do so well with those. The fish I mean, not the kids. Kids I am fine with. ;) Thanks for stopping by by, Becky!
Hi Katy, Welcome to Inspy Romance and congrats on your Rita nomination! Rue is adorable :) Many years ago I used to write with a cat on my lap. The cat was replaced by children and we now have native birds who hang around our yard and keep me company while I’m writing.
Hi Becky. Great to see you here. We had a few fish and they all met with untimely ends. My now 12 year old had a fish named Peachy and the day he died she got into an argument with my husband over not taking care of the aquarium. Well, when she found Peachy deceased a few hours later she wouldn’t let my husband or her older sister attend the outdoor burial. Suffice it to say, I’m done with fish. Blessings. Belle
My friend has a beautiful and funny cockatoo. I love her, but I don’t think I would get much writing done with her in my home. I’d be having way too much fun. :) Birds are great.
Hi Narelle. Thanks for popping in. I think Rue is very adorable too and I can’t help thinking she has the sweetest face ever. I love writing companions. Blessings.
We have two “furbabies” at the moment. One dog named Rosie, she’s a Chihuahua/terrier mix that we adopted from the humane society many moons ago. She approximately 16yrs old or so now. And one black long hair cat named Misty that we adopted from our local shelter about 5 years ago. We previously had a cat before her who had passed away after 12yrs (Naomi). It was so devastating since we had her since she was only 6 weeks old.
Misty loves to sit on the sofa with my husband and I. She’ll sit at his feet or on the arm of my side of the sofa….and she does NOT like to be moved, lol! She also lays on my husband’s side of the bed at night. I love to hear her purr, I think it is the most comforting sound in the whole world! Rosie has a special spot on the other sofa that she loves to lay on. She can’t do many things anymore and I don’t know how much longer she has with us, but we are just enjoying our time with her! I think they both complete our lives :-) Although, they do tend to act like sisters at times….haha!
The premise of “Permanent Vacancy” sounds really good! And I think I’d especially enjoy the Irish brogue of Colm :-) Love Inspired Suspense is quickly becoming my favorite go-to book, thanks for the chance to win a copy! Blessings :-)
Trixi, I loved hearing about your furrbabies. They really are members of our family. And so glad you are loving LIS!! Thanks for reading.
Hi Trixi. Thanks for stopping by and telling us about your babies. I really admire the fact that you got them from a shelter/humane society. More people should do that. I think the numbers are really high for abandoned cats and dogs. Blessings. Belle
And the copy of Permanent Vacancy goes to…………..jennydtipton!!! Jenny send me your address, and I will send you your book. katylee (at) katyleebooks (dot) com.
Everyone else, thank you so much for visiting and sharing your wonderful pet stories! I loved hearing about furfriends.
Stay in touch!