It's Getting Real!

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​In my last newsletter, I said, Happy Fall, Y’all, but seeing as how I live in the south, fall was merely a promise of crisp mornings to come. 

But now, as October comes to a close, and we prepare to turn our clocks back (do y’all hate that as much as I do?) it truly IS fall in Kentucky!

Check out this view from my back yard.​
The lovely, noble creatures you see across the fence are Busy Bev and Ash, lovers of peppermints and playful games of tag. (Pssstttt, I cannot confirm or deny, but you may meet a few regal equines with similar preferences in Book One of the Shady Gully Series.)

Lucy Belle, our lively Papillion—and my CEO (Chief Encouragement Officer)—assumes that Busy Bev and Ash are dogs, albeit super-sized dogs, but dogs none-the-less. Lucy feels it necessary to bark at them on occasion. Well, often. Just so they know who’s boss.

Speaking of Lucy, I have a bit of sad news to report. After a string of antibiotics and cough meds couldn’t cure her lingering, hacking cough, X-rays indicated a mass on her heart. Another round of tests, and finally an ultrasound, confirmed that she has a heart-based tumor. Typically, chemodectoma is a slow-moving tumor, so the plan is to treat her symptoms and keep her comfortable.

She’s doing well. Certainly well enough to boot Patches off her coveted spot on the couch as soon as she got home from the vet.
 
Still feisty, Lucy insists I cheer up and get to work on Book Two of the Shady Gully Series. There’s a good chance you’ll see a spirited Papillion in Book Two who bears a striking resemblance to my Lucy Belle.

On another note, I’m thrilled to report that the winner of last month’s release-date contest, John Brothers, already read the book!  Here are a few teasers from his rave review:

“Great character development…very relatable and thought provoking…I can’t wait for the second book in the series!”

Lastly, get ready for lots of BIG NEWS coming out of Shady Gully this month! You’ll finally get a look at Book One’s beautiful cover! And you'll learn the official title! I think you’re going to love it! I want to tell you now!!! But I can’t. I won’t. I mustn’t.

Stay tuned for the news! If you haven’t signed up for my newsletter, now’s the time. You'll hear it here on "Random Ramblings" first. Meanwhile, follow me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Because things are getting REAL! Just like fall in Kentucky!

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Patches...while Lucy was away

Lucy Belle...claiming her spot