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December 2015 Newsletter

12/29/2015

 
Due to the holidays, the number of entries I continued receiving,
​ and to celebrate the release of GROWL, I extended the contest. It is now closed and winners will be announced asap.
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Happy holidays, all! I hope the season has treated you well. It's been a mixed bag for me--the trip to Hawaii and Thanksgiving with our kids was wonderful, the book signing at the Ala Moana Mall in Honolulu was perfect--small enough to be fun and a chance to see a lot of old friends. I got to meet one of my readers, Cheryl Lemon, who timed her trip from San Diego to make it to the signing! I thought that was pretty cool.
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​That's Cheryl on the left and one of my long-time beta readers, Jay Takane, on the right. 
Thank goodness Jay warned me ahead of time that I was scheduled to read from the book--otherwise I would have shown up without any prep at all...like an excerpt!
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​I think this was the first time my husband has actually sat through one of my author events, but since he ended up covered in as many leis as I did, I guess he felt obligated...actually, he's the one who got the pictures for me, except for the one of the two of us. Credit for that shot goes to daughter-in-law Melanie.
The signing was fun and it was really cool to get to talk about this first book in my new series. So far, reviews have been excellent, which takes a bit of the pressure off, especially with Redemption coming out today. (December 29) If you haven't taken a look, I've got a first chapter excerpt up--Redemption is Ben's story. He's introduced in Intimate, a rough, troubled guy with twenty years of issues that have reached the boiling point. I had such a wonderful time writing his story! He's not as polished as his brother Jake, the hero in Intimate, but he's got a lot of heart and an inner strength that comes in very handy as the plot heats up.
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But back to the month...we got home from Hawaii and picked up Rufus at the kennel. We'd worried about leaving him, but the vet said he did well and he was definitely glad to see us, figuratively speaking. At 19, he'd been blind for a couple of years, was completely deaf, and had dementia, but we got back home and he was really glad to be back. We could tell, though by Friday that he was having problems getting around, and Doug and I finally made the decision we'd been dreading. Doug called the vet and couldn't reach him, so we decided to take Rufus in on Monday. Late Saturday night we think he had a stroke, as his back legs quit working. We were up with him all night and then early Sunday took him to the emergency clinic in Santa Rosa and had him put to sleep.

I've told a lot of you the story of how we got him--I was driving to the post office from our place out in Dry Creek Valley many years ago when I saw a car ahead of me slow up and out tumbled a furry little dog. The car sped off with the dog frantically trying to catch up.

It took me three days to catch him--he'd found a place under the porch of an empty house to hide, and I took some sandwich meat up there one afternoon and sat on the porch and made a trail from the place where he was hiding to where I sat. He ate his way to me and I caught him and took him home, not intending to keep him. Obviously, that's not what happened... 

​He's been a wonderful companion and we always said he might have been thrown away, but he landed well. 19 years is a long run for a little furball. The house seems awfully empty without him.
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I still had Christmas shopping to do and cards to write but I wasn't feeling really well. My stomach was bothering me, and there was a lot of pain whenever I ate or drank anything. Doug walked in one afternoon and asked how I was feeling and I burst into tears. That is SO not me! He took me to the ER where, after taking a whole lot of blood and running tests and, thankfully, giving me something for the pain, the doctor decided I had a stomach ulcer. I would not wish that on anyone! I went through over a week of not being able to eat and lost about six pounds, but the meds are working and I am back among the living. Sort of. Everyone got gift certificates from Amazon or the local bookstore for Christmas--well, everyone except Melanie because hers ended up lost. Amazon finally contacted me and said to either cancel it or reorder, so I reordered, but we're still waiting for one to show up. (The lost one arrived today--eight days after I ordered it with promised two-day delivery...)

No matter--it will get here. I figure I've used up all my bad juju for 2015 so should be starting with a clean slate for 2016. Here's hoping! 

I have gotten some reading done. Finished Stella Cameron's newest Alex Duggin's mystery, OUT COMES THE EVIL before I got sick. It was wonderful! The link in the title will take you to Stella's website where you can read all about it. Just today I finished JR Ward's newest BDB book in her spin-off series, BLOODKISS from the Black Dagger Legacy. It was so frickin' good! I think I've read the thing at least three times, but I was feeling so crappy when I started it that I honestly couldn't recall parts, and then once I started going back, I had to start at the beginning again and, well...you know how that goes!

Tomorrow, barring any interruptions, I finally get to settle down and read Jayne Ann Krentz's newest, SECRET SISTERS. It's been sitting here beside my work area since the day it released, but I didn't want to start it until I felt better. It's an absolutely beautiful book--the "package" is so far superior to most hardcovers out now that I find myself just holding it and running my fingers over the texture of the cover. We're talking book lust here, folks. Seriously. I love the feel of a well-done book, and knowing it's one of Jayne's assures me it will be as good inside as it is outside. I promise to report back ASAP. The link on the title will take you to Jayne's page so you can check it out.


I do hope you'll take a look at Redemption, and Intimate as well. I'm very proud of this three book series and I'm hoping that you'll give it a shot. I'll be giving away a few copies of HOT ALPHAS with my story, TANGLED, which is a prequel to the INTIMATE RELATIONS series. The number of winners will depend on how many entries I get, and international entries are welcome. Be sure and fill out the form with your complete name and mailing address, as I really don't want to have to chase you down.

And for those of you who have been asking when FERAL PASSIONS would be out in print, it's releasing January 5 in the GROWL anthology with the story by AC Arthur that was in the original ebook duet, CLAIMED BY THE MATE, and a brand new tale by Eve Langlais. I'd never read Eve's stories before, but she's good, and I think you'll really like this unusual print anthology with three full-length books inside.

It's already getting good reviews, though they won't go live until the book releases. I'll try and get them up on my website as soon as I'm able.

For those of you in parts of the country where weather has become a veritable nightmare, be safe, please! I watch the news at night and hope like crazy that none of those homes in the path of tornadoes belong to any of you, that you're not dealing with floods and storms that are so horribly destructive. I mean it when I tell you that I'm thinking of all of you and hoping that you and yours are safe and out of harm's way.

Take care, and I wish you the very best in the new year. 2015 has been a rough one for me and I'm ready for some good things to come along. I hope the same for each of you.

Kate

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Paula E. Helms
12/29/2015 05:06:04 am

Kate, I'm so sorry about Rufus. He certainly was a lucky little dog. We lost our Peanut back in the Spring at 18. She came into our lives at a difficult time for me, and I've always said she rescued me (us), not the other way around. Now Peanut and Rufus are running happy and free over the Rainbow Bridge, comparing notes about their wonderful families. 2016 will be a year of big changes for me as well - my office is closing after 33 years. I'm sure God has a plan for me, and I will just take some time for Him to let me know. Hopefully 2016 will be a great year for both of us! Happy writing!

Kate Douglas
12/29/2015 11:00:17 am

I'm sorry about your Peanut--amazing how they get so entwined in our lives and our hearts! I've had a lot of change sort of forced on me over the years (I certainly don't search for it on my own) and in every case, once I got over the sulks, it's been good. I hate moving and yet we had to move every few years with my husband's job, and yet every move opened new opportunities for all of us. Change is good even when it doesn't always feel like it at first. It forces us to look at new forks in the road. Best of luck to you! And thank you. 😏

G M
12/29/2015 09:40:46 am

My prayers are with and your family. Too many people say :
"It's just a dog." They're wrong! Losing a family member hurts whether they have two legs or four. We lost our Teddy this year and it helps us to remember his goofy behavior. Like the night we came home to potato's all over the kitchen and dining room. And there sat Teddy. He looked at us and his expression said : Who me? I didn't do anything, I don't know how this potato got stuck in my mouth." We were laughing so hard, it took a while to pry the potato out of his mouth. That memory always makes me smile and I thank God he shared Teddy with us.

Kate Douglas
12/29/2015 11:05:33 am

That's a great visual! You are so right--in the 44 years my husband and I have been together, we've had a number of four-legged family members and every single one has been special and brought joy into our lives. We're not ready for another one yet, but I know it won't be all that long before our family increases once more. Dogs are perfect examples of unconditional love.

Teresa Lloyd
12/29/2015 11:17:22 am

When will we see more Spirit Wild?

Kate Douglas
12/29/2015 12:48:07 pm

Hopefully not too much longer. I have one more book to write for SMP and then I promise to get back to my Chanku! I miss them. 😰

Tracy Nickels link
12/29/2015 12:50:00 pm

I was thinking about Rufus all week wondering how he was. I always believe the spirits of our fur babies stay with us! I wish we could get another one, cant't afford it. Glad you're better!

Kate Douglas
12/29/2015 05:17:34 pm

Tracy, have you looked into fostering dogs for a local shelter? I'm not sure if they do that in your area, but a lot of times shelters are looking for people to foster pets until they can find their forever home. It might be something you could look into.

And thank you! I'm feeling much better!

Gladys Hines
12/29/2015 04:22:04 pm

So sorry to hear about Rufus. It is amazing how animals can bring the best out of us when we don't even think about it. They are the best therapy money can buy. HA! HA! Know that he was loved for who he was and he loved you for who you were. WOOF! WOOF!

Kate Douglas
12/30/2015 02:36:08 pm

Thanks, Gladys! We definitely get more from them than they do from us.

JoAnna
12/29/2015 06:11:56 pm

So sorry about Rufus. I'm also glad you are feeling better. Hope you have a happy and healthy 2016!

Kate Douglas
12/30/2015 02:38:13 pm

Thanks JoAnna--feeling much better and ready for a new year. My son's in-laws have a wonderful tradition of "burning the old man." They light a scarecrow on fire out in the pasture and everyone tosses in something they want to leave as ashes in the past year. I think I've got enough to fuel a bonfire!

Cheryl Lemon
12/29/2015 09:44:54 pm

It was a pleasure to meet you. We have got to get together for a longer visit. So sorry about Rufus. I know how that empty feeling is. So glad you are feeling better

Kate Douglas
1/2/2016 10:03:34 am

That was definitely fun, and you are exactly as I imagined you! Hope you have a wonderful New Year.

Thank you--we miss Rufus, but I'm so relieved. His life this past few months was really hard for him. I have no doubt he was ready.

Virginia miller
12/30/2015 10:59:18 am

So sorry to hear about your loss. I buried my girl 3 months ago (age 14 1/2). Each and every one of them are special and unique. Also sorry to hear about your ulcer. Glad you are better.
I decided to adopt a puppy mill rescue. She is 8 years old, spent the first seven years of her life in a cage. Had never even been on grass till her sescue about a year ago. Most people want a puppy but I decided she deserves a happy rest of her life. So I drove over 600 miles to Colorado to the Shibi Inu rescue to get her. She is wonderful.

Kate Douglas
1/2/2016 10:05:43 am

I looked up the Shibi Inu breed--have never heard of them, but what beautiful little dogs. I am so glad for your girl, but sorry for the loss of your older pet. It's never easy, is it? I wish you many happy years with your new companion!

Maria Entenman
12/30/2015 01:25:04 pm

My sincerest condolences on your loss. So many people disenfranchise the grief one feels over the loss of a pet. It's a shame. I'm sure Rufus truly appreciated you stopping to pick him up all those years ago, and he'll be looking out for you now. Hope you continue to feel better yourself. Here's praying that 2016 is an amazing year for you and Doug, because you are amazing for us as readers!

Kate Douglas
1/2/2016 10:08:39 am

Thank you, Maria, and so true! Rufus lived with us for 7 years--as long as our human kids! It's still strange not to have him around.

I'm definitely feeling better and enjoying the fact that we have both kids here in town until tomorrow, so I'm headed out to play.

All the best to you!

Loretta Wilson
1/1/2016 10:10:48 am

So sorry to hear about your loss of Rufus. I also had to put down two of my labs Buster a yellow lab and Lexie a black lab. Best dogs I took in from other people who didn't want them anymore. Had to get rid of my terrier Sascha because she was dominate dog and would start fights with the bigger dogs in the house. I found a little blonde Terrier along the road going home and picked her up. She was wet and cold in 32 degrees weather. I hate when people keep dogs out in cold weather. Anyway I call her Baby and she is a loveable dog. Gets along with my sisters dogs.

Kate Douglas
1/2/2016 10:11:51 am

I'm sorry on the loss of your labs. We had two dogs, golden retriever and lab crosses years ago. Duffy was five when we got Buck, and he lived to be 15 before he had a stroke that paralyzed him and we had to put him to sleep. Buck was only ten, but he grieved his buddy's loss so horribly until we found him one morning lying dead in a shady corner of the yard. He never really got over losing Duffy.

Kesha
1/1/2016 07:03:46 pm

Oh my Kate, I'm so sorry about Rufus. I send my prayers to you and your family. I am glad you are feeling better as well :)

Kate Douglas
1/2/2016 10:14:09 am

Thanks, Kesha. He was a perfect little dog for a lot of years, but he was so old and without sight or hearing, and some increasing dementia, his quality of life was non-existent. It was still a difficult decision, but he made it for us when he lost the use of his back legs the night before we finally took him to the vet. It's never easy.

And yes, I'm feeling much better and ready to start the final story in the Feral Passions series before I get back to my Chanku. Can't wait!

Rita
1/3/2016 02:11:50 am

Wishing you Kate and your family a wonderful 2016! A new year is God's way of saying "one more time ... live life ... make a difference... touch a heart ... encourage a mind and inspire a soul" Have an amazing 2016 from our house to yours, blessings Rita from South Africa

Kate Douglas
1/3/2016 04:25:29 pm

Thank you Rita! I am SO READY for a new year! 2015 has been a hard one. Wishing you all the best in 2016!


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    I'm a romance author--I really love those happy endings, though I don't mind putting my characters through pure, unadulterated hell before they get there...

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    Contests are back! I'm not totally settled, but really miss giving things away, so ready or not, I'm going to start slow. International entries are welcome, though I will have to limit International winners to ebooks. Postage costs are just too high. Your addresses will not be shared or sold--I respect your privacy. I will only collect addresses if I am giving away print books. I won't be doing that as much because I've got very few print books left in my stash, but I do have other things!

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