Blog Archives
Dogs Have Beautiful Souls
The Marvelous Misfits of Westminster follows a dog show judge who needs to connect two dogs with mystical abilities that can save lives. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wondered what would happen if one would not breed dogs for looks but for their souls. Every dog owner knows: Dogs have beautiful souls and unique souls. Out of that idea grew The Marvelous Misfits… and what better place for them to first appear than in the World’s most famous dog show?
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Most important to me is the theme of the shadow. I’m fascinated so many of us are haunted by shadows – invisible to anyone but us, but real and dangerous nonetheless. Edith is inspired by my grandmother who took her life and whom I imagine being haunted by shadows. To me, the story has a very painful, personal layer.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this short story?
Actually, The Marvelous Misfits of Westminster is my debut, and I’m quite proud of it for various reasons. One reason is, that it was the first time I resolved to alter and tweak the story until it worked. It took me a lot of feedback from fellow writers and readers and even more revisions to get it to the final version. Now it is that mystical story that contains a deeper truth – and reflects exactly what I wanted to write. It’s just so satisfying getting a story to the page close to what you imagined it to be in your head.
What is the next story that you’re writing, and when will it be published?
Currently, I’m working on another Misfits story. This time, Harvey and Irving are saving a guitar player who has lost his hand and his will to live. The story is in its early stages, but I strive for publication in 2024. Nevertheless, a new book is being published this year: The Gift of Love. It’s a charming picture book for grown-ups about a couple of weird monsters who get a strange present at their wedding, and by caring for their present, learn what love really means. It features wonderful illustrations by the talented Ukrainian artist Anastasia Khmelevska and makes the perfect wedding gift.
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According to the Hunts, the only way to save Edith is making sure Irving, a hideous mongrel dog with special abilities, wins Best in Show.
Love Never Dies
Karl’s Diary: It’s a Dog’s Life is the memoir of a dog who was found alone in the desert and was adopted by a loving family. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I have a gift—the ability to experience what a dog is feeling and to express those feelings into thoughts a human being can understand. With this connection to our fur-children we become more than an individual being. We have a new understanding of all life as we step behind a mysterious veil that is no longer hidden from us. Love never dies.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I wanted to answer the question: What does it feel like to love and be loved.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about pet adoption?
A common misconception is that a rescued dog isn’t as good as a dog from a breeder.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from Karl’s story?
Dogs as well as other animals are sentient beings: They have feelings and emotions. The feelings of love they have are beyond our imagination.
And for those who are curious about what has happened the Charley (an eighty pound mixed boxer from a shelter) I have just published a children’s book about him: A Quilt for Charley. Hint—He is now my service dog. We couldn’t love him more.
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Karl’s Diary: It’s a Dog’s Life
Any animal lover will tell you without hesitation- pets are indeed a part of the family. They bring love, joy, entertainment, and sometimes even lifesaving companionship to people’s lives each and every day. And if they can do that for us, imagine what we do for them, especially rescue animals. To go from uncertainty on the streets or in a shelter, to a loving, safe home with regular food and warmth, rescues must certainly appreciate us even if they can’t exactly express it in words. But what if they could? What if our fur babies could keep a record of their thoughts for us to read?
In Karl’s Diary: It’s a Dog’s Life author Sharon Winters imagines just a scenario, detailing the life of Karl, an adopted boykin Spaniel, as he navigates life in his new home. His life is not exotic, but full of everything a dog could want, most importantly an abundant amount of love and an abundant amount of food. Anyone who’s ever had a dog won’t be shocked by Karl’s focus on food as he details his days, recalling his own meals as well as those of his humans. It’s clearly a large part of his happiness! However, Karl knows without a doubt that the love he’s given on a daily basis is the most important part of his life and is appreciated consistently throughout the book. Winters gives Karl his own voice and personality that is easy to recognize in the pets in our own lives. One of the most masterful tools she uses to truly make him come to life is simplicity. We know a dog’s needs are simple- it stands to reason that their thoughts, if we could hear them, would be as well, and Winters never tries to make Karl or his life more complicated than it needs to be. It gives the story a level of authenticity that adds to its enjoyment.
It’s so easy to forget sometimes the impact we have on the animals in our lives, but Karl’s Diary tells his story in a way that helps drive the point home without resorting to saccharine soaked oversentimentality. Karl is every pet that has ever held a place in our hearts, reminding us of how easy it can be to change the life of an animal when given the chance. “To the world you are one person, but for one person, you are the world” is a quote that aptly sums up this story.
Pages: 81 | ASIN: B0B99NJXZL
Unleashing The Power Of Love
Saving Gigy follows the process you went through to rehome your family’s beloved dog, and the challenges of making sure she went to a loving home. Why was this an important book for you to write?
The whole situation was so unexpected in my life and the way events unfolded , I strongly believed it was for a reason. I realized that reason was to share this story with a world .
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I want to invite people to consider how a little more love and compassion in even the smallest situations can change our world for the better. I want to encourage people to embrace the true meaning in life by unleashing the power of love .
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
The hardest thing was to find a courage to write at all . However, believing in a power of love and letting that power flow freely was like a smooth sailing .
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
The act of kindness even in the smallest situations in a day- by -day life can change this world for the better .
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Gigy was an adorable English cocker spaniel puppy. She had everything a puppy could want-a devoted owner, plenty of toys, a big backyard and a special human friend. But when circumstances required, the difficult decision was made to place Gigy with a new family, her heartbroken humans took on a tireless mission to ensure she was safe, loved, and cared for.
Saving Gigy is the inspirational true story of the lengths Gigy’s humans were willing to go to in order to make certain she was adopted by the right family, a family who understood how special she was and give her the attention, love, and care she needed. While there was no Hollywood ending to Gigy’s story, ILuta Sutra invites you to consider how a little more love and compassion in even the smallest situation can change our world for the better.
If you’ve ever had a dog, loved a dog, or any other pet for that matter, Saving Gigy will warm your heart and encourage you to embrace the true meaning in life by unleashing the power of love.
A Poodle Called Pippin
Pippin Moves to the City continues the story of Pippin’s adventures and presents him with the challenge of making new friends. What was the inspiration for your story?
This story is loosely based on our real life experience of moving back to the city from a country property.
Aside from Pippin, what was your favorite character to write for in this book?
Blossom the possum, Pippin’s first friend in this book.
What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
Creating the initial story line concept.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Book 3 “Pippin’s Night-time Adventure” is now available as a New Release.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
Holy Fruit Toots Rosie!
Holy Fruit Toots Rosie! is about a curious dog named Rosie that loves to try new foods, especially foods that are not her dog food. Unfortunately for Rosie, she learns the hard way that she has an allergy to Fruity Toot cereal. The house is soon filled with the smell of fruit toot toots every time Rosie sneezes. After a call to the vet the family learns what to do and spends the day helping Rosie with her fruity toot tooting issue.
Dogs provide families with love, affection, entertainment, and sometimes worries. Thankfully in this picture book written by Christine Logan, Rosie had a mild reaction to eating something she was not supposed to have. Humor permeates this fun story as even the cat is upset by the smell coming from poor Rosie. Children will love the ridiculous images that accompany the hilarious narrative of Rosie passing gas with every activity she does. Children will be laughing all the way through this entertaining story.
Logan does a great job explaining the serious nature of allergies in animals and what to do for them, while infusing humor into the information. At the end of the story the author includes a pictorial checklist of what is safe and not safe for dogs to eat, play with, and what their poop should look like if healthy. Also included is a list of things to look for if you think your pet is sick and a reminder to call the vet if you think they are.
This comical picture book is brought to life through the fantastic illustrations of Gayatri Ray. Their rendition of the fruity toot toots will have readers doing a double take and then laughing at the fruit rings flying out of Rosie. The artwork makes this picture book come to life while allowing Logan to pass on a serious message about pet care.
Holy Fruit Toots Rosie! is an extraordinary and lighthearted picture book that children and toddlers will find entertaining and unforgettable. The important information on taking care of animals that is included is presented in an effective matter that will be remembered by children and adults.
Pages: 38 | ASIN : B09HW541G6
The Destiny Of All Dogs
The Destiny of the Wolves follows a pack of wolves that set out on a dangerous quest seeking answers to a vision that shows a bond between man and wolf. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
My family and I, who always rescue animals from the streets, realize the connection that animals create with us, this loving and dependent bond. It is very visible how abused dogs walk and those who live without an owner, the way they look at you, the way they react to the approach of other dogs or people. Dogs exist today because our species has domesticated the wolf many times over the millennia, and I often say that the existence of dogs is a human responsibility. The species Canis familiaris was not made alone, the human being had a direct participation in its creation. When I see an abandoned dog I know it was because someone abandoned him and not because he was born in the wild. That was the reason I wrote The Destiny of the Wolves, because I wanted people to reflect on what it’s like to be in their “shoes”, which is the same as abandoning a child in the world, without food, without protection, awakening fears and traumas in these animals that is similar to what a human being might feel.
The characters in the story were intriguing and well developed. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
My intention when creating the characters was to bring wolves with behaviors that could resemble our dogs. Every wolf in my story is or was a dog I adopted. Its colors, ways of acting and thinking were inspired by the characteristics of my dogs. Even Finn and Felicity are my dogs and the story about them in the book is true. I found Finn half dead when I was at a bus stop and Felicity was my sister who found her, trapped in a lamppost and in the rain, freezing to death. Our dogs have a lot of personality, and even though they’re nearly 18,000 years younger than their ancestors, dogs still act with some instinctive wolf´s method.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Raising awareness about animal abandonment, our responsibility for the species Canis familiaris, awakening in the reader empathy for dogs and other animals, a reflection on them not having chosen the fate they have, but that we who choose the destiny of all dogs.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
The next book to be published in English is Symbiosa and the Threat in the Arctic, which will tell the story of a young girl called Emma. She is saved from near-death by her friendship with a falcon. Her normal life resumes, but she is left with the sharpened eyesight of a bird of prey. Summoned to a mysterious winter holiday camp in the far north of Norway, Emma has the chance to strengthen her connection with her falcon and truly understand the secret union of the Symbiosa, the Sami people’s solution to all human ailments. But what Emma wasn’t counting on was a sinister underground organisation threatening the very existence of the Symbiosa. Soon she is faced with a terrible doubt: do the Symbiosa represent salvation or rather a terrible curse?
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