I write romantic suspense books where dogs have a prominent role.  I’ve written over a dozen books featuring K-9 working dogs both for the police and the military. The specialized training that goes into these highly intelligent dogs takes time, money and dedication. Doing the research for K-9 dogs has been extremely interesting and really sparked a passion in me to train a dog. Of course, joining the police department or the military and training a K-9 dog wasn’t a viable option.

But training an agility dog certainly was. In 2016, I brought home an Australian shepherd puppy. We named her Aubrey, as a variant of Auburn, because her coat is red and white. At eight months old, we started agility training.  At first it was very basic obedience work and bonding exercises. So much of agility is the bond between the dog and handler, just as it is between a police officer and his K-9.

I have to confess, learning the sport of agility was a huge learning curve for me.  Remembering the cues, the timing of the cues and staying mentally connected with my dog all were a challenge. I tend to be a bit scatter brained unless I’m knee deep in writing a book,  but agility has really taught me to focus.

And the training never stops. We train even when we’re not at the arena. Going on walks is a lesson to be used in the arena. Learning the command to sit and wait until released is a daily exercise done at feeding time. She has a beautiful start line stay.

This month, after nearly four years of training, I finally worked up the courage to enter agility trials.  I’m not going to lie, the first trial was overwhelming. I didn’t know how a trial ran, wasn’t sure I liked the idea of competing or that she’d listen to me in a strange environment.  Our first run was terrifying. She didn’t listen well, there were too many distractions-strange people and barking dogs.  We didn’t make it through the first course. Our second run was better, but she had three faults (faults are a dropped bar, a refusal to take an obstacle, a late cue or going off exploring).

The following week we went back for our second trial.  Now better prepared, we made it through the first run with a couple of faults, but she stayed with me and ignored the distractions. And the second run, we did great! She was attentive, I gave cues on time, no dropped bars and we finished the course. I was happy. And then I discovered we placed first in our grouping and we received our first qualifying ribbon. Apparently, we can move up to the next level after three qualifying ribbons.  I think I’m hooked.

For me, agility with my dog is my hobby, my passion and my stress reliever. And has helped me in my writing in was I hadn’t expected. Now, when I have my handler giving commands to their K-9, I have a feel for what it’s like to work with a dog and can add realism to my scenes.

I have an April release, Alaskan Rescue, book 1 of Alaskan K-9 Unit, a new continuity from Love Inspired Suspense. There are eight books and two novellas in this series.  I hope you’ll enjoy our books.

Alaskan Rescue by Terri Reed, April 2021  https://amzn.to/3umsdni

Wilderness Defender by Maggie K. Black, May 2021

Undercover Mission by Sharon Dunn, June 2021

Tracking Stolen Secrets by Laura Scott, July 2021

Deadly Cargo by Jodie Bailey, August 2021

Arctic Witness by Heather Woodhaven, September 2021

Yukon Justice by Dana Mentink, October 2021

Blizzard Showdown by Shirlee McCoy, November 2021

Christmas K-9 Protectors by Lenora Worth and Maggie K. Black, December 2021

Terri Reed’s romance and romantic suspense novels have appeared on Publisher’s Weekly top twenty-five, Nielsen’s Bookscan top hundred, Amazon Bestseller and featured in USA Today. Her books have been finalists in Romance Writers of America RITA contest, National Readers’ Choice Award, Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award and finalists three times in American Christian Fiction Writers The Carol Award contest. Contact Terri @ P.O. Box 19555 Portland, OR 97224

http://www.terrireed.com https://www.instagram.com/authorterrireed/

https://www.facebook.com/terrireedauthorpage/

Thanks for stopping by! If you have any questions for Terri about agility dog training, or about any of her books with great dog characters, or this wonderful upcoming K-9 series from Love Inspired Suspense, leave it in the comments for her and she’ll be by today.

The post Extreme Hobbies with Author Terri Reed appeared first on Laurie Wood Author.

Today I’m happy to welcome back Darlene L. Turner, award-winning author for Love Inspired Suspense. Her latest book, Abducted in Alaska, is out March 1, 2021. Darlene, take it away!

Thank you so much for having me on your blog. It’s fun to share tidbits about my writing, ideas, etc. Here we go!

What was the inspiration behind Abducted in Alaska?

I visited both the Yukon and Alaska when my brother lived in Whitehorse, Yukon. When I started writing I thought it would be a great place to set a novel. I wanted to include a child in the story and that’s when the kidnapping / child labor ring came to mind.

Do you ever write a little bit of yourself in your books?

Yes, at times. Sometimes it’s little things from my childhood. Other times, it’s something I’ve struggled with. In Abducted in Alaska Hannah finds out she may not be able to have children and this crushes her. My hubby and I weren’t able to have children, so the feelings Hannah has to deal with were similar to what I wrestled with in my own experience.

Have you ever received a rejection?

Yes, of course. Many, but I learned from each one and pressed forward! They say that each rejection leads you to the “one.”

Have you ever won any awards for your writing?

Yes, three! Two Daphne awards and one ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) Genesis award. So humbled and blessed.

 What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I love to tole paint. This is painting designs onto wood surfaces. It’s fun and relaxes me. Unfortunately, I don’t have as much time to paint as I would like! I also love to watch movies and read.

 Tell us a bit about Abducted in Alaska?

Hannah Morgan and Layke (pronounced “lake”) Jackson have to join forces to solve a deadly child labor smuggling ring all while protecting Gabe, the boy who escaped. Their lives are in more danger the closer they get to solving the case.

What is your typical day like?

I’m now retired, so my days are devoted to writing, social media, etc! I start my day with devotions and then some exercise (oh…don’t forget the coffee!). Each day can be different, but I try and finish my day mid-late afternoon. Sometimes I get right back up to my office after supper. Sometimes I spend the evening reading, painting, or watching television. Depends on deadlines and how much I need to unwind! 😉

 When did you start writing?

When I was young, I loved to read Nancy Drew, so I started writing my own version – the “Mindy Dobson” series. I wish I’d kept them as it would be fun to go back and read it (and laugh). I always wanted to write but stopped until I was older. I got more serious about writing ten years ago.

What advice would you give to other writers trying to break into the Christian market?

I’ve dreamed that someone would ask me that someday. I would say keep on and don’t give up. I know that’s easy to say as there were times when I felt like giving up, but I had many supporters cheer me on. Also, read writing books, go to conferences, and find a writing mentor. These will all help you.

What do you hope your readers will glean from your Abducted in Alaska book? 

I want readers to learn what I learned when I went through hard times. That’s there’s JOY in forgiveness. If we hold on to our anger and resentment, it will lead to bitterness. Forgiveness will unlock it and bring Joy. I’m living proof of that.

What books are on your nightstand right now?

Anne of Green Gables and The Anne of Green Gables Devotional by Rachel Dodge. I’m having fun reading each chapter before the corresponding devotional.

 Fun Facts:

Go-to writing snack or drink: Coffee!

Something you must do or have to write: A Christmas suspense or a book or a Christmas Hallmark movie!  

If Abducted in Alaska was turned into a movie, who would you cast as the leads? My inspirations for these characters – Rachelle Lefevre and Henry Cavill

 Candy, cookies, or cake?

How about all three? If I had to choose…probably cookies.

Favorite TV show?

I have many (mostly suspense shows) but would have to say When Calls the Heart – it’s such a wholesome show and has a handsome Mountie in it (What more do you want?) It’s also based on books by a fellow Canadian author!  I’m a Heartie!

 Favorite Movie?

Lord of the Rings

Any hobbies? Pets? Activities?

I love to tole paint – this is painting on wood pieces. Of course, I love to read. No pets but if my husband wasn’t allergic, we’d have a cat (or two).

Cat or Dog

Cats!

 Paperback or e-book?

Definitely paperback. There’s just something about holding a book in your hands!

Here’s the gorgeous cover for Abducted in Alaska:

Protecting a child…

could cost them their lives.

Saving a boy who has escaped his captors puts Canadian border patrol officer Hannah Morgan right into the path of a ruthless child-smuggling ring. Now with help from police constable Layke Jackson, she must keep the child safe. But can they rescue the other abducted children and bring down the gang…all while protecting a little boy and keeping themselves alive?

Purchase Links:

Amazon.com: 

https://amzn.to/2KpcsKH

Amazon.ca:

https://amzn.to/36Tq4VQ

Chapters Indigo:

https://bit.ly/3fi3la6

Barnes & Noble:

https://bit.ly/35KZten

 Question for prize: Who is your favorite author and why?

Answer the question above in the comments below and one person will win an e-book copy of Abducted in Alaska!

Comment on the question and you’re automatically entered into the contest. Prize is open internationally. Here’s how it works. The number of entries are input into a Random Sequence Generator (i.e. 1 through 20). After I click the Generate button, whoever’s number corresponds with the number the random generator gives me wins! Note: If the winner is Canadian, they will be required to answer a skill-testing question before being awarded the prize.

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Grave Christmas Secrets Blurb:

Discovering buried evidence makes her a target.

At a prehistoric site, forensic anthropologist Taya McGill uncovers a recently buried body days before Christmas—and finds herself in a killer’s sights. Now on the run with undercover ATF agent Keegan Stryker, she must rely on him to guard her as they figure out why someone would kill to keep this murder unsolved. But can they unearth the truth before someone silences them both for good?

***

‘Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead. Forensic anthropologist Taya McGill disagreed with Benjamin Franklin’s famous quote. In her experience, the dead were horrible secret keepers. Rather, she’d dub them mysterious pirates hoarding a treasure trove of clues. And as a general rule, far more reliable than most living people she’d encountered.

Taya cherished the incredible honor of speaking for the dearly departed, even when an active crime scene overtook her nonexistent Christmas plans. The excavation freed her from the holiday hustle and bustle she detested more than the insufferable game and parks officer reigning as security over the site.

He’d gone, for now, but if his previous behavior was any indicator, there’d soon be more rounds in futility. Those who misjudged Taya’s petite five-foot, ninety-pound stature for weakness learned the hard way that her stubbornness came packaged like dynamite and equaled her determination.

Dr. Taya McGill would never again succumb to a uniformed bully.

“It’s just you and me, friend. You’re safe to share your secrets,” Taya said, brushing back dirt from the exposed skull. Her coworkers mocked the unconventional method of talking aloud to the victim, but the process worked for her. And since she spent the majority of her time alone, who did it bother, anyway?

Unpredictable weather had hindered the recovery of the human remains, hindering the dig’s progression. The frigid winter temperatures had banked at a high—if that was a relative term—of negative four degrees. The radical increasing wind speeds over the past hour had further complicated things. No overhead streetlamps illuminated the onyx sky. Rolling hills and the occasional farm nestled in an endless snow-covered landscape surrounded over three hundred acres of Ashfall Fossil Beds State Park in the northeastern corner of Royal, Nebraska.

She shivered and tugged the zipper of her down-alternative parka as high as it would go, tucking her nose in the warmth. It was after midnight, but Taya’s ongoing battle with insomnia provided her the excuse to continue working. The victim buried in the shallow grave deserved justice. As did those mourning her.

Taya leaned down and paused with her brush midair. She’d already exposed most of the skeletal form and prepared to collect the remains for transport to her laboratory at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Something red near the thoracic vertebrae peeked through the earth. With a delicate swipe, she uncovered the object. A small deflated latex balloon.

Taya sighed. The find wasn’t unusual. Addicts ingested the balloons as a method of muling illegal drugs. Was that this victim’s story?’

This sounds so good! You can grab your copy here: https://amzn.to/2Wbyyn5

You can find Sharee Stover online here:

Colorado native Sharee Stover lives in Nebraska with her real-life-hero husband, three too-good-to-be-true children, and a ridiculously spoiled dog. A self-proclaimed word nerd, she loves the power of the written word to ignite, transform, and restore. She writes Christian romantic suspense combining heart-racing, nail-biting suspense and the delight of falling in love all in one. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Sisters in Crime, and Nebraska Writer’s Guild. Sharee is a triple Daphne du Maurier finalist, winner of the 2017 Wisconsin Fabulous Five Silver Quill Award, and her debut, Secret Past, won Best First Book in the 2019 National Excellence in Romance Fiction Awards. When she isn’t writing, Sharee enjoys reading, crocheting and long walks with her obnoxiously lovable German Shepherd. Visit her at www.shareestover.com.

Website: https://shareestover.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/shareestover

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorshareestover/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shareestover/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sharee-stover

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/shareestover

Amazon Author Page: https://amazon.com/author/shareestover

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