Feb 1, 2012

Interview with Lynne Marshall

 


I’m thrilled to bits to be welcoming Lynne Marshall to the blog today. 


She writes contemporary and Medical Romance for Harlequin and The Wild Rose Press.  And her debut for Harlequin Special Edition is out next month!


Hi Lynne!  It’s fantastic to have you visit!

At the LoveCats, we always love to know about the non-humans in your life…

First off, hello and thank you for having me as a guest today!  Our non-human status is a touchy subject at the moment.  We lost our beloved Rogan in March of 2011, and though we miss him terribly, don’t feel ready for a new dog yet.  I have plans though.  Big plans.  This time, when we search out rescue dogs, I want one for me and one for my husband.  DH is a one-breed man (Rhodesian Ridgeback).  I also love that breed, but just to mix things up a bit, I’d like to find a medium-sized girl doggy for me.  We prefer short hair, so, when the time comes, and I feel that time grows closer every day, we’ll be hunting for two new additions to our family.  I’ve got to fill that empty nest with something, right?

Oh, I’m so sorry to blunder into a touchy subject, Lynne, I know how hard it is to lose a much-loved pet.  I’m sure when you’re ready that there will be a couple of very special additions waiting for you to find them. 

What’s the most unusual experience you’ve had at work?

I was a Registered Nurse for twenty-six years and went through quite a lot in that time, but the most unusual thing that ever happened, hands down, was also the eeriest thing to happen in all those years.  At the time I worked on the eighth floor of the hospital in Orthopedics.  It was a ten story building and was shaped like a figure eight with sliding glass doors off patient rooms opening to balconies.  The view was beautiful when it wasn’t smoggy. :/  Anyway, one night (I was on the evening shift at the time) while helping prepare patients for dinner, I saw something whiz by the balcony window as the hair raised on my arms.  Came to find out that we’d had a jumper that night.  I guess someone didn’t like their diagnosis.  Very sad.  We could hardly carry on, yet we had to for the other patients’ sakes.  I’ll never forget it, and I bet you’re sorry you asked!
That's so tragic… it must have been dreadfully hard for everyone...  actually your answer could qualify as a response to my next question…

What’s the most difficult thing you’ve tackled?


I’m assuming this question is directed at me personally, not in writing the book.  Hands down the hardest thing I ever had to do was break the news to my ninety year old mother that she had two brain tumors.  Bringing her into our home on hospice care may have seemed hard at first, but the rewards far outnumbered the difficulties.  Her usual droll reply was “You mean I lived this long only to get a brain tumor?”  She’d always hoped she’d pass away in her sleep (who doesn’t?) and actually, she did, three and a half months later.

Lynne, your mum sounds like she was a character.  How lovely that you had that very special time with her. 

But, gosh, my questions so far have turned out to be really tough.

Share three interesting things you’ve learned…


Oh, good, a fun question.  I was beginning to get depressed. 
1.    It’s never too late to fall in love
2.    Our bodies age, but our minds stay forever young
3.    Life is filled with miracles if we’re attuned to watching for them


I love the things you’ve learned!  They’re something we could all count as great lessons.

Tell us about the inspiration for COURTING HIS FAVORITE NURSE

The inspiration began with a vision of three teenagers dressed up and ready for their high school prom.  What struck me about the image of the two young women and one guy was they were all bald.  Two of them had shaved their heads in honor of the other.

That’s all I’m going to say about that right now if you don’t mind.


Of course!  Author’s prerogative!  We’ll look forward to finding out more when we pick up your book.  But as an inspiration that is amazing and poignant.  The three  young people were obviously true friends.

Here's the back-cover write up for COURTING HIS FAVORITE NURSE! 

Anne Grady knew better than anyone that love was complicated. When she’d left her hometown, she thought she was leaving her past heartbreak behind for good, as well. But practically the moment she returned to care for her injured parents, she stumbled headlong into their confidant—her first love, Jack Lightfoot.

Jack had been unable to deny his feelings for Annie when he was a teenager dating her best friend, and he certainly couldn’t muffle the spark twisting between them now—even if memories of the past kept threatening to push them apart. This time Jack wasn’t going to let history repeat itself—he was going to show Annie that the two of them were meant to be much more than best friends!
 


So tell us, what do you do just for fun?

I’m a very silly person, and have the ability to slip into adolescent mode easily.  I’m a giggler by nature. I love to laugh, to say goofy things and have a good old fashioned belly laugh with my friends and family.  Nothing is more fun than that.

What are you reading?
Deadwood by Pete Dexter.  All I can say is, thank God I wasn’t born at that time or anywhere near Deadwood, South Dakota.

What are you watching?
In the Middle and Modern Family. 

What are you listening to?
Michael Bublé and Adele for popular music, and Beethoven for the classics.

What’s making you smile?

  • Realizing that I have a debut Harlequin Special Edition coming out in a few weeks!  
  • That somehow I’ve managed to land myself in a wonderful second career that is full of surprises.  
  • That I’ve met the most amazing people all around the world because of writing for Harlequin, and I couldn’t be happier.  
  • And that lovely people such as the ladies of LoveCats Downunder invite me to be a guest.  Thank you!
Still smiling.

Lynne, I love the things that are making you smile - in fact, I'm still smiling, too!

And I'm sure it'll make our readers smile to hear that you'll giving away a pdf copy of your March 2012 e-book release, An Indiscretion!  

To be in the draw, please share the name of one of your pets, past or present.

An Indiscretion: 
A doctor… A nurse… An indiscretion…Paul Valverde is stretched to the limit, caring for an elderly relative while running a business and maintaining a full-time medical practice at St. Stephen’s Hospital–with no time for a relationship.

RN Carrington Hanover leaves her money-hungry fiancé at the altar and moves on to a new job at St. Stephen’s Hospital in Los Angeles. The next man in her life must love her, not her money.

All work and no play has made Paul an unfulfilled man, and the resurrected redheaded crush from his youth is driving him to distraction. Can their complicated past become untangled by their newfound attraction–or will their love be doomed by mistrust and long-held resentment?



73 comments:

  1. Lynne,

    So sorry about losing your fur baby. I imagine he's running happily in the big dog park up in the sky with as many meaty bones as he can get his teeth on. Great questions and even better answers. I know you more and more through each blog post!! Love your books and so excited for this new release!

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  2. Lynne, I love the inspiration for your book - and can't wait to read it! Tell me, when you go looking for dogs, do you go to a shelter? Or do you go through a breeder, or a rescue place (for the Rhodesians)? I've always been a shelter girl, myself, but I was curious.

    Also, what a cool website! I'd better bookmark it...

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  3. Hi Dee J!
    I'm glad to know I didn't depress you with some of my answers. Sheesh, I must have been in a downer mood the day I answered these.
    SORRY SHARON! :)

    So - Dee J - tell us you pet names - since you know I always get your boy dog's name wrong. LOL

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  4. Hi Christine! This is a cool website.

    We go through rescues for our pets. For Rogan - we went through the Ridgeback rescue.

    I agree - there are plenty of dogs who need homes and we should take those first. If possible.

    Thanks for commenting.

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  5. Hi Lynne,

    Thanks for sharing with us. I'm so glad you're a giggler. That makes such a difference! I hope the search for new canine companions is easy when the time comes. In the meantime congratulations on your Special Ed debut. No wonder you're smiling. It sounds fantastic.

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  6. OOooo, sign me up for the contest. I highly recommend Beagles except for their tendencies to run, but they are a good energy match for the Rhodesian Ridge Back. Hmm, any of the poodle half breeds. My sister has a maltipoo, which may be a little smaller than you were thinking, but what a fantastic dog as are all of the poodle half breeds. Oh, Wheaton Terriers are another lovely dog. Hmm, I've kind of gone all over the place with those recommendations. You'll find the perfect dogs for you and your family.

    Great interview. This one appealed to my Black Irish humor and I started to giggle toward the end wondering what would be next. A little flavor of "The World According to Garp" which is a favorite book and movie. Thank you for letting us into your life and what inspires you.

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  7. Hi Lynne - great to have you here. Courting His Favourite Nurse sounds fabulous and I'm looking forward to reading it.
    Pets are a bit of an obsession with me, much to the ongoing despair of my DH. Eight horses, three dogs, three birds and a house cow named Ginger. I've owned many dogs over the years, including two Great Danes and a Maltese - but right now I have a DOgue De Bordeaux called Barney and he is the dog of all dogs. I adore big canines and Ridgeback's are a favourite.
    Great post. :)

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  8. Hi Annie! Thanks for having me here today. I'm glad you like the premise for Courting His Favorite Nurse. It was a joy to write.

    :) Lynne - who is definitely a giggler.

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  9. Hi Mia! Considered yourself entered into the drawing! My head is spinning with all the wonderful dog suggestions. I think the main deciding factor will simply be a warm pair of brown eyes looking sympathetically, and hopefully at me. Yeah - that will be the one.

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  10. Helen! I have already ordered your Janurary debut - Special Edition. However I've got a slew of RITA books I must read first, so it may be March before I get to read it! Can't wait.
    I'm glad you have an understanding husband because you extended family sounds fabulous, especially Ginger the house cow. :)

    Congratulations of your recent book release!

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  11. Yay, Lynne, It's just fabulous to have you here today! I'm such a fan of your Medical Romance so I'm really looking forward to your Special Edition! And aren't your covers lovely - I have a soft spot for that one of the theatre nurse! I do like a nice pair of eyes over a face mask!
    :)
    Sharon

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  12. Lynne,

    Our first girls were Jessie and Sam. They were boxer mixes we lost about 6 years ago (at almost 16). Now we have Elizabeth - a border collie/lab mix and Zachary, (or Jake as my good friend calls him!) a pitbull mix. And you weren't a downer at all. Great post!

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  13. Hi, Dee J! Glad you enjoyed the interview! Lynne gave us some terrific thought-provoking answers, didn't she! Thanks for dropping in to say hello!

    Christine, I love the inspiration for Lynne's book too - I can just picture that special scene. Hey, thanks for the bookmarking! I hope you drop in to see us again soon.

    :)
    Sharon

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  14. Wow! Those were deep questions. I love the blog. Excellent interview Sharon and Lynne.

    Congrats! on the debut Harlequin Special Edition. I've been an avid reader of your medical romances. All that nurses training came to work for you even after retirement. And isn't it wonderful that we can have second careers?

    My dog Nikki passed away in August, and I'm like you, not quite ready but paying attention to every dog I come across on my daily walk.

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  15. Lynne, we're great believers in pre-loved pets too. Though I don't think our last girl was particularly "loved" - she was neglected and almost a street-kid. We couldn't have asked for a more gorgeous pet and we had her for thirteen wonderful years.
    :)
    Sharon

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  16. Lynne,
    Ah, another giggler. I didn't know that about you, but I am not surprised. My co-workers and I were reminiscing about some of our strange work experiences, but we stuck with some of the funny ones. Someday I hope to swap some of those stories with you. I'm excited about your new books coming out--I am especially looking forward to your Special Editions book. Loved this post--even if some of it was a bit of a downer--it just makes it seem like you are chatting with close friends. And your mom! She sounds like she was a lovely character. Treasure your memories of her. Nancy aka sheandeen

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  17. Hi Lynne and Sharon! Lynne, I love that you're a giggler. I am too! I'll never forget one time in college studying in the library with my boyfriend (who's now my hubby) and him making me laugh so hard I couldn't stop. Seriously. I couldn't stop giggling for a very long time. It was like getting hiccups that wouldn't go away.

    We have the cutest dog. His name is Harry. He's named after one of my favorite fictional characters Harry Dresden. :)

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  18. Great interview,Lynne. I'm looking to read your new releases asap(I'm reading as many medicals as everything else nowadays!)I don't have any pets but my daughter's chocolate Labrador is the absolute best puppy. Winston never barks, pretty well obeys all orders, loves cuddles and still thinks at 23weeks old that he can fit into a shoebox. Not happening any more!

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  19. Hi Lynne. So sad about losing your nonhuman family member. I get it. I lost my beloved border collie in Sept. 2010. Even though we had another dog in the house (a retriever) I was so devastated. I started trolling petfinder.com...not a good site for a person grieving for their dog. I found a 4 m/o border collie that was (notice the "was") in a rescue organization in Memphis. Within the month, she was at our house (against my husband's wishes) But best decision I ever made and even hubby agrees. Totally saved my sanity.

    Congrats on your HQ release. Sounds like a fun read.

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  20. Hi Lynne!

    So sorry to hear about your four-legged child passing on. We're currently raising an eleven-year-old labrador retriever named Betty Boop. She's been with us since she was 5 wks old. Yep, weeks, not months. She has no idea she's a d.o.g., and we aren't going to tell her!
    I'm always amazed to hear what inspired a particular story. From a single image you crafted characters with real lives and a complex story line. I'm in awe! Can't wait to read both books!
    Best of luck on the search for a new family member.

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  21. Mia, I've heard beagles are quite hard to train - have you found that? Hey, I'm giggling about the maltipoo - I'm sure it's a marvellous breed but for some reason that name has tickled my funny bone! Thanks for stopping in!

    Good morning, Annie and Helen!

    :)
    Sharon

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  22. Lovely interview! I'm so sorry about Rogan, Lynne. My dd's Keishound is expecting and Karma has the prettiest puppies (her last litter is in my FB photos) if you're ready around April or May. Of course, then there's the question of getting the pup to California from Oklahoma. :) I love/hate my cat's name, Trouble. She's a Siamese Himalayan Persian that was dumped as a baby and an old man took her in and named her. She constantly walked between his feet, tripping him, which gave her her name, so he asked me to take her. I tried to change her name to Spreckles because she is peppered with rust-colored spreckles. Her name 13 years later is still Trouble- and it suits her.

    Congrats on all your upcoming releases!

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  23. Hi Robena! Isn't it a bonus to be able to use all those years of medical knowledge for a second career as an author! Hugs on losing your Nikki. When the time is right, I'm sure another little furkid will be grateful to have a lovely home with you.

    Hi Nancy, it's terrific to see you here! So you're a giggler, too? It's hard to stay glum in the company of an infectious giggle!

    :)
    Sharon

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  24. Hi Lynne,
    I'm in awe of you! Your workload is amazing and both books sound like keepers to me.

    We've got a rescued ex-racing greyhound called Jazzy. She never fails to make me laugh in delight on the beach where she does mad zoomies in short bursts - then collapses for the rest of the day on her bed. Ahh, the life. They really do deserve their tags of the biggest couch potato in the doggie world.

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  25. Hey, Robyn! Another giggler! How gorgeous! Oooo, I'm giggling at the story about you in the library! Trying to suppress the urge to laugh makes it burst out all over the place, doesn't it! LOL

    Hi Nancy J! I'm having a good chuckle at the mental picture of your daughter's 23-week old Labrador pup trying to fit into a shoebox -- maybe just his paws now?!

    LOL
    Sharon

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  26. Hi Sharon! Thanks for stepping in with the comments. I'm so happy to see many friendly faces here.

    I like your term - pre-loved pets, but like yours, many rescued pets didn't get their fair share of loving up.

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  27. Cynthia, hugs on losing your border collie. Our pre-loved girl, Sally, was a border collie. They're brilliant - running, laughing dogs! And so intelligent. I'm glad your new furkid is fitting right into your family.

    Hi Roz - I'm smiling about your d.o.g.! I guess after 11 years it's too late to break the news about her identity now! LOL

    :)
    Sharon

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  28. Robena - I miss Niki too, and always loved her name.

    Yes - you and I are blessed with second career passions beyond nursing. That's the beauty of life, there's always something just around the corner, and we can't know what it is until we make that turn.

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  29. Hi Nancy (anonymous!) :)
    The big wide cyber world has it's own way of developing friendships, and I'm like you, feeling like we're just a bunch of old friends sitting around chatting. So I opened up a bit more than ususal.

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  30. Hi Robin! I think Harry is a wonderful name for a dog. Our first dog was Maxwell - made me think of the goofy guy from Get Smart.

    Laughing is great. Sometimes my husband and I get to laughing about something (he laughs, I giggle) and we can't stop until the old side aches kick in. He has also been known to laugh in his sleep. It's hysterical watching/listening to him sound asleep, laughing away...

    Thanks for commenting!

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  31. Cynthia - hugs to you, too!

    I caught my husband on line the other day looking at the Ridgeback rescue website. I wanted all of them!

    So glad you have your new buddy.

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  32. Hi Roz!
    Leave it to you to have Betty Boop - poop poop a doop. I don't want to be there the day you break the news to your girl she isn't human. :)

    I'm glad my books have captured your interest!

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  33. Sharon - giggling with you - multipoo sounds like something that happens after the dog breaks into the pantry!

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  34. Calisa, I grinned at you trying to change your cat's name! Trouble must suit her if she's kept it all these years despite your best effort! Those Himalayans are magnificent looking creatures!

    LaVerne, I love the sound of your Jazzy. I've heard those retired greyhounds do make wonderful pets. How lovely of you to give her a home.

    :)
    Sharon

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  35. Hi Calisa! thanks for stopping by. I love your pet names - Karma and Trouble.

    My daughter and SIL rescued a lab from Indiana and the rescue people drove a batch of dogs to Connecticut where my daughterand SIL drove to pick up their new pet (they drove from Massachusetts.)

    Maybe we could meet halfway? joking!!! Of course there's always the pet airlines...

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  36. Oh LaVerne, I'm so glad you like the sound of both books. And I also love your greyhound's name - Jazzy. Fits the breed, doesn't it?

    Thanks for commenting!

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  37. Lynne, YES! I can imagine a very messy pantry with a naughty maltipoo on the rampage!!!
    :D

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  38. Enjoyed the interview. Congrats on the new release!

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  39. Chey and Georgie - thanks so much for stopping by.

    Chey - I hope people enjoy these stories. I loved writing them.

    Georgie - I'm glad you enjoyed the interview.

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  40. Fascinating interview - Sharon, you ask the best questions!

    Lynne, welcome to the LoveCats - and thanks for telling us about your new Special Edition. It looks like a must read since I'm hooked already by the back cover blurb and the image that sparked the story.

    Good luck on your dog search!

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  41. LOL thank you so much for sharing! I loved your interview. I have a dog named Sasquatch. We call her Sassy though. Shes half shitzu(?) and half pappillion. ( I know there spelled wrong :P ) She's actually really cute but her name fits her. She thinks she rules the house. She used to boss my rottwieler around before we had to put her down :( so I know how it feels. so awful. but anyways happier note. Your books sound great! Thanks for a chance to win one!
    -Amber
    goodblinknpark@yahoo.com

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  42. Rachel - thank you so much for commenting. I love your group blog. Sharon's questions were tough for me, as you can see by my candid answers. Wow - I hope I didn't bring folks down.

    Oh, I hope I am a must read for many romance fans because this is my debut for the Special Edition line. As you know, writing your wonderful books for Desire - readers matter! :)

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  43. Lynne, your debut Special Edition sounds really interesting based on your inspiration and the back cover blurb.

    The cats that I have are named Renae, Buddy and Baby. Renae, about 16 years old, has extra toes(mittens) on her front paws, Buddy,about 15, is a gray and white medium hair 16 pound male, and Baby, about 3, is a purebred Chocolate Siamese that showed up at my house when she was about 8 weeks old and we have had her ever since.

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  44. Hi Lynne!

    What a great interview. I don't know how you've managed to NOT get another 'child' for your empty nest. My husband and I are suckers for our four-legged 'kids.'

    I'm so glad you were able to spend that time with your mother. I'm sure you have many lovely memories.

    The 'prom premise' for your story is intriguing. I'm sure it will be an uplifting story that tugs the heartstrings.

    I have to laugh though...today I was having lunch by myself in a restaurant and I thought of a possible opening scene in my next book. It involved armed gunmen taking over a restaurant with my lead detective caught in the middle of it. Talk about two different worlds! Interesting how the inspiration strikes.

    I loved your list of things you've learned...I've found them all to be true!

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  45. Lynne, so loved reading the blog. Our newest addition (rescue dog) is now a whopping 5 months old and wow, I totally forgot what it was like having a puppy in the house again. Up side, I've lost 20 lbs,downside, potty training!!!
    Enjoy your new additions when you are ready. Patti

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  46. Hi Amanda!
    Sounds like Renae, Buddy, and Baby found the right home when they found you.

    I'm glad to know the book blurbs have captured your interest.

    Thanks so much for commenting today.

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  47. Hi Kathy - it is so true how different genres affect our "brainstorming" shall we say? Yours is all take down and adrenaline stuff. Mine is more of the emtional nature, and between all the different genres - that's what makes the world go round.

    I hate to say it, but Bill and I have a lot of trips planned this year, and feel it wouldn't be fair to bring in a new furry family member then leave them a week her and another week there etc. I see next year as the time to adopt. :)

    And thanks for almost quotoing verbatim what Romantic Times said for my book with their 4 star review - "A touching story that will tug at the heartstrings."

    :)
    Thanks for commenting today!

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  48. Hi Patti! Thanks so much for sharing both the upside and downside of adopting. Good for you for losing 20 pounds! Maybe I should adopt sooner than later? :)

    You forgot to tell us your dog's name!

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  49. Lynne - I love your attitude. I think we may have been really good friends in a previous life.

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  50. Hi Janie! I'm glad you like my interpretation of what I've learned in life.

    Hey - we can still be friends in this life, too. I think we came from the same era, so we have a lot in common. :)

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  51. Fabulous interview, ladies, and welcome to the LoveCats, Lynne! And mega-congratulation on your debut Super Edition -- how exciting! (as you can see, I'm more of an exclaimer than a giggler :-) )

    Best of luck with your doggy search. When the time is right the dh and I have our hearts set on a Leonberger or two. Four-legged friends just seem to make a family complete. :-)

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  52. A most thought provoking interview. Lynn, nursing must be a very intense job, which probably can be emotionally draining if one doesn't take care to recharge one's battieries. But it must give a lot of experience and knowledge of life which would give a writer great insight.

    The last cat I had was called "Pusheen". That's an Irish name for a cat and I'm Irish. I live in India, though, so maybe that made it a little more unusual.

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  53. Chey, these books of Lynne's do sound great, don't they!

    Georgie Lee, fab of you to pop in to say hello!

    Amber, I think Sasquatch is an awesome name for a dog! Mmm, I wonder if she'd be a papzu or a shillion!

    Thanks, Rachel! Hey, how did you adopt all of your furkids? I know you've got one or two or four!

    :)
    Sharon

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  54. Amanda, what a lovely fur-brood you have! Does Baby torment the older cats or does she respect their venerableness?!

    Hey, Kathy, that's a great suspense story you've got brewing there! Good luck with it!

    Patti, your gorgeous Sophie must have grown into quite the young lady since she was on the Catwalk with us! I couldn't resist sharing the link...
    http://lovecatsdownunder.blogspot.com.au/2011/11/on-catwalk.html

    :)
    Sharon

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  55. Lynne, I know what you mean about waiting to adopt a furkid when you have travel plans looming. I think the waiting will make you appreciate the new addition/s to the family even more. Looking forward to hearing about your travels!

    Michelle, I haven't heard of a Leonberger... you just know I have to go off and Google now, don't you!

    Thanks, Maria! Pusheen is a lovely name for a cat! And it's Irish? Do you know what it means?

    :)
    Sharon

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  56. My Igor was a Great Dane. The most stupid, sweetest, most loyal dog on the planet. I had to add the stupid part, because he was seriously, but that just added to his Igor-ness.

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  57. Janie, I missed your comment first time around! Lovely to see you here!

    Marybelle, I love that "Igor-ness"! He sounds like he was a real character!

    :)
    Sharon

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  58. Hi everyone. The name of the pet I'd like to share is Alf. Alf was my buddy and my cat for over 14 years until he passed away Mothers Day weekend (in NZ) 2007. I was 18 and my kitten at the time was accidentally run over by my partner (she was curled up on the top of the car tyre under the arch) That afternoon my flatmate was visiting friends whose cat had just had a litter of kittens. They were farmers and were going to drown the litter! How cruel!!! My flatmate grabbed one of the kittens and bought him home to me to make me feel better about my kitten. From the moment I saw him I knew his name was Alf (after the TV show). Yes he was ginger. I'll always love Alf x

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  59. Lynne, you are always full of delightful surprises. What a lovely interview with man poignant answers. You're reading a book about Deadwood and I just submitted a short story set in Deadwood in 1879. My research unearthed some wild information. I'm very eager for your new releases to come out so I can enjoy more of your writing.

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  60. Hi Michelle! I enjoy a good series of exclamation points, too! :)

    I really love your blog - you're a great set of authors.

    Hmm - will have to look up your pet breed.

    Thank you for welcoming me.

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  61. Hi Maria - so lovely to "see" you again.

    I love the name you gave your cat - especially since it was an Irish name and you live in India.

    You're right, nursing is a very intense job, and I had no idea how those emotions and experiences would one day assist my getting my first book published with Mills & Boon Medical romance in 2006.

    We just never know what life has in store for us. That's the beauty, right?

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  62. Dear Amber - somehow, I missed your comment last night - so my morning eyes have brought your Vampchik moniker into better view. :)

    Anyone who names their smaller-sized dog Sasquash must have a great sense of humor! I love it.

    Thank you so much for commenting.

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  63. Dear Marybell - I love Igor for a pet name, though I'm sure your beautiful Great Dane wasn't hunched over. Being so big, it probably took a little extra time for his brain to send messages to the rest of his body, maybe that's why he seemed "slow"?

    Smart or dumb - we still love our pets, right?

    thanks for chiming in.

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  64. Dear Tash - I got a little teary-eyed reading your comment. Accidents do happen, and I'm so glad your flatmate could save at least one of those kittens. Alf is a great name!

    Ginger colored cats (red tabbys actually) have always been my favorite - messed up old street kitty followed me home from school once. He took one look at me and decided I was his girl. The poor mangy old cat was a true gentleman to our princess cat who ruled the house. We named him Charlie and he lived many many years with us. Thanks for reminding me of one of the great pets in my life.

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  65. Hi Vonnie - I'm so glad you popped in. I wish I could remember your big old kitty's name. He's a beaut.

    Wow - your hero and heroine are probably super tough folks in your Deadwood era story. A person could get themselves killed on a whim just for looking at someone wrong. And the poor women! They were only good for one thing, it seemed, in Deadwood. I am a big believer in plumbing and regular bathing. And then, there was Calamity Jane. :)

    So glad you commented - I look forward to reading your Deadwood book - oh, and your Paris book too! :)

    Folks - Vonnie knows how to put big emotion into her books - Storm's Interlude has knocked out all the reviewers!

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  66. Hi Lynne,

    What a great interview, and congrats on your upcoming releases! I enjoyed hearing what inspired your Special Edition. The story sounds wonderful...can't wait to read it!

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  67. Hi Gina - I'm so happy you could stop by.

    Thanks for the encouragment about my upcoming book release. I hope you like it!

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  68. Sharon,

    For the most part Baby respects the older ones but if they run past her, she will give chase. She also knows that Renae will bop her on the head if she is being too annoying to her. The 3 year old cat (Baby) came to live with my family at about 12 weeks old(in the house) and she has not really had any issues with the older cats besides thinking that our big male cat is supposed to be her mom.

    If you want to see photos of the three of them, here is the Pets album from my Facebook page--- http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.161660227226306.34540.100001469889477&type=3&l=7f283be7dd

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  69. Lynne,
    Wow I learn a lot about you. Your book sounds great. I look forward to reading it.

    Susan Carlisle

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  70. Hi Susan! So lovely of you to visit today.
    You probably learned a lot more than you wanted to about me. LOL.

    I hope you enjoy my book. Also - the medical themed romance - An Indiscretion- is a bit different from the MedRo line.

    I stretched my wings a little with that book.

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  71. Hugs, Tash! We had a pair of kittens that used to like to curl up on the car tyre like that too! Fortunately we'd realised before anything awful happened. How thoughtful of your flatmate to bring you Alf - it sounds like he was a great little fur-friend.

    Vonnie, good luck with your short story about Deadwood! What a wicked place it must have been! We've watched the series and it sure did make me blink a time or two!

    Hey, G8ina, thank you for popping in to say hello!

    :)
    Sharon

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  72. Amanda, how cute that Baby thinks your big fellow is her mum... I wondered if he was mortified by her adoration but then I went and had a look at your photos on Facebook. There's an absolutely adorable pic of Buddy washing Baby, so it looks like he doesn't mind at all!

    Susan! How terrific to see you here!

    :)
    Sharon

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