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Audiobook survey and a chance to win!

I am in the final stages of production with the talented Pearl Hewitt, who is narrating A CODE OF THE HEART for release as an audiobook.

I’m curious about who listens to audiobooks, as well as when, where and why. For a chance to win my new audiobook, A CODE OF THE HEART, click HERE to complete a quick 5-question survey. I’ll announce the winner on June 30.

PTSD in Military Working Dogs

In my new release, MEN UNDER FIRE, Sgt. Nick Welby isn’t the only veteran returning home from Afghanistan with PTSD. His partner Talley, a bomb-sniffing canine, is also struggling to overcome Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.

Nick and Talley are strong characters in their own right and well-suited to the perilous plot in this story, but as an avid dog-lover, there was deeper motivation behind the creation of these two characters. I wanted to raise awareness about the struggle many of our two-legged and four-legged veterans face when they return home from active duty.

PTSD has become a well-known condition in the decades following military action in Iraq and Afghanistan. Both human and canine veterans require intensive support, therapy and treatment in order to manage the symptoms of PTSD.  For dogs, these symptoms may include:

• Extreme fearful or emotional reactions
• Aggression
• Hyper-vigilance
• Anxiety
• Physical behavior such as panting, pacing, sleep issues

Researchers, including psychiatrists, statisticians and veterinary behaviorists, are finding anecdotal evidence that indicates PTSD can affect service animals much like it impacts humans. Dogs who are identified as having PTSD may receive medication in addition to conditioning/behavior modification to unlearn a PTSD behavior Approximately 50 percent of these dogs return to active duty, with the remainder being reassigned, retired or adopted out.

Not everyone is convinced “canine PTSD” is a real issue. It doesn’t matter what label or title is applied to the skittish, stressed out behavior exhibited by dogs returning from active military duty. What does matter is making sure all of our veterans–human and canine–receive the care, support and respect they need to return to a happy, fulfilled life. For more information, check out these resources:

Canine PTSD Blog
Integrative Veterinary Car Journal
Veterinary Practice News

Now available ~ MEN UNDER FIRE

The release of a new book is always a thrilling event for an author, no matter how many other titles they’ve published. It’s with great excitement that I invite you to join me in celebrating the release of MEN UNDER FIRE, Book 3 in the Grayce Walters contemporary romantic suspense series.

Hollie Thomas, the feisty, tattooed office assistant to Grayce Walters, has come a long way from living on the streets. Along with finding a job she loves, she’s found friends and safety. When her new life unravels, she faces dangers that dwarf her troubled past. Fighting to survive, she discovers that sometimes what you need the most might be found in the one person you failed to see coming.

Returning home from the war and struggling to find his way, Sergeant Nick Welby, and his bomb-sniffing golden lab, use their skill set in the last place he’d ever imagined—Seattle’s Waterfront. To protect the one woman who matters, Nick and his trusty canine partner will risk everything to rescue her and Seattle from disaster.

Embroiled in Grayce Walters’ most perilous case—a terrorist plot with the threat of deadly explosives—can Nick and Hollie work together to save themselves and each other before it’s too late?

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1FfYfRl
BN: http://bit.ly/1FakMhC
iBooks: http://apple.co/1KzAFWD
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1cixWSf
GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/1J0UWUu

A visit to Savannah

One of my favorite ways to celebrate a special event–oh, say a birthday–is treating myself to a trip. I recently visited Savannah, one of my favorite cities because of its southern charm and rich history. Walking tours or ghost tours are a great way to discover the tales and myths surrounding Georgia’s oldest city.

Savannah Walks is one such company that specializes in educating tourists about Savannah. Here are a few high points about the city:

Savannah was established in 1733 as a strategic port during the American Revolution.

The original town plan was designed by James Oglethrope.

Savannah’s cobblestone streets, shaded by tall oaks draped with Spanish moss, showcase prime examples of Gothic revival, Regency, Greek revival, Queen Anne and even Sears Roebuck architecture.

The homes in Savannah are distinguished by features such as wrought iron detailing, “embracing arms” staircases (women entered separately from the men to avoid exposing a stocking ankle) and rounded porticoes.

Savannah is notorious for its active phantom activity. Haunts and ghosts include Civil War soldiers, Indians and pirates.

Have you visited Savannah? What’s your favorite part about this beautiful, historic city?

A Code of the Heart on sale at Kobo

A CODE OF THE HEART is one of the featured books eligible for a special 35% discount at Kobo.

Just use this code when checking out to save 35% on a great Regency romantic suspense novel.

Promo Code: MAY35

A CODE OF THE HEART is book 3 in the Code Breakers series.

Miss Amelia Bonnington has been in love with her childhood hero since she was eleven years old… or so she thought until a not-so proper impassioned and unyielding kiss from the not-so honorable and equally disreputable Lord Derrick Brinsley, gave her reason to question the feelings of the heart.

Lord Brinsley, shunned from society for running off with his brother’s fiancée, hasn’t cared about or questioned his lack of acceptance until meeting the beguiling Amelia Bonnington. One passionate moment with the fiery Miss Bonnington has him more than willing to play by society’s rules to possess the breathtaking, red-haired woman.

Amelia unwittingly becomes embroiled in espionage when she stumbles upon a smuggling ring in the modiste shop of her good friend. To prove her French friend’s innocence, she dangerously jumps into the fray, jeopardizing more than her life.

On undercover assignment to prevent the French from stealing the Royal Navy’s deadly weapon, Derrick must fight to protect British secrets from falling into the hands of foreign agents, and the chance at love with the only woman capable of redeeming him.