Murdurous Croutons, and pets
Pets in Stories
by J. M. Griffin
by J. M. Griffin
As a kid, I lived in rural Maine with my parents, three much older
siblings, and a Beagle. The dog, Waggles, was my never-ending, faithful pal who
tramped through the woods alongside me, chased anything that moved, and would
bay at four-legged creatures, no matter what they were. She was my pal, my partner in crime, and never
once did I have to worry that she’d “tell
on me” if I did something I wasn’t supposed to.
So, what does this mean in the
grand scheme of writing? It means that I love to toss a pet into my stories,
whether it be a cat or dog. No horses, yet, but who knows? One may make it into
a story line somewhere in my travels.
When the haying season was in full swing, our neighbors didn’t have the
fabulous machinery that’s available now. Instead, huge wagons were pulled by
Canadian Chunks, a horse similar to a Clydesdale. I used to ride those huge
beasts bareback, and hold on for dear life. Something I’d never dare take on
now, but back then, I was game for it.
Back to pets in books, though.
Every time I write, I get the urge to stick a cat or dog into the story as a
protector, a friend to be counted on, or as someone for the character to talk
to when her life becomes fraught with too much danger, romance, or foolishness.
I enjoy reading novels that include pets, too, as long as they are a major
player in the theme of things.
I’ve often wondered how much
readers enjoy a novel with a pet in it. Some of my readers let me know,
sometimes they add their two cents on the subject to a review, which is kind of
nice. Let me know what you think of pets in books, I’m interested in your
opinion.
BLURB:
Meet Melina Cameron. Baker extraordinaire
and killer crouton maker.
When Franklin Seever, the father of Melina’s
best friend BettyJo, is poisoned from eating Melina’s fresh baked croutons at a
dinner party, a police investigation once again targets Melina.
But Melina has learned her lesson after finding
her landlady lying in a pool of blood, and with a crusty piece of bread
protruding from her mouth, just a few months ago. If there is one thing Melina is
aware of, it’s that you never really know people until you break bread with
them.
BettyJo’s dad, a wealthy banker, already
disliked Melina before the crouton calamity. What’s he going to think of her
now that his life is hanging in the balance? Out of the bread pan and into the
fire for Melina as she tries to keep BettyJo from freaking out about her dad,
and engages in keeping her safe from a weirdo stalker.
And wouldn’t you know it? Just when Melina’s life couldn’t get more
twisted than a loaf of braided bread, the sexy Scotsman, Aidan Sinclair once
again arrives on her doorstep with a smile on his face and an offer that could
change Melina’s life forever.
BIO:
J.M. Griffin/Dana Stone grew up in rural Maine. She
relocated to Rhode Island and lives in the north western part of the state with
her husband and two cats. J.M.'s first published novel For Love of Livvy, began
a series of humorous mysteries featuring Lavinia "Vinnie" Esposito.
J.M. has also written a romance under the pseudonym Dana Stone.
ONLINE LINKS:
·
Blog
http://mycozymysteries.blogspot.com
·
Facebook danastone.5815
·
Twitter mycozymystery
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