When Rhiann and Levi find each other at the ranch simultaneously, sparks fly - and not the romantic kind. Yet their mutual attraction deepens, especially after Levi finds Rhiann injured in an accident. Meantime, land developer Dallas Patterson sets his sights on charming Rhiann to obtain the land.
Can Rhiann and Levi work together to detour Patterson and find a solution in which neither needs to give up their dream or will the fence line of their hearts – and the property - separate them forever? Can their broken paths weave their hearts together as they travel the rescue road?
Some Q & A with Gayle ~
Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you started writing.
I’ve
lived in the Rocky Mountain region for more than 40 years. I majored in
journalism my first two years of college and in communications my final years,
receiving a bachelor of science degree in communications with an emphasis in
public relations from the University of Idaho. My dream was to work as a public
information officer for a federal natural resource agency, such as the National
Park Service or National Forest Service. That never happened. Instead, I became
a journalist, working for small community newspapers in Montana and Wyoming.
The closest I came to that dream was serving as editor and reporter for the
West Yellowstone News in West Yellowstone, Montana, where I covered national
park, national forest, and community projects and issues.
I was one of a handful of small-town reporters to cover the controversial wolf release in Yellowstone National Park during the mid-1990s as well as a visit to the Park by then-President Bill Clinton. Since those days, I continue to freelance write for magazines and newspapers and even had my own pet column in a few of those publications. Nature and pet rescue are the types of stories I enjoy writing as well as sharing human feature stories.
I was one of a handful of small-town reporters to cover the controversial wolf release in Yellowstone National Park during the mid-1990s as well as a visit to the Park by then-President Bill Clinton. Since those days, I continue to freelance write for magazines and newspapers and even had my own pet column in a few of those publications. Nature and pet rescue are the types of stories I enjoy writing as well as sharing human feature stories.
I started writing my first book in 2003, after a springer
spaniel my husband and I adopted two years previously became blind due to a
genetic disease. Her story, “Sage’s Big Adventure: Living with Blindness” was
published in 2007. The first time I shared the book was at the West
Yellowstone, Montana library to a group of children and their families. The
story encourages children to be courageous and persevering, no matter what
challenges come their way as well as to treat others who are “different” with
kindness and respect.
I’ve written and published several other children’s books
since then and each one weaves important life lessons into the story, concepts
such as trust, friendship, and appreciation of nature.
What
are some things you enjoy when not writing?
I
like to travel, especially to America’s national parks, forests, and wildlife
refuges. I possess a great love for the outdoors and enjoy visiting beautiful
places. I also enjoy nature photography and spending time at my mountain cabin
or visiting my friends’ ranch.
Do
you have a ‘day job’ as well?
Yes,
I work part-time for a non-profit.
Where
do you get your ideas?
My
pets, especially my dogs, have been my primary inspiration since I began
authoring books. I have two children’s book manuscripts started that I haven’t
yet completed which I hope to do soon. The idea for my upcoming novel came from
a writing course I took on writing fiction from the local college. Many of the
women in the class were writing romance, or at least having romance as part of
the narrative, and since I’d never written a romance book, I challenged myself
to do so. Now, six years later (not as easy as I’d originally thought!) and
many rabbit trails and revisions later, the story is ready for publication, to
be released November 8, 2019.
Rescue
Road
developed from the many dog transports I’ve done for various rescue
organizations and my passion for pet adoption. The story is a clean,
contemporary romance with rescue woven into the story. Pages at the back of the
book provide resources for people who may wish to adopt a dog or cat in the
future.
Is
there a particular author or book that influenced or inspired your writing or the decision to write?
When
I was a pre-teen, I loved Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books as well as the numerous
animal books published at the time. I visited Laura’s home site in Mansfield,
Missouri as a young girl and just this past year, I took a trip to Walnut
Grove, Minnesota and DeSmet, South Dakota (yes, the woman still inspires me!).
If
you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your novel or
getting it published that you’d change?
I
would build in more time for edits and marketing. I realize how important a
plan is and although I started with one, I didn’t follow it very well. All
things take time, including writing, editing, and marketing, and the older I
get, the faster time goes. Between working a day job, freelance writing, working
on the novel, being a wife, pet-parent, daughter, friend, etc. etc., time just
ZOOMS!
How
do you market your work?
I
use a variety of outlets for marketing. Those include guest blogging, social
media (I’m on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter – still learning Instagram),
attending events such as book signings, craft shows, and rescue group/humane
society functions, and speaking at women’s groups, among other ways.
What
are you working on now?
Book
2 in my Pet Rescue Romance series; a character that’s introduced in the first
book, Rescue Road, is my female protagonist in Book 2, tentatively
titled Discovering Love at Compassion Ranch.
Is
anything in your book based on real-life experiences?
Yes.
I lived in southwestern Montana, which is the setting for the book; I worked in
West Yellowstone which is referenced in the book; and I’ve served as a rescue
dog transporter, which is one thing my primary female character does.
Do you have a favorite chapter or scene?
Two actually. 1. A romantic scene between my
two primary characters, Rhiann and Levi. He sets up a romantic evening picnic
by the river where the two first met, complete with an Italian dinner and
candles. They are exploring their attraction for one another, so the scene is
critical for these two who kissed dating goodbye many years before.
2. Toward the end of the book, when they share another romantic scene, waltzing at a fundraising event, I created a lighthearted exchange: Levi tells Rhiann he placed an adoption application for two dogs she helped rescue and she banters with him by saying, “I’m going to have to do a home check and verify your references; remember, I don’t play favorites when it comes to dog adoption.” Readers will find banter like this woven into the story. Romance should not only be giddy and exciting, but also fun, I think, and with two independent characters like Levi and Rhiann, who haven’t dated for several years, injecting humor here and there seemed suitable during the writing process.
2. Toward the end of the book, when they share another romantic scene, waltzing at a fundraising event, I created a lighthearted exchange: Levi tells Rhiann he placed an adoption application for two dogs she helped rescue and she banters with him by saying, “I’m going to have to do a home check and verify your references; remember, I don’t play favorites when it comes to dog adoption.” Readers will find banter like this woven into the story. Romance should not only be giddy and exciting, but also fun, I think, and with two independent characters like Levi and Rhiann, who haven’t dated for several years, injecting humor here and there seemed suitable during the writing process.
Do
you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Keep
plugging! A person must have perseverance and must be able to be flexible and
willing to learn and implement, not just the craft of writing, but the business
of writing.
What
are the downfalls of your writing career? The best parts?
I
wish I could write fulltime. I love telling stories, therefore, I plan to
continue writing and publishing books and freelance writing for magazines, and
I hope to expand into more markets for my freelance career. The best parts
about writing are twofold: sharing stories to encourage, inspire, and
entertain, and working from home where I can be with my delightful pets and
wonderful husband.
Place
you’d like to travel?
Ireland.
My husband and I have Irish ancestry (he more so) and I’ve known people who
visited the country and have such wonderful things to say about their
experience. I’ve never been overseas, and that is the one country I’d like to
visit.
Is
there anything you’d like to say to your readers and fans?
I
hope you enjoy Rescue Road and the other two books I plan for the
series, and if your children, grandchildren, students, or other youngsters in
your life like to read animal stories, I hope you’ll check out my children’s
books!
To connect with Gayle:
To connect with Gayle:
In
addition to my website (www.gaylemirwin.com),
people can find me on my author page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GayleMIrwin/,
follow me on Twitter at wyoauthor1, or on Pinterest at Waggin’ Tales.
