Friday, July 3, 2009

Debut Author Kandy Shepherd in the Lair!


by Anna Campbell

I'm utterly delighted to introduce one of my dearest friends, Kandy Shepherd, to the lair. Kandy and I met through the Turramurra Romance Writers' Group in Sydney many years ago and I've never ceased to be in awe of her talent, her work ethic and her wonderful sense of humor.

LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD, her debut romantic comedy from Berkley, hits the shelves on 7th July. LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD is a sparkling tale of a millionaire mutt and the two lovely people he brings together to find true love. You'll absolutely adore it!

You can find out more about Kandy and her books at her website:

http://www.kandyshepherd.com/

Kandy, huge congratulations on the release of LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD. Can you tell us about this story?

Hi, Anna. Thank you for inviting me to the lair. Set in San Francisco, LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD is a humorous romance about Brutus, a little mutt who inherits a big fortune, and the people he brings together – quirky chef Maddy Cartwright who, much to her surprise, is appointed guardian of the mutt and his millions, and ambitious lawyer Tom O'Brien who suspects her of being a gold digger. You’ve read the book, Anna, and said it reminds you of those screwball romantic comedy movies of the 1930s and 40s. I take that as a big compliment. The book was such fun to write.

Oh, it's definitely got a touch of that Capra magic, Kandy. Your writing journey is so inspiring and spells persistence, persistence, persistence. Can you please tell us about your road to publication?

I had beginner’s luck when the first short story I ever submitted was accepted and published in a teen magazine. Several more short stories were published in women’s magazines but then I got a rejection and gave up. The writer’s ego is notoriously fragile and I took that as a sign that I didn’t have a future as a writer.

Luckily, I had another love to follow – working first as a journalist and then an editor on women’s magazines. A fantastic career followed. But that creative urge never went away. I realized that although I loved every minute of my magazine life, the need to write was like an addiction and it wouldn’t be satisfied with non-fiction feature stories. I started to write again in the time I could snatch between the “day job” and the joys and duties of family life (that was mainly very late at night). More short stories were published, which gave my confidence a real boost, and then a category length romance with a now-defunct Australian publisher. Then nothing for several years except rejection after rejection.

There was a lot of soul searching where I wondered if I was wasting my time. But I honestly don’t think a story-teller can give up, even when it would be so much easier to do so. And I was lucky to have my good romance writer friends – including you! – who would not let me stop submitting.

Hey, we knew that you were something special, my friend! Here in the lair, we love call stories. Can you give us yours?

I could not get an agent interested in LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD so I bravely sent it off myself to Berkley (you know what they say about the odds of being picked up from the “slush pile” of a major New York publisher). Nearly 18 months later I got “the call” (well, it was actually an email). I had been away for the weekend. On Sunday evening when I got home I checked my email. There was an email from Allison Brandau at Berkley making me an offer of publication. I was jumping around the room with my teenage daughter, so excited I was scarcely coherent. However, when Allison called in the morning I managed to have a sensible conversation with her!

LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD features a couple of really strong animal personalities (no, not just the bad guy Jerome), especially Brutus the Millionaire Mutt. Can you tell us about your own animal companions?

I adore animals and they sneak their way into everything I write. Currently we have in the family one dog, three cats, four horses, nine hens and two miniature bulls who are the cutest things. Visit the pet gallery on my website to “meet” them all. Until last week I had four cats but I lost my darling Kira after eighteen years and am still devastated. She always sat on my lap when I wrote and I miss her terribly. I had a lot of fun writing Brutus who has characteristics of many dogs I have known over the years. He is a purely fictional dog but I borrowed his name from my neighbor’s dog, a feisty little terrier. My dream dog is a border collie but up until now we haven’t had the room for such an energetic breed.

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about Kira, Kandy. We love our animal companions so much, don't we?
Maddy, the heroine, is a wannabe TV chef and food plays a major part in the story. What are some of your favorite recipes?

I plead guilty to a very sweet tooth. Although I have many savory dishes in my repertoire I love baking the most – cakes, cookies, pies, muffins. I am putting the recipes featured in LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD on my website. Maddy’s Triple Chocolate Brownie is a real favorite in my family and the recipe is on the website now. (Don’t even think about the calorie count!) If you’re going to be at the RWA convention in Washington DC please visit me at the literacy signing – I’ll be giving away samples of those totally decadent treats!

If you have a dog, check out the recipe for Brutus’s favorite pupcakes. In the book, Maddy makes healthy gourmet treats for dogs. Of course I, as the author, had to create the recipe to put on the website! The pupcakes were a real hit with the dogs who “taste tested” them for me.

You run a critique service for writers with Harlequin author Cathleen Ross. (Queries to Kandy at kandy@kandyshepherd.com)
I’d be really interested to know some common problems in manuscripts you receive.

I spoke to Cathleen and we agreed that the most common problem we see is lack of strong, believable conflict, enough to keep a hero and heroine apart for the length of a book. We see that over and over again. Another problem we encounter is viewpoint. Some people have trouble making it clear which character’s head they are in. But didn’t we all have problems of some kind or another when we were starting out? I cringe when I think of some of my early efforts!

Thanks, Kandy. That's really interesting. What’s next for Kandy Shepherd, author extraordinaire?

I am working on my next book for Berkley. Its working title is HOME IS WHERE THE BARK IS and it takes up the story of Serena, Maddy’s best friend in LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD. I have created a wonderful hero for Serena in this book and am really enjoying writing their story. Brutus, the millionaire mutt, makes a reappearance in this book along with some other endearing canine characters.

Kandy, I can't wait for HOME IS WHERE THE BARK IS. By the way, I adore your titles! Is there anything you'd like to ask the Banditas and Bandita Buddies to get the conversation rolling?

Brutus is as important a character in my novel as the humans. I love books or movies with animals in them. A book with a dog or cat on the cover is an automatic buy! (I bought SAVE THE CAT for the cover, not even realizing what kind of (invaluable!) book it was. My favorite movie when I was a kid was OLD YELLER, “the best doggone dog in the west”. I still remember the intense grief I felt the first time I saw it, but that didn’t stop me watching OLD YELLER every time it came on TV.

Is there an animal character who sticks in your mind, from a book, movie, TV show?


Kandy has very generously offered a signed copy of LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD to one lucky commenter today. Good luck!

137 comments:

Fedora said...

Woof!

Fedora said...

Thanks for the fabulous introduction, Anna and Kandy! Congrats on Love is a Four-Legged Word--it sounds lovely! I'm somewhat familiar with San Francisco, and I love reading books set in places I know anything about :) Our family doesn't have pets of our own, but I love reading about them--one that I remember from childhood is Beverly Cleary's Ribsy, a dog with a mind of his own! And Debra Salonen has written a couple of memorable dogs, including one in Love, By George.

I really enjoyed hearing your call story--how neat that you can get a call these days by e-mail! And what a great thing you do, to coach other writers along! Do you write full time yourself, or do you balance it with your day job?

Donna MacMeans said...

Doggone it. You beat me to the rooster, fichen. I was all excited there for a moment *g*.

Kandy - Love the sound of your book. Even the cover looks like it was inspired by those older movies. I'm a pet lover myself - and a choclate lover - so I'll have to grab a copy of your book.

Oh - and welcome to a fellow Berkley Babe!

Unknown said...

Congrats flchen on nabbing that rooster!

Congratulations Kandy on your new debut book. It sound like my kind of read. I love some humor in my books.

I don't have any pets right now other then fish. The pets that stand out for me was Lassie and of course Flipper. I watched these shows a lot when I was a kid so they kind of stuck in my head.

Annie West said...

Kandy and Anna, this is a lovely interview. So glad to see you here, Kandy.

I've just read this book and I read it under lousy circumstances (I was sick at the time) and honestly, it was the best tonic. I laughed and felt the warmth of the story and adored the romance. It's a real feel good story. Witty, warm and fun. I loved the cooking in this book and the characters and of course the mutt! Good on you, Kandy. I'm already looking forward to your next one.

As for a fave animal character - I grew up with Lassie and Black Beauty and National Velvet and all those old movies on Sunday afternoon TV.

Annie

KathyE said...

Hi Kandy, Congratulations on your first published book! How very exciting for you! I don't think i've ever read a novel where the animal was a main character, although i have enjoyed movies where they were...sounds interesting...

Trish Morey said...

Hey Kandy, so great to see you here - fab interview, Anna!

All I am hearing about this book is how wonderful it is and I can't wait to get my hands on it. Love how much character animals have. Always enjoyed reading the dogs that crop up in Jennifer Crusie's books, for example (oh, and who can forget Moot, the alligator?:-))

As for the telly, Flipper was an old favourite, along with Skippy the Bush Kangaroo. Oh, and still can sing every word to Mr Ed. (Kids get most embarrassed when I do that, esp when car pooling their friends. What can I say, I'm a mum:-))

Julie Brannagh said...

Kandy, congratulations on your book! I know it's going to be a huge success!

My favorite canine character in any book would have to be Fred in Jennifer Crusie's "Anyone but You". He runs away with the book. He's irresistible!

Our favorite canine character in real life is our eight-month-old chocolate Lab, Moose. He stole my heart the minute I looked into his eyes. His two feline brothers aren't sure about him quite yet, but we're besotted!

Again, congratulations, and I'm looking forward to reading "Love is a Four Legged Word"!

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Fedora, cool catch on the rooster! Perhaps that should be bwwaaaarrrrk rather than woof.

Kandy, just in case you're wondering, the first poster of the day gets to spend the day with a rather roguish golden rooster. I've never quite worked out why - he's a complete handful and causes mayhem wherever he goes - but his company is much sought after among the Bandita Buddies.

Anna Campbell said...

I don't know either of those writers' work, Fedora. I'll have to check out. I love stories featuring animals. I think it's a legacy of being horse mad as a girl and reading so many horse books. Black Beauty, anyone? You'll love Brutus - he's a scene stealer, if I ever saw one.

Donna, you and Kandy will have to party on at the Berkley party in DC. Isn't Kandy's cover lovely?

Anna Campbell said...

Kandy, when you get a chance, I'd love you to talk about how you go about putting a story together. We're endlessly fascinated with writer's processes here in the lair.

Oh, and here, have a margarita!

Anna Campbell said...

Virginia, kids' shows when we were growing up invariably featured animals, didn't they? I also remember My Friend Flicka very fondly. And there was one called Gentle Ben about a bear too.

Annie, isn't Kandy's book a wonderful hoot? I loved it from the first moment she brought along the start of it to our critique group. I'm so glad the world is now getting a chance to read it!

Anna Campbell said...

Kathy, I've read lots of kids' books where animals were the main characters. I've read lots of adult books where the animals provided lots of color and incident. There seems to be a real wave of dog books out at the moment, I've noticed.

Trish, Jenny Crusie does great dogs, doesn't she? Mind you, she does everything great! ;-)

Kandy, I have to tell you I laughed at you buying Save the Cat because you thought it was an animal story!

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, my pal Julie! Great to see you here! Hope you're getting some sun in Seattle. Your posts about Moose on Facebook always make me laugh. Keep them up. I agree with you about Fred. He's an absolute darling.

Cathleen Ross said...

I love this book. The characters are wonderful, uptight hero about to be loosened up, lovely heroine and the best little dog ever.
Cathleen Ross

Anonymous said...

Congratulations for this first realease !! I've read very nice reviews and really really want to read this book.
One of my favorite dog is Roo from SEP It had to be you and This heart of mine...

PinkPeony said...

Hi Anna! Welcome Kandy!
Congrats Fedora...I was huge Henry and Ribsy fan too. I remember when Henry brought Ribsy home for the first time and fed him ground beef. Reading about Ribsy was better than Old Yeller..which made me sob.

Kandy your book's got everything! Dogs, a heroine who's a chef (hurrah!), it's set in beautiful SF, and a touch of Capra! Adding the TBR pile.
Jen

Anna Campbell said...

Cathleen, thanks for popping by. It's a treat, this story, isn't it?

Emmanuelle, thanks to you for commenting too. Seriously, this book is pure pleasure. It's a bit like Maddy's chocolate brownies ;-)

Anna Campbell said...

Jen, this book is right up your alley. And you'll know the setting like your backyard. Um, because it IS your backyard, LOL!

Anonymous said...

Candy, I’m such a softy when it comes to a good tale with a dog in residence. Your novel sounds just the ticket for a cold winter night. I’ll put my hand in my pocket and count, and watch the shelves; do my bit to help in your success, which I’m hoping will be substantial. ----- Thank you for the lovely post (ditto Anna) ------ Eric

Jane said...

Congrats on the GR, Fedora.

Hi Kandy,
Congrats on your debut release. I love screwball comedies, especially the ones starring Carole Lombard. I didn't grow up with pets, but I remember watching episodes of "Lassie" on tv and thinking what a great dog she was.

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hi everyone! It's exciting to be in the lair. Sorry I haven't been on before to answer questions but I was in at the "day job" making sure everything was on track before I leave for Washington next week.

Kandy Shepherd said...

Anna, thank for the adorable dog pictures you put up through the interview!

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hi flchen1, I'm glad you enjoyed my call story. Do I write full-time myself? Sadly not (yet!) My "day" job is in women's magazines and I work freelance as a consultant editor. It's not full-time but it's full on, if you know what I mean! I'm really only doing one job at the moment as it is a big one - editing the supermarket magazine for one of Australia's biggest supermarket chains. It is a food magazine and I love it. The heroine of LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD, Maddy works on a food magazine. I am very familiar with her world!

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hi Donna, it's great to see another Berkley Babe!

BTW, I love your cover too. I think Berkley does really beautiful covers, I also love Christine's cover for WICKED LITTLE GAME. (Yes Anna, I love your Avon covers too! Your new one for CAPTIVE OF SIN is amazing.)

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hey Virginia, fish count as pets!
In my last house we inherited a tank of fresh water fish and we really grew to love them. (Ahem, I even paid for a vet consultation when one got sick and had him in a hospital tank next to the big tank so he could still see his friends. I say "he" but I had no idea whether he was a "he" or a "she"!) I was devastated when he died. I got a bit more used to it when the others gradually died of old age. But I love fish and we will get more!

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hi Annie! I was so glad LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD cheered you up when you were sick.

I loved those old movies too. My daughter is horse mad and we still love National Velvet (Elizabeth Taylor heart-wrenchingly beautiful). And Black Beauty, both the book (did you know Anna Sewell only wrote that one book?) and the various movies are real favorites in our house. (Only when we are in the mood for a good old cry.) Oh, and The Black Stallion, too.

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hi Kathy, yes Brutus is definitely up there with the humans as a character in LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD.
I had to be careful when I wrote the book that I didn't let him overshadow the romance of Maddy and Tom! I think I got the balance right...

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hey Trish, next time we meet we can join in the chorus of Mr. Ed. I still remember it too!
When I was a kid I used to wish so desperately that my animals could talk to me. But as I grew up, I realized that they do communicate in their own way. We as humans just have to be in tune to understand them.
(Cat on my lap at the moment is saying: "Stop paying attention to that keyboard and give it to the adorable animal here with you!)

Kandy Shepherd said...

Anna, thanks so much for explaining the rooster thing to me. All the times I have read the Bandita blog I never got it!

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hi Julie, I love Jennifer Crusie's dogs. And I love chocolate labs, too. They're beautiful dogs.

Kandy Shepherd said...

Anna, you ask how I go about putting a story together. I always start with the characters.
In the case of LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD, I started with the character of a millionaire mutt. (On my website I go into more detail about that.) Then the humans. Then the plot that throws them all together.
I think with romantic comedy that the plot is vital to keep the action moving along. I went to Michael Hague's workshop after I had completed LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD and found I could tick off every stage he gives for plotting a romantic comedy.
I somehow think those of us who've read thousands of books in our lifetimes must surely absorb something at a subconscious level!
Uh, does that make sense?

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hi Cathleen, bestest ever CP. Cathleen has an amazing menagerie of animals including the debonair Duck Duck and his best friend, a black hen.
You can see some of Cathleen's pets on the Pet Gallery on my website. You'll also see Anna's bearded dragon who lives outside her window, and Annie's beloved beagle. I'd love to have more pets in my gallery, belonging both to writers and readers. Send me a jpeg of your photo and a line about your pet and I'll put it up.

Kandy Shepherd said...

Thanks Emanuelle, I hope you get to like Brutus as much as Roo.
I love my fictional doggy so much, he also makes an appearance in my follow up book for Berkley HOME IS WHERE THE BARK IS (release date June 2010 I believe).

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hi Pink Peony, yes Old Yeller is a real tear jerker.
He was so loyal, and that is one of the qualities I love about dogs...

pjpuppymom said...

Welcome, Kandy and congrats on your debut release! Great interview too! Anna is a terrific interviewer.

I adore dogs, romantic comedies and baking so your new book is right up my alley. I'll definitely be picking up a copy. I'll also be in DC so will be sure to stop by your table at the signing.

I am so sorry for your loss of your beloved Kira. Our pets bring so much love and joy into our lives. Is it any wonder we grieve so deeply when they leave us? My 13-year old chocolate lab, Smokey died last week and my heart just shattered.

I grew up with all those Saturday morning shows featuring animals and loved them. Crusie's Fred is a favorite of mine from books. I discovered Kristan Higgins when I spotted the adorable dog on the cover of her first book. A dog on the cover is always guaranteed to draw my interest!

Love the title of your next book too. Do you have a projected publish date for that one?

pjpuppymom said...

Congrats, Flchen! Woof-Woof indeed! :)

Kandy Shepherd said...

Thanks so much Eric. I hope you will enjoy Brutus's story. Hmm, I keep saying that but of course it is also Maddy and Tom's story!

Brutus actually has his own love interest in LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD. I love a secondary love story in a romance. I didn't start out having mine a tale of canine romance but there it is. Sometimes the muse just takes over...

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hi Jane, I love those old movies too. Not only do I love the witty dialogue but I also adore the clothes!

danie88 said...

hello everyone! so I haven't been on the Romance Bandits blog in forever! I missed all my bandita friends and authors! how is everyone?

Kandy- your book sounds amazing, I love any books with dogs involved so I'll definately be adding this book to my wishlist. I love the cover too! I have 4 dogs as pets and have had dogs as pets all my life so it's no guess that they're my favorite animal.

An animal character that sticks out in my mind?

Hmmm... everyone is gonna laugh, but for me it's Scooby-Doo. LoL I've loved watching the cartoons since I was little and still enjoy watching them (I collect the movies and shows on DVD - I know I'm wierd :P lol). Scooby-Doo just makes me laugh every time I watch it and his love for food is funny as well.

Christine Wells said...

Woohoo, Kandy's in the Lair!! Thanks for luring her along, Anna!

Congratulations on a fantastic debut, Kandy. Cannot wait to read LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD. And I adore that cover. Didn't Berkley do a great job?

Cute dog photos, too! I think my favourite puppy is the Baluchistan hound in Frederica by Georgette Heyer. I love dogs in books!

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hey PJ, I am so sad to hear about your Smokey. Is that him in your photo? I just love old dogs, their gray muzzles and loving eyes. (I have a beautiful old yellow lab character in my next book.)
My daughter and I cried inconsolably for two days when Kira died. Losing an animal is truly losing a friend. It is ironic that LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD launches on July 7, as that would have been her 18th birthday. However it is also her brother Albert's birthday and though he is getting very feeble I am praying I will have him with me for a while yet.
I cannot imagine life without the love of animals...
The night I met my husband he told me about his dog and his horse. I'd already fallen for him but I fell even harder then.
HOME IS WHERE THE BARK IS is scheduled for a June 2010 release. I am still racing to finish it but am nearly there. It takes up the story of Serena, Maddy's best friend in LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD.

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hi Danie - and why shouldn't Scooby-Doo be a favorite? We didn't say the animal had to be a flesh-and-blood one! And he certainly acts like some of the goofy big dogs I have known...

pjpuppymom said...

Yes, Kandy, that is Smokey in my avatar. She was a gift from my late dh and my very best friend. She was smart as a whip, extremely intuitive and very tolerant of my rabid romance reading. :) I have a 2-yr old lab/shepherd mix, Cassy who is a little love. I have no doubt she'll be getting a new playmate in the not so distant future. She needs a canine companion so we'll probably be visiting the shelter in a month or two.

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hi Christine - thank you for having me here!
Yes, I agree, Berkley does beautiful covers. I loved your covers on your first two but this one for WICKED LITTLE GAME is beautiful, seductive and elegant all at once! It's gorgeous.
When my editor sent me a preview of my cover I laughed out loud. I loved it.
I can't wait to see what that clever Berkley art department does for HOME IS WHERE THE BARK IS.

pjpuppymom said...

Welcome back, danie! You've been missed!

Hey, I'd never laugh at you choosing Scooby-Doo. I love Scooby!

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hey PJ, I thought it must be Smokey...
So glad you've got Cassy there, she must be wondering where Smokey is gone.
I agree that after a time of grieving, giving love and a home to a new dog is a wonderful thing to do. And when you get a young animal you laugh so much at their antics it does a lot for the healing process...

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hey Anna, when we are talking favorite animals in books I must give a vote to a certain Wolfram in a marvelous book - now what was it called? - oh yes, UNTOUCHED!

Anna Sugden said...

Welcome to the Lair, Kandy! Grab a cabana boy, gladiator or hockey hunk and make yourself at home.

Congratulations on your debut!! That's awesome. And Love is a Four-Lettered Word sounds just my cup of tea. As Anna knows, I'm a big fan of those screwball comedies too - especially the ones starring my beloved Cary.

Hugs on the loss of your beloved Kira. Losing my two boys (cats) a couple of years ago (one was 15 and one 20) was heartbreaking. I still miss them, although the two girls we adopted in their honour keep us in good spirits!

I'm a Flipper and Skippy person too. And a book I've mentioned before "Gobbolino The Witch's Cat" was a favourite childhood read. May also explain my love of black cats. Carole Nelson Douglas' Midnight Louie is one of my faves.

Authorness said...

Hi, Kandy and Anna! Kandy, I fell in love with your writing when we were in a crit group together. I'm so thrilled to see LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD published at last.

I'm so sorry about Kira. Animals are part of the family and I understand how devastated you must feel.

Being a horsey sort, Mr Ed (so witty!) and Black Beauty are my favourite fictional animals. I've held onto a beautifully illustrated, leather-bound edition of BB that I bought when I was 11. Still makes me weep!

See you both soon in DC!

x Vanessa

Anna Sugden said...

PJ - so sorry to hear about your loss too. Hugs.

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hi Anna, I'm in the mood for a gladiator today, thank you!
Sad to hear about your boy cats. So lucky to have had our kitties as long as we did but it's still not long enough, is it? I haven't heard of Gobolino, must look it up. Just the title alone is enough to make me want to read it!

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hey Vanessa - great to see you here. Can't wait to catch up with you in Washington. I'll be part of your Golden Heart cheer squad for sure!

Maria Zannini said...

Congrats on your new book, Kandy! I LOVE dogs in books. It becomes more meaningful for me as a reader.

My favorite dog movie is It's a Dog's Life (1955) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048217/

Every dog lover should see this movie at least once.

I think you have a winner on your hands!

Cheryl said...

Your book sounds delightful. I don't have any pets at the moment; unfortunately, my daughter is allergic. So I have to enjoy pets vicariously through books and movies. Hmmm . . . no one animal character that sticks in my head but I loved all of them in the movie Hotel for Dogs.

Cheryl S.

Helen said...

Congrats Fedora have fun with him

Great interview Kandy and Anna and this book sounds fabulos I love animals I have 3 dogs and wouldn't be with out them Tootsie always sits on my lap when I am reading and Brandy is usually sitting at my feet and of course big boy Blocker rules the backyard LOL.

As for great animals in movies or books I too loved Old Yeller and watch it everytime it is on TV and I do love Wolfram from Anna's Untouched he is a fantastic charater from that book. I am reading a book at the moment which has a dog named Dave in it and what a fun character he is I am loving him as well.

Actually I really love all animals they make the best friends,I even had an elephant follow me home from school when I was 6 years old (true).

Congrats on the release Kandy this is one book I really want to read.

Have Fun
Helen

Helen said...

PJ

I am so sorry about Smokey my thoughts are with you

Helen

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hi Maria, I don't know that movie IT'S A DOG'S LIFE. I looked it up and it sounds very interesting.
When I was a kid I had a beautiful bull terrier friend named Snowden. He looked so mean but was adorable, so sweet and gentle with kids. (He wasn't too friendly toward other dogs, though!) I have had a soft spot for bull terriers ever since. I must get that movie, though it looks a sad one too...

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hey Helen, you had an elephant follow you home from school? Please tell us more of this story!

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hi Cas, I still have not seen Hotel for Dogs. When I'm through this deadline to finish my next book, I am going to have a weekend devoted to catching up on the movies I've missed. That one will be on the list, and I think I might have to see the one about the chihuaha as well.

Di R said...

Wonderful interview, Ladies!

I'll be picking this one up when it comes out.

We have a black lab austrailan sheep dog mix, April was rescued from the shelter 5 years ago after we lost out yellow lab, Sadie. We got her from a lab rescue group.

As for fiction animals, I am a huge fan of Scooby, and I loved Spock from Nora Roberts Tribute.

Di

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hey Di, the lab is the most popular dog among people posting today- but then isn't the lab the most loved dog of all? I think I read that somewhere. I think it has a lot to do with their "smiling" faces.
Nora Roberts often has nice dogs in her books.

traveler said...

Congratulations on Love is a Four Legged Word. What a wonderful book that is so captivating. I have an adorable, cute, little mix named Bogie and a Maltese named Guido. Just sweethearts. All the best of success.

jo robertson said...

Hi, Kandy, thanks for visiting us and telling your exciting call story. I do agree that your titles are darling!

"Old Yeller" was one of my favorites too and I always loved watching "Lassie" on television.

Great interview, Anna!

catslady said...

I love anything with animals. I just finished a biography about a biolgist who raised a barn owl for 19 years - it was her life. It was a little strange but very fascinating and unbelievable how intelligent it was. I was sobbing by the time "Wesley" passed away.

Karen H said...

Great interview and Kandy, your books sound really good.

I grew up watching Lassie and Rin Tin Tin at the Saturday Afternoon Matinee in our local movie theater. That was before we got our first TV in the late 50's. (Dang me...just dated myself there!) Black Beauty was a favorite book of mine too.

I think my favorite TV dog right now is the little white Westie in the Cesar ads. That dog is so cute!

Christine Wells said...

Thanks, Kandy. I'm glad you like the cover for WICKED LITTLE GAME. I love the colour and the heroine certainly has a wicked twinkle in her eye.

Oh, those brownies sound delicious! I'm sure you'll have a queue a mile long at the literacy signing!

Cassondra said...

Hi Kandy, and welcome!

And huge congratulations on your first release! Love the call story, too.

Ohmygosh..Old Yeller. Saw that movie in grade school and it scarred me for the rest of my life. WHY would they show such a sad film to kids in grade school? Hmmm. Maybe it was sponsored by antidepressant manufacturers--setting us kids up for later.

That and "Where The Red Fern Grows"--gotta tell ya, now my husband previews animal flicks for me. I refuse to watch one if the dog dies at the end. Just refuse.

I was a freak for animal stories as a girl though. And I'm really interested to see how you handled this kind of story and intertwined it with a romance. That's a great idea and good on you for doing something different!

I haven't read through all the comments, (going to do that after hitting send) so if this has been asked, I apologize. But I'm interested in your short story beginnings, and how you think those stories helped you in your novels. Do you think some of the skills you developed in short stories transferred directly? Or were there big learning curves for you in going from something much shorter to novel length?

donnas said...

Aww. This sounds wonderful. What a great way to bring 2 characters together in a novel. I cant wait to get the chance to read it.

bacchus76 at myself dot com

cheryl c said...

I LOVE the book cover! I am a sucker for book covers that feature dogs. The book sounds pretty doggone good, too! ;-)

Cheryl C.

Anna Campbell said...

Eric, thanks for checking out the blog. As a dog lover, you should definitely get this book!

Jane, Lassie seems to be the pooch of choice so far, doesn't she? Did you know they always used a male dog for the show? Nice bit of trivia for you. So really, he should have been Laddie! ;-)

Anna Campbell said...

Kandy, welcome! As you can see, people are clamoring for your attention ;-)

Here, have another margarita. That first one went down in a hurry! And look, the cabana boys are ogling you. What fun!

Anna Campbell said...

Kandy, I keyed in 'mutt' to google and came up with these. Aren't they great? None of them really represent Brutus to me, though. He's unique!

Anna Campbell said...

Kandy, I adore the Berkley covers too - and thanks for mentioning Captive of Sin. I've been drooling ever since I got the coverflats ;-)

Anna Campbell said...

Kandy, I had a similar reaction when I went to Donald Maass's workshop about writing the breakout novel. I'd brought along No Ordinary Duchess which became Claiming the Courtesan and everything he said about tension and story arc seemed to be there already. I distinctly remember him saying open at a random page which I did. It was the scene where Verity falls off the cliff. And he said, "Make it worse." I looked at it and thought, "The only thing that would make this worse is if she falls and dies, which kinda kills my story prematurely." That was such a buzz - and of course I was close to selling at that point, little did I know it.

Anna Campbell said...

PJ, hugs again on losing Smokey. That's so sad.

And you'll love LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD. It's right up your alley, you're such a dog lover. And even for non dog-lovers, the romance is so gorgeous, it doesn't really matter.

By the way, if anyone wants to order Kandy's book, just click on the cover in the post and it will take you straight to Amazon. We make things easy for you here in the lair. Too many dangers when things are tough and margaritas are doing the rounds!

Anna Campbell said...

Hi Danie! Where you been, girl? We've missed you!

I'm so glad you returned for Kandy's blog. This is such a great book, I want everyone to know about it!

Anna Campbell said...

Oh, Christine, I LURVE the Baluchistan hound!

Ha ha! I was hoping Wolfram would get a look-in. I loved that mutt! Thanks, Kandy!

Anna, I love how you adopt black cats because to save them from people being cruel to them. We had a black cat called, um, Blackie (clearly the imagination was working overtime that day) when I was a kid. He was a Manx and all my friends used to get angry when they visited because they thought we'd cut his tail off.

Anna Campbell said...

I always used to howl my eyes out when Beauty was pulling the hansom cab, V. What a vivid scene! Thanks for swinging by.

Kandy, extracting a gladiator from JT's clutches can take some skill. But I'll see what I can do...

Anna Campbell said...

Vanessa, good luck for the Golden Heart. I've got everything crossed for you and for Christine's Dangerous Duke in the RITA!

Anna Campbell said...

Maria, I've never seen It's a Dog's Life. I'll have to see if I can get it. Actually one of my favorite 'dogs' in romance is the wolf in Laura Kinsale's wonderful THE PRINCE OF MIDNIGHT. He's kinda a dog.

Cheryl, at the moment I don't have pets either - which for someone who grew up with animals is really tough. There's a lovely Cocteau quote that goes something like, "I love my cats because I love my home and after a while, the cats become the soul of my home." Isn't that just true? When Kandy asked for a pet photo, the best I could do was the bearded dragon who lives in my garden. Actually I have a family of BDs who live in my garden which is one of the reasons I can't have a cat. Cats are gorgeous but they're killing machines!

Anna Campbell said...

Helen, I love your elephant story! It always makes me smile. Thanks for mentioning that handsome fellow, Wolfram!

Di, good on you saving a dog from a shelter. And thanks for swinging by to say hello!

Anna Campbell said...

Traveler, your dogs sound lovely!

Glad you enjoyed the interview, Jo. I had good raw material ;-)

Catslady, a barn owl? How fascinating!

Actually I'm going through serious pet withdrawal right now. I've just been down seeing my oldest friend who last year got a Burmese kitten who is currently in his late teens. Toby is the most gorgeous creature ever and he deigned to sleep with me (is this talking out of school? LOL!). He's the softest thing I've ever touched, I think!

Anna Campbell said...

Karen, there was a really bright-eyed Australian cattle dog on ads here a few years ago. He was so popular, he seemed to turn up in ads for absolutely everything! His name was Cain.

Christine, what a pity neither Campbell nor Wells are going to be anywhere near Kandy to take advantage of the stampede for the brownies at the signing!

Anna Campbell said...

Cassondra, I've never seen Old Yeller but I had a Disney anthology when I was a kid and OY was included. Ack!!!! Why do the animals always have to die in these stories? Think of The Yearling! Actually the animal story that really broke my heart was Ring of Bright Water with the otter. When he dies at the end, I went into post traumatic shock!

Anna Campbell said...

Donna, this book is one that leaves you smiling. You'll really enjoy it!

Cheryl, someone had to make the doggone joke, didn't they? LOL!

Becke Davis said...

Hi again, Kandy - we've been talking on Facebook, where you know me as Becke Martin. I've ordered your book already and I'm looking forward to reading it. What a fantastic title!

Anna Campbell said...

Becke, you'll love meeting Tom and Maddy and Brutus!

Jessica Scott said...

We lost our much loved yellow Lab Robbie two years ago to murder. My husband and I were both away at Army schools and the family disapora had been ongoing. The dogs had been been staying with friends. Some sicko decided it would be fun to feed the dogs antifreeze soaked meat. And our Robbie, true to form, thought it was the best thing ever. Our other dog, Megan, declined and is still with us.
The worst part about losing Robbie was that he died alone, in a strange vet's office because my husband and I were on the east coast and he was still in Texas, waiting for us to come home. It breaks my heart that he passed alone, without his family. I still tear up when I think about Robbie. I'm sure I always will. He was a good dog and we weren't there for him when he died. Just one more thing we've given up to serve in the Army.
Thanks for posting! I'm looking forward to reading about Brutus!
Jess Scott
www.jessicascott.net

Estella said...

I loved Flicka, from the tv show My Friend Flicka.
Congrats on the release of your debut novel!

Helen said...

Kandy

Most of the people hear have heard this story but there was a circus in the park next to the school I went to and as school got out that day one of the elephants got loose and walked down the middle of the road I ran and it stepped over our front gate and walked down the side of our yard straight through the back fence and stopped in the paddock we had at the back. My mother always said any animal would follow me I was always bringing stray dogs and cats home so why not an elephant LOL.

Have Fun
Helen

Pat Cochran said...

Hello, Kandy and Anna,

Special animal favorites for my
siblings and me were from the Roy
Rogers & Dale Evans Show. They
included Roy's Horse Trigger, his
dog Bullet, & Dales's horse named
Buttermilk. Oh, let me not forget
Lassie! She (who really was a he!)
was the most favorite "pet" of all
nine of us! BTW, Kandy, I visited
your pet gallery. Kira was a very lovely lady, my condolences on
your loss!

Pat Cochran
lady

Pa

Anna Campbell said...

Oh, Jessica, that stuff makes me want to kill someone (human not canine). That happened to a friend of mine years ago - someone dropped poisoned meat over her back fence and her beagle (beagles will eat anything!) wolfed it down and died in agony, poor thing. I'm so sorry this had to happen to you and your husband and Robbie. It's just WRONG!

Are you back in Iraq?

Anna Campbell said...

Estella, wasn't Flicka a great show? I was addicted to it when I was a wee gel. I remember crying quite a lot although I don't remember individual storylines. I still have the books on the bookcase in my bedroom, the place of ultimate honor ;-)

Helen, such a great story bears repeating!

Anna Campbell said...

Pat, I love it when authors give you something extra in a website. Kandy's pet gallery is going to prove extremely popular, I think.

Nancy said...

Fedora, congrats on snagging the rooster. I hope you keep him very busy! I remember Henry & Ribsy fondly. We read those Cleary books to the boy when he was little,

Nancy said...

Kandy, welcome and congratulations! What a wonderful call story. Helps the rest of us keep the faith.

We're dog people at our house. The yellow lab currently in residence is the fourth canine to assume boss status in our house. Each of our dogs has been someone's castoff, which has caused us to feel sorry for them and them to realize we can be manipulated.

Your book sounds like wonderful fun!

Anna, thanks for having Kandy. Great interview. It's nice to have some insights into common ms. problems.

Anna Campbell said...

Nancy, I thought it would be an interesting question to ask Kandy because she gets such an overview of what's out there. Laughed at you being manipulated when it comes to the doggies!

Kandy Shepherd said...

Ohmigod, this is such fun! This is my blogging debut (thanks to wonderful Anna) and to wake up and check in to find all your comments is fantastic!
Please everyone who has talked about your animals here, send me a photo with a line about them and your name so I can put them in my Pet Gallery on my website.

Nancy said...

Anna C. wrote: Laughed at you being manipulated when it comes to the doggies!

Sad but true, Fo. Sad but true.

Hilarious to many of our friends, however.

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hi Traveler, I love the names of your dogs.
A Maltese named Snowball is a secondary doggy character in LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD and he also appears in HOME IS WHERE THE BARK IS. Like the Maltese I know, he looks like a little white fluffball but has quite the personality!

Nancy said...

Virginia, I also loved Flipper. We rented the movie and showed it to the boy, who also loved Flipper. The TV show wasn't available, though, so we stopped there.

A couple of summers ago, we took a dolphin watching cruise on a pontoon boat in the Roanoke Sound. We must've seen 40 or 50 dolphins (not at the same time), and some of them swam up to the boat, made eye contact, and dived under. We're all agreed it's one of the most fun and fascinating vacation things we've ever done.

Nancy said...

PJ, I'm so sorry about Smokey. Losing a beloved animal is always heart-wrenching for us, too.

Anna Campbell said...

Nancy, I love dolphins. I've been lucky enough to see them quite often but I never fail to get a thrill out of the sight.

Anna Campbell said...

Kandy, we're really enjoying your visit to the banditas too. We're honored you selected us for your debut into bloglandia!

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hi Jo, I'm so glad you like my titles.
I submitted both LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD and HOME IS WHERE THE BARK IS with those titles but didn't know if Berkley would keep them. Needless to say, I was very pleased when they did!

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hi catslady, I guess I do not need to ask which is your favorite animal!
The book about the barn owl sounds fascinating. I love owls. Last year I came home very late at night and an owl was sitting on a trellis in my garden. He watched me very solemnly as I tiptoed past him to get to my door and I felt very privileged.

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hi Karen H. Interesting you should mention the Westy in the dog food ad as your memorable animal.
I often say that some of my favorite TV shows are the pet food commercials!

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hi Cassondra. Hmm, I know what you mean about Old Yeller but though I was traumatized at the time - and I was! - I think maybe I learned lessons about love and loyalty and sacrifice that I didn't appreciate at the time. My daughter's friend was furious at her for taking him to see the movie of Marley and Me. He's a tough, sporty teen but my daughter didn't know his old lab was very ill and he could not cope with the ending of Marley and Me. Luckily he forgave her and they are still friends.

Louisa Cornell said...

Woof back at you, Fichen! You dog-napped the GR again! He is definitely a one of a kind, one at t time pet!!

Kandy, I have GOT to read this book! Everyone in the Lair will tell you what a dog nut I am! (My former blog name was doglady!) This just sounds like such a wonderful, funny book! And wow, what a great call story!

So very sorry to hear of your loss. Kira had a good long life and that is a tribute in no small part to your loving care.

My first animal hero has to be Black Beauty. I LOVED that book and my well-worn original copy holds a place of honor on my shelf. Another animal character I love is the dog Sounder in the book of the same name.

I still can't watch Old Yeller without crying. It is one of those movies you watch and say "Why do I DO this to myself." I think sometimes we watch it over and over in hopes the ending will change.

As an adult one of my favorite canine characters is Hooch from the movie Turner and Hooch. What a great dog! "This is NOT your room!"

And I have to say the Hound in The Hound of the Baskervilles left a lasting impression on me as a child!

I have a huge menagerie of dogs and cats on my five acres in rural Alabama. Including Frodo, the world's worst-behaved chihuahua. He truly is AWFUL! He hates everyone but me. He was banned from a number of veterinary clinics until we found a great local vet who admires Frodo's larger than life character and his delusion that he is a Rottweiler! All of my dogs and cats are rescue animals and each has their own sad story to tell. But now they are happy and healthy and each day I leave for work and say "Mama has to go to work to make dog food money! Anyone want to go in my place?" So far, no takers!

Kandy Shepherd said...

Cassondra you ask about whether writing short stories helped me writing novels or was there a big learning curve when I tried writing a longer length.
I think the main thing that having short stories published gave me was the confidence that someone actually wanted to read what I had written! And that the characters and situations I imagined could become real in someone else's mind.
Writing a longer length was definitely different and much harder (hello, sagging middle!). But I love the opportunity to develop the characters that you don't get in a very restricted number of words.
In my other career as a magazine editor, I have been on the other side of the desk for short story submissions. I also have judged them in romance competitions. The trouble so many people seem to have with the short story is to use the word count to encapsulate one or a few meaningful incidents in the character's lives. Instead they often try to squeeze a novel-length story into a few thousand words.
That's probably more than you wanted to hear!
Another good thing about short stories I found was that in a very busy life I could actually finish a story I wanted to tell. That can be very satisfying!
I think I will always be on a learning curve writing novels but I am so enjoying being there!

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hi Donna, I so hope you enjoy LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD. Please let me know what you think when you have read it! I love to hear from readers and you can easily contact me through my website.

Anna Campbell said...

Louisa, those ungrateful pooches and moggies, not going to work for you so you can stay home and write. And hey, while I think of it, best of luck for the Golden Heart, my friend!!!! I thought this book would appeal to a doglady! ;-)

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hi Cheri, I am so glad you like the book cover. I love it! I got such a surprise when I got my author copies as the band around the title isn't cream but a shiny pink. It's beautiful. And it's beautifully designed inside, too.

Anna Campbell said...

Kandy, what interesting observations about short stories. Very close to my heart right now as I'm trying to get one done before I got overseas next week. It's a micro one too - word length of 1,500 words. For a woman who has trouble sticking to a 400 page novel, she writes so long, this is like going to the dentist! But good training on working out what's absolutely essential and what's not.

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hi Louisa. I totally forgot about Hooch! I love that dog and Tom Hanks. I still cry with laughter at Hooch's drool.
I loved reading about your animals - how lucky they are to have found you. Please, please, send me some photos for my Pet Gallery on my website. Particularly of Frodo, he sounds such a character, I love your description of him. But if you want to send them all, I would love to put them up.
I have a feeling that you will enjoy Brutus in LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD!

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hi Becke, how lovely to see your smiling face here! Isn't cyberspace wonderful? I love the way the way we can so easily connect. I already feel like I know you...
I so hope you enjoy LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD.

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hi Nancy, I love how you freely admit that our animals manipulate us. And don't we love every second of it!

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hi Jessica, I'm so sad to hear about Robbie. I hope there is a very hot part of Hell reserved for people who do this to animals. (And another for people who hurt children but that is another story..)
I hope Brutus's story gives you a laugh. The villain who tries to hurt him gets his comeuppance in a scene that was very satisfying to write...

Kandy Shepherd said...

Helen, I absolutely love, love, love your elephant story. Thank you so much for sharing!

Kandy Shepherd said...

Estella, Flicka was beautiful.
Horses are in a class all of their own. I've always been a dog and cat person, though I love all animals.
My daughter, however, was born a horse person. Seriously, she was demanding to be up on horseback when she was fifteen months old. I was happy to admire horses from a distance but, truth be told, was quite scared of them. Now we have our own I truly love them.
And isn't it funny, once you love a dog, horse, cat or whatever, you think very kindly of every one you see!
I managed to sneak a horse into LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD, too.

Kandy Shepherd said...

Nancy and Anna, I love dolphins. One of my long-held dreams is to swim with them.

Louisa Cornell said...

I will definitely send you some photos, Kandy!

Thank you, La Campbell! I am looking forward to seeing everyone in DC! You were so right. I am really looking forward to reading Kandy's book!

Jessica, in the religion of my mother's people (she is Cherokee and Creek Indian) when a person dies they go to the edge of a great chasm. They are met on the other side by the Great Spirit and every animal they have encountered in their lives. The animals decide if the person is worthy to cross into heaven, where humans and animals live once more as they were meant to - as equals who can communicate without words. If the person is deemed worthy, they cross the chasm into heaven. If the animals find the person unworthy they fall into the chasm where they are lost forever - alive and aware as they fall forever that they are separated from God and man, never to see the light again. The person who poisoned your dear Robby doesn't stand a chance. Please know that Robby understands now and is waiting for you.

chey said...

My favourite animal character is still Flipper.

Kandy Shepherd said...

Louisa your story of the Great Spirit and the animals is beautiful. I so wanted to send comfort to Jessica but you have done it so, so much better than I could.

Kandy Shepherd said...

Chey - I love the way Flipper talked!

Anna Campbell said...

Wow, Louisa, that was an amazing story. I've never heard that before - but isn't it wonderful? I hate to hear of people tormenting animals. I think the legal penalties are pathetic compared to the scale of the offense. But that's another discussion too. Honestly, your recounting gave me goosebumps.

Anna Campbell said...

Chey, Flipper forever! ;-)

Louisa Cornell said...

Thank you La Campbell and Kandy. I have heard the story all my life. It is how my Mawmaw explained why she never killed crickets who came into the house. She always caught them and set them free outside. Crickets are messengers. She would always say "I thank you for the message, but you cannot stay. Don't forget to meet me on the other side." She was an amazing woman and I am so grateful that she shared so much of our heritage with me. The most amazing thing is she NEVER had ants or any other bugs in her house (except for the occasional cricket!)and when I asked her why she said "Because I ask them not to come in." Gee, why didn't I think of that!

Anna Campbell said...

Oh, man, Louisa, not sure that would work in subtropical Queensland with all its subtropical beasties!

Kandy Shepherd said...

Anna, thank you so much for inviting me into the lair and making my blogging debut so much fun.
Anna is a wonderful friend to me and has been supportive of LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD from its very first airing at our critique group. Sadly, we live in different states now but still keep up whenever we can (thank heaven for email!)
Let me share an Anna story:
I so clearly remember this day in my living room. It was a very small meeting of our critique group, just four of us if I recall. Anna had brought along the first chapter of a new novel she had started. She was very nervous about our reactions to it as it was so much hotter than anything she had ever written before. She called this new story No Ordinary Duchess or Noddy for short.
We sat with our printed pages and read. The first paragraph introduced me to the beautiful courtesan Soraya and the gorgeous, damaged Duke of Kylemore in the love-rumpled sheets of Soraya's boudoir.
All you could hear was the rustling of pages. Anna was very flushed. She was embarrassed, I think, at the thought of her friends reading this very sensual story.
I'm a fast reader and I got through my pages before the others. I sat there in an agony of impatience, dying to have my say. But the rules of the group were strict: no critiquing until the others have finished.
Finally, they put down their pages. I jumped in.
"Anna, from the first words I forgot I was reading a friend's manuscript for critiquing. I was reading a published novel and all I wanted to do was read more of this story. This is your breakout. This will be published and you will be famous because of this book."
Well, if Anna's cheeks were flushed before, you can imagine what they were like after one after the other of us had similar things to say!
Later, I was privileged to read the entire completed manuscript. I was at home in bed sick and was able to read it in one hit. Again, I so clearly remember what I said. I knew Anna's dream was to be published by Avon.
"Lucia Macro will fall in love with this book. You will be published by Avon."
You know what happened next. CLAIMING THE COURTESAN did indeed make Anna Campbell's name. (I still love to call it NODDY).
I don't claim to be prescient in any way. I just recognize a damn good book when I read it.
Thank you Anna. You made it to New York before I did - and how lucky am I that you were already there to hold my hand and help me with what you've learned along the way.
Although I adore my four-legged friends, boy are those two-legged ones special! xx

Anna Campbell said...

Wow, Kandy, my cheeks are flushed now! THANK YOU! I vividly remember that day - and you're right, CTC or Noddy was a lot hotter than what I was used to handing over. And just MORE in every way. Thank you so much for your support through all the years. You're a true friend. I'm delighted that your wonderful story LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD is getting the attention it deserves! And there's MORE!!!!

Anna Campbell said...

Thank you, everyone, for a great day in the lair. Thanks, Kandy. You've been a wonderful guest and I'm sure this has started a great career as a blogger extroardinaire ;-)

Don't forget to check back in the next day or so to see who won the prize. Good luck!

Kandy Shepherd said...

Thank you everyone who posted. You have a great community here and it was lovely to be part of it. Please, anyone who will be in DC, come see me at the Literacy signing. I have a terror of sitting there at that table with a pile of books in front of me and no-one stopping by!
Oh, and don't forget the photos of your pets for my Pet Gallery.

Laurie G said...

I remember the TV show Rin Tin Tin, a german shepard.

The big english sheepdog on Please Don't Eat the Daisies..

The protective dobermans on Magnum PI.

The little pig on Green Acres.

Anna Campbell said...

Oh, Laurie, I remember the pig! How cute was that?

Kandy Shepherd said...

Hi Laurie, thanks for reminding me of those animals, I had quite forgotten them. The dobermans probably didn't get a chance to register too much in my memory, I was too busy drooling over Tom Selleck!