The Romance of Our Lives by Aileen Fish

 In the comments on Raine English’s post on new beginnings, Helen Scott Taylor recently mentioned second chance romances as a favorite of hers, and I commented that I don’t read them as often as I do strangers meeting. To me, second chances make me look back in my own past and think about meeting one of my past loves again. My feeling on that is there’s a reason they are in my past!

I know I’m not in the majority on that, and that’s what I love about reading romance. We have choices. First love, second chances, friends to lovers, matchmaking gone awry…there is something for everyone, isn’t there?

It’s apparent I think in terms of my own life when reading. What about you? Do you find yourself choosing books by how they relate to your life? If you married your childhood sweetheart, are first-love stories your favorite? If you’re still single or single again, do you gravitate toward older heroines or second chances?

Aileen Fish is the author of the contemporary western series Small Town Sweethearts and Regency historical series The Bridgethorpe Brides. She tends to write about first love, while sneaking in mature romances in the background. Her upcoming The Cowgirl and the Geek is due out April 1st.

You can find her at http://aileenfish.com and on Facebook

The Magic and Comfort of Reading a Sweet Romance Book

I inherited my love of reading from my father. And when he passed I inherited a lot of his books. My overfilled bookcases are pitiful or wonderful depending on your perspective. 

Last week I saw a cute mime on FaceBook that said:

A reader lives ten thousand Lives ~ A non-reader has only one.

Reading is just what the doctor ordered.

Years ago when I thought I had a hormone imbalance, my doctor said I needed to watch a good movie or read a good book. He mentioned that this was an effective way to reduce stress. 

Studies show it takes little more than six minutes of getting into a good book before your heart rate and muscle tension is reduced. 

So when my iron level dropped to 7, and my doctor said he’d rather see a minimum of 50, I realized why I’d been doing more reading lately. The stress of being exhausted is made bearable by reading a story where the good guys win and we have a happy ever after.

But I had trouble staying awake when I began to read. I knew this was not good because I am almost 70 years-old. And according to studies published in the journal Neurology earlier this year, a lifetime of reading might just help keep my brain in shape as I age.

My first iron infusion was on Monday. And while I still feel tired. I can stay awake, I can read, and I am catching up on my blogging.

Reading is said to help us sleep better, ward off Alzheimers, help us be more empathetic to others, as well as remove stress caused side effects, such as depression.

I am so thankful that God gave me the ability to read, and a love for reading. I hope you can enjoy reading too. Sweet Romance fiction is "flinch free" reading.

Sharon A Lavy lives with her husband in SW Ohio. When not reading, writing, or sewing for her family, she enjoys traveling with her husband in their small Flight Design airplane.

She is best known in the novel writing community, as that German Baptist lady.

In the Old German Baptist community she’s a dressmaker, a pattern maker, and the sister who writes.

And in her own mind she’s a wife, a mother, and a grandmother, but above all a child of God. ~~ Her greatest desire is to be a woman after God’s own heart~~

You can find her on the web: 

Amazon Page: Website/Blog: Facebook: 

Q4U: How many books have you read so far this year?

Stop and Watch the Bugs by Magdalena Scott

Margaret Daley’s post on Monday immediately made me think of an experience from my son’s childhood, and I wanted to share it with you.

The house where my husband, son, and I lived was one block from our local post office, and two blocks from the town square. I was fortunate to be a stay-at-home mom up until The Progeny went to Kindergarten, so in any weather short of hail or heavy rain or sleet, he and I might well go for a walk.

At first of course, there was the stroller, then walking along holding hands, and eventually the tricycle, which soon became the tricycle with a wagon bungee-corded to the back for “hauling stuff.” In our small town, many people knew The Progeny by name, and our walks often included plenty of stops to visit for a moment with friends or acquaintances. A walk of a few blocks could take the whole afternoon.

The time I especially remember was a trip to the post office. We were holding hands, and The Progeny was maybe three years old. As soon as we landed on the sidewalk from our front porch, I could see this would be anything but a quick trip. OHMYGOODNESS, we had to stop at every crack in the sidewalk, and many places without cracks, to inspect all of the bugs. (It was an especially busy bug day for some reason.) We couldn't just quickly glance at them, either. We had to stop dead in our tracks, crouch down, and inspect exactly what types of bugs were there, and what they were doing. I wondered if we’d get to the post office before the window closed!

I have no idea why we needed to go to the P.O. that day. I just remember realizing I was in the middle of a parable: Enjoy the journey and don't be entirely focused on the destination. I've thought of that many times in the last 20+ years. Sometimes it shows more than others, but I think I actually did learn the lesson. I'm grateful for it.

What important things have you learned from a child? 

 ***

Magdalena Scott is one of the authors of the best-selling Ladies of Legend, Tennessee series. Catch up with her goings-on at her blog, Welcome toMagdalenaville. She’s also on Twitter and Facebook.

Through a Child's Eyes By Margaret Daley

One of my granddaughters got me to think about how we look at things means everything. I know I should already realize that, but it was something she said to me that made me stop and really think about a person’s outlook could make all the difference in the world.

We were driving back to her house.  I saw a field carpeted in purple and said,  “Look at that. Isn’t that beautiful?”

“They’re weeds, Grandma Margaret,” she said.

“Some people call them weeds, but others call them wildflowers.”

“Really?”

“Yep,” I said.

Later as I mulled over what I’d said to my granddaughter, I realized how important it was to look at something in a positive light—a favorable one. We don’t like weeds, but flowers are one of the things that add beauty to our lives. What I am going to strive to do is to look at a field full of wildflowers, not one full of weeds. I think I will be better off looking at the positive, not the negative, and every time I see a wildflower I will be reminded of that.

How do you see a field (or your lawn), especially in the springtime? Is it full of weeds or wildflowers?

New Beginnings by Raine English

It never fails. Every year by March first, I start my daily countdown to spring. It’s not just that I’m tired of the cold and the snow, but I’m ready for the new beginnings that come with springtime. Maybe that’s why one of my favorite parts of a romance, whether a novel or a movie, is the hero and heroine’s first meeting—their new beginning.

Who doesn’t get choked up from a scene in a story where a woman sees her boyfriend for the first time after he’s served years in the military? Or felt your heart race as new lovers lock eyes from across a crowded room? And nothing tops the feelings experienced with a first love. One of my favorites to depict that is The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks.

In Nora Ephron’s romantic comedy, Sleepless in Seattle, most of the movie is the buildup to Sam and Annie’s first meeting. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Daisy meets Gatsby as a young officer and their love affair lasts only a month before he’s shipped overseas during World War 1. But their relationship begins again five years later after he buys the mansion across the bay from her estate. And the first meeting between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice begins with him saying she’s tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt him.

Each one of these stories tugs at your heartstrings and are just a few of my favorite new beginnings. What are some of yours?

῀ * ῀

Raine English lives in New England with her family and her constant companion, Bailey, a French bulldog. To find out more about Raine and her books visit RaineEnglish.com

Her newest release is Forever My Valentine available on Amazon.

Here’s To Moody Readers…by Christine Bush

I admit it. I’m a moody reader. I guess I’m a moody writer as well. Often people ask me, “What is your favorite genre to read?” Or “Who is your favorite author?” It’s hard to answer that question. Like the weather, my mind changes all the time. And I like that.

Life is full of ups and downs. And my life (like so many women I know) is full of stages. Some are long, some are short. But all have an impact.

I love to write sweet romance stories. Much of the time, those are the words that flow from my brain and onto the page. But not always. Sometimes, in times of stress or grief (like the devastating months when someone dear to me was dying from cancer), no words of love, inspiration, or happy endings flow from me. But in a rough time, reading those delightful stories written by others gives me peace, and hope, entertainment and escape. I’m so grateful for that. But dealing with the many faces, feelings and moods of grief, I needed to write something else for a while. I wrote two books- of- my- heart middle grade fiction.


Over time, the happy ending romance stories began flowing again, and the joy returned.

Sometimes, in the midst of writing a story about love and family, I find myself scrolling through the Kindle for something new to read, and end up devouring a good mystery or suspense novel. What’s that all about? The diversity of genre seems to inspire, both in reading and writing.

Other days, when dealing with worry about an ailing grandchild, or a friend’s dilemma, I need the relief of a good laugh. There are a handful of favorite writers in several genres who have a way with words that simply make me giggle.

I’m aging. Sigh. There, I said it. While I’m generally content with the process, there are days when I am glad to grab a book that tells the story of a heroine with a few more years on her resume than the blushing young blossom in many books. When I find a writer whose stories fill that bill, I’m very glad of it on those certain days. But on the other hand, there are times when my mood is full of memories of those youthful years. In that mood I can be delighted reading the excitement and adventure of a heroine finding first time love.

That’s something that I love about books. Happy or dramatic, short or long, contemporary or historical, old or young, there is always something to fit my mood of the day, or stage of life. As a reader, as well as a writer, stories enhance my life. They inspire , entertain, and sometimes, just get me through a ‘moody’ time in my life. And I’m grateful for that!

How about you? How do your moods or stages affect what you read or write?

~*~

Christine Bush is the award winning author of many books and novellas of sweet romance and light mystery. She also writes Middle Grade Fiction. When she isn’t writing, she can be found working with clients as a Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice, or teaching Psychology at a local college. She lives with her family and two crazy cats in northeastern Pennsylvania, and loves to hear from readers and aspiring writers. Her latest book is Cindy’s Prince. You can find Christine at www.ChristineBush.com and on Facebook.

How Romantic Are You? ~ Fun Quiz

We know we all love to read about romance, but how romantic are we in our own lives? Take this short quiz and come back and tell us your results!

How Romantic Are You?

Anxiety and Excitement by Mona Risk

When I decided to quit my job seven years ago to fulfill my dream of writing romance novels, I was determined to make it an early retirement, a fun time to relax. RELAX.

R-E-L-A-X.

I had more than my share of angst and excitement with exams and waiting for results, dating and waiting for a proposal and a wedding, raising children and waiting for them to grow up and turn into a man and woman of values, happy and successful… Work has been a hectic roller coaster of ups and downs with contracts and fun trips, with deadlines and late hours in the lab— that often extended to the wee hours of the day to deliver sample results on time to the customers.

I’ve spent my life worrying about one thing after another, torturing myself with anxiety and then celebrating with excitement. Overworked and burned out, I needed my early retirement to read, write, walk, exercise, and start living without pressure or stress.

Celebrating the publication of my first book in 2008

Little did I expect that writing romance novels would soon turn into an obsession, an addiction consuming my life and a new career bringing again a whole new set of anxiety and excitement. Participating in contests and waiting for the phone call announcing the finalists; submitting to editors and waiting for the letter or the email with so much hope and so much anxiety, only to be crushed by a form rejection. With time the rejection turned into a two-page letter with suggestions and request for revisions, and then finally the “call” came, bringing such a delirious happiness.

So why the stress? The anxiety that burns my stomach and dries my throat? 

After twelve books published and republished—all became bestsellers at Amazon— the ups and downs continue, waiting for reviews and fan letters, promoting, blogging, participating in book signings…

Is it part of my nature to take everything to heart, to grind my teeth or bite my nails while waiting for others’ approval?

Do you suffer a hundred deaths when you wait for the results of an important project? Does it cause you physical distress to wait for and receive what you want so badly?

Holiday Babies Series: 3 bestsellers novels, about holidays, twin babies and humor.

About the Author: Mona traveled to more than fifty countries on business or vacation. Eventually she left a scientific career to share with readers the many stories brewing in her head. She writes contemporary romances, sweet or not so sweet, with suspense elements or medical themes. Sprinkled with a good dose of humor, her stories are set in the fascinating places she visited, from exotic Belarus, and historical France, to the beaches of Greece, the monuments of Egypt and the mysterious Islands of Seychelles--or more simply in Ohio, Florida, Boston and Washington, DC. Her titles garnered many awards. A winner of Best Romance Novel at Preditors & Editors, Best Contemporary Romance at Readers Favorite, Epic Award Finalist, first-place wins in Enchanted Quill, Launching a Star, and Wallflower. Find Mona on Facebook, or Twitter, or visit her website.

All things Irish by Joanne Hill

As we head into the weekend, we’re only a few days shy of celebrating St Patrick’s Day on March 17th.

A lot of us can claim Irish ancestry (hands up who can!) In my case it’s there by the skin of my teeth - a great grandmother who was part of the Irish diaspora in the 1800s. It’s a long way back, but she’s there and I’m clutching it.

I got to thinking not so much about the day itself but about favourite Irish things and as we here at Sweet Romance Reads are romance writers, I’ve come up with some things that a fair few romance writers have in common.

A love for music (we sometimes write our books to certain songs), books themselves (we love to read and write), and being romance writers – no prizes for guessing this one - men.

So let’s talk. What are your favourite Irish things?

I’ll get the ball rolling with my top Irish picks.

Music. It would have to be U2, and my all time favourite U2 song, unquestionably, the gorgeous and atmospheric, “Electrical Storm.”

Books. I’m going to choose everything by Marian Keyes. She writes women's fiction, funny and warm, and she even has a cake cookbook! What's not to love about that?

And lastly, men. Out of all the actors, musicians, sports people, I’m choosing that Irish bad boy, Colin Farrell. I'm sure his picture is stuck up on a few writers' collages as hero material.

So what about you. Agree? Disagree? What are your favourite Irish things?

Loving Austen, The First Sweet Romance with Shaleen Kapil

My love affair with romance novels began in 12th grade. Pride and Prejudice was on my summer reading list. I drudged through Paradise Lost and Picture of Dorian Gray. When I came to Pride and Prejudice, I felt its presence on this list had to be an error. This was too light, too happy to be on the school book list. And from there, I fell in love. I fell in love with Jane Austen like so many other women. I read Emma and Sense and Sensibility. I watched the BBC movie versions. By then, it was like a fever, and it has never stopped.

I have read every novel at least twice, including my least favorite, Northanger Abbey. I’ve hunted down all the different versions of the movies. I’ve even read every spin off that I can easily, or not so easily, get my hands on, from Bridget Jones’ Diary (book & movie) to The Lake House (movie) to Austenland (I would probably visit such a park!). My husband sees a period movie and at once assumes it might be another Austen film. He might be right because the sweet romances that she wrote seem at once innocent and filled with deeper, more complex emotions that resonate still. So as I began to write my first novel, it seemed natural to write my own spin-off. And one day soon, my own Austen-like character is going to be ready to make her début.

~*~

While a lover of Jane Austen, Shaleen also enjoys a wide array of book genres but prefers those with a happy ending. She is completing final drafts of her first sweet romance; meanwhile, the characters for her next book are jumping up and down in excitement to make their way to the page. Until her book publishes, you can find her writing about her other love of yoga and health at HaveMatWillTri

WHEN THE IMPOSSIBLE BECOMES POSSIBLE

Has there ever been something you swore you could never, ever do without – and then one day it’s forced on you – and you end up the better for it?

It turns out for me, that one thing is owning a car.

I’ve had a car since I got my driver’s licence decades ago, and the idea of not having one, of being dependent on public transport, of not having that freedom, I mean, how can anyone possibly survive?

Then 18 months ago the car was written off in a crash and – well, I became carless. But I was insured and I would get a replacement, so I wasn’t particularly worried. Then over the next few weeks, as I waited for the insurance company to sort it all out, I discovered I was actually getting by quite well without a vehicle. I was actually saving money. So much so I began to think... maybe I really can get by without a car.

After all, I have a job where I bus to work, and I live near a couple of useful bus routes. I could walk to the supermarket or do an on-line shop, could walk to church, and friends had offered to help me out if needed. My kids didn’t need me running them around anymore. And one of the biggest things – it was forcing me to exercise. I couldn’t just leap in the car and go down the road to the shops. I walked. Getting fit and saving money!

By the time the insurance money arrived, I’d decided: I wasn’t getting a new car. I was going to walk and use the bus.

That was eighteen months ago when it was all sweet and light and new. How has it actually panned out? Actually, it has panned out really well.

Look at all the pros. I don’t have to clean a car anymore (so happy about that!) I save money. I’m fitter - I don’t get nearly as puffed walking up hills. I’d like to say I’ve lost a few pounds but actually, I haven’t. (I’m not sure what that’s all about when you go from pathetic amounts of exercise to several hours a week, and most of it brisk cos I’m running late!) Socially – well, a social butterfly would be in trouble. Most of my “things” are close or bussable or friends offer to pick me up but I figure, going out less is a good thing. More time to write.

In spite of the odd inconvenience, it feels strangely free not having a car. I don’t lose keys. I don’t have to remember to lock it up. Don’t have to worry about it getting damaged or stolen. Don’t have to queue for petrol when I’m badly organized and running late. Don’t have to drive around looking for a park. Don’t have to fork out money for registration and insurance and repairs and petrol. Bliss.

But, yes, there are inconveniences. Having to take the bunny to the vet on the bus was interesting. Bad weather and no coat or umbrella is a pain. Taking the wrong bus and taking twice as long to get home was frustrating. But for the most part – it’s all good.

A few years back, it would have been horrible without a car, and I’ve no doubt at some point – if I changed jobs, for example – I might need one again. But in this case, it has worked out and I’m glad I didn’t just automatically think “got to get new car” but actually gave it a try.

So what about you? Have you ever given up something you swore you would never get by without, and have survived to tell the tale? Or – yikes! – given up something and regretted it?

Joanne Hill got her driver’s licence as soon as she was legally old enough but daren’t admit how many hours she’s wasted over the years looking for lost car keys. Her upcoming sweet romance Return to Frazier Bay will be released early April.

You can find her on Twitter at @joanneauthor or visit the website at www.joannehill.com

Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe by Donna Fasano

 Here’s an easy side dish that’s delicious and good for you! It’s low-fat, low-calorie, and tastes SO incredible…you can’t ask for more than that. Use fresh Brussels sprouts for this recipe, not frozen.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

1 ½ pounds of fresh Brussels sprouts
1 teaspoon course salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
a misting of olive oil

Wash and prepare Brussels sprouts; trim off ends, pull off any yellowed or damaged outer leaves, and cut larger sprouts in half. Mist sprouts lightly with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and arrange in a single layer on a roasting pan. Roast in a 400º F (204º C) oven for 20-30 minutes or until sprouts are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. Shake pan occasionally so sprouts brown evenly. Perfect for the vegans and vegetarians in your life.

~ ~ ~

Donna Fasano is a USA TODAY Bestselling author. Visit her on the web at her blog, on Facebook, and on Twitter.

Romance, Movies and Healing Relationships by Milou Koenings

The End.

We close the book, or swipe off our e-reader app, with a sigh, satisfied that true love has once more prevailed and our hero and heroine will live happily ever after.

But isn’t that just the beginning?

Because, face it, whatever trials, tribulations and challenges our hero and heroine have had to face to get together, they’re all probably going to pale in comparison to those they’ll have to overcome if they’re going to stay together for the long haul.

Getting a relationship started isn’t all that hard. It’s new, fun, exciting and the mere fact that there is still so much to discover about each other holds such hopeful promise.

Sticking it out over decades, through thick and thin, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health … well, that’s not always so easy. Our hero and heroine usually need a little help.

There’s no end to the number of books on improving relationships. When that’s not enough, it’s time for therapy. But seriously? Couples’ counselling is no fun. I mean, how romantic is it to sit there picking apart your failings and worst qualities in front of two other people, one your partner and the other a complete stranger? Or even worse, pick away at your partner’s failings? (Well, decide for yourself which you think is worst!)

How lovey-dovey are you likely to feel when you leave that session?

I’m not saying it doesn’t work, just ... wouldn’t it be nice if there were a more pleasant way?

According to researchers at the University of Rochester, there is and this one doesn’t involve dissecting your points of contention and working out the negatives. Nope. It calls for popcorn and a blanket.

Their study compared different kinds of early marriage intervention programs. They compared the effectiveness of three different therapies. The first two groups were led by therapists, who teach couples either how to navigate the difficulties in their relationship, or relationship skills that focus on positive acceptance. Over three years, the couples in these groups doubled their chances of sticking together.

What surprised everyone was that the third group did just as well. What did they have to do? Watch romantic movies! Now isn’t that way more fun and … well … romantic? It isn’t that strange of an idea either - award-wining romance novelist Christine Bush, who is also a Family and Marriage Therapist, recently wrote on this blog that she sometimes recommends reading a romance novel as therapy for her clients. (And to prove Christine right, just watch The Jane Austen Book Club!)

The couples in the University of Rochester study were sent home with a long list of romantic comedies. They had to watch one a week together, and then spend thirty to forty-five minutes discussing twelve questions about the movie.

Imagine our hero and heroine having a date night once a week, snuggled under a blanket, hot chocolate and popcorn at hand, watching a romantic movie. Doesn’t just the idea of it make you feel all warm and cuddly? And then imagine them spending time talking together - no cable news, no reality TV, no phones … really talking, in the privacy of their own home, no strangers around.

Golly - no wonder those relationships flourished!

Here are the list of movies and the twelve discussion questions used in the University of Rochester study. Now go get that popcorn ready.

Here’s to happy ever after beginnings!

~*~

Milou Koenings writes romance because, like chocolate, stories with a happy ending bring more joy into the world and so make it a better place.
Her new release, Reclaiming Home, A Green Pines Romance, is available at Amazon and Kobo. You can find her on her website, www.miloukoenings.com, on Facebook, Goodreads or Twitter.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Word by Merrillee Whren

We've all heard the saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words." When it comes to book covers the saying is so true. Book covers are an important part of the package that makes a book. It is especially important for a physical book. An attractive cover will make someone stop and pick up the book to see what it's about. A book cover can give a potential reader the mood of the story or a glimpse of the characters or the setting. A good deal of thought goes into book covers. Authors give input with descriptions of characters and settings and with pictures. I have saved a lot of pictures I have cut out of magazines that I use to show what my characters look like. Here are two pictures I used for my book, Montana Match.

This one is my hero.

 This one is my heroine.

Here is the book cover. 

I think they did a fabulous job depicting the hero and heroine. For my latest book, A Place to Call Home, I wanted a cover that would represent the title. What says home more than a front porch with a rocking chair?

Do you like a cover with pictures of the characters, or do you prefer a cover that depicts the setting?

Merrillee Whren is an award-winning author who writes inspirational romance. She is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award for best inspirational romance manuscript presented by Romance Writers of America. She has also been the recipient of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award and the Maggie Award for Excellence. Please visit her website or connect with her on Facebook.

Her latest release is A Place to Call Home.

Sweet Deals! By Sweet Romance Reads

Everybody loves a sale, or that heady feeling of being first in line to grab something new. That’s why Sweet Romance Reads has decided to start offering Sweet Deals to our followers. Look for specials to be posted each Thursday.

What constitutes a Sweet Deal? New Releases by our fab authors, author contests and giveaways, discounted books and freebies! Is your mouth watering already? Come on over a grab a bite! We plan to keep the menu full with lots goodies for you in the future.

Everyone loves a great deal, and there’s no sweeter deal than one featuring an awesome sweet romance! We hope you’ll enjoy sampling them all.

Find our Sweet Deals posted weekly on Facebook.

Do You Like a Hero or Heroine with a.....? by Lyn Cote

Pet? 
I love animals and unfortunately we just lost our eldest cat Mutzie in January. He would have been 18 this year. We inherited Mutzie when my mother in law passed away in 2009. The name Mutzie is “Kitty” in Slovenian. My dh’s grandmother immigrated from that area in 1913, a good year to leave middle Europe (WWI broke out in nearby Serbia with the assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand.)

It’s hard to say good bye to our little furry friends. And even a strong woman cries over loss--even the loss of a cat who greeted her every morning with loud cries for BREAKFAST. (He was my only talking cat. :-)) He also created a game in the evenings where he would wait in front of my chair and leap in it just before I’d get close enough to sit down. HILARIOUS.

Mutzie was only with us for just over four years but he brought us many laughs. I often say to my dh--”What would we laugh about if we didn’t have our cats?”

So do you like it when the hero or heroine in a romance you're reading to has a pet?

When I think back over my Wilderness Brides series, my first hero Noah takes in a stray pregnant dog who has three pups and the last heroine of the series Rachel takes in a stray cat she names Mrs. Cat.

My book with the most animal characters was Daddy in the Making where my heroine adopted two stray kittens. The hero was a vet and his basset hound served as the matchmaker of the romance!

          (This is a photo of Mutzie giving us THE LOOK.)

So, I repeat, do you like it when the hero or heroine in a romance you're reading to has a pet? What was your favorite pet in a story?--Please share!

PS: Want to see another author's cat? Drop by the Pink Heart Society

 Here's the cover of the final book in my Wilderness Brides series. Unfortunately they didn't add Mrs. Cat to the cover--a big mistake IMHO!