The BarkBox has Arrived!

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Treat Time for Levi, Clive, Pepper, and Georgia

It arrived! Woof! This month the theme of the BarkBox was all about CHEWRASSIC BARK. I kid you not!

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All these yummy goodies. Note the paper wrapped around the treats? All keeping with the theme, because they can read. Am I right?IMG_4935IMG_4937

This is our second shipment and the fur babies are loving it.

The Woolly Mammoth is fluffy and squeaks. Airborne Archie is The Pterodactyl. It’s made to make a crinkle sound and also has a squeaker inside.

With four dogs, one who is a puppy, (Levi) we need all the busy toys we can acquire to keep him busy.  Momma needs to write!

Here are some incredible BarkTastic Industry facts:

According to American Pet Products.org, the U.S is spending $BILLIONS every year in the Pet Industry Market!

Pet Industry Market Size & Ownership Statistics 

U.S. Pet Industry Spending Figures & Future Outlook

“The following spending statistics are gathered by APPA from various market research sources and are not included in the organization’s biennial National Pet Owners Survey.

Total U.S. Pet Industry Expenditures

Year                 Billions of dollars

2017                 $69.36 Estimated
2016                 $66.75 Actual

Estimated 2017 Sales within the U.S. Market

For 2017, it estimated that $69.36 billion will be spent on our pets in the U.S.

Estimated Breakdown:
Food                                                               $29.69 billion
Supplies/OTC Medicine                           $14.93 billion
Vet Care                                                        $16.62 billion
Live animal purchases                              $2.01 billion
Other Services                                           $6.11 billion

As you can probably tell from the photos, my family and I are helping to contribute to this figure. How much are you willing to spend on your beloved pets?

 

Knight Quests #2 is uploaded on NetGalley

You don’t have to wait for Knight Quests’s release date, July 25, 2017. For a limited time, all you have to do is click on the book cover and follow the NetGalley link. Be one of the first to read and review Knight Quests: Knights of the Swan #2.

KNight Quests_FINALDon’t wait too long to act. It will be available as an eGalley until a few days after the books on sale date. After the eGalley is taken down from NetGalley, it will be automatically removed from most eReaders and reviewers will no longer be able to download it.

KNIGHT QUESTS #2
For a Knight of the Swan in 15th century England, falling for the enemy is an act of treason . . .

Orphaned as a young girl, Brigitte de Marnier has learned to live by her instincts. Which doesn’t explain why she accepts protection from a soldier in the service of the enemy crown. But something about Drem Ap Dafydd has her leaning into his strength, and surrendering to his intoxicating kiss, even knowing he is duty bound to destroy her . . .

As a newly appointed Knight of the Swan, Drem is eager to prove his allegiance to the English crown in the battle against France. But in his sheltering arms, beautiful Frenchwoman Brigitte arouses in him another instinct—to love, honor, and protect. Then Drem discovers his beloved has a price on her head and he must choose between his vow—and his heart’s desire . . .

MORE INFO ABOUT NETGALLEY:

NetGalley is the platform that is used to deliver free review copies of ebooks. A reviewer or bookseller can download an eBook by requesting it through NetGalley or clicking on the widget/link sent to them. The ebook then is delivered to their ereader, but it’s protected so it can’t be shared or pirated. It is removed after the date set by the publisher (usually around the book’s on sale date).

The Blurb Blog Tour and Giveaway Continues Through May 19

TourBanner_FoolishBride_KnightsSecret (2)

Foolish Bride by A.S. Fenichel and Knight Secrets by C.C. Wiley

I’m excited to share the first book in the Knights of the Swan series that is published by Kensington/Lyrical Press.


Knight Secrets

Sworn to protect the crown, a Knight of the Swan must never surrender—not even to love . . .

England, 1415. Ordered never to leave the lonely tower on her family estate, Lady Clarice Margrave is suddenly set free when her home is plundered. Now she is determined to discover the truth behind her father’s alleged treason. But an act of daring only propels her into a new prison, with the very knight who destroyed her home as her keeper. Sir Ranulf, Lord of Sedgewic, is ruthless in his inquisition, though there is a searing tenderness in his touch. Is it possible her bold jailor is the Red Wolf of whom her father spoke—and the one man she might be able to trust?

As a knight, Ranulf never questions his troth, but his beautiful prisoner stirs his heart and mind like no other. Clarice is achingly vulnerable—and extremely closed-mouth about her possible ties to the plot against the king. Duty demands he keep his distance, though he yearns to take her to his bed and adore her until he discovers what lies within her heart. And he would—if he weren’t in danger of losing his own . . .


Foolish Bride

Sadly ever after . . . unless some dreams really do come true?

Elinor Burkenstock never believed in fairy tales. Sure, she’s always been a fool for love—what woman isn’t? But Elinor knows the difference between fiction and truth. Daydreams and reality. True love and false promises. . . . Until the unthinkable happens, and Elinor’s engagement is suddenly terminated and no one, least of all her fiancé, will tell her why.

Sir Michael Rollins’s war-hero days seem far behind him when, after one last hurrah before his wedding, he gets shot and his injuries leave him in dire shape. He wants nothing more than to marry Elinor, the woman of his wildest dreams. But Elinor’s father forbids it . . . and soon Michael is faced with a desperate choice: Spare Elinor a life with a broken man or risk everything to win her heart—until death do they part?

A digital copy of both of the books on tour will be awarded to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

It’s been a blast discovering these great bloggers. Be sure to visit ALL of these blogs on the tour for additional chances to win:

April 24: Rogue’s Angels 
April 25: Mixed Book Bag
April 26: The Avid Reader
April 27: T’s Stuff
April 28: Up ‘Til Dawn Book Blog
May 1: The Pen and Muse Book Reviews
May 2: Buried Under Romance
May 3: Readeropolis
May 4: Dawn’s Reading Nook
May 5: Welcome to My World of Dreams
May 8: EskieMama and Dragon Lady Reads
May 9: Booklove
May 10: A Writer’s Life
May 11: BooksChatter
May 12: Sharing Links and Wisdom
May 15: Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews
May 16: Nickie’s Views and Interviews
May 17: Long and Short Reviews
May 18: Books, Dreams, Life
May 19: Full Moon Bites