Today we are celebrating the upcoming release of Ultimate Courage by Piper J. Drake (July 26, 2016 by Forever Publishing) with an awesome ARC (advance review copy) GIVEAWAY of Piper’s book! Plus, Piper stopped by to answer a couple questions about her True Heroes series. Woo hoo! Keep reading for more about the book and giveaway.
Jen: Dogs and military heroes… what a wonderful combination. Isn’t there something extra sexy about a man who loves animals? Was there any specific event or situation that inspired you to write the True Heroes series?
Piper: A man who loves and has a good understanding of animals with a care for their well-being is incredibly sexy!
The True Heroes series actually grew out of a brainstorming conversation with my agent, though. She’s amazing. We were chatting in general and I started to share my experiences with my rescued German Shepherd Dog, Kaiser, as well as my Chelsea, and a dog staying in my care, Mozart. She listened to me tell her about how smart these dogs were, especially Kaiser with his Schutzhund training and Mozart with his military explosives detection training. Right in the middle of one of many anecdotes about the shenanigans my dogs would get up to, my agent looked at me and told me this was it. This was the next series I should focus on writing.
And she was right. The True Heroes series has been my favorite to write to date.
Jen: What kinds of research have you done for the series? What was the most interesting thing you learned about working with dogs?
Drawing on my interactions with Kaiser and Mozart provides the foundation for the canine personalities in the series, especially Kaiser. When I first rescued him, I worked closely with a Schutzhund trainer to rehabilitate Kaiser from being an outdoor guard dog with barely any socialization to a personal companion safely living in a suburban home. With Kaiser, I also worked with at least two former K9 policemen in both formal and informal training.
I read several books on the training of military working dogs, particularly the multi-purpose canines of Special Operations.
Most recently, Christopher Baity, executive director of Semper K9 (http://www.semperk9.org/) has been kind enough to answer my ongoing questions about training military working dogs and also training service dogs to partner with veterans after active duty.
I learned that working with dogs–these brilliant and loving dogs with such dauntless personalities–changes you fundametally. I will never forget Kaiser and he was more than a dog I rescued. He rescued me right back and he was, will always be, my heart.
About the Book:
LOVE IS AN ACT OF BRAVERY
Retired Navy SEAL Alex Rojas is putting his life back together, one piece at a time. Being a single dad to his young daughter and working at Hope’s Crossing Kennels to help rehab a former guard dog, he struggles every day to control his PTSD. But when Elisa Hall shows up, on the run and way too cautious, she unleashes his every protective instinct.
Elisa’s past never stays in her rearview mirror for long, and she refuses to put anyone else in danger. But with Alex guarding her so fiercely yet looking at her so tenderly, she’s never felt safer . . . or more terrified that the secrets she keeps could put countless people in grave peril. The only way for both to fully escape their demons will take the ultimate act of courage: letting go and learning to trust each other.
Giveaway:
Piper is giving away one (1) ARC of Ultimate Courage to give to one (1) lucky commenter. To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter form AND leave a comment at the end of this post answering Piper’s question: What’s your favorite classic dog story? (Benji, Old Yeller, Where the Red Fern Grows, Big Red, etc…) The giveaway is open during the time specified on the Rafflecopter form. Winner(s) chosen at random from all eligible entries. This contest is open to U.S. mailing and Canadian addresses only and where not prohibited by law. Open to participants, 18 years or older, who are legally allowed to participate in such a contest as allowed by their local laws. All federal, state, local, and municipal laws and regulations apply. Void where prohibited. No purchase necessary. By participating in the contest, participants agree to be bound by the decisions of the contest sponsor. Prize will be delivered by the author. This blog, its reviewers, and the owner are not responsible for items lost in the mail. By entering this giveaway, participants agree to abide by these terms.
If you have problems with the Rafflecopter form, please email me at twimom227 (at) gmail (dot) com.
About the Author:
Piper J. Drake (or “PJ”) began her writing career as “PJ Schnyder” writing award-winning sci-fi & paranormal romance and steampunk. She has received the FF&P PRISM award for her work as well as the NJRW Golden Leaf award and Parsec award.
Now, Piper writes romantic suspense, incorporating her interests in mixed martial arts and the military into her writing. The bestselling True Heroes series features hot military men, the women they love, and the dogs who have their backs. The Safeguard series introduces the men and women of Safeguard—an elite group of mercenaries who will go to any extreme to complete a mission…even risk their hearts.
Classic dog story well I’ve not read any. I do remember the classic move of Old Yeller and crying my eyes out, but I’ve never read the book. I very much enjoyed the Q&A. Dogs do change lives and rescue us in many ways.
Omg…*whispers dogs are scary, I like them from…a distance*
But Lassie is always good
I enjoyed Where the Red Fern grows. Thank you for the excerpt.
I liked Benji and Lassie but I loved and laughed so much with the first couple of the Beethoven movies!
I liked Shiloh, but only because Where The Red Fern Grows was too stinking sad! Lol
Old Yeller.
So looking forward to this one 😀
Thanks for participating! The winner has been randomly selected – see the Rafflecopter form!