Welcome to the Coffee Chat, Booklovers!
After a devastating storm last week, you couldn’t ask for better weather in the Midwest today. I hope you’ll join me on the deck for coffee (or your favorite drink) and for book talk with author Gayle M. Irwin, bringing us her featured clean contemporary romance novella, Finding Love at Compassion Ranch.
Good morning, Gayle. How do you take your coffee?
GMI: 2 tsps of sugar and three big drops of Chocolate Creamer!
Ally: Coming right up. While I prepare our mugs, pleasure introduce yourself to readers.
After a devastating storm last week, you couldn’t ask for better weather in the Midwest today. I hope you’ll join me on the deck for coffee (or your favorite drink) and for book talk with author Gayle M. Irwin, bringing us her featured clean contemporary romance novella, Finding Love at Compassion Ranch.
Good morning, Gayle. How do you take your coffee?
GMI: 2 tsps of sugar and three big drops of Chocolate Creamer!
Ally: Coming right up. While I prepare our mugs, pleasure introduce yourself to readers.
Bio:
Gayle M. Irwin is an award-winning author and freelance writer, being recognized by Wyoming Writers, Inc., and the Wyoming Press Association for several of her works. She’s contributed short stories to seven Chicken Soup for the Soul books and authors inspirational pet books for children and adults. Her works include two clean, contemporary western romance books, part of a continuing series called Pet Rescue Romance. She’s also written several pet books for children that subtly weaves life lessons, including courage, perseverance, and the importance of pet rescue and adoption. An animal advocate, she volunteers for various dog rescue and humane society organizations and donates a percentage of all book sales to such groups.
Ally: Tell me something unique/unusual that isn't in your regular bio: “My husband and I own six acres of mountain land with a one-bedroom cabin. We travel there most summer weekends and sometimes drive there for dinner on weeknights (it’s located only 20 minutes from our home). I’ve created many stories and freelance articles there, including a children’s nature book called Cody’s Cabin: Life in a Pine Forest.”
Learn more about this Wyoming writer by visiting her at these Author Contacts:
Website/Blog: www.gaylemirwinauthor.com
Facebook
Twitter
Email
Pinterest
Goodreads
Gayle M. Irwin is an award-winning author and freelance writer, being recognized by Wyoming Writers, Inc., and the Wyoming Press Association for several of her works. She’s contributed short stories to seven Chicken Soup for the Soul books and authors inspirational pet books for children and adults. Her works include two clean, contemporary western romance books, part of a continuing series called Pet Rescue Romance. She’s also written several pet books for children that subtly weaves life lessons, including courage, perseverance, and the importance of pet rescue and adoption. An animal advocate, she volunteers for various dog rescue and humane society organizations and donates a percentage of all book sales to such groups.
Ally: Tell me something unique/unusual that isn't in your regular bio: “My husband and I own six acres of mountain land with a one-bedroom cabin. We travel there most summer weekends and sometimes drive there for dinner on weeknights (it’s located only 20 minutes from our home). I’ve created many stories and freelance articles there, including a children’s nature book called Cody’s Cabin: Life in a Pine Forest.”
Learn more about this Wyoming writer by visiting her at these Author Contacts:
Website/Blog: www.gaylemirwinauthor.com
Goodreads
INTERVIEW:
Ally: What do you find most rewarding about a writing career? Most negative or frustrating?
GMI: I have enjoyed writing since I was young. I started writing screenplays and fan fiction based on television shows I enjoyed. I dabbled in poetry and short stories as a young woman and while in college, I studied journalism. I love seeing an idea come to life as a story, and I enjoy meeting other writers and sharing works with them. Two things frustrate me about being a writer: 1. Technology not working correctly and 2. Breaking into a new market, especially when I have an article I’d like to get published and trying to find a magazine editor for the story.
Ally: Do you write with a theme or message in mind?
GMI: I write stories that weave life and faith lessons, such as courage, perseverance, friendship, and love. Because I’m a pet rescue and adoption advocate, I also like to include information on that topic, in hopes of encouraging people to adopt and help rescue organizations. For children, I want to encourage them to 1. Get outdoors more and spend time in nature and 2. Find strength and self-confidence and treat others with kindness.
Ally: What's the best writing/marketing advice you can pass on to other writers?
GMI: Be teachable. We can learn from other writers, from editors, and from book marketing professionals. I’ve listened to many podcasts and webinars, attended conferences, and networked online and in person, and I find there’s always something to learn from others in the writing and marketing professions. Plus, try new things. I’ve started to learn Pinterest for book marketing, and it’s also a way to share my passion for pets.
Ally: Which of your books is your personal favorite? Why?
GMI: My first pet rescue romance, Rescue Road. The book’s setting is southwestern Montana, where I lived for nearly 12 years. I love the area, and I love my story about a woman who desires to create an animal sanctuary. She also transports animals into rescue and to their new, adoptive homes. I sometimes transport dogs for rescue groups, and I enjoy being part of that network. Through the story, I educate people on rescue organizations and the “village” it takes to help companion animals.
Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
GMI: In the Shadow of Mount Moran, Book 3 of my Pet Rescue Romance series; November 16, 2020
Ally: I’m curious to see which short answers questions you chose.
GMI:
Ally: What do you find most rewarding about a writing career? Most negative or frustrating?
GMI: I have enjoyed writing since I was young. I started writing screenplays and fan fiction based on television shows I enjoyed. I dabbled in poetry and short stories as a young woman and while in college, I studied journalism. I love seeing an idea come to life as a story, and I enjoy meeting other writers and sharing works with them. Two things frustrate me about being a writer: 1. Technology not working correctly and 2. Breaking into a new market, especially when I have an article I’d like to get published and trying to find a magazine editor for the story.
Ally: Do you write with a theme or message in mind?
GMI: I write stories that weave life and faith lessons, such as courage, perseverance, friendship, and love. Because I’m a pet rescue and adoption advocate, I also like to include information on that topic, in hopes of encouraging people to adopt and help rescue organizations. For children, I want to encourage them to 1. Get outdoors more and spend time in nature and 2. Find strength and self-confidence and treat others with kindness.
Ally: What's the best writing/marketing advice you can pass on to other writers?
GMI: Be teachable. We can learn from other writers, from editors, and from book marketing professionals. I’ve listened to many podcasts and webinars, attended conferences, and networked online and in person, and I find there’s always something to learn from others in the writing and marketing professions. Plus, try new things. I’ve started to learn Pinterest for book marketing, and it’s also a way to share my passion for pets.
Ally: Which of your books is your personal favorite? Why?
GMI: My first pet rescue romance, Rescue Road. The book’s setting is southwestern Montana, where I lived for nearly 12 years. I love the area, and I love my story about a woman who desires to create an animal sanctuary. She also transports animals into rescue and to their new, adoptive homes. I sometimes transport dogs for rescue groups, and I enjoy being part of that network. Through the story, I educate people on rescue organizations and the “village” it takes to help companion animals.
Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
GMI: In the Shadow of Mount Moran, Book 3 of my Pet Rescue Romance series; November 16, 2020
Ally: I’m curious to see which short answers questions you chose.
GMI:
- a book you're currently reading: Pinterest for Dummies (for my marketing) and Bring Jade Home: The True Story of a Dog Lost in Yellowstone (for pleasure)
- most watched tv show: NCIS
- favorite comfort food: chocolate chip cookies
- If you were a color, what would it be? Purple (I still love Donny Osmond!)
- Your pets - Currently: Jeremiah, a Shih Tzu; Sadie, a Springer Spaniel; a short-haired tortoiseshell cat named Bailey; and a long-haired black and white cat named Murphy
Finding Love at Compassion Ranch
Genre: Contemporary Romance novella
Rating: Sweet/clean/PG
A ranch like no other …
Erin Christiansen is still adjusting to life as a widow. She seeks additional healing by volunteering at Compassion Ranch, a sanctuary for former research animals. Upon arrival at the majestic and unique northwestern Wyoming ranch, she meets Mike, a man she knew in high school, whose compassion for animals and people might be the balm Erin needs.
Retired veterinarian Mike Jacobs is no stranger to loss. Five years after the accidental death of his wife, he now serves as ranch manager of Compassion Ranch. He not only fixes fence and provides tours, but he applies his veterinary skills and his heart for animals to his work. Upon recognizing Erin from high school, he can barely believe his first love will spend a few weeks at the sanctuary.
Can Erin and Mike span the years since they have seen each other or do they, like many of the rescued animals, have wounds that run too deep to trust and love again?
BOOK TRAILER:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4SnahBz9Vc
BOOK BUY LINKS:
Amazon:
Print: https://bit.ly/2XhZbq3_CompassionRanchPrint
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2AM7sLk
Barnes & Noble:
https://bit.ly/3gPw3zs
Kobo:
https://bit.ly/3cjFofs_Kobo
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