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BLOG POST FROM SHAGGY DOG AUTHOR SUSAN MOORE JORDAN
And This Shall Be for Music, my new novel, had been “percolating” for some time. I had begun the tale in 2017, but soon realized the book needed to be put on the back burner for a while. Four years and eight mystery novels later, the protagonist, Lindsey Cameron, reminded me she was waiting to tell her story. This time, even though it took a nearly a year and many re-writes, Lindsey was able to complete her journey. In my new blog post, read more about what this author experienced and learned from her characters and what happened to them. And how music, the center of their lives, never failed…
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Beneath the Surface Lurks Truth Masked as Fiction
The Gatekeeper’s Notebook is a psychological thriller/suspense. It’s a bold and poignant story full of misplaced love and loss, a past colliding with the present, and the unimaginable devastation caused by spitefulness, arrogance, deceptions, and buried lies. The story is about a beautiful young widow named Kalila Rahim. After the sudden death of her husband, Bashir, Kalila finds herself without life insurance, a mortgage in arrears, a neighbor from hell, all the crushing responsibilities and upsets of single parenthood, and a woman claiming to be her husband’s second wife and mother to his newborn baby. Kalila’s heart is shattered, but grief can’t put a stop to the bill collectors. Upon…
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New Release: Sundays with Oliver
I’ve been talking about this book for so long that there shouldn’t be a lot left to say. But, hey, this is me. I can always find another word or two. Sundays with Oliver feels very much like the next logical step in my journey as a writer. Once again, I draw on my own life as a jump-off point as my daughter packed up her life and went away to college. I then went on to explore other aspects of mid-life: Becoming an empty nester Having adult children Taking a moment (or twenty) to look back at everything you’ve done and wonder: has it been enough? Learning to come to terms with…
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Forever Friends- A New Release From Sahar Abdulaziz
Earlier this month, Shaggy Dog Books’ own Sahar Abdulaziz, released the forth and final book in The Abernathy & Crane Series. Forever Friends is a story about the unending pursuit of love, the power of friendship, and the amount of trust and selflessness needed when giving everything might mean having nothing left. Love is in the air! —along with anxiety, obstruction, and uncertainty. Irwin wants to feel happy for Harper and Christopher, but what will their marriage ultimately mean for him? Will the young, madly in-love couple move far away? Will Harper’s parents, Irwin’s dear friends, soon follow? Can Irwin prevent Harper and her mother from killing each other?…
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Interview with Kelly Jensen
The word “prolific” definitely applies to the Shaggy Dog author we’re talking with today! Kelly Jensen thus far has over twenty books released, and several more will soon be joining them if I’m not mistaken. Some are available as audiobooks as well as e-books and/or in print, and I see on her Amazon page a few have been translated into German! Impressive. Most are contemporary romance, and I’ve enjoyed reading several of them. SMJ: If I’m not mistaken, you didn’t begin your writing life as a novelist, but rather by writing non-fiction articles. What made you decide to venture into fiction? KJ: Fan-fiction, which I didn’t even know was a…
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Interview with Sahar Abdulaziz
Today we have an opportunity to speak with Shaggy Dog author Sahar Abdulaziz, who writes in a wide variety of genres. I would say from dark psychological thrillers to warm-hearted satire covers quite a range! Sahar, I’ve read many of your excellent books and enjoyed them immensely. Most recently, the third volume in your Abernathy and Crane series. SMJ: One thing I appreciate about your books in any genre is how alive your characters become to your readers. Since I mentioned the series, where did Irwin Abernathy come from? He’s truly an unforgettable character! SA: Thank you. My stories are all character-driven, for sure. If I can make them…
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The Origins of The Case Of The Missing Monarch
Life became pretty lonely when the pandemic lockdown began in March 2020. But the birds began arriving a few weeks later, and escape to the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge became my sanctuary and link to the outside world. I teamed up with a fellow birder who remained as diligent as I about masking and social distancing. The Case of the Missing Monarch started out as a serial sent to a select two to lift all our spirits, and document some of our nature adventures at the Refuge. I added a murder mystery plot and a couple of interesting leading characters who go to a lot of trouble to find…
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Interview with MA Moore
Today we’re talking with Shaggy Dog author M.A. Moore, whose most recently released book is The Case of the Missing Monarch. SMJ: You’re a lady of many interests and many talents. I believe you started your professional life as a violinist and later became a professor of science and astronomy, is that correct? Which explains the background for the novel I just finished reading and enjoyed immensely, The Stars to Guide Them. Can you tell us a little more about your background? MAA: I actually spent the first ten years of my adult life as a professional violinist. At one time I played in three orchestras, started a Suzuki…
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Update From Kelly Jensen-Newly Available Paperbacks, German Translations and More!
Shaggy Dog Books asked me for a long overdue update on which books I have in Kindle Unlimited and which are now available wide. The Let’s Connect series has left Kindle Unlimited and is now available through a variety of retailers. I have also submitted the books to Overdrive and other library services, so get your requests in! LET’S CONNECT | LET’S GO OUT The Let’s Connect series is now also available in paperback! These editions are gorgeous. I always choose glossy covers for my independently published books and the artwork really stands out in this format. Both editions include all the extras (epilogues, art, and recipes) and Let’s Connect features the first chapter…
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Interview with Belinda M Gordon
For this third installment in our series about Shaggy Dog’s Lady Writers, we feature Belinda Gordon, the founder and director of our publishing cooperative. Belinda is a lady of many talents, and we learned more during a recent conversation with this dynamic entrepreneur. SMJ: I just read and thoroughly enjoyed your award-winning book, The Good Pharmacist’s Deadly Secrets—a Finalist in the 2020 AIN Book of the Year Award. I see it’s listed as book one in a new series, following your 4-book series “The King’s Jewel.” All of these include mythical creatures from a world very different from our own. Do you consider these works urban fantasy, and what…