I love my cats and dogs. Some are only here temporarily if they are fosters, but each holds a special place in my heart. And sometimes in my writing.
My furbabies sometimes manage their way into a story, as inspiration or namesakes. Yoda—a black kitten we'd adopted from the rescue I'd eventually foster for—inspired "Boots," the black kitten who steals a prince's heart in
NOT-SO-PERFECT PRINCESS and leads him to the heroine. Manchester/Manny in
IT STARTED WITH A CRUSH is based off Rocket, one of my first cats who is no longer with us. Maurice, a Norwegian Elkhound in
THE MAN BEHIND THE PINSTRIPES, shares a doesn't-know-when-to-stop-eating trait with our dog Chaos. The diva foster kitty Blossom in
THE BILLIONAIRE'S NANNY was inspired by a foster cat named Gabbro.
Not all the animals in my books are character pets.
In my new release
HER CINDERELLA PRINCESS, my heroine Emily's has an old, worn, used-to-be-white stuffed animal cat named Miss Mousie. The name comes from a real life Miss Mousie—a foster failure who we adopted.
Miss Mousie has a
blog and
Facebook page of her own. A couple years ago, romance and mystery authors helped raise money for the then-foster cat so the animal rescue could afford an expensive surgery she needed. She sometimes appears on my Facebook page or Twitter feed as my author assistant and muse. She takes her job seriously, never leaving my side while I write. All her hard work leads her to sleep and sleep and sleep some more. Perfect inspiration for Emily's stuffed cat!
Do you like reading about animals in stories? Do you have a favorite animal character that's stuck with? Comment with your answers.
One winner from the comment section will get a prize pack that includes an autographed book, chocolate, bookmarks/swag and a stuffed animal kitty that can be named Miss Mousie or not! Be sure to check back here in a week to see if you won. I post a weekly winners recap each Tuesday morning on my
Facebook page so you can check there, too.
If you want to find out more about me and my books, check out
my website.
Subscribe to my newsletter if you want to keep up with new releases, sales and special news. I occasionally
tweet, but mainly I hang out on my
Facebook page. Stop by and say hi sometime!
I hope you have a great day!
Melissa
I love stories that have animals in them. I also love stories that feature animals. Homer the blind kitty stands out for me. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHomer's Odyssey is on my TBR list, mrsnoah!
DeleteI love stories that feature animals. Most of the books I choose have a dog or cat as a companion.
ReplyDeleteI'm the same way, Leslie! Animals are such a part of my life I love when they are in the stories I read, too!
DeleteI do like reading about animals in stories. My allergies are so severe that I cannot have pets...however, it sure is great to read about pets in books...especially dogs.
ReplyDeleteHugs on the allergies! You're one of the reasons I have the decoy box for one of my cats. To keep her away from prizes :)
DeleteLove my kitties! Love your stories!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Judy! Your kitties are luck to have you!
DeleteMy all time favorite is Buck from A Call of the Wild by Jack London. Lately I haven't noticed many pets or animals in many stories. I do enjoy reading about them though ;-)
ReplyDeleteI read that a looooong time ago! I seem to be drawn to stories that have animals in them. Probably due to covers so that's what I end up buying!!!!
DeleteThe Familiars (The Familiars #1) by Adam Jay Epstein. The cat named Aldwyn. the book is very very good!
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard that title or series, Steven. I'll check it out. Aldwyn is a cool name for a cat!
DeleteThis comment if for Kelly Steele Ownby who couldn't get her comment to publish. From Kelly: I love stories with animals in them. Hate it when an animal is hurt or worse killed.
ReplyDeleteAnimal stories make me nervous because I'm always afraid they're going to get hurt!
ReplyDeleteLove animals and animal stories.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love animals in the stories I read, especially dogs. It makes the characters feel even more real to me for some reason. I don't have one that has stuck with me though.
ReplyDeleteI'm a big sucker for animals in stories. I remember this one book I bought just because it had a bulldog on the cover. Not because the hot guy...nope the cute BULLDOG!!! He actually play a big part getting the heroine and hero back together...and like a true romance sucker, I still have that book in my romance box to this day...grant you it's a "few" years old...Still...LOL
ReplyDeleteI not only love stories with animals in it... I love books and cats. So, books with cats in it are even more awesome xD Thanks so much for the chance to win a prize too ;)
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading stories that have cats or dogs in them. I wish that more writers would have pets included in their books
ReplyDeleteI love stories that have animals in them. :)
ReplyDeleteI like books with pets in them. Make people seem more real.
ReplyDeleteI love reading stories with cats.
ReplyDeleteI definitely enjoy books that feature pets as characters.
ReplyDeleteAny character that has a cat is a good character!
ReplyDeleteWhen I read books with pets as some of the characters I feel a connection with to the book. We have always had dogs, but now that we live in an apartment that doesn't allow pets it gets a little lonely at times. We hope one day to have a home where we can have dogs. There are so many dogs in our town that need a foster family or a forever home.
ReplyDeletelove stories with cats or dogs in them; I love my furbabies as I call them. What great companions they are. and they reduce stress for me.
ReplyDeleteLove reading books with animals in them. Especially cats!
ReplyDeleteStories with a black cat, my Sebastian would love it!
ReplyDeleteI love cats (and dogs). I love to see them in stories. I used to have kitties, but now I live with my son and his family. My lovely daughter-in-law is highly allergic to cats. ��
ReplyDeleteI love reading books that have animals in them and I've read so many I can't just name one so i'll just say I love my fur baby Zoey:) Thanks for sharing with us~
ReplyDeleteI love dogs and horses . Id love to see a story with a yorkie and a white mustang
ReplyDeleteHaving more fur babies then humans in this house, you know my bookshelves are filled with books about animals.
ReplyDeleteLove stories with animals in it. We are big animal lovers here. We have two dogs, they go everywhere with us, except vacations. My favorite dog book Must Love Dogs by Claire Cook.
ReplyDeleteI love to read, its the perfect way to wind down after a long day. -Melissa
ReplyDeleteAllergies and furries just do not mix well but I love hearing about loving homes for them. I love reading, and look forward to your great giveaways.....
ReplyDeleteI love animals!! When they are added in a but that Bering do much more to it!
ReplyDeleteI get a kick out of jerks cat in Kim Harrison's hollows series.
Sarah Bird
I love stories with animals in them. The only animal that sticks in my mind is Priscilla the elephant from Susan Mallery's Fool's Gold series.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have read many books with animals in them. I am partial to dogs as I am allergic to cats. I feel like everyone needs to experience a companion like them at least once in their lives.
ReplyDeleteAnimals add character to any story.
ReplyDeleteI have always loved books with animals,,growing up ,black beauty,my friend flicka,,ole yeller,Lassie ,,were faves of mine
ReplyDeleteI love stories with animals in them. One story that comes to mind is When you Dare by Lori Foster. Dare has two dogs.
ReplyDeleteI love stories on animals, since I have Chi, would like a story on a Chi.
ReplyDeleteI love when a story has an animal in it. It warms my heart because I love my pets <3
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy animals in books because they are a part of life. The only pets we have are fish right now but there are a few feral cats running around in the neighborhood that I help feed. They won't come near you though.
ReplyDeleteIt's so odd that authors started putting pets in their stories I know they did once and a great while but now it's hard not to find a book that doesn't incl at least one. I just love it being an animal lover myself sometimes the only ones that you can rely on or give you the best love is a 4 legged boy or girl..
ReplyDeleteI love animals in books. I think they should all have at least one.
ReplyDeleteI love Cats, I have three furred babies! In one of my favorite dystopian book, the Heroine owns a cat and they travel together. Awesome! Cats are so underrated!
ReplyDeleteI love my three kitties. They complete my life. That may sound theatrical, but it's so true.
ReplyDeleteLove stories with animals!
ReplyDeleteL O V E Kitties!! <3 I have always had Cats!! I had a part Siamese Female Cat called Chimes that lived to be 21yrs old!!! She was like my daughter - since I have 3 boys!! And was in our lives for sooooo long!! Kitties have Unique Personalities!!! ;) Linda Lechnir Chidster
ReplyDeleteMy love of reading started with the Blaze books and the Black Stallion books! have been hooked on books and animals from then on!!!
ReplyDeleteMy fur baby s on my lap. I love stories with animals in them. Anything can and usually does happen...lol
ReplyDeleteI love pets in stories. What a fun prize pack.
ReplyDeleteI love animals in books. I have two fur baby dogs. Would love to have a cat, but unfortunately, my daughter and I are very allergic to them. Cats are great for holding and petting, especially when they are purring.
ReplyDeleteI like them in books.
ReplyDeleteI love to be inspired by books about animals because I understand the unconditional love that animals have given me over my lifetime. My mom bred afghan hounds and also sweet kittens from our black cat "Beauty". It was tough as a young child to let go of these little ones after helping to feed them and care for them, but it also taught us a valuable lesson about the responsibilities involved in raising a pet! Keep on doing what you do Melissa, by inspiring others :)
ReplyDeleteI love books with animals in them. My favorites are cats, dogs and horses.
ReplyDeleteHow could anyone not enjoy a story with animals in them?
ReplyDeleteCant say a particular animal stuck with me. Wait, maybe a dog that talked. Well, he didn't actually talk. But you could hear his thoughts. It was pretty cool.
I listened to that audio book of that one. And I know it must have made it a million times better to hear the dogs voice.
Love animals
ReplyDeleteLove animals
ReplyDeleteGalahad in the In Death books by JD Robb is a favorite.
ReplyDeleteThe cats are wonderful, Melissa! So is the book! :)
ReplyDeleteLove stories with animals.
ReplyDeleteI read books to my grandchildren, and of course they love animals...and princesses :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to see a book about a sphynx cat, I have one named Ramses but I call him the hairless wonder. Sorry if this posted 2x's my phone was having issues.
ReplyDeleteWe rescued all of our FurBabies. I was reading last night and our kitty Owie kept wanting to play.
ReplyDeleteAnimals are always a good addition to any book in my opinion. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMy two favorite animal characters are Kao K'o-Kung (Koko for short) and Yum-Yum from the The Cat Who...series by Lilian Jackson Braun.
ReplyDeleteNice Blog post and fun Melissa
ReplyDeletealready follow--if you don't you should
thx-fun
Hi! You're the winner of the prize pack, mcentmel. Please email me at melissamcclone (at) gmail (dot) com or PM me at my Facebook page. Thanks!
DeleteWishing you a great day
ReplyDeleteLooks like a must read. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy a good story where a favored animal takes center stage every now and again.
ReplyDeleteI love to read about animal characters in books. I especially love it when the animal is a cat. I am extremely allergic to cats, so I've never been able to have one as a pet. When reading, it's easy to imagine yourself in a story, and that's as close as I'll ever get to having a cat lol.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how to sign in and have it show my name lol.I used my AIM, but all I see is some link in place of my name. But this is Misty Farris.
DeleteI have 4 dogs and 7 cats. Nothing but unconditional love and that I can't say no to a animal that needs a home. Love stories about animals
ReplyDeleteDo you like reading about animals in stories? Oh yes, especially when the children are a part of it.
ReplyDeleteDo you have a favorite animal character that's stuck with? The Thunder Lord, The pup in this one was almost a tug of war between Jeniver, and Gallus two daughters.
I enjoy hearing about animals in stories--sometimes they can help bring the couple together.
ReplyDeleteDenise
I enjoy reading about animals.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance. I love reading about animals.
ReplyDeleteI love reading books that have pets in them, I have 1 dog and 1 cat and 1 bird.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure if I commented or not. I love books with animals in them. Thank you for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteAny book that has animals in it is a draw for me. I love the authors who put their furbabies in their works.
ReplyDeleteThe ones that stuck with me were the lassie and Benji books and movies. Loved them all. Also, Lady and the Tramp. Great books. There was also one wher several cats were traveling trying to get back home. Fun and good book, but can't remember the name of the book. Have had books with dogs and horses in them, and cats as one of the main characters in a good movie that brought a couple together. memory is awful. Was on TV. but don't remember the name. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <
ReplyDeleteI love animals in stories, especially when we get their POV! It can be so sweet and add so much to a story! :)
ReplyDeleteI love books with animals in them. My favorite is Dewey the Library Cat.
ReplyDeleteSue B
I have cats and seems like I've always had at least one cat at my home. Plus I volunteer in the cat room at a local animal shelter so of course I love reading a book that has a cat in it! Love the Midnight Louie books (the Las Vegas cat and his owner stories). Also not sure how to put my name or email on here either but I'm Martha Luketich Fager.
ReplyDeleteI love stories with animals in them. I love cats and dogs. I read a story that was told by a cat and it was so funny, but true.
ReplyDeleteMiss Mousie is gorgeous. I love how you add a cat to a story.
ReplyDeleteIf I were to win, I would definitely name the kitty Miss Mousie.
DeleteI really enjoy stories with animals in them. It makes the characters more realistic and human. So many of us adore our pets so why not read about others who feel the same way.
ReplyDeleteI had 19 cats and 2 dogs at one time. 13 were fosters. I lost my 17 1/2 yr old baby Misty this past New Years Eve. It Broke my Heart
ReplyDeleteI love animals in stories!! House of Night series is my favorite with animals! All the vampires get cats that choose them as their owners.
ReplyDeleteI love stories with animals in them. It was a real pleasure to meet Miss Mousie ! I foster cats as well, it's wonderful to see someone like yu doing the smae thing. I agree, it's hard to give them up most of the time. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do for the animal !
ReplyDeleteDeanne
Cnnamongirl(at)aol(dot)com
Hope this is not a duplicate post. But I love animals especially kitties and I love when animals are used in stories.
ReplyDeleteI too love animals and love reading stories that include them.
ReplyDeleteI do like animals in stories. I think they add a fun element. Mrs Norris from Harry Potter is a favorite.
ReplyDeletei love animals. so i love stories with them in it especially cats and dogs.there are these books from harlequin intrigue that have a cat named familiar in them that helps the hero and heroine solve the mystery/crime and sometimes helps save them and other people
ReplyDeleteI have to say, my favorite animal in any story is a cat. They can be smart, funny, aloof, affectionate, loving and magical!
ReplyDeleteI'm allergic to animals so the closest I can get is reading stories with them and I love it! They're always good for a few laughs and sometimes they're the best character of the whole story!
ReplyDeleteThis comment is for Jennifer Coleman who couldn't post herself: I love animals in stories. It makes them more real.
ReplyDeleteThis comment is for Kathleen Bylsma who couldn't post herself: I'm such an enormous animal lover.
ReplyDeleteI love animals in books....my favorite is the Animal Magnetism series by Jill Shalvis
ReplyDeleteI love animals and pets in stories. They add so much and can tell you a lot about a character (based on how they interact with them). Plus pet antics can add a lot of humor to a story :)
ReplyDeleteHello Melissa,
ReplyDeleteI like reading true animal stories (they are so touching). I love learning about different wonders of the world.
I love reading about animals in stories since they often add a touch of humor through their antics. Jill Shalvis does a great job with her animal characters in both her Animal Magnetism and Lucky Harbor series. I also loved Lisa Kleypas' Hathaway series as Bea has a menagerie of animals that often brought trouble. Thanks for the chance to win this giveaway! :D
ReplyDeleteI love animals in books. The one character that has always stuck with me is Tick Tock from the Disney Peter Pan book I had as a child.
ReplyDeleteAlthough hubby & I have no animals (we live in a parsonage and choose not to), Granddaughter has 3 cats - one I'm definitely partial to. And yes, I do like to read about animals in books.
ReplyDeleteI like animals as a side note in stories (just like in real life for me...not an animal person-allergic.) I don't like stories where animals speak.
ReplyDeleteI love reading stories with animals! I am partial to cats though :)
ReplyDeleteawww......love stories with animals...but am a cat person...sooo :)
ReplyDeleteI love animals so a story with animals as primary or secondary characters are a pleasant change every couple of weeks.
ReplyDeleteThe winner of the prize pack is mcentmel. Please email me at melissamcclone (at) gmail (dot) com or PM me at my Facebook page.
ReplyDelete