People ask
me why animals show up so often in my books. My first answer is – I have no
idea, they just do. My second, more considered answer is that animals often
reveal who we really are underneath the layers life imposes on us.
I saw that
clearly when I walked my kids to school yesterday with our new puppy (an
adorable bundle of fur). Along the way I noticed something – the eyes of almost
every child we passed lit up. Just that – they lit up. Widened and crinkled and
downright sparkled. Even those who were afraid to approach the tiny addition to
our household were charmed and softened.
Adults –
not so much. Some did smile, a handful did gush, but often they just didn’t see
or were lost in the chaos of their lives, trying to get the kids to school,
themselves off to work, and tasks in a line. Life, the universe and everything.
I completely understand, I am often the same. Even if I had wanted to stop and
pet another person’s dog I often don’t allow myself that luxury, or that
encroachment.
I realized
that one day the majority of the children who were overcome with joy at the
sight of a little bundle of fur would grow up to become those who couldn’t
see/allow themselves/afford to stop and pet the puppy (that is not a
euphemism!).
And I think
this is why I write animals into my stories. Because in the contact between us
and animals something else comes out of us, a deep childish loving, a
connection to who we are under layers, a need to give and receive love. Animals
help me explore that part of myself and in my heroes and heroines.
In my
latest books horses and dogs have an important role. Nell, the heroine of Lord
Hunter’s Cinderella Heiress, has found purpose, love and confidence in her
dealings with horses that were denied her in her own home. In my next book,
Lord Ravenscar’s Inconvenient Betrothal, a canine friendship from the past
helps connect our hero to the better aspects of his childhood. It doesn’t
always have to be a familiar animal, either – in that same book the heroine,
Lily, who grew up on a secluded island, had a close friendship with a manatee.
Now that I think about it, my daughter has had some interesting conversations
with praying mantises living in our garden, so anything goes.
It doesn’t
mean I always intend to write about animals, but they are a natural part of my
life and I have a feeling they will keep sneaking, galloping, or creeping into
my stories, planned or not.
Excerpt
from Wild Lords book #1: Lord Hunter’s Cinderella Bride (November 2017)
Nell’s
breath caught and a gentle flush warmed her full lips to a soft peach colour.
Hunter watched, fascinated by this quite unique and very appealing
transformation; then he looked up and met her eyes and was surprised to see
that they were brimming with laughter.
‘I
think I might actually enjoy this,’ she half-whispered.
‘What?’
he asked, confused.
‘Flirting.
I think I’m starting to understand how it works.’
A
slap might have been more painful, but no more sobering. For a moment he had
actually forgotten why he was doing this.
‘That’s
good. Feel free to experiment. Despite my name, I don’t mind being hunted.’
‘I’m
not sure how. I don’t think I could ever do what Lady Melkinson does.’
He
caught the hopelessness in her voice.
‘You
won’t know until you try,’ he said lightly and this time her eyes were
assessing. Then she half-lowered her long lashes so that the silver irises
glimmered through them.
‘Like
this?’ she asked huskily, leaning towards him, the tips of her fingers just
making contact with the sleeve of his coat. Then her lips parted and the tip of her tongue
touched her lower lip, drawing it in gently and letting it go. As far as
seductions went it was very mild, as hesitant as a girl dressing in her
mother’s finery. There was no reason it should have felt like the blood was
reversing course in his veins.
‘A
very good start,’ he managed and was rewarded with another smile.
Book
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