Tails of Love
by Donna MacMeans, Stella Cameron, Lori Foster, Sarah McCarty, Patricia Sargeant
Berkley Pub Group (Sensation)
December 6, 2011
Available in: Paperback, e-Book (reprint)
Ten stories that celebrate our animal friends, by bestselling and award-winning authors (Lori Foster, Stella Cameron, Kate Angell, Dianne Castell, Ann Christopher, Marcia James, Donna MacMeans, Sarah McCarty, Patricia Sargeant, & Sue-Ellen Welfonder).
From Seeing Eye dogs to the cat who cuddles in your lap, animals are there for us in more ways than we can count. Helping us get through the day with a wag of the tail and a tilt of the head, they let us know that someone is on our side---no matter what. They also have an amazing ability to break down barriers between people; bringing families and loved ones closer, and giving strangers an excuse to strike up a conversation. In Tails of Love, each writer draws from her own unique perspective on our loyal friends---exploring the many mysterious ways they bring love into our lives.
By day, a mild-mannered accountant, I transform at night to an impassioned author of romantic historical novels, paranormals, and suspense. I live outside of Columbus, Ohio with my wonderful husband of many, many years, two adult children, and my canine shadow - a mixed breed mutt named Oreo. When I'm not knee deep in tax returns as a self-employed CPA, or typing away on another manuscript, I'm active in several writing organizations. Every now and then, I break out my paints or pastels for a different creative venue, but of the two, I find writing not quite as messy. I love to cook (but hate to clean up). I have a bit of a reputation with my desserts. They always incorporate chocolate and alcohol in some intoxicating fashion.
I started writing fiction in 1996 and entered my first full manuscript, a romantic suspense, in Romance Writers of America's coveted Golden Heart contest. Although it didn't win, it did final in the suspense category and thus validated that I might be onto something. I went on to write a second romantic suspense, before deciding to try something a little different, a paranormal short story.
The idea for The Education of Mrs. Brimley, my Golden Heart winning manuscript, developed from a contest sponsored by Lori Foster. Her contest was looking for sexy, sensuous entries, and I had an idea about a woman doing a reluctant striptease. The concept made more sense set during a time period when women wore layers upon layers of clothing. As I began the writing, I fell in love with the late Victorian period and my characters.
In addition to Romance Writers of America, I'm a member and officer (you guessed it - Treasurer) of Central Ohio Fiction Writers. I also belong to The Golden Network, a chapter of Golden Heart Finalists, and Scriptscene, a chapter for scriptwriters. Hey - you never know when Hollywood will come knocking.