How smart IS that cat?

I love my pets. I didn't really have pets until in my 50s, when my daughter asked why we let her father decide whether or not we had animals in our lives. We adopted two cats almost immediately. Those two , Sprite and Dr. Pepper, show up in my first book, More Than A Job. The black and white cat is Pepper. Slainte' (pronounced slawn' cha) was an abandoned, injured adolescent when I found her outdoors at a local  bakery shop. She was hungry and thirsty and the forecast for that day was over 110 degrees. They said to me, "Oh, don't give her food or water. We want her to go away." I made the mistake of picking her up, found the place where her leg was torn, and knew if I put her down there she would die that day. She was thin, pitiful, and yet let me pick her up. I didn't have a box or anything so I took her to my car. She ran around in the car a couple of times but got over her panic in seconds and laid next to me on the seat. I carried her into an animal hospital.  It is expensive to rescue a cat on your own. The shelter doesn't charge full price for the medical care. Slainte' needed to be spayed, had to have some of the dead tissue around her torn leg removed and then the leg sutured, needed de-wormed, and antibiotics to address the infection in her leg. I had just been laid off so had no regular income. What was I thinking?

But as soon as I picked her up I was committed. And she has definitely been worth it. Once she acclimated to the other cats, life settled in and we learned that we had added a very spunky, snuggly cat. She is the model for Dr. Al's cat in Animal Instinct. While my little calico has never saved my life or revealed ancestral secrets, she is a very positive part of my life. When we added a dog - Ollie - she and he vied for the top position in the house by sitting back on their haunches and boxing of all things. Today, though, they curl up together on the bed or on the pet bed in my office.

When my daughter and her husband added a beagle/basset puppy, she let Molly know who was boss, and is the only animal that Molly doesn't attempt to tromp.

Amimal Instinct will be available August 21.

Interview at http://www.junesecondcup.blogspot.com

Join me over at http://www.junesecondcup.blogspot.com where where June and I chat over a cup of tea and my book, More Than A Job. You will find a never-before-revealed excerpt there that highlights a spunky grandmother and family secrets.

Excerpt from More Than a Job - about cats

He reached out his hands and pulled her to her feet. "Now let's go get those flowers in the ground."

"Okay. Let me get the trowel. Do you mind a little company while we work?" She didn't give him time to answer, but propped open the door to her room, then the screened in back porch, and picked up a hand trowel and some gloves. She called, made little kissing noises, and then said, "Here, kit, kit. Come on, babies."

A small cat edged out her bedroom, his black nose first, then a white paw. She scooped up Pepper from the hall and deposited him by the back door.

Sprite was not as cautious as her brother. She raced by Josh and dashed up a tree before Pepper had cleared the threshold.

Josh laughed, dropped to one knee, and held out his arms. Pepper approached him, stretched lazily, and then jumped into those outstretched arms and nudged Josh's chin. Josh's whole face shone with joy. Did guys like cats? What a revelation.

He nuzzled their faces and pulled Pepper's ears. "What are they, maybe eight weeks old?"

"We don't know for sure. They were deposited here by their mom after Grandma left and before I moved in. There were four in the litter. I told the neighbor who owns the mom that I'd keep these two."

Paige knelt and cut a few clumps of plants from the flat and set them along the edge of the bed where she'd decided they would go. "Here in the shade look okay?"

Josh released Dr. Pepper to follow his sister up the tree and knelt to help. "It looks great. So are the cats indoor or outdoor cats? Or both?"

"Both. I only let them all the way out with me, but they spend nice days on the screened in porch."

            "Where were they yesterday?"

            "I left them with my neighbor, Linda, so our work day wouldn't scare them to death." She leaned back on her heels. "Joshua, it is so weird. I've never owned cats before. They're another one of those gifts I was telling you about. I didn't know I would get attached so quickly."

"You're in for a treat. Won't be long before they're stalking each other and pouncing and chasing butterflies."

"They already chase each other. They're so much fun to watch." The two of them developed a rhythm to their work as they talked. Paige dug a hole, Josh put the plant in place, and together they patted dirt around it and moved on. By the time they finished, darkness had fallen. Josh helped her to her feet and put the flats into the recycling bin. The temperature had dropped with the sun and an autumn chill filled the air.

"Let's call the kitties in and get out of the cold."

"They come when you call?" He sounded skeptical.

"Oh, yeah." She unlatched the back door and held it open with one toe. "They love their food more than their freedom. Watch." She called, "Here, kit, kit, kit" and gave a plastic food container a few sharp shakes.

"I'm sure it's the sound of the food and not my voice," she admitted, "but hopefully they'll come when I call before long." Both kittens raced to their food dish, and she latched the door and poured food into their bowls.

She looked up to find Josh watching her intently. She grinned and caught his hand. "Come on in. We can leave them out here. I've been wanting to get you alone all day."

Purchase, Like and Tag  More Than a Job at http://www.amazon.com/Starting-Over-Book-One-ebook/dp/B007F4D0CO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1333306827&sr=1-1

Review (sorta): More Than a Job

by Patty Froese Ntihemuka

Posted on April 20, 2012 by patty

I’ve been taking more time to read, which is blissful. I don’t have to tell you how much less work it is to read a book than to write it. So after finishing up my manuscript, I decided to read for a while. It’s a luxury.
I picked up More Than a Job because I’ve worked with disabled people, as well. It’s a very rewarding occupation, and you definitely know that you’re making a difference in someone’s life. I volunteered with a disabled woman for years and we became good friends. I moved away when I got married, and then she passed away. She’s still in my heart, though, and my photo albums. So this book was one I wanted to read.
This is the book blurb:
Paige Hamilton is a survivor, forced into seeking a new life when her job and ten-year career end at the hands of a new company owner. When the handsome stranger is the first to help her through that transition, she falls fast and hard for Joshua Robinson.
Then she discovers that he is the cruel owner, and that the company she’d loved — the company that cared so much about the adults with disabilities she’d worked with — is in a downward spiral that puts the life of one of her friends at risk.
Lynette Endicott is a good writer. She draws you right into the setting, part of which is a personal fantasy of mine–a gorgeous old house filled with family antiques. The plot is a good one, revolving around the heroine’s job loss, her attempt to put her life back together and a story rooted in her family’s past about an uncle no one will speak of, a shadow of a boy in the background of old family pictures.
Now, to the romance. This is the part I wanted to talk about. This is a Christian romance, but Ms. Endicott ups the heat in this one! Now, the books I write are a sweet rating which means that there is no hanky-panky and I focus on the romance and tenderness and don’t mention the physical desire. This book, while there is no love making until after marriage (or that is at least implied in the book), the author does look at relationships a lot more realistically when it comes to physical yearning for each other. Paige and Joshua are drawn to each other and it’s a very physical attraction. They can’t keep their hands off each other, but that passion is part of their growing love, and you can’t help but feel that without a passion like that, why get married? There are some sensual scenes that had me catching my breath and thinking, “Oh my my… where is that husband of mine?”
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I have to warn you NOT to give it to young ladies you are trying to shelter, but it’s great for those of us mature enough to appreciate a sensual love story rooted in faith.

A sizzling excerpt today at the publisher's blog

When she has time to really look at him, Paige is drawn to everything about Joshua. His open friendliness, his care when helping her in the yard, his excitement over finding the treasures, and the heat of that first kiss. Check in at my publisher's blog for the second kiss. Now that Paige is free of her job she is also free to fall in love. http://desertbreezepublishing.blogspot.com

Comment and Follow here or there for a chance to win the amethyst pendant from the book (see below).

Disability Rights - How did that influence More Than a Job?

The job Paige loses is one as a case manager or QP (qualified professional) with people with developmental disabilities. During her self-examination as she puts her life back together she discovers a family secret that relates to the rights of people with disabilities. While this is not a lecture, the story touches on some important topices, like the poor treatment that people who have communication challenges sometimes face, and the rights of people with disabilities to marry, have children.

Read more about the impact of the Disabiilty Rights and Justice movement and how it informed some of this book.

http://desertbreezepublsihing.blogspot.com

Comment or Follow either blog to be entered into a drawing for the amethyst pendant that inspired one of the scenes in the book (see above).

Main characters itnerviewed today

Today on my publisher's blog, Joshua is interviewed by his HR person and Paige is interviewed by her former co-worker and best friend. You will learn more about both characters from More Than a Job. Check it out at http://desertbreezepublishing.blogspot.com/

Visits this week - two to check out!

Be sure to post a comment there or here for a chance to win More Than A Job.  Please also click FOLLOW! Need to have 100 followers by April 1 so need your help.

Check these links:
http://sgcardin.blogspot.com/
http://cuffesisters.com/2012/complimentary-cuffes/welcome-lynette-endicott/

Each tells you something new, and gives you a chance to learn about a couple of my favorite authors.

Check it out - I visit the Cuffe Sisters

This blog tour is such fun for me! I have learned about my fellow authors and each of them asks different questions, so you can learn more about me, too. 

This week I am visiting with Sadie and Sophie Cuffe. Stop by their blog at http://cuffesisters.com/complimentary-cuffes/ and learn more! And yes, we are talking about More Than a Job.

And while you are here - be sure to comment or join/follow this blog. It really helps me get great interviews when I can tell other authors about ever-increasing numbers of followers!

Thanks!

Overbooked for this book release

I may be slightly overbooked this week - but all three of these interviews are unique and reveal different things about More Than a Job.  Check them out:

http://pattyfroese.com/?p=1623
http://tinapinson.blogspot.com/
http://jillianchantal.com/news/

And everyone who leaves comments and/or follows/joins will be entered in a drawing for the book - or if you've already purchases More Than a Job, for my next release, Animal Instinct, out August 21.

I am visiting today...

Stop by Jillian Chantal's blog and read an excerpt from More Than a Job, and a little out my writing journey. I will be visiting other authors most of this next week, and every one is asking different questions. Fun!

I read through other posts - Jillian has some great items on her blog.

And don't forget to scroll through the posts here. I have had a lot of great authors as guests and you will find books you must have!

And the winner this week is...

My therapy dog, Ollie drew names from among the visitors to my blog and Shanna's as she hosted me this past week.

You can find the last interview, today's, on her blog at www.shaunnagonzales.blogspot.com

The winner of a copy of More Than a Job is Donna K. Weaver. Donna, contact me at lynetteendicott@gmail.com and tell me what format you want and I will arrange your download of this new eBook.

Thanks to everyone for this week's fun visits.

First Kiss

Read the first kiss from my new release, More Than A Job, then comment, join or follow either my host, Shaunna Gonzales or here and you will be included in the drawing for a free eBook with the rest of the story!

Drop in to Shaunna Gonzales' Blog for another chance to win

Shaunna Gonzales is hosting me at her blog this week. Be sure to stop by and comment, follow or join for another chance to win More Than a Job.

We have a winner!

Congratulations to Deb Bixler, who won the drawing for a copy of More Than A Job. She will get the download of her choice.

Thanks to everyone who visited during this release celebration. This blog had more than 300 visits during the 4 day celebration. Thanks for being a part of this very big event in my life.

It has been fun to talk with friends and relatives who tell me they have finished reading my book! I hope they will be posting their reviews soon! Both here and on Amazon. Comments very welcomed.

Finish a book in a week? a month? a year?

I wrote More Than A Job in a Book in a Week challenge with a writing group I belonged to over in San Jose, CA.  My prior books had been years in the making, so this was quite a new concept to me. While of course there was critique and editing to do afterwards, the book was finished, so that when my friend Tami Dee said she would refer me to her editor if I could send a manuscript within the week, I could do that. The release yesterday of More Than A Job was the result.

I have a book contract for a book that is only about half way finished. Animal Instinct is the first to be published of the Time After Time series that Tami and I are working on together. I have an outline to two other volumes in that set. When I signed up for SPEEDBO it is with the goal of finishing Animal Instinct AND an earlier book in the same series set on the Western plains of the US around the beginning of the 20th Century. So starting today I am going to WRITE, WRITE, WRITE!

Debra Parmley is interviewing me over on her blog

Go check it out. I am on a virtual book tour! The release party here is continuing, so read through the excerpts below, go to the web site, and comment, join or follow for a chance to win the new book, More Than a Job. And of course download the book and read it this weekend! If you already have it and you win I will give you a choice of another copy to give to your friend or the download of my next book, Animal Instinct. 

First Kiss from More Than a Job

           "There you are." Paige's lilting voice gave Josh a rush of warmth and he grinned up at her from flat on his back on the ground, bumping his head on the corner of the tool shed as he sat up.
"Ouch." He rubbed the spot and with a rueful shrug, scooted out and brushed the back of his head to shake any leaves free. "You startled me. I was just finishing up."

"What are you doing under there, anyway?" Paige leaned down to peer into the recess under the floor of the little building. "That doesn't even look safe. I'd be afraid of bugs and snakes and other unnamed creepy crawlies."

"Oh, they're all gone now." Josh reached under the building and felt around until he grasped his treasure. "Scared them away with the rake before I retrieved this."

He pulled one of the rocks out and held it up for Paige to see.

Her gasp of joy pleased him. She reached for the crystal in his hand.

"I don't believe it. However did you find this? It's gorgeous." She held it up, letting the sun reflect through it, flashing colors.

They moved their heads closer together as they handled the hollow crystal and sorted through others. Paige looked up, and Josh found her eyes, blue and sparkling with joy, only inches from his. He could get lost in those eyes. The light in them was clear and bright and eager. He didn't want to look away, but she broke the gaze.

A blush crept up her neck, and she shifted a little farther from him. "You seem to know a lot about rocks."

"I was an avid collector as a kid. My mom makes jewelry and always had lots of rocks around for her work." He picked up a purple crystal and held it out to her.

She opened her palm.

He dropped it into her hand and let his fingers trail across her wrist before he moved them away."That one was always my favorite. It's an amethyst. Isn't it beautiful?"

"Amethyst is my birthstone." Her voice was low, almost a whisper, and filled with a kind of awe that touched him to the core.

"You have a February birthday, then."

"It is beautiful."

He looked at her face, the perfection of her skin, slightly pink and so touchable, and he reached out one finger and ran it down her cheek. Electricity crackled up his arm.

"Yes, it is." He stopped at her mouth, shifted so his thumb was there instead, and hooked his finger under her chin. Then he lifted her eyes to his. "Beautiful," he repeated.

Her breathing picked up, and his own grew rapid and shallow, matching his speeding heart. He struggled to remember that he'd only seen this woman once before. He barely knew her, but somehow that didn't compute. The only thought he could process was how her lips would feel under his. He leaned forward for a little taste and found her lips parted ever so slightly and her breath tasting of cinnamon. She shifted a little closer.

She tasted of everything good and right in the world. Cinnamon and vanilla and honey. He moved his lips slowly, carefully, taking his time, giving her time to draw back or not, to do what she wanted and needed to do.

Her hand came up to his face and she angled in, deepening their kiss and stealing his reserve. Her fingers tested the feel of his hair, the stubble on his face, and then her tongue flicked the corner of his mouth.

Had he moaned out loud? He needed to press closer. He put his arm around her shoulder and shifted so their bodies touched as he pulled her against him.

They both broke off and pulled back, she with a giggle, and he with a muffled curse, as the pointed edges of the rock collection dug into his hip."Dratted rocks."

The pile he'd pulled out for her viewing pleasure made a decidedly unpleasant place to lounge for a first kiss. His gaze darted up to meet hers, and he burst into laughter as she covered her mouth and smothered her own chuckles. Her eyes danced, filled with joy in the craziness of the moment.

Your virtual party hosts today - Lynn and May

Hi! I'm Lynette Endicott - Release today: More Than a Job
When a high school writing assignment resulted in publication of an article in a youth magazine, at age 14, I was hooked. Writing has always been part of my life; journaling, grants for work, or newletters for non-profits where I worked have kept that alive.

I have been part of the Disability Justice movement since 1979, and continues to consult with organizations that serve people with disabilities.
I grew up in Illinois, met my husband in Western Nebraska, lived 25 years in Kansas where our daughter was born, and have been in Fresno, California since 2000. I have a son-in-law (who lives with her daughter nearby), and have rescued a dog, two cats and a bird. Ollie, her five-year-old terrier mix, volunteers with me at the local library, where children read to the him.

May Williams, Release today - Enchanted by a Lily
May Williams is convinced she read every book in the public library of her hometown as a kid. Today, her house sags under the weight of books. If she's not reading or writing, may can be found pursuing her other two passions -- sewing and running. May lives happily in a little town on the shores of Lake Erie with her husband, two children, three cats and one oversized dog.

Check out More Than A Job. I know you want to pick one up NOW!

Okay, here on my site I am going to lead with my book, More Than a Job. Paige Hamilton is a young professional working with adults with developmental disabilities until she is fired from her job.

Leave a comment below and be entered to win one of the release party prizes, including a chance at winning this book.

Join/Follow this blog by clicking on that link over to the right of this post, and get another chance to win.

A short blurb:

When Paige Hamilton is fired from her 10-year career, it is Josh Robinson who helps her pick up the pieces. A team of family members and friends walk with her as she starts a journey to a new life. All that is threatened when she learns who Joshua really is and blames him for a life-threatening injury to a close friend.
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-269/Starting-Over-Book-One/Detail.bok
Also available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Load to your eReader today!