Houston Author Bash 2017

My book tubs are packed and ready to head to Houston for next weekend's Author Bash. This was a fantastic event last year, even though there was a last-minute change of venue, so I have really high hopes for 2017.

There will be lots of great authors there. If you are in the area, be sure to stop by. And bring a wagon. Seriously. People show up with wagons to hold all the great books they buy. And for those of you who like that sort of thing, some of the romance novelists bring their cover models. Hmmm.

Quite a selection to chose from! And it's held in a wine bar with delicious food, so there's always that for after you shop.

Hope to see you there!

"Dottie's Daring Day" is HERE!

Paperback copies are in hand. Everything is set at amazon.com. I can officially say that "Dottie's Daring Day" is here and ready to launch out into the book world. This is the second companion book to my Cats in the Mirror series.

Readers made it very clear that they wanted another dog book. "Max's Wild Night" is a best-seller, so it only seemed logical that another dog book should be on the agenda. But even back when Max's book was brand-new, the wheels were in motion. We had a booth at a spring craft fair. Daughter "Mindy" came to visit with her dog Dottie and said that I had to write a book about HER dog too: "Dottie's Daring Day." The title was born then and there.

Dottie even helped sell books that day.

Well, once a title like that is out in the world, how could I avoid writing it??

While Max's book is set around our home here in the Ozark Mountains, Dottie's book is set around her home in Fayetteville. As I did school visits last year, I asked students what they thought a dog would do loose in the area around the University of Arkansas campus. They had fantastic ideas, many of which made it into the book.

Dottie didn’t mean to run away. But when she accidentally slipped out of her collar on the Razorback Greenway Trail during a Saturday walk, she began a day of adventure—exploring the town and the University of Arkansas campus. Along her journey she meets new friends and even learns how to Call the Hogs. She always planned to be home before dark, but will she still be able to find the way back to her girl Mindy when her daring day is done?

To get your own copy, you can click here to purchase a Kindle or paperback copy from amazon. But if you want a signed, personalized paperback copy (with matching bookmark), you can purchase them directly from me at this link thorough PayPal and at my website.

There are also matching toys to go with the book at the shopping cart at my website. What do you think? A pretty good match?

Dottie toy, available at megdendler.com.

Dottie is excited to have her very own book. Finally!

I hope you enjoy the next installment in my book series! We won't be walking away from the cat series completely, but 2017 is going to be the year we focus on a different book I have been working on for many years in various forms. I love the current MG/YA version. It is in the last stages of being critiqued by my talented writing group, so I look forward to having a final version ready to begin promoting by summertime.

Let's just say, "Beyond this point, there be dragons."

Tiger-riffic Habitat Opening Saturday

This afternoon I was out at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge for my weekly volunteer work (the very unglamorous but necessary filing of paperwork) and loved seeing all the final preparations for the amazing new habitat grand opening this Saturday (21st) at 9:30 a.m.

Our local paper did an article about this event recently, so I hope the word is getting out. Unlike some other events that have been more about the cat's first time on grass, this is about the brand-new habitat that has been built on an area that used to be old concrete-floor holding cages. Those have been destroyed, and it's all grass all the time for all the animals now. The four cats who will be blessed with this new, huge enclosure full of climbers and toys are part of a new donation of cats from a Colorado facility that is closing. They have been here on grass for a while, but it doesn't compare to the new home they are looking forward to.

And don't even get me started on how cool this set of tigers is. Besides the fact that four of them can hang together and not fight, some of them are super-unique. Khalessi, Joey, Lakota, and Aurora are quite the squad.

Khalessi is a "golden tabby tiger" or "strawberry tiger." There are only around 30 tigers like her in the whole world. Her markings are a result of the same genetic mutation that results in a white tiger.

Aurora is a beautiful white tiger who is related to many of the new white tigers at the refuge.
Her parents and baby siblings are here.

Lakota is a Ti-Liger, a very rare mix. Even though he is part lion, he can still chuff.

Joey is a beautiful tiger, which is plain in this group but still magnificent. 

And look how much they love each other. Such sweet cats!!

All four photos are from the refuge's Facebook page or website.

The group of cats is also young, the equivalent of teenagers, only a year old, so they will have no hesitation attacking their new lodgings full speed. Even today, they are already in the night house adjusting to the new area--and watching closely every move that the keepers and workers make. I could just imagine them thinking that they can't wait to get their paws on all of it.

I definitely plan to be there to see them released into the new digs on Saturday, and I hope you can join us as well! If you can't make it in person, the refuge will be live streaming the event on Facebook. Follow their page to get alerts and notices about events like this.

And keep your eyes open for a big announcement about my newest book release, coming VERY soon!

Dottie was excited to check out the paperback proof of HER book.

Merry Christmas & Holiday Sale

Merry Christmas from all of us here on Serenity Mountain!

We hope each of you has a delightful holiday season, however you are celebrating. May you have snow if you want it and wonderful times with family and friends--and delicious food.

If you need a last-minute gift, all of my books are on sale for 99 cents from 12-23 to 12-27, and Why Kimba Saved The World is FREE. Just a little thank you from all of us, though Kimba is certain that anything involving her should never be free. She's learning to live with it.

Here's to a Happy New Year and a fantastic 2017!!

Win $500! KidLit Giveaway

Today is the day! The big Kid Lit Community $500 Giveaway has begun! All you have to do to enter is follow the link to the Rafflecopter site and follow as many authors as you like. Each has chipped in a bit to the final prize, so give them all some love by following on Twitter or Facebook or whatever site they have listed. Check it out now! Click on the banner above for the Rafflecopter link.

• Contest dates:  November 15 – December 15, 2016
• Terms and conditions:
• There is NO purchase necessary to enter or win.

• ONE WINNER will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget within 48 hours and notified by email once the giveaway ends.

• The winner will have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new winner will be chosen. Prize valued in US Dollar (USD).

• Winner must have a valid email address attached to their Amazon account in order to receive eGift card.  No age limitation as long as entrant has an Amazon account. Amazon suggests those 18 and under should use the site with the involvement of a parent or guardian.

• How will the winner be notified?  The organizers of the event, C.L. Murphy and Cat Michaels, will notify the winner.  Once confirmation has been made and the winner accepts the $500.00 payment, the winner’s name will be announced.

How does the contest work?

• Click on the photo above – it will take you to the Rafflecopter site.  You will see many children’s authors listed.  You have the option of visiting and liking each author’s Facebook page and / or following each author on Twitter.  EVERY “like” or “follow” = 1 chance in the drawing. If you participate in all of the links, your name will earn 58 chances to win the $500.00 gift card.

There is NO purchase necessary to enter or win. One winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget within 48 hours and notified by email once the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new winner will be chosen. Prize valued in US Dollar (USD). Winner must have a valid email address attached to their Amazon account in order to receive eGift card. (No age limitation as long as entrant has an Amazon account. Amazon suggests those 18 and under should use the site with the involvement of a parent or guardian.)

Kimba's Interview with Sneaky the Cat

Sneaky the cat has interviewed Kimba for her blog. You can find the whole link by clicking here.

Here's a little section of her interview for you to enjoy:

What do you like most about your role in your author's books?

I like that I’m the star. There are also very special details about my role in the universe of cats that are revealed through the series, but I’m not supposed to talk about it. Spoilers.

Meow’s the word. I hate spoilers especially when it’s canned food left out too long.

Hop over to Sneaky's blog and read the whole thing!!

Kimba needed a good nap with Minnie when the interview was done.
Being a star is exhausting. Especially for a cat.

Newsletter and Cover Reveal

My Fall Newsletter is here! You can read all the updates and information about holiday book sale prices at this link. 

Now that it is out there in the newsletter, I can also share the cover for "Dottie's Daring Day!"

Isn't she cute?! Dottie is our grand-dogger, and she is a squiggly, adorable little thing.

The book is back from the editor, and I'll begin with final edits and then formatting before Thanksgiving. Everything is on track for the February 1 release date.

Hope you enjoy the newsletter and are having some lovely fall weather. It's still way too hot here for me, but the leaves are making our mountaintop beautiful.

Next Event: November 12, Bella Vista Christmas Bazaar, Riordan Hall, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm.