Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Meet Puppy #2: Champagne!

A couple months back I adopted a new puppy from http://www.homeanimalrescue.com/litter1.html#top. I named her Pikachu (Yes, from the Pokemon game my son loves). A mix of Chihuahua and some mystery breed, I proceeded to fall in love. And Pikachu proceeded to find joy in being spoiled rotten. Problem was, my old dog couldn't handle a bouncing, playful pup, and would growl at Pikachu every time the puppy came near. And I couldn't blame either one of them. My poor old Baggins needed a comfy snooze and three meals. Pikachu needed...someone to play with. I mean, I tried, I truly did. But I couldn't play with her 24-7, I have to work. And despite the fact that I work from home, I knew my Pikachu was lonely.

You know what's coming next, right?

Having all these thoughts in my head, I did a crazy thing and walked into a pet store (NO puppy mills here, all the dogs are from reputable breeders) and saw the scrawniest, scraggliest little Yorkshire Terrier. Despite all the other fluffy, pretty little puppies, I named her Champagne, and took her home.

How can I even describe the joy on Pikachu's face when I brought that quivering bundle home? There was no hesitation, just a few inquiring sniffs, and then like me, Pikachu fell instantly in love. And I truly think that dog thinks Champagne belongs to her, not to me (although I'm the one who stayed up half the night when Champagne caught reflections of herself and me in the big mirror. I took her close to the mirror and showed her it was just us, but dang if she didn't keep freaking. I think it was new environment nerves, cause she's been just fine ever since.)

Anyway, those two puppies play constantly. They pick a toy to fight over and then chase each other around the yard, just for the sheer joy of running. And even though Champagne is so tiny, she's a scrapper, and keeps up with Pikachu just fine. And even though Pikachu is bigger and heavier, she has never hurt Champagne, even when they get to REALLY tussling.

I do find time to be alone with Champagne, to love on her without Pikachu barging in and dragging her away to play. And I find time with Pikachu, so she knows she's still my first pup.

But the two of them together are just magic. And despite having three dogs for the first time in my life (I have always said I only have two hands to pet 'em, so I can only have two dogs at a time) I have never regretted that split moment of craziness that brought Champagne home.

As Always,
My Magical Best,
Kathryne


From Left to Right: Champagne, Pikachu, and Baggins.

Friday, December 20, 2013

LAST CHANCE to win a copy of EVERLASTING ENCHANTMENT: http://www.joyfullyreviewed.com/22604

http://www.joyfullyreviewed.com/22604

Stop by and say hi, and you're entered to win! This is the last stop on my blog tour where you'll have a chance to win a free copy of EVERLASTING ENCHANTMENT, so good luck to all! 

Monday, December 16, 2013

Booklist gives EVERLASTING ENCHANTMENT Starred Review!

BOOKLIST
Issue: December 15, 2013

*       Everlasting Enchantment.
Kennedy, Kathryne (Author)
Dec 2013. 384 p. Sourcebooks, paperback, $7.99. (9781402269912).
Underneath Victorian London lies a labyrinth of tunnels and caverns housing a shadow city, the only home Millicent Pantere, a were panther, has ever known. All members of the nobility possess magic, from the all-powerful queen to the less-gifted shape-shifting baronets. By holding hostage the only person Millicent loves, Duke Ghoulston forces her to go above ground and into London society to find a mysterious relic upon which Merlin cast a revengeful spell centuries earlier. She discovers a group of ladies who are hoping to be the one that the relic, a bracelet, will cleave to and at midnight bring the man of her dreams into her life for a night of exquisite lovemaking. The man who is imprisoned in the bracelet’s stone is Sir Gareth Solimere, of King Arthur’s Round Table, who made Merlin a cuckold. For centuries his fate has been to make love to each woman who dons the relic, looking for his own true love to break the spell. The latest in Kennedy’s The Relics of Merlin series (Double Enchantment, 2013) features exquisite world building, making this richly imagined adventure appealing to fantasy fans and romance readers.
— Diana Tixier Herald

Author Note: Big hug, Diana! :}

Monday, December 9, 2013

Library Journal gives EVERLASTING ENCHANTMENT rave review!

Kennedy, Kathryne. Everlasting Enchantment. Sourcebooks Casablanca. (Relics of Merlin, Bk. 4). Dec. 2013. c.284p. ISBN 9781402269912. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9781402269929. PARANORMAL romance
Coerced by the Duke of Ghoulston to find one of Merlin’s legendary relics, were-­panther Millicent Pantere, a shape-shifter immune to magic, must attend a formal ball in order to achieve her goal. Lady Chatterley (yes, that Lady Chatterley) supposedly has the sought-after bracelet, and when Millicent ends up being “chosen” to wear it—and treated to a night of mind-blowing passion with Gareth Solimere, a curse-enslaved knight trapped in the relic—she soon finds herself involved in a dangerous, potentially lethal situation. VERDICT Magic-infused, highly sensual, and over-the-top creative, this fascinating, fast-paced Victorian adventure has been long awaited by series fans, who will be overjoyed. Kennedy (The Lord of Illusion) lives in Glendale, AZ.