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Lizbeth Selvig | The Top Five Animals from THE BRIDE WORE STARLIGHT: Not just story decorations
February 17, 2016
Hi Fresh Fiction fans! It’s so exciting to be here with a chance to talk about
one of my favorite subjects: the animals in my books. I’m slightly obsessed with
putting furry critters in my stories, but I am definitely not alone in that
infatuation. Romance novels are filled with animals! I have a hard and fast rule when it comes to casting my dogs, cats, and horses.
They aren’t allowed to purr, sit, or gallop around purely for decoration. They
have to play meaningful parts in the arc of the story. In my new novel THE BRIDE
WORE STARLIGHT there are five important animals. I’d like to introduce them,
and show how they are integral to the journey of their humans, Joely Crockett
and Alec Morrissey
- PENNY is a quarter horse mare we never get to meet. She belonged to
Joely, who was bringing her home to Wyoming, when they in a serious car
accident. The tragedy left Joely permanently injured and her beloved horse dead.
Losing Penny is was one too many failures for Joely to absorb. She’s suffered a
miscarriage, lost her marriage, and now has permanent, visible scars—devastating
because all her life she’s literally been a beauty queen, and that’s all she
knows. Now an accident she believes was her fault, has taken her horse. Joely
starts off her story seeing herself as a total failure.
- ROWAN is Alec’s Irish Wolfhound. I love Rowan since she’s both comic
relief and the catalyst that brings her humans together. She’s Alec’s biggest
source of comfort. When he dares bring Joely to meet her, the friendly but
gigantic dog knocks her to the floor, injured leg and all. The fact that Joely’s
biggest fear, falling, is realized but only endears her to Rowan is the first
sign to Alec that Joely might be someone special. Much later in the book, when
Joely is learning to ride again, a serious injury to Rowan forces Joely to face
all her fears fully so she can save the dog.
- GHOST PEPPER is a rodeo bucking horse. Alec was a rodeo rock star—a
champion saddle bronc rider. But the only horse he never beat was Ghost Pepper.
Until he lost a leg and left rodeo, lasting eight seconds on GP was his goal.
But Alec has made peace with his injury—or so he wants everyone to believe. When
GP comes back into his life, we learn there isn’t really peace in Alec’s heart.
He got his injury when searching unsuccessfully for his cousin Buzz in Iraq.
Buzz was his best friend and rodeo partner and Alec, charged with keeping him
safe, failed to do so. Now he’s given up all the things he feels he robbed Buzz
from having. He can’t even let himself love again. Until the wily Ghost Pepper
plays his final role in Alec’s life!
- PANACEA (PAN) is a grulla-colored mustang mare who first appeared in
the last book of this series, “The Bride Wore Red Boots.” In “Starlight,” Pan is
due to foal, but when she goes into labor the baby is out of position. Joely,
who wanted to be a veterinarian but was always discouraged, is the only one who
can help. When she’s done, she convinces herself that although she still has her
desire to work with animals, she no longer has the physical ability to become a
vet. It’s one of her darkest moments.
- MUDDY WATERS is the new horse Joely’s sisters have chosen for her,
but she wants nothing to do with bonding. No horse can replace Penny nor does
Joely want one to try. But Muddy plays perhaps the biggest role of all when he’s
the one she has to rely on at the moment of biggest crisis. With Muddy’s help
Joely learns on her own how strong she really is. Only then can she believe what
Alec tried to tell her from the start.
As you can see, none of these animals are thrown into the book strictly
because I’m a little crazy for critters—they are part of and necessary to the
story! I hope they intrigued you, and you’ll check out the book to learn exactly
why it took five animals to get Joely and Alec to their starlight wedding
happily ever after.
Lizbeth Selvig lives in Minnesota with her cradle-robbing husband and a
border collie that inspired the character Dug ("Squirrel!") in the Disney movie
Up. After working as a journalist and editor and raising an equine veterinarian
daughter and a talented musician son, Liz entered and won RWA's Golden Heart®
contest in 2010 with her contemporary romance The Rancher and the Rock Star. In
her spare time, she loves to hike, quilt, read, horseback ride, and play with
her nearly twenty four-legged grandchildren.
Once comfortable on stage in front of thousands, Joely Crockett is now
mortified at the thought of walking—or rolling—down the aisle at her sisters’
wedding. Scarred and wheelchair-bound, the former beauty queen has lost more
than the ability to walk—she’s lost her fire. But when one handsome, arrogant
guest accuses her of milking her injuries and ignites her ire, Joely finally
starts to feel truly alive again, and soon it’s impossible for her to resist her
heart’s desire. Alec Morrissey knows a little something about loss. A
famous rodeo cowboy before he was injured in Iraq, he’s managed to create
something of a normal life, even if it’s not the one he always imagined.
Encountering stunning but damaged Joely, he sees a kindred spirit who can learn
from his mistakes. As these two healing souls begin to fall in love under
the Wyoming stars, they must discover if they are willing to give in to the
tragedies of life or fight for a future together.
Comments
20 comments posted.
Re: Lizbeth Selvig | The Top Five Animals from THE BRIDE WORE STARLIGHT: Not just story decorations
I really like the concept for this book. A non-trad heroine,
animals and a hero with issues. That is more real than the
typical two perfect human romances. I would love to read this
book.
(Edward Washington 8:58pm February 17, 2016)
These animals always inspire the characters by their existence/endurance and allow the characters to develop into their full potential, which is why I'll never miss one of these books!
(Kathleen Bylsma 9:15pm February 17, 2016)
Thanks for the review I am looking forward to reading this, love the cover too
Penney
(Penney Wilfort 3:27am February 18, 2016)
I love when animals are interwoven in to a story. They add so much depth & character to the actual characters.
(Jami Birnbaum 10:12am February 18, 2016)
I would love to read this book . Sometimes it takes anger or other different feelings to make us get up and be determined to " show you " I can do it . It's certainly not good to have the feeling of " feel sorry for me ". In this book you have made Joely live again . I'm looking forward to reading this book . Thanks for this chance to win .
(Joan Thrasher 11:41am February 18, 2016)
If there's anything that gets me to cry, it's animals. Animals in distress or people in distress is sure to be heartrending.
(Sandra Stipins 2:13pm February 18, 2016)
I enjoy reading stories with animals,cowboys,ranches and family.
(Melinda Marks 8:40pm February 18, 2016)
I love when animals are part of the story - especially horses and dogs.
Dogs are just so loyal, and its like they have a 6th sense. They just always
seem to know what is going on and are there when you need them at the
right time.
(Lily Shah 12:29pm February 19, 2016)
I have never read any of your books. Would be nice to win one so I can.
(Judy Ferguson 5:33pm February 19, 2016)
Love the name of this book and look forward to reading it!
(Bonnie Capuano 4:24pm February 20, 2016)
Love a story where the animals have human personalities.
(Kai Wong 10:02pm February 20, 2016)
That's an eye-catching title and cover. I enjoy reading about animals in books, especially those that are interwoven into the plot and are a important part of the story.
(Anna Speed 11:59am February 21, 2016)
This has me intrigued. I am adding it to my tbr list.
(Patti Paonessa 1:10pm February 21, 2016)
In the past ten years I have lost everyone. I am 72 and lost my mother, my
sister, my brother and my partner of 27 years. What kept me together was
my friend Riva. She curled up next to me when I cried and cheered me up. I
lost her a couple of months ago, but I am stronger because of my
fourfooted companion.
(Pat Freely 2:08pm February 21, 2016)
Looks like a fantastic book!
(Maria Proctor 3:27pm February 21, 2016)
I love books with a strong heroine, and I love all animals. Good Luck Everyone!
(Therese Abdali 7:55pm February 21, 2016)
What a wonderful book! I love the way the animals are an important part of the story.
(Bonnie H 8:17pm February 21, 2016)
Ohhh love the feel of this . How there is animals in there and usually
animals bring the people together. Love the cover also it's eye catching .
Please want to pick it up
(Demetra Iliopoulos 10:19pm February 21, 2016)
And I love how the heroine is not perfect . And how she once was this is
realistic . Because nobody is perfect and live changes
(Demetra Iliopoulos 10:20pm February 21, 2016)
I hope my relationship of almost eight years,
has had help from our two boys a 12 year old
Yorkie, and our comic relief our Scotty. I love
animals in a story. Even if it's just to help
calm down a character.
(Bonny Bordeleau 2:18am March 28, 2016)
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