My debut contemporary romance, WILD
ON MY MIND, combines three gifts that my
grandparents gave me growing up: ย their love and support, long family road trips, and an
annual pass to Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium. ย
Before their deaths this past year, my maternal grandparents
were two of my biggest supporters. ย My grandfather and I even worked at the same company
where he could be found at his desk, three days a week until his death at age 94. I hope that
their caring spirit and work ethic lives on in characters of mine. ย Inย WILD ON MY MIND, Lou is partially
based off of my grandfather. ย The eighty-year-old veterinarian helps the hero, Bowie, run a
local zoo. ย But Lou is more than a coworkerโฆheโs family. Heโs the father that Bowie never had.
ย The elderly man gave Bowie a home when the formerly troubled boy was kicked out of foster
care on his eighteenth birthday. ย Together, the two of them are raising Bowieโs eleven-year-old
daughter.
Lou also serves as Bowieโs confidant through all of the ups-
and-downs of his relationship with the heroine, Katie. ย He has faith in his adopted son even
after Bowie confesses that heโd engineered mean tricks back in high school against the now
sexy red-head in order to impress his popular girlfriend. ย Bowie relies on Louโs steady
presence as he works to convince Katie that he has truly changed and is now worthy of her
trust.
The Southwest setting for the zoo and the town of
Sagebrush Flats were inspired by childhood vacations out West. ย It was my grandparents who
introduced me to National Parks like Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Mesa Verde. ย I
have always loved the red rock, arid climate, and sweeping vistas, and I couldnโt resist
positioning my novel amongst such natural beauty. ย The heroine, Katie, feels a similar tug from
this land when she returns to her hometown to help her family.
My third inspiration for WILD ON MY MINDย is the zoos that Iโve visited through the years. ย Although I didnโt
grow up next door to an animal park like Bowieโs daughter, the annual pass that my
grandparents purchased allowed my mom to take me to the Pittsburgh Zoo before I could
walk. ย Our favorite time was winter. The zoo is less crowded then, and the animals more active.
One rainy day, we brought along an umbrella, which weโd lowered when we entered the indoor
Tropical Forest. ย One monkey noticed it and immediately leaped over to the glass. We pulled
the handle up and down, and the animal watched, fascinated by the flash of silver, his little
head tilted at the most inquisitive angle. ย Another favorite memory occurred during an evening
Zoo Boo event in the โ90s. Food samples were available, and one man was standing with his
back to the camel exhibit with a cup of tomato soup in his hand. Unbeknownst to him, the
camel, Molly, trotted up behind him. ย Before his family could warn him, she leaned over and
began slurping the liquid. Sheโs a direct inspiration for the lovelorn Lulubelle inย WILD ON MY MIND. ย Both of them are
dromedary camels with liquid brown eyes, big personalities, and plenty of curiosity.
The size and general feel of the animal park inย WILD ON MY MINDย oweย more to the Dakota Zoo in Bismarck, ND, than to Pittsburgh.
ย Over twenty years ago, I stopped there with my grandparents, and the place charmed me. ย It
has an intimate feel and makes a real effort to showcase local species, which is very similar to
Bowieโs animal park.
As Katie begins spending more time at the Sagebrush Zoo,
she finds herself irresistibly pulled toward the adorable crittersโฆand their handsome keeper,
despite her vow to keep an emotional distance. ย I hope readers will be just as charmed by the
big-hearted animals, from a matchmaking honey badger named Fluffy, to a nurturing capybara
whoโs always ready to snuggle an orphaned critter, to even a headbanging cockatoo with a
penchant for rock and roll.
Love runs wild at the Sagebrush Flats Zoo,
where a motley crew of big-hearted animals
helps the most unlikely couples find love.
When Katie Underwood discovers a litter of
newborn cougar cubs, the
last person she expects to come to the rescue is her former crushโand
high school nemesisโBowie Wilson. The worst part? He doesn't seem
to remember the trouble he caused her.
As a single father and owner of a cash-
strapped zoo, Bowie struggles
to balance budgets while raising his pre-teen daughter and a host of
rascally animals. He considers himself lucky when Katie agrees to lend
her talents to a publicity campaign in support of the zoo's animal
rehabilitation programsโuntil he learns just what she's planning...
This time, Katie is
determined to resist Bowie's charm. But a lovelorn
camel, a matchmaking honey badger, and a nursemaid capybara have
different plans. Can they and the rest of the zoo's menagerie help
Bowie break through the barriers surrounding Katie's heart?
Love can't be tamed...
Romance Contemporary [Sourcebooks, On
Sale: September 25, 2018, Mass Market Paperback, ISBN: 9781492670858 / ]
Laurel Kerr is a full-time romance writer and mom, who occasionally still dabbles in the
practice of law. Her debut novel, WILD ON MY MIND, reached the Golden Heartยฎ finals under
the title of Volunteering Her Heart in 2016. Laurel Kerr was also a 2017 Golden Heartยฎ Finalist
for a historical manuscript. She lives in Pennsylvania with her daughter, husband, and loyal
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Second chance romance gets me every time. I root for the underdog and somehow they get it together and shape up. Looks like a fun read and I do love animals only not close up unless they're pets. (Alyson Widen 12:24pm October 2, 2018)
Wonderful premise. I love the idea of a friendly zoo as a backdrop for a romance. Maybe you could expand the idea and use the zoo again with more characters? I could get hooked on a series like that. (Mary Songer 3:18am October 3, 2018)
Since the master of these principles will certainly show great results. Nellie Mayshak, the president and the Canaf Consulting Associates, confirms that there are some of the great steps to overcome in order to guarantee any kind of reform mission. (Beauvais Ginnynw 5:01am October 3, 2018)
Love second chance romances & this book looks amazing, Thanks for your generosity. (Linda May 2:12pm October 3, 2018)
Baby animals and a second chance romance - what's not to love! (Catherine Wolverton 3:22pm October 3, 2018)
Sounds like a great story. Second chance romance with someone who was basically a bully to you in high school. (Melanie Rosen 6:55pm October 3, 2018)
Well run zoos are a joy to visit and good education for the whole family. They are becoming more important every day. Loss of habitat, poaching, interbreeding are all threats to many species. Good breeding programs and management of zoo populations may be the last hope of many species. (Patricia Barraclough 10:11pm October 3, 2018)
There is something about a second chance romance that appeals to me. I especially like the idea of the zoo animals helping to bring the couple together. I have wonderful memories of my dad taking me to the zoo and the many years later going with my grandchildren. (Anna Speed 12:50pm October 4, 2018)
sounds like just my kind of book,,i love reading just before going to bed (Vickie Couturier 7:53pm October 4, 2018)
I'll take a chance for a second chance romance 💘 (Kim Salmi 7:05pm October 5, 2018)
Animals and second chance romance! Perfect. Thanks for the background info. Your grandparents sound wonderful! (Kathleen Bylsma 9:07pm October 5, 2018)
I didn't take road trips but I loved spending time in Elkhart Lake, WI every summer. My husband and I love to visit national parks. We've been to all the ones you mentioned. So far my favorites are Zion, Grand Canyon North Rim , Olympic and Glacier. We have a free zoo, Henry Vilas Zoo, in Madison,WI . I go every summer with my 3 grandchildren.
I enjoy second chance romance. I'm always rooting for them to finally get it right. Sounds like he has a lot of responsibilities raising his daughter on his own. Everyone grows up.
I have son and D-I-L who work as environmental scientists for the national park service. They live in Moab,Utah. I also have another D-I-L her dream is to work at a zoo. She currently lives in Portland,OR. as a certified vet tech. (Laurie Gommermann 10:13am October 6, 2018)
thanks of chance (Susan Gannon 11:13am October 6, 2018)
Everyone deserves a second chance. I love these type of books. (Debra Guyette 2:38pm October 6, 2018)
I always tend to root for the underdog. Marilyn (Marilyn Collins 6:49pm October 6, 2018)
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