Wednesday, November 29, 2017

SAVING PARKER - Dan Walsh - One Free Book

Bio: Dan Walsh is the bestselling author of 19 novels including The Unfinished Gift, The Reunion and When Night Comes. He has won 3 Carol Awards (a finalist 6 times), 3 Selah Awards, and 4 of his books have been finalists for Romantic Times Review’s Inspirational Book of the Year. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Word Weavers International, Dan writes fulltime in the Daytona Beach area. He and his wife Cindi have been married 41 years, have 2 children, both married, and 3 grandchildren (more coming).

James and I have three great-grands, with another on the way. It’s exciting to see your family’s later generations. I know you speak at various conferences and meetings. What do you have coming up in 2018?
A few things are being discussed, but the only thing confirmed at this point is the Florida Christian Writer’s Conference in late Feb (the one headed up by Eva Marie Everson). I’ll be there the whole day on Saturday teaching a 2-part Continuing Ed series on Indie Publishing, as well doing several coaching/mentoring appointments.

Do you read print books or ebooks? Or a combination of the two?
Before 2 years ago, I only read print books. I still love them best, but I’ve found that I mainly read ebooks now (mostly Kindle). My wife got me to switch. The prices are often way better, but the real reason is being able to make the print as large as I need (so I don’t have to use glasses). And I like not having to read with a lamp on in bed.

Saving Parker an interesting title. How did you come up with it?
Since Saving Parker is Book 3 in my Forever Home series, I was looking for a way to make all the titles similar in style. And since each of the books features a shelter dog as a main character, I decided to use the dog’s name in each book’s title. Although the books are fiction stories, I borrowed material from my wife, who worked for 5 years as the Animal Behavior Manager at our local Humane Society (she’s also a certified dog trainer). Each of the dog names are actual dogs she’s worked with at some point (though the stories aren’t exactly the same).

Rescuing Finley, Finding Riley, and Saving Parker. Even with that, you wouldn’t believe the number of emails I’ve received by people asking, “Before I buy this, does the dog die at the end? I hate it when the dog dies.”
Another aim of mine was to let readers know—right there in the title—that the dogs in the books don’t die at the end. So, it’s

I know how readers are about killing pets in stories, so I expected some negative feedback when a pet was killed by accident in one of my books. The event was so pivotal to the story, I never got a negative comment or review. So what is Saving Parker about?
Maybe the easiest thing would be to include the back cover blurb:

After years of abuse and neglect, Parker is found chained in a junk-filled backyard after a drug bust. The little guy’s terrified of people. Officer Ned Barringer brings him to a nearby shelter for medical care. When Ned learns how hard it is for dogs like Parker to get adopted, he must do more. He’s also instantly taken with Kim Harper, one of the shelter managers. She offers to train Parker for free. Ned instantly accepts. That same day, he meets his next-door neighbor, a ten-year-old boy named Russell. Russell is hiding a black eye, compliments of two bullies at school. This angers Ned. He suffered the same fate as a child. It’s the main reason he became a cop. But what can he do? When a near-death tragedy occurs, what role might Parker play in bringing these three lives together?

Some of the hashtags I’m using for the book are #DogLovers #BlueLivesMatter #Bullying #TheDogLives and #CleanRomance

Please give us the first page of the book.
Here it is:
What was going on? All this yelling and banging. Strangers running across the yard. Cars making loud noises and lights flashing. Parker ran and hid as far back in the shed as he could. It was a dark crawlspace under a roof made of rusty sheet metal perched above a wall of old tires. He wanted no part of whatever was happening out there. He curled up in a tight ball and lay there, trembling.

Not all his tension came from the strange goings-on. Some came from restraining himself from doing the one thing he wanted to do most. To bark at the top of his lungs at these invaders who’d come onto their property. Four men all dressed alike. What were they doing here? They had no right. As soon as they’d arrived, he could tell they weren’t here on friendly terms.

But Parker didn't bark. He didn’t dare make a sound.

His mouth still stung from a kick he’d gotten that morning. The Man hated it whenever Parker barked. Felt like The Man hated everything Parker did. There was no pleasing him, no matter how hard Parker tried. Barking was clearly the worst thing. But how could Parker stop doing something so essential to his main purpose? He existed to serve and protect…this property…this owner. Even if the effort was unappreciated. The need to bark came from deep within, beyond his reach.

Another loud bang. More yelling.

“Come out, Alfredo. Do it, now. Hands over your head where we can see them."

How can readers find you on the Internet?
Probably the easiest way for readers to connect with me is to go to my homepage at www.danwalshbooks.com. There you’ll find buttons for Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads. They can also sign up to get my Newsletter. I don’t send many out, but I always let my Newsletter friends get the latest updates on new books or great book deals. Readers can also email me at dwalsh@danwalshbooks.com. It may take me a little while, but I read and respond to each one myself.

Thank you, Dan, for sharing this new book with me and my blog readers. They really like to know about new books.

Readers, here are links to the book.
Saving Parker (A Forever Home Novel) (Volume 3) - Paperback
Saving Parker (A Forever Home Novel Book 3) - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:

27 comments:

Linda Kish said...

I love Dan Walsh's books. I would love to have a copy of this one.

Linda in CA

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Joan A said...

I'm in Missouri and love your books! jarning67@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I adopted my dog through Schnauzer Love Rescue. Love books about dogs. Would love to read one of your books.
Grace in Alabama
needahugfromadog@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Hello, I enjoyed the interview. I appreciate Christian writers. There is so much violence in most secular books. I still like holding a book in my hands, saving it for later, or sharing it. I am from NW Wisconsin. Our dog, Rowdy, is a Catahoola. He was given to us, to rescue him from a landlord. He threatened to kill Rowdy, because he barked too much. Rowdy brings us so much joy, and unconditional love. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy!

Unknown said...

I found Dan's books early on and have loved them all! All of my pets have been adopted through shelters and would love to read a book connecting a dog with a great personal story - very inspirational!

Tina in Charleston, SC
janit77@bellsouth.net

Unknown said...

What a great author, love reading your books. Ty for the chance to win a great book

Dan Walsh said...

Thanks for stopping by everyone.

To P from Wisconsin...thanks for sharing Rowdy's story. Love to hear rescues like that. Don't think I've ever seen a Catahoola before.

To Tina in Charleston. That's our favorite getaway city to visit. Based on what you said, you'd probably like all 3 books in this series.

Claudia Ambroziak said...

Dan Walsh is one of my favorite Christian writers! I love his books and look forward to new releases! Nothing would please me more than to be the proud winner of this newest book. I have purchased all of his books and have given his books as gifts to my friends who are now also avid readers and fans of his books. Thank you for offering this promotion.

Unknown said...

I love this dog series using veterans as main characters along with the dogs. Even though they are fiction they could actually happen in some respects. Dogs that are rescued also have this way of rescuing their new owner from their troubles and concerns. I live in Texas. Dan thanks for this opportunity for one of us to get an autographed copy of Saving Parker.

Kay Garrett said...

How can you not love a story about a poor dog that everyone seems to have given up, a young boy that's being bullied along with maybe a little romance - you can't!

This sounds like a page turner, possible tearjerker, happy ending story that I'd love to read.

Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Kay from Mountain View, AR
2clowns at arkansas dot net

kim hansen said...

He's on my to read list. north platte nebraska.

Bonnie Engstrom said...

I adore Dan Walsh's stories. I also adore books that include dogs. I would love to win this book.

Bonnie in Scottsdale, AZ

Trixi said...

I have enjoyed several books by Dan Walsh, they are always emotional and heart-warming! Thank you for the fun author interview and giveaway chance!

Trixi in OR

Dan Walsh said...

Claudia, Edda, Kay, Kim, Bonnie and Trixi...Thaks so much for stopping by and for all the kind words about my books. You're exactly the kind of folks I write them for. This series has been very special for me, partly because of all the help I've received from my wife, who is an amazing dog trainer. Besides all the dog-loving, romance, relational drama, and relevant topics (like PTSD, the homeless, bullying, etc.) there's a bunch of world-class dog training tips in there. Things that work in real life (if you have dogs). She's successfully trained over 1,000 dogs in the last 6-7 years. She just called me a few minutes ago, on her way home from training 2 more. I've gotten a ton of emails from people who work in dog world who've commented on how accurate the dog info is. That's all Cindi.

Trixi said...

Dan, how fun that your wife is a dog trainer!! That would be such a fun job working with them everday. All the dogs we've had have been adopted from our local animal shelter. We had to put our baby down in May this year, she was 18 and her quality of life was quickly deteriorating. It was such a heart-breaking decision but we just couldn't see her suffer anymore! She was not quite two when we adopted her, so she had a nice long & loving life with us! Pets add so much to put lives, don't they??

Trixi said...

Sorry...that should read "pets add so much to our lives, don't they?" My device autocorrected on me!

VanG said...

I love Books by Dan Walsh and would love to win a copy of this one. 😊 Thanks for the giveaway!
VanG in NC

Melanie Backus said...

This looks like one not to be missed! Thank you for the opportunity. Melanie Backus, TX

GrandaddyA said...

I would love to win this book and then actually receive it. I still haven't received the last one I won three or four months ago. I enjoy Dan Walsh's books. He writes very interesting stories. Edward A in VA

Jane Squires said...

I live in Wasola, Mo. My daughter rescues dogs and does her best to find them homes. Please use rmaol jrs0350@yahoo.com. I never check google.

Vivian Furbay said...

I am a big time dog lover, expecially of Australian Shepherds. Hard to read about a dog that has been abused even if it is fiction.

Vivian Furbay said...

Forgot to tell you I am from Colorado.

Jane said...

I currently have a rescue dog, one of several through the years, and the interview regarding this new book was very interesting to me. Thank you! Jane in TX

Dan Walsh said...

Trixi, Wow...18 years. That's a long life for a dog. What a different life he had because of your family taking her in. I know how hard it is when that time comes. It's heartbreaking, but I'm willing to take the heartbreak for a few months in view of all the wonderful years of joy and fun they bring into our lives.

Vivian, we had a pair of mini-Aussies. Still have one, little Bailey, but her brother died 2 summers ago. Love these dogs.

Sharon Richmond Bryant said...

Enter me!!
Conway SC.

Connie Porter Saunders said...

I have never been disappointed in any of Dan's books and this book sounds just as good! Thanks for sharing.
Blessings!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

Dianna said...

I like to read books that I can share with my 13 year old daughter. I think she'd like this one!
Dianna (TN)