COVER REVEAL for the latest September & Shadow Thriller! If you love thrillers, mysteries, or suspense that include pets, watch this space for DARE OR DIE, coming soon! In each of my thrillers, I include HERO PETS nominated by readers and voted on by the public.

In the past, the books have included every day dogs and cats, service animals, and beloved companions that now live on in the stories. My last book, WIN OR LOSE, had over 250 nominated names! See the nominees and winners here.

Last week, I announced the latest contest, and today I sent out the invitation to nominate pets to my newsletter list. The suggestions have already started pouring in.

DARE OR DIE, PET-CENTRIC THRILLER

This time around, the plot includes two hero pets–one cat and one dog. I can’t wait to see what my subscribers suggest! I sent them these notes and they have about a week to get in entries:

HERO DOG: Any size, any breed or mix, helps SHADOW escape from a kennel run, and later partners with Shadow to help September thwart the villain. VERY smart, already knows lots of commands, and learns new ones very quickly (hey, it’s fiction!). Returns to original owner at end of story.

HERO CAT: Any size, any breed or mix, accidentally escapes his/her house in the story. Kitty also thwarts the villain by doing intrinsic “cat stuff” (chasing the red dot, for example, or “fishing” in water, maybe a great hunter that catches critters). Loves people, even strangers (and villains), doesn’t understand why someone wouldn’t love ’em back. A recurring character may adopt this cat, so s/he appears in future stories, too.

NAME THAT DOG and NAME THAT CAT HERO CONTEST

WATCH THIS SPACE because I’ll post the top contenders here so y’all can vote (and campaign!) for your favorites. In the past, that’s been about 10-15 of the most compelling entries. Sometimes, I plan for specific hero pets, and my readers have such great insights, I expand the storyline!

The winners not only have their cat or dog featured as a character in the book, they also get an advanced Ecopy of the book, and a paw-tographed print book when it releases–oh, and bragging rights! I also profile the winners in the FACT OR FICTION back matter of the book.

I’ll send out a reminder to the newsletter list next week, so if you want to take part and nominate YOUR furry wonder, be sure to subscribe.

SEPTEMBER & SHADOW THRILLER SERIES

Oh, you haven’t read the books? Catch up now…all the books are all available on all Ebook platforms, in paperback and hardcover, and even in audiobook formats. September, an animal behaviorist and trainer, partners with her German Shepherd PTSD service dog Shadow, and trained Maine Coon cat Macy. This latest story takes them in a new direction (notice the new cover style design), but with all the pet-centric thrills my readers love.

Oh…AND PETS NEVER DIE IN MY STORIES…cuz that’s not how I roll.

Learn more about the series and individual stories here.

No, the book isn’t available for preorder just yet. Watch this space for when that happens. *s* Meanwhile, you can read the earlier books and catch up on the characters and stories to be read for the release of DARE OR DIE.

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book giveaways and appearances related to my September Day pet-centric THRILLERS WITH BITE!

Amy Shojai, CABC is a certified cat & dog behavior consultant, a consultant to the pet industry, and the award-winning author of 35+ pet-centric books and Thrillers with Bite! Oh, and she loves bling!