You’ve patiently waited for this–and I’m delighted to share with you that I’m now in edits for the next book in my thriller series CUT AND BLEED #10. No, not yet available for pre-order, but soon, once I receive the new cover design. Yes, the book again will be available as an Ebook, paperback, hardcover, large print, and (eventually) audiobook.

Thank you to everyone who submitted suggested names, and to the finalist doggies–any of them would have made great hero dogs! As you can see by the vote totals, this contest for dog hero was hotly contested!

Please please please nominate your dogs again next time–in the next book for another chance to win bragging rights and a copy of the paw-tographed book.

CONGRATULATIONS to Maggie, the Playful Paper-Shredding Weimaraner Pup!

Nominated by Julie Rigsbee, Maggie will be featured in my next thriller CUT AND BLEED.

“I have a 21-month-old Weimaraner. 

Everything is a game to her. Discipline? No such thing.  Tell her no, she just barks right back at you like she’s sassing back.

Chase up to her like you are going to spank for being naughty and she dances around you barking and no way can you get close.

And paper? I used to think the dog ate the homework was just someone’s excuse until this dog came around. You don’t dare leave any type of paper within reach as it will be completely shredded.

Her name is Maggie.”

Voting Deadline Was Sunday September 6

In the tradition of the previous books, I include HERO ANIMAL CHARACTERS in each story. These are chosen by my newsletter subscribers nominating possibilities, often sharing fun pictures, touching and uplifting stories, experiences, funny quirks and descriptions. Nominees are posted here in an open POLL for the world to see and VOTE for the winning hero pet. This book not only features the regular main characters like Shadow and Macy-cat but also includes two hero pets.

The winners will have their pet name/character featured in the story as a hero, acknowledgements in the FACT-FICTION-ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS in the back and also receive a paw-tographed print copy of the published book. You can vote as often as you like–and campaign by sharing with all your friends to also vote so YOUR pick wins the coveted title of HERO PET!

Vote For Your Hero Pet! DEADLINE SEPT. 6, 2026 AT 10 pm CST

HERO CAT: Any breed or mix adult cat. Two kids (you’ll recognize Nikki from earlier stories) think he/she is a stray and try to rescue the cat. An opinionated feline that rules the RIALTO theater, and loves to lurk in hiding spots, escape through hidden passages, and jump out of pianos to surprise the bad guys. This kitty has a lot of ground to cover and he/she must be an athlete able to leap, climb, and squeak between narrow escape passages, walk across high beams, and more.  (Vote for hero cat here!)

HERO DOG: Any breed, any mix, any age, and LOVES chewing up paper and shredding it. She or he rides home from Christmas vacation with owner until the car crashes in an ice storm pileup on Heartland’s main street. The dog gets away from the car during the accident, sees a pile of mail spilled into the street from September’s car, and the dog steals a FedEx mailer and dashes away. The dog appears frequently, foils the bad guys (who want the mailer), and helps protect Nikki, September and others. Vote for hero dog below!

Pictures of Hero Dog Nominees

I’ve included pictures that were shared, and placeholders for others.

I received MANY more nominations than I could include. I’ve chosen a representative variety of wonderful canine heroes for YOU to vote for and choose the winner.

VOTE FOR YOUR HERO DOG (BELOW) BY SUNDAY SEPT. 6!

If you can’t see the poll go to this URL here!

What’s CUT AND BLEED About?

A secret worth killing for. A family she’ll protect until her dying breath. Can a reluctant crime boss save all she loves before everything disappears?

September Day is on the verge of shattering. As horrific childhood flashbacks trigger more trauma and stress, the thirty-something-year-old feels her fiancé’s constant protection tightening like a cage. But sending her chosen family ahead of her on a family trip, she unknowingly gives a merciless enemy an opening to close in for the kill.

With an ice storm stranding her alone with only her dog by her side, September fights off the first assassin before chasing after a mysterious package to figure out why she’s being hunted. But what the seasoned survivor really fears is that the constant danger will never be safe for her partner and his kids.

Will September discover what she’s willing to sacrifice to stop the bloodshed?

Cut and Bleed is the white-knuckle tenth book in The September Day thriller series. If you like heroines who persevere, criminal legacies turned inside out, and four-legged loyalty, then you’ll love Amy Shojai’s breathless thriller.