It is my pleasure to introduce Gayle M. Irwin to the blog and talk about her latest book Paws-itively Love – A Pet Rescue Romance Novel, scheduled for release on August 1, 2023.
What inspired Paws-itively Love and A Pet Rescue Romance series?
Gayle has served as a public relations professional for two different humane society organizations, speaking on radio programs, writing pet columns for newspapers, and assisting with events. She still serves as a volunteer rescue transporter, helping local and regional rescue groups bring animals into rescue and/or delivering adopted pets to their new human guardians.
As an author, Gayle enjoys inspiring, entertaining, and educating readers through story. Her children’s books subtly weave life lessons, such as courage, perseverance, friendship, and nature appreciation into the story, and her Pet Rescue Romance series, a collection of sweet, contemporary romance books set in the Rocky Mountain West, incorporates pet rescue and adoption into the story.
Paws-itively Love, the next in the series, coming August 1st
Can a shattered heart be repaired?
Brittany Christiansen gave her heart away only to have it broken. To heal, she leaned on family. As she helps her aunt and uncle at their Montana rescue sanctuary, she finds giving her heart to the cause of animal rescue restores her passion for such work. She considers staying past the summer – until someone from the past returns.
Gary Anderson never forgot the auburn-haired woman he briefly met at a Wyoming rescue organization three years ago. When he shows up at a similar sanctuary in Montana, he recognizes Brittany immediately. Learning more about her life and her connection to the couple at the Montana facility, Gary decides to win the young woman’s heart.
Will Brittany see beyond her first heartbreak and learn to trust Gary or will the pain of that experience create a wall so strong only rescued animals can break through?
An Excerpt from Paws-itively Love by Gayle M. Irwin
Brittany Christiansen stood at the main corral, cup of coffee in her hand. The June sunrise cast a pale rainbow upon the snow-capped mountains east of the ranch. Shades of peach, apricot, and blueberry danced along the rocky ridges, casting a rosy hue upon the crevices still tinged with white. Two weeks at her aunt and uncle’s Montana ranch brought her to this same spot each morning, absorbing the serenity of the early summer sunrise. The lack of city sounds and sights, like traffic, sirens, and blaring lights brought peace to her heart despite the ache of love lost.
She flinched at the light touch of a hand upon her shoulder.
“I’m sorry for startling you,” came the low voice of her aunt.
Brittany turned slightly and looked into the face of the auburn-haired fifty-year-old woman and smiled briefly.
“Just enjoying another beautiful morning.”
“I know the past several months have been difficult, and I know you’ve heard the words before, but this, too, shall pass.”
Brittany nodded.
“It gets easier, maybe not daily, but week by week. I appreciate being here, Aunt Rhiann.”
“You’re always welcome, you know that. We especially need the help this year. Adding tours and educational programs at the sanctuary is going to keep us extra busy.”
Brittany smiled.
“I’m glad to be here.”
“We don’t have the ocean …”
The younger woman’s smile widened.
“I had the ocean last winter and a full year before. This is a time for mountains. I have a few to climb, literally and figuratively.”
“I know the decision was mutual, but I also know it wasn’t easy. Any time a relationship ends, there’s sorrow and heartache.”
“But I’m healing. Spending the winter with Mom in Florida, working with sea turtles again, and now this spring and summer with you and Uncle Levi helping at the rescue and on the ranch provides the comfort and work I need. I’ll be fine.”
Brittany held her aunt’s gaze as Rhiann responded, “Of course you will.”
After another brief smile to the woman she admired, Brittany asked, “So what’s on tap today?”
“We have a volunteer coming to help your uncle with the horses and a fencing project, and I can use your assistance at The Dog House with the border collie and her puppies. Trisha will be here later to vaccinate them and then it will be playtime.”
“Playtime with puppies – not much better work than that!”
The two women smiled at each other.
“I think your uncle would like some help with the horses first.”
“I’m game for that, too.”
The sound of a motor and tires traveling the gravel drive caused both women to turn. A red Chevy pickup stopped near the house.
“Is that your volunteer?” Brittany stated.
“Yes. He used to work for us part-time, but a job took him away from the valley for a few years,” her aunt responded. “Now a new job brought him back, and he wants to help us out when he can, and today is a day he can.”
Rhiann walked toward the truck, and Brittany followed.
A dark-haired man exited the driver’s side of the pickup. As Brittany drew closer, she realized he looked familiar. She watched her aunt shake the man’s hand.
“Good to see you again, Gary,” Rhiann said. “Levi and I were happy to hear you’re back and that you want to help out now and then.”
Brittany stopped next to her aunt and heard the man say, “I’m happy to be back, both in the valley and at the ranch.”
Brittany stared at him. That voice is familiar. Did Aunt Rhiann just call him Gary?
—————————————————————————————————————-
Gary Anderson noticed the young woman looking at him as he shook Rhiann’s hand.
“I’ve missed this place, your place and Paradise Valley.”
He looked at the woman beside Rhiann, and his eyes widened.
“I know you,” they said simultaneously.
Gary chuckled. “Brittany, right?” She nodded. “I’m Gary Anderson. I met you at Compassion Ranch, the day you and your mom left.”
Brittany laughed. “Wow, yeah! I remember. What are you doing here?”
“I’m helping Levi extend a pasture. What about you? Volunteering here at Martha’s Pet Rescue Sanctuary for the summer?”
Brittany laughed and shook her head. “No, not exactly – I’m working here for the summer. Rhiann is my aunt and Levi is my uncle.”
Gary stared at her for a moment and then looked at Rhiann, who was smiling.
“That’s true. Brittany’s mom is my sister. They live in Florida. How amazing you two are here.”
Amazing indeed, Gary thought, as he smiled at Brittany again.
“Well, looks like we might see each other this summer,” he said aloud. “Ah, I mean see each other here, not ‘see each other’ as in …”
Brittany smiled. “I know what you meant. Yeah, I guess we will.”
“Well, since you’re both here now, let’s go inside, have a cup of coffee, and a blueberry muffin before we get the day rolling,” Rhiann said.
“Aunt Rhiann makes some of the best blueberry muffins!” Brittany stated.
“’Some of the best?’ The best, in my opinion,” Gary said. “Her cooking is one of the reasons I had to come back, even if only for a few hours now and then.”
Rhiann led the younger people to the house and asked, “So, Gary, when do you start your fish surveys?”
“Next week,” he responded.
Looking at Brittany, he explained, “I’m working with the Forest Service surveying streams and conducting fish counts. I used to work at the Fish Hatchery in Bozeman as well as worked part-time here while finishing my master’s degree.”
“Wow, that’s a lot all at once,” Brittany responded. “I had enough trouble keeping up with my bachelor’s studies and serving as an intern with a sea turtle rescue.”
“Sea turtles? Wow, that sounds fascinating!”
“I love the organization! Sadly no paying positions open so I came back here to help Aunt Rhiann and Uncle Levi.”
“They’re great people.”
Rhiann smiled. “Thank you, Gary. We’re happy to have you and Brittany with us this summer.”
Should be an interesting one, he thought.
What Gayle’s Readers are Saying…
PRAISE FOR THE PET RESCUE ROMANCE SERIES
“I enjoyed the book from cover to cover. It had just the right amount of excitement and romance. I read at night right before bed. And I found that I had a hard time finding a stopping point for a few nights. I even bought a few more copies for my family as Christmas gifts. They loved them!”
– Kristy, Amazon Review
“I typically do not read romance novels, but I am a dog lover, and the book’s title and author’s extensive background with rescue dogs and organizations convinced me to purchase a copy. I’m still surprised that every night before going to bed, I looked forward to reading the next couple of chapters. The author does a fine job of mixing romance with dogs, wholesome people, and villains. Not to be overlooked is the author’s use of images of the West, autumn colors in the mountains, the danger presented on driving icy, snow-packed roads, and the isolation between a home or town and the next. I highly recommend this book.
– Kris M., Amazon Review
“This story accomplishes what it sets out to do; an easy, pleasant read about cute animals, adoption, and romance. Even the setting has that feel of quietness. A great book for when you want to turn down the world outside and relax.”
– Andrew, Amazon Review
“Surrounded by the beauty of Wyoming and the sense of caring and love the place engenders, how could they not find their futures in each other? Ms. Irwin’s writing style is very readable, which is a good thing because I plan to read more of her books!”
– Dee, Amazon Review and Romance Author
Meet Gayle M. Irwin, Author of Paws-itively Love
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