 The Kinness of Strangers Posted by Anna Campbell Jun 6 2012, 12:02 am
I was very excited last September to host Aussie romantic fantasy author M.J. Scott in the lair. SHADOW KIN, her debut, created a wonderful buzz and was nominated for an Australian Romance Readers Association Favorite book of 2011 award. MJ was a wonderful guest and really enjoyed her visit to the Banditas. I’m thrilled to have her back today to talk about the second book in her Half-Light City series, BLOOD KIN. Here’s the blurb:
You can find out more about M.J. and her books at her website: www.mjscott.net MJ, welcome back to the lair! Congratulations on the success of SHADOW KIN, the first book of your Half-Light City series. Now the second book BLOOD KIN has just been released. Can you tell us about this story? BLOOD KIN picks up not long after SHADOW KIN. It deals with some of the fallout from the things that happened in SHADOW KIN. The hero is Guy DuCaine, Simon’s brother who was popular with SHADOW KIN readers so I hope they enjoy his story. Sounds fantastic, M.J. I’m sure people who read SHADOW KIN are champing at the bit to find out what happens next in the Half-Light City. What were the inspirations behind this book?
Where does the series go after SHADOW KIN? Is there any chance of the trilogy stretching out to more books? The third book, IRON KIN, is with my editor now, and after that, I’m sworn to secrecy. : ) Your first book SHADOW KIN came out in September, 2011. What’s your first year as a published author been like? Any surprises? It’s been both fun and nervewracking! There’s been a learning curve in terms of doing everything that a published author has to do besides write the books but there’s also been great fun moments like my book launch and lunching with my editor in New York. Not sure either the fun or the nerves around a new release are going anywhere any time soon.
You mention a feline overlord in your bio on your website. I’m sure your FO would love to be featured in the blog today. Can you tell us about your cat? Actually I’ve recently increased my feline overlord (overlady?) quota back up to two. I have a mad tortoiseshell girl who likes to chew cardboard boxes and sounds more like an alpaca than a cat. (She meeps). And she’s now been joined by a tiny grey and white fluffy girl who is VERY chatty, and possibly madder than the torti.
Love the cat photos, M.J. They’re handsome overlords! Do you have a question for the Banditas and Bandita Buddies, M.J.? Life for me wouldn’t be the same without pets…how about everyone else? Are you dog people? Cat people? Other beasties? No beasties? Personally, I’m always fascinated by fictional pets (so far in my series the animals have mainly been horses—werewolves don’t count—but I did manage to sneak a glimpse of a pet into BLOOD KIN). Anyone got a favourite fictional critter?
Posted in Anna Campbell, Australian Authors, Blood Kin, cats, fantasy romance, Half-Light City Series, Iron Kin, M.J. Scott, pets, Shadow Kin Comments130 thoughts on “The Kinness of Strangers” |
  
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by Anna Campbell
I have two dogs right now. I would love to have a kitty if my hubby was not allergic to them. My favorite fictional pet would be a dragon. I think it would be amazing to be able to fly here and there and not have to pay crazy prices to do it. I would love to read Shadow Kin.
Riquita, you mightn’t have a dragon, but as the first poster of the day you get something nearly as hard to keep disciplined. You are the proud owner of the Golden Rooster for the day. Huzzah!
Riquita, congratulations on snagging the rooster. He’s very fond of Tim Tams, so if you have some, you’d better lock them up!
Oh, a dragon would be fabulous, Riquita! I’m a big fan of dragon stories.
MJ, how did I know you’d like to have a dragon too? LOL! Welcome to the lair! I think we’re going to have great fun today. Congratulations on the release of BLOOD KIN. It looks fantastic!
Thanks, Anna and thanks for having me back! It’s fun here in the Lair.
We have a dragon in the Lair. Her name is Ermingarde, and she’s nearsighted. She also tends to lose her glasses.
As someone who loses her glasses quite often, I sympathise with Ermingarde!
MJ, welcome back! I can’t believe I missed your visit last year. I loved Shadow Kin and have been eagerly awaiting Blood Kin, which I picked up today. Iron Kin sounds intriguing.
Your books are a great blend of fantasy and romance, a unique world but a compelling love story arc. I hope that nasty vampire (I’m blanking on his name) gets his comeuppance soon.
Nancy, we had great fun last time MJ visited, so sorry you missed the mayhem. Been looking forward to today!
Aw, thanks, Nancy : )) Though I shall stay silent on story events….can’t spoil it for you.
No, I wouldn’t want it spoiled. If I absolutely can’t stand it, I’ll peek ahead in Blood Kin. I try not to do that, though.
You are strong willed! I’m one of those terrible people who will flip to the last page if I get worried about things in the book (even before I start it).
I totally understand, as I can’t help it sometimes!
Congratulations on the release of BLOOD KIN, MJ — I loved Shadow Kin, and preordered Blood Kin, so expect its arrival any time soon.
I think animals are great companions, and especially for writers. I’ve had cats in the past, but am allergic — each one was a stray kitten, brought home by a motherly dog. Dogs are my pet of choice — they’re people, too.
Dogs are wonderful critters, Anne. One day when I’m home more, I’ll have a dog as well as the cats. Until then I get my doggy fixes from my folks’ dog and friends.
MJ, I definitely get my fix from my friends’ animals too!
Anne, I know you’re a great animal lover. I’d love to have a cat, but sadly it just doesn’t fit with the lifestyle at the moment. Maybe one day.
Hi MJ
I have to hang my head in shame I have the first book on my e reader but haven’t gotten to it yet (I do have a masive TBR pile) and am very much looking forward to both these stories.
At the moment we don’t have any pets sadly we lost our last dog a few months ago and it is very strange here without a pet. I would like a big shapshifter panther for a fitional pet that would be good.
Congrats on the release
Have Fun
Helen
I understand the huge TBR pile, Helen : ) The good thing about books is they sit there patiently waiting. Hugs on losing your dog, such a hard thing to go through. They leave such big holes in our lives when they go : (
A panther would be fun!
Helen, so sad to hear about your dog. It’s so sad when our four-legged friends pass away, isn’t it? Not long to go till your cruise now. You’ll be able to whittle away at that TBR pile until it’s manageable. Who am I kidding??!!
Anna
My TBR Pile scares me silly these days LOL
just as well I have an e reader now.
As for the cruise whoohoo but due to this wonderful weather and huge seas at the moment we have just been told we are now departing Saturday not Friday
but yep I plane to read a few books while relaxing in deck chairs and having waiters bringing me cocktails.
Have Fun
Helen
Sounds like an excellent plan, Helen!
Helen, I’m so sorry about your dog! It’s always tough to lose one.
I’ve made some headway with the TBR pile, but that’s partly because I don’t consider what’s on the iPad.
I hope your cruise is fun!
Mel, lunching with your editor in NY must have been marvellous! I hope there are many more fabbo lunches in your long, successful career.
This series sounds intriguing. Congratulations on the ARRA award nomination!
I’m a dog person, definitely. But then the family likes anything of the animal/bird variety I think. There’s something wonderful about having animals around, isn’t there? They’re an important part of the family.
Annie, there’s something landmark about lunching with your editor, isn’t there? Thanks for swinging by!
It was definitely a “pinch me” moment : ) And yes, I like having beasties around.
I don’t have any beasties at the moment. Children don’t count, right?
This is such a fabulous series!!
Mary, laughed at your comment. I think children MIGHT count!
So glad you’re a fan!
Hi Mary! I’m sure my parents would say that children are sometimes beasts! (but they would be talking about my brother ; ) )!
Thanks for stopping by.
Mel,
Ha ha. I had one of those too.
Lol Mary.
Congratulations on the release M.J.!
I am more of a cat person myself, Right now I am down to one and I honestly think it will be my last, my heart can’t take any more losses. Right now Valentino is draped across my lap telling me in no uncertain terms I need to get more of the pouches at the store because he is getting low.
If we are going to fictional then I will stay with cats, just bigger, black leopard would be cool.
Valentino is an excellent name for a cat, Dianna. My two are starting to prowl around and tell me it’s dinner time. Nag nag nag : ) A black leopard would also be cool. Though it would take up a lot of lap space lol
Valentino is definitely a lover, when I am sitting at my desk he jumps up in my lap puts a paw on my shoulder and shoves his head under my chin. I wear cat fur to work every day.
That’s a lovely picture, Dianna! Made me go awwww!
Dianna, I remember when I went to London zoo back in the 80s (which honestly doesn’t seem that long ago – clearly time concertina-ing is a symptom of getting old), they had black panther cubs. THE MOST ADORABLE THINGS you’ve ever seen in your life. And beautiful eyes like jewels. Mind you, not sure I’d like to pay to feed one when it grew up!
So true Anna, and if he asks for steaks he gets steaks!
Or the neighbors! I seriously think rounding up some people to feed him might be a cheaper alternative than going to the butcher! LOL!
Hi Mel, Congrats on the release of Blood KIn. I love the cover art on both books. Looking forward to reading Blood Kin.
Pets…sad to say none at the moment. Hey, have a hard enough time looking after my kids. They’re lucky I remember to feed them. Lol. (I’m kidding)
If I could I would probably have a cat but hubby loves dogs. Kids are pestering me for a dog. They want a Beagle because my nephews have one and bring him over on occasion. Such a cute dog and they really know how to work that sad puppy dog face.
Lunch in New York with your editor sounds fab. I’m green with envy. Lucky girl, you! But well deserved. Keep them coming.
Cheers, Effie
Effie, I’ve been very lucky with my covers, the folks at Roc do an awesome job. I like Beagles, such cute dogs. Though you need good fences to keep them in and stop them following those excellent beagle noses : )
Oh yes, you are very right there about the fence. He’s made a run for it twice.
And generally in search of food! LOL!
Effie, I’m laughing – I just posted to Dianna saying I wouldn’t like to pay to feed a panther. I definitely wouldn’t like to pay to feed a beagle! They eat like vacuum cleaners! Beautiful dogs, though.
We have two cats and they are definitely as spoiled as my daughter claims. We went to the animal shelter to get one kitten and my daughter and her friend were back from college so they came with us. They were so upset at all the kittens that needed homes that they talked us into getting a second kitten. My husband felt that two cats would be no harder than one which, of course, is not true at all.
At least two can entertain each other sometimes, Maureen. My two are shelter kitties as well, though they were both older which less complete kitten insanity!
Maureen and MJ, I’m so glad you picked up shelter cats. If you read the figures of how many animals are euthanized each year, it breaks your heart.
Life for me wouldn’t be the same without pets…how about everyone else? Are you dog people? Cat people? Other beasties? No beasties? Personally, I’m always fascinated by fictional pets (so far in my series the animals have mainly been horses—werewolves don’t count—but I did manage to sneak a glimpse of a pet into BLOOD KIN). Anyone got a favourite fictional critter?
I’m a dog and cat person… however I’m grosly allergic to both… dreadful really. With them I break out in hives; so I have to have antihistamines with me all the time so I don’t itch and sneeze myself into oblivion… stop laughing! It’s not funny…
Otherwise, I normally bring in a bird in my fictional stories… as I own a budgie called Little Miss Stevie; and is she a little miss! Spoiled is a good word for her; rotten too. People either get her snotty side or her flirty/tarty side, never her just being friends. Weird little budgie.
But when I put pets into my stories, I use bigger parrots – like Galahs or Cockatoos – as they are hardier birds. Other times I’ve used horses in my sci-fi fantasy or dragons and fire drakes; but it’s rare.
I’ve never used cats or dogs… they just don’t appeal to me in that way and never suit the stories I write; which are normally vampire stories. And as we all know, vampires can’t really have pets or be trusted around animals.
Mozette, I had a friend with a pet cockatoo…who liked her and generally not the rest of us. He used to eat chicken pizza which was a little disturbing lol.
I like the idea of a fire drake. I think vampires need immortal pets…who don’t taste good to them : ))
MJ and Mozette, love the idea of Aussie birds featuring in stories. They have so much personality!
I’ve always been more of a dog person. It’s not that I don’t like cats, but I have just enough of a reaction to them that living with one would not be practical! Also, my current dog has too much terrier in her to live peaceably with a cat, sadly!
As a child I always wanted a horse, preferably a flying one. Now, I would love to have chooks!
Love your covers, Mel and very excited that you have a third book in the pipeline as well!
Imelda, I’d agree on not mixing terriers and cats. And on the flying horse. : )
Imelda, what a pity about the allergy to cats. I think they’re lovely pets to have around the house. Love the idea of a flying horse. I wanted one of those when I was a little girl. Mind you, I also wanted to be a mermaid so one wish kinda canceled out the other one. A mermaid would just slip straight off a flying horse!
We have 2 dogs and 1 cat so we are both dog people and cat people. My favorite pet in the movies was Lassie.
Hi Gail, I loved Lassie too as a kid. And Big Red (we had an Irish Setter). And Skippy, the Australian equivalent of Lassie. Only a kangaroo, not a dog!
Gail, wasn’t Lassie a magnificent creature? Did you know they always used male dogs to play Lassie?
Growing up I have always had cats, even though both my brother and dad were kind of allergic to them. They didn’t mind though, so long as I was happy! Now my husband is allergic to cats, (go figure) so I have a German Shepard we’ve had for six years. Best dog ever in my opinion! And then we have LOTS of fish, aquatic frogs, and snails in six different aquariums. Very fun hobby.
My favorite animal would have to be wolves though, I’ve been fascinated with them since elementary school. And my fave fictional namial would have to be Babe, the pig from the movie Babe. Simply because that is one movie that shows pigs being cute and adorable rather than just….pigs…. 
LOVED BLOOD KIN! Haven’t read Shadow Kin yet, but already anxious for Iron Kin! <3
Babe! Now I’m going to be singing la la LAAA. I have a soft spot for wolves, even if the werewolves in Half-Light are not so much the good guys. Aquariums are so pretty…and relaxing. Glad you enjoyed Blood Kin, Brandy (you must be a speedy reader)!
lol sorry, I was typing so fast I didn’t see I got the names backwards! I meant that I’ve read Shadow Kin, and haven’t had a chance to pick up Blood Kin yet. Very much looking forward to it though!
Brandy, so glad you’re already a fan of MJ’s! I loved the movie Babe. That’ll do, Pig. AWWWW!
I just recently got my daughter a tiny kitten, she’s great, even came with her own devil horns! She likes to sneak under the bed and when you least expect it she’ll JUMP OUT at me and then run for cover to do it all over again, lol. Most the time she’s very sweet and loving though, her cat bed is in my daughters bed, they love each others attention. When my daughter is out of the house the kitty will meow for a long time, missing her friend. They certainly love each other.
April, kittens are so sweet! And teeny. And have such a big streak of crazy lol. You never know what they’re going to do next. I’m glad your daughter has a feline BFF.
April, what a sweet post. I think it’s so good for kids to have pets!
I totally forgot the pet question! We’re dog people. I’m allergic to cats, alas, so dogs are our only option. For a fictional pet, I’d probably pick a black bear. Since it’s fictional, it would be content to eat what we fed it and not harass the dog.
When the boy was little, our favorite fictional pet was Carl, the rottweiler in Alexandra Day’s wordless picture books.
Well, fictional pets do what you tell them, Nancy. And you could have a well behaved bear like the one in Grizzly Adams. My brother has a rottie/kelpie cross. She looks like a rottie that shrunk in the wash but behaves more like a kelpie. Much attempted herding going on : )
Nancy, would the bear get along with the dragon?
Hmm. As long as the dragon stays in the Lair, all should be well. In any event, I wouldn’t imagine the _bear_ would start anything….
I have a nasty feeling the dragon would FINISH everything!
Okay, folks, getting late here in Oz…I’ll be back later in the US day : )
Sleep tight, MJ!
Hi MJ – Welcome to the lair.
Congratulations on the second release! As for pets – I was raised with both cats and dogs. A house without pets just doesn’t seem like a home.
Our terrier mix passed away about three years ago, So for the tirst time ever for my husband – we got a kitten. Must say he loves that tiny piece of fur. Then my son moved back home with his pet – a big American bulldog. The dog is so ugly, it’s cute – and incredibly loving and friendly but dumb as an ox and afraid of kitty conflict. The two follow me around the house – at their respective distances. The little kitty has become an instigator. The dog thinks she’s trying to play and gets his feelings hurt when she hisses at him instead. Crazy times in the MacMeans’ household.
Donna, I had a vivid picture of you being the MacMeans Pied Piper with your little procession following behind!
Hopefully they’ll call a truce soon, Donna. Sounds like typical cat behaviour to boss the poor dog around. Bulldogs are sweeties.
I don’t have any pets right now. But growing up I had a dog.
Sandy, we had dogs and cats when I grew up too although all outside animals. We had a farm and my parents were adamant about the animals being outside. Miss having a pet!
I grew up with dogs and cats too and my folks still have a dog. I even had pet mice for a while. You do miss fuzzies when you’re used to having them around.
i’m not a dog people or Cat people, poor me
Eli, no pets? Definitely means you can wear black without worrying about hair shedding! LOL!
Eli, what Anna said. Good for your wardrobe : ) I always manage to have dark and light cats so I get furred no matter what.
I’m a total animal person and I’m sure I’ve bored many a person with my stories lol. I care for ferals/strays and do what I can. I have had up to 7 cats but now have just 5 inside after recently taking in two of my daughter’s cats which is making for a very chaotic household. I’ve also had two wonderful dogs and feed all kinds of wildlife along with the outside cats – I think they all tell each other to come to my house lol. I enjoy reading about animals in books and dragons have always been a favorite. I’ve just gotten into reading fantasy/romance and really loving it so your books sounds fascinating to me!
Catslady, you name kinda gives away your fondness for the odd pet or two! It must be chaos in your house at feeding time!
Catslady, if you’re into fantasy romance, you definitely should check these out! I think they’re terrific.
Catslady, you are doing very good work! And another dragon lover, yay! I’ve been trying to figure out my fave story dragon but there are too many to choose from.
My fave dragons are the ones in Patricia C. Wredes wonderful Enchanted Forest Chronicles. They’re fantastic – in all senses of the word!
Thanks, that gives me two new series to look into
Congratulations on the book! I like dogs.
BN, I love dogs too. We had a wonderful dog when I was growing up.
Thanks, BN. Dogs are great.
Welcome back to the Lair, MJ — and congrats on the new book! Lovely interview, Anna!
MJ, your kitties are so adorable! I would love to have a cat, but the DH is allergic–or that’s what he tells me, anyway.
We keep talking about getting a dog, but we can’t decide on a type or a size and neither of us can stop working long enough to go find one. So … I guess we’re not ready yet. But soon!
Kate, I had to smile. How ironic that you can’t have a cat when those lovely kitties feature so prominently on your gorgeous Bibliophile Mystery covers. By the way, I love the new cover for PERIL IN PAPERBACK.
Thanks, Anna! I do love my covers and those cute cats! Probably as close as I’ll get to the real thing.
Thanks, Kate, I’ll pass on the compliment (there will be preening on their part lol). Picking a dog breed is very tricky. So many cool dogs to choose from! Allergies suck. The medical bods need to work out how to fix that!
Haven’t had a pet in the house since we lost
our beloved kitty boy, Gerald, some years
ago. He and his littermates were born in a
box of pompoms in the U of Houston band
hall. Our two band rascals sneaked him into
the house in a uniform hat box. It took a good
while for him to overcome his feral-ness and
accept the loving care given him by our
family. I still have a few scars on my arms!
Pat, Gerald sounds like a real personality. We had feral cats as pets when I grew up. They used to breed in the bush. There must have been a Manx sire up there somewhere and it must be quite a dominant gene. Lots of kittens without tails – a lot of my friends used to be upset that we’d cut out cats’ tails off! No, they’re born that way!
Born in a box of pom poms! Now there is an interesting start to life. Was he a musical cat? The cat I had in high school used to run away when I did my music practice. Sounds like Gerald found a great home with you. : )
Hello Everyone! I’ve been enjoying the posts all day, and finally got a chance to join in. Pets are such a great topic! I’m definitely a dog person, and I currently have two. They are two stubborn little buggers, but they are essentially my babies. They even seem more human after I had to take one to the animal opthamologist! I had no idea how large the world of animal medicine is!
One of my favorite fictional pets is Chairman Meow in the Mortal Instruments series. There is a part in the most recent book where the cat is sleeping on a table with all for legs straight in the air, and I giggled while I read it. I had the silliest image in my mind.
Another favorite is Feenix the gargoyle in the Beladors Series. I’d love to have a fire-breathing, metal eating, flying pet gargoyle! It would be amazing!
Congratulations on the new book! I can’t wait to read it, and the covers are beautiful!
Heather, love the idea of having a gargoyle – as long as he was reasonably well behaved. Aren’t MJ’s covers great? Really striking!
Thanks Heather! Love the idea of a gargoyle…particularly if I could train it to go up on the roof and clean out my gutters lol. Cats do sleep in some weird ways, some of which cannot possibly be comfortable.
Hi Heather – Thanks for mentioning Feenix. We so love him.
Congratulations on your second release MJ!! Sounds awesome.
Thanks, Dianna!
Hey, Dianna, lovely to see you here again. Been too long since we’ve met in person!
I never thought I was a pet person because I grew up on a farm and had my fill of animals but then my daughter’s boyfriend brought a dog to our house and I fell in love with her. My daughter also brought a cat home from her walk and we kept her. The only pet I would never own is a bird.
Lennette, we had a budgie when I was growing up – much to my father’s disgust, he hated birds in cages. Wasn’t a very satisfactory pet. Very bad tempered.
My grandad was anti caged birds too, Anna. He liked watching them out and about though and used to feed the local magpies. I’m glad you’ve been converted, Lennette : )
Hi, M.J., welcome back to the Lair. I love this series and am glad Guy’s getting his own story.
I’m not generally a dog person, but I am fascinated by the dire wolves in George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones series.
Jo, I”ve never read the Game of Thrones books. I’ve seen the trailers for the TV show but it looks so violent. I’m such a wimp!
Hi Jo, I love those wolves too! And I never realised dire wolves were real until I saw a skull in the Natural History museum in Washington labelled dire wolf! I’m kind of glad I didn’t live in ancient times with all those giant not-fictional creatures around!
MJ, did you know Australia had megafauna too? Wombats the size of horses!!! Wow!
I could live with giant wombats, they wouldn’t want to eat me, though they’d make a mess if they tunneled under the house! Or took a fancy to the vegie garden : ))
The whole eats, roots, shoots and leaves conundrum gets a bit scary when the wombat is that big too! Snigger.
Awwww, kitties! Cute! I might’ve been a cat person if it weren’t for the fact that I am horribly allergic to them. My allergy test came back positive for a dog allergy too but I’ve never noticed one which is a relief ’cause I like dogs too! Oh and I always thought hedgehogs made the cutest little pets. Alas, I am currently lacking in any sort of pet whatsoever. As for a fictional pet, I’m gonna have to go with a dragon.
Pissenlit, I’ve decided that there’s going to be a boom in dragon wrangling! I’m about to go and register my business. Bummer about the cat allergy!
Dragons are winning. Anna is going to make a fortune! Pissenlit, boo to your allergies. I agree that hedgehogs have the cutest little faces. I’ve patted an echidna, which is our equivalent…their spines feel odd.
I’m definitely a cat person, although after losing my last cat about a year ago, I haven’t got any at the moment. I will be getting some at some point though, I do miss them. I don’t really have a favorite fictional pet, I love them all. I love it when authors add a pet or other animal to a story and give them their own little personality. It adds a lot of depth to the story, especially how the characters interact with them.
Barbara, my current hero I’m writing has a rescue dog (Regency style) and I must say I’m having a wonderful time writing Sirius. He’s far and away the cleverest person/animal/living entity in this book! The hero and heroine are at that stage where you want to bash their heads together and tell them what’s what. Oh, well, they’ll find their way, poor things. But if the dog could talk, things would definitely be sorted out much more quickly! LOL!
Barbara, that’s why I like animals in books too. Good way of revealing character : ) I hope you get another kitty when you’re ready.
Anna, Sirius sounds like an excellent dog, let’s hope he sorts out your h/h!
I’m definitely a cat person. We have three and they’re crazy. My favorite fictional pet is Oberon from Kevin Hearne’s Iron Druid series.
Sara, Oberon is hilarious! I love wolfhounds though not sure I could ever have one…they don’t live long, being a giant breed : ( Yay for crazy cats, mine are currently asleep and therefore not causing mayhem.
Sara, is Oberon a wolfhound? I love those. I featured one in Untouched. Loved Wolfram. He was such fun to write.
I’m so LATE! I apologize, but welcome back MJ! The series is fascinating to me, and congrats on the new release.
And fantastic cats! I love animals in books. When I wrote my first full manuscript and gave it to a fellow writer for a cold read, she said, “Do you know that at every turning point in your book, an animal appears?”
I had no clue. I went back and looked, and sure enough it was true.
We have our own feline overlords at our house. Don’t know how we could make it without them.
Isn’t that funny how we’re not aware of these things, Cassondra, when they’re so obvious if someone points it out to us. A close friend of mine recently pointed out how often I use music imagery. Had no idea!
Glad to see someone else subjugated by their feline masters, Cassandra. It’s funny how easy it is to see the things that turn up in other people’s work…maybe we should all write each other’s books : ))
I’m a no pet person, but I do have a fish.
Molly, I’d love to have an aquarium. I find fish swimming around so fascinating and soothing.
Fish are very soothing, Molly. I love aquariums. One of my favorite holidays ever was snorkelling in the Whitsunday Islands…like swimming in one giant aquarium (thankfully no sharks turned up…just a sea turtle or two!)
Late to the party but happy to welcome MJ back! Always happy to have another animal lover in the Lair! I am a dog and cat person. Have a couple of each. I have been a lizard, snake, tortoise, hedgehog, spider, and parrot person in my 50 odd years. Never a dull moment at my house. Just dogs and cats now, but Frodo the Horrible (my chihuahua) makes certain I stay on my toes.
Can’t wait to read the next of you books !!
Louisa, so glad you made it! I kept thinking this post had your name on it!!! You know, I’m dying to meet Frodo. He can’t possibly be as evol as you paint him!!! x
Hi Louisa! You might win for the most pets award. I think I could do all of those except the spider. I have a thing about spiders, so you are welcome to my share of them : ) Frodo is a great name for a teeny dog!
Wow, what a huge day in the lair. Thank you so much to everyone who swung by to wish MJ well with Blood Kin. And thanks to MJ for being such a great guest. We’ll see you again, young lady!
Don’t forget to check back to see who won the two prizes!
Thanks for having me, Anna, it’s been great fun! Thanks to everyone who came to chat and tell me about all the cool beasties and thanks for the good wishes re BLOOD KIN.