I’d like to welcome Lee Carey today at Best Dog Books, a blog that features interviews with authors who have written a dog book for kids.
AOB: What is the title of your book? Pub date and publisher? Genre? Targeted age group? Illustrator?
‘Flash…the Humble Hero’. Published July 2013 by Sandfiddler Publishing. Pet fiction. Ages 12 & up.
AOB: Who is your key dog character and what kind of dog is he/she? Tell us a little more about him/her.
*In ‘Flash’ (the sequel to ‘Gabby…All About Me’), two pooches sort of share the MC part; however, Flash soon comes into his own to lead by a nose. Gabby is a mixed black lab. Flash is a beagle.
AOB: In 70 words or less, provide a succinct plot description of your story.
*A beagle puppy is discarded like trash on the Eastern Shore and lived in fear and hopelessness – until the day Scooter and Gabby pulled into the country diner where he hid out. Little Flash suddenly found himself relocated to Sandbridge Beach, becoming a member of their little family of three. Flash and Scooter bond through a series of adventures that prove him to be a ‘hero’.
AOB: Reviews or blurbs you wish to share:
*Five stars to Lee Carey’s latest, ‘FLASH…the Humble Hero’. It’s a heartwarming story from beginning to end. As the sequel to ‘Gabby… All About Me’, the story begins with Gabby taking top billing. As the tale evolves, Flash’s personality and character develop as well. Gabby is well named because she’s loquacious, out-going, and extroverted enough to be a movie star. Flash is quieter, more humble, and a hero in every sense of the word. Be prepared to feel anger, love, shed a tear or two, and be reminded of some of life’s important lessons.
Y/A author – Larry Webb, MI.
AOB: What inspired you to write this story?
*After the publication of ‘Gabby’, I received many emails from readers around the world asking about a sequel. I had not planned on one, but since little Flash came into the picture at the end, I followed my readers’ requests. I am glad I did.
AOB: What was the biggest challenge you had writing your story? How did you overcome it?
*I needed to have Flash’s shy and quiet personality slowly blend in with Gabby’s outgoing, snappy one while having Flash take the main stage. I guess just having that subliminal thought worked itself out because on my first read of the draft, I was pleased.
AOB: What other YA/MG books have you written? Do any of them feature a key dog character? If so, which ones? AOB: What are these stories about?
*’Gabby…All About Me’ was my first pet novel. And after we had to have her put to sleep at age fifteen, I was inspired to write ‘Pets in Paradise’ which mainly features Gabby, but also all types of animals and birds. And now, hot off the press is my recent publication of ‘Flash…the Humble Hero’.
AOB: What kind of story can we expect next from you? Is it about a dog? If so, what is it about?
*In the fall, I plan to begin another novel featuring our rescue pooch, Angel, and a teenage boy living here at Sandbridge Beach. This one will not have a talking dog, but will be a coming-of-age story with Adam and Angel. Of course, Angel will be one smart canine. And in real life, she certainly is. Must be the Husky, Shepherd, and Lab branches in her family tree.
AOB: What else would you like us to know about you or your story?
*I love pets, the beach, writing wholesome novels, and life.
AOB: Can you remember the first book that made an impact on you? And why?
*’Where the Red Fern Grows’. I was thirteen when I read it, and any pooch novel that could make a country boy cry had to be powerful. I recently read it again…and guess what? Yep, I did. Great story.
AOB: Where can readers go to find out more information about you and/or your books?
*My website: LeeCarey-author.com shows all eight of my novels and my two compilations of short stories on Amazon.
Thank you Lee Carey for joining us Best Dog Books today!
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