"Danger In Her Words" Coming Soon

A PS to this post. I pulled my book down to correct a few errors. It will be up shortly on Amazon and Kindle.

The best of news on a snowed-in day in Georgia. My book is now available on Amazon. A work of fiction, a bit girly, sassy, sexy, and fun, I am so happy to have finished it. My life since spring has been centered on writing, re-writing, and editing. An anticipated publication date of Christmas with a marketing theme of 'naughty or nice' got postponed until Valentine's Day.  I think it is the perfect romp for the most romantic holiday of the year!

 A TV sitcom pitch gone wrong turns dog-column writer Susan Meyers in a tailspin. Sex Sells was the topic of the day at the writers’ convention. Susan decided to try something new and a steamy romantic novel seemed just the answer. A widow who hadn’t dated in three years, Susan was out of practice with men and sex. She turned to an online dating site to find inspiration for her book and unleashed a predator with the words she wrote. Tucked an hour away from her friends in a small town where she kept to herself, with only her tiny dog for company, Susan felt safe from the world. Little did she know her life was about to change.

 

 A romp of a story about writing and finding yourself in this book within a book. If you love girl-talk, farmhouses, antiques, country towns, a touch of murder, a sprinkle of suspense, and a bit of naughty fun, come join Susan as she learns about life from her character Jamie. Two widows looking for love in all the wrong places might still get it right if they live long enough.

 

Book and cover design by  pd king design. Published by Gilbert Street Press.

For The Love Of Dogs "Give Cancer The Paw" Blog Hop

How many dogs can you see in this photo?

 

 

Yes, that is my bed. I sleep with dogs. Six to be exact. Sharing my love of rescue dogs seems appropriate today as I join  the "Give Cancer The Paw" Blog Hop. First about the hop and then a little about my dogs!

 

Dogs were the subject of Julie Valerie's Post  “We’re Talking Dog Books on Change A Pet’s Life Day!” a few weeks back. In that post, she featured three authors and four novels where dogs played a prominent role in the story. I was honored my book, The Unfaithful Widow, was included along with two great books by author Jackie Bouchard and another wonderful author Karen E. Martin. My widow memoir is full of the dogs that rescued me.

 

 

 

 

Today starts the "Give Cancer The Paw" Blog Hop, which is also mentioned in Julie's post above. Link to it for more details.

 

For all my dog loving friends and rescue groups - you can join the hop too. Blog about whatever you want - a tribute post, research info, tips on fighting cancer, etc. Author Jackie Bouchard is posting about Morris Animal Foundation and ways to help out with their canine research. If you want to join the blog hop as a blogger, or simply want to hop along the websites as a participant, check Jackie Bouchard's blog beginning today, February 6th, to get all the information you need.
 

2014 dates for this event: Feb 6, May 6, Aug 6, Nov 6.
The Give Cancer the Paw Blog Hop is co-hosted by Jackie and Peggy's Pet Place.
Check below to link to other posts in the hop!

Meet the pack in my bed: Chloe (7 pound Chi), Bray (black Afghan mix), Miss April In Paris (hunting dog, brown head, liver spotted body), Rascal (roly-poly mini-pit), Annabelle (mixed brown cocker/hound) and Bertha Barth (Mixed Basset Hound). The last pooch to land here was Bertha. She has been a hand full. My dogs teach me patience, not with dealing with them, because my love of my dogs forgives many household mistakes, but patience in dealing with others - humans to be specific. Sometimes I think every relationship should  fall in place, and be perfect, at the beginning.  There are bad eggs I agree, but I've learned if I don't jump to the wrong conclusions about someone, patience may bring a delightful surprise.

Most of my dogs came from animal rescue groups, where they were in foster homes, and, while quirky, well adjusted. They came in over a nine month period. They mixed and mingled, kissing on each other. The house was a love fest.

Then Bertha Barth came from Animal Control, several years later, in Spring 2012. She had no history with anyone, came from a group cage, with the most pitiful look a saggy face pooch could have. She had heartworms. In her fight to mix in, she wanted to be Alpha, she nailed a few dogs to the ground (not to hurt them, but to show them she was in charge). She nipped me once. She wanted to be loved but made it hard to love her out of fear she might snap and nip, or worse yet, bite. I called in a dog trainer, who trained me on how to deal with her. Her heartworm treatment was successful. She has finally found her place in the pack after more than a year, and I love her with all my heart. If a dog who wants so desperately to fit in acts badly, perhaps people do the same. Bertha reminds me that all relationships don't start smoothly, but given time and caring, things change and bloom. I hope she has made me less critical of others' actions and given me patience to allow time to sort things out.

 

Bertha Barth

 

A Visit To Julie Valerie's Book Blog In Celebration Of Dogs And Dog Books

Julie Valerie's sweet dogs. Chloe on the left and the late Cassie, who went to dog heaven last September after a long loved full life, on the right.

Last Friday was Change A Pet's Life Day and I was thrilled to be included in a blog post on dogs and dog books by Julie Valerie. A fellow dog lover, Julie shared the beautiful photo above. Such sweet faces.

You can link to Julie Valerie's Book Blog and read the dog post by clicking here. Below are the books included in the post. The covers alone make you smile. 

Follow Julie Valerie's Book Blog: Women's Fiction from Jane Austen to Bridget Jones. Click here to go to her home page.

And now the books and a special event!

 

Purchase on Amazon

Author's Web

Rescue Me, Maybe by Jackie Bouchard: If you lost both your spouse and your dog to cancer within weeks of each other, but you were sadder about the dog, would you tell anyone? Maybe your closest friends. Unfortunately, Jane Bailey’s closest friends are on the other side of the country. That’s where Jane plans to go now that she’s free to leave Philadelphia, the too cold, beachless, street taco-deficient city her husband dragged her to six years ago. But with no job prospects in her hometown of San Diego, Jane is roped into helping out temporarily at her uncle’s southwestern small-town B&B. En route to her new role as innkeeper and breakfast chef, she finds a stray at a rest stop. With her heart in pieces from the loss of her dog, she’s determined not to let this mutt worm its way into her affections. She’s also determined to have next-to-no interaction with the B&B’s irritating guests, and the even more annoying handyman who lives next door. Can Jane keep her sanity–and her secret that she’s not really a grieving widow–while trying to achieve her dream of getting back to the place she thinks is home?

Purchase on Amazon

Author's Web

 

What the Dog Ate by Jackie Bouchard: The vet handed Maggie Baxter a plastic specimen bag containing a pair of size-tiny lavender thong panties extracted from her dog; but they were not hers. Or rather, they were hers now since she’d just paid $734 to have Dr. Carter surgically remove them from Kona’s gut.This is how Maggie Baxter, a practical, rule-following accountant, discovers that her husband of seventeen years is cheating on her. All her meticulous life plans are crushed. When he leaves her for the other woman, Maggie and her the-world-is-my-smorgasbord chocolate Lab, Kona, are left to put their lives back together. As Maggie begins to develop a Plan B for her life, she decides to be more like Kona. No, she’s not going to sniff crotches and eat everything that isn’t nailed down; rather she’ll try to approach life with more ball-chasing abandon. Finding herself in situations where she begins to go through her usual over-analysis of the pros and cons, she stops and instead asks herself: What would Kona do? With Kona as her guru, Maggie begins her quest for tail-wagging joy.

 

 

 

Purchase on Amazon

Author's Web

 

Modogamous by Karen E. Martin: Kate Adams has it all figured out. Five years out of college, she’s got a steady job, a home she loves in the big city, and good friends who always keep her laughing: her stylish but nosy roommate Evette, happily-married Cecie, and of course, good old Mitch, her seriously cute co-worker who’s been stuck in the Friend Zone since the day they met.

Everything is going just fine—until the night Kate crosses the line with Mitch, and the boundaries between friendship and love begin to blur. Things get even more complicated when hunky JP enters the scene. What’s a girl to do? Add to the mix a spunky little pug Kate never expected to fall for, and her neatly-ordered life is starting to look more like a dog’s dinner. Maybe her roommate has the right idea after all: forget the men, and stick with a canine companion instead.
It’s time for Kate to figure out what she really wants in life. But can she dig her way out of the mess she’s created before she ends up permanently in the doghouse?


And  my own book, The Unfaithful Widow, where rescue dogs helped rescue me!

 

Purchase on Amazon

 

And an event you won't want to miss!

 

 

 

Give Cancer the Paw Blog Hop (February 6, 2014)

 Folks are welcome to join the hop and blog about whatever they want – a tribute post, research info, tips on fighting cancer, etc. Jackie Bouchard is going to post about Morris Animal Foundation and ways to help out with their canine cancer research. If you want to join, check Jackie Bouchard’s blog (http://poochsmooches.blogspot.com) on February 6th to get the linky info for joining the hop. The Give Cancer the Paw Blog Hop is co-hosted by Jackie and one other blogger (Peggy’s Pet Place). The February 6 event will be the second time they’ve hosted it.

 

Thanks Julie for letting me repost this information and for including me in your post!

 

From one dog lover to another, Dogs Rock!

 

Barbara Barth "Sparkle" My New Blog

I have been missing in action on my widow blog and for a good reason! I am writing a new book, two in fact, and of course, had to start a new blog and website to honor my new adventures!

In case you have lost track of time - and there is no reason for you to think about my timeline - I have been a widow for a little over five years. Somewhere in there my widow crown tilted and my dog lady tiara crept in. I became a widow right before I turned sixty. Now I am approaching sixty-five next week. Not old - by any means - and those of you who know me personally - know that fact! But it is time to reevaluate and put a plan in place for this exciting year. My plan is to . . .                                                        

                                S*P*A*R*K*L*E!
I am working on two new books. One is the continuing saga of my life with dogs, another memoir pulling in posts I have written all over the place for the last four years, tidying them up and putting them in a book. Life with six dogs in never boring and I plan to share my adventures with you, from crazy dog lady, to shopkeeper, to home repair and more men, naughty and nice.

A big leap of faith, I am writing an romantic thriller. Fiction. A first for me! The romantic part needs some work! - I want it to be somewhat sexy, but not too descriptive! You know I like to have a bit of a flame, but then leave the rest to your imagination. I am working on my balance for romance that will excite you to dream and not shock the pants off you so you slap your face and go, she said what??? For a gal who writes about her life and tells all, I am really somewhat shy with fictional details. Go figure.

If you want to check out my new blog Barbara Barth Sparkle you can keep up with the latest news! Just click here.  My new author website can be found here.

I will pop back on this blog from time to time, but would love for you to join me on my new adventure and sign up for my news on Barbara Barth Sparkle!

A peek at the cover image for my book. A work in progress.

Pam King, PDKing Designs, is working on my cover and interior book files for my book. She is offering her services to other writers if anyone is interested!   

"What's On Page 25?" Chick Lit Author Blog Hop and Grand Prize Raffle

Chick Lit Author Blog Hop 2013 asks: “What’s on page 25?”

Join in for a week of fun with the 2nd annual Chick Lit Author Blog Hop. Enter to win a Kindle Keyboard 3G and more. New to blog hops?  Want to learn how to win the grand prize by collecting the secret words? Find complete information by clicking here.

The Rafflecopter prize registry form will close at 11:59 pm on May 27, 2013. The winner will be selected by random drawing and notified by email the following morning. See form at the end of this post.

In addition to the grand prize, you can enter to win a free copy of  The Unfaithful Widow, by posting a comment below. A separate drawing on this blog only will be done for my e-book and the winner announced on May 28th.

List of other blogs below.

So Just What Is On Page 25 Of My Book?

I flipped open The Unfaithful Widow to be greeted with "Down The Rabbit Hole." Like Alice's white rabbit, I am always chiming “I'm late, I'm late.” I can't remember getting any place on time as far back as...well, as far back as I can remember! I used to think it was my creative brain working in a stodgy federal office. With a flex schedule that allowed me from 6 am to 9:30 am to appear at my desk, most days I didn't show up until 9:45. I was always in trouble it seemed. I haven't changed much.

Dating again the first year after my husband's death was a challenge. I wanted out of the house to be alive with people, but the effort to be on time was staggering. After years of just grabbing my husband's arm and heading out the door, I now had to prep to look my best for someone who most likely would look their worst.

Anyone who has done the online dating thing will agree there aren't many reasons to spur you out of the house in anticipation. Dinner was my inspiration. I'd pay for my meal, order what I wanted, then rush back to the comfort of my house and dogs. (Win the grand prize! The 24th secret word in the 25-word sentence is: hopping)

I finally got up the nerve to invite a male I knew to my house. Timing is everything. It's hell to be caught with your pants down, or in my case, in my undies. A short excerpt follows:

* * * * * * * *

“Come over for dinner tomorrow.” I couldn't believe I actually said those words. No one had been in my house other than my best friend since my husband died.

“What are you cooking?”

Obviously he was not a close friend if he asked that question.

“Pizza delivery. Does that work for you?” Now I am sorry I've opened my mouth to take this step

But the plans were made and my friend was due shortly.

I looked at the floor with its fine layer of dog hairs and then at the clock. Plenty of time, I thought. I'll run the vacuum. Dog hairs are my social faux pas. It is especially fatal when the person is wearing black.

I had just pulled the vacuum into the living room when there was a loud knock on my front door.

The dogs started barking and I ran up to the door yelling over the howling hounds, “Yes, who is it?”

My guest had arrived early. Another indication this was not someone who knew me well. There I was standing in my knickers and bra.

“Wait a minute. I'll be ready in a jiff.”

Well, I thought pleasantly to myself, no need to vacuum now.

* * * * * * * *

The Unfaithful Widow is my story on my first year alone doing all those things I thought I'd never do again with the help of a vintage Corvette, the best girlfriends, a bevy of rescue dogs, bad dates leading to good things, and signs from the universe. For a true confession it has all the elements of a great chick lit story, shared over a cup of tea, or as I prefer, a frozen Margarita!

I'd love to meet all the authors here in person. Talk about a great girls night out! Join me and let's go see what's on their page 25!

Blog Hop List

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Working On My New Blog - The Cottage In My Mind

Thanks to my sister for this great photo art!

Two books are in the works as I sit on my tail end and write each day. First, the continuation of my story going from widow to crazy dog lady. Written, but still in the editing phase! Hopefully the next few months will bring it on! Living with a pack of hounds is a definate life-style. I am here to tell you about it.

My new blog The Cottage In My Mind came about after looking at Victorian cottage homes for sale in areas miles from my home and realizing I am happy where I am. It is my story of transforming my vintage ranch house into the cozy cottage I dream about. Halfway through the work, with decorating foremost in my brain, and the purchase of way too many old painted pieces of furniture, this blog will transform into a book as soon as my ranch house blooms with cottage style.

Speaking Gig at the East Metro Atlanta Christian Writers Group

May 11, 2013: Barbara Barth, “Marketing From My Computer”

 

 

 

I had a wonderful time on Saturday speaking to the East Metro Atlanta Christian Writers Group in Covington, Georgia.  The members made me feel like a star, and I needed it! Shaking in my shoes for my first speaking gig. My subject was close to my heart, online marketing! Could not have met a warmer group.  Thanks to everyone for inviting me!