About the Book

Book: Dog Days of Summer

Author: Kathleen Y’Barbo

Genre: Christian/Mystery/Romance Fiction

Release date: October, 2022

Trina Potter, Nashville country music star, buys a ranch near her hometown in Brenham, Texas, to help her niece open a rescue facility for dogs. Her presence in town stirs up some old high school rivalries—and romance. Finding property to buy is a challenge, convincing her mother to move there with her is daunting, and navigating a string of strange accidents is perplexing. Sometimes Trina feels like she’s purchased her own three ring circus instead of a beautiful piece of land. But her first priority will be figuring out who wants Second Chance Ranch shut down before they even have the grand opening.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Kathleen Y’Barbo is a multiple Carol Award and RITA nominee and bestselling author of more than one hundred books with over two million copies of her books in print in the US and abroad. A tenth-generation Texan and certified paralegal, she is a member of the Texas Bar Association Paralegal Division, Texas A&M Association of Former Students and the Texas A&M Women Former Students (Aggie Women), Texas Historical Society, Novelists Inc., and American Christian Fiction Writers. She would also be a member of the Daughters of the American Republic, Daughters of the Republic of Texas and a few others if she would just remember to fill out the paperwork that Great Aunt Mary Beth has sent her more than once.

When she’s not spinning modern day tales about her wacky Southern relatives, Kathleen inserts an ancestor or two into her historical and mystery novels as well. Recent book releases include bestselling The Pirate Bride set in 1700s New Orleans and Galveston, its sequel The Alamo Bride set in 1836 Texas, which feature a few well-placed folks from history and a family tale of adventure on the high seas and on the coast of Texas. She also writes (mostly) relative-free cozy mystery novels for Guideposts Books.

Kathleen and her hero in combat boots husband have their own surprise love story that unfolded on social media a few years back. They make their home just north of Houston, Texas and are the parents and in-laws of a blended family of Texans, Okies, and one very adorable Londoner.

More from Kathleen

Do you love dogs…or cats…or both…? I’m firmly in the “both” category. Since childhood I’ve always lived in homes that had at least one or the other, usually several of each. With every dog or cat comes at least one good story. One of my favorites is the tale of Bandit, the inspiration for the cover of my cozy mystery DOG DAYS OF SUMMER.

Once upon a time there was a black and white dog named Bandit. He was an English Springer Spaniel by birth but was completely convinced he was human. Bandit loved his people—three growing boys and a baby girl—even more than he loved popcorn and playing keep away (his version of catch). After many years, Bandit’s people grew up and he grew old. Toward the end of his very long and pampered life, he was plagued by the unwanted and yet much appreciated friendship of an ornery orange striped cat named Baby and a snooty pedigreed feline named Fifi.

Everyone loved Bandit…except the territorial squirrel who lived in a tree in our back yard in Southeast Texas. From the moment Bandit joined the family, the furry fellow was determined to rid himself and his back yard of the trespassing canine. The squirrel’s favorite tactic was to tease Bandit until the dog chased him up a tree. Once treed, the crafty critter would run around the trunk just out of Bandit’s reach. Once the squirrel tired of this, it would retreat to a limb. There, the battle of the backyard beasts would commence again but with the squirrel lobbing pinecones and the dog trying to catch them.

While every good story has a beginning, middle and end, unfortunately at the end of this one there was no winner in the dog vs. squirrel wars. A job transfer led us to Houston where squirrels were in abundance in our new neighborhood but none of them were nearly as much fun as the one Bandit left behind. The last time I spoke with the owners of our old house, they told the funniest story: they loved their new home, but there was this squirrel in the back yard that kept throwing pinecones at everyone.

In DOG DAYS OF SUMMER, I tell the story of another Texas back yard. This one is located in Brenham, Texas, and it is about to become a very special place for some very special dogs named Patsy and Cline. Have I mentioned these dogs belong to a country singer named Trina who has a mother named Mama Peach who happens to own a cat named Hector that dislikes almost everyone and can open doors? Then there’s the problem of the next door neighbor and his penchant to forget to close the lid on his grill when he’s cooking? Did I mention that Patsy and Cline enjoy nothing more than whatever they happen to find on an unguarded grill? While the two furry scoundrels are rounding up trouble next door, there is even more trouble happening at the building site for Second Chance Ranch Dog Rescue on the other side of the property. Apparently not everyone is happy about the new neighbors. The mystery is who that person might be. While you’ve got to read DOG DAYS OF SUMMER to find out, I can give you one hint: it’s not the squirrel!

I’ve told you mine; now tell me your favorite dog or cat story. I can’t wait to read them.

Interview with Kathleen

Share something your readers wouldn’t know about you.

I once spent a weekend on Komodo Island in Indonesia with my children and some friends. Our cottage had a wooden gate across the entrance to keep the Komodo dragons from wandering onto the porch. Apparently the massive lizards weren’t the real danger on the island because they tend to be people shy unless provoked. Instead, we were warned not to go into the water without shoes because of the poisonous stonefish.

Yikes! That’s sounds scary. If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Work in progress

I love that. It fits all of us. What book is currently on your bedside table?

I generally have two books in progress at any time, one fiction and one nonfiction. The novel I’m reading (actually listening to via Audible) is More Than You’ll Ever Know by Katie Gutierrez (a novel that reads like a dual timeline true crime book). The nonfiction I’m slowly making my way through is The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker.

What has been your favorite part of the publishing journey? 

My favorite part of this two decade plus journey has been all of the amazing people I’ve met along the way. Some of my favorite authors and editors and agents are lifelong friends.

Can you share with us something about the book that isn’t in the blurb?

Hector the cat isn’t mentioned in the blurb, but he steals the scene more than once in this story. Not only does he make a video call to alert… well, I don’t want to give that away… but he also… yeah, that’d be giving away something, too. Okay, so Hector the cat has figured out how to let the dogs out—literally. How’s that?

Sounds hilarious! Do one of the main characters hold a special place in your heart? If so, why?

I really like Wyatt Chastain. He’s just an all-around guy. He loves dogs and horses and nature, and he kept a torch burning for the woman who caught his heart in high school. I know a guy like that. J

What were the highlight or key challenges you faced when writing this book?

Of the more than one hundred books I’ve written, this one was the first book I wrote in first person. When I signed on to do this, I was certain it would be a disaster. Instead, I found I really like writing in first person.

What is the key theme and/or message in the book?

The key theme in this book, and in all of my books, is that as long as we’re here on this earth, God has a use for us. Our lives affect others. Do something nice for someone. Save a puppy or hug someone who is sad. Bring good to the world.

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

Readers can go to my website at www.kathleenybarbo.com to get links to all of my books. For the most up-to-date information, sign up for my newsletter  at: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/o0h6p4

Any current or upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?

Yes! I’m wrapping up THE BARK OF ZORRO, another installment in the series. I can’t wait to introduce you to the story of office manager Cassidy and her game warden nemesis Jason as they investigate a crime spree of paint… on dogs!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 28

Texas Book-aholic, October 28

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 29

Blogging With Carol, October 29

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, October 30 (Author Interview)

deb’s Book Review, October 30

Inklings and notions, October 31

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, November 1

Lily’s Book Reviews, November 1

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 2

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 3

Remembrancy, November 3

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 4

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 4

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, November 5

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 6

Boondock Ramblings, November 6

Labor Not in Vain, November 7

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, November 7

Pause for Tales, November 8

Mary Hake, November 8

For Him and My Family, November 9

Divine Perspective, November 9

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, November 10

The Book Club Network, November 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kathleen is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon e-gift card and a print copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2244a/dog-days-of-summer-celebration-tour-giveaway