Five Simple Ways to Eat a More Humane and Healthy Menu

I’ve had animals for as long as I can remember. The message about animal cruelty and adopting a #ShelterPet is one that has gained ground in recent years, but the ASPCA is concerned with the welfare of farm animals as well.

Here are five simple ways to become a more aware and welfare-conscious consumer when shopping for your family’s groceries.

1. Eat Seasonally - Eating foods in season means that you’re able to buy from a more local economy and avoid having your food ship from other countries. This means fresher foods picked at peak ripeness too!
2. Shop Locally - CSA’s and local farmers’ markets help support local, often smaller scale, farmers and ranchers who are producing outside of the traditional factory-farm system. If you aren’t sure where to start, visit your local farmers’ market and start asking some question - this guide will get you started. https://www.aspca.org/shopwithyourheart/consumer-resources/how-shop-farmers-market  
3. Conquer Labeling Confusion - Marketers create confusion with their flashy labels and clever catch-phrases. But unfortunately, sometimes they care more about finances than transparency. Words like “natural” or “humane” often don’t have any oversight to actually tell you as a consumer anything concrete. However, some phrases and labels do have regulations associated with their use, and that’s what you can start to look for as a savvy shopper. Here’s a guide to labeling to get you started. https://www.aspca.org/shopwithyourheart/consumer-resources/meat-eggs-and-dairy-label-guide
4. Be Careful to Minimize Waste - One of the ways we can treat the animals used for food respectfully and humanely is by making the most of the food we purchase. Purchase only what you know you’ll use and serve the right sized portions to avoid wasting what your family buys. https://www.aspca.org/sites/default/files/the_good_groceries_guide_final_version.pdf
5. Look for Certifications That Mean Something - Unlike marketing gimmicks there are certain certifications and awards that have true meaning. For example the USDA  Organic label shows that the produce grown (or fed to the animal) didn’t use banned pesticides. Others include Animal Welfare Approved or Certified Humane

See The Good Groceries Guide for more information about how our shopping habits impact the lives of those around us - animals included. https://www.aspca.org/sites/default/files/the_good_groceries_guide_final_version.pdf

Find more resources for savvy shoppers at the ASCPA Shop With Your Heart website! https://www.aspca.org/shopwithyourheart/consumer-resources

And don’t forget to enter to win some fun items from the ASPCA!

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Why I’m Going to #LightItUpBlue for Understanding and Acceptance

Since April is World Autism Month, I’ve decided to #LightItUpBlue with Autism Speaks to increase understanding and awareness of autism. This is an issue that has touched the hearts of many people I care about. It’s highly likely that you know someone with autism too since the CDC estimates autism’s prevalence as 1 in every 68 children in the United States.

Autism refers to a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as by unique strengths and differences. We now know that there is not one autism but many types, caused by different combinations of genetic and environmental influences.

Autism’s most obvious signs tend to appear between 2 and 3 years of age. In some cases, it can be diagnosed as early as 18 months. Autism Speaks encourages parents with concerns to seek evaluation without delay, as early intervention can improve outcomes.

The “Light It Up Blue” campaign is about more than awareness -- it is about increasing understanding and acceptance of autism.  This includes advocacy and support for people across the entire spectrum throughout their lives. It also includes advancing research into personalized treatments for autism and related conditions.  I encourage you test your understanding of autism by taking this quiz!

Certain medical and mental health issues frequently accompany autism. They include GI disorders, seizures, sleep disturbances, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety and phobias.

You can help make a difference too by taking the Light It Up Blue Quiz to see how much you know about autism. If you’re moved to do so after visiting AutismSpeaks.org, please show your support for and understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with autism by sharing a photo to #LightItUpBlue for Autism Awareness Month too. Also, check out Autism Speaks’ nationwide calendar of autism-friendly friendly events and activities in April.

Donate to Goodwill this Holiday Season

The holidays are a time of love, joy and pure magic for most of us. But if we are really being honest, there are a lot of people who struggle through the holidays. While everyone is celebrating, cooking, gathering with friends and shopping – there are those out there who are struggling to find jobs and keep the lights on. So in a time of giving – a time that is a joy for some and a struggle for others – how do you help? It’s simple. When you donate your stuff to Goodwill®, you create opportunities for individuals in your community looking to find a job and build skills, including veterans and military families, single mothers and many others. Last year, people helped local Goodwill organizations collectively place 312,000 people in employment in the United States and Canada. In addition, more than 35 million people used computers and mobile devices to access Goodwill education, training, mentoring and online learning services to strengthen their skills. WE did that. Those of us that are donating our items and shopping at Goodwill. That is all it takes – it really is that easy.

So how do you help, exactly?

Step 1: Gather Your Stuff Walk around your home and collect items you and your family no longer need — that shirt that’s been hanging in the back of your closet for three years, the toy trike your five-year old has outgrown, the holiday gift from grandma you never quite found a place for, etc. Step 2: Give Them a Look Over Donating items that are in working condition, contain all of their pieces and parts, and are free of stains and rips is the best way to ensure that your goods do the most good. While they accept most clothing and household items, there are a few things they can’t accept – if you are unsure, it’s best to give your local Goodwill organization a call first to find out any rules or restrictions around these items. Step 3: Go to Goodwill Ready to drop off your items? Just use the Goodwill locator app and check the box for “Donation Site” to find your nearest Goodwill drop-off location. Donating a lot of items? Some Goodwills offer donation pickup services – give yours a call to find out what’s available in your area. While you are there – shop around! They have so many gently used and even new items that you may find that you didn’t even know you needed or wanted. When you shop at Goodwill, you are also shopping for a cause.

ADOPTION - AdoptUSKids for the AdCouncil

Children are our future. As they grow up, they become us, the adults who work in the factories, bakeries, local businesses, and the leaders of our nation. A truly great life is filled with love and family and those pivotal moments that we get to share with one another. As the holidays are approaching and we get busy thinking about our family get-togethers, cooking food and shopping, I ask that you take a moment to stop and think about the kids who have no family. It may be a somber thing to think about. Maybe it isn’t something you want to think about. But it is so very important. There are 428,000 youth in the U.S. foster care system and 112,000 are waiting to be adopted. AdoptUSKids’ maintains a national photo listing service for children waiting to be adopted. Since the project launched in 2002, more than 26,000 children who were once photo listed on adoptuskids.org have been adopted and nearly 39,000 families have registered to adopt through the website.  Nevertheless, older youth are disproportionally represented – approximately 43% percent of children and youth photo listed on adoptuskids.org are between 15 and 18 years old, but only 17% of those adopted have been in this age group.

Can you imagine? Knowing that because you are too old, you may never have the family that you always hoped for, that you always dreamed of? Older youth and teens have lower adoption rates than younger children, and they often wait longer to be adopted. But no matter their age, all kids need a supportive, loving home and the teenage years are a critical period for growth. While these kids may have the essential things that they need to grow up healthy, like food and a roof over their heads, that does not make up for the kind of love and support that a family can give them. Having a roof over your head doesn’t mean that these kids are being given a truly happy life, one which every child deserves. Some of the Misperceptions about Adoption from Foster Care: 

• Adoption is expensive.  Unlike the private adoption of an infant or adopting internationally, there are virtually no costs associated with adoption from the US child welfare system. In addition, the vast majority of youth adopted from foster care are also eligible for monthly adoption assistance up to the level of the foster care rate. 
• You have to be married. You do not have to be married to adopt in most states. Many children have been very successfully adopted by single parents. Single-parent families accounted for 29 percent of all adoptions from foster care in 2014 (AFCARS). 
• You have to own a home and each child has to have their own room. You can rent your home or live in an apartment or a mobile home so long as your living situation is a stable one. 
• You have to be of child-bearing age to adopt. Experienced parents and empty-nesters are encouraged to adopt. In most instances, you’re eligible to adopt regardless of age, income, marital status or sexual orientation.  
• You can only adopt a child who is the same race and ethnicity as you. Federal law prohibits the delay or denial of an adoptive placement based on the race or ethnicity of a child in U.S. foster care and the prospective parent or parents who are seeking to adopt them. The only exception to this law is the adoption of Native American children where special considerations apply.  
• You can’t adopt if you’re in the military. Military families stationed overseas and within the U.S. are eligible to adopt children from the U.S. foster care system.

The truth is there are kids out there who need YOU. And whether you realize it or not, maybe you need them too. For more information about adoption, or about becoming an adoptive parent to a child from foster care, please visit www.adoptuskids.org or visit the campaign’s communities on Facebook and Twitter.

MHA - Making Home Affordable

If you are a home owner you probably worked long and hard to get where you are. Years of work and savings poured into making those 4 brick walls and roof your family refuge. A home is where important life memories are made, where family and friends can gather, and where you can enjoy a sense of safety and comfort. Your home is something that you work hard to call your own and should never be in fear of losing due to unforeseen circumstances. Foreclosure can be a very frightful thing and RIGHT NOW THERE IS HELP! Making Home Affordable is a free government resource that can help make paying that mortgage easier. Help from MHA provides incentives and flexibility that you might not have otherwise. Through the federal Making Home Affordable (MHA) program, 1.8 million families have received much-needed help by reducing their monthly mortgage payments an average of nearly $500/month. Foreclosures can have a devastating effect on families and communities. There are still too many homeowners struggling to make their mortgage payments or facing the prospect of losing their homes. About one in 13 homeowners nationwide has fallen behind on his or her mortgage payments, putting them at a higher risk of foreclosure. Homeowners should not feel alone, but many do.


  The deadline to apply for mortgage help through MHA is Friday, December 30, 2016. While the end of the program is quickly approaching, don’t worry—there is still time to gather your information and apply. Homeowners who submit an application on or before December 30, 2016 will still be considered! If you’re struggling to make your monthly mortgage payments, call 888-995-HOPE (4673) ™. Housing experts are available around-the-clock (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) at no cost. They will help you understand your options and design a plan to suit your individual situation. You can also visit MakingHomeAffordable.gov to access free resources and information to help deal with your mortgage problems and avoid foreclosure.



 With less than 3 months remaining to apply for help through MHA, we need your help spreading the word to the approximately 1 in 17 homeowners nationwide who have fallen behind on their mortgage payments, putting them at a higher risk of foreclosure! Please help us spread the word. You never know who you know that might be struggling to pay their mortgage and could use this help.

How to Avoid Absenteeism #AbsencesAddUp

Depending on where you are – your kids have likely been in school for a month or two already. Have they missed any days during that time? How many? Is that even something you think about regularly? When they did miss – you probably did everything you needed to do to ensure that they stayed caught up, right? Unfortunately, there are kids out there who do not have that luxury and they are falling behind. A student who misses just two days of school each month — 18 days total in the year — is considered to be chronically absent. However, many parents don’t realize that, even when absences are excused or understandable, absences add up and can greatly impact a child’s education. In the United States, more than 6 million children are chronically absent from school each year. Key Takeaways for Parents

• Every absence matters.
• Absences matter as early as elementary school.
• Absences matter whether they are excused or unexcused.
• Students who miss just two days of school each month, or 18 days in a year, are more likely to fall behind in reading, writing and math and less likely to graduate from high school.

Tips and Suggestions

• Keep track of how many days of school your child has missed.
• Figure out why your child is absent from school.
  • Are they dealing with a chronic illness like asthma?
  • Are they being bullied or struggling at school?
  • Are they staying home to help care for a family member?
• Visit AbsencesAddUp.org to find help addressing the underlying cause of your child’s absences.
  • Ask teachers and community leaders for advice and specific resources in your area.
  • Don’t be afraid to reach out to other parents in your area to ask for help and share tips.
• To prevent absences in the future, consider enrolling your child in a mentoring or afterschool program.
• Understand the impact of each absence on your child’s future.
  • A student is chronically absent even if they miss only two days of school each month (18 days per year), whether the absences are excused or unexcused.
  • Chronic absenteeism can affect students as early as elementary school.
  • Children who are chronically absent in preschool, kindergarten, and first grade are much less likely to read on grade level by third grade.
  • Students who cannot read at grade level by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school.

 One third of parents surveyed admit that they could do more to ensure that their child attends school every day. There are many reasons why students miss school when they don’t have to. Some are struggling in the classroom, while others may be having trouble with bullies, or dealing with challenges at home. Children who are chronically absent in preschool, kindergarten, and first grade are less likely to read on grade level by the third grade. Students who cannot read at grade level by the third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. Your child’s daily, on-time attendance is critical to their success in school. And while some challenges to your child’s school attendance are unavoidable, it’s important to understand the impact of each absence.


SPREAD THE MESSAGE! The best way to ensure success for our kids? Get them to school every day. Visit AbsencesAddUp.org for tips #AbsencesAddUp Every day in class = 1 day closer to graduation. Learn more about ensuring our kids' success at AbsencesAddUp.org #AbsencesAddUp

It's Child Passenger Safety Week!

Don’t guess when it comes to which seat your child should be in right now. So what do you choose? Infant, convertible, or booster seat? Finding the right car seat and installing it correctly is no easy task. Then there's the question of when to transition your child to another type of car seat. Following these steps will help you find the right car seat based on car seat type, age and size recommendations, and will show you how to install your car seat the correct way. It is Child Passenger Safety Week! Let’s Spread the word and tell parents and caregivers to visit SaferCar.gov/TheRightSeat (or SaferCar.gov/Protegidos for Spanish-language information) to determine if their child is in the right seat for his or her age and size and to locate a car seat check station in their area. Also – Don’t register each child’s car seat with the manufacturer so as to be informed in the event of a recall. A car seat is no doubt one of the most important purchases will ever make for your child! But it isn’t just that first purchase that matters the most. As your child gets older and while they are growing, you will need to change not only the direction that the car seat faces and how they sit in it – at some point you will have to upgrade to an entirely different seat.

 While you can customize the look and feel of a car seat, there are three basic types of car seats to choose from. But even having the right seat doesn’t mean you are completely safe. You also need to ensure that the seat is installed properly!:

• Installation Resources:If a car seat is not installed correctly, your child's safety could be in danger. Every car seat has different installation instructions. You can find resources and tips here to help you get “the right fit” on your car seats: http://www.safercar.gov/parents/RightFit.htm
• Free Car Seat Checks:During Child Passenger Safety Week, there will be more than 600 events in 45 states across the country, where certified child passenger safety technicians will inspect car seats and show parents and caregivers how to correctly install and use them. In most cases, this service is free of charge. Locate a car seat check event here:http://www.safercar.gov/cpsApp/cps/index.htm

 Car crashes are a leading cause of death for children 1 to 13 years old. Many times deaths and injuries can be prevented by proper use of car seats, booster seats, and seat belts. By working with the Ad Council and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) we hope to get out a message that will educate parents and caregivers about the importance of selecting the right seat for their child’s age and size, and to remind them that car seats, booster seats and seat belts offer the best protection for children in crashes and help save lives. Get this message out to your friends and family!

• Twitter - Many parents do not realize their child is in the wrong car seat. Visit Safercar.gov/TheRightSeat and make sure your child is riding safely. #therightseat.#

• Facebook - Storks know how to keep kids safe. Do you? Visit safercar.gov/therightseat to know for sure that your child is in the right seat for their age and size. #STORKS #TheRightSeat

No One Gets a Diploma Alone

There is always so much excitement around the weeks leading up to back to school. We get our shopping lists for supplies, new school clothes, and we start getting ourselves prepared for a new schedule. And even as parents, when our kids go back to school, our schedules change. Do you know an adult who is also going through this back to school routine? Many times we do not stop to think about the adults in our lives, friends, family, and co-workers, who might be working on furthering their education as well. And I am not just talking about college classes. I am talking about those hardworking adults who, for one reason or another, were unable to finish their high school diploma or equivalency. Maybe they had to get a job to help support their family, maybe they became mothers at an early age – whatever the reason – we need to celebrate, encourage and inspire anyone who feels like they have nowhere to turn if they were unable to get their high school diploma. Because they are not alone and there is help out there! Without a high school diploma, opportunities in today’s economy can be limited. In fact, nearly 30% of adults with household incomes at or below the federal poverty line do not have a high school credential. The AdCouncil and FinishYourDiploma.org have launched a new campaign to celebrate the adults who have finished their diploma and to inspire those who feel like they have been alone or did not know where to turn to find resources and tools for free adult education in their community. Since the campaign initially launched in 2010, Finish Your Diploma has helped more than 800,000 adults in all 50 states find free test-prep classes in their area. Please help us get the word out about the network of thousands of free adult education classes available throughout the country. You know people in your community who want to further their education and they can benefit from this information! In most communities, local nonprofits and literacy centers are able to offer free classes to help adults prepare for the GED, TASC, or HiSET high school equivalency tests. If we, as a community, can get people in the door, these centers will provide support and guidance on the path towards higher education. For many adults, earning a high school equivalency diploma is the first step toward a college degree, better job, or brighter future. How else can you help in your local community? Join the #HatsOffToYou Social Media Campaign – One thing that unites graduates in the U.S. is the tossing of a cap to celebrate their tremendous achievement. The AdCouncil and FinishYourDiploma.org are asking people to toss a hat in support of adult graduates and to inspire others to get their diplomas. Simply film a short video or Instagram Boomerang, or take a picture of yourself tossing any hat you have available. Use the hashtag #HatsOffToYou and tag @FinishYourDiploma on Instagram. Example: I’m tossing my hat to show my support for the thousands of hard-working adults who will earn their high school diplomas this year #HatsOffToYou. Will you be next? Visit FinishYourDiploma.org for helpful tips. @FinishYourDiploma

Rise from the Ashes with Smokey The Bear!

 A campfire can be one of the best parts of camping, or provide necessary warmth to hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts. Unlike many natural disasters, most wildfires are caused by people—and can be prevented by people, too! Right now, a wildfire burning out of control in mountains and foothills east of Los Angeles has forced authorities to order three school districts to cancel classes due to heavy smoke and dangerous conditions. The time for this message has never been more important than it is right now! The new “Rise from the Ashes” campaign, created by the Ad Council and NASF, uses wildfire ashes as an artistic medium to illustrate the devastation caused by wildfires and highlight lesser known wildfire starts:

• Improperly extinguished fire pit
• Dumping ashes from a BBQ/grill
• Metal chains hanging from a moving vehicle
• Parking over tall, dry grass
• Dying embers left in a campfire
• Fueling lanterns
• Stoves & Heaters
• Flammable liquids for lanterns and heaters
• Cigarettes and Matches
• Burning yard waste in windy conditions

Millions of wildland acres will burn unintentionally this year. Much of it because most people are unaware of many things that can actually start a wild fire – things that most people would never think of.

 Although progress has been made, accidental, human-caused wildfires remain one of the most critical environmental issues affecting the U.S. Smokey’s message is as relevant today as it was in 1944 and he continues to have an incredible impact on our country. Although most of us don’t behave this way intentionally, each year we learn of devastating wildfires caused by careless behavior which can impact millions of acres of forest and thousands of homes. Although four out of five wildfires are started by people, nature is usually more than happy to help fan the flames.

The time is NOW! “Education is a critical part of reducing the number of unwanted, human-caused wildfires we experience every year,”- U.S. Forest Service Deputy Chief Jim Hubbard. Please – get the word out and remind your friends and family! Share this message, your own camping tips, and fire prevention methods on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #SmokeyBearHug and #OnlyYou! And if you tag @smokey_bear on Twitter – he may just tweet you back!

Five Things You Should Know About Strokes #StrokeHero

 There are many super heroes out there. Moms, Dads, Grandparents, people who are simply lending a hand to others. We consider those people super heroes. Many of those super heroes are behind the scenes; they never get recognition for what they do, and that is okay with them. But what if you could be a super hero that saves lives? You might be thinking – wow, that would be a big deal – right? It is much easier than you might think!

 May is American Stroke Month, so we’re working with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and the Ad Council to raise awareness about Stroke knowledge, prevention, and what to do in an emergency. Stroke is the No. 1 preventable cause of disability – and 80 percent of strokes are preventable! You don’t need superpowers to be a Stroke Hero.

 You can be a Stroke Hero by controlling your blood pressure and other risk factors and by knowing F.A.S.T, the warning signs of stroke, so you’re ready to take action and help others know when and how to take action! Only 9% of us can identify all the letters in the F.A.S.T. acronym for stroke. When you recognize a stroke and immediately call 9-1-1, the person has a greater chance of getting to an appropriate hospital quickly and being assessed for treatment options like a clot-busting drug or clot-removing device. How to spot a stroke F.A.S.T. (the warning signs):

• F - Face Drooping - Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.
• A - Arm Weakness - Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• S - Speech Difficulty - Is speech slurred? Are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence like: “The sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?
• T- Time to call 9-1-1 - If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately.

If you know someone who could be at risk for a stroke, or even yourself – take the #StrokeHero quiz. It is fast, easy, and could save your life or the lives of people that you love.

 While stroke threatens millions of lives, it is largely preventable, treatable and beatable. Together, we can end stroke. Share this with your family, friends, co-workers and community by sharing on social media. You can share this post or tweet: You don’t need superpowers to be a #StrokeHero. Live healthier and know the F.A.S.T. warning signs - StrokeAssociation.org/StrokeHero


 

 Want to get more involved? Join the #StrokeChat hosted by @American_Stroke on 5/18 at 12pm CDT. Stroke experts will join from local AHA/ASA handles coast to coast and we’ll have an engaging conversation about superpowers, the face of stroke, what’s in the news, and give away some swag from NBA All Star Paul George and ALEX AND ANI who just debuted a new bangle honoring stroke survivors.

Love Paws: An Animal Rescue Benefit Anthology

  What could make seven contemporary romance shorts by award-winning and best-selling authors even better? Add seven sweet, scene-stealing pets . . . and then make the whole project a benefit for animal rescue charities! That's just what we've done. LOVE PAWS features short stories with a little bit of steam, a little of sweet and happy endings all around. Each story also includes a pet, just to give the romance a little boost. This anthology releases April 18th, in celebration of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. You can preorder your copy today exclusively through iBooks.

***~~~***

Becca Boyd: Fire Up

Rene Folsom: By Chance: A Playing Games Spin-off Novella

Alison Foster: Saving Grace: A Beautiful Ruin Story

Olivia Hardin: All in the Takeoff: A Rawley Family Romance

Tawdra Kandle: My One and Always (An Always Love Short)

Lyssa Layne: Dig Deep

Juli Valenti: Taunt : A Twisted Wolf Tale

Write to The Rescue - An Animal Lover's Anthology Supporting No Kill Shelters

Rescue animals need love too. That’s why these nine authors got together to write stories that will warm your heart and entertain. All proceeds will go to animal shelters to help take care of and save the lives of the animals that may become your next family member. There’s a little something for everyone.




About the Stories

Michael Williams
The Pride
Once upon a time there was a kind elderly woman and her many cats - her many, many cats. Now her mind has left her, but it hasn't gone far. "The Pride" is the story of a cabal of cats who one day look around and realize, "Ah - here we are, aware in a way we weren't before and with the unpleasant task of being responsible."

Laura DeLuca
Nine Lives
Johnny might be a nerdy gamer, but not even death can stop him from protecting his kid sister. He’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe—even if he has to do it in the form of a mangy Tom cat.

Karli Rush
Nine Lives
Come meet Trixie, a feline of a unique sort. She’s hustled the streets of the Big Easy many times but never quite like this. Trixie finds that when in New Orleans, Hoodoo is much more than a tourist shop full of souvenirs. Reality has never been stranger and the stakes are much higher than ever before. See how this sexy feline takes on every challenge thrown at her and in the process discover that there’s more to life than meets the eye.

Melissa Simmons and Allana Kephart
The Disturbance
Adam Emerson is the latest in a long line of Emersons to join the Galena police force.
His father is the Chief of Police and his partner seems to think he’s getting a free ride on
his beat. You could say he has something to prove. When he comes away from a routine
disturbance call with a new pet puppy and a homicide to solve things get even more interesting. Can the canine witness help Adam solve his first big case?

Emily Walker
Cats
The animal kingdom is starting to act a little funny. As citizens are finding out cats big and small can be dangerous. How will humanity fight back? They won't.

Miranda Stork and Trish Marie Dawson
A Tale of Two Kitties
One computer, two inquisitive kitties, and a Skype call that might just be the greatest thing sincechunks in gravy.
Tinsel and River are both bored with their everyday lives, bored with their humans—and on different sides of the world. But when they find a mysterious device that allows them to talk to one another, their rivalry turns to friendship, and they plot to do the greatest thing any cat has ever done...
ESCAPE FROM THEIR HUMANS.
But can two little cats really succeed at their plan, especially when the world outside is full of six-toed tomcats, boorish farm cats, and no one to open packets of food?

Carolyn Wolfe
Miracle Paws, A Love Story
Something amazing happens when a lonely and abandoned dog comes into the life of four people. Trust issues, wariness and past hurts are the challenges that each and every one of them must overcome, in order to be whole again. Can one dog change the lives of four lonely people?... It would take a Miracle.

Taisheena Rayne
Win, Place or Show
Kendall Watts is excited to open PawPaws Puppy Pieces and move into her new house. What she doesn’t count on is a stray dog disrupting her life in more than one way.
Jeffery Stevens is content with his lot in life. He loves volunteering to help abused animals. He isn’t looking for love, but then again he didn’t expect his dog to stray into the neighbor’s yard.

Shauna Wilhelm
Fostering Hope
When Tristan decides he should bring in some interns to his animal foster system to help due to the low staff and high number of animals, he never thought that he would also find Bianca, the girl he would hope to be the one to build the animal shelter into what he dreamt it should be from the beginning. They both have the same opinions on the shelter, life, and more.

#21DaysofSolstice - eBay Auction Charity Event

For the #21DaysofSolstice Event, my publisher is doing a charity auction on eBay. You can get a print copy of Morrigan starting at just $2.50 The publisher is giving 50% of the profits to Hands of the Goddess, a charity operating to better the lives of those needing assistance in New Port Richey, FL. 

Additional, I am giving my portion of the profits to the charity as well. This book is normally $12 or more so this is a great price and a great way to spread some holiday cheer to those in need. Also check out the other titles being auctioned off by Pagan Writers Press as part of the charity drive.  The publisher will be adding several more titles including Phantom.

You can view all the selections in the Pagan Writers Press eBay store.