Please join me in Welcoming an old friend and Story Empire fellow member D. L. Finn. She has a new paranormal adventure and she wants to tell you about it. So without further delay here is Denise.
Thank you for having me visit your blog today, John, to celebrate the release of A Voice in the Silence.
Drea finds herself with new pets. I based them on pets I’ve had and talked about the cats and dogs that inspired the characters in the book in other blogs. I’ve also had pet rats. The first one was just called Rat. He loved our dog and cat, who returned his affection. The three of them would take naps together, and sometimes we’d let them all sleep together in the garage. It was a truly amazing relationship between dog, cat, and rat.
After losing Rat, later when we moved to the mountains, we got another pet rat, named Rocky. He loved bananas just like Ben does in the story. I pictured him every time I wrote about Ben, who had to communicate differently than the dog or cat. It was Ben’s relationship with the cat, Jane, where I weaved in that past relationship between dog, cat, and rat. I focused on Jane and Ben in the story, but all of them bonded in a way that I had only seen once in my lifetime.
Here is an interesting rat fact: when Ben would show his emotion with blood-red tears, it wasn’t blood. There is a Harderian gland behind a rat’s eyes that secretes a reddish-brown substance called phophyrin when they are stressed.
Fun Finn Facts
- Where I live our part of the forest is protected by fairies. No serial killers are allowed.
- I usually picture my own house or a place I’ve been for a setting.
Blurb
Drea Burr has experienced more than her share of loss when a stray dog, cat, and rat enter her life. Although the animals start to mend her broken heart, there is something very unusual about them. During a snowstorm, Drea discovers a chilling set of footprints leading to her front window. Both the police and a ghostly messenger warn her about a killer stalking widows. Help comes from her late husband’s best friend, Adam Hale. As the two try to discover answers, more questions arise— about a killer, ghosts, and animals experimented on in a lab.
Can Drea and Adam survive the threats coming from so many directions and save themselves and the animals they’ve grown to love? Or will more tragedy destroy her second chance at happiness? Find out in this thrilling, cozy paranormal adventure.
Excerpt
A slight breeze wove through the pine trees, making them sway to nature’s song, but Drea and the dog didn’t join in the flowing movement. Instead, they maintained a tense pose, as if studying each other from a safe distance.
Drea made the first slow movement of setting her newspaper down. “Are you lost?”
The beautiful brown eyes pulled her in. It was like they could peer into her soul. There was no threat or fear in those eyes as the fluffy dog sat down. Encouraged, Drea stepped back into the garage and grabbed the pink leash and collar still hanging on the wall. The dog watched her every move with a slow tail wag.
A can of dog food she hadn’t donated to the shelter yet caught her eye. “Hungry?”
It wagged its tail harder.
She opened the can and shook the smelly chunks onto a white paper plate she kept under the cans. Holding the offering, she moved cautiously to the dog. Using a soft tone and a smile, she kept moving forward. “It’s okay. I won’t hurt you.”
The dog blinked and nodded as if it understood her. The sun fully abandoned the sky, leaving behind the encroaching darkness lit by a half moon. But the sadness that had weighed her down seeped out into the night with each step she took toward the pup. She wished she’d brought a flashlight, but the evening offered its remaining luminescence. Soon she was within a foot of the dog. The posture and build indicated a golden retriever mix like her Lady, but this was a male, and he was beautiful.
“I don’t recognize you. I know all the neighbor’s dogs. You have a home?”
The dog blinked and shook his head as her feet crunched through the dry pine needles. The sound reminded her of when Robbie would place bubble wrap on the ground and gleefully jump on it. She would clean them up—tomorrow. As she got closer, the dog’s condition was more apparent. He hadn’t eaten in a while.
“Here, this used to be Lady’s food. I lost her a little while ago.”
He licked his snout as though he understood. Smart dog.
“No collar. Maybe you have a chip.”
She set the food down and backed away. He lunged toward the plate and wiped it clean in seconds, then sat down, licking his chops. She inched her way toward him. Each step toward the mutt brought him closer to her heart, which was beating like she’d run a marathon. She slowly reached out and rubbed his fur. The dog didn’t flinch. In fact, a small sigh escaped him. Drea gently searched for injuries. Other than a small gash on his neck, he appeared healthy and wasn’t afraid.
“You must have someone who loves you. What happened?”
She wished the dog could answer.
Amazon Purchase Link US
Amazon Purchase Link UK
Author Bio
D. L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 she relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to Nevada City, in the Sierra foothills. She immersed herself in reading all types of books but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations include adult fiction, poetry, a unique autobiography, and children’s books. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her.
D.L. Finn Links:
