My Showbiz Heartbreak

A recent online post reminded me of an audition fiasco I had back in the 1980s, with Lynn Dally and the Jazz Tap Ensemble, a prestigious LA dance company. My tap instructor, Louis DaPron, who was already in his 70s by then, set up a private audition for me. I was so excited. All I had to do was show up at the Debbie Reynolds Studio in North Hollywood at the appointed day and time. Having begun performing as a child, I was a veteran when it came to auditions, but this was different. This was a man who had taught Donald O'Conner, Judy Garland and numerous Hollywood legends, a man who, though he chewed me out just about every class for not picking up the steps fast enough, said I had talent. He believed in me and I wanted to prove I was good enough to make it.

Audition day came and I was more nervous than any other time. During my drive there, I started to feel nauseous. So much, in fact, that I had to pull over on the freeway and puke. Twice! I managed to pull next to a blue call box so it would look like I was going to use the emergency phone LA county provided every mile. This was the 80s and we didn't have cell phones like we do today. Luckily, I had an old paper bag in my car and there wasn't a CHP around to think I had car trouble. That would make me late! You might be saying to yourself that I was just nervous, and that's what I told myself, though I'd never gotten sick for any audition or performance in my entire life. After emptying my stomach the second time, I got back into traffic and kept going.

I pulled into the parking lot with 1/2 hour to spare, tossed the sick bag into a nearby dumpster, and headed inside to freshen up. I checked in and stretched out in the hallway, the whole time feeling more and more exhausted, but at least I wasn't nauseous anymore. I jumped around to try and up my energy level, then put on my best face for the audition. This was my one and only shot at this job and I refused to blow it. Besides, the show must go on - I had learned that as a child - and nothing short of death was going to deter me. I tried to dance like nothing was wrong, but my balance was a bit off and I had trouble with one of the turns. I smiled as I danced, even though all I wanted to do was go home and fall into bed. I felt like crap, but they were seeing another girl after me and I had to nail this.

After what seemed like a week but was only a couple of hours, I finished the audition and thanked Lynn and the choreographer, whose name I don't remember off-hand. I didn't puke again, thankfully. But by the time I got home, I had to crawl in the front door and all the way to my room, where I passed out on the floor. Yes, I was that ill. I don't remember anything until the next day when I woke up to my roommate shaking me. I'm guessing the other girl got the job, because Lynn never called me back. I was heartbroken to have to tell my teacher that I blew this amazing chance. I confided to him that I was very sick that day but he still seemed disappointed in me. He died about a year later and I always felt that I had let him down.

Today, I'm grateful I didn't get that company job. If I had, I might never have worked on the TV show Rags to Riches or at Disneyland and I might not be a writer now. In fact, I might not be married to my fabulous husband today, because I never would've taken that much-needed job at Waldenbooks, where I met him. Do I wonder what my life would've been like had I nailed that audition? Not anymore. It's funny how things that seem to destroy our world when we're young, sometimes feel so different when we get older.

Me with my tap teacher, Louis DaPron, back in the day. I still miss him.

eBooks going to print!

Got some exciting news today from my publisher - My eBooks will be going into print! I'm stoked! This means readers who prefer paperbacks over electronic will be able to buy their preferred version. It also means more work for me, since print books require in-person book signings. We're starting with the Desert Magick series. The first book was already in print when I went under contract with SynergEbooks, so book 2 is the one to look for next. I'll blog more about this as things advance and I get publication dates.

If you're on Facebook, you can follow posts from my regular page and/or my author page

https://www.facebook.com/DanaDavisbooks

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Longing for a normal work week.

Four weeks of appointments and repair guys and I'm beat. Like a lot of writers, I'm an introvert and prefer lots of alone time, especially when I'm writing. Meeting with friends or family is fun and relaxing, but having to go to various appointments and dealing with repair guys in and out of the house every day isn't my idea of a good time. In fact, it's downright exhausting for me, and I'm always glad when I can get back to a regular writing schedule. Just me and my computer, and my characters of course. Who are screaming at me to get their chapters finished.

Like right now, I'm squinting at my computer because the eye doc dilated my eyes. It really annoys me, not to mention makes it very hard to write because everything is blurry and my eyes are light sensitive. They always tell me it'll wear off in a couple of hours but my eyes stay this way for 4-5 hours each time. I'll plug away the best I can until my eyes return to normal, which should be around dinner time, if I'm lucky.  I hate getting behind on a project - The perfectionist in me cringes. So the rest of the week, I intend to write like a mad woman. And maybe, just maybe, I can get back to a normal work week very soon.

Getting back in touch with my thrifting and crafting self.

Now that we've moved back home - for those of you who haven't been paying attention, home is LA - I'm getting back in touch with my thrifting and crafting self. Buying a home here, which costs a butt-load of money compared to Phoenix, helped push me back into the DIY category of life. In fact, it gave me a hardy shove. Thought I'd share a couple of finds and projects I'm working on for the new "this old house".

I found this awesome storage ottoman at a local thrift store for under $11. Has a dragonfly print, which I love, and a mid-century feel to it. Looks great in our family room and I plan to store my crochet yarns inside.

I got this cute little baby at a yard sale for a whopping $5, brand new in the box. One of my favorite colors and even came with a foot pedal and lots of thread spools. Sewing's not my strong point, but for the price, I figured I could afford to practice on it.

I couldn't find a lamp I liked so I'm painting some of our existing ones. This one is from the 90s. I gave it a mid-century beach feel with a coat of paint. I'm not an artist, but armed with a paint brush or a glue gun, I can get into lots of trouble around the house.

Crazy year and I'm still playing catch-up.

This past year has been crazy. Since last April, here's what's happened:

1. Trip to Holland and Netherlands - our yearly get-out-of-the-country-and-see-something-new trip
2. Meniere's attack - So much for remission.
3. Sold our house in Arizona
4. Trip to LA to find a temporary apartment
5. Trip to Santa Barbara for friend's wedding
6. Moved back to California
7. I published another book - Guess I figured I didn't have enough stress.
8. Bought a fixer-upper here in SoCal
9. Started working on my next book
10. Started repairs on the fixer
11. Moved again
12. Hubby had hernia surgery - I told him not to lift those boxes.
13. I did chores for two while hubby healed
14. Hubby lost his job - He was supposed to be under contract for a year but a reorg took care of that, which meant we also lost our health insurance. Fun, right?
15. Another Meniere's attack
16. Close family member with medical problems
17. More repairs on the fixer
18. Hubby started a new job - Thank goodness he was only out of work for a month.
19. Started landscaping - Maybe the neighbors will stop giving us dirty looks now.
20. And here I am, one year later, still playing catch-up with my writing.

I really hope the next year is not as hectic. Well, off I go to do more writing!

Being lucky is @#$%&*! hard work!

I've been called lucky so many times recently that it made me think of the saying, "The harder I work, the luckier I get", or something to that effect. And it's very true. I have a wonderful husband, a career I love, and a nice home. I also have a disease that can put me in bed for hours or days and is slowly taking away my hearing. Some days, when I feel really crappy, I just want to sleep, but I force myself to write. I don’t want to waste a moment living my dreams. But dreams come with a price, usually years of hard work.

Over the years, I have worked, planned, saved, given up things, failed, triumphed, and sometimes cried because it didn’t turn out exactly how I planned. I’ve worked for everything I have today. WE worked hard, hubby and I, among setbacks and heartbreaks. It's taken us years to go from struggling 20-somethings, living paycheck to paycheck, to what we have now.

When hubby and I got our first place together, we each owned a twin bed, a dresser, and some clothes. I had a hope chest from when I was a kid that we used as a coffee table, two director’s chairs (the folding kind you see on set), an old B&W television with funky rabbit-ears - we couldn't afford cable. Hubby had his childhood desk and a Commodore 64 that he’d saved up for as a kid delivering newspapers. We had some hand-me-down pots and pans and some cheap plastic dishes I picked up at a discount store. Hubby’s mom gave us an old crock-pot and rice cooker, which we still have and use. We had one car between us. For a while, anyway. I wrote to keep my sanity. And sometimes got a gig writing/adapting children's plays, which usually didn't pay much, if anything.

I had always wanted to go to UCLA or USC film school but I had absolutely no money for school, and with rent, utilities, car insurance, gas, etc…to pay for, I had no time for anything but work. I went through several agents before I finally got one who was right for me. I took whatever work my agent could get me, which sometimes paid the bills and other times not. Cable shows, B films, educational films, or TV productions. For extra cash, I choreographed and taught dance and theatre classes between gigs. I got a reputation as a hard worker, a loyal worker, who showed up on time, didn’t complain about the hours, and didn’t create drama on the set. You’d be surprised what some people will do to try and mug a camera shot.

I eventually got hired as an extra on a popular TV show, for a two week gig. After a couple of days, a permanent position as a stand-in opened up and I let the director know that I wanted it and that I had experience as a stand-in, which was a lie. But I was the right size—I had to stand in for one of the actresses while the crew set up the scenes—and I was available. This was a bold move and one that could’ve gotten me fired. Instead, they gave me the job. Which led to other jobs on the set as photo double and dancer. I was thrilled to finally have a steady income. Five months later, we got canceled and I was laid off again, this time just before the holidays.

This hiring roller coaster is typical of the industry. Yes, you can make decent money when you work, but you'll put in 18-20 hour days, and when that project is over, you might not work for 6 months. So you better save every cent you possibly can. Glamour? Um, nope. Just a lot of hard work, long hours, and scrimping on everything. I was only out of work for 4 weeks, but that’s a huge amount of time when you’re living paycheck to paycheck, and unemployment barely paid the utilities. Because of the holiday season hiatus, I couldn’t get an industry job, so I hit the local malls. I had worked retail in the past, but so close to the holidays, no one was hiring. Still, I put in applications at any businesses that would take one. I pawned my high school class ring, a gold chain I’d gotten as a gift, and a couple pair of silver earrings. The pawn shop didn’t even want the old TV. I called my agent each day and I went to the unemployment office to look through their listings. I wanted a job, any job, so I could pay my bills. I hated being out of work.

At the time, hubby was working and going to night school for his bachelor's degree. The place we were living in seemed like a nice place. At first. It was a tiny back house in a decent neighborhood. Our own house for the cost of an apartment. Sounds good, right? Well, just over the block wall, hiding out of sight - train tracks. Before I moved in, I had been told by the landlady that the train only ran during the day. Since her job kept her traveling a lot, she either didn’t hear the train, or slept through it. That damn whistle went off every hour or so, all night long. We had to move, for our sanity as much as our health. I needed a job!

Finally, I got a phone call from a temp agency I had signed with and they had a receptionist position for me. It didn’t pay much and would only last a few weeks. I hated talking on the phone, so of course I took the job. I couldn’t afford not to. And I took the one after that. Once February got going, jobs picked up a bit. I added two more minimum wage jobs to a temp one and ended up working 7 days a week to try and make up for the time I was off. I was working again and we had enough to move. My agent finally called with a gig. A single day shoot, nothing longer. I didn’t want to lose the regular jobs I had and the money I was making, so I turned that gig down.

Hubby and I found an apartment with no amenities so we could live in a safe, quiet area and still keep to our budget. Unlike some of our friends, we didn’t have parents who could help us out. We were completely on our own. We had accepted a hand-me-down couch with rotten cushions so we didn’t have to sit on director’s chairs anymore. Then I snagged some stained cushions a friend was going to toss, bought a cheap blanket and covered the couch with it.

Our treadmill was the beach strand. Our step machine consisted of the three sets of stairs we had to climb every day to get up to our apartment. Date night, when we actually had a night off together, meant cooking at home and going for a walk in our neighborhood, something we still enjoy doing. You’d be amazed how good ramen noodles taste when you add stuff to them, like veggies and oil. Sometimes, we’d take a picnic to the beach or buy a slice of pizza on the pier. And when we could afford it, or had a coupon, we would go out to a restaurant. I didn’t buy anything that wasn’t on sale and we used coupons for groceries, something we still do. We became coupon aficionados long before it was popularized by a TV show. By this time, I had been in the entertainment field for many years. I decided to leave Hollywood, so I took an honorable withdrawal from the acting union. My agent was disappointed but it was the right decision for me.

After hubby graduated with his bachelor’s, he sent out resumes and landed a job in his new field of engineering. It paid enough that I was able to cut my jobs down to 2, which was a good thing because working 7 days a week meant I was sick a lot, and I needed a break to get well. Little did I know that in the future I would get diagnosed with Meniere’s Disease and all the hell it brings. But that’s jumping ahead. With only 2 jobs, I was able to get back into stage productions. I loved the theatre, especially during the rehearsal periods.

Once hubby got beyond the probation period in his new job, his employer offered to pay for his Master’s degree. We couldn’t turn that down. No way. So off he went to school. Again. I stayed working 2 jobs until he graduated. He promised that when he was done, I could go to school. I was so excited and couldn’t wait for that day to come.

About 3 years later, it finally came. I went to university and got my writing degree. Not a necessity to become a writer, but I always wanted a college education and a degree. I love school! And going to university was always one of my dreams. We paid for it ourselves, which meant attending a state-run school, but I didn’t care. My dreams of going to UCLA or USC were long gone. Yes, I was a bit sad letting go of that part of my life but I didn’t miss the long hours and fickle nature of the industry. My priorities had shifted to my little family and I wanted to spend more time with hubby.

Over the years, we worked a lot of hours, stayed up late or got up early to do homework, survived numerous layoffs, lost family and friends to diseases and accidents, dealt with our own illnesses and surgeries, and spent 14 years living in the desert just to get enough equity to buy a foreclosed home in SoCal.

Fast forward to today. The 10 years I spent sending out manuscripts and getting rejection slips paid off and I’m now an author with 10 published books and others on the way. Our SoCal home needs a lot of work but it’s our dream house, the one we starting saving for all those years ago when we first got married. No, it’s not right on the beach or a mansion in the hills, but it’s ours and it’s in California.

I shifted my goals now and again, sometimes by choice and sometimes by force to get where I am today. I certainly didn't have Meniere's Disease on that to-do list, but one thing I never did was give up on my dreams. And while hubby has more patience than I do, I've learned that it can take years to reach a goal and make a dream come true. Today, we both work full-time in jobs we enjoy. We save up each year for travel, even if it means putting off that home improvement project we want to get started on. We drive our cars until they cost more to fix than to buy new ones. And we take joy in the little things, like a walk along the beach, a picnic, or just gardening in the yard together. We’re not wealthy, but we have a comfortable life now and we’re both happy.

So, if you have a dream, don’t give up on it, but be prepared for some surprises along the way. Be patient. Like a new home, dreams take a while to build. Stay positive. Make goals and keep them realistic. If you’re a middle-aged woman, you’re probably not going to become a supermodel or a world class gymnast. But if you enjoy writing, you can always create her in a book. Either way, be prepared to work for your dream. Work hard. And when you've reached your dream, people will call you lucky, too.

Free Newsletter is up!

My free March 2013 newsletter is now available. Enjoy!

http://www.danadaviswriting.com/Monthly%20Newsletter.htm 

Two updates for my bestselling Teadai Prophecies fantasy series.

1. New release! Readers can buy the entire Teadai Prophecies trilogy for just $5.99 at amazon, a $3 savings! http://www.amazon.com/Teadai-Prophecies-Books-ebook/dp/B00AY5EWBY/

2. My publisher has also added the individual eBooks to Kobo for just $2.99 each. Same prices are available for Kindle and Nook. Links and info available at http://www.danadaviswriting.com/Teadai_Prophecies.htm.

Lost Childhood Memories Found

When I was a young adult, going out into the big bad world as young adults do, I took only what would fit into my little hatchback and left the rest in my parents' garage. This included toys, cassette tapes, records, costumes, and theatrical programs from shows I had been in. These items meant a lot to me but I just didn't have room for them at the time - a tiny, SoCal studio apartment, with a roommate. I managed to rescue some of these items on various visits to my parents' house, but the majority of my stuff was destroyed in a flood a couple years later. When I got the news, I cried. Then I told myself to forget about them, that they were just things. I had a few photos. And I would cherish the items that I did manage to rescue.

Fast forward to the internet age. Several years ago, I was browsing online vintage and resale shops for unusual gifts and decor items, when I came across a toy identical to one that became a victim of that earlier flood. My heart raced, my mouth opened like a guppy wanting food, and I actually squealed. I thought I had put those lost items behind me, but I never realized how many strong memories were attached to them. I showed hubby this awesome toy I used to cherish as a kid. He didn't seem very impressed, but he still has most of his important childhood stuff so he understood my attachment. And guess what he surprised me with the very next holiday? Yeah, it's not actually the one I had as a kid. But it looks like mine so my heart is satisfied. 

I'll never be able to replace the handmade costumes or the mix tapes that flood took from me, but I've got those songs on my MP3 playlist now. And thanks to social networking, I reconnected with a some old theatre buds, who emailed me copies of their programs. The commercial items come up on websites now and again. The only downside is that others are scavenging for their childhood memories, too, which has led to some bidding wars and made the items go up in value. But that's what a wishlist is for, right?

I now own several of those destroyed items, those precious childhood tangibles that I once thought were gone forever. I know the old "you can't take it with you" is true. But I may as well enjoy myself while I'm still here. And I'm having a blast reliving some of my favorite childhood memories. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a bid to check on. 

Feb 2013 free online newsletter now available

Happy February! I have a lot of projects in the works for 2013, as well as contests and freebies. 

To learn more, check out my February 2013 free online newsletter. Enjoy! http://www.danadaviswriting.com/Monthly%20Newsletter.htm

Jan 2013 free online newsletter now available

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a fabulous time ringing in the new year. I have a lot of projects in the works for 2013, as well as several contests planned. 

My January 2013 free online newsletter is now available. Enjoy! http://www.danadaviswriting.com/Monthly%20Newsletter.htm

Desert Magick: Superstitions just 99 cents!

I just received this notice today. Enjoy!

Desert Magick: Superstitions (Bk 1) is just 99 cents for the Kindle through December 25th! http://www.amazon.com/Desert-Magick-Superstitions-ebook/dp/B004X2WZX6/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_8

eBooks, great for the sight impaired, too!

Ever since I was a little girl and saw my first rerun of Star Trek, I wanted a tablet that would store all kinds of books and other stuff. When hubby bought me a Nook a few years ago, I felt like I was in one of those episodes. It was awesome! No more driving to bookstores and wading through the usually skimpy fantasy/sci-fi sections. No ordering online and waiting for books to be shipped, not to mention shipping costs that some places charge.  I love the convenience and instant gratification of eBooks. It's also a great way to discover new writers and I've added several to my reading lists over the past few years. When I find a book I want to read, I can pay and download it in minutes from either my eReader or my computer. Many times I can find a book I want for under $5 and can store hundreds of them on my devices. Hubby and I loved the Nook so much that we bought a Kindle so we wouldn't have to take turns reading. Not only can we read eBooks on our Kindle but we can also surf the web, play games, watch videos and listen to music. We also have the free apps on our phones so we can read anywhere, like waiting at the dentist or the airport.

But there's another bonus I've found with eReaders. One that I think outweighs all the others. My mother, an avid reader, began losing her sight a few years ago due to complications from a childhood disease and is now permanently sight-impaired. In order to read paperbacks, she has to use a magnifying glass, which is awkward and tedious, or spend extra money on large print books, which sometimes cost double the paperback price, or buy whatever limited stock the local library has on sale. She can't read on her computer because of the eye strain it causes her. So last year, we bought my parents a Kindle. I can still remember the elation on my mom's face when she realized she could read any book she wanted just by making the font size larger. I was thrilled to see her so excited about reading again. Not only can she read any eBook, she can now read mine, something she wasn't able to do before she got her Kindle.

eBooks and readers have opened up a whole new world for readers, but I'm especially excited for those with visual problems, like my mother. I'm also excited that she finally gets to read my work, something I thought she would never get a chance to do.

Looking to add to your end-of-year donations? Todd Davis Memorial Scholarship

Looking to add to your end-of-year donations? 

My seventeen-year-old nephew died in 2008 from injuries he sustained in an automobile accident with an impaired driver. My brother and his wife have set up a college scholarship in his memory if you wish to donate. Anything is appreciated and is tax deductible.

Todd Davis Memorial Scholarship

The Todd Davis Memorial Scholarship is open to all University of Houston—Clear Lake (UHCL) students who have volunteered their time at UHCL for leadership events.

There are three ways in which you can donate:

1. www.uhcl.edu under the “give to UHCL” tab. Just be sure and select “scholarships” in the gift designation box and write “For the Todd Davis Memorial Scholarship” in the memo box just above the “Personal Information” section on the page.

2. or you may call Kim Herhold at UHCL at 281-283-2036 and pay by credit card over the telephone. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express are accepted.

3. or you may mail your check to: UHCL, Office of University Advancement, Attn: Kim Herhold, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Box 318, Houston, TX 77058

Note: please write “Todd Davis Memorial Scholarship” in the memo section of your check. And please check with your employer’s HR department to see if they participate in a matching gift program. 

My book almost gets a kid expelled from school!

Okay, have to share some disturbing news that involves my tween/teen post-apocalyptic adventure The Mask of Tamirella. A friend's 11 year old did a report on it for school. Sounds like a good thing, right? The teacher asked if she could read the book. Another yippie, right? Now here's the big BUT - Because the main character, an underage girl, has a crush on an older man in the book, this teacher reported our friend's kid, stating that he was using the book and his book report to hit on her. The poor boy almost got expelled. Thankfully, his family backed him and straightened the teacher out. 

I'm sending him another book free of charge and I hope that teacher apologizes to him.

Here's a link to the book I'm talking about.  http://www.danadaviswriting.com/The_Mask_of_Tamirella.htm

This old house is starting to feel like home.

We're very happy to be back home in sunny SoCal. It's been 2 1/2 weeks since we moved into our new "this old house" and we're finally starting to settle in. Got most of the rooms organized and all the blinds hung so no more paper shades. Gardeners come tomorrow to cut the weeds, um, I mean grass, since hubby's out of commission with a hernia. Yeah, he got that from lifting heavy boxes during the move and is scheduled for surgery in late November. At least he'll be good to go in the new year. Thankfully, we got the heavy stuff done before it happened.

To top off the fun, hubby's company did a re-org and they're no longer keeping him on for another year, as they originally planned. He's getting laid off right before New Years. We always plan ahead for rainy days like this but the timing really sucks with the new house and all. Plus, we couldn't get out of our rental lease so unless the manager gets another tenant in soon, we're paying the equivalent of 2 mortgages until February.

We still have a few minor repairs to do with the house but everything else we had planned will have to wait until hubby lands another job. Authors like me don't make the big bucks so we'll be tightening our belts until then.

Meanwhile, we're enjoying all the flowers that are in bloom and have been visiting with family and friends. Hubby can't walk to the beach in his condition right now, but we can always drive the 2 miles to sit on the sand and just enjoy the waves. That costs nothing.

Happy Halloween! Stay safe!

We Did It - Got Our LA Home!

Well, hubby and I made it into our new "this old house" over the weekend and have met five neighbors already. They all seem very nice and one gave us a welcome plant with beautiful yellow flowers. Of course, now we have a gazillion boxes all over the house and I've lost count of how many bruises I have from running into stuff. I hope to get back to a regular writing schedule soon, but I just can't stand messes so I plan to get as much unpacked as I possibly can this week.

I love my new office, too. Nice big window and a fireplace. The fireplace needs repair so we can't use it for an actual fire, yet. But I intend to put several battery-operated candles in it for ambiance until the budget allows us to fix it.

I started putting up Halloween decorations immediately. Like you didn't guess that already. My favorite holiday in my favorite state - beautiful and sunny SoCal. I couldn't ask for anything better. Been a long, hard 20 year road to get where we are today but we finally did it.

Keep on dreaming. But more important, get planning for your dreams and you'll eventually get there. Now, I'm off to enjoy those ocean breezes.

The big move!

Hubby and I are preparing for the move to our new "this old house" here in LA and I hope to get back to my regular writing schedule soon. Just about done with repairs and most of the decorative items have been moved already. Still have some clothes and dishes to haul over there. We're letting the movers take the big stuff on Saturday. They've got all those big muscles and everything. The new place is 2 miles from the beach, something we've been working toward for 20 years, so we're beyond excited that it's finally happening.

I'm also excited because my new house has a Bewitched-style front door. I'm trying to talk hubby into painting it green. =D

My new door!

Halloween Spooktacular guest blog and contest today!

My Halloween Spooktacular guest blog and contest is up! Today only, so hurry on over for some spooky reads and a chance to win a free copy of Desert Magick: Phoenix Lights (Bk 4)

http://deniseagnew.com/blog/

Released: Shapeshifter's Library by Amber Polo

Have a fondness for dogs? Addicted to books and libraries? Want to know the real reason why a dog is “man’s best friend” and werewolves have such a bad reputation? Amber Polo answers these questions in her fun-filled fantasy Released: The Shapeshifters' Library (Volume 1). 

Polo’s subtle and not-so-subtle humor throughout the novel made me chuckle more than a few times. Think this is just another werewolf novel? Think again. The author gives a saturated genre a fresh spin and I found myself cheering for Liberty Cutter, the heroine in the novel, until the end of the book. In addition to the fun, Polo injects danger, romance and an array of characters, both delightful and frightening, and I found Shapeshifter’s Library an intriguing and enjoyable read. 

Once you read Polo’s book, you might just find yourself wondering about your local librarians and be tempted to peek behind those staff-only doors.

Blurb: 

Something is very wrong in Shipsfeather... Welcome to the strange and wonderful world of Shipsfeather, Ohio, where an ancient race of dog-shifters has been charged with cataloging the knowledge of the world, and with protecting civilization’s libraries from the machinations of evil, book burning werewolves. For years a curse has imprisoned the dog-shifters in the basement of the Shipsfeather library—where they have made the best of things with a gym, a spa, a Starbarks, and, of course, their wildly successful internet company, Zoogle—but now, thanks to librarian Liberty Cutter and her zany staff, they may actually have a chance to break free again. If only they can convince her to believe in magic…

Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Released-The-Shapeshifters-Library-Volume/dp/0977329666/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348244795&sr=8-1&keywords=amber+polo

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Released-The-Shapeshifters-Library-ebook/dp/B008J360I6/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1348244795&sr=8-1

About the author:

Amber Polo has had a lifelong love affair with libraries and dogs. A fascination with lost ancient libraries and curiosity about why werewolves outnumbered dogshifters in literature inspired her new urban fantasy series filled with librarian dogshifters. The Shapeshifters' Library: Released is the first volume. Her previous novels include the award-winning Flying Free, an Arizona airpark romance with a high-flying Alaskan Malamute, and a Sedona paranormal romance Romancing Rebecca. To help writers and stressed readers reduce stress, her book Relaxing the Writer: Guidebook to the Writers’ High offers suggestions and simple exercises. Using her calming voice she’s recorded relaxation CDs that help almost anyone relax. After working in more than six libraries and living with five Old English Sheepdogs (at one time) she happily calls a small town in Arizona home.