For The Love of Dogs

I love dogs. Currently, we have 2 BIG dogs. I'm lobbying for a third. ("Please. Please! I'll get a little one.") But it's just not in the cards for our family right now.

On a recent trip to animal shelter to do book-related research, the kids and I met this fella. His name is Rico. He's 10 months old and has lots of energy. He's a Chihuahua with a brindle coat. He's so ugly, he's awesome. If you know anyone looking for an ugly, hyper dog, pass this info along.

We also met these ladies. They are incredibly calm and gorgeous. Their names are Dora and Kora. (I hate the spelling on that one!) Hoping they get adopted together.

Kora and Dora

All these doggies are at the Guilford County Animal Shelter.

7 Random Questions with Yvonne Ventresca

Yvonnes's book has me reaching for the Purell. We live in a world where a deadly outbreak can occur anytime and anywhere. It's an awful nightmare that's explored in her YA book PANDEMIC.

Now Available

To learn more about Yvonne, check out her website yvonneventresca.com
And don't miss the link to a fabulous prize at the bottom.

 7 Random Questions with Yvonne Ventresca

1-What’s the last book you bought? 

I have a huge pile of books I bought and haven’t gotten to yet. The last book I bought and actually read was Gone Girl. I loved the plot twists.

2-If you had to dedicate your book to a thing (and not a person), what would that thing be? 

My dogs, Luna and Rocky. They keep me company while I write.

3-What’s an interesting tidbit readers might not know about you or your books? 

The stuffed animal, Milkshake, mentioned in Pandemic is based on my daughter’s beloved stuffed cow from when she was young.

4-If you could have any career, what would it be? (And it can’t be “author”.) 

Librarian! If I couldn’t be an author, I’d still love to work with books.

5-Do you prefer the sunrise or the sunset?

Sunset. I’m not a morning person, although I’m trying to convert.  

6-What is the name of the protagonist in your work-in-progress? 

Ella Benton, El for short. In the YA psychological thriller I’m working on, she fears she’s being haunted or suffering from mental illness.

7-What’s your favorite word? 

“Treats” because it brings my dogs running.

Luna and Rocky

September is National Preparedness Month and Yvonne is hosting an Emergency Prep Kit/Pandemic giveaway worth over $70. The details on her blog:

http://yvonneventresca.com/1/post/2014/09/national-preparedness-month-emergency-kit-giveaway.html

 

Yvonne Ventresca is the author of PANDEMIC (Sky Pony Press/Skyhorse Publishing, May 2014), a contemporary, realistic young adult novel about an emotionally traumatized teenager struggling to survive a deadly flu outbreak. Yvonne’s other writing credits include two nonfiction books for kids: AVRIL LAVIGNE (a biography of the singer) and PUBLISHING (about careers in the field). You can find her at YvonneVentresca.com, on Twitter, and on Facebook.