News

Category

Sharing Stories to Make a Difference

As a romantic suspense author, I tell stories for a variety of reasons. I love the creative process—starting with a bit of research or just the glimmer of an idea and using my imagination to turn that fascinating sliver into a full-length novel that will entertain readers. I love the dialogue that books can generate, and I’m amazed at the tremendous impact a single book can have on people.

One of the most satisfying things about being an author is bringing together readers who share common interests. I’ve seen books bond people who have the same values and support the same causes. For me and many of my readers, one of those causes is military service members, including the four-legged warriors.

My Jacki Delecki author platform—my network of readers, authors and people I’ve connected with doing research for my romantic suspense stories—provides an opportunity to share information, news and stories about military veterans and service dogs. I’m always proud to pay tribute to these heroic men, women and canines, and raise awareness about how others can support agencies and organizations dedicated to this cause. I recently learned about such an organization when I saw a story about K9s for Warriors featured on Consumers Advocate,

K9s For Warriors, a BBB accredited charity founded in 2011, trains rescue dogs to be service animals and then pairs them with soldiers dealing with trauma such as “Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), or military sexual trauma (MST), as a result of military service on or after 9/11.”

Dedicated to making a difference in the lives of warriors, K9s For Warriors has rescued more than 850 dogs and 440 military service members. The organization is continually striving to do more and even participated in a university study assessing the effectiveness of service dogs as therapy for soldiers and veterans suffering from PTSD.

When I hear about organizations like K9s For Warriors, it’s the personal stories filled with emotion that inspire the storyteller in me. One story is that of Tiffany Baker, an Army National Guard soldier who suffered significant injuries due to an IED explosion. She was paired with Buddy, a rescue dog who’d been abused and neglected. She describes herself as Buddy’s service human, just as he is her service dog.

This kind of loyalty, devotion, courage and generosity is perfect for a romance novel. In 2015, I released Men Under Fire, book 3 in the Grayce Walters contemporary romantic suspense series. The hero, Sergeant Nick Welby and his bomb-sniffing golden lab, both traumatized by battle, become involved in efforts to thwart a terrorist plot targeting Seattle. They end up saving the day and falling in love with Hollie Thomas, a tough-yet-vulnerable former street kid.

While my stories are fictional, real-life stories like the founders of K9s For Warriors and the service members and canines they rescue demonstrate how kindness, compassion and love can lead to happy endings.

K9s For Warriors - Because Together We Stand

Maybe He Doesn't...Excerpt from 'A Wedding Code'

She inspected his face, staring into his eyes. “You’re changing your mind about the wedding?”

“What? Of all the idiotic ideas!” He didn’t mean to sound so sharp, but honestly, how could she even consider such a ridiculous possibility? “Of course not. Why would you think such a ludicrous thing?”

Amelia searched his face. “Because you’re behaving as if doomsday has arrived, gloomy and downright menacing.”

“Don’t you know how much I love you?” he shouted.

A bright smile replaced her pinched lips. She rushed to him and threw her arms around him, pressing against him. “I was afraid you decided to not marry and have babies with me, after how awful it was last night. It was frightening enough to make a man rethink marriage.”

This wasn’t the time to discuss that after a sleepless night he had decided that they should wait to have children. He knew methods for preventing pregnancy. Although Amelia shone with happiness holding the tiny baby in her arms, she wasn’t ready for pregnancy. If he was honest, he wasn’t ready either.

He tightened his hold on her. He could never chance losing her. She was his light, shining just for him.

He tweaked her pert nose. “You might regret marrying me once you find out that I snore.”

“Do you snore?” The teasing lilt in her voice forced him to steal a kiss from her soft, beckoning lips.

“I might.”

She kissed him back unreservedly, opening her mouth to him, and he accepted the irresistible invitation. His tongue savored the sweet flavor of Amelia. He wanted more than a taste. Her soft breasts crushed against him, and her little gasps of breath weren’t helping his resolve. He had to stop before getting started.

A Wedding Code

Holiday boxed set raising money for cancer research

I’m thrilled to be part of the boxed set ROMANCING THE HOLIDAYS, which features 12 holiday romance stories from New York Times and USA Today bestselling and award-winning authors. Get a bonus Christmas recipe book, plus support cancer search. A portion of the proceeds raised from the sale of this book will benefit cancer research.

ROMANCING THE HOLIDAYS is now available for preorder and will release November 14th.

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

A Wedding Code now on audio

When I first considered creating audio versions of my Code Breakers Regency romantic suspense books, I knew finding just the right narrator would be the most important decision in the process.

Pearl Hewitt recently completed my fifth audiobook, A Wedding Code, and her performance again affirms my original decision. She brings the characters to life and creates just the right aural atmosphere for these historical romantic suspense stories.

You can listen to an excerpt featuring Pearl here: 

A Wedding Code is now available on Amazon, Audible and iTunes.