M.L. Swift, Writer

Dognapped? is a mystery novel perfect for curious girls aged 10-12 years. There are funny and cute canine characters, but also elements of danger and intrigue.

Clancy’s latest is the first installment in the Dog Show Detective Mystery Series, introducing Kitty Walker and her mischievous miniature schnauzer, Spade. In this adventure, they unravel the mystery of a missing dog—simply lost, or something more sinister? Watch the trailer and read a brief description that will leave you begging for more:

A lost dog … a stolen dog … a mysterious will … it all equals murder! 

Meet twelve-year-old Kitty, friendless bookworm and amateur sleuth. All Kitty wants is to gain her mother’s attention, spend time with her miniature schnauzer Spade, and avoid Miss Perfect, Jessica Jones.

But Kitty’s world turns upside down when she finds a lost dog and needs Jessica’s help to locate the owner, hunt down a dognapper, and solve a murder.

To celebrate the release of Dognapped?, Charmaine Clancy (author of the popular children’s horror novel, My Zombie Dog), is giving away a Kindle Fire (Kindle Paperwhite if the winner resides outside the US—Amazon won’t ship the Fire to non-US countries)! But that’s not all…one lucky runner-up will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Voucher!

There are two ways to enter:

• Purchase your copy of Dognapped?, then click on this Rafflecopter Entry Link. You’ll be asked for your receipt number from Amazon (it will be on the receipt Amazon emailed you—keep a copy of it as proof of purchase if you win). Dognapped? will be FREE on May 22-23, and yes, you can still enter if you downloaded your copy FREE! 

• Blog about this giveaway or about Dognapped? (you can review, discuss, or interview) then fill in the entry form via this Rafflecopter Entry Link. You will be asked for your blog post permalink in the entry form. If you’d like to review the book, Charmaine will send you a free review copy, simply email charmaineclancy@gmail.com. If you blog about AND purchase the book you will receive two entries.

Too easy! The competition runs from NOW until July 7, 2013. Let’s say we all get on board and help make Charmaine’s launch a successful one! If you can’t blog about or buy the book, then tweet, retweet, Google+, and share on Facebook. When you comment, there are handy-dandy buttons at the bottom of the post for your convenience.

Who is Charmaine Clancy?

The charming Charmaine Clancy, from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, is a high school English teacher, author, and the mother of two adorable pooches, Zoe and Schroeder. If memory serves, she might have said she also owns a cat, but I won’t hold that against her. If ever she quits bathing, adopts 32 strays and wears a crocheted shawl with empty tuna tins everywhere, then we’ll talk—or else I’ll have to start calling her “Aunt Gladys.”

When I initially stumbled across Charmaine’s blog, it was titled, Wagging Tales, and I immediately fell in like with it. What can I say? I’m a dog lover, too. Since both of her current books (and Undead Kev, a follow-up to My Zombie Dog, scheduled for release in October) center on dogs, I asked her what life was like with her own shaggy buddies, and how they influenced Dognapped? She came clean with the following:

Meet Zoe:

“My daughters and I like to frequent dog shows. At one show about six years ago, we were introduced to Zoe, who needed a new home. She’s sweet, clever, and very nosy. She likes to get the girls out of bed in the mornings and make sure everyone sticks to their schedule. She enforces rules and usually obeys them (dogs are NOT allowed to sleep in my washing baskets). In Dognapped?, there is a border collie called Molly; she is very much like Zoe.”

And Schroeder:

“Our little boy, Schroeder, is a bit of a coward, loves his sleep and often disobeys the rules (dogs are NOT allowed on the chairs). Schroeder will eat any food. If he comes across something that tastes terrible, he will scrunch up his face, shake his head, and then eat the rest of it. Spade, Kitty’s miniature schnauzer in Dognapped?, is based on Schroeder.”

There are many more dog breeds in the book, and each mystery will feature a different one. Dognapped? is about a missing Grand Champion Australian terrier. Charmaine confides that she spends much of her time researching the various breeds for her books, as they all have their own traits, “right down to the way they wag their tail.”

Her love for dogs isn’t exclusive to purebreds, as she “adores mixed mutts, too, and have had a few share my life. Although the series is set at dog shows, I’m going to find a way to get some loveable mixes in, too.”

Make sure to buy your copy of Dognapped?, a “tail” for both young and old.

Since first meeting her, Charmaine has changed the name of her blog to dream…write…publish, which reflects her current status and desire to share her journey with other authors. She writes wonderful articles on the craft of writing, marketing, indie publication, book releases and signings, highlights other authors, participates in The Progressive Book Club (offering excellent insight to our discussions), is a member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, creates workbooks that accompany her novels (for teachers to download—for free!), and the list goes on. And somewhere amid all that, she critiques, edits, and finds time to tutor students on the side. A most definite role model.

Is it any wonder I follow her? There’s much to learn from this talented woman about the process of taking a manuscript from WIP to published novel. Head on over to Charmaine’s site. I guarantee you’ll follow her, too.

Peace,

ML Swift