I N S P I R A T I O N A L

Q U O T E S

“Either write something

worth reading or do

something worth writ-

ing.”

~Benjamin Franklin

“The art of writing is

the art of discovering

what you believe.”

~Gustave Flaubert

“Writing is the only

profession where no

one considers you

ridiculous if you earn

no money.”

~Jules Renard

I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

SPOTLIGHTS 2/7

Blog Tours 8/9

New Releases 10

Submissions Open 11

Looking For.. 12/

13

Contest & Contest

Winners

14/

16

Advertisements 17

T O P 1 0 B O O K S F R O M S E P T E M B E R ! ! !

F O R T H O S E O F U S W H O E N J O Y R E A D I N G

TURNING THE PAGES BOOKS

November 2012 Volume 1, Issue 5

1. The Bone Bed

By: Patricia Cornwell

2. Heroes of Olympus: The Mark

of Athena

By: Rick Riordan

3. Killing Kennedy: The End of

Camelot

By: Bill O'Reilly & Martin

Dugard

4. The Panther

By: Nelson DeMille

5. Hidden

By: P.C. Cast, Kristin Cast

6. The Twelve

By: Justin Cronin

7. Fifty Shades of Grey

By: E.L. James

8. Fifty Shades Freed

By: E.L. James

9. Fifty Shades Darker

By: E.L. James

10. The Casual Vacancy

By: J.K. Rowling

(This list is from USA TODAY)

National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat

-of-your-pants approach to novel writing.

Participants begin writing on November 1.

The goal is to write a 50,000-word

(approximately 175-page) novel by 11:59:59

PM on November 30.

Valuing enthusiasm and perseverance over

painstaking craft, NaNoWriMo is a novel-

writing program for everyone who has

thought fleetingly about writing a novel but

has been scared away by the time and effort

involved.

As you spend November writing, you can

draw comfort from the fact that, all around the world, other National Novel

Writing Month participants are going through the same joys and sorrows of

producing the Great Frantic Novel. Wrimos meet throughout the month to

offer encouragement, commiseration, and—when the thing is done—the kind

of raucous celebrations that tend to frighten animals and small children.

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T U R N I N G T H E P A G E S

Hanging On By: Elizabeth Chalker

Elizabeth has written a powerful, God inspired book that will encour-

age and help strengthen anyone who

reads it. If you are in the midst of suffering, or struggling through in-

tense hardships, then this book will provide

solace and hope to pull you out of the darkness and into the light!

Elizabeth is still courageously fighting for her life and to get the re-

sources necessary to receive life-saving

medical treatment.

http://www.helpelizabeth.net/Bookpage.html

Paulette Mahurin

Paulette Mahurin, an award-winning author, is a Nurse Practitioner,

who lives in Ojai, California with her husband Terry (a retired NASA

attorney) and their two dogs, rescued from a kill shelter, Max & Bella.

She practices women's health in a rural clinic and writes in her spare

time. She has taught in several nursing programs in Northern & Southern

California and specialized in emergency room clinical rotations as preceptor

for UCLA & USC Nurse Practitioner students.

http://bookpromogroup2.weebly.com/paulette-mahurin.html

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Ms.%20Ashley%

20Fontainne&ie=UTF8&search-alias=books&sort=relevancerank

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FORGED IN FLAME!!!

AMAZON BEST SELLERS LIST

Forged in flame, wrought in blood, bone and steel, from the

bowels of the earth and the inner most chambers of the

heart, here find dragons. Fired by their passion, inspired by

legend, six talented storytellers transport readers into

realms of myth and fantasy, yet explore what it means to be

human.

http://www.amazon.com/Forged-Flame-Dragon-Anthology-ebook/dp/B009Z2QQ9S/

ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1351731277&sr=8-4&keywords=Forged+In+Flame

Millicent Marie is NOT my name BY: Karen Pokras Toz

Twelve-year-old Millicent Marie does not like her name. After all, she was named for a woman who

died more than fifty years ago and was not the most loveable member of the Harris family. Her

friends call her Millie, but when she writes in her diary she refers to herself as Amanda – the name

she always wished she had.

When Millie’s younger brother finds her diary on her computer, he decides to publish it as a blog for

the entire world to see, including the boy Millie has a crush on. In the midst of all the mayhem, Millie/

Amanda discovers she is suddenly Springside Elementary’s most sought after sixth-grade mystery gos-

sip and advice columnist.

But not all is fun and games, as Millie quickly learns, once she realizes feelings are at stake. Nobody,

least of all Millie, expects things to turn out as they do in this tale of friendship and respect.

http://www.amazon.com/Millicent-Marie-Is-Not-Name/dp/0984860851

Crystal Smith-Connelly

Crystal Smith-Connelly has written more than fifty plays, some of which have been performed in

New York, Los Angeles, Maryland, and France. Known for her twisted

sense of humor, she counts Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Conan O'Brien, Sarah Silverman, and Tina

Fey among her influences and hopes that someday Will Ferrell will star as Zeus in one of her plays.

Crystal lives with her husband in Charleston, SC and would be delighted to hear from you at

www.facebook.com/crystalsmithconnelly or crystalsmithconnelly@yahoo.com.

For I Am Zeus: A Collection of Plays About Greek Mythology is Crystal's first book, and she looks for-

ward to publishing many more!

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T U R N I N G T H E P A G E S

Discover a unique world of fantasy, enchantment, beauty and learning for all

ages in The Chronicles of King Big Bear. Here, you will meet a royal figure who is

hundreds of years old, but who never grows old! The king will take you on a

journey throughout history and even show you what his present day life is

like. As you will see, his realm is filled with riches, and he is blessed with many

animal friends and family. It is no wonder that King Big Bear is called the Father

of Nature, for he is deeply inspired by all things living and believes his duty is to

protect and nurture life. He wishes you will do the same. Come in and explore

the world of King Big Bear the Fat!

http://www.amazon.com/Fathers-Wish-Tale-King-ebook/dp/B0096DX0B8/

ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351737015&sr=1-1&keywords=%

22A+Father%27s+Wish%3A+the+Tale+of+King+Big+Bear+the+Fat

Genevieve Graham began writing five years ago, motivated by her desire for

quality fictional companionship and adventure. Berkley Sensation, a division of

Penguin US, published her first two novels, “Under the Same Sky” and “Sound

of the Heart” in 2012, and the third in the series, “Out of the Shadows”, will be

released in 2013. She also runs her own Editing business and has edited manu-

scripts for writers around the world. One of the books she edited was recently

published by Harper Collins.

Genevieve graduated from the University of Toronto in 1986 with a Bachelor in

Music in Performance (playing the oboe). She earned her black belt in Chito Ryu Karate and jumped into the world of adver-

tising and promotions, in which she worked for ten years in various capacities. Genevieve volunteered as media coordinator

for both the Calgary and the Halifax Highland Games, having developed a penchant for all-things-Scottish while

writing Under The Same Sky and Sound of the Heart.

Happily married with two teenage daughters, Genevieve moved to Nova Scotia four years ago and spends her time writing,

editing, reading, and teaching piano to local children.

Amplify your wishes and manifest positive changes all year long with Deborah Blake’s inspir-

ing collection of simple rituals. Whether practicing alone or with a group, these empowering

ceremonies—designed for new moons, full moons, sabbats, and other special occasions—

will help you find love, build courage, boost creativity, achieve balance, and deepen your

faith.

No matter what your skill level, Everyday Witch Book of Rituals shows you how to fill the

year with meaningful magickal practice. Through lighthearted, down-to-earth methods, this

guide provides basic ritual elements and ingredients, timing for success, and the importance

of each ritual step. Using the perfect blend of reverence and mirth, practicality and spiritual-

ity, and a sprinkling of wisdom from Magic the Cat, this guide provides nearly every ritual

you need for a magickal year.

http://www.amazon.com/Everyday-Witch-Book-Rituals-Magickal/dp/0738733431/ref=sr_1_1?

ie=UTF8&qid=1351774528&sr=8-1&keywords=deborah+blake

B O O K S P O T L I G H T ! ! ! !

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The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap

Author : Paulette Mahurin

The year 1895 was filled with memorable historical events: the Dreyfus Affair divided France;

Booker T. Washington gave his Atlanta address; Richard Olney, United States Secretary of State,

expanded the effects of the Monroe Doctrine in settling a boundary dispute between the United

Kingdom and Venezuela; and Oscar Wilde was tried and convicted for gross indecency under Brit-

ain’s recently passed law that made sex between males a criminal offense. When news of Wilde’s

conviction went out over telegraphs worldwide, it threw a small Nevada town into chaos. This is

the story of what happened when the lives of its citizens were impacted by the news of Oscar

Wilde’s imprisonment. It is a chronicle of hatred and prejudice with all its unintended and devas-

tating consequences, and how love and friendship bring strength and healing.

http://www.amazon.com/Persecution-Mildred-Dunlap-Paulette-Mahurin/dp/097718661X/

ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1351737793&sr=8-2&keywords=The+persecution+of+mildred+Dunlap

A suspected murderess flees her former life in search of tranquility, but the past refuses to

die, threatening to destroy her newfound happiness.

Lilly Price is an abused woman on the run, but she can’t hide forever. Desperate to escape

public scrutiny following accusations that she hired a hit man to kill her fiancé, Lilly hopes to

rebuild her life in a new town.

Widowed Zach Woodbridge is in no hurry to find another bride. He longs for a peaceful sum-

mer, writing at his lakeside cottage. Things change after an introduction to his grandmother’s

intriguing new assistant, Lilly.

When Lilly’s secrets are revealed, can their fragile relationship weather the storm? And

when a man from her past wishes to reclaim Lilly, using any force necessary, can she and

Zach protect the people they love?

http://www.amazon.com/Always-Forever-ebook/dp/B008ZMX1CY

Keeper of the Lesser Flame

Author: Darmie Orem

Date Published: September 25, 2012

Publisher: WSIC EBooks Ltd

"The water deity curse affects Heather's standard of living, hopes and expectation. But laying down

her soul as a propitiatory to a witch turns around her situation, mortgaging the future."

http://www.wsicebooks.com/html/keeper_of_the_lesser_flame.html

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T U R N I N G T H E P A G E S

Jay Mims:

Jay lives about two miles past nowhere, after you turn off the paved road. When he’s not catching up on episodes

of Scarecrow and Mrs. King he writes, mainly to stave off boredom.

In addition to somewhat eclectic tastes in television and movies, Jay reads voraciously. He enjoys compelling stories

with strong characters, and will gladly read anything from comic books to Steam Punk, Harlequin romance to Kenneth C.

Davis’ fantastic history books.

Jay enjoys long walks through the countryside, laughing with friends, and learning to draw something better than stick

figures. His dearest ambition is to personally thank Janet Evanovich for proving that fast talking characters can be

charming and goofy simultaneously.

Donna Milward:

Donna Milward lives in Edmonton, Alberta in a tiny house with a huge yard. She’s been writing all her life, but de-cided to put writing on hold to get ‘a real job’ as a meatcutter and build a future with her beloved troll, Dan and her cat Freya.

Twelve years later, an invitation to a Romance Writer’s Conference in Washington D.C. led not only to new friends and new knowledge, but to the inspiration to write again. Thoeba was completed the following year.

Donna likes to mix her fascination with reincarnation and all things paranormal with her love of mythology in her work, and has even written her own myth ‘The Sacred Truth” (on earthtothoeba.blogspot.com) as the lore behind Thoeba and future novels to come.

Donna enjoys fishing, gardening and canning. Despite these hobbies, she much prefers city life.

Jacinta Maree:

Self confessed chocaholic, Jacinta was born and raised in Melbourne Australia with her loving family of five. Even as a child Jacinta had an itch

to write. Writing was the one constant hobby she clung to, also trying her hand at piano, flute, tennis, horseback riding and drama.

Jacinta works full time in the family business and spends her afternoons either playing basketball, reading, writing or hanging out with

friends. She is always happy to try something new; getting her real estate license, practicing ninjitshu, Zumba and parkour to name a few.

For her future, Jacinta sees herself writing. It is a large part of her identity and something she hopes to continue. Aside from her love of sto-

ries she loves Japan and its unique and beautiful culture and history. From their delicious sushi dishes right down to their wooden sandals

and kimonos. She is also a huge cat person and loves to snuggle up in front of the fire for a good movie or book. Her favorite genres

are paranormal and fantasy but she also loves anything written by thriller writer, Stephen King.

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HK Savage:

HK lives in the frozen hinterlands of the far North. The long, cold months provide ample opportunity to hunker down with

her computer and create adventures far more enticing than scraping ice and getting frostbite.

Between books (she writes under two names), HK reads voraciously. Anything with a good plot and compelling characters

are her broad parameters. One is as likely to catch her with a copy of Don Quixote as with the latest in Gail Carriger’s steam-

punk series.

HK practices martial arts, rides her horse, gardens and plays with her family every chance she gets. Next winter she intends

to brush up on her Spanish and escape the cold for somewhere more tropical.

EC Hibbs:

E. C. Hibbs has lived all her life in Cheshire, northwest England. A lover of stories from an early age, she wrote her first 'book'

when she was five, and throughout school was a frequent visitor to the younger classes to read her tales to the children.

Living so near the coast, she loves anything to do with the sea. She studied Animal Behaviour at university and longs to work

with marine mammals in the future. As well as nature and animals, she also has a soft spot for history, and loves paying visits

to castles, cathedrals and museums.

There are many things she could be without, but writing isn't one of them. She carries a pen everywhere, in case an idea ap-

pears, and takes pride in still seeing the world as brimming with magic. Besides writing, she reads obsessively, her favourite

genres being the classics and all kinds of fantasy. She also enjoys Disney and horror films, practising Shotokan karate, drawing,

archery, and playing with her very cheeky kitten.

CS Yelle:

C.S. Yelle was born and raised in Grand Rapids, MN, the “almost” middle child of six. He attended Grand Rapids Senior High

School where he enjoyed music and sports. He received his BS in Chemistry from Mayville State University, Mayville, ND in

1987. He taught 7-12 Science and coached for six years in several North Dakota schools and currently works as an Executive

Account Manager in the Water Treatment Industry where he has been for over eighteen years. He is the father of four and

grandfather of one. He writes novels, screenplays, and an occasional short story. He has been writing seriously for over 15

years and plans to continue until his fingers are unable, maybe longer. He currently resides in a Minneapolis, MN suburb with

his wife Jennifer.

B l o g T o u r s !

P a g e 8 T U R N I N G T H E P A G E S

Innovative Online Book Tours

Oct 29—Nov 29 A Bridge to Treachery By: Larry Crane

Nov 14—Jan 14 Veiled Mist By: Eleanor T. Beaty

Nov 26—Jan 4 Forbidden Trilogy (Life, Mind, Fire) By: Kimberly Kinrade

Oct 30—Nov 12 Warrior Reborn By: Melissa Mayhue

Nov 19—Dec 14 Sterling Redmond By: Kim Nathan

Nov 13—Feb 7 Millicent Marie is Not My Name By: Karen Pokras Toz

Nov 20—Feb 14 Nate Rocks The Boat By: Karen Pokras Toz

Nov 27—Feb 21 Nate Rocks The World By: Karen Pokras Toz

Nov 26—Dec 14 Wisteria By: Bisi Leyton

Virtual Book Tour Café

Oct 26—Dec 14 Things Your Dog Doesn’t Want You To Know

By: Jeff Johnson

B l o g T o u r s !

P a g e 9 V o l u m e 1 , I s s u e 5

Black lion virtual Tour

Nov 19—Dec 21 Sound of the Heart By: Genevieve Graham

B O O K S C O M I N G I N N O V E M B E R ! ! !

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Coming Mid-November

Genre: YA, Romance, Suspense, Action

After an eventful end of the school year can Anistasia

and John find a nice vacation in New York? Anistasia

comes face to face with a past she thought she left be-

hind. However what happens in New York stays in New

York. Can the newly found couple stay together through

the events they still have to survive or will the past de-

stroy them?

COMING NOVEMBER 2012

Genre: YA, Paranormal, Romance, Suspense

Calista Rose is a 16 year old deaf girl whom senses some-

thing strange in her new home. Soon she meets a ghost

named John and becomes smitten with his handsome good

looks and charming ways. Little did Calista know by falling in

love with him, it would bring out the true evil that lingers in

her new home.

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A medieval fairytale

Rebecca Sauter is a proud military police officer with a se-

cret; she’s clairvoyant. Her ex-Marine father can’t under-

stand why she won’t try harder for a commission but for

Becca, hiding among the greater mass of enlisted men and

women is safer.

One night on a run she encounters a terrifying man and his

beastly dogs; in her attempts to defend herself she hits her

head and passes out. When she wakes up in the hospital

she’s being collected by a handsome but rude officer.

Humans are fragile. That has been Captain Michael Rossi’s

mantra since his first days as a vampire in 1944. Now Admi-

ral Black has given a post within his elite unit to a human

woman solely because she has “the sight”. Michael’s fears

that she will bring harm to his men are soon eclipsed by his

realization that it is her who might suffer should the admi-

ral decide she is a poor fit.

B O O K S C O M I N G N O V E M B E R 2 0 T H ! ! !

P a g e 1 2 V o l u m e 1 , I s s u e 5

Do you want to see your name on one of our list in the future? Well you

could… These publishing companies are currently accepting submissions. Will

you be their next New Release?

P a g e 1 3 T U R N I N G T H E P A G E S

L o o k i n g F o r . . .

BOOK CLUB MEMBERS!!!!

Turning The Pages Newsletter would like to

start a book club. Each Newsletter will fea-

ture a book and a date for discussion. Discus-

sion dates will be held through skype. Books

may or may not be free but will not cost

more than $15. Discussions will be held on

the last Friday or Saturday of the month.

To Join the Book Club send a message to:

turningthepagesbooknews@gmail.com

BLOG WRITERS!!!!!

In search of multiple people to be put on a list

to host book tours, giveaways, promos, re-

views, guest post, interviews and more on

blogs, twitter, facebook and webpages. Once

we start getting a list you will be able to sign up

for certain genres you like, certain activities you

are willing to post and customize what you

want to be sent.

To Sign Up send a message to:

Toni@XchylerPublishing.com

REVIEWERS!!!!!

Do you love to read? Do you love to be able to

review and talk about what you’ve read to oth-

ers that may decide to read something based

on your review? Then what are you waiting for!

Come on over and join our team! We would

love to have you!!!

To Sign Up send a message to:

turningthepagesbooknews@gmail.com

C o n t e s t

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P o e t r y C o n t e s t W i n n e r !

T U R N I N G T H E P A G E S

SHORT STORY CONTEST

1: Story must be your own work

2: Story must be PG13 and lower Rated

3: Story must be received by June 27 for monthly is-sue. Anything after that is for next month.

4. To have your story consid-ered for the book you must wave royalty rights. (Royalties on short story collection book will be going

to prizes, book promotions, book printings and other related book items.) You can still enter contest for news-letter (and win) without be-ing in the book entries.

5. Short Story Collection books will be on sale to win-ners after release for $8. This will including book and ship-ping it to you.

6. Book winners are emailed.

However we would love for

you to subscribe to the

newsletter as well.

POETRY CONTEST

1: Poem must be your own work

2: Poem must be PG13 and lower Rated

3: Poem must be received by June 27 for monthly issue. Anything after that is for next month.

4. To have your poem consid-ered for the book you must wave royalty rights. (Royalties on poetry book will be going to

prizes, book promotions, book printings and other related book items.) You can still enter contest for newsletter (and win) without being in the book entries.

5. Poetry books will be on sale to winners after release for $8. This will including book and shipping it to you.

6. To receive newsletter and

see contest winners you must

be subscribed to this news-

letter. Winners are not emailed

A Rain Affair

By: Rahima Yasin

Once upon a time

When it never rained

Hopelessness and despair

Were entrapped in the air!

But one day it finally did

Rain, rain and rain

Outcries and cheers

Took away all the pain!

Earthy smell it bestowed

Along with ecstatic tears

Blooming flowers and

Lush green trees!

A rapturous existence it brought

An atmosphere of hope and peace

Where sorrows were nothing but fake!

It was a sight too rare

Heaps of love lying here and there

An unrealistic dream it became

Feelings of passion untamed!

I never want this feeling to end

The wonders a raindrop brings

Turns my life into one intimate affair!

S h o r t S t o r y W i n n e r !

P a g e 1 5 V o l u m e 1 , I s s u e 5

From Death Row to

Dead: Ten Months

with Eli

September, 2011, was an insignificant month to the world, but to us earth-shattering, we lost our dog, Tazzie, just a few weeks over the age of fifteen, which is ancient for a purebred Rott-weiler. We had gotten her from a kill shelter when she was a puppy, the only place we adopt our fury family members from, so it was true to form we would look again, in doggie jail, for another son or daughter. My husband and I have no children, except our dogs.

It was a hot morning, which meant it’d be scorching in Camarillo, the kill shel-ter we decided to adopt from, two weeks after Tazzie’s passing. Still with a heavy heart over her loss, we went. As we approached the parking lot, we heard a crying howl, a screeching of pain and agony. I had to find out where this was coming from.

“We’re not getting a dog that’s loud,” my hubby whispered, walking behind me at a rapid clip.

I ignored him. We walked way to the back of the kennels that were lined in small rows, the outside surrounded by a six-foot fence that you could barely put a finger through, the back part, enclosed on a cold concrete slab. The sound grew louder until we turned a corner and came face to face with, Eli--the name on the fence of his stall--a gorgeous chocolate lab. The minute his eyes met mine, he went quiet. The

minute my heart met his, the ache over Tazzie softened, and I knew there was no leaving this beautiful boy in prison, on death row.

“No!” My husband was no longer whis-pering.

I had already found out that his family, who had recently lost their home, brought in Eli. He was almost ten years old, a purebred chocolate lab, and in obvious severe separation grieving. We knew how each other felt, our hearts melded. He had to come home with us.

“I said No!” My husband was firm. “We can’t bring a barking, loud dog home, you know what happened with the neighbors last time…”

He babbled on while my mind went into manipulative overload. “Let’s just try. He’s wounded. He’ll calm down when we get him home,” I whined.

“You don’t know that.” He gave me a look, the glare when he means it, and won’t be swayed by an agenda. “He’s the loudest dog here…”

I stopped hearing him and put my attention on Eli, Help me out here, boy. Do something. Eli moved closer to the fence, his face smashed up against it, his yellow eyes softened, his tale wag intensified, and he stared, not at me, but my husband.

“Look, he likes you!”

“No!”

In desperation, I stopped talking and let Eli take over. I looked back and forth at the two of them, until my hus-band reached out a hand to Eli’s face, now coming through the grooves in the cold metal wiring keeping him from us. My husband rubbed an ear, got down on a knee to allow Eli to lick his face, while tears moved down my cheeks. My heart was bursting in antic-ipation, until my husband stood and gave me his saddest look, “I wish we could…we can’t get a loud dog.”

Unfortunately, he was right. Our place backed on an office building that had psychologists and a psychiatrists work-ing in it and we had been warned be-fore to handle your barking dogs or else. It took a lot of damage control and stress reduction on our parts over that one. I also did not want to overly stress my husband, and the look he gave me told me it would were I to continue to pursue this. I gave it one more try, “Can we just take him home and try. It may just be this place. He’d been with a family, loved by a family, warmed by them, for almost ten years. I’d cry too...”

My husband said nothing. He reached in and hugged me, a hug that said, I’m sorry.

There was nothing left for me to do but cry. I could not look at another dog that day, but before we left I went into the shelter’s office. “When is Eli going to be put down?”

The women in a uniform was cold, offi-cious, matter of fact, when she replied. “Two days.”

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I felt nauseated. We knew Eli was on death row but two days! I became so anxious my heart was missing beats. I went crying to my husband and told him.

“We can’t save them all, honey.” He talked and made sense but it did noth-ing to calm my aching heart. I could hear Eli in the background, crying.

We stood outside the gate to the shel-ter for over twenty minutes, saying nothing. I could not walk out. My hus-band had to gently lead me to the car, open the door, and nudge me in. For the next ten minutes, driving up High-way 101 into Ventura, I cried. My hus-band looked over to me from time to time, to say, I’m sorry. Just before we were to make the turn off to Ojai, where we live, I asked him if we could go get a bite to eat and talk. I had no idea what I was going to say.

He turned the car around and we went to Lassen’s, a health food grocery store and restaurant, got something, sat at the table, and said nothing. I cried while we ate. My crying has an effect on my husband, and in the purity of an honest emotion, through his love for me, his heart sank. “Okay, we can give it a try, but if he’s loud he has to go back.”

Eli jumped in the car; his head out the window the whole ride home, and not a peep out of his handsome mouth. Not a single bark, the minute we got him to the house, and nothing the rest of that day. And, every other day, for weeks moving into months. That dog didn’t bark at strangers, at the mail-man, at the doorbell, he just wagged his tail, but when we left him alone we

heard him cry from our back deck

as we drove away. We had to bring him with us, which was no sacrifice because he loved to be in the car. He became my husband’s dog and fol-lowed him everywhere, inseparable they were.

Eli lived with us from that September through to Tuesday, July 17, just last week, when he died suddenly of what the vet thought was an aneurysm. He came to us from death row and filled the emptiness left by Tazzie. He came to us with the biggest most grateful heart we’d ever known. We’ve been rescuing dogs from kill shelters for over twenty-seven years, but there was no dog like Eli. He screamed at that kennel, he cried and begged to get out of there, and the minute he was taken home and made a part of a fami-ly, our family, he was the perfect pet.

We miss him, his tale wagging when we enter the room, the circle he turns when finding just the right spot to lay down in, his noise perched against his leash, telling us he wants a walk, the way he jumped up and down when it was meal time, but most of all the way he’d get up next to us, particularly my husband, as if to say, you saved my life, I love you.

Story by: Paulette Mahurin

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Children’s Books

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