That helpless feeling. You know the one. We've all had it. Someone or something we love is ill or has disappeared. You do everything that you can to correct the situation, but nothing changes it.

This happened to my family and me last week. 

We live on 27 acres in Texas. The property is filled with trails winding through the woods. We take our five dogs for a walk almost daily, and they dart in and out of the trees, scampering around, getting lots of exercise, and having fun. We've done this for three years now, more than a thousand times. The dogs all know the paths we take and the property. However, if someone goes off trail, it's easy to get disoriented, so they normally stick to us like Velcro.

The picture above is Ty, short for Tiberius, a purebred Siberian Huskey. A week ago last Friday, our daughter took them all for a walk in the morning. Five went out, but only four came home. Thinking that Ty would come along, she waited a bit, and then we all panicked.

We walked the woods in every direction that first day. Ty hates bodies of water, and there's a big creek that we knew he wouldn't cross because it was full from recent rains. Our other dogs: Thor, our Labrador Retriever; Lacy, our German Shepherd; Charlie, our German Shorthaired Pointer; and Mimi, our Korean Jindo, all went in search of him, but with no luck. We gave up the search as dark descended. 

The next day, my daughter and her significant other took a machete and went through the thickest parts of the woods. Mark and I spent the day driving up and down all the roads surrounding the property. Again, night fell.

On Sunday, my daughter and I took our business cards and went from neighbor to neighbor, knocking on doors, showing Ty's photo, and leaving our information to call if anyone spotted him.  In the meantime, the guys went around hanging pieces of worn socks and pants cut into strips on all the fencing surrounding the property with the hopes that Ty was just lost, would pick up the scent, and find his way home. Again, night fell with no luck.

Monday-Thursday came and went still with no luck. To make matters worse, it rained for two nights with thunder and lightning, something that terrifies Ty. We normally have to just snuggle with him during a storm to keep him calm. That increased our worry and feelings of hopelessness.

What could have happened? Was he just lost and turned around in the woods? Did he go to someone's house that we missed, and perhaps he lost his collar with his ID on it, and they had no way to know who he belonged to? Did another animal attack and, God forbid, kill him? Did aliens swop down and take him away?

On Friday, with heavy hearts, my daughter and I left for a planned horse show in Houston. We arrived around 6:30p that evening. Just as we were checking on my horse, my daughter's phone rang with the news, "Ty just walked through the doggie door here in the house."

"What?! Oh, my God! That is a miracle," we both screamed.

Obviously exhausted, hungry, and thirsty, Ty looked not much different than when he disappeared, and his collar was still in place. Relief flooded through all our bodies. The guys immediately put a GPS tracking collar on him, and that will be a permanent fixture for him. All the dogs have them, but we just got sloppy about putting them on. Trust me, we're on it now.

I think the lesson learned here is that even in our darkest despair, we never gave up hope. Even with that feeling of hopelessness, we never really gave up. As far as most of us are concerned, Ty returning to us was a miracle. But Mark insists that Ty was turned around and lost in the woods and that he picked up the scent of the dirty socks and pants the guys hung up on the fences and followed it home. I guess we'll never know.

​What do  you think? 

Til next time!
​Carol

My writing partner and I, who work under the pen name of Penn Scripter, have been working on a manuscript with a working title of The Transformation of Charlie. 

A long-time reader and friend asked me the other day what it's about. I stumbled around and said it's about reincarnation set with a background in the horse world. She went, Hmmm...

So I am going to try and clarify a bit, since I haven't written the blurb yet. In a nutshell, Charlie Wolfe has met and married the love of his life, his soul mate, Remi a horsewoman. He's the jealous type and a bit possessive. He's also a well-know horse breeder and owner of a breeding farm that extends to dressage training (yes, yes, I know... it's my sport). Charlie loses his life in a tragic accident, and Remi is beyond devastated. So much so that she contemplates suicide. Charlie, being the persuasive fellow that he is, wrangles his way from limbo into being reincarnated as the exact duplicate of a German Shorthaired Pointer that Remi had as a child. It's actually a selfless act in order to save her and ensure she has a happy life. It's an unexpected paranormal romance, which is what Penn Scripter writes. That's all I'm gonna say. I'll reveal more as we get closer to publication time.

Do you believe in reincarnation? Do you think it's possible that many of us have been here before in another life? Dr. Brian L. Weiss' #1 Best Seller, Many Lives, Many Masters: The True Story of a Prominent Psychiatrist, His Young, Patient, and the Past-Life Therapy That Changed Both Their Lives supports it as do countless other books and testaments. 

I definitely think it's worth opening your mind and exploring. 

If you've ever experienced deja vu, perhaps you might want to consider it.

Until Next Time,
Carol 

Meet Thor 
Our family adopted him when he was 10 months old. His original owners said he was “uncontrollable,” and we were approached because Mark McKibben, husband, and father, is a dog trainer. Within no time, Thor became a model citizen, so much so that he attends meetings with Mark and has become the example of a well-behaved pooch.

Fast forward to about six years. As a more mature dog, Thor developed a lipoma, a lump under the skin that occurs due to an overgrowth of fat cells. His wound was on his hip and quite large. (Yes, he needs to lose weight.) Vets consider lipomas as non-cancerous growths, but it’s always advisable to remove them, just in case.

​​So, Mark took him in to have the growth removed. That was the easy part.

Should Dogs Lick Wounds to Heal Them?
It’s said dog kisses heal, so why didn’t we let Thor lick his post-surgical incision? Let me answer by asking, when was the last time your dog ate something off the sidewalk that you couldn’t identify? When was the last time they went licking their unmentionables? How many times do they brush their teeth?

It’s true that dogs can be a comfort when their people are depressed, hurting, lonely and need a friend. But while their mouths have a different set of bacteria separate from humans, which is why they don’t get sick when we have a cold and we can’t get kennel cough from them, licking a wound has a higher potential of getting infected.  

Let us tell you about the experience we had with Thor licking his stitches. 

Want to read more of Stephanie McKibben's article written for Penn Scripter? Click here. 

Til Next Time,
​Carol

I am so in love with the cover for my newest series! What's it about? Well, here's a clue:

Supernatural hybrids. The wrath of the Devil. Can three chosen by God win the war against darkness?
 
Reign knows he was never supposed to exist. The impossible fusion of a vampire and a spirit wolf, the powerful shifter’s life is a divine miracle. But when the city of Florence is robbed of its memories, Reign stands between the innocent Italians and a hellish demise.
 
Teaming up with his bonded packmate and a young wizard, Reign storms the Tuscan capital to bring down the possessed mob leader. And with the Heavenly battle raging against Satanic gangsters, the God-chosen crossbreed must risk his own inconceivable life to annihilate the forces of evil. 
 
Can Reign survive his ordained mission to save the world from damnation?
 
Reign: The Assault of Lucifer Morningstar is the extraordinary first book in the Silver Blood Knight paranormal vampire series. If you like epic conflicts, unexpected revelations, and unique twists on supernatural creatures, then you’ll love Carol McKibben’s out-of-this-world tale.
 
Guess what! Even though the book launches on November 10, you can pre-order it today! Here's the link to purchase Reign: The Assault of Lucifer Morningstar to defeat Satan today!

http://mybook.to/reign1
​I hope you will join me in my latest adventure today!
Until Next Time,
Carol

I wanted to share my latest adventure with you. It's called Penn Scripter.

What is it? Penn Scripter is the nom de plume for the writing team of S.N. and Carol McKibben. This mother-daughter combo writes unexpected paranormal romance. Separately, they each have a healthy list of novels.

The two authors have combined their talents and interests to produce unexpected paranormal romance that will include fantasy, mythology, paranormal, dogs and horses, relationships, unusual circumstances, and, of course, romance.

Current projects include a fantasy novel entitled, Triad, and a contemporary paranormal romance, The Transformation of Charlie.

Here is an excerpt from Triad - The Demon of Reginhart, our current work in progress:

His inferno steed, Selkie, drove onward while Marcus brooded over his situation. Just another cog in the wheel of a king. Even a demon could learn something about manipulation from Valder.

Marcus slowed Selkie to a stop at a fork in the road. He squinted at a weathered wooden sign for direction. The trees here grew in an uncultivated manner. Winter rested upon the trees, weighing down limbs with snow. Knotted branches reached out, pointing accusations at Marcus. The crisp air settled in, chilling his bones from the exhaustive pursuit to his new place of rest.

Steam rose from under Selkie’s dancing hooves. Snow gave way to patches of dry ground the size of hoof prints. Marcus’s steed gnashed his teeth, grunting his annoyance, heaving breaths, sending fog into the air. Selkie’s pace shortened a three day’s distance in half. Still, the inferno steed pranced in anxious patience, willing to run longer, faster, more.

Marcus folded his clawed fingers against his palm and stroked Selkie with his knuckles. Valder commanded an immediate departure and that compulsion pushed him to exceed Selkie’s limits.

“Walk the rest of the way.” After his manic ride to Reginhart, Selkie deserved an easier pace.


​And, here's a video clip to give you a bit more detail!

Music has always been such an important part of my life.

I met my husband Mark through music. He was a radio DJ when we first became acquainted. I knew him through his music.

Music has gotten me through good and bad times. It touches my soul. And, I forgot that for a time.

I was reminded this past weekend when my trainer, Deirdre Sabo-Frary, danced to music with my horse, Okido, in several musical freestyles. In fact, in one show, they danced to the regional championships with two qualifying scores. 

Deirdre commented about how much Okido loves his music. As I watched him, I thought he just seems to come alive when he hears his music, and trust me, he knows it's his music. 

If music affects the animals in our lives, think about what it does for us. It lifts our spirits, carries us away to our fantasies, and makes us happy while we work.

I put on the best of Seals and Crofts, one of my favorite oldies duo, this morning, and I am quite happy as I work. 

This is a hard time for all of us. This year hasn't been what we all expected when we rang it in on January 1st. But, we can learn that we have definite ways to get through them. Think about the music in your life... whether it is really music, another person, your family, or the things you love to do.

I know that I am inspired to go dance with Okido. I hope you will listen to the music in your life and let it lift you above all else.

Til Next Time,
​Carol

Love. That's what we need now. 

With the horror, conflict, and fear that surrounds us now, I can only shake my head and wonder why we have forgotten to love instead of hate. I read posts on social media, shake my head, and cry. People are so quick to attack. Quick to judge. 

My question has always been, if dogs can love us unconditionally, why can't we love each other in the same way? I pulled up the image above to a happier time. These were my five labs - Darth, Leia, Luke, Yoda, and Obe Wan called Tipper. They loved us without question. They trusted us and were loyal. They are gone now, but the joy they brought to me will live in my heart forever.

Shouldn't it be so with people? Can't love and kindness prevail? 

All the books that I write reflect this theme, even in the most unlikely and perilous conditions. That's our situation today, and I ask only one thing. Consider that it might be easier to love than condemn, love than hate, understand instead of judging.

Til Another Time,
​Carol

While you continue to shelter at home, you can escape for FREE! That's right. A select collection of FREE digital books has been hand-picked by a former acquisitions editor for your enjoyment. They include all genres, so you can choose what you like. And, my very own Snow Blood Season 1 is among them. 

Don't hesitate. Offer begins on May 1 but won't last. 

https://claims.prolificworks.com/gg/Qfvwq6itS6Fei8hjtM5n

Happy reading!
​
Til Next Time,
Carol

​Enzo’s shaggy black fur shimmered in the Tuscany moonlight. His golden eyes transfixed on nothing. His body stood frozen in place. I knew the signs. My spirit-turned-corporeal wolf was experiencing another vision.

The forest around us just outside my master Kane’s Italian wine estate was silent save the laughing voices of Zandra, her brothers, and James, her newly turned hybrid vampire Lycan, as they hunted for prey in the far distance. They had no need to be quiet as their vampire speed allowed them to take down the fastest prey. Through my preternatural connection to Kane, I alerted to my sire taking down a large bull moose and sating his thirst at the beast’s jugular. I longed to have a taste.

Instead, I padded to Enzo and pressed against him until his eyes focused and he shook his head. I sat back on my haunches as he gazed into my eyes.

We will have little rest. The worst approaches.

His warning shook me to the core. I twisted my head at the one I loved only second to Kane and wondered, What could be worse than what we have experienced? Enemy werewolves, flesh eaters, shifters, and zombies have attacked us repeatedly. Lilith, the original succubus, has tried to control us. Satan has tried to destroy us. Prior to ever meeting you, human greed captured and tried to use us.

Before he could telepathically respond, we both lifted our noses to the air and took in the stench of danger lurking around us.

An arrow whizzed past my right ear. A sharp sting and the whiff of deadly silver alerted me as a chunk of my furry white ear sailed through the air.

Enzo whirled and placed his backside to mine. We circled as some twenty men dressed in brown leather pants and boots surrounded us. They carried axes, crossbows, and swords. Their faces and bodies reeked of hate.

My injured ear stung. The insidious burn of it seeped inward from the minor cut. Liquid fire ran down the rest of my injured appendage numbing everything it touched. I feared silver poison but ignored it and sprang just missing the sharp side of an axe intended for me. I went for the hunter’s weapon-wielding arm and bit down.

The man screamed, convulsed, and foamed at the mouth. He died before he hit the ground.
Behind me, I heard Enzo tear into several others. Skin and cloth ripped. Screams of humans being devoured rang through the air. The spirit wolf’s throaty growls and gnashing teeth mingled with their cries.

A few of the enemy backed off momentarily in surprise at Enzo’s ferocity and their comrade’s death from my one bite. They must not have known that I had inherited my biological father Snow Blood’s deadly bite. I took off to my right, grabbed the extended arm of one man, and ripped it from his shoulder. He shuddered and fell face first into the budding spring ground cover. I whirled and this time bit into the leg nearest me. Knowing I had killed again, I moved on and sprang, tearing out the throat of a third victim.

The screams of those Enzo attacked were short-lived. His powerful jaws ripped throat after throat. Dead bodies littered the forest ground. The smell of their blood incited me. The bloodlust within me overpowered my senses.

I leapt for another would-be victim but was taken down by a silver arrow to my spine. The pain shot through every nerve ending, and the deadly metal surged through my core paralyzing me. Four more attackers surrounded me and began to slash and hack at me with both swords and axes. A blade bit deeply into my shoulder. I yelped in agony. The pain became intolerable.
Enzo instantly jumped them and became a killing machine. Body parts flew in the air. A head rolled next to me. The man’s blank, dead eyes stared at me. An arm plopped down just next to the head. A headless torso took flight and smashed against an oak tree.

I struggled to stand as another blow landed on me from behind, taking my hind legs out from under me. I whirled and took off the offending hand with one bite. The soft appendage still wiggled. My body began to morph into my inner demon, but blood poured from me. I fought to keep my eyes open and was sinking fast. I felt my life slipping away.

As another attacker bent to slice my throat, I sprang with all my remaining strength and tore out his. With nothing left, I slid toward the earth. As the world went dark, I heard Kane’s voice. Hold on, girl. We’re here.

Want more? Go here: https://books2read.com/u/mv59pq

Til Next Time,
Carol

Moon Blood 5, the last book in the First Blood Son Series, is finally available on Kindle. This book - with a tagline of: One.Last.Battle. - is the ultimate fight between good and evil.

I love the cover because it depicts Zandra watching Kane in red dragon form while Moon and Enzo protect her back. 

This book throws all manner of evil at my beloved de Medici vampire family, and the question is: Will they survive?

I loved writing this series, and I hope you will join me in the finale. You'll find it at: http://mybook.to/MB5. It's also available at Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple, etc. You can find it at other retailers here: https://books2read.com/u/mv59pq.

Readers are now asking me if this is the end of the stories of vampires who battle against evil. The answer is: Not Yet. Look for another entire series entitled Reign - The Silver Blood Knight. Book 1 is in the can, and I'm working on Book 2. Unfortunately, it's up to my publisher as to when these books will be released. I promise to keep you informed.

In the meantime, meet Reign below.

Til Next Time,
Carol
​