I couldn’t let May slip by without giving you a chance to capture and win a great “Critter” Giveaway. It’s for all animal lovers! Plus, gain access to free or discounted books!

​Just click https://AuthorsXP.com/giveaway and register to win a kindle reader, eBooks, or bonus Paperbacks!

I hope you take advantage of this fun giveaway! Only available from May 20-May 24, 2025. Register today at  https://authorsxp.com/giveawayauthorsxp.com/giveaway.

Unconditionally,
Carol

-By Zoey Boston/Zoeyboston.com

Life rarely moves in a straight line. It twists and turns, sometimes throwing us into the deep end without warning. Transitions—whether they come in the form of a career shift, the loss of a loved one, or even the joy and uncertainty of a new child—can feel overwhelming. But for those lucky enough to have a dog at their side, the journey becomes a little less daunting. Dogs, in their quiet, intuitive way, serve as emotional anchors, guiding us through life's turbulence with an unwavering presence. They don’t offer words of wisdom, but what they give us is often far more powerful: companionship, comfort, and a reason to keep moving forward.

A Steady Presence in Uncertain Times

When life feels like it’s unraveling, dogs offer something that humans sometimes struggle to provide—consistency. They don’t care if you’ve lost your job, moved across the country, or ended a long-term relationship. Their needs remain the same: morning walks, belly rubs, and dinner at six. In the midst of chaos, their predictability is a gift. It’s grounding. It reminds you that, no matter what, the world hasn’t completely lost its rhythm. And sometimes, that’s enough to help you take the next step.

Silent Listeners Who Hear Everything

There’s something cathartic about talking to a dog. No matter how many times you repeat the same worries aloud, they listen—ears perked, head tilted, as if they’re absorbing every word. Dogs won’t judge you for crying over the same thing again and again. They won’t offer unsolicited advice or try to fix what’s broken. Instead, they simply exist beside you, letting you unload your fears into the safety of their presence. That kind of non-verbal support is rare, even among humans.

Ease the Stress of New Beginnings
Big life changes—like starting a new job, moving to a new city, or even going back to school—come with their fair share of uncertainty. Whether you’re juggling a brand-new job or adjusting to the self-discipline of an online degree (you may like this), the pressure can feel overwhelming. But dogs have a way of keeping you grounded, offering a routine when everything else feels unpredictable. Their simple joy in the present moment reminds you to step away from the stress, take a deep breath, and find balance.

Encourage Movement, Even When You Don’t Want To

During difficult transitions, inertia can feel like the default setting. The weight of uncertainty or grief makes even the simplest tasks—getting out of bed, going outside—feel monumental. But a dog doesn’t understand your existential crisis. They just know it’s time for a walk. And so, you put on your shoes, clip the leash, and step out the door. One foot in front of the other, their tail wagging like a metronome, setting the pace. That daily movement, forced or not, has a way of shaking loose the heaviness inside you.

Offer Comfort Without Conditions

Dogs are masters of emotional alchemy, transforming anxiety into calm with nothing more than a nuzzle or a warm body curled against your side. Science backs this up—studies show that petting a dog lowers cortisol levels and increases oxytocin, the “bonding hormone.” But beyond the biology, there’s something profoundly healing about their unfiltered affection. They don’t require you to explain yourself. They don’t expect you to be “okay.” They just love you, exactly as you are, in whatever mess you’re currently navigating.

Bring New People Into Your Orbit

Loneliness has a way of creeping in during life’s transitions, especially when you’re in a new city or adjusting to a major loss. But dogs have an uncanny ability to break down barriers. A walk through the park with a friendly pup often leads to conversations that wouldn’t happen otherwise. Strangers become acquaintances, and sometimes, acquaintances turn into friends. Dogs are social bridges, effortlessly connecting you to a world beyond your own internal struggles.

​A Love That Endures, Even When Everything Else Changes

Perhaps the most extraordinary thing about dogs is that they don’t just walk with us through transitions—they stay. They don’t disappear when the storm passes or when you finally land on your feet again. They were there when you were at your lowest, and they’re still there when you rise. Their love is steady, unshaken by circumstance. And in a world where so much is temporary, that kind of constancy is rare.

Life’s biggest transitions can leave you feeling unmoored, drifting between what was and what comes next. But if you have a dog, you’re never truly lost. They remind you to keep moving, to find joy in the small moments, and to trust that, no matter how uncertain things may feel, you are never alone.

Discover the captivating worlds crafted by Carol McKibben, an accomplished author of both fiction and non-fiction. Explore her books and services today to bring your own stories to life or dive into

I am very excited to announce that Caddy’s Tale, A Story of Unconditional Love is now live in both Kindle and Paperback on:

Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DLX2M75D and
most major distributors here: https://books2read.com/caddystale.

This is a deeply personal story for me because it is based loosely on some events that occurred in my own family. It’s highly fictionalized, of course, but it demonstrates the power of love in all forms. If we stop and think how one act can change any of our lives for the better, or how love can reach beyond death to guide us, you’ll understand the heart of this tale.

In case you missed it, here’s the book description:
Lily Loggins falls in love when she pulls a drowning pit bull puppy out of the ocean. Who would have thought this one act would set Lilly down a path she never expected.
Golfer Micah Moore has two goals – to win the PGA Grand Slam and marry Lily the girl of his dreams. When he sees the exhausted puppy in Lilly's arms, he's certain he's added another love to his life. He didn't anticipate the important role the dog would play in his future.
In an ugly twist of fate, Lily and Micah's lives together are marred by tragedies until a life force beyond their understanding influences their destiny and leaves them forever altered.

Here's what early readers are saying and giving Caddy’s Tale 5 Stars:

“A Beautiful novella centered on a wonderful, but far different dog from Carol McKibben’s normal stories. It draws you in from the moment Lily saves a drowning puppy, who claims the heart of her, Tom her Father, Micah a Pro Golfer and love interest, and even her estranged Mother, and becomes the glue that unites everyone's hearts in the end. It brings living souls and souls that have separated, into an eternal bond of love around the gift from one wonderous dog. It was a perfect work of hope, with a perfect ending.” –Rickey Morris

“A short, well-written story written in such a way that it draws you in.” –Jackie Tansey

“A tender story with a twist I didn’t see coming!” I love whatever Carol McKibben writes and how she incorporates unusual paranormal romance.” –D. A. McMillan
“A beautiful story of the power and strength of love and how it can bring about the most magnificent of miracles.” —Dina Bushrod

“I enjoyed this book! The storyline is well written, and I can't wait to read more from this author.” –Juanita E. Arp

"A heart-warming tale of love, life and what comes next, Carol McKibben's Caddy's Tale evolves around an eponymous dog who hides a special secret, that's gradually uncovered through the story of her two new owners and the joy, sadness, losses and other events they experience throughout their lives. Get Caddy's Tale today... it's a must for dog-lovers and those who triumph over tragedy to achieve their Happy Ever After!

So grab your copy today:
At Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DLX2M75D
At Other Major Distributors: https://books2read.com/caddystale

Best, Carol

It’s finally here! So many of you voted on the three cover images for Caddy’s Tale, my latest novella, and the results are in!

It was so close, but Image #2 won! Then, I sent it to my designer who took the image, which wasn’t book quality, and turned that concept into the winning and final cover!
Ta Da!

Thank you so much for all of you who voted for the cover!

Finally, I am pleased to announce that Caddy’s Tale will be available on Amazon and all other major distributors on November 7th!

In case you have forgotten the story synopsis, have a look:

Lily Loggins falls in love when she pulls a drowning pit bull puppy out of the ocean. Who would have thought this one act would set Lily down a path she never expected.

Golfer Micah Moore has two goals – to win the PGA Grand Slam and marry Lily the girl of his dreams. When he sees the exhausted puppy in Lily's arms, he's certain he's added another love to his life. He didn't anticipate the important role the dog would play in his future.

In an ugly twist of fate, Lily and Micah's lives together are marred by tragedies until a life force beyond their understanding influences their destiny and leaves them forever altered.

Here’s what two of my early readers had to say about Caddy’s Tale:

“A tender story with a twist I didn’t see coming!” I love whatever Carol McKibben writes and how she incorporates unusual paranormal romance.” –D. A. McMillan

​“A beautiful story of the power and strength of love and how it can bring about the most magnificent of miracles.” —Dina Bushrod


Thanks again for your help and support!
Carol

Hi, All!

Thanks so much to those who participated in the image selection for the cover of Caddy’s Tale! It was very close, almost a tie between two of the images, but we do have a winner, and I will send out the cover reveal as soon as it is finished.

In the meantime, here is an image of the dog, Caddy, who was the inspiration for this story.

I thought you might like to read an excerpt of the story, which is really a family drama with a paranormal twist. You know me, I love the unexpected!

Here’s the excerpt from Caddy’s Tale:

The puppy fought the waves. Swell after swell pulled her under water. Drowning in the sea wasn’t in her plan. The dog paddled to the surface and blew water out of her tiny nose. She struggled, but the tide’s invisible hand was stronger. The undertow pulled her down. The quiet underwater muted her whimpers. Her tiny paws shifted sand but couldn’t get purchase. Lean muscle and skin were not enough to make her buoyant. The small puppy couldn’t fight the current, the waves tumbling over her, or hold her breath.

Hands grabbed her and lifted the sputtering pup, who coughed salt water from her lungs.

Lily Loggins wadded through the surging waves holding the black pit bull pup with a white blaze clutched to her chest. Pressing her close, Lily moved to the dry sand, sat, and cradled her rescue.

“What happened, girl?” She inspected the puppy and noticed it was female and beautifully marked.

Climbing closer, the puppy licked the girl’s face nonstop.

Lily giggled and rolled on the sand with the dog who started to bark and whine at the same time. Holding the puppy out at arm’s length, she asked her, “Where’s your owner? I haven’t ever noticed strays here.”

She looked along Crescent Beach, a private alcove she’d known since she had moved here with her father.

“I’d better find out if you are chipped and locate your people!”

Glancing once more at the empty Florida beach, she jumped up, removed the long-sleeved shirt tied around her waist, and wrapped up the pup in it. She trudged the mile up to the beach house nestled just behind the dunes where she had lived all through high school with her dad after her parents had divorced. The rustic home faced the ocean complete with a wrap-around porch and floor-to-ceiling windows. Lily loved the handcrafted feel of the raw natural materials from which the bright and airy house had been built with its weathered wood, timbered furniture, wide-plank floors, and natural stone.

Climbing the stairs up to the deck, she spotted her father. He turned to face her with a smoke pipe in one hand and a glass of Jack Daniels over ice in the other.

He smiled. “What have you got there, honey?” His thick Southern drawl made him appear slow in thought, when, in fact, he was highly intelligent, a C-level safety specialist and executive, who had spoken before Congress on issues facing the mining industry. Tom Loggins had worked around the country throughout his successful career. Lily adored him not for his professional accomplishments but for his unconditional love for her. His support for her had always been unwavering.

Lily admired his tall stature. He was a bear of a man with red-gold hair peppered with silver and the bluest of eyes. His smile always carried some secret that he kept to himself.

“Dad, I found this pup on the beach! She looked as if she was struggling to keep from drowning. I didn’t see anyone around, so thought we could take care of her until I can get her to the vet tomorrow to see if she has a chip.”

Tom smiled, churned his pipe to the other side of his mouth, and nodded his approval.

“Thanks, Dad! Love you.” As Lily scampered inside, she yelled over her shoulder, “Going to give this puppy a bath! Who knows where she might have come from. Can’t wait to tell Micah about her.”

Tom shook his head. “That hotshot isn’t right for you.”

“Dad, we talked about this,” Lily shouted.

“He’s twenty-nine and you’re eighteen.”

“So?”

Tom grumbled at the thought of Micah Moore.

Lily came down the stairs, phone in hand, and with the puppy hot on her heels. “Micah wants to speak with you.”

Tom set down his whiskey and settled his pipe in a cradle and took the phone. “Hello?”

Lily picked up the pit bull puppy and listened in on their conversation.

Micah spoke with soft determination. “Mr. Loggins, I’d like to speak with you in person. Will you meet me at the Marsh Creek Country Club?”

“The place where we met, huh?” Tom smiled and the gleam in his eye held knowing and mischief.

The Loggins family had first been introduced to Micah at the Marsh Creek Country Club, where Tom was a member.

“Yes. Is seven o’clock all right?”

Lily jumped up. “Yes! We’ll be there.”

“Seven o’clock is fine.”

Tom handed Lily’s phone back to her and took a sip of his whiskey. He had a few hours to savor his drink before meeting with Micah.

An hour later, Lily rushed down the stairs. “Dad, I just got off the phone with Micah.
We’re going to call the puppy Caddy. Get it? Caddy. Micah’s a golfer.” She winked at him.

Tom rolled his eyes and puffed on his pipe. “You’re getting ahead of yourself, aren’t you? We need to see if she belongs to anyone.”

“We will, but don’t you see? She was meant to come to us.”

*Well, that’s it.*

Hope it piqued your interest. In the meantime, if you want to read about my other paranormal books, go to https://www.carolmckibben.com/. I hope you’ll join me for some vampire mystery thrillers you’ll find there,. For something more like Caddy’s Tale, you might enjoy Luke’s Tale if you haven’t read it yet.

I also write under the pseudonym of Penn Scripter with my daughter, S.N. McKibben. You’ll find our books at https://www.pennscripter.com/books.html.

Til Next Time,
Carol

Hi!
I don’t know about you, but summer has hit Central Texas here with a vengeance. Scorching 100+ degrees and high humidity have made for challenging times outdoors. That challenge got me thinking about my earlier life and the issues I faced with an abusive, alcoholic first husband and two children to raise mostly alone. For a time, I was afraid to fight back, until one fateful, terrifying night brought me to my senses. When that happened, I chose to stop playing the victim and take control of my destiny.
​
I wrote it all down in my memoir, Riding Through It.

If you’ve ever felt that your past controls your present and future for any reason, or if you just want to read a story about overcoming adversity, you might like to read it. I didn’t write it to sell books. I published it in hopes it might help others in similar or related situations.

It's raw and honest, and I made myself vulnerable to do it. However, it has already fulfilled my goal. When I set out to write it, I hoped it might help just one person. That’s already happened. If it aids others, that’s icing on the cake.

If this is not your cup of tea, but you know someone it might help, why not gift it to them, or at least pass this information on to them?

Want to learn more about it and read a few reviews?
​ Click here: https://www.carolmckibben.com/riding-through-it.htmlRiding Through It.

Want to find it on Amazon? Go to https://www.amazon.com/Riding-Through-Memoir-Carol-McKibben-ebook/dp/B00E2C0OR6.
​
Whatever your past, I hope your present and future are the very best they can be.


Til Next Time,
Carol

Bold Journey just did an interview with me. Thought I'd share.

https://boldjourney.com/news/meet-carol-mckibben/.

It's not perfect, but it gives you a lot of background on me. Let me know what you think!

Unconditionally, Carol

It’s springtime in Central Texas. The Bluebonnets are out, and wildflowers are everywhere. It’s a rebirth for the countryside. For me, it’s a rebirth to my writing. I wasn’t inspired over the winter.

Then, an idea hit me. A personal tragedy years ago in our family has become inspirational. I decided to use it as the bones for a novel with the working title of Caddy’s Tale.

Yes, it features a dog, but this time, the canine doesn’t narrate it but is integral to the story. It’s in the paranormal genre, even though it doesn’t appear so in the beginning. It won’t be finished until the end of 2024, but I wanted to share an early excerpt and see what you think.
​
I’d love to hear from you to learn if you think it might be of interest to readers. So, here goes:

The puppy fought the waves. Drowning in the sea wasn’t in her plan. She struggled to the shore… finding shifting sand under her tiny paws at last.

The girl ran toward the sputtering pup who coughed salt water from her lungs. Lily Loggins hit the water and wadded in to scoop up the black Pit bull pup with a white blaze on her chest. Pressing her close, Lily moved to the dry sand, sat, and cradled her rescue.

“What happened, girl?” She inspected the puppy and noticed it was female and beautifully marked.

Climbing closer, the puppy licked the girl’s face non-stop.

Lily giggled and rolled on the sand with the dog who started to bark and whine at the same time. Holding the puppy out arms-length, she announced to her, “Where’s your owner? I haven’t ever noticed strays here on Crescent Beach. I’d better find out if you are chipped and locate your people!”

Looking around at the empty Florida beach, she jumped up, removed the long-sleeved shirt tied around her waist, and wrapped up the pup in it. She trudged the mile up to the house nestled just behind the dunes where she had lived all through high school with her dad after her parents divorced. The rustic home faced the ocean complete with a wrap-around porch and floor to ceiling windows. Climbing the stairs up to the deck, she spotted her father. He turned to face her with a pipe in one hand and a glass of Jack Daniels in the other.

He smiled. “What have you got there, honey?” His thick Southern drawl made him appear slow in thought, when, in fact, he was highly intelligent, a C-Level safety specialist and executive, who had spoken before Congress on the issues facing the mining industry. Tom Loggins worked around the country throughout his career and had a successful one. However, Lily adored him not for that but for his unconditional love for her. His support for her had always been unwavering.

Lily admired his tall stature. He was a bear of a man with red gold hair peppered with silver and the bluest of eyes. His smile always carried some secret that he kept to himself.

“Dad, I found this pup on the beach! She looked as if she was struggling to keep from drowning. I didn’t see anyone around, so thought we could take care of her until I can get her to the vet tomorrow to see if she has a chip.”

Tom smiled and nodded his approval.

“Thanks, Dad! Love you.” As Lily scampered inside, she yelled over her shoulder, “Going to give this puppy a bath! Who knows where she might have come from. Can’t wait to tell Micah about her.”

Tom shook his head at the thought of Micah Moore. Tom felt the twenty-nine-year-old hot-shot professional golfer might not be right for his barely eighteen-year-old daughter. They had met at the Marsh Creek Country Club, where Tom was a member. The man did have the balls to arrange a meeting with him to discuss his intentions.

Tom puffed on his pipe and took a sip of his whiskey and thought back to that recent night.

Micah Moore was a handsome young man with sandy blond hair and brown eyes. Of average height, the man was an athlete in every sense of the word. What Tom liked about him was his respectful attitude. He’d approached the situation in an honorable fashion.

“Mr. Loggins,” he started with his golf cap held between his two hands, “I’ve never experienced anything like this. The moment I saw your daughter, I was gobsmacked.”

Tom chuckled at the thought of that word.

Micah fidgeted in his seat. “I mean, six months ago, I would have told you that I didn’t believe in love at first sight. I know now that it does exist. I love her. I adore her. I knew she was a high school senior, so I waited. All those free golf lessons I offered the two of you were just an excuse to be around her.” He stopped to catch his breath. He searched Tom’s face for any sign of anger.

Tom leaned back in his chair and kept silent. He glanced at Lily who huddled on the leather couch next to the man she proclaimed to love. She’s so young. How can she know for sure?

She nervously twirled her index finger around one of her blonde curly strands of hair and sat staring adoringly at her beloved one moment and then fastening her brilliant blue eyes at her father the next.

Micah went on. “Now that she’s eighteen and out of high school, I want to ask you for your blessing. I want to marry your daughter.”

Tom leaned forward. “Not so fast, Micah. You know her mother is staunchly against this relationship. I think you need to give it some time. Date… er… you haven’t been… with my daughter, have you?”

Dad!” Lily squirmed uncomfortably at his insinuation.

“Sex?” Micah reared back in his seat. “No, no. I wouldn’t do that. I want to marry her, not fool around with her!”

“Good.” Tom smiled. “Then let’s give it the test of time. In a year if the two of you feel the same way, then I will consider giving you my blessing. But know this, Micah, if you don’t follow through with this and stay respectful, you’ll have hell to pay from me!”

Tom smiled at the look of resolve he saw in the other man’s eyes. Now, they’d have to convince Lily’s mother, Joan.

His thoughts were interrupted with laughter from his daughter. “Dad, I just got off the phone with Micah. We’re going to call the puppy Caddy. Get it? Caddy. Micah’s a golfer.” She winked at him.

Tom rolled his eyes and puffed on his pipe. “You’re getting ahead of yourself, aren’t you? We need to see if she belongs to anyone.”

“We will, but don’t you see? She was meant to come to us.”
***

So, there you have it! Let me know what you think!

Just reply to [email protected] and tell me what you think.

It’s a draft, so be kind! It hasn't gone through editing yet.

I’d love your thoughts. I can promise you I won’t kill the dog in this story! The dog, like in Luke’s Tale, provides inspiration and unconditional love, and we did have a Caddy in our family years ago.
​
Contact Carol at http://www.carolmckibben.com or join her
​ at https://www.facebook.com/CarolMckibbenAuthor.

What Did I Love Most about Each Book?

I know this is short and sweet, but the information is all
here: ​https://shepherd.com/bboy/2023/f/carol-mckibben
​
Wanted to share it. It includes reviews of each book.

In addition, here for your reading pleasure are the 100 Best Reads from 884 Authors! 
https://shepherd.com/bboy/2023

What a treasure trove!

Hope you enjoy!

Til Next Time,
​Carol​