A Valentine for the Veterinarian & an interview with author Katie Meyer

By: Unknown on Saturday, January 23, 2016

Q ~ Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m a total bookworm, which probably isn’t surprising. I was actually grounded from reading once as a punishment when I was a kid…definitely the worst punishment ever! I also am an animal lover. I’m a stay at home mom now but I used to be a Veterinary Technician and dog trainer. I

Q ~ What’s something that you never leave home without? 

Honestly, I don’t think there is anything I haven’t forgotten at least once. I’m constantly forgetting my phone, keys, purse, wallet…even my shoes a few times. But I TRY to have my kindle with me at all time.

Q ~ What’s one habit that you have that you’d like to break? 

Procrastinating and being late. I think those two go together. I just don’t have a great grasp of the passage of time I guess.

Q ~ If you were stuck in a dingy floating in the middle of the ocean, who and what would you want with you and why? 

My husband, because he keeps me sane, my kindle loaded with books.

Q ~ Are you a dog person, a cat person, or does some other critter strike your fancy? 

All of the above! I love having a big dog to protect me and a warm cat in my lap.

Q ~ Are there any new Authors that have grasped your interest recently and why? 

Hmm…fellow Harlequin authors Taryn Leigh Taylor is a new, fresh author with an amazing talent for witty dialogue.

Q ~ How did you begin writing? Was there a single catalyst or a series of events? 

I’ve always had that dream of seeing my name on a book, but I thought it was just that, a dream. Then I found out about the Harlequin “So You Think You Can Write” contest, and that was the push I needed to actually finish a book and get it in front of an editor. I was lucky enough to make the top ten finalists, and after that was offered a contract.

Q ~ What’s the best thing that’s happened since you began writing? The worst? 

Seeing my name on a book in a bookstore was probably the best part. The worst? Maybe the extra stress of carving out writing time? I homeschool my children, so although I’m not working outside the house my days are pretty full. That means I often get behind in my writing schedule and that leads to a bit of panic. But my husband is great about helping out, and it all gets done in the end.

Q ~ What are your biggest influences in life? Who are your biggest supporters? 

My parents and my husband are my biggest supporters. And my friends too, really. I’m incredibly lucky to have so many people who believe in me, even on the days I don’t believe in myself. As for influences, again my parents. They model hard work and are true romantic inspirations.

Q ~ When you write, do you lay out a solid outline before beginning, or start writing and iron out the kinks later? 

I start with a few key ideas, and then start writing. Once the first chapter or so is done, and I’ve gotten familiar with my characters I go ahead and plot out the rest of the book as best I can. I don’t always stick with that outline, but I do try to work from an outline as much as possible. I need to know where I’m going or I get frustrated.

Q ~ Why did you choose to write romance as your primary genre? 

Because I love a happy ending, and at the end of the day love is the one thing everyone wants and that everyone can relate to.

Q ~ Can you tell us a little bit about your latest release A Valentine for the Veterinarian? 

I’m really excited about this book, I think it is my favorite so far. Cassie Marshall is a single mom and veterinarian who is trying to balance work and family, something a lot of women can related to. She thinks she doesn’t have time for romance, but how can anyone resist a sexy cop who rescues kittens? But as hot as the chemistry is between them she has some issues to work through before she can trust him, or herself, and that journey is what makes the story so relateable. Love is scary, and I tried to capture that in this book.

Q ~ What music did you listen to while writing A Valentine for the Veterinarian? 

I actually can’t listen to music while writing…the lyrics distract me. Instead the only background noise I have is the dull roar of a house with three kids in it.

Q ~ What is your favourite part or scene in the novel? 

I really love the scenes where Alex, a tough cop, is interacting with his mother. It’s clear that no matter how old he gets, she’s still the boss in that relationship!

Q ~ Of the works you’ve written, which is your favourite? Is there also a character that holds a special place in your heart? 

This actually is my favorite. Cassie is just such a good person, trying to hard to be everything to everybody, and it made me really happy to give her the happy ending she deserves.

Q ~ Do you have anything in the works at the moment? Care to give us a hint about it? 

Do You Take This Daddy, Book three in the Paradise Animal Clinic series will be out by summer! That book will be all about Mollie, the tomboy of the group. She’s certain she doesn’t want anything to do with romance, but of course love has a way of showing up when you least expect it!

Q ~ If you could give aspiring authors one piece of advice, what would it be? 

Keep writing, and do your homework. Make sure that the publisher or agent you are submitting to is open to the type of book you’ve written. Often rejections happen because the book isn’t right for the line, and that’s an easy thing to research before you hit “send”. You spent a lot of time writing your book, make sure to put time into finding it the right home.

About the author:

Katie Meyer is a Florida native, in love with the unique natural environment of the Sunshine State. She grew up with her nose always in a book, often sneaking out of bed at night to finish a book by the hall light. From Trixie Belden mysteries to romance novels, her tastes have changed, but her love of a good story never will.

Katie planned to study English, but loved her job at a veterinary clinic so much she changed majors and obtained a degree in Veterinary Technology from St. Petersburg College. She worked as a Certified Veterinary Technician, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, and was a member of the Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians before returning home full time to homeschool her children. She now lives and writes in Central Florida with her husband, three children, and multiple rescue animals.

Find out more about Katie on her website.

Title: A Valentine for the Veterinarian
Series: Paradise Animal Clinic #2
Author: Katie Meyer
Publication Date: January 19/16 by
Length:  224pgs
Genre:  contemporary romance
Shelf:  review
Rating: ★★★★★

Back Cover Blurb:

IT'S RAINING CATS AND DOGS…AND BABIES?
When charismatic K-9 cop Alex Santiago shows up at Paradise Animal Clinic with a tiny gray kitten in his jacket, something inside Dr. Cassie Marshall shifts. The overworked single mom and veterinarian had been sure her plate was already full. Yet something about Alex's coffee-brown eyes has made her reconsider. Surely she can make room in her heart for just one more.

But two? When Cassie learns she is pregnant after a hot night with Alex, she panics. How can she handle one man, his dog, her little girl, their cat and a baby? Her sexy deputy sheriff has made no bones about wanting a simple relationship. So how can she tell her love-shy Valentine that their already full menagerie is about to be visited by the stork?

My Review:

Meyer combines comedy with emotion in a manner that not only makes the story real but also makes it impossible to forget. Her engaging characters come to life in surprising ways. The tough cop with the warm heart and the gun-shy veterinarian are topped only by the world’s cutest little girl. Together they created the perfect cast for the romance and heartfelt moments that Meyer creates, with a little bit of suspense thrown in the mix for good measure.

I loved the turbulent emotions of the characters. What they want vies with what they think they should want and what they’ve conditioned themselves to want. Seeing them rediscover themselves as they come to terms with their new realities was breathtakingly fascinating. This novel is very family-centric, focusing on what is most important, and how that circle can grow.

Once again Meyer has created an intimate novel that held my attention from cover to cover. Each page held a new secret that I couldn’t wait to get to. This is definitely one novel that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to others.

Book Links 

Goodreads - Amazon.com - Amazon.ca - B&N - Kobo - Indigo - Google Play

And now, enter to win in this fantastic giveaway for a signed copy of A Valentine for the Veterinarian and a $10 starbucks gift card

Contest is open internationally, where applicable by law. 

Entries close at 11:59pm January 29/16. 

Winners will be drawn January 30/16. 

Winners will be notified via email to the email provided to the giveaway and will have 72h to claim their prize or another winner will be drawn.


a Rafflecopter giveaway