Title: Unsung Hero
Author: Judy Kentrus
Genre: Contemporary, Sweet Romance
Book Blurb:
Shane Wallace never considered himself a “hero.” He loved his country and served honorably in the U.S. Navy, retiring six month ago. His life is in a holding pattern, waiting to figure out which direction to take.
Shane and his German Shepherd, Liberty, stay in a campground close to Mt. Rushmore, South Dakota, one of the most patriotic locations in the United States, the first week in July.
When a cat from the neighboring campsite takes off after a squirrel, Liberty joins the free-for-all, chasing the cat up a tree. The owner is beside herself with worry, so Shane volunteers to save her pet. Unknowingly, the cat is a celebrity and the feline’s fans gathered to witness her rescue. Shane flinched when they called him a hero and reluctantly held back claiming, I’m no such thing.
Taylor Parish spends ten months of the year teaching history to middle school children. She spends the rest of her time, driving a converted school bus, nicknamed Tillie. Her co-pilot, is a striped Toyger cat, named Winnemucca.
The next book in her YA series, Adventures with Tillie, is about Mount Rushmore. She didn’t count on her mischievous cat needing to be rescued by her neighbor. She wrote about men and women of courage in her books, but this was the first time she’d met one in real life. Puzzled by his strong aversion to the word hero, she decides to make Shane Wallace understand the true meaning of the word “hero.”
Sweet, contemporary romance, with a bit of humor provided by two mischievous pets.
Excerpt:
Shane looked out the small bedroom window. Three hours ago, the space next to his trailer had been vacant, but he’d gotten a neighbor since then. From the proximity of the loud bang, it had come from… He paused, blinked a few times to make sure he wasn’t hallucinating. It wasn’t every day you saw a vintage school bus painted mint green. A clever hand had painted a redhead behind the wheel of a striped school bus. A black-and-gold-striped cat was hanging out a side window. Both wore WWII leather flying helmets and oversize goggles. Adventures with Tillie was scrolled above the humorous logo.
“If the driver of that bus resembles the drawing, we need to keep our distance.”
Liberty ran toward the side door of the trailer and wagged her tail.
“You want to go out?”
“Woof!”
“Let me get my shoes and your leash.”
The tail stopped wagging at the mention of the word leash. “If we were boondocking in a remote area, I could let you go, but it’s not possible in the campground. If you play nice with the other dogs in the doggy area, I’ll make you a burger.”
The tail resumed wagging, this time a lot faster.
“Sometimes, I think you do that just so I’ll make you people food.”
Shane had barely taken three steps away from his trailer when a woman dashed past him, calling out the name Winnemucca. Who in their right mind would name their kid Winnemucca? Liberty wasn’t one to calmly accept a freewheeling person running past her and tugged hard on the leash.
His grip on the leather strap wasn’t strong enough. He, too, took off after his dog, who ran after the woman, who ran after someone named Winnemucca. If he weren’t so worried about his dog getting lost in the sprawling campground, he’d find the situation comical.
The mysterious Winnemucca apparently had headed for the forest that surrounded the campground. A thick coating of dried pine needles and pinecones covered the dirt, creating an uneven surface for running.
The woman with the long legs, showed off nicely in black denim shorts paired with a red sleeveless tank, was easy to follow. He’d narrowed the distance between them, but Liberty surpassed the woman and stopped at the base of a pine tree. Liberty put her front paws on the trunk and barked.
Shane bent over and took a few deep breaths before grabbing the leather loop. “Liberty! Enough!”
The woman had a free-flowing shawl of dark brown hair that swept her back. How she’d been able to run in thong flip-flops, he’d never know. Her hands gripped one of the lower branches of the tree, but her eyes were focused on the thick branches overhead.
“Winnemucca, leave the squirrels alone!”
“Lady, can you please tell me who or what is up in that tree?”
“My cat,” she quickly replied, but refocused her attention on the feline in the tree.
“What’s a Winnemucca?”
“She’s a Toyger breed and is named after Sarah Winnemucca, a Native American born in 1844.” The rattled woman stepped back and threw her arms wide. “Why am I explaining the significance of my cat’s name when I should be trying to figure out how I’m going to get her down?”
“Since she climbed up there, she should know how to get down.”
The woman shook her head. “It’s not that simple. Winnie has no problem climbing trees to go after squirrels, but she has a problem getting down. The only thing I can do is go to the front desk. Maybe they can call someone with a cherry-picker truck.”
Don’t do this, his conscience warned, but he had nothing better to do. He held out Liberty’s leash. “You hold on to Liberty. She’s also got a thing about chasing squirrels. Will your cat come with me if I go up there to get her?”
Shocked at his offer, she asked, wide-eyed, “You’d really climb the tree to save my cat? You’re a true hero!”
Hero. He immediately flinched. The word was a sore spot in his vocabulary. I’m no such thing.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Pre-order today!
Book launch: July 8th
What makes your featured book a must-read?
This sweet romance is about a Naval hero, Shane Wallace, who didn’t know he needed to be saved. The setting takes place in one of the most patriotic locations in the US. You’ll enjoy a grand tour, learning about the faces on the memorial and the Crazy Horse monument that is still under construction. Did you know there was supposed to be a fifth face? Did you know there’s a secret room?
Giveaway –
Enter to win a $20 Amazon US or Amazon Canada gift card
Open Internationally. You must have an active Amazon US or CA account to win.
Runs May 25 – June 1, 2022.
Winner will be drawn on June 2, 2022.
Author Biography:
Judy Kentrus, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Seasoned Romance,
Historical Romance
I’ve always been a romantic at heart and I married my high school sweetheart. I make my home in the Poconos of Pennsylvania. Before I let the dog out, I make sure there aren’t any bears around. I’m a mom with two grown children who have given me six grandchildren. Two live with me and the other four live in Florida. I visit them twice a year.
We love to travel. Many of the places we’ve visited have inspired me to use as a storyline. I loved my land/sea tour of Alaska so much, I wrote Frozen Hearts, a romantic suspense that re-creates the entire trip. I live fifteen minutes from the Delaware Water Gap. A Timeless Kiss, the third book in my US Park Ranger series, is based on the troubled history of the national recreation area. I never know what will give me an inspiration, but my mind is always working.
I can hear you asking the question, does she ever stop writing? That’s a Yes! When I’m not giving couples their happily-ever-after, you can find me in the kitchen, baking, especially cookies. I’ve been dubbed the cookie queen by my family and friends. You’ll find a new recipe every month on my website.
Be sure to sign up for my newsletter, via my website. My stories are fun, sexy, romances that will make you laugh, cry, and fall in love.
Social Media Links:
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