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Barbara Techel is the author of the multi-award winning Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Dog book series. When her dachshund, Frankie, suffered a spinal injury, Barbara had her custom-fitted for a wheelchair. Frankie persevered, and Barbara realized the beautiful opportunity she had to share Frankie and give others hope and inspiration to be the best they can be. Along with sharing Frankie’s story with children, Barbara and Frankie routinely volunteer as a therapy dog team at a local hospital, senior assisted facility, and hospice community, spreading joy wherever they go.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Literary Ghost Dogs in Cynthia's Attic

(be sure to check out the cool book trailer video of the book below!)
Ghosts and dogs I think, make for a great story, don't you? I'm so excited to welcome Mary Cunningham, my guest blogger today whose book, Cynthia's Attic: The Magician's Castle features her beloved dog, Molly, who went to doggie heaven as she was writing this book. But her legacy lives on... as you will read. Welcome, Mary!!

I was in the middle of writing Book Four of my series, "Cynthia's Attic," when our furry, adopted "daughter" left for Doggy Heaven. Molly was 16, and had filled our lives with joy, laughter and love for almost 13 years. My friends knew what a hole this left in my heart, so one suggested, "Why don't you write Molly into the book?"

Oooh, great idea! Molly, the Time Traveling Canine. Love it! Okay, that's not the title. It's really "Cynthia's Attic: The Magician's Castle," but this little pooch plays an important role in helping best friends, Cynthia and Gus, find clues that might lead to a magician's missing assistant (and fiancée).

I don't want to give away too much about Molly's magical role, but the name and stature of Secretariat comes to mind. Heh-heh.

Although I didn't exactly write Molly's role as a Ghost Dog, she clearly has powers that allow her to travel back and forth through time, and change shapes along the way. I did some research on other fictional ghost dogs, and came up with some really scary examples!

"The Barking Ghost," by R. L. Stein in which Cooper and his friend Margaret are targeted by two evil dogs who cast a spell to switch bodies with the children, comes to mind. I can tell you right now, Molly has no evil intentions. Nor does she want to switch bodies with Cynthia or Gus. But, she does pull off some pretty amazing feats!

Just like our Molly, who stole the hearts of her mom and dad with her big brown eyes, wagging tail and boundless love so many years ago.

Who is your favorite literary ghost dog?

Thanks, Frankie for inviting me to your blog! You and Molly would've gotten along great!
~Mary

Check out the cool video!!

Mary Cunningham is the author of the award-winning 'Tween fantasy/mystery series, Cynthia’s Attic. She is proud to announce book four, "The Magician's Castle," is due for release in December, 2009. Her children's mystery series was inspired by a recurring dream about a mysterious attic. After realizing that the dream took place in the home of her childhood friend, Cynthia, the dreams stopped and the writing began.

She is also co-writer of the humor-filled, women's lifestyle book, "Women Only Over Fifty (WOOF)," along with published stories, "Ghost Light" and "Christmas Daisy," A Cynthia's Attic short story.

Purchase your copy today from Amazon!

Be sure to follow along on Mary's blog tour and up next is:
DEC 11 - Laura Schaefer - Teashop Girls Blog - "Friendship in Cynthia's Attic"
http://teashopgirl.blogspot.com/

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4 comments:

Mary Cunningham said...

Frankie (and Barbara), thanks for the warm welcome!

You're such an inspiration, Frankie, and I know Molly would've thought so, too.

Btw, anyone who makes a comment on the blog, today, has a chance to win a download of "Christmas With Daisy," a Cynthia's Attic Christmas story!

xoxo! Mary
http://cynthiasattic.blogspot.com

Barbara Techel said...

So happy to have you heree, Mary! I have no doubt Molly is watching from heaven and loving all that you do.
I will tweet about your offer and talk about it on my FB fan page too!

Your pal,
Frankie

Cynde L. Hammond said...

Hi, Mary!

I'm so sorry about your dog. That must have hurt you a lot. A few months ago, I lost "Mama", my cat that I had for over eleven years. I loved her SO much and that has left a huge hole in my life as well. I have written some short stories about her that some day I hope to have published. I just can't look at them yet.

Now back to you. Do you feel like you're being stalked? Well, you ARE, in a way...by ME! But that's the way the "Blog Tour" rolls, right?

I'll see you at the next stop.

~Cynde
Cynde's Got The Write Stuff

Mary Cunningham said...

So sorry about your kitty, Mama and I hope you'll, one day, be able to read and enjoy the stories you're writing about her, and get them published. I guess the fact that I was under a deadline helped me focus.

I like stalkers like you! Thanks, so much, for following along on the blog tour! :>)