Gayle M. Irwin is an award-winning author and freelance writer, being recognized by
Wyoming Writers, Inc., and the Wyoming Press Association for several of her
works. She is a contributor to seven Chicken Soup for
the Soul books and the author of many inspirational pet books and stories
for both children and adults. Her first novel, a clean, contemporary pet rescue
romance titled Rescue Road, released November 8, 2019. The follow-up
book, Finding Love at Compassion Ranch, released in May 2020. She subtly
weaves important life lessons within the lines and pages of her stories,
including the importance of pet rescue and adoption. An animal advocate, she
volunteers for various dog rescue and humane society organizations and donates
a percentage of all book sales to such groups. Gayle resides in Wyoming with
her husband and their adopted animals. She creates a weekly blog and a monthly
newsletter. Find her blog and learn more about the author, her writing
endeavors, and her pets at her website:
Beverley: Which genre or genres do you write or prefer to write? And why?
Gayle: I began as a children’s author, writing
inspirational pet stories which teach important life lessons, such as courage,
perseverance, and friendship. I spent a few years taking additional creative
writing classes at the local community college, and last fall I released my
first clean, contemporary western romance called Rescue Road. The story
takes place in Montana, a state in which I used to live and where my parents
still live. The love story revolves around pet rescue and adoption, an issue
close to my heart. Rescue Road is the first in a series I’m calling Pet
Rescue Romance. My desire through my books is to educate, entertain, and
inspire, whether the
Beverley: Who influenced you the most in deciding to become a writer?
Gayle: I’ve enjoyed writing since I was a teenager, at which time I
composed stories based on my favorite television shows. I studied journalism in
college and began my writing career as a reporter. A few years later, I became
an editor and freelance writer. My work as an author started in 2007 when I
wrote and published my first children’s book about my blind dog titled Sage’s
Big Adventure: Living With Blindness. The two most influential people in my
life were my junior college journalism instructor, Arlene Larson, and, when I
pursed my bachelor’s degree at the University of Idaho, Lois Melina; she even
hired me to help her with her Child Adoption Newsletter during my last
year of school. I feel blessed to have been tutored and encouraged by both of
these creative, strong women during my formative years.
Beverley: What gets your creative juices flowing?
Gayle: Spending time in nature and being a
volunteer animal rescue transporter. I was raised in small towns and on a small
farm in Iowa, where my parents and I lived until I was 17. We then moved to the
Rocky Mountain region of the United States. I was raised to appreciate nature
and I’ve been an animal-lover since childhood. Those facets of my life remain
strong. I enjoy traveling and visiting America’s national forests and parks,
and I possess a passion for helping animals in need; therefore, I serve as a
volunteer transporter for rescue organizations, helping animals go to their
adoptive families and taking animals from kill-shelters to rescue groups. My
pets (2 dogs and 2 cats) are rescues, and nothing delights me more than to know
a cat or dog that’s been abandoned or abused find a new loving home.
Beverley: Do you have a favorite cartoon
character? Why?
Gayle: No, I’m not a cartoon person.
Beverley: Who would you love most to meet 'in person' and why?
Gayle: Betty White because of her love of animals and her tireless work
on behalf of animals in need. Plus, she’s so funny! I loved her character in
“The Golden Girls!”
Beverley: If you had an unexpected free day what would you do with it?
Gayle: I would rent a cabin in the mountains for the night and relish the
tranquility and scenery … and write!
Beverley: What are you working on now?
Gayle: I recently released another book in my Pet Rescue Romance series. Finding
Love at Compassion Ranch is the story of Erin and Mike, who knew each other
in high school, but haven’t seen one another in more than 30 years. They
reconnect at Compassion Ranch, a sanctuary for former research animals. Erin
stops by to volunteer for two weeks, and Mike is the ranch manager; both lost
their spouses during the past five years. Compassion Ranch may provide a second
chance at love for them, just as it provides a second chance for the animals.
The next project is a Christmas novella set in the
Jackson, Wyoming area. The title of the book is In the Shadow of Mount
Moran: A Christmas Pet Rescue Romance. The book will be available
mid-to-late November.
All three books of the Pet Rescue Romance series
are set in the Yellowstone National Park area. Rescue Road is set in
southwestern Montana; Finding Love at Compassion Ranch is set in
northwestern Wyoming; and the Mount Moran book will be set in western Wyoming,
near Jackson and Grand Teton National Park, just south of Yellowstone. I lived
in West Yellowstone, Montana for about four years, and I lived in the area
where Rescue Road is set for nearly seven years. I love this part of the
country, and I plan to write this series based upon locations in Montana and
Wyoming.
Blurb for Finding
Love at Compassion Ranch:
A ranch like no other …
Erin Christiansen is still adjusting
to life as a widow. She seeks additional healing by volunteering at Compassion
Ranch, a sanctuary for former research animals. Upon arrival at the majestic
and unique northwestern Wyoming ranch, she meets Mike, a man she knew in high
school, whose compassion for animals and people might be the balm Erin needs.
Retired veterinarian Mike Jacobs is
no stranger to loss. Five years after the accidental death of his wife, he now
serves as ranch manager of Compassion Ranch. He not only fixes fence and
provides tours, but he applies his veterinary skills and his heart for animals
to his work. Upon recognizing Erin from high school, he can barely believe his
first love will spend a few weeks at the sanctuary.
Can Erin and Mike span the years
since they have seen each other or do they, like many of the rescued animals,
have wounds that run too deep to trust and love again?
Excerpt from Finding Love at Compassion Ranch:
Erin heard the sound that escaped from Mike’s mouth, even
with his lips sealed over hers. She attempted a step back, but the wooden
fence, and Mike’s body, ensnared her. So did the feelings which resurrected.
The only man who had kissed her in more than twenty-five years had been Daniel.
He hasn’t even been gone two years and look at yourself, Erin’s brain
raged. She pulled her mouth from Mike’s. Immediately warmth drained from her.
She placed her hands on Mike’s brawny shoulders.
“I’m sorry, Erin,” he whispered. “I
shouldn’t have done that. I just … I’m just so attracted to you and seeing you
here, so filled with compassion and grace, your loveliness just shines, and I’m
drawn to you like I haven’t been to anyone since I lost Elizabeth.”
“You’re so sweet, Mike, I just don’t
know what to say. Except I …” Her hands dropped to her sides. “Daniel’s been
gone less than two years. I’m still processing ...”
“I completely understand. That’s why I’m
apologizing.”
He backtracked toward the gate and held
it open for her. “Here, let’s step out and talk for a bit.”
Erin gave one more pat to Hope before
stepping out of the enclosure. She walked to a whining Winston, untied the
dog’s leash from the post, and picked him up into her arms. She carried him
through the open barn door and stopped near the corral. Erin gazed at the sky,
filled with twinkling stars. A full moon overhead shone like the sun upon the
landscape, topping the nearby mountains with golden glitter. Shadows of pine
trees fell upon the landscape. The quiet of the night enveloped her and the
attraction toward Mike danced within the landscape and entangled within her
heart, beckoning her to join subtle music. Erin sighed. She sensed his presence
beside her.
“Beautiful night,” he whispered.
“Yes, it is,” she responded.
Erin set Winston near her feet and
turned to Mike. “I know we have feelings for each other, and we share a common
tragedy. I’m just not sure I’m ready to leave Daniel’s memory behind right
now.”
Mike placed gentle hands upon her
shoulders and looked into her eyes. “I do understand, Erin, believe me. I don’t
want you to feel you’re betraying Daniel nor am I asking you to forget him. The
two of you shared many years together; Elizabeth and I did, too. I won’t ever
forget her. Just as I needed time to accept her passing, you need time to
accept Daniel’s passing. I guess what I want you to know is … I loved you when
we were in high school. I missed you every day those first few years, and I
never forgot you. I let you go because I knew we were both young, but I really
didn’t want to let you go.”
“Why didn’t you tell me then how you
felt?”
He sighed and glanced to the sky before
returning his gaze to her face. “I tried. I did ask you to come to Seattle, if
you remember.”
She nodded. “I remember. But all you said was you wanted
me to come to Seattle; you didn’t say why or that you loved me.”
“I wanted to, but I listened to my dad and my best friend
and kept my feelings bottled up. I focused on my schooling and my career. I
made a mistake by not being truthful about loving you. I didn’t know what
happened to you, where you were, but I looked for you at our fifth high school
reunion. I thought if I saw you there, I could tell you how I felt and maybe we
could try again. But you weren’t there.”
She shook her head. “I was planning my wedding then and
since I had only attended high school that one year, I didn’t have the
inclination to go.” She stared into his eyes. “I actually thought I’d hear from
you that first year of college. I did wait, Mike, but by my sophomore year, I
figured you weren’t interested after all, and I moved on.”
“To Daniel.”
She shook her head. “Not at first, but I began dating. I
met Daniel the start of spring semester. By summer, after meeting each other’s
families, we were serious. I figured you had moved on, too.”
He nodded. “I dated a bit, but my feelings for you didn’t
subside. I didn’t try to find you because … well, my parents kept pushing me to
do well in school and get into vet school and launch my career. I regret
listening to them, and not my heart.”
He placed his hands on her face and looked deeply into
her eyes. “I still love you, Erin, and now that we’ve reconnected, I want you
to know I’m here for you. Whenever you feel ready, I’ll be here. We can stay in
touch, visit each other now and then, and see what happens. Maybe you’ll come
to love me, maybe you won’t. I’m okay with that. I’m not going anywhere. But,
if nothing else, you can know you have a good friend, even a special companion
if you want. I’m here.”
Her eyes searched his, and she saw honesty and integrity
… and love. She lay her head on his shoulder and felt him wrap his arm around
her waist.
Buy Links for Finding Love at Compassion Ranch:
Buy Links for Rescue Road:
Social
Media links for Gayle Irwin
Twitter: @wyoauthor1
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/gaylemirwin
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