Looking out the Window: Erin Stevenson Quint Talks about Her Latest Book, Dr. Mallory and the Undercover Dog-Dad. Free Story.
A Warm Welcome to Erin Stevenson Quint
To receive a free story email Erin a Erin@ESQwrites.com for the free story.
Hi Erin, first tell us a little about yourself.
I’m Erin, and I’ve been writing faith-based fiction for about a decade. I indie published my first three-book series in 2018 and am up to 11 books now (I pulled two of them that were never edited properly and am preparing them for re-release). I am dedicated to writing stories of love and faith that support God’s ideal plan for marriage and family.
Tell us about your latest book.
I first wrote this as a short story and intended to use it as a reader magnet. Then I expanded it and added a much heavier faith element. It’s about a Arizona police officer who is on leave while healing from a serious on-the-job injury. He accepts an invitation from an old Army buddy, now a sheriff, to come to Tennessee and help out on a case involving multiple unsolved burglaries. While there, he meets his buddy’s cousin, a beautiful, intelligent veterinarian. From there…well, I don’t want to give any spoilers 😊
What inspired you to write this particular book?
DOGS! I just thought it would be fun to write a romance with dogs on the side. Between my four adult children and I, we have 10 dogs plus a few who have crossed the rainbow bridge. My dog, Macy, is an energetic Border Collie mix (with a little mini-Aussie). I love having her on the road with me. There are several dogs in the book (and Macy has a cameo as Jolly). The main canine character is Sarge, inspired by the oldest of the family dogs, Watson. He is such a sweet, gentle dog, and getting quite old. I will be devastated when he goes. I sent the cover designer a picture of him and asked if she would put him on the cover somehow. This is the result, and I couldn’t be happier. (See cover below)
Sweet Dogs. What is the coolest, wackiest, most risk-taking thing you’ve ever done?
I retired in 2022, sold my home at the top of the real-estate market, got rid of almost everything else, bought a 24’ camper, and hit the road with my dog! My grown kids thought I was NUTS when I told them my plan, but it’s been wonderful. I now live in 192 square feet as opposed to almost 2300, and I love it (I have even considered downsizing). My plan over the last three years has changed somewhat as I’ve figured out what about the full-time RV lifestyle works for me.
The Spiritual Thread in Undercover Dog-Dad
One of the spiritual threads I wove into Dr. Mallory and the Undercover Dog-Dad was about timing, how a few moments or seconds either way can completely alter the outcome of a situation, for good or for bad.
Not giving any spoilers, but for Garrett, something happened during his military service that likely saved his life—good outcome. Later, a serious injury resulted from a chance encounter—bad outcome. But if it had been a fraction of a second earlier or later, it could have been even worse. That he survived was a good outcome.
In Dr. Mallory’s case, a life-ending accident took a loved one—most definitely a bad outcome. Both Mallory and Garrett struggle to understand these events, but their faith roots them into the bedrock that is God’s sovereignty. They come to realize that this side of Heaven, they may never understand why those things happened, but they trust that God works all things together for good.
About Undercover Dog-Dad
Mallory Morris loves autumn filled with crisp, cool evenings, bonfires, football, and visits to the dog park with her canine posse. But a rash of home burglaries casts a pall over her hometown. Then, she meets a scruffy stranger at the dog park who clearly doesn' t know anything about dogs.
Garrett Alexander has agreed to help his old friend solve a puzzling burglary case. Now, he' s playing temporary dad to a borrowed canine, and a beautiful but distracting veterinarian suspects he's the burglar!
When Garrett and Mallory are thrown together, they resolve to keep things professional, but that changes quickly when they put their heads together— figuratively and then literally. They both yearn for love, but a series of misunderstandings threatens to end their dreams.
How will they reach their happily-ever-after?
Excerpt
Mallory set off down the asphalt path and waved to the other dog moms and dads. She recognized everyone except a tall, fit man with longish, dirty-blond hair. He wore jeans, a T-shirt advertising a Phoenix sports team, and earbuds. Which dog belonged to him?
Soon, she had her answer when she saw Daisy running with a golden-brown rottweiler chow mix. They brought a smile to Mallory’s face.
She continued to watch the man. He had to be the owner of the sedan. Why would someone from Washington, DC be in Autumn Springs? Mallory’s mind raced, and she suppressed a gasp. That had to be it. The FBI had sent in someone to solve the wave of home burglaries in Carlisle County.
Well, the man looked more like a dishwasher at a restaurant than an FBI operative. But that was good. After all, the point of being an undercover agent was not to look like one. He walked at a brisk pace and stared straight ahead. Every few steps, there was a hitch in his stride. He didn’t seem particularly interested in his dog.
Oh, boy, here came Jolly. The little border collie mix adored any living being, canine or human. Everyone at the dog park loved it when Jolly came looking for pets. She ran next to the man and jumped. Keeping his gaze straight ahead, he reached down with one hand and batted her away.
What in the world? Everyone at the dog park welcomed all the dogs. Mallory watched him do it again, and then a third time, accompanied by a scowl at Jolly, who was unfazed.
Time for the Dog Mom gloves to come off. Mallory marched across the grass. “Hey,” she shouted. Jolly ran toward her, tongue lolling out. “You’re fine, baby. Such a good girl.” Mallory ruffled Jolly’s short fur, and the dog took off after Margo Reyes’ beagle.
Mallory approached the man from behind. “Hey. Hello?” She tapped on his elbow.
He slowed to a stop and turned. A sapphire blue gaze speared her like a laser and stole Mallory’s breath. Whoa, he was attractive. A little scruffy, but off-the-charts gorgeous. A deep frown overtook his face as he pulled one earbud out. “Yeah?”
“Hi. I just, um, well, I wondered why you were so unfriendly to my dog.”
The frown deepened. “Unfriendly?”
“Well, yes. How would you feel if I slapped your dog away?”
Confusion painted his features. “I guess I wouldn’t feel anything. It’s a dog.”
Mallory gasped. “It’s a dog? That’s all you have to say? Dogs are people, too.”
The man burst out laughing, which revealed white teeth and boosted his handsomeness into the stratosphere. “Dogs are people? Lady, you’re a little—” he pointed his index finger at his head, rotated it, then reinserted his earbud, and left.
“Why do you come to a dog park if you don’t like dogs?” Mallory shouted at his broad back. Handsome or not, any man who didn’t love dogs scored a zero in Mallory’s book. Even less than zero.
Buy links:
Directly from the publisher
Comments