It’s been a brutal week for me personally. I had to finally face the reality of my little Shih Tzu, Zoe’s condition: her quality of life had degraded to poor. Was she suffering? Not as long as she was curled up in my lap. For nearly twelve years, that was her happy place. I asked my husband a couple of weeks ago if it was time. He shook his head no, but said, “We’re almost there.” He came into my office this past Sunday afternoon, sat down, and calmly said, “I know you’re having a rough week, baby, and I don’t want to add to it, but it’s time.” My stomach bottomed out because I knew it was time to face reality.
I made the call to the vet that afternoon, and Tuesday morning, I drove with my little sweetheart on my lap to the man who brought her into this world, and who patiently sat with me as he eased Zoe over the Rainbow Bridge.
It was hard. One of the hardest things I’ve had to do in my life. I didn’t want anyone to go with me, I wanted it to be just me and Zoe. As I felt her heart beat for the last time, I lost it. Dr. O, God bless him, sat with me until I was finally able to collect myself.
I drove home dry-eyed. I had cried nonstop since I made the call Sunday. Yet when I came home and Coco, Zoe’s momma who is still spry and alert, greeted me with a look like, “Hey, I woke up and my girl’s gone, where is she?” I lost it again. It’s been painful watching her search the house for her baby girl.
Tuesday Nov 5th is going to be one of those bittersweet memory days. I lost a dear friend but it was also the release day for THE TRUTH, book three in my Chronicles of Katrina series. Had I known beforehand that the release would coincide with the day I lost Zoe, I would have pushed it up or back, but knowing now how the day would play out, I wouldn’t change it. I needed the love and support of my friends and readers. I needed the distraction. It got me through a terrible day. Thank you for that.
I feel like I haven’t done my author job in sharing my excitement about THE TRUTH, the third installment of Kat and Simon’s story. But my readers have shared! I have received nonstop messages and emails since its release Tuesday. Here are a few snippets:
“All I can say is OMG!!!!”
“…December can’t come soon enough!… I loved it!”
“OMG!!! You killed me with the Truth!!…Amazing just like last time. So I love and hate you! Now until December. Thanks for a great continuation…”
“…EFFIN LOVED IT!”
“…just finished the truth and I want to kill someone argh!!!!”
“…I usually don’t go for cliffhangers and super angst endings but now I’m sucked in dam it…”
There is more of the same from the reviewers. J
I am especially pleased because this series is really my first total immersion into the self-publishing arena. I gathered together a remarkable production team who has worked as hard as I have on these books. Simon, the green-eyed hero of the series has resonated with readers like no other hero I have written. I am as smitten with him as you all are. I smile, laugh and squirm in my seat every time I’m writing this story. It’s good. Really good. The only person telling me I can’t do something are the characters themselves.
So, I’m here to say, if you love sexy, fun, emotional smokin’ hot romance and haven’t picked up a copy of book one, THE DARE, you should, it will only cost you time. It’s a free read.
If after you get to the end of THE DARE, DOUBLE DARE awaits followed by THE TRUTH. The grand finale, THE CONSEQUENCE will hit etailer book shelves December 10th.
If you have read any one of the books in the series and enjoyed, I’d love it if you posted a review. If you haven’t read the series, I hope you give it a try, I mean THE DARE is FREE!
However, I’m happy to give away 5 Nook or Kindle copies of DOUBLE DARE and 5 Nook or Kindle copies of THE TRUTH today to 10 randomly selected commenters who answer this question: Who is the sexiest person you have ever met?
Just in case you wanted to hop on over to your favorite etailer and buy a copy….
THE DARE, Book One in The Chronicles of Katrina.
FREE at your favorite etailer!
Free @ Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Dare-Chronicles-Katrina-ebook/dp/B00E1M6LCE
Free @ iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-dare/id672935432?mt=11
Free @ Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-dare-12
Free @ Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-dare-karin-tabke/1116090026?ean=9780988187917
DOUBLE DARE, Book two in The Chronicles of Katrina at your favorite etailer!
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Double-Dare-The-Chronicles-Katrina-ebook/dp/B00EO6R1N0/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/double- dare/id690672992?mt=11
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/double-dare-12
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/double-dare-karin-tabke/1116789078?ean=9780988187924
THE TRUTH Book three in The Chronicles of Katrina!
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Truth-Chronicles-Katrina-Three-ebook/dp/B00G9II270/ref=pd_sim_kstore_3
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-truth/id734937078?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D2
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-truth-21
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-truth-karin-tabke/1117327473?ean=9780988187931
National Best selling author of romantic contemporary fiction.
My condolences. I’ve had that last visit to the vet 6 times and it never gets easier.
Thank you, Anne. It’s such a difficult road to travel. For me the trip with Zoe was the hardest.
I’m so sorry, Karin. :hugs:
Thank you, Beth. xo
Karin,
I am so sorry to hear about Zoe. It is so hard to lose a friend, especially someone who is such a part of your daily life. The house doesn’t feel the same. I had to take my beloved cat to the vet a while back and it was such a difficult thing to do. I am so sorry.
Congratulations on your new release 🙂
Laura it is hard. My house seems so quiet and the energy is not the same. 🙁
Thank you for the congrats on my release. I’m very excited!
So sorry Karin. I know the pain of losing a dog that has become part of the family for years. It is heartbreaking.
Congrats on your new release!
Thank you, BJ.
:hug: You are loved And congrats on the book. It is a bittersweet time.
TY Silver.
Big Hugs!
Sexiest person I’ve ever met… I think its still to early on a friday. I’m coming up blank.
Toni, drink some coffee and think about it, then get back to me!
I always tell my clients that is the hardest decision they have to make and yet it is one that is made with love so the pain and sickness can be taken away from our dearest friend/family memeber. My condolences to you and I offer your Zoe the prayer I say for my patients… Go in peace my friend. She will await you at the Bridge when it is time to be reunited.
As for the sexiest person I have ever met.. that would be one of the residents at the vet school I attended. I could not be on his “team” because I was just flummoxed by being near him. He would tell me ‘I know you know the answer, what is your problem?’ Never told him as if I opened my mouth drool would have run down my chin.
I will have to give your books a try.
Linda, thank you for your kind words. 🙂
As for that resident, what was his name? Let’s look him up!
His name is Mark Rochat, DVM and he is now a full professor at the school where I went. And 20 years later he is still good looking but not nearly as jaw dropping to me.
http://www3.cvhs.okstate.edu/profiles/DisplayProfile.asp?RecordID=708
Ohh. I’m so sorry! There’s nothing as heartbreaking as making that drive and holding their furry paws. Congrats on the books.
Thank you, Kendra. I was so hard.
TY for the congrats!
I am so sorry for your loss. We had to make that decision for our 13 yr old lab. We had her before we had kids. She had a long battle with cancer and her quality of life had become non existent, so it was a hard and an easy decision at the same time. Losing a loved one, even a four legged one is never easy.
Thank you, dbgVA. Hugs on your lab.
Karin I am so sorry for your loss. I’m sending you lots of hugs! I loved both The Dare and Double Dare and can’t wait to read more Simon and Kat! As for the sexiest person I have ever met, that has to be my sexy Marine, my Hubby
TY Alina. I’m so happy you’re enjoying the series!
and ooh rah on your sexy Marine. my son is a devil dog and i am SO partial it isn’t funny.
My most sincere condolences for your loss, Karin. Five years ago I had to make that same decision with our 17 year old English springer spaniel and it was one of the hardest days of my life. Those fur babies become family members and we love them. God bless you for loving her and taking such wonderful care of her while you had her. And congrats on the new release! A big thank you for sharing your awesome stories with us!! Blessings ~ Kimberly k_kperry@yahoo.com
Ooops . . . forgot to answer the question through my tears! Sexiest person I’ve met is my beloved hubby, Ken. k_kperry@yahoo.com
Thank you, Kimberly. wow 17 years is a long time for a Springer. Hugs.
Sorry for your loss, Karin.
The sexiest person I’ve ever met was this bartender in Miami.
Thank you, Jane. A bartender in Miami? I like the sound of that. 😉
So sorry for your loss, Karen. It’s always difficult to lose a member of the family – knowing the time is coming does little to pprepare one for when it actually happens.
Sexiest person would be my desr Pat.
Thank you, Mary. and you’re wright, knowing doesn’t help prepare. Sometimes I think it’s worse.
Winners of a copy of DOUBLE DARE go to:
Kimberly, Toni, Linda, Jane and Mary!
Alina, you get a copy of THE TRUTH.
Ladies email me @ kltabke@aol. com with either your Nook or Kindle addy and I’ll send you a copy as soon as I get your email!
TY!!
Wow, Karin, this breaks my heart. I am so sorry that I’m just now getting around to reading this. Please forgive me for being remiss.
Zoe was adorable — as is her mama, Coco. I’m glad she had you to love and cuddle and adore you, because there is nothing sweeter than a pet who loves you so wholeheartedly.
My thoughts are with you.
Love always,
Josie