March 29, 2008
A Home Of His Own by Janette Kenny
Written by Jaunty Guest in Jaunty Post
Janette’s Bio:
Janette Kenny grew up on her family’s farm in Kansas, dreaming up plots and characters for the stories she yearned to write. She’s ridden the same trails as her western heroes and heroines, slept in authentic log cabins listening to the lonesome howl of a coyote, and came frighteningly close to crossing paths with a grizzly bear high in the Rocky Mountains. Currently, the fourth-generation Kansas native is busy writing her next romance. Visit her website at Click Here
First off, thanks to Jaunty and the wonderfully witty sisters for inviting me to visit. This is one of my favorite blogs, so I’m honored to be here.
I did something last week that I’d procrastinated about for a month—I went to my local animal shelter and adopted a dog. He’s a 7-month-old Chow mix pup who’d been brought in with his sister a month ago. The cute girl puppy was adopted within a week.
Her brother—big, scruffy and lacking manners—had just about overstayed his welcome there. Then I came along and rescued him. I wanted a companion/guard dog, and he fit the bill. He’d never had a name, and after trying out several, he and I decided Samson fit him.
Bringing Samson into my home and my life has been a huge adjustment. I’ve had to alter my lifestyle, forgive him for being bad, and accept his effusive brand of puppy love. I’ve also learned that beneath his rough exterior, there’s a gentle soul yearning for a place to call home.
Somewhere midweek, it dawned on me that Samson has many of the same qualities as Gil Yancy, the hero in One Real Man, my April release. Gil was brash, reckless, and determined to have his way come hell or high water. In short, Gil had to grow up and start thinking in terms of “we” instead of just “me.” It took a lot of patience, faith and love from Josie to free the real man Gil kept hidden from the world, and win his heart.
With Samson and me, we’ll be going through this adjustment stage to live comfortably together until he grows out of his puppy stage. If you hear someone mumbling the Serenity Prayer, it’ll be me.
So tell me, who was the most challenging man you’ve welcomed into your life, and heart? If you had it to do all over again, would you?
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Margo Maguire Says:
Welcom, Janette! And good luck with Samson and ONE REAL MAN. (Love that cover, btw).
I can’t say that I’ve known any seriously challenging men … I think I must have steered clear of guys with issues back in my dating days. My hubby and I are usually compatico, although we have our differences. He’s got a lot of insight, which (I think) is important to a relationship.
limecello Says:
Hi Janette!
Oh, yay puppy! My sister is visiting with her dog this weekend, which is nice. That’s so fun and interesting the characteristics of your dog and hero match.
As to challenging men… I steer pretty clear from them too, but I guess one would be one of my best friends. He’s an artist - with a lot of the artistic stereotypes and temperaments- so I really only get to see him a few times a year. We’re both really busy and live in different cities - although the same state- but it’s still hard. He also stinks at communication, so I’m the one who has to initiate. He’s happy to talk to me, but the only person he’ll call is his mother. Maybe. *rolls eyes*
Jan Kenny Says:
Hi Margo! I love my cover too. It really captured my hero perfectly. Men with issues are a huge challenge, and I prefer dealing with them only in my writing at this point.
Thanks, limecello! Oh, I’ve been in a long distance relationship before. It was work to keep it going. Good luck to you!
Shana Says:
Janette,
Thanks so much for blogging with us today. Well, my husband is pretty challenging, but in good ways. He challenges me to be less uptight and more spontaneous. Maybe I challenege him too.
Helen Says:
Loved the blog Jan and have fun with Samson dogs are just the best I have 3 of them and wouldn’t be without them.
As for men that are a challenge I have been married 31 years this week and over the yars years Hubby has been a challenge but we have had some fun times and he is a great Hubby Dad and Grandfather
Have Fun
Helen
Cindy Kirk Says:
My most challenging man is my blue heeler, Shug. He is such a sweetheart but very territorial. The delivery people are afraid of him!
On the positive side he is sweet on the inside, loyal and very loving to those who know him best…sort of like our heroes.
Of course I think any one of us could describe our pet and come up with some very human characteristics.
Jan Kenny Says:
Shana, I think any marriage has a fair amount of challenge in it. The equal give and take is the best!
Jan Kenny Says:
Thanks, Helen! Samson is fun but wow a big challenge. He’s almost too smart, if you know what I mean.
Jan Kenny Says:
Shug sounds like Samson, Cindy. Already my boy is very protective of me and loving and loyal. Yep, like our heroes!