Dear Readers,

 

After 35 years of teaching, I knew that my retirement had to involve dogs.  I started volunteering with the Susquehanna Service Dogs in Grantville, Pennsylvania after reading about the organization in a local paper.  I am humbled and inspired by all the people I have met while volunteering there.  The staff and volunteers work quietly and diligently every day raising and training these remarkable dogs that make an incredible difference in people’s lives.  I am in awe of them and the hundreds of puppy raisers who unselfishly love, nurture, and train a puppy they know will not be theirs.  These people are my heroes and the inspiration that led me to sit down and write.  Their work became the heart of “Detours.”

 

This book was further inspired by many people in my life who have faced heart-breaking tragedies and life-changing obstacles.  They have shown me strength, grace, and courage while meeting their tragedies head-on.  I have witnessed their grit and determination as they paved new roads for their lives.  They did not let their tragedies define them.  I have learned so much from all of them.

 

Writing “Detours” was an act of love for me.  I enjoyed every minute I spent with my characters and telling this story.  Although this book is fiction, I wanted to write a “real life” story, not a fairy tale.  I hope I have accomplished that.

 

Feel free to contact me at carolfrickeauthor@gmail.com

 

I’m always ready to talk “dogs.”

 

Happy reading,

Carol Fricke

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“That I haven’t done enough with what I’ve been given. That I haven’t cared enough, that I haven’t helped people enough, that I haven’t been kind enough, that somehow my bad will outweigh my good.”

- Haley’s biggest fear