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Spreading Holiday Joy with Susie's Story

Spreading Holiday Joy with Susie's Story
Dec 02, 2023 by Denise Lee Branco

Isn't it wonderful how a room filled with holiday decorations does something to the soul? It instantly lifts our spirits by its beauty, brings back fond memories of past Christmases, and gives us renewed hope.

I participated in a holiday craft faire this past week. When I arrived and saw that I was assigned a table right in front of the gorgeous Christmas tree, I was ecstatic! It was the perfect location for a holiday-themed book.

Book Release Day!

Book Release Day!
Oct 17, 2023 by Denise Lee Branco

No more waiting. The time has come! The dog in the photo was first in line to purchase a copy of Dog at the Tinsel Tree: Susie's Story and wants you to know that it’s a page-turner! 

It IS Possible!

It IS Possible!
Sep 30, 2023 by Denise Lee Branco


You know how I keep trying to inspire you to take that first step? To pursue your dreams no matter how impossible you think they might be to achieve?

Believe me, if you only knew how many balls I have in the air at this time in my life, you'd realize that you CAN accomplish anything, as long as you keep making even the smallest of moves forward.

Bronze in Memoir - Award #14!

Bronze in Memoir - Award #14!
Jul 15, 2023 by Denise Lee Branco


Another Book Award? Yes, #14. I can't believe it either! Rabbit at the Sliding Door: Chloe's Story won bronze in the memoir category of the Northern California Publishers and Authors Book Awards (NCPA) contest. This book awards contest was the last one that I was eagerly awaiting results. You see, NCPA is where it all began.

Winner in the 2023 National Indie Excellence Book Awards!

Winner in the 2023 National Indie Excellence Book Awards!
Jul 01, 2023 by Denise Lee Branco
I just received my 13th book award, and I don't even know what to say anymore. I'm as blown away as you!

The National Indie Excellence Book Awards presented Rabbit at the Sliding Door: Chloe's Story with Winner in the Gift Book category and Finalist in the Animals/Pets category.  Maybe all I'm supposed to do today is show by example that what God has in store for you is waaaaayyyy greater than you can imagine!

Finalist in the 2023 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Contest (Gift Book Category)

Finalist in the 2023 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Contest (Gift Book Category)
Jun 07, 2023 by Denise Lee Branco


Book award #12 for Rabbit at the Sliding Door: Chloe’s Story from Next Generation Indie Book Awards! I am continually both amazed and deeply grateful when another book award announcement arrives in my in-box.

Thank you for allowing me to share this honor with you. Reach for the stars, my friend. Rewards, like this, can happen for you!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!
May 13, 2023 by Denise Lee Branco


Trotting by to wish every human and animal mom, or combination of the two (referring to my fellow pet parents), a special day of celebration and remembrance.

Where would we be without our mothers? I owe my love of books to my mom. Every afternoon when I was a little girl, my mom asked me to choose a book from my collection of children’s books and she’d read it to me. I wonder how many of my favorites she had to read more than once!

Finalist in the 2023 Christian Indie Awards

Finalist in the 2023 Christian Indie Awards
Apr 02, 2023 by Denise Lee Branco


Book award #11! First Place in the 2023 Christian Indie Awards (Gift Book Category.) I haven’t entirely figured out why God keeps blessing me with these awards, other than to say I believe He’s showing me that I’m right on track. Keep going! Keep improving. No matter how hard life can get at times, this is your purpose. You are destined to do great things.

Winner in the 2023 Book Excellence Awards Contest (Gift Book Category)

Winner in the 2023 Book Excellence Awards Contest (Gift Book Category)
Apr 01, 2023 by Denise Lee Branco


Book award #10! Winner in the 2023 Book Excellence Awards Contest – Gift Book Category. Are you as shocked as I am? I can’t believe it, and yet I feel validated. During the big gap (twelve years) between book number one and book number two, I worked hard at honing my craft. I attended countless writing and publishing conferences, meetings, and webinars. I read books on the subject, and I wrote…and wrote.

Blessings of Opportunity

Blessings of Opportunity
Mar 25, 2023 by Denise Lee Branco


I have some exciting news to share with you since my last newsletter. I’ve joined the PNP team and was interviewed by a fellow author about writing animal stories!

PNP is the acronym for Pilots N Paws, a 501 (c)(3) charity that provides free flights to rescue and service animals, as well as injured wildlife. Pilots provide emergency response in natural disasters, flying animals out of harm’s way. All flights are done by volunteer pilots who donate their planes and flight costs to rescues. Many animals saved are flown out of high-kill shelters across the country for a second chance at finding a loving home.

Distinguished Favorite - 2023 Independent Press Award

Distinguished Favorite - 2023 Independent Press Award
Mar 12, 2023 by Denise Lee Branco

Rabbit at the Sliding Door: Chloe’s Story has won Distinguished Favorite in the 2023 Independent Press Awards: Animals/Pets category. I can’t believe that I’m hopping back by to let you know about book award number nine! I’m grateful for each award as the recognition can help me support animals all over the world.

Finalist - 2023 Feathered Quill Book Awards

Finalist - 2023 Feathered Quill Book Awards
Mar 04, 2023 by Denise Lee Branco


Rabbit at the Sliding Door: Chloe’s Story has won Finalist in the 2023 Feathered Quill Book Awards: Animal-Adult category!

I am overjoyed to receive this eighth book award in Chloe’s honor and to share it with you. I want you to be inspired by each book award, because I hope it proves anything is possible when you take that first hop

Thanks again for joining me on this journey and supporting my passion to help animals in need.

It's Rabbit Binky Time!

It's Rabbit Binky Time!
Jan 01, 2023 by Denise Lee Branco


When a rabbit is very happy or excited, it will jump in the air while slightly twisting its body and head. That’s called a “binky”. I can still see Chloe jumping, twisting, and kicking her feet high in the air when she was super happy. She made me smile with glee and even chuckle at her exuberance. Her joy was contagious!

Rabbit at the Sliding Door: Chloe’s Story has won its seventh award! Judges in the 2022 Royal Dragonfly Book Awards Contest presented me with awards from three categories: Second Place in Coffee Table & Gift Books and Honorable Mention in Animals/Pets & Holiday! I share my awards with you, because I want to show you that with hard work, perseverance, and faith, anything is possible.

Freedom's Spirit Lives On

Freedom's Spirit Lives On
Dec 23, 2022 by Denise Lee Branco


I can’t let a year pass without sharing this photo of Freedom in his Santa hat. It warms my heart every time. Not only does it make me smile (because he really didn’t want that floppy red cone with a white pompom on his head), it makes me wish I could hug the thick, winter-hair around his neck and thank him.

If it weren’t for you, Freedom, I wouldn’t have found the courage to write your story. If it weren’t for you, Freedom, I wouldn’t have been given this amazing writing gig that allows me to help animals all over the world. If it weren’t for you, Freedom, I wouldn’t have found my purpose.

Paying it Forward: A Rabbit's Impact on the World

Paying it Forward: A Rabbit's Impact on the World
Nov 23, 2022 by Denise Lee Branco

If only a sweet little bunny, named Chloe, could have understood the reason God showed her the way to my sliding door that warm, summer morning. It’s because of her impact on my life that her story is now memorialized in a book, so she can help other abandoned animals and those who’ve had to flee wars, wildfires, and hurricanes.

Bronze Medal in the 2022 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards

Bronze Medal in the 2022 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards
Oct 15, 2022 by Denise Lee Branco


Believe in you! Believe that no matter what anybody says, your dreams can be achieved. Believe in what your heart is telling you to do. Anything is possible. You must believe it, my friend.

I had no guarantee my dream of publishing Rabbit at the Sliding Door as a hardcover book with color photos would work. This venture would mean high print costs, higher list price, and deep wholesale discounts for third-party vendors, which could leave very little for animal rescue donations.

All I had was my vision and faith. I believed everything would work out. And you know what? That’s all you need.

Distinguished Favorite in the 2022 NYC Big Book Award Contest

Distinguished Favorite in the 2022 NYC Big Book Award Contest
Sep 25, 2022 by Denise Lee Branco


The Big Apple honors Chloe! New York City Big Book Award judges give Rabbit at the Sliding Door: Chloe’s Story the Distinguished Favorite award in the category of Animals/Pets Nonfiction in this year’s contest.

I’m thrilled to share our latest recognition with you. Each award that Rabbit at the Sliding Door receives not only pays tribute to Chloe, but it also highlights the great need to support animal rescue.

Bronze Medal in the 2022 Living Now Book Awards (gift/keepsake/coffee table book category)

Bronze Medal in the 2022 Living Now Book Awards (gift/keepsake/coffee table book category)
Aug 21, 2022 by Denise Lee Branco


Rabbit at the Sliding Door: Chloe’s Story has won a bronze medal in the 2022 Living Now Book Awards contest!

This award is extra-special. My first book Horse at the Corner Post: Our Divine Journey won a silver medal in the 2011 Living Now Book Awards contest. I hoped for repeated victory, because the Living Now Book Awards’ theme: Books for Better Living, makes me feel that I’m helping make the world a better place. Click here to go to the Living Now Book Awards website for a complete list of winners.

 

Tips for Writing a Loving Tribute to Your Pet

Tips for Writing a Loving Tribute to Your Pet
Jul 31, 2022 by Denise Lee Branco


Last month, I was asked by an author friend to write an article regarding pet tribute writing for the Atlantic Veterinary Hospital in Seattle, Washington. It was the first time that I ever wrote an article for someone else. I was nervous to say the least.

I almost turned down the gig, telling myself that I’m not a freelance writer. I write books and articles for my newsletter. That’s what I do. My friend had suggested, prior to this opportunity, that I write articles as a way to promote myself. I thanked her for her encouragement and faith in me, but thought to myself, I’m nowhere near the caliber of professional freelancer.

My dear friend persisted and helped me through the assignment. And when it was all completed, she said, “I think you may have a new career outlet as a guest blogger for pet and vet blogs!”

Honorable Mention - 2022 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards

Honorable Mention - 2022 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards
Jul 10, 2022 by Denise Lee Branco


I’m excited to share that Rabbit at the Sliding Door: Chloe’s Story has won another book award: Honorable Mention in the Animals/Pets and Holiday categories of the 2022 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards contest.

This link will take you to the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards website where you’ll find a complete list of winners.

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