Author Maureen Fisher Dishes on Dogs in Romance

by Madelle Morgan

Maureen Fisher

Lovers of romantic comedic novels featuring animals will enjoy Maureen Fisher’s book Fur Ball Fever. I had the pleasure of interviewing this very funny and talented author for today’s animal-themed post.

Why do you include animals in your books?
I use animals to reveal character and move the plot forward. They’re also great for injecting a touch of humor. But mainly, I try to give readers what they crave, and it seems that the majority of romance readers love animals as much as I do. In my opinion, a tough alpha-male protagonist is ultra-sympathetic if he has a soft spot for animals.

What inspired you to write about animals as your premise in Fur Ball Fever?

One fateful morning, my husband saw an article in the local newspaper about the annual Fur Ball, a charity event to raise money for animals. He gave me a commanding look. "FUR BALL FEVER is a fantastic title for a book."

I mulled over his suggestion while he held his breath. Finally I said, "How about an impulsive pet spa owner who loses her client's prize pooch just in time for the annual Fur Ball extravaganza? And the only man qualified to help is her former flame, the hunkiest bodyguard north of the Mason-Dixon Line."

What breeds of dogs are in the book?

The main doggie characters are Murphy, a schnauzer, Crusher, a bullmastiff, and Miss Coco Chanel, a poodle on the lam. There is also a vicious cat called Baby-Cakes.

Can you provide a short excerpt of a scene with animals?

A low, “Wuff,” followed by a ferocious growl forestalled further warnings. Murphy stood poised, quivering, in the archway leading into the foyer. Teeth bared in a snarl, the dog was staring intently toward the living room window.

“What’s wrong with him?” Nick asked, rising. “I didn’t hear anything." 

Gracie jumped to her feet and improved the view by bending over to snag Murphy, who scampered away releasing a stream of excited yaps.

Nick loped into the foyer. Murphy was nowhere in sight, but his barking rose in pitch and intensity. Nick stuck his head into the living room in time to catch the dog leaping onto the window bench. Front paws scrabbled at the glass. Flecks of drool studded the window. Hind legs danced a frantic hip hop on the coral-and-yellow cushions Gracie had added to give the room more energy, whatever the hell that meant.

Behind his shoulder, she uttered a distressed moan. Her hip brushed his thigh as she squeezed by, leaving behind a pleasant tingling.

As she headed for the dog, Nick’s gaze tracked the sweet sway of her ass. He followed at a leisurely pace, grateful for once that her pet barked at anything and everything that moved.

Smiling to himself, he caught up, reached in front of her to grip Murphy’s collar.

Thanks so much, Maureen. Anything else you'd like to add?

I’m currently writing a spin-off of Fur Ball Fever called Cold Feet Fever, the second book in the Fever Series. It features the bad boy brother, Sam Jackson. A gambler and womanizer with hidden complexities and vulnerabilities, Sam captured my heart in the first book. I figured he deserved his own story. Sam owns Rex, a German shepherd he rescued from the pound.

Maureen Fisher’s Bio:

Maureen is author of THE JAGUAR LEGACY, a hot paranormal romance set in Mexico, and FUR BALL FEVER, a romantic crime mystery that tickles the funny bone.

Born in Scotland, Maureen emigrated to Canada at the tender age of seven. A University of Toronto graduate, she convinced the federal government to hire a Fine Arts specialist as a computer programmer. Three years later, Maureen graduated again, this time to full-time homemaker and mom, raising two wonderful sons. Plunging back into the business world, she and her second husband started a management consulting company. This marriage survived because she and her husband pledged never to work on the same project again. Ever.

After a century in the consulting world, Maureen made a life-changing decision. She would write books. Not dry, boring, technical treatises, but fresh, funny romantic suspense novels.

Maureen and her husband live in Ottawa where she volunteers for an addiction family program, plays bridge, travels, bicycles, reads, and slaves over her computer to craft her books. Her goal as an author is to write heartwarming romances that transport readers into a world of adventure, mystery, and fun.

Contact information: Find Maureen online at

Website: http://booksbymaureen.com
Twitter: @AuthorMaureen

The Jaguar Legacy & Fur Ball Fever are available through her website or on Amazon.