.jpg "Kolbe & Jazz")
Devin O'Branagan's own Australian Shepherds inspired the most popular canine characters in her fiction.: Talisman the prissy show dog with attitude in the Red Hot series of novels, and Hallelujah the intrepid demon-fighting Aussie in the Glory trilogy. Their furry awesomeness may no longer be here, but their powerful spirits remain.
2006 Crufts Best In Show - BISS MBIS AKC/ASCA Ch Caitland Isle Take A Chance AX AXJ RS-E JS-E GS-E STDs TDI "Chance" was the first Australian Shepherd to win Best In Show at Crufts, the largest and most prestigious international dog show. His person, Nancy Resetar, gave permission for him to make guest appearances in Red Hot Liberty and The Twilight Bone as Talisman's forbidden love.
Bocker, a beloved Labradoodle from Athens, New York, was a model, actor, therapy dog, and reading tutor. He shared his life with Marie Shelto and jazz singer Steve Shelto. Bocker appeared in Steven Spielberg’s War of the Worlds and Julia Roberts’ Eat Pray Love—and will make another screen-worthy appearance in the third Red Hot novel, Red Hot Stars, playing himself in, yes, a Steven Spielberg movie! Bocker won his cameo role as the grand prize in Devin’s second charity raffle benefiting Best Friends Animal Society.
Ross, a dashing Basset Hound from Austin, Texas, appears in Red Hot Liberty. According to his person, Dr. Camille Hemlock, Ross is famous in Basset Hound circles for his many costume contest victories. True to form, he dons patriotic attire in the novel—his costumes proudly resembling the American flag. His fictional person, Liberty True, even begins each day by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to him. Ross was the grand-prize winner of Devin’s first raffle to benefit Best Friends Animal Society, and she created his fictional counterpart as a loving tribute to his one-of-a-kind personality.
When Devin was looking for a model to represent the intrepid demon-fighting Australian Shepherd Hallelujah in The Legend of Glory trilogy, she fell in love with Muse. Besides being appropriately named to inspire creativity, she is drippingly beautiful. Her person, Shelly Hollen of Houston, Texas, is a professional photographer and so this image of Muse was beyond perfect. Muse is very happy with her new career as a demon-fighter. She practices on helpless stuffed toys who resemble otherworldly creatures!
Miss Marina Night Keiko Jemille, whose person Angie Clark describes as "spirited," is a natural mink Tonkinese. Marina Night is featured in Red Hot Liberty as the spooky familiar of quirky Cuban psychic, Havana Santiago.
(And yes, she ate the myna bird who preceded her.)
Prior to the release of Threshold, Devin announced a casting call for a black-tri Australian Shepherd to represent Wigglebutt, the delightfully happy Aussie character who belongs to young Cole Dillon. RJ was chosen because he exuded the perfet vibe. His person is Karen Jones, and his registered name is Int'l Ch. Everlasting's RudeN TudeN Cowboy HSAs, CGC. He's a working sheep dog out of Karen's kennel, Everlasting Aussies. Disclosure: RJ is a boy and Wigglebutt is a girl. Karen said, "In order to not crush RJ's ego, I will remind him that Lassie was really a boy."
Devin once held a Wicked Dog Contest to find the perfect “evil-appearing” canine to serve as a foil for Hallelujah, the intrepid demon-fighting Australian Shepherd in the Legend of Glory trilogy. A mischievous little puppy named Cuddy won—paws down—and became the inspiration for the wicked, wicked Hex. Entered into the contest by her breeder, Terri Collins, Cuddy is now adored by her owners, Alejandra Reyes and Gaspar Toro, who say that she is very excited about her new career and is already practicing looking demonic!
Tyler is a Snowshoe cat who was abandoned twice before finally being rescued by Jennifer Bussott. In Red Hot Liberty, he portrays a cat left behind in a foreclosed home—a role Devin hoped would shine a light on the many animals who become unwitting victims of foreclosure.
Maddie, part of the Cindy and Brian Coakley pack, was Kolbe O’Branagan’s daughter—a fearless, mountain-climbing wild child. She became the inspiration for a cowdog who serves as the sister to show dog Talisman in Red Hot Liberty and Show Dog Sings the Blues. Their storyline features an epic Australian Shepherd–style Freaky Friday moment in which the two girls accidentally switch places, forcing prissy, pampered show dog Talisman to work on a ranch for a day. Let’s just say… the show dog definitely sings the blues!
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Sami, an American Eskimo dog, was rescued by Lori Pavlo from the local animal shelter. Because Sami adores bling, she makes a cameo in Red Hot Liberty as the sparkle-obsessed sidekick of rookie real estate agent Brooklyn Green. Unfortunately, a pair of unhinged criminals becomes convinced that Sami’s crystal necklace is being used by “the shadow people” to beam radio frequencies into their heads. You just never know…
Rex was rescued by Donevon Murrell, and like many rescued animals, he has a truly remarkable story. Donevon saved him, found him a new home, and—after Rex ran away—ended up rescuing him again months later. Their bond feels so fated that Donevon’s mother is convinced Rex is the reincarnation of her own father, who passed in 2000. Naturally, Rex appears in Red Hot Liberty as a dog whom one of the characters believes carries the spirit of her late husband. The universe is a mysterious place!
Milton is a Border Collie with serious attitude, and his real-life person, Molly Aldridge, kindly loaned Devin his irresistible personality. The character of Milton in Pretty Sacrifices was created just for him. In the novel, Milton’s trademark Border Collie intensity becomes indispensable when frightened wildlife fleeing demonic forces swarm Glory’s farm. He keeps every creature in line—calmly, competently, and with just the right amount of swagger.
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Lump is a delightfully lazy cat owned by Amy Abern—and, as Amy says, Lump truly lives up to her name. She spends nearly every waking hour asleep, except for one daily burst of energy lasting approximately 37 seconds. During this epic sprint, she tears around the apartment, emits a glottal little meow, and immediately collapses on her side. Naturally, Lump makes a hilarious appearance—and becomes part of a mistaken-identity mix-up—in Red Hot Liberty. When Amy woke Lump up to tell her she’d be featured in a novel, Lump yawned… and promptly went back to sleep.