It is my plan at this point in time to introduce a new series in December after the Halloween and Christmas Books for the existing series have been published. I have several new series that I have been toying with and even working on to some extent, but I have finally decided to write the series I have been talking about for quite a while, a spinoff of Alaskan Alliance, one of the Zoe Donovan stories that took place in the town of Moosehead Alaska. I’ve changed the name of the town to Rescue Alaska since I plan the tag line to be A Rescue Alaska Mystery. I’ve also changed some of the facts about the characters just a bit. In Alaskan Alliance Harmony lived with her friend Jake and in the new series she lives alone with a bunch of rescue animals including: five dogs, four cats, six kittens, eight rabbits, and a blind mule named Homer.
I’m going to state right up front that this series is very Zoe-like. I’m sure there are those who will notice immediately that the series has the ‘feel’ of the early Zoe’s. The protagonist I have chosen to feature is Harmony, a twenty-eight year old sweetheart that works in Jake’s bar and volunteers with the search and rescue squad along with six other locals. Harmony is a kind soul who loves animals, and in the opening story, she is focused on finding the money to build an animal shelter in their small town.
Here is an unedited excerpt from my working draft:
“Ms. Carson do you understand what I am saying?”
Harmony looked at the storklike man across the desk and frowned. “You are saying that you cannot consider my grant application unless I have secured a facility.”
The man let out a long breath, sounding like a wheeze, which Harmony was sure was more of a sigh of relief. “Exactly. I do love your proposal to build an animal shelter in your town but our grant is designed to be used for ongoing operations. I’m afraid without a physical presence we really must move on.”
Harmony leaned over to pick up her eight year old backpack. “Yes. I understand. Thank you so much for your time.”
“Perhaps next year?” the man encouraged with a lopsided grin.
Harmony smiled in return. Granted it was a weak little smile that did nothing to conceal her feelings of defeat. “Thank you. I’m certain that we will be able to meet your criteria by the next application cycle.”
“We begin a new cycle on June 1. If you can secure a facility by that time please feel free to reapply.”
Harmony thanked the man and exited his office. She tried to ignore the feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach and instead focus on the clickity-clack created as the tile floor came into contact with the two inch heels she’d bought for just this occasion. She knew that the shelter committee desperately needed the capital the grant would have provided, and without it, they’d need to rely on plan B, which even she had to admit, was really nothing more than a blindfolded shot in the dark.
Had she really been working on this for more than a year? Maybe it was time to throw in the towel and accept defeat. The idea of building an animal shelter in Rescue Alaska was a noble one, but the mountain of fundraising and paperwork that needed to be scaled in order to make this particular dream come true, seemed insurmountable at best.
Harmony dug into her backpack for the cell phone which rang just as she stepped out of the warm building into the bracing cold of the frigid Alaskan winter. She pulled the hood of her heavy parka over her dark hair before wrapping the bulk of her down jacket tightly around her small frame. When her best friend Chloe asked about the outcome of the meeting she was tempted to admit defeat and suggest they drop the project until she thought about the strays that littered the town without a safe haven during the long months of winter. Most winters, more died than lived. Harmony saved those she could but without a shelter to house the rescues there was only so much she could do.
From this point on Harmony and Chloe talk about a plan to get Harley (Pretty much Harmony’s Zak) involved. Harmony doesn’t want anything to do with the man but she has the animals to think about and he has the resources to make the shelter a reality so she agrees to work with him. During the course of the story they stumble onto a dead body and work together to find the killer.
Okay, like I said, this series is almost a clone of the early Zoe Donovan’s. I almost didn’t write this series for this reason. There are a few differences. Harmony will be a volunteer at the animal shelter but she will have a different job and there will be a search and rescue aspect to it that the Zoe’s don’t have. And it is set in Alaska, which is awesome as far as I’m concerned. I have toyed with the idea of making Harmony older and a bit more jaded rather than the sweetheart that she is, but I’m not sure a jaded Harmony would work for me.
So what do you think? As you are reading this are you thinking “Been there done that” or are you thinking “Yay, a new and slightly different Zoe Donovan?” Comment below with your thoughts and be entered to win a $15 Amazon Gift card.
Random Thoughts and Meaningless Musings 
I love the idea and I’m very excited to read it. I have never been disappointed in anything you have wrote and I have read it all 😀 I love the Zoe Donovan series and I’m sure this will be just as great. Thank you have a wonderful day!!
I love it and can’t wait to read it. I love that the story takes place in Alaska.
I think the book sounds exciting and I can’t wait to read it in whatever form it takes!! I love all your books!!
I am a huge “anything” Alaska fan. I have been hoping for more series or cozies to take place in Alaska for a while now. I will totally be on board with this and cant wait to read this series! YES! YES! YES!
Alaska is on my bucket list and to have a new series set there makes me interested. My need to read is perked and ready to jump into your new series. Congrats on your new adventure.
I have been to Alaska and it is beautiful. This book sounds like it’ll be the beginning of a fun series.
I think it will be great! Can’t wait!
I think it’s great!And, enough different from Zoe. Looking forward to this new series. I’ve never been disappointed with any of your book. They’re all terrific.
I am excited about this series and can’t wait to read it! I love books, shows, and movies based in Alaska!
My husband’s “once in a lifetime” trip to Alaska has become three trips to Alaska. Love going there. I would give this series a read.
I love it!!! But then I foster animals and traveled to beautiful litter locale when I was younger!!! Can hardly wait to read!!!!!
Oneponychick66@hotmail.com
The new series is intriguing. Looking forward to it.
This new series could well turn into my favorite, as I love anything to do with Alaska. Harmony sounds great, location is perfect, interesting story line … bring it on! 🙂
I guess I am the odd man out. I love Zoe Donovan, it’s my favorite series that you do. Alaska is a great local and the characters sound interesting. The story line, to me, is quite similar. I will read it because I love all Kathi’s books. Just my opinion….
I look forward to reading this new series, it does sound similar to the Zoe books but I can see the differences. I already like Harmony and can’t wait to see where you take her. The Alaska setting is one I enjoy reading about.
Sounds like a series I would love to read….and I love that it’s in Alaska…different….
Sounds cute!
It does seem VERY similar, but I will still give it a shot.
Sounds great to me and I can’t wait to read it.
Go for it. I’m ready to hang out in Alaska with rescue people.
love the setting and it sounds new and exciting!
OMG I am in love with the series already and can’t wait to begin reading it so YES — super excited and know its going to be another winner. Thanks.
I love the idea of a new and slightly different Zoe. Those are my favorite books of yours so I’m sure these will become a new favorite, too.
This sounds interesting
Wow, this will be like Zoe having a younger sister! Can’t wait to read it! The setting will make a big difference in the story line & the characters. This will be as much fun as Hawaii & the mountain settings of your other stories. I would love to be an early reviewer on this series.
I always knew you’d do a series with Alaska since Zoe and Zak made their trip up North. I don’t think a older more jaded person would work as Alaska is a young State and Harmony , Harley and Chloe sound like they have that CAN DO to make it work. You never disappoint.
I love, love, love the sound of this series. My cousin rescue dog. The name is Jericho’s Wish Animal Rescue. wwwjerichoswishanimalrescue.org. it is named Jericho after a beautiful German Shepherd who was roaming all over Burlington, NJ. They finally were able to capture him. My cousin eventually adopted him, but unfortunately due to being on his own for so long he didn’t have the long life he deserves. She started her rescue to honor him and to save other dogs just like Jericho. I don’t think your new series has that ” Oh been there, done that.” I think when readers are reading the new series they will like the similarities to the earlier Zoe Donovan. As far as a jaded Harmony, I don’t think she would have the heart needed to rescue animals if she was jaded.
I loved Alaskan Alliance, will you be keeping the other characters from the search and rescue team? I think that will keep it fresh and different from the Zoe series. Not to mention Alaska will definitely add a big difference.
Awesome idea for a series! I used to live in Alaska so I live to read books with settings there! Don’t forget to include all the natural beauty and wildlife!
Oh goodness I am thinking sounds so good and can;t wait till it comes out. Also an Alaskan one there are so few out there and out of the many books I read a year there are few none that sound like yours that I have read. I like how you always make it new and then throw in several twists!
I slightly different Zoe series sounds great to me!
Loved the excerpt. Looking forward to the whole book.
It sounds amazing, I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for your generosity.
I am excited about this series because it is in Alaska. I love reading stories that take place in different parts of the country, I get to be an armchair traveler. I especially like the Hawaiian series too.
I like the idea of a new series in Alaska!
I love the Zoe Donavan series and I feel even though the story has the basis of a Zoe book. I feel that with new characters and the opportunity to make them grow with each book will make the series different. I love Alaska, it is still a bit of the frontier life. No matter which version of Harmony you used will be fine. I do like the older more jaded Harmony just to watch her gain her trust back would be a great interesting.
I like the idea for this new series. The setting is interesting. I’m glad you’re going for it.
I love it..I fell in love with those characters..wasn’t there a sorta mystery in there also..someone disappearing or something..darn..now I’m gonna have to re-read that one…
I love the setting and that it will be an animal rescue. I love everything you write and I am looking forward to a reading the new series.
I’m liking it… maybe make her a little more edgy than Zoe? hmmmmm love the setting and everything …. you rock!
Search and rescue cozies are some of my favorite type to read. I’m so excited that you are finally going to write the series and I can’t wait.
Love the idea of it having an animal rescue! I am a strong believer in rescuing animals and adopting them! And search and rescue is an awesome idea!!! Love the settings!!!
I love the idea! Alaska, rescue animals and a young Zoe like book what more could we ask for. I love everything you write.
I was thinking YAY! bring it on. I’m positive it will be as good as all of your other books.
You have me on pins and needles can’t wait for the series to start. Thanks for the introduction of the new series.
I haven’t read the Zoe series but this sounds terrific! I watch a lot of Animal Planet and NAT GEO (Alaska State Troopers) which have a similar feel.
I have loved everything I have read by you! A new series sounds great! Can’t wait!
Wow this sounds very interesting..I have always wanted to visit Alaska..thanks
Of course I will be reading it! Cam’t wait to see what Homer and his pals get into!
I love the idea of this series and look forward to reading it. I’ve never been disappointed in anything you write. I love the Zoe Donovan series and know this new series will be just as great.