Carol J. Post's Blog

It’s Zaturday, the day we (Ziggy and Zorro) take over Mommy’s blog. Zorro here.

A while back, Mommy said it was Tomatoes Galore Day. We did have lots of tomatoes because Aunt Kim grew them on her deck. I don’t eat tomatoes, but Mommy used to have a cat named Midnight that loved them. When she would open the refrigerator to get something out, if he was in the kitchen, he would hop in, grab a tomato and take off with it before she could get the door closed.

The tomatoes are all gone now, but for a while, it was kitties galore here! A new kitty showed up and had four babies. Mommy and Aunt Kim brought them all inside but kept them downstairs away from Ziggy and me. I knew they were down there, though, which made me really curious. Here’s what they looked like.

Well, the kittens aren’t here anymore. Mommy’s friends took two of them, and Aunt Kim and Uncle Chris took the other two. That just left the mama kitty. Daddy said we can’t take three cats camping, but Mommy named her Ziva and finally talked him into keeping her. So she’s been with Ziggy and me all week. I wasn’t sure what to think of her at first. She IS kind of cute, don’t you think?

But she kept hissing at me. She hissed at Ziggy, too. He just ignored her, but I sometimes swatted at her. I didn’t like being hissed at.

Yesterday, Mommy walked to the bathroom. I started to follow her, but then I saw Ziva sitting at the top of the stairs. I wasn’t sure whether to keep going or stop and check Ziva out. It was a tough decision, because I ALWAYS follow Mommy to the bathroom. She says she wants to get a sign to hang on the wall in there that says, “Welcome to the bathroom. A cat will be with you shortly.” I don’t know if she’s really going to do it.

Anyhow, back to Ziva. I figured I could follow Mommy to the bathroom anytime, so I decided to walk up to Ziva and sit down with her. She saw me and didn’t hiss and run away. We sat there for a long time, long enough for Mommy to come out of the bathroom, get her phone and take pictures of us. And Ziva never hissed.

See? I think she might be starting to like me. I hope so.

Love Inspired Suspense – January 2025

Canine Defense Series, Book three

A trail of threats…
and a K-9 to shield them.

When Alyssa Anderson stumbles upon her ex-boyfriend’s illegal art theft operation, she goes on the run—and narrowly escapes a drive-by shooting. With the help of her high school sweetheart, Spencer Cavanaugh, and his service dog, Apollo, Alyssa tries to stay one step ahead of her ex who will do anything to find her. When hit men are sent to her hometown, Alyssa’s life is in more danger than ever before. Can Spencer and Apollo protect her from a crime ring more sinister than they ever imagined?

Read Chapter One

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February 2024

Third book in the Song of the Smokies Series

Sometimes tragedies are blessings in disguise…

Golden girl Holly Gunderson has always lived a charmed life. She has just finished college, has landed her dream job and is looking forward to a bright future with her doctor fiancé. When a rape results in pregnancy, her dreams come crashing down around her. She returns home to Murphy, North Carolina, where her parents surprise her with an ultimatum she can’t live with.

Since his beloved boss committed suicide, construction worker Alex Shepherd has spent the past eight months living on his savings while finishing projects for his boss’s financially-strapped widow. He leaves Florida and arrives in Murphy almost broke, ready to move in with his aunt to remodel the fixer-upper she just bought. He’s hoping his stay in Murphy will bring him some peace after a harrowing few months and also help to replenish his bank account. What he doesn’t count on is his aunt’s involvement with the local crisis pregnancy center or her beautiful houseguest’s struggles. Both hit too close to home.

Though Alex and Holly are from opposite ends of the social spectrum, a friendship develops between them, and they find they have more in common than they realize, until deep-seated insecurities drive them apart. But maybe this unplanned stay in the mountains holds healing for both of them, with prospects of a bright future…a new beginning.

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December 2023

Second book in the Song of the Smokies Series

She was just one of the guys…everybody’s friend but nobody’s girlfriend.

When his father has a stroke, bad-boy Kyle Worthington drags himself back to Murphy, North Carolina, where his one-time best friend accused him of starting the fire that left her scarred. Though he sees the accusation in everyone’s eyes, he’ll be there for his mother, but he has no intention of visiting his harsh, demanding father…or renewing the relationship he once had with his former best friend.

In spite of Kyle’s denials, Samantha Atkinson knows what she saw, and nothing will convince her otherwise. As circumstances force them together, they struggle their way back to a tentative friendship. Although Samantha has always been attracted to Kyle, she doesn’t have any delusions. She’s seen the kind of women he dates, and she’s not it.

Soon, Sam finds what she has wholeheartedly believed cast in doubt, and Kyle has to take a hard look at his priorities. Together, they just might learn that home really is where the heart is—a place of healing, forgiveness, reconciliation…and love.

Read Excerpt

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Now available in audio!

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November 2023

First book in the Song of the Smokies Series

A jaded New York City lawyer… a quirky small-town reporter… and a zany old matchmaker who won’t give up. 

Grant McAllister arrives in Murphy, North Carolina, with one aim: to sell his inherited property and leave as quickly as possible. The big-city lawyer has no interest in his late, estranged grandparents or the dilapidated mansion he just acquired. After his high-profile divorce, he should be avoiding perky reporters, too. But Jami Carlisle is honest, funny, and undeniably appealing.

After breaking up with her safe-but-smothering boyfriend, Jami is determined to ace her first big assignment. A story about the McAllister estate is too intriguing to ignore—much like its handsome, commitment-phobic heir. Thanks to her digging, the pieces of Grant’s fraught family history are gradually fitting into place, but also upending all his old beliefs.

The two draw closer as they share their dreams, until misread signals and misunderstandings begin to test their trust. But in the unspoiled beauty of the Smoky Mountains, there’s healing and forgiveness to be found. And for Grant, this unplanned detour may be just what’s needed to finally guide him home…

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Love Inspired® Suspense ~ September 2019

“As always, the author expertly blended a riveting suspense with a sweet romance and tied it all together with a journey of faith for the leading characters. I will continue to recommend all novels by Carol J. Post.” – Daysong Reflections blog

“Dangerous Relations was a great action-packed novel!“ – Britt Reads Fiction blog

He’ll do anything to save his niece…

When her sister’s murdered, navy man Ryan McConnell insists on protecting Shelby Adair and their niece—especially after someone tries to kidnap little Chloe. But can Shelby trust the child’s uncle? After all, she’s convinced his family’s behind the attacks. But the longer Ryan shields them, the more Shelby wonders if becoming a forever family is their only shot at survival

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Love Inspired® Suspense ~ December 2018

Third book in the Murphy Series

“…the author has spun a twisted tale filled with unexpected turns and surprises.” – Daysong Reflections blog

“Set around the Christmas season there is heart wrenching sadness, suspense, love and joy all mixed into this one story.” – Liz, Amazon reviewer

Someone’s after his little boy. 
She has one chance to save them both.

When his young son is nearly kidnapped, assistant district attorney Colton Gale needs a Christmas refuge—and a live-in bodyguard. Though former military police officer Jasmine McNeal fights to shield them 24/7, she refuses to get attached. But growing close to the little boy and his father might be her only shot at keeping them alive—and becoming a family beyond the holidays.

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Love Inspired® Suspense ~ September 2018

Second book in the Murphy, North Carolina series

Someone wants her family secrets buried–
He’s her only chance to survive

Andrea Wheaton thought her parents’ tragic deaths were accidental—until she’s attacked during a burglary at their home. Now she’s also being targeted. Her ex-sweetheart Sheriff Deputy Bryce Caldwell insists on protecting her, though she refuses to trust him again. But with a killer closing in, can she and Bryce uncover her family’s secrets before it’s too late for them both?

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Love Inspired® Suspense ~ June 2018

First book in the Murphy, North Carolina series

Amnesia stole her memory—
a killer wants her dead

When Paige Tatem loses her memory, she knows just two things: she has a target on her back, and police officer Tanner Brody is the only man she trusts to protect her. As they piece together her past, Tanner wonders what lies hidden in Paige’s mind. And as the truth begins to emerge, it becomes clear that a ruthless enemy wants certain secrets to stay buried.

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Love Inspired® Suspense ~ September 2017

Fifth book in the Cedar Key Series

When a former classmate is murdered at Detective Caleb Lyons’s ten-year high school reunion, he knows the victim’s old group of friends are keeping secrets. That includes Cedar Key, Florida, police officer Amber Kingston. Back in school, Amber was headed for trouble, but now she’s as dedicated to the law as he is. As he works overtime to get the pretty cop to open up to him, Amber and her friends receive messages threatening payback for past deeds. And her friends keep dying…one by one. But protecting Amber and unmasking a murderer isn’t just the widowed detective’s shot at redemption—it’s his unexpected second chance at love.

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