Fur People — Vicki Hendricks

A story of animal-human interaction, both dark and humorous. When Sunny Lytle is evicted for keeping her fur family of thirteen dogs, eight cats, two ferrets, and two rabbits in her apartment in Kentucky, she packs them into a converted school bus and returns to her hometown, DeLeon Springs, Florida. Her dream is to create a no-kill animal rescue, but survival soon takes top priority. Camping in the woods is no longer the peaceful haven of her teen years, and the brutal demands of nature and the threatening intervention of Rita, a well-meaning veterinarian, create an ongoing struggle. Buck, a quirky homeless man, becomes her brave ally. Reconnecting with her alcoholic father and her high school boyfriend, Jason, revive fear and desire. To honor their memories, all animal names used in the novel are of deceased fur friends beloved by their families. True anecdotes of animal-human interaction enliven the scenes. Dennis Lehane, author of MYSTIC RIVER, describes Hendricks as “a fierce and fearless talent.” Her past novels include MIAMI PURITY, IGUANA LOVE, VOLUNTARY MADNESS, SKY BLUES, AND CRUEL POETRY. Her short stories are collected in FLORIDA GOTHIC STORIES.