Authors OnLine -

Authors OnLine has received news that Jim Willis, author of 'Pieces of My Heart' has lost his home and several of his pets in a tragic fire. The following article which appears at www.petwarmers.com is reproduced here. We would like to offer our thoughts and prayers to Jim and his family in this hour of need.

One of our most treasured writers is in trouble.

     This past Sunday, January 25, a fire destroyed his home, along with several of his beloved pets. Jim Willis, author of "Pieces of My Heart?" has been victimized this past week by a horrible tragedy. The following message is from his friend, Joe Maringo, writing to www.petwarmers.com, explains what happened:
    

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     As I am sure many of you know, Jim Willis is a good friend of mine. Well yesterday, we managed to get him out of his house and away from the dogs for a get together for his birthday. Jim does not like to leave home too often so it was a special day for both him and the 5 other people that shared it with him.
     At 2pm, we heard a police car go past the restaurant where we were, then another, then a few minutes later several fire trucks. The party ended and we all headed for our homes around 4. It took Barb and me about an hour to get home, and as we walked through the door the phone was ringing.
     It was Jim! The fire trucks had been going to his house! It was a total loss -- the roof had caved in and there was literally nothing left. To make things even worse, it was so cold yesterday that all his loyal companions were inside the house.
     With tears in my eyes, I must tell you that 9 dogs and 4 cats did not survive the fire. The good news is that 6 dogs were able to survive.
     For those that may not be familiar with Jim, he is an amazing man. He is a great writer and is the author of the essay "HOW COULD YOU?" I am sure many or most of us have read that through teary eyes a time or two.
    He has also written a book on his life and love of animals called, "PIECES OF MY HEART". The book featured stories about many of the animals that did not survive the fire.
     Most people did not know that Jim never accepted ANY royalties from the sales of his book (#1 animal related book on Amazon for the last 2 years). Instead, he told the publisher to use them to offset the cost of additional copies which were provided to shelters and rescue groups to use them for fund raisers. He may be the most unselfish person I know.
     Jim was in the process of writing a second book at the time of the fire. All his notes and drafts were lost, as were his personal belongings and family mementos. He had lived all over the world and had a small collection of items from the places he had lived, also all gone. All his photos and remembrances of family members no longer here, vanished.
     Jim has done many great things throughout his life, has saved the lives of countless animals, has donated to help others with no regard for
    his own well being, and has given the greatest gift of all -- love to unwanted animals in their time of need.
     Could you please just take a few seconds and say a little something for Jim and his companions both alive and waiting at the bridge. Thank you, my friends.
     -- Joe Maringo