Biography, Childrens, Contemporary / General Fiction, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Animal, International
Barchelle (“Chelly”) Bolger Wathen is a spirited storyteller, animal advocate, retired government senior paralegal, and native San Diegan now living in Prescott, Arizona. With a Master of Public Administration and a passion for rescue work, she now works as a State Ombudsman and volunteers with local dog rescues. Her writing reflects her journey from career and education to emotional depth and spiritual insight, through the redemptive bond of animal companionship.
Chelly’s debut adult book, Shayla & Friends, shares the true story of her adventurous wolfdog mix Shayla, who journeyed from a Ukrainian orphanage to her forever home in America. Her fictional children’s series, Shayla’s Adventure, inspires with lessons of love, courage, faith, and friendship—from seashore pirate adventure to lighthouse rescue, and Christmas magic. Her teen/YA novel, Into the Light, follows Shayla’s human-dog family through thrilling adventures marked by danger, temptation, faith and redemption.
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