Roam: A Novel with Music

They say you never forget your first love . . .

Born under a sparkling crescent moon, Nelson is a bright-eyed, inquisitive half beagle, half poodle. He lives with Katey and Don, newlyweds whose marriage is straining under the pressures of domesticity, but Kateys devotion to Nelson buoys the pup even as he worries his home may be falling apart.

But there are few things Nelson likes better than to follow a scent, and one day he follows his nose and gets lost . . . very lost. Though he searches frantically for Katey—and she for him—Nelson cant seem to find his way home, and he soon realizes that if hes ever to see his great love again, he must make his way on his own and try to survive in the wild.

Over the course of eight years, Roam follows Nelson as he crosses the country searching for his family. For a time he rides shotgun with a truck driver named Thatcher, then he lives in the woods with a pack of wolves. A terrible accident takes his hind leg, but Nelsons strength and longing to find Katey keep him alive. Escaping death in a shelter, Nelson grows into an old dog with a cynical eye and a world-weary demeanor, but underneath it all, a fearless and courageous spirit. After all, he believes that one day hell make it home . . . and maybe, just maybe, he will. . . .

Much more than the story of one dogs incredible journey, this is a deeply moving story of survival and enduring love, which once again confirms the unbreakable bond between humans and their best friends. In the tradition of The Art of Racing in the Rain and The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, Roam is an unforgettable tale of love lost and found, the trials that test families, and an affirmation that no matter how far or how long you may travel, theres always a place you can call home.

"Musician Lazar's debut is a thoughtful portrayal of the dog's worldview, emotions, and nature, written largely from one dog's perspective and tracking his walkabout adventures across the country after his nose leads him away from his first owner and 'Great Love,' Katey. Though suspension of disbelief is the name of the game, the view through a dog's eyes can become strained, but mostly Lazar draws the reader into the mind of Nelson, half beagle, half poodle, all curious, playful, and lovable, charming almost everyone who crosses his path from his start in Albany, N.Y., and beyond. Lazar's obvious affinity for dogs connects the reader to Nelson's feelings of loss, love, and survival. By adopting a dog's innocent, protective, childlike perspective, Lazar urges the reader to ponder a pet's feelings about its owner's actions. Nelson's adventures on the fringe are fascinating, and sometimes they lead him to the direst of circumstances, but his loyalty to Katey always drives him to continue on. A touching page-turner for dog lovers." Publishers Weekly Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

It’s the dog owner’s greatest fear, even worse in some ways than a beloved pet dying. Your dog getting lost—missing for days, then weeks, perhaps gone forever. Roam is the story of a dog named Nelson who follows his nose one day and gets lost, becoming separated for years from his anxious, fearful owners.

Roam follows Nelson on his eight-year journey alone, until one day he miraculously finds his way home. Through it all, Nelson maintains his optimistic spirit and unflagging yearning for the Great Love, his first human owner, a concert pianist named Katey. He never has stopped longing for her, and she in turn has never stopped searching for him.

Lazar’s skillful rendering of a dog’s cognitive, sensory, and emotional life celebrates the extraordinary magical power of dogs, showing what this scrappy little mutt with a courageous heart can teach us. This deeply moving story of families, the human condition, and second chances will deeply affect readers and remind them of the healing powers of survival and enduring love.

An insightful and heartwarming first novel about families, love lost and found, and a three-legged dog named Nelson who brings them all together.

Alan Lazar is a platinum-selling musician/composer whose career began in his native South Africa. He lives in Los Angeles, where he has composed music for more than 30 films and TV shows. This is his first novel.