A New Leash on Love by Debbie Burns – Review & Spotlight

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Description:
When Craig Williams draws the short straw and has to take his daughter’s adorable new puppy to a shelter after the holidays, it’s just another painful episode in the fall-out of a miserable divorce. He needs to pick up the pieces of his life, and, after a fiery confrontation with Megan Anderson, the young woman running the shelter, he wants to put the whole episode behind him. However, when he keeps finding new ways to reconnect with her, he realizes Megan’s compassionate and caring nature just might be the perfect salve for his broken heart.

Review:

A New Leash on Love by Debbie Burns is the first book in her new Rescue Me series.  This was a wonderful sweet romance, with a family and animals as a major part of the story.  Having never read anything before by Burns,  I loved every moment of A New Leash on Love,  and I plan on reading more of her books; especially the rest of this series. 

Megan Anderson, our heroine, who runs an animal shelter, loves her job and her dog/cats.  When Craig Williams, our hero, stops at the shelter to drop off a puppy that was a Christmas gift to his children,  he meets Megan.  Both Megan and Craig are both in bad moods when they come face to face.  He is sad to have to bring the puppy back, since his house was going to be sold, his divorce finalized and they were not prepared to handle the puppy.  Megan, who is very passionate about her work, was already upset that the shelter is at the max of animals, and she had to rescue a German shepherd, Sledge.  At that moment Craig and the cute puppy arrive, which was all Megan needed to be curt and sarcastic to Craig.  The two of them went at each other in a fiery confrontation, with Craig slamming the door on the way out. 

Both of them felt bad after they calmed down, and couldn’t forget about it.  When the following day, Craig goes back to the shelter with his daughter to get the puppy back, but unfortunately Megan had already placed the puppy at a home of someone local who recently lost their dog.   Despite this, Craig and Megan start apologizing, and they both can feel the attraction, which neither will act on at this time.  Megan will get Craig’s daughter to help become a volunteer at the shelter, which will keep them running into each other, often.

What follows is a wonderful sweet slow build romance between Megan and Craig. The setting with the animal shelter, the wonderful dogs and cats, and Craig’s daughter Sophie & son Reese becoming involved in the shelter and close to Megan made this story even more delightful.  There is also the background story of Craig s amicable divorce caused by the death of Reese’s twin brother, which affected his ex and children; as well as Megan also had her own insecurities about trusting love.

Craig, despite his not wanting another relationship, turned out to be such a great guy, and was so supportive and sweet to Megan.  Megan was a great heroine, who cared about her animals and friends, and watching her bond with Sophie  was wonderful.  I also fell in love with Sledge, Megan’s rescue dog.

This was a wonderful delightful, heartwarming read, with some great characters, sweet dogs and cats, and wonderful romance.   There was also a nice twist near the end.  What more can you ask for?  A New Leash on Life was written so well by Debbie Burns.  I wholly recommend that you read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

Debbie Burn resides in St. Louis, Missouri. Shelter is her first contemporary romance and has finaled in multiple contests. Her writing commendations include first place awards for short stories, flash fiction, and longer selections from the Missouri RWA and the Missouri Writers’ Guild. You can find her on Twitter @_debbieburns and at debbiecausevic.com.

A Letter from Debbie Burns:

Dear Reader,

Chances are you’ve been drawn to this book because you enjoy second chance love stories, whether they’re about animals, people, or both. It’s my hope you fall in love with the dynamic characters, both two and four footed, in A New Leash on Love as much as I have.

Writing this book enabled me to blend together two of my favorite things, a love of animals and a good romance. I’ve been an animal lover ever since I can remember. When I was 13, I began volunteering with a friend at a local rescue shelter. I’ve never forgotten the remarkable dedication of the people working and volunteering at shelters, helping to ensure surrendered animals get care and comfort while waiting for forever homes.

As I mentioned, I’m also a sucker for a good love story. I soak them up in both film and literature. I’m an eclectic reader and read a blend of romance, contemporary fiction, and nonfiction. I get the most enjoyment from books with love stories that are powerful enough I become convinced the world would be a sorrier place if the main characters hadn’t gotten together.  I’ve read Pride and Prejudice three times, and most other Jane Austen novels at least once. I am awed by her accomplishments. Jane Austen wrote stories that have survived over two centuries and are still among so many people’s favorite novels. And of course, I enjoy reading the contemporary masters of romance as well. I’m also drawn to unique and quirky love stories like the one portrayed in The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind that leave me thinking about them for a long time afterwards. The love story featured in A New Leash on Love is one I hope you’ll cheer for, laugh with, and walk away from reading believing all is just as it should be.

To tell you a bit more about me personally, I’m a Saint Louis resident and native who has also lived in Georgia and Michigan. I’m the mom of two amazing teenagers. Being an integral part of their life journeys has been a profound experience. I try not to pass a single day without giving thanks for all the blessings in my world, and these remarkable young adults always top that list. Coming in a close second are my family’s two rescue dogs and willful Maine Coon cat. I’ve posted pictures and shared my dogs’ rescue stories on my website, authordebbieburns.com.

Like their human counterparts, the animals we share our homes with have personalities of their own. Our family’s trio of pets are no exception. To paraphrase Roger Caras, dogs (and cats) aren’t our whole lives, but they make our lives whole. There are times when I’m not excited to wake up before dawn to make sure the dogs have a good walk before I head out for the day, and times when I cringe at vet bill statements. However, when you strip away the investment of training, time, and money, you’re left with a companion who thinks you’re more awesome than a bowlful of gravy. And if you let it in, you’ll feel that same kind of unmasked adoration right back. If you ask me, that’s what it’s all about.

Happy reading,

Debbie