Tag Archives: Animals

I Hate You More by Lucy Gilmore – a Review

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I Hate You More by Lucy Gilmore – a Review

 

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Description:
Ruby Taylor gave up pageant life the day she turned eighteen and figured she’d never look back. But when an old friend begs her to show her beloved Golden Retriever at the upcoming Canine Classic, Ruby reluctantly straps on her heels and gets to work.

If only she knew exactly what the adorably lazy lump of a dog was getting her into.

If there’s one thing veterinarian Spencer Wilson knows in this world, it’s dogs. Human beings are an entirely different animal. Especially stubborn, gorgeous women clearly in way over their heads. As judge for the local dog show, Spencer advises Ruby to quit while she still can, but her old fervor for winning has returned―and she wants to show the stern, broody-eyed judge that she’s more than just a pretty face. In the end, she’ll show him who’s best in show.

 

 

Review:

I Hate You More by Lucy Gilmore is another one of her fun romance novels that center on dogs.  We meet Ruby Taylor, our heroine, at the start, when she is trying to enter a Golden Retriever named Wheezy to a Canine Classic show. Ruby was a pageant queen, who gave up that life when she turned 18; now she is a nursing assistant at Parkwood Manor home, and one of her elderly patients convinces Ruby to enter Wheezy.  The problem: Wheezy is overweight, hard to train and lazy.  How in the world is she going to be able to register him?

Spencer Wilson, our hero, is a veterinarian, who is also one of the judges.  When Ruby tries to register, Spencer takes one look and advises her that Wheezy does not belong at the show; especially detailing everything wrong with him, including not a pure bred.  But Ruby is determined to show the grumpy judge that Wheezy will win the contest.  She hires Caleb (Spencer’s brother) to train the dog; both Spencer and Caleb can’t take their eyes off of the gorgeous Ruby.

Ruby and Spencer in a short time have sizzling chemistry, though they get off on the wrong foot.  Spencer is a nice guy, loves dogs, but is a stickler for rules. This is an enemy to lovers’ slow build romance.    Ruby is smart, savvy, charming and always speaks her mind.  When Ruby realizes that Caleb gets nowhere in training the impossible lazy Wheezy, it is Spencer who gives her tips, and she quickly learns that his stern voice gets all the dogs (and humans) to immediately pay attention.  Spencer finds himself totally enamored by Ruby, who also finds herself attracted to him, and slowly their feelings become very sensual and wild.

Gilmore gave us some great secondary characters, including Wheezy’s mom, Ruby’s mom, Eva, Caleb, etc. Getting to know the relationships between the families and the elderly residents at the home was well done. But Ruby and Spencer were the show (with Wheezy), as the banter between them was hilarious. 

I Hate You More was a fun, flirty, cute read, with some great characters, very well written by Lucy Gilmore.  If you enjoy enemy to friend romance, with humorous banter, flirty sexual chemistry, I suggest you read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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It Started With a Dog by Julia London – a Review

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It Started With a Dog by Julia London – a Review

 

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Description:
All Harper Thompson wants for Christmas is the huge promotion she’s worked so hard for–which she should get, as long as her launch of the hip new coffeehouse, Deja Brew, goes according to plan. Jonah Rogers is trying to save his family’s coffee shop, Lucky Star, from going out of business, which will be tough with the brand-new Deja Brew opening across the street.

When Jonah and Harper meet for the first time after accidentally swapping phones, their chemistry is as electric as a strand of Christmas lights. He’s a tall, handsome, compassionate hunk of engineer, and she’s an entrepreneur whose zest for life is very sexy. They love all the same things, like scary movies, greasy food–and most of all, dogs. It’s a match made in heaven…until Jonah finds out that Harper’s the one about to put him out of business.

Only one coffee shop likely can survive, and a competition of one-upmanship ensues in a battle of the brews. The paws really come out when the local rescue shelter has a fundraiser where local businesses foster dogs, and patrons vote with their dollars for their favorite pup. Harper takes in an adorable old bulldog on behalf of Deja Brew, while Jonah fosters a perky three-legged dachshund for Lucky Star. As the excitement builds for who will be crowned King Mutt and king of the coffee hill, Harper and Jonah must decide if their connection was all steam or if they are the perfect blend.

 

 

 

Review:  

It Started with a Dog by Julia London is the 2nd book in her fun and charming Lucky Dog series.  We meet our heroine, Harper Thompson, and our hero, Jonah Rogers as they shared a cab together, with each   traveling during the holidays.   Jonah notices when he is on a plane for business close to Christmas that he has a different phone.  He then realizes that when in the cab, things fell, and the other women (Harper) picked up the wrong phone.   They begin to text each other, but Jonah will not be back until after the holidays, and they each have to deal with using the others phone.  This leads to them sending hilarious texts received from others, and it was a laugh a minute watching them begin to bond. Both are determined to meet each other after the holiday, but most important, Harper loved the dog on Jonah’s phone screensaver.

Harper is in Austin, TX, launching a new coffeehouse, Deja Brew, and determined to make it the best one yet, as she is hoping for a promotion, but her boss and his new assistant make things difficult for her, which causes her to worry about the promotion.

Jonas is an engineer, who has taken a leave of absence to help his sick father run the Lucky Star coffee shop.  When Harper and Jonas finally meet, neither knows that the new Deja Brew (which Harper is handling) is competition for the old fashion Lucky Star, which could put Jonas’s family out of business.

In a short time, their relationship heats up, as they have amazing chemistry together, not to mention that Harper loves Jonas’s big dog, Truck, who is wild and adorable.  Even when they learn about their competitive coffee shops, both Harper and Jonas continue their relationship, as they are falling hard for each other. Harper gives Jonas tips about fixing up the old coffee house with some of her contacts, she also gets to meet his family, who are a fun group, and she has a homey feeling when around them. But she is still determined to make Deja Brew a great place, with high class and amazing features.  The competition between coffee houses will include a dog contest ‘King Mutt’.

What follows is a heartwarming fun romantic romp, with a great couple, wonderful characters, and I absolutely loved the dogs.  London has a way to bring wonderful romances and add fantastic dogs.  I loved Jonah and Harper, as they were very steamy together.  Jonah’s family and Harper’s friend Olive were lots of fun.  Most of all I loved the dogs, who were adorable; Truck (Jonas dog), Bob, a grumpy bulldog (that Harper will adopt), and three legged Lulu (part of Lucky star). 

It Started with a Dog was so very well written by Julia London.  This was a fun cute story, with a fantastic group of characters and adorable dogs. What happens in the competition? You need to read the book to find out.  I really enjoyed reading It Started With a Dog, and suggest you read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Paws and Prejudice by Alanna Martin – a Review

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Paws and Prejudice by Alanna Martin – a Review

 

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Description:
It’s up to a trio of adorable rescue huskies to make two lonely hearts in a coastal Alaskan town realize that true love is worth too much to turn tail and run.

Glaciers have nothing on Kelsey Porter when she decides to freeze someone out. After getting burned once, she’s not about to let it happen again. And right now all that icy contempt is focused on one annoyingly attractive and entitled interloper: Ian Roth. Not only is he looking to take advantage of her quaint, coastal community, tainting the small-town charm of Helen, Alaska, but he has committed the one crime she can never forgive–he doesn’t like her dogs.

Unlike what Kelsey believes, Ian loves Helen’s charms as much as she does. That’s partly why he’s determined to open a brewery there, and he’s not about to let anything or anyone stop his dream from coming true. But he didn’t count on the beautiful, prickly woman getting under his skin. Or having to be within hand-biting proximity of her three huge huskies.

When Kelsey’s family conscripts her into helping Ian get his brewery off the ground, she finds herself caught between a rock and a hard . . . muscular . . . man who has a fear of dogs. But the longer they work together, the more she can feel herself begin to thaw. Now she’ll have to choose: let sleeping dogs lie to protect her heart, or mush head-on toward love.

 

 

Review:

Paws and Prejudice by Alanna Martin is the 2nd book in her Hearts of Alaska series. Kelsey Porter, our heroine, has been very supportive of her cousin Josh and his relationship with Taylor Lipkin. If you read the first book, you learn all about the 100-year feud between the Porters and the Lipkins of Helen, Alaska.  Josh and Taylor decided to ignore the families feuding and solidify their relationship, with Kelsey’s support.  Kelsey meets with the new owners of a brewery, as her father insists, she write something for website, since she writes (though no one knows she actually writes paranormal romance novels under a pen name).  When she goes to meet Ian and his partner Micah, Kelsey has the door slammed on her by Ian.  Unknown to her, Ian has a phobia of dogs, and Kelsey brought her three huskies, and Ian ran to throw tools and such on the floor before opening the door again, telling her she can’t bring the dogs inside, as it would be dangerous. They get off on the wrong foot, as Ian noticed Kelsey wearing a pin that is part of a group trying to stop new business to come to Helen, and he came across as a bit arrogant.

Kelsey will slowly overlook Ian’s attitude, and tries to help write something for their site.  When her father forces some restaurants owned by Porters to back away from the brewery, because of one deal with the Lipkins, Kelsey realizes the unfairness of her family, and discards the pin, and decides to help Ian. In a short time, both of them feel their attractions to each other heat up, and a romance between them begins, with their chemistry sizzling. The more time they spend together, Kelsey learns of Ian’s phobia, and begins to help him overcome that, and he knows of her being a secret novelist, with both keeping those secrets private.

Kelsey, was a great heroine, as she is tough, savvy, independent, at times surly, but also very smart and loyal.  I loved Kelsey and Ian together, and especially adored the time spent with the dogs, and Ian opening up to feeling safe and loving the dogs.

What follows is a fun and sexy romance between Ian and Kelsey, and the adorable huskies, who made this story even better.  Just when we realize that they have fallen hard for each other, something will happen with the feuding that could cause issues. I certainly hoped they would find a way to bring them totally together, despite the family feud. Paws and Prejudice was a sweet romance, but the feuding of both families continued to bring problems. Will Kelsey and Ian despite their love for each other, walk away?

Paws and Prejudice was a wonderful steamy romance, great couple, three fantastic dogs amidst a terrible family feud that created a tense background.  Alanna Martin did a great job writing this book, and continuing the family feud. I suggest you read Paws and Prejudice.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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Crazy About a Cowboy by Dylann Crush – Review & Excerpt

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Crazy About a Cowboy by Dylann Crush – Review & Excerpt

 

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Description:
Local cowboy Jasper Taylor has to decide if it’s more important to help his hometown of Ido, Texas win a contest or for him to win the heart of the woman he loves.

The little town of Ido, Texas, is up against some big competition. With the state tourism department on a search for the most romantic town in Texas, Ido is pulling out all the stops to win the title. Leading the effort is the newly appointed hospitality host Jasper Taylor. If he can secure the honor for Ido, he’ll be able to hang onto his family’s land.

But when the reigning Miss Lovin’ Texas and celebrity judge, Delilah Stone, rolls into town, she isn’t exactly welcomed with open arms. Delilah’s ready to put her beauty queen days behind her, and the only thing standing in her way is spending the next thirty days in Ido. It should be an easy gig, but someone in town is tired of all of the recent publicity. Somehow everything that ought to go right is suddenly going wrong.

Now it’s up to Jasper to convince Delilah to give Ido another chance by showing her just how romantic the small town can be…without losing his own heart in the process.

Review:

Crazy About a Cowboy by Dylann Crush is the 3rd book in her Tying the Knot in Texas series.  Crazy about a Cowboy was another fun read in this series, with a fabulous couple who were steamy together.  Delilah Stone, is the current ‘Miss Lovin Texas”, who is in the middle of judging various small towns to choose the most romantic town.  Delilah is on the last leg of this trip, planning to end her days as a pageant queen, moving on to a normal life, running her own business; but Delilah has to spend the last 30 days in the town of IDo.

Jasper Taylor has spent his whole life in IDo, helping his family with their successful pecan farm.  But in the last storm, much of their crop was destroyed, which will take a couple of years to regrow. Jasper hopes to convince his father and brothers on his idea to change over the barn to have weddings, giving them enough money to help regenerate the farming. 

Lacey (a previous heroine) is the mayor, and she is determined to win the contest of most romantic small town, and pushes Jasper to be the town’s hospitality host and show Delilah everything about the town.  Jasper was a sweet, wonderful person, always looking out for his family and the town.  Delilah was the surprise, as she was not the usual snobbish queen, but ultra-nice and friendly to everyone, not to mention beautiful.   Jasper at first was somewhat shy, but soon their relationship went to fun friends, then to lovers.  They made such a great couple, enjoying each other’s company, and sizzling chemistry. Will Delilah allow herself to fall in love with Jasper, and stay in IDo?

Delilah got to spend time with Jasper’s family, which were also fun; especially with the bantering between them all.  There is an added element of a brother who left town awhile ago, due to doing something crooked, and Jasper has kept his secret, warning him to never come back; but to his dismay, that will change.

Crazy About a Cowboy was a fun, sweet, entertaining and charming small-town romance, with a great couple and wonderful secondary characters.  Dylann Crush once again gives us a wonderful enjoyable story, that was very well written.  The entire series of three book so far, reads very well as a standalone, but why miss the fun, start with the first book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Jasper ran his palms over his denim-clad thighs. Delilah Stone had been in town for less than five minutes and he’d already screwed up. How the hell would he explain to his dad that he’d managed to ruin Ido’s run for the title before the judge even made it up the steps of city hall?
“What in the world happened?” Lacey entered her office, her cheeks flushed.
He jumped to his feet. “I don’t know. I was cleaning the pigeon shit off the sidewalk and all of a sudden there she was.”
“You didn’t hear her? See her heading your way?”
Jasper shook his head. “I came around the corner and before I knew what was happening she was soaked through.”
“Don’t worry, you’ll fix this.” Lacey crossed her arms over her chest, her mouth set in a determined line.
“Me?” His stomach dipped. “How do you expect me to do that?”
“I need a hospitality host, and you owe me.”
“Wait a sec. I said I was sorry and I meant it. But I don’t think—”
The office door creaked open. Delilah Stone entered. She’d changed into dry clothes, but her hair still hung in damp curls, framing her heart-shaped face. He’d expected the beauty queen to be, well, beautiful. But beautiful was too dull a word to do justice to the gorgeous woman who’d just entered the mayor’s office.
Lacey rounded the desk and moved toward the door. “Ms. Stone, welcome.”
Jasper rose to his full height and drew in a breath. Then he forced what he hoped looked like a reassuring grin and turned it on Miss Lovin’ Texas herself.
She might have been drenched from head to toe a few minutes ago, but she handled herself with the composure of a queen. Her spine ramrod straight, her face scrubbed free of any trace of makeup, she entered the office like she owned the place.
“We’re thrilled to be hosting you as part of the Most Romantic Small Town in Texas competition.” Lacey glanced toward him and he braced himself for the inevitable introduction. “I’d like you to meet Jasper Taylor, our hospitality host. He’ll be your main point of contact while you’re here in town.”
Jasper shot a look to Lacey, who lifted one shoulder in a slight shrug. Great. He didn’t want to undermine the mayor, even if she’d made an incorrect assumption that he’d changed his mind about taking on the role. He’d let it go for now. But once Ms. Stone left the office, he’d have to set Lacey straight.
“It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Stone. I’m sorry about getting you all wet. Although I’ve gotta say, you look just as pretty soaked right through as you did when you won your title.” He had to give major props to the beauty queen, she didn’t flinch as she slid her hand against his.
Delilah glanced over to Lacey. What the heck was wrong with him? Based on how he was handling his interaction with Delilah, she’d probably never believe he actually held a degree in business and had aced his professional communications courses. For some reason his tongue seemed to get all hog-tied when facing the woman with the smoky green eyes who held the fate of Ido in her soft, delicate hands.
She slipped her fingers out of his grip and followed Lacey toward the desk. “It’s my pleasure, Mr. Taylor.”
“Oh, you can call me Jasper.”
“It’s my pleasure then, Jasper.” The tight smile she gave him held more than a hint of frustration, making him think she’d rather slap him than have to rely on him for anything during her time in Ido. She probably thought Lacey was crazy for putting her trust in him. At least they were on the same page with regard to that.

 

 

 

 

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Heart on a Leash by Alanna Martin – Review & Giveaway

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Heart on a Leash by Alanna Martin – Review & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
Taylor Lipin has made it her life’s mission to leave her hometown and its ridiculous, century-old feud with the Porters behind. But when her sister needs help running the family inn, Taylor agrees to return to Helen, Alaska on a temporary, definitely not longer than two weeks, basis. Or so she thinks, until she’s quite literally swept off her feet and into enemy territory by three happy huskies and their drool-worthy owner, Dr. Josh Krane.

Though Josh didn’t grow up in Helen with the rest of his Porter cousins, he’s heard the stories: Porters rescue huskies. The Lipins are cat people. Keep to your pack. But Taylor is too tempting to give up—plus, his dogs love her.

As Taylor and Josh grow closer, tensions in the town escalate and the need for secrecy starts taking a toll. Soon they’ll need to decide whether their newfound love is just a summer fling or if they’ve found their forever home.

 

 

 

Review:

Heart on a Leash by Alanna Martin is the first book in her new Hearts of Alaska series.  Taylor Lipin, our heroine, having recently lost her job, goes home to Helen, Alaska temporarily to help her sister run the family B&B, since their mother left town.  Taylor left Helen 10 years ago, coming back home occasionally, because she hated the horrible feud between her Lipin family and the Porter family.  She quickly meets a handsome hunk, who happens to be doctor and owns three wonderful huskies, who immediately fall all over Taylor.

Dr. Josh Kane, moved to Helen to open his own clinic, and be near his mother’s family, and enjoy the small-town atmosphere.  Josh walking with his three huskies, meets a beautiful girl, who is fawning all of the huskies, and decides to ask her on a date.  What Josh doesn’t know is that Taylor is a Lipin, whom he has heard about during his time in Helen; which is because his cousins are all Porters.

Josh and Taylor find themselves enjoying each other’s company, neither knowing that they are consorting with the enemy.   Eventually, they discover the truth, and decide that they like each other too much, and plan to try to keep their relationship a secret. But in a small town, secrets are hard to keep, and tensions escalated as each family makes threats against the other to break the two of them up.  But both Taylor and Josh think this century old feud is ridiculous, and despite the various sabotage attempts, they decide they are going to stay together, as they are both falling hard for each other.

I really loved Taylor and Josh together, as they made a great couple, who were willing to fight their families, in order to stay together.  Taylor’s sister is willing to give Josh a chance, until there are a few attacks at the B&B; and when Josh learns that someone from his family poisoned wine to make the guests sick, he begins to worry if Taylor’s life is at risk.   Will Josh break up with Taylor to keep her safe?  Will Taylor leave and go back to L.A.?

What follows is a fun and sexy romance between Josh and Taylor, and those adorable huskies, who made this story even better.  Taylor’s relationship with the three dogs was fun and adorable.  I loved the scenes with both Josh, Taylor and the dogs, as they were fun and cute.  Heart on a Leash was a sweet romance, but the feuding of both families added an element of being complex, tense and very destructive. I liked that Josh and Taylor were determined to not let their family destroy their love for each other, but when things get dangerous, will they walk away?

Heart on a Leash was a wonderful steamy romance, great couple, three fantastic dogs amidst a terrible family feud that created a tense background.  Alanna Martin did a great job writing this book. I suggest you read Heart on a Leash. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Alanna Martin’s publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of HEART ON A LEASH to (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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Lost, Found, and Forever by Victoria Schade – a Review

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Lost, Found, and Forever by Victoria Schade – a Review

 

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Description:
Justine Becker could not be more in love with her rescue dog, Spencer. He’s her best friend and colleague at her dog supply store, Tricks & Biscuits, in upstate New York. When she discovers a heartbreaking social media post trying to locate a dog that looks suspiciously like Spencer, Justine realizes that her beloved pup might actually belong to someone else.

Her worst fears are realized when she and Spencer meet up with Brooklyn-based Griffin McCabe, and he wants Spencer back. He claims he is the dog’s rightful owner, and has the paperwork to prove it. But Justine refuses to roll over and let him take Spencer without a fight.

It’s not easy juggling Spencer’s burgeoning new career as a dog actor, along with the demands of her life upstate, all while constantly trying to prove she’s a better pet parent than Griffin. Their not-so-friendly competition teeters on the edge of flat-out hate, so when romantic feelings for Griffin catch Justine off guard, she needs to determine if it’s all part of his plot to win the pup back, or if the guy who was good enough for Spencer might also be good enough for her.

 

 

 

Review:

Lost Found and Forever by Victoria Schade is a cute fun standalone novel. We meet our heroine, Justine Becker, as she opens her Tricks & Biscuits dog supply store; with her dog, Spencer, whom she loves with all her heart.  Justine is an excellent trainer, and works with people to train their dogs, but Spencer is so smart, he can do so many tricks.  Despite this, she is financially struggling to keep the store open, despite the ideas her friend and helper suggests. While at a private local restaurant, she shows off to friends the many tricks Spencer can do, and at another table a producer sees her.  Justine is approached to try out Spencer for a series they are doing, and Spencer could be the perfect dog for them. Excitedly, Justine accepts this chance to change her life, especially with her training abilities.

While waiting to start, her friend notices on social media a picture of a dog that looks like Spencer, who has been missing for over a year.  Griffin McCabe, our hero, is ecstatic that his dog has been found, but quickly realizes that Justine will not give up ‘her’ dog, whom she loves. In the beginning, though Griffin tries to not antagonize Justine, they are both suspicious of each other; especially when Justine tries to keep her personal information secret, but Griffin manages to find her. As much as Justine loves Spencer, she can see how much Griffin does too.  Who will get custody of Spencer?

When Justine has to begin working with the studio with Spencer, they are both exhausted from the car drive; and when Griffin offers his place (near the studio) for her and Spencer to stay overnight on the days they travel, she accepts. Justine finds Griffin very charming and sweet, and a friendship begins with the two of them.  Griffin travels a lot on his job, and slowly he realizes how Justine is always there for Spencer; a slow burn romance, both Justine and Griffin find themselves attracted to each other, though they know there is no future, since Griffin does not do relationships. 

I did enjoy the scenes at the studio, with Justine working with Spencer to do the scenes expected of him. It was fun to see what goes behind the scene of a shoot, as well as meeting the actors/crew of the studio.  Griffin occasionally came to watch, and offered help to Justine. I did love both Justine and Griffin together, not to mention how great Spencer was. Did they have any future together?

Lost Found and Forever was a cute, fun, fast paced story of a dog that brought two people together.  I really enjoyed this book, which was very well written by Victoria Schade.  If you love a pure romance and a fantastic dog, I suggest you read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Furbidden Fatality by Deborah Blake – a Review

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Furbidden Fatality by Deborah Blake – a Review

 

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Description:
Kari Stuart’s life is going nowhere–until she unexpectedly wins the lottery. The twenty-nine-year-old instant multimillionaire is still mulling plans for her winnings when trying to rescue a bossy black kitten leads her to a semiabandoned animal shelter. They need the cash–Kari needs a purpose.

But the dilapidated rescue is literally going to the dogs with a pending lawsuit, hard to adopt animals, and too much suspicious attention from the town’s dog warden. When the warden turns up dead outside the shelter’s dog kennels, Kari finds herself up a creek without a pooper-scooper.

With the help of some dedicated volunteers, a cute vet, and a kitten who mysteriously shows up just when she needs it, Kari must prove her innocence all while trying to save a dog on death row. Now she just needs to hope that her string of unexpected luck isn’t about to run out.

 

Review:

Furbidden Fatality by Deborah Blake is the first book in her new Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery series.  I have read a few series by Blake, and this new series is a total genre change for her.  I will say that I loved the book, it’s heroine Kari and especially a little black kitten named, Queenie, who I absolutely adored.

We meet our heroine, Kari Stuart, who finally manages to capture an adorable cute black kitten, and takes her to a shelter to find her a home.  The shelter is overbooked and unable to take any more pets, she is told to try the failing sanctuary.  Kari, barley made ends meet, but she just won a 5-million-dollar lottery, and decides to do something constructive, and purchase the dilapidated animal shelter that is for sale.  She hires men to renovate the shelter and together with Daisy (former owner), Sara, Bryn, and her best friend, Suz, the shelter slowly opens up to bring in more dogs and cats.  Two issues though are problematic, a pending lawsuit against Buster (under Daisy’s tenure), a dog who escaped and supposedly bit someone, with the evil dog warden pushing for his death; and on the same day Kari moves into her house next door, she wakes up during the night, as the dogs are all barking. Kari discovers a dead body, and it is the dog warden.       

Since she discovered the body, Kari is immediately a suspect, as is Daisy; but since almost every dog owner in town hated the dog warden, any one could have murdered him.  There were quite a few dog owners whose dog was put to sleep on the warden’s recommendations, which leads Kari, with some help from her volunteers, to start their own investigation to the murder. Over the next few nights, the shelter is vandalized by someone who wants to destroy the shelter.  Are they the ones who committed the murder?  Why are they so determined to cause chaos? Kari will be on the case to find out.

What follows is a cute cozy mystery, with wonderful secondary characters, fun adorable dogs and cats, a few villains (that keep you guessing), and a possible future romance between two new people; the veterinarian and the new dog warden.  Most of all, as noted earlier I loved loved Queenie the little kitten, who seems to have a little magic, as she manages to help give her clues.  Did I save I love Queenie?

Forbidden Fatality was a light hearted and fun small-town mystery that kept you guessing til the very end. We also get a glimpse of shelter life taking care and meeting the abandoned animals, as well as finding homes.  Deborah Blake did a wonderful job writing this story, and keeping our interest throughout. I look forward to the next book in this series. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Paws for Love by Mara Wells – a Review

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Paws for Love by Mara Wells – a Review

 

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Description:
Danielle Morrow works tirelessly for the greyhound rescue as an adoption coordinator, rehabilitating retired racing dogs and helping them find forever homes. She guards her heart as vigilantly as her three adopted greyhounds guard her home. One heartbreak per lifetime is enough for any woman, and no one she’s met since her high school boyfriend dumped her to join the military has ever tempted her enough to risk love again.

Knox Donovan expected to be career military, but an injury has resulted in an honorable discharge that leaves him uncertain of his future. When his brothers ask him to come back to Miami to help manage their new condo conversion, he figures he can at least advise them about security systems before declining the job. He has no intention of staying in the city that has so many bad memories for him.

Knox is reminded that not all his memories of growing up in Miami Beach are bad when he sees Danielle again at the monthly Adoption Day celebration his brothers host at the local dog park. Fourteen years haven’t softened the pain of their breakup. But Knox is different now, more hard-edged and suspicious, and when he bonds with the retired racing greyhound, Sarge, Danielle’s cool reserve begins to melt. Sarge needs special care after the injuries that ended his racing career, and it’s not long before Danielle realizes that Knox does too. Can Danielle trust her heart to the one man who’s ever broken it?

 

 

 

Review:

Paws for Love by Mara Wells is the 3rd book in her Fur Haven Dog Park series.  Fur Haven Park and the Dorothy apartment complex is where the Donovan Brothers are fixing up both places. In the first two books, two of the brothers found their mates, and in Paws for Love, the third brother Knox is our hero. 

Knox, was set in his decision to stay in the military as a career, but a serious injury to his leg causes him to be discharged.  He has a hard time dealing with this injury, but works hard with his brothers to fix up the project they are working on.  Knox, has been away a long time, and when he sees the girl whom he left years ago, memories and regrets flood back.

We meet Danielle Morrow, our heroine, at the start, with her helping save a dog in her veterinarian father’s animal hospital.  Danielle helps rescue greyhound racing dogs, to help find forever homes for them, as she is an adoption coordinator for Homestretch; she has two dogs of her own (Luna & Flurry), which were foster fails.  Danielle is friends with the wives of the two Donovan Brothers, and is a regular at Fur Haven Park, where she brings the dogs. She happens to see Knox, and tries to avoid him, since she has not forgotten that he walked away from her all those years ago. 

When Danielle rescues another greyhound, whom she names, Sarge, she takes him home to help rehabilitate him. The dog has a leg issue, and when he sees Knox, Sarge has found his master; but will Knox allow himself to open up to the dog.  Danielle and Knox decide to help with Sarge, and agree to be friends.  Knox knows he still cares for Danielle, but realizes there is no future, and in a short time their friendship escalates to friends with benefits; with Danielle knowing that he will leave when the project is over.  Will they have a second chance to fall in love again, after 15 years?  You will have to read this book to find out.

What follows is a cute, fun, heartwarming, enjoyable adventure, as their romance heats up, but the issues were still there. The best part of this book and series, are the wonderful dogs that play a large part of this story.  Such sweet fun.   It was also wonderful to see Riley, Caleb, Lance, Carrie, Grams again, and I loved the friendship between Sydney and Danielle, as well as the dogs.  I loved Danielle, who was a great heroine (the ladies of all three books have been wonderful), and understood her hesitation to allow herself to be hurt again, when Knox would leave.  I did like Knox, but thought his determination to leave again was annoying, but later he does come through.

Paws for Love was a heartwarming story about family, second chances, friendships, dogs, dog parks and finding love again.  Mara Wells did an excellent job in writing this story.  I suggest you read Paws for Love, or start this series with the first book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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