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You’re My Home by Debbie Burns – a Review

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You’re My Home by Debbie Burns – a Review

 

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Description:
Coming home will always give you a second chance… When Riley Leighton and Levi Duncan finally meet again, the chemistry between them is as hot as ever. But as much as Levi has missed Riley all these years, he still remembers the heartbreak when she left him the first time… Riley has spent a lifetime running from love. Now that she’s home again, starting her dream job at the local pet rescue, she also has another chance to get it right with Levi. Everything Riley’s wanted but thought she couldn’t have is almost within reach.

 

 

Review:

You’re My Home by Debbie Burns is the 7th book in her wonderful Rescue Me series. Once again, Debbie Burns gives us another wonderful sweet story as we return to the High Grove Animal Shelter, where we also get to see many of the people we got to know in the previous books.

Riley Leighton (our heroine) has returned home to support her mom during her cancer treatment; it has been 12 years since she left home.  To her surprise, Riley runs into her ex-boyfriend from school, when she left town and broke his heart.

Levi Duncan (our hero), suffered a terrible accident during his deep-sea diver job, and has been warned that he cannot continue to do that job because of his severe concussion.  Taking time off to decide on his career, he receives a message from his friend Marcus to help out at his dog training camp. When Levi runs into Riley, he still feels the chemistry between them, even after all those years.  There friendship between them resumes, as Riley keeps their feelings as friends only, since knows she will eventually be leaving again.

When she discovers a Great Dane, who seems to be lost, she brings him to High Grove Animal Shelter, where she meets some of those she knew, such as Meghan, the director, Tess, Kelsey and Patrick.  Riley offers to help work at the shelter, and begins to love her job walking the dogs, as well as taking control of the social media for the shelter.  She realizes that she has fallen in love with Arlo, the Great Dane, which in time, she will adopt.

Riley and Levi spend a lot of time together, with both helping to promote the plans for Marcus’s training camp, and the fundraiser for the Shelter; not to mention their love of the dogs they help.    Slowly, their feelings bring them back together, and will need to decide what the future holds for them.

You’re My Home is a charming second chance romance that is delightful, heartwarming and fun story of two people trying to get beyond their past, and move forward. It was great to see some of the past characters who lead the previous books, but most of all, I adored the dogs and the adorable & lovable, Arlo.

Debbie Burns gives us another wonderful addition to her Rescue Me series, which was a delightful, heartwarming story that kept us hooked until the very end.  You’re My Home was well written by Debbie Burns.  If you love animals, with a romance in the background, you need to be reading this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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To Be Loved by You by Debbie Burns – a Review

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To Be Loved by You by Debbie Burns – a Review

 

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Description:
Jeremy Washington couldn’t be happier running his own therapy program for at-risk teens. Between weekend service projects and hanging out with his faithful rescue dog, Rolo, Jeremy doesn’t have time to date–which is fine with him considering the mess his early marriage turned out to be. The only thing he needs now is a new project for the kids in his program, and the High Grove Animal Shelter has the perfect opportunity–a group of dogs and puppies needing foster care.

At the rescue site, Jeremy meets Ava Graham, a yoga teacher looking to expand her practice. Jeremy thinks the kids would really benefit from learning yoga, and Ava’s the perfect person to help–maybe too perfect. Ava’s beautiful, talented, and funny–and she has the biggest heart Jeremy has seen in a long time. But can Ava convince him that mixing business and pleasure could be the key to rescuing his heart?

 

 

Review:

To Be Loved by You by Debbie Burns is part of her wonderful Rescue Me series.  Once again, Debbie Burns gives us another wonderful sweet story as we return to the High Grove Animal Shelter, where we also get to see many of the people we got to know in the previous books.

Ava Graham, our heroine, not only works in real estate, but is also a yoga instructor; she is Olivia’s sister (heroine in previous book).  When Ava goes to help Olivia at the shelter, she meets Jeremy, who is Gabe’s (Vet and Olivia’s significant other) friend, as he arrives with his adorable dog, Rolo.  

Jeremy Washington, our hero, has his own therapy program for teens, who need support. He decides that perhaps Ava’s yoga class would be a good benefit for them, especially since the shelter dogs would participate. Jeremy finds himself in awe of Ava, as she is not only beautiful, but very sweet, friendly, talented and savvy for his kids, and is great with the dogs. 

In a short time, as they begin to work together often, they both begin to have feelings for each other.  Though Ava is determined to win Jeremy over, he hesitates, as he has had a difficult childhood, and later marriage that still haunts him.  Can Ava convince Jeremy to open up his heart and move forward with her?

To Be Loved by You is a charming, delightful, heartwarming, fun story of two people trying to get beyond their past, and learn to trust each other.  I loved seeing some of the past characters who lead the previous books, but most of all, I adored the puppies, kittens and the adorable & lovable, Rolo.

What follows is a wonderful sweet romance between Jeremy and Ava, with a fun animal shelter background. Debbie Burns gives us another wonderful addition to her Rescue Me series, which was a delightful, heartwarming story that kept us hooked until the very end.  To Be Loved by You was well written by Debbie Burns.  If you love animals, with a romance in the background, you need to be reading this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Summer by the River by Debbie Burns – a Review

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Summer by the River by Debbie Burns – a Review

 

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Description:
Making a fresh start in a new part of the country is challenging, but fate and good fortune lead young single mother Josie Waterhill and her six-year-old daughter to a cozy Midwestern town right on the river. There, Josie can raise Zoe away from the violence of the life she once knew, and make a new home in the historic tea house where they’ve been invited to stay.

The tea house seems too good to be true, until Josie’s elderly landlord Myra welcomes more guests—journalist Carter O’Brien and his giant rescue dog, Buttercup. Carter is charming, compassionate…and way too curious. Carter’s interest in Josie deepens and he inadvertently stirs up trouble when he uncovers things that Josie would rather not have known. Ready or not, Josie has to let go of her painful past so she can create a glorious future.

 

 

Review:

Summer by the River by Debbie Burns is a standalone novel.  I have read a number of books by Debbie Burns, but Summer by the River was totally different, and I loved every moment.  Very well done.

Josie Waterhill, our heroine, lives in a midwestern (Galena, Ill) town with her 6-year-old daughter, Zoe.  Josie, who arrived 5 years before totally broke and, on the run, but had the fortune of meeting Myra, who owned a mansion, and offered her a job.  Now all these years later, Josie runs the historic tea house that she helped build for Myra, who is getting up in age. Josie is happy with her life, especially loving her daughter Zoe, and Myra; until she meets a journalist, who makes her nervous.

 Carter O’Brien, our hero, is a journalist, who comes to Galena to interview Myra, in helping him find information from many years ago about his grandfather & and their possible history.  Myra is thrilled to be able to investigate the past and work with Carter, offering him to stay a lot longer to write the story.  But Josie, having run from a violent life as a young girl, wants nothing to do with him, even if they both begin to feel an attraction to each other.  Josie also worries about Zoe, who is becoming too attached to Carter, as a father figure.

What follows is a wonderful story that has romance, mystery, suspense, intrigue, as we learn more about the past memories of Josie, Myrna and Carter’s fact-finding information.  I loved the addition of thecute dogs and a cat, especially Buttercup, who was a big rescue dog, as well as Myrna’s long time dog, Tidbit; later on there will be a cute rescue cat.  Though they were the backdrop of the story, it was fun, as well as Zoe’s antics.

As we reach the last third of the book, Carter and Josie allow themselves to act on their feelings, but she is afraid he will eventually leave them; especially since she is still not comfortable about revealing her past life.  Myrna knows everything, but Carter needs to find out for himself.  Which he does, and the past comes flooding back.  What will Carter find? Is Josie’s life in danger?

Summer by the River was so well written by Debbie Burns, with a couple we wanted to root for, a friend so great like Myrna, the fun times with Zoe and the dogs, as well as learning all about Josie’s life years before.  It was such great story that kept my attention from start to finish. Summer by the River was a story of family, love and trust, as well as a captivating read. I suggest you read this wonderful book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Head Over Paws by Debbie Burns – a Review

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Head Over Paws by Debbie Burns – a Review

 

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Description:
Olivia Graham has signed on as a volunteer rescue driver for the High Grove Animal Shelter. Her first task is to transport dogs and cats that’ve been misplaced by flooding, but her aging car breaks down on the way to get them.

She’s picked up by veterinarian Gabe Wentworth, former EMT and firefighter, who’s also heading to the rescue site. After a bad breakup, Gabe’s embraced the hermit life. When he picks up Olivia, he can’t deny their irresistible mutual attraction, and his first thought is to run the other direction. But the more animals they help, the harder they fall for each other…

 

 

Review:

Head Over Paws by Debbie Burns is the 5th book in her wonderful Rescue Me series. Once again, Debbie Burns gives us another wonderful sweet story as we return to the High Grove Animal Shelter, where we also get to see many of the people we got to know in the previous books. 

Olivia Graham, our heroine, is traveling in a rain storm to try to get to the Animal Shelter to help transport dogs and cats to the shelter because of the flooding.  When her car breaks down, she meets Gabe Wentworth, our hero and local veterinarian, who picks her up, on the way to the shelter.  Gabe had his dog, Samson with him, who immediately fell all over Olivia; of course, Gabe himself was also attracted to the beautiful redheaded woman in the car with him.  The feeling is mutual, as the sparks flew between them very fast; and since both are animal lovers, it was a match made in heaven.

There was an amazing rescue attempt of a dog in danger of drowning during the flood, that Gabe and Olivia desperately worked to save him.  There were many hold your breath moments when we worried about Gabe, as well as the dog.   In a short time, Olivia found herself falling hard for Gabe, as well as the rescued dog, Morgan, whom she wanted to adopt. Olivia is a teacher, and though she was falling in love with Gabe, she wasn’t sure she would stay in town, since she needed a teaching job.   I loved them together, as they made a great couple, and also enjoyed the occasional POV of Morgan.  Cute.  Will Gabe convince Olivia to stay?

What follows is a wonderful sweet romance between Gabe and Olivia, with added the element of Samson and Morgan; and meeting Olivia’s sister Ava, as well as the characters we already knew from the shelter. Head Over Paws is a heartwarming, delightful, sweet romance with two very relatable people, involving an animal shelter and two adorable dogs.

Debbie Burns gives us another wonderful, delightful, sweet, heartwarming story that kept us hooked until the very end.  Head Over Paws was well written by Debbie Burns.  If you love animals, with a romance in the background, you need to be reading this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Love at First Bark by Debbie Burns – Review,Excerpt & Giveaway

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Love at First Bark by Debbie Burns – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

 

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Description:
Animal portrait painter Mia Chambers and architect Ben Thomas have volunteered at the High Grove Animal Shelter for years, and they share a complicated history. Ben has secretly loved Mia all this time, but she was married to his best friend. Now she’s newly widowed, with a young son, and Ben doesn’t know how to tell her what’s in his heart. All he can do is stay close, help her as much as she’ll let him, and watch for the right moment to bare his soul.

When a dozen adorable border collies get dumped in St. Louis’ biggest park, everyone at the shelter mobilizes for a large-scale rescue. Rushing to the park to round up the frisky collies, Ben and Mia unexpectedly plunge into a new phase of their entangled lives. Who knew that opening their hearts and homes—to animals in need and to each other—would lead to so many upheavals…and new beginnings…?

Rescue Me Series:
A New Leash on Love (Book 1)
Sit, Stay, Love (Book 2)
My Forever Home (Book 3)
Love at First Bark (Book 4)

 

 

Review:

Love at First Bark by Debbie Burns is the 4th book in her Rescue Me series. We return to High Grove Animal Shelter, revisiting many people we met in the previous books.   Mia Chambers, our heroine, works at the shelter and also paints animal pictures.  Mia is recently widowed (though she was in the middle of a divorce) and has an adorable 7 year old son, Ollie.

Ben Thomas, our hero, has always been in love with Mia, but she was married to his best friend.   Ben does everything he can to help Mia and her son, as well as participate in events for the shelter; but he awaits the right moment to let Mia know about his true feelings. 

I was great to see Megan, Patrick, Tess and all the others from the shelter, as well as all the cats and dogs, especially those that we know.  Mia’s mother makes a surprise visit, and she pushes Mia to open her eyes to Ben’s love for her.  Mia also must deal with her in-laws, who are not keen on Mia becoming involved with anyone.   But Mia will stand up to them, noting that she was in the middle of finalizing a divorce. 

When someone dumps a dozen border collies in a park, everyone bands together to rescue them. I really enjoyed Ben, Mia and Ollie bringing two dogs (mother and puppy) home to foster and eventually adopt them.  Very cute.   The hunt to find and place the border collies, brings Ben and Mia closer, with both acknowledging their feelings for each other.

What follows is a wonderful sweet romance between Ben and Mia, with added the  element of Ollie.  I love this series, which spends much of the time with the shelter and the wonderful dogs and cats.  Love at First Bark is a wonderful delightful, heartwarming read, with some great characters, sweet dogs and cats, and wonderful romance.  

In Love at First Bark, Debbie Burns gives us another well written, sweet heartwarming story that kept us entertained from beginning to end. If you love animals, with a romance in the background, you need to read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Mia stepped out from Ollie’s room to find the main cabin empty. A single lamp was on, and the dwindling fire still glowed in the fireplace. Neither Ben nor Turbo around, and Mia wondered if Ben was done for the night too. A rush of disappointment swept over her at the thought of not getting to say good night to him.
Swallowing it down, she headed to the door with the dogs. The snow boots were all lined up beside the door on two long, thick rugs that were wet from the clumps of ice and snow that had been clinging to the boots when they’d come inside. The cold, wet patches stung Mia’s bare feet as she slipped into hers. She grabbed her coat from the closet and snaked it up one arm, transferred the puppy, then snaked it up the other.
When Mia moved to open the door and realized it was unlocked, she looked closer at the row of boots. Ben’s were missing. Her heart skittered in her chest. She opened the door with bated breath, but he was nowhere in sight.
Feeling the rush of cold air, Sam gave a determined shake of his head. His muscles tensed against her as if he was getting ready to leap. Sadie trotted backward several feet from the door as if to say “No thanks.”
Holding it open wider, Mia encouraged her. “Come on, girl. It’ll be a quick one, promise.”
Sadie whined but reluctantly followed Mia outside to the porch. Blue-white moonlight poured over the yard, bright enough to create shadows from the trees on the snow, and thousands of stars dotted the sky. The puppy squirmed in her arms as she stepped out deeper into the yard, crunching snow under her boots, until she set him down and zipped her coat.
Ben and Turbo were nowhere to be seen. She headed out into the yard, unable to entice Sadie off the snow-cleared porch. Sam trotted along, creating his own path, diving underneath windswept mounds, burying himself completely, then popping up and shaking himself off.
Mia was laughing at his antics when Sadie tore off the porch at something she’d spotted, barking and racing away into the darkness at the side of the cabin. Mia tensed, waiting, squinting to make out something in the darkness while trying to will Sadie back. “Ben?”
“Thank God,” she said when he called out into the night that it was him. She felt a rush of hesitation as he neared. “I thought the dogs might need to get outside another time before I put them in their crates.”
“Ollie’s asleep already?”
“As soon as his head hit the pillow.”
“Fresh air will do that to you.” Ben fell into step beside her as they headed toward the house.
Mia’s throat grew tight, and there was no denying why. They needed to talk. For hours into the night. There was so much to discuss. The only problem was Mia didn’t want to waste another minute of it not kissing him.
She swallowed hard. “Thanks for everything. For coming and all. For being so good to him.”
“I love him.”
She did her best to snip through the strings of connection drawing her to him. She was at a loss for words again, and Ben wasn’t helping them come any easier. She sat a squirmy and excited Sam back onto the ground. They were both quiet as they watched Sam leap and jump in a patch of untampered snow.
“Are you ready to go in? It’s freezing.”
“Mia, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the baby.”
They’d each spoken at exactly the same time. Mia bit her lip. “I can see why you didn’t, I guess. Would you have? Eventually.”
“Yeah, definitely. I was trying to find the right time.”
She nodded, conscious of her beating heart and the deep breaths she was taking. “I forgive you. Today’s a day for forgiveness, it seems.”
He shifted Turbo’s leash from one hand to the other. “About the other night…do you remember what you meant by ‘Et tu, Brute’? You texted that.”
Sam trotted off from them and up to the porch, snuggling against his mom, ready to go inside and get warm. Turbo looked off into the woods, not seeming to notice the cold.
Somehow, Mia knew if she told the truth, nothing was going to be the same. A tiny, nearly incoherent fear-filled voice inside her was screaming that she needed to stop this. But even if she couldn’t put it into words, she knew what she was doing. Suddenly her throat loosened, and the words spilled out. “The night Ollie was born, after the accident, you were there. You held my hand because Brad couldn’t. And not just that night. So many other times too. Sometimes I swear you’re the only person in the world who really sees me. When I figured out it was you Stacey was talking about in the letter, it wasn’t just that you knew and didn’t tell me, learning that made me doubt… I don’t know…everything.”
She could see the pain her words caused, and that more than anything was why she let herself step in and press her lips against his. He was four or five inches taller, but on the tips of her toes, she could just reach his lips. And just like before, she liked it. She liked everything about it.
She closed her bare, cold hands over the sides of his face and opened her mouth fully to his. He had strong lips, and she could feel the stubble from one day’s growth of beard against her skin.
He smelled like the Minnesota woods, cedar and pine, and he tasted like the s’mores they’d had in front of the fire. She could taste the sugar and chocolate on his lips and tongue. Her head began to swim, and she wondered if it was a flashback to drunkenly kissing him, or if she wasn’t breathing. Light-headed or not, she couldn’t pull away. She needed his kiss like she needed air, and he was going to have to be the one to stop it.
Only he didn’t. His hands slipped into her hair, and he lowered his face to hers so that she didn’t have to stand on her tiptoes. His tongue met hers, and he pulled closer as if he needed her the same way she needed him.
If he never pulled away, if he’d stand out here kissing her till they froze, Mia wouldn’t complain. Kissing Ben felt more than just good. It felt right. Like she’d been traveling a long time and had finally landed exactly where she should have been all along. It was as if she could feel broken pieces of herself mending together, halves becoming whole.
And somehow, even though she couldn’t explain it, she knew he felt the same way.

***
Excerpted from Love at First Bark by Debbie Burns. © 2019 by Debbie Burns. Used with permission of the publisher, Sourcebooks Casablanca, an imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc. All rights reserved.

 

 

 

 

 


Debbie Burns’ writing commendations include a Booklist Top 10 Romance Debut of 2017, a Starred Review from Publishers Weekly, and a Top Pick from RT Book Reviews, as well as first-place awards for short stories, flash fiction, and longer selections. She lives in St. Louis with her family, two phenomenal rescue dogs, and a somewhat tetchy Maine coon cat who everyone loves anyway. Visit her online at her website: www.authordebbieburns.com/

 

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My Forever Home by Debbie Burns – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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My Forever Home by Debbie Burns – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
Love comes to the rescue

Vet school drop-out Tess Grasso dreams of having her own pet therapy business, but she meets one disastrous obstacle after another. There’s no denying she has a way with animals, so in the meantime she puts her skills to use at a local no-kill shelter. Between helping her furry companions and a budding relationship with fellow dog lover Mason Redding, Tess begins to find fresh confidence…

What Tess doesn’t know is that Mason is recovering from an accident, hoping to get back to his pro-baseball career. He’s afraid the truth will ruin everything-and he’s right. But in the midst of hurt and betrayal, a free-spirited stray Husky enters their lives, and teaches them a few things about faith, love and forgiveness.

 

 

Review:

My Forever Home by Debbie Burns is the 3rd book in her Rescue Me series.  Once again Debbie Burns gives us a wonderful sweet story that is based around an animal shelter, with a sweet couple and a fantastic dog.

Tess Grasso, our heroine, has always loved animals, and was planning to be a vet, but things changed, as she wanted to do something more.   Tess is wonderful with the animals, knowing how to handle them in all kinds of situations and her knowledge and love for them shows. 

Mason Redding is our hero, and we meet him when he is walking his friend’s dog, and notices a stray dog that seems to be following him. When the dog escapes, it is Tess who happens upon the scene and manages to retrieve the dog. In a short time, a friendship develops between Mason and Tess, which will turn into a slow build sweet romance.

Mason wants badly to find the stray dog, who he plans to adopt, and has already named him John Ronald.  Tess and Mason will begin their search, and when they finally find him, it becomes emotional as John Ronald tries to bring them to some puppies whose  mother died, and they are sadly near death.  But Tess will spend the night at the shelter, and they will all work overtime to save their lives.  Very sweet.

Mason knows he is falling for Tess, but he has a secret that he must tell her before he expresses his feelings.   Mason is a pro baseball player, who is currently on the injured list, and has kept this a secret from Tess, as she does not follow baseball.  He enjoys being with Tess, and no one knowing how famous he has become.  When Tess discovers the truth, will this ruin their relationship?

I love this series,which spends much of the time with the shelter, and the wonderful dogs or cats they have rescued; it is heartwarming to watch how much they all care about the animals. The romance between Tess and Mason was sweet, and I really liked them together, and loved how John Roland played a part in bringing them together.  It was also cute to have a few POV’s in John Roland’s thoughts.

What follows is a wonderful sweet slow build romance between Tess and Mason. This was a wonderful sweet romance, with the shelter family and animals as a major part of the story.

Debbie Burns gives us another wonderful, delightful, sweet, heartwarming story that kept us hooked until the very end.  My Forever Home was a beautiful and heartwarming story, as we fell in love with the couple, the secondary characters and all the dogs/cats, especially John Ronald.  Mason and Tess romance was pure and sweet, and blended so well into the story.   My Forever Home was well written by Debbie Burns.  If you love animals, with a romance in the background, you need to read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 


“So, were you heading out of town or are you just getting back?” he asked as he turned the truck down a narrow alley. He was really hoping the thief had dumped Tess’s stolen suitcase and backpack in one of these Dumpsters.
“That’s a good question considering what we’re on the hunt for,” Tess said. “Neither, really. I got back from Europe about a month ago. I’m staying put in St. Louis for a bit. I was on a sales call.”
Mason parked the truck at a row of three Dumpsters, two trash and one recycling. “Europe, huh? I’ve never been, but I’m taking my parents in January.” He slipped the truck into Park and switched his wipers to low. “You can stay here if you’d like. I’ll call you if I see anything.”
Tess unbuckled her seat belt. “Thanks, but they’re my bags. I’ll Dumpster dive.”
They headed out into the drizzling rain together. Mason picked what seemed like a clean spot on the closest Dumpster’s lid and lifted it. It was cleaner inside than he’d imagined and a quarter full of tied bags of trash, a computer monitor, and a silk plant that showed more dust than green foliage.
Tess moved to the adjacent Dumpster with him. She stepped close enough to him as she peeked inside that he caught a whiff of her scent—soft, sweet, and subtle. It mixed with the stink of the Dumpsters, confusing his nostrils.
When the third Dumpster, the recycling bin, proved empty as well, they climbed back into the truck and Mason continued cruising through the streets and alleys around the park. On the fifth stop, they surprised a dog who’d been hanging out behind a Dumpster that was out of the rain under a roof overhang. Mason was only a bit surprised to see that it was John Ronald.
The magnificent animal dashed away to about the distance between home plate and second base, then turned and stood in the rain, watching them with pricked-at-attention ears. Mason whistled loudly. The dog, which Mason guessed was mostly husky mixed with something big and long-legged, responded with a single wag of his tail.
“That,” Mason said, “is my dog. He just doesn’t know it yet. Or maybe he does, and he’s still trying to deny it.”
Tess looked from Mason to the dog, and back to Mason. “He’s watching you like he knows you, that’s for sure.”
Mason wished he’d thought to bring some treats in the likely event they’d run into John Ronald on this Dumpster prowl. He whistled again. After a few seconds, probably determining that Mason was empty-handed, the dog turned and trotted away, his long legs making fast tracks.
“Not today, huh, John Ronald,” Mason said under his breath.
Tess was suddenly studying him intently.
“What did you mean, ‘your dog’?”
He shrugged. “He’s a stray who hangs out near my building. We’ve had a few moments, but I haven’t been able to get close enough to catch him. If I ever do, I intend to keep him.”
Her mouth opened a fraction of an inch, calling Mason’s attention to the fullness of her lips a second time.
“And why John Ronald?”
Judging by the incredulous look that had spread across her face, Mason’s best guess was he’d done something either impossibly wrong or impossibly right. He just didn’t know which.
Hoping it was the second, he opted for the truth, letting it fall out in a display of rare vulnerability.
“The first night I saw him, I was up in my loft. It was six or seven months ago—early spring, I guess—and the moon was full. I told you, I’m on the sixth floor. I have a decent view of the street below my loft. After I spotted him, I stepped out on my balcony. The white patches on his body and above his eyes stood out in the moonlight, and I could have sworn that he was looking up at me. I was afraid if I went downstairs and outside, I’d scare him off, so I dropped him hot dogs from my balcony, and he ate them. He even caught a few before they hit the ground.
“When I ran out of them, I headed down as fast as I could. I think he knew I was coming. He was already at the end of the block, but he was looking my way like he was waiting but needed the distance to feel safe. He watched me for a while, but then he turned and left like he did just now.”
Mason shrugged, thinking of all the interactions he and the dog had had since that first night. He’d been doing his best to catch the stray, but hadn’t had any luck. “I leave him food on the street under my balcony. Sometimes he leaves me things too. Odd things. A dead crow once, but also trash. I know it’s him, because one time I spotted him carrying a hat. By the time I got downstairs, he was gone. The hat was waiting for me by the building door.”
Fresh tears blossomed out of nowhere, brimming on Tess’s lower lids. She blinked them away without shedding them. “But why John Ronald?”
“Because calling him Tolkien didn’t feel right.”
She dropped his gaze so quickly that Mason knew she’d gotten the confirmation she’d been looking for. “Not all those who wander are lost.” It was such a quiet whisper on her lips that Mason almost wasn’t sure he’d heard it. It was said so softly that he suspected it wasn’t even meant for his ears.
She shook her head as if she’d just heard something she didn’t quite believe. He was about to ask for clarification when she abruptly returned to the truck.
Mason climbed in after her, wondering if perhaps the universe had just shifted for him a second time in a month, only this time much less painfully so.


 

Debbie Burns’ writing commendations include a Starred Review from Publishers Weekly and a Top Pick from RT Book Reviews for A New Leash on Love, as well as first-place awards for short stories, flash fiction, and longer selections. Her hobbies include hiking, gardening, and daydreaming, which, of course, always leads to new story ideas. She lives in St. Louis with her family, two phenomenal rescue dogs, and a somewhat tetchy Maine coon cat who everyone loves anyway.
  Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

 

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Sit, Stay, Love by Debbie Burns – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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Sit, Stay, Love by Debbie Burns – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

 

Sit, Stay, Love
Rescue Me series – Book #2
by Debbie Burns
Release Date: April 3, 2018

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / iBooks / Book Depository

 

Description:
These dogs aren’t the only ones in need of rescue

For devoted no-kill shelter worker Kelsey Sutton, rehabbing a group of rescue dogs is a welcome challenge. Working with a sexy ex-military dog handler who needs some TLC himself? That’s a different story.

Kurt Crawford keeps his heart locked away from everyone. Well, everyone except the dogs who need his help…and always have his back. But as Kurt gets to know the compassionate, beautiful woman he’s been assigned to work with, he can’t help but feel a little puppy love…

 

 

Review:

Sit, Stay, Love by Debbie Burns is the second book in her wonderful Rescue Me series. I loved this story, as it was a wonderful heartwarming story about an animal shelter, rescue dogs and a sweet romance.

Kelsey Sutton, our heroine, devotes her time to working at the local animal shelter.  When a raid has rescued a lot of dogs who were brutally used for dog fighting, Kelsey’s boss, Megan sends her take a look at the dogs, and picks about 15 for the shelter to help in rehabbing the dogs.  The plan is to bring these dogs to a mansion that was left to the shelter in a will, which was to feed and take care of the deceased lady’s cat, Mr. Longtail.

Kelsey upon picking the dogs she felt would be good to stay in the mansion, notices an ex-marine, who is friends with the man in charge of finding places for the rescued dogs.  Kelsey immediately finds herself attracted to him, but brushes it off, since she will never see him again.

Kurt Crawford, our hero, is an ex marine with PSTD, who was also a dog handler both in Afghanistan and for Rob, the man in charge.  Kurt notices the pretty Kelsey, but he walks away, until he discovers that this might be the perfect job for him.

Once the dogs start to arrive, Kelsey is shocked to learn that Kurt will be one working with her to rehab the dogs.  Kurt, considered a dog whisperer, knows how to handle these types of dogs that need the extra and careful protection.  Both Kelsey and Kurt cannot deny their attraction, but they both are devoted to taking care of the dogs, and a slow built romance will begin.  Their romance was destined to heal both Kelsey (her lack of confidence in finding someone to love her), and Kurt (who did not think he could get past his past and nightmares); this romance was a background of the main story, but was beautiful and very well done. 

I loved Mr. Longtail, a maine coon cat, who was aloof when Kelsey would come to feed him twice a day; but when Kurt began to live there full time, the cat became very affectionate, and was a good companion to some of the dogs.  We also got to meet in more detail some of the dogs, which was not only heart wrenching, but was so emotional when they slowly began to feel free and happy.  Frankie, Devil, Pepper, Zeus, as well as the shelter dog, Corzi was wonderful to see them thrive.  There were a few tears along the way, especially when one of the dogs came face to face with his former owner before he was forced into dog fighting.  Very emotional.    I loved Frankie, who bonded with Kurt and along with Mr. Longtail, went a long way to heal Kurt.

Debbie Burns gives us another wonderful, sweet, heartwarming story that kept us hooked until the very end.  Sit, Stay, Love was a beautiful story, as we fell in love with the dogs we spent time with and watched as they helped them to recover and live normal happy lives.  Kurt and Kelsey’s romance was pure and sweet, and blended so well into the story.  If you love animals, with a romance in the background, you need to read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

“It had been years since Kurt had felt genuine peace slip over him after the sun sank below the horizon and stars studded the sky. In Afghanistan and in the jungles of Honduras, he’d rarely been able to relax, even on nights when he was tucked in a bunk and crowded with the sounds and smells of other marines and a handful of dogs not far away. He hadn’t expected to be able to do so here either.
But the calm cradled his skin despite the surprise that accompanied it.
Standing under the stars, Kurt set his beer on the table and headed into the screened-in half of the porch. The pregnant Rottweiler let out a whine as he approached. Kelsey had taken her outside an hour or so before after making sure she ate a plentiful dinner.
Kurt hooked a leash onto the dog’s collar and led her around the yard long enough to ensure she was calm and obedient, then asked her to sit on command before letting her off leash. Once free from its confines, the Rott—Pepper, as Kelsey was calling her—gave her massive head a shake and trotted off into the yard. Kurt headed back onto the porch for his beer.
Taking a swig of beer, Kurt eyed the silhouette of an owl standing watch on an exposed branch of an enormous oak tree at the back of the yard. If Kurt hadn’t been outside when it let out a series of soft, low hoots, he wouldn’t have known the owl was there. It seemed to be watching the dog sniff around the dark yard as if it had come across an interloper in its nightly hunting spot.
A cool, gentle breeze swept over Kurt’s skin. He was thankful to no longer be living in sweltering lands. The dry oven that was the desert, and the wet, stifling tropics. He wondered how long it would be before he forgot the sensation of the heat rising off the desert sand late at the night as if he were holding his hand over a radiator. Or standing guard in the jungle at night, listening to the howler monkeys crossing the tree canopy while he scoped openings in the thick tropical forest for insurgents. One night he’d spotted a small, wild ocelot hunting at the edge of the base. About the size of a slender coyote, it had unusually large eyes and a sleek coat with spots and stripes.
As he was thinking about it, a very different feline stalked into view. Mr. Longtail. Who knew where the unusual cat had been this evening, but he was headed confidently toward the Rott, in full view of the owl. The enormous Maine coon was too big to ever end up dinner to an owl, but Kurt wasn’t so sure about the off-leash Rott. Setting down his beer, he whistled confidently.
Pepper—the name was sticking even though naming these dogs would create unnecessary emotional attachment—pricked up her ears and looked his way.
“Come here, girl,” Kurt called, half holding his breath as the cat trotted directly into the dog’s path. Like earlier this afternoon, Pepper didn’t disappoint. She dropped into a play bow and woofed. Mr. Longtail stopped mid-step as the hair along his back and tail stood out stick straight. As if he’d had no idea a dog was capable of such a baritone woof. Pepper didn’t seem to notice. She sniffed the cat all over, nudging his hind end off the ground with her strong head.
Kurt emptied his pocket of treats for her. Mr. Longtail followed, walking underneath her, straight to Kurt’s legs to rub against his jeans. The cat meowed, and Kurt was surprised to hear a deep, thrumming purr radiating from his chest.
After getting Pepper back in her kennel, Kurt headed into the kitchen, Mr. Longtail following. He fed the cat and helped himself to a slice of cold pizza. He considered hunting down a notebook and pen and making a to-do list of all the items bouncing around his head, but even if he could find a pen and a notebook, he doubted he’d get halfway through writing the list before becoming distracted. Experience had proven he could tackle projects of almost any size, but he couldn’t make a list to save himself. So instead, he dove into repairs of the Sabrina Raven estate the way he did everything else—focusing on whatever came to the front of his thoughts.
He sorted through a bulky metal toolbox for all the flooring nails he could find. “Come on, cat,” Kurt said to the watchful Mr. Longtail. He slipped the nails into his pocket and fisted the hammer, heading out of the kitchen. “You and I could likely use each other’s company. Let’s see if I can get those stairs to be a bit less of a hazard so I can make it up to one of those old feather beds you’ve been sleeping on.”
With a twitch of his tail, the cat followed him out of the kitchen, and Kurt suspected he was on the way to making an unlikely friend.

 


Debbie Burns lives in St. Louis with her family, two phenomenal rescue dogs, and a somewhat tetchy Maine coon cat who everyone loves anyway. Her hobbies include hiking, gardening, and daydreaming, which, of course, always leads to new story ideas.

Find Debbie Online:

Website: http://www.authordebbieburns.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authordebbieburns

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_debbieburns

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16200547.Debbie_Burns

 

 

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

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

 

A New Leash on LoveAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

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

 

 

About the author

Debbie BurnsDebbie 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

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