Tag Archives: Dogs

When The Echo Calls by Steve N. Lee – a Review

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When The Echo Calls by Steve N. Lee – a Review

 

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Description:
Sometimes a dog isn’t just a dog — it’s hope.
Left for dead in the gutter, Rio struggles to his feet and lurches into the shadows for a place to hide. Life has always been brutal, thanks to a monster of an owner, but at least he’d had food, a bed, a place to call home. Now…?

Ben’s life ended when he lost his family. Drink no longer dulls the pain; therapy is a joke; friends have moved on. He’d had everything, yet now…?

But when the broken man meets the broken dog, they discover something neither had ever dreamed could exist… a reason to go on.

In a story as heartwarming as it is heartbreaking, When the Echo Calls explores how hope can be found in the most unexpected of places if only we have the courage to look for it.

 

 

Review:

Where the Echo Calls by Steve N Lee is another one of his standalone novels that centers on a dog.  Having read the previous books by Lee, I looked forward to reading this one.  I really enjoyed this book, though I did have mixed feelings, which I will detail later in this review. 

We meet Rio at the start, when he is kicked out of a car; badly injured, he struggles to get up and hide in the shadows. Rio’s life has always been rough, being a dog fighter, and with a mean owner.  As Rio tries to heal a bit, he is desperate to find food, and keeps an eye out for his missing owner (who never comes); he doesn’t understand why people are mean, and looks at other dogs, who seem happy.  After a short time on the outside, animal control will capture Rio, and bring him to a hospital, with the Vet fixing his bad injuries.  I really liked the hospital assistant (he called her Wierdo), who was so wonderful taking care of Rio, and desperately trying to find a home, knowing the people tend to shy away from a dog that did fighting.   I will say close to the first half of the book, it was very emotional and depressing to see what Rio had to go through.

It was difficult to read when Rio was adopted, by not really good people.  The story changes when Rio meets Ben, who lost his family a long time ago. Both Ben and Rio were broken, and perfect to help each other. I loved how Ben did everything make Rio learn how to be a dog, and I got a kick out of Rio seeing other dogs in the park.  To say too much more would be spoilers, as the last half of the book was very well done as well as emotional; so much happens at the last quarter of the book, that you need to read.

Where the Echo Calls was a heartbreaking, as well as heartwarming story.  I loved Rio, and Ben, and some added characters later on.  My mixed feelings were the first half of the book, which had me putting the book down for a bit, since it was depressing; and I do love dogs. Where The Echo Calls was well written by Steve N Lee.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

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Dog Friendly by Victoria Schade – a Review

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Dog Friendly by Victoria Schade – a Review

 

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Description:
A burned-out veterinarian takes a much-needed beach vacation, where a charming surfer makes waves in her love life, and a unique foster pup renews her passion for her work.

Exhausted veterinarian Morgan Pearce is feeling overworked and under-thanked, so when two favorite clients ask her to watch their special needs senior dog in their Nantucket home, she jumps at the chance for a summer break. She hopes her time on the island will be a reset from the stress of her everyday life, but her chill vacation vibe takes a hit when she gets roped into fostering a challenging, anxious dog and helping plan the local rescue group’s glittery annual fundraiser.

Her trip starts to feel more like a vacation when Morgan begins falling for Nathan Keating, an irresistible entrepreneur who thinks every problem can be solved on a surfboard. Just as the summer is shaping up to be the magical refresh she needs, thanks to a fling that feels like the beginning of something real and Hudson, the foster dog who reminds her how much she loves her job, a visit from her estranged brother and the discovery of who Nathan really is changes everything. Morgan finds herself at a crossroads, trying to determine if mistakes from the past must define the future, or if she should forgive, forget, and grab hold of a chance to finally rescue herself.

 

Review:

Dog Friendly by Victoria Schade is a cute fun romance, with adorable dogs.  Morgan Pearce, our heroine, is a veterinarian, who is overworked and somewhat burned out, and when she faints on the job, she knows she needs to take a break.  I was surprised to learn that many Veterinarians have a high rate of suicide, due to the stress and pressor that takes a mental toll. 

Morgan loves dogs, and when one of her customers offer her a chance to spend a few months at Nantucket, while they are away, to watch over their dog, Bernadette; she accepts. Other then the people offered her the chance to get a good vacation, Morgan hides that she is a veterinarian, and claims only to babysitting the dog.  Bernadette was a sweet lovable dog, which was easy for Morgan. But she is asked to foster a challenging and anxious dog, as well as help with the local rescue group’s annual fundraiser. Morgan is happy and content in beautiful Nantucket, allowing herself to relax and enjoy the friends she has met, as well as both dogs she is taking care of; and now she finds herself meeting hot hunk.

Nathan Keating, our hero, has been pushing his new flavored drinks, which he hopes will escalate into a successful business; he is also very friendly with everyone in town.   is the gorgeous guy who is friendly to all. He meets Morgan, and in a short time a slow build romance begins, with them spending a lot of time together, as well as him training Morgan how to surf. 

What follows is a lighthearted, fun, enjoyable story, which also deals with stress, burnout & mental health. This book does give us a look at the harshness of the veterinary profession.  I really liked Morgan and Nathan, and hoped they could get past some personal issues to stay together.  I will say I absolutely loved the dogs, especially Bernadette and Hudson, who Morgan slowly trained her to overcome his fears.  

Dog Friendly was a very good story line, with a great couple, wonderful fun dogs, and so very well written by Victoria Schade.  This was a charming read, that kept me unable to put the book down.  I suggest you read Dog Friendly.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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When The Skies Cry by Steve N Lee – a Review

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When The Skies Cry by Steve N Lee – a Review

 

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Description:
Sometimes, the one you’re saving is really saving you.

Harley loses everything when his master dies — his home, his best friend, his reason for living. Day after day, he trudges the streets, trembling from the biting cold, whimpering from the gnawing hunger.

Across town, Rachel has an alimony hearing looming and a make-or-break deadline hurtling toward her, yet they aren’t her biggest worries — her autistic son has withdrawn so far into his own private world, he barely acknowledges she even exists.

Luckily, the magic of life is in the surprises no one ever sees coming…

 

 

 

Review:

When the Skies Cry by Steve N Lee is another one of his standalone novels that centers on a dog.  Having read the previous book by Lee, I looked forward to reading this one.  I really enjoyed this book, though I did have mixed feelings, which I will detail later in this review. 

We meet Harley at the start, as he doesn’t understand why his owner isn’t responding to him.  The owner is dead, and in a short time Harley finds himself on the streets, desperate for food, and everywhere he goes, no one helps him, and he runs into nasty teenagers who try to harm him.

Rachel, our heroine, has issues fighting her ex-husband for alimony, as she takes care of their autistic son. Rachel has her hands full trying to train her son, who is very withdrawn, at doing questions and answers.  When she takes Wes for a walk in the park, the nasty teenagers make fun of her son, until Harley comes out under the bench and scares the teenagers.  Wes finds himself enamored of the dog, and though Rachel does not want to bring the dog home, she sees he is starving, and most importantly, the dog seems to bring out another side to Wes. 

When Rachel can’t find Harley’s owner, she decides to keep him, as she can see the change in Wes.  Harley was a fantastic dog, knowing all kinds of tricks, especially making Wes and even Rachel laugh. In a short time, she will have to fight for Harley, as the deceased owner left a will, but the lawyer knows what is best for the dog, and luckily it turns into her favor.  Harley was an amazingly and wonderful dog, so much fun, and very loyal to both Wes and Rachel.  Wes improved so much, even in a specialized  school, they notice how much more he is talking and even helping others.

Rachel will discover, thanks to Harley, that she has a disease and will need chemo.  She prepares her friend Izzy to learn how to handle Wes, in the event if things go bad.

Now to my mixed feelings.  I thought the early part where Harley suffered was a bit depressing, though I understood that.  The majority of the book was wonderful, however the last few chapters of the end of the book totally turned me off, as it was very depressing and a shock.  The author decided to create an alternate ending that the reader can choose; which I did enjoy and chose. When the Skies Cry was well written by Steve N Lee.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

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A Tail for Two by Mara Wells – a Review

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A Tail for Two by Mara Wells – a Review

 

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Description:
Lance Donovan agreed to dog sit only to help out his younger brother. Little does he know that an encounter with his ex-wife at the local dog park is going to turn his life upside down…

Carrie Burns has a successful business, a young son, and an energetic pup. She doesn’t have time for much more in her busy schedule, but her friends say she needs to get back into the dating scene or she’ll never find a new Mr. Right. Between her demanding job and 3-year-old Oliver, dating is starting to be another chore.

Carrie especially doesn’t have time for her ex-husband, Lance Donovan. But when Lance meets Oliver, he’s determined to connect with the son he didn’t know he had, and the love he thought he’d lost.

Fur Haven Dog Park Series:
Cold Nose, Warm Heart (Book 1)
Tail for Two (Book 2

 

Review

A Tail for Two by Mara Wells is the 2nd book in her Fur Haven Dog Park series. This series is a lighthearted second chance romance story line with a great couple, and cute adorable dogs.

Lance Donovan, our hero, is Caleb’s brother (last book hero), and with his other brother Knox, they have been helping renovate the Dorothy apartment complex for seniors, which Caleb is in charge of.  But Caleb and Riley are going away on vacation for two weeks, and Lance takes an active role. He is also stuck with taking care of their dog, Lou Lou.  While at the dog park, Lance notices another dog that reminds him of the dog he loved that his ex wife kept in a divorce settlement; he quickly realizes that the dog is Beckingham.

Carrie Burns, our heroine, is Lance’s ex wife, whom neither have seen each other for three years.  In a short time, Lance will meet her young son, Oliver, and quickly realizes he is his son.  He was surprised, as both of them never wanted children.  She never told him about Oliver, and at first Lance is angry, but slowly he indoctrinates himself into their lives, as a friendship.  Carrie has her hands full, with Oliver and Beckingham, and her business, designing homes. Lance offers to cover for her when she needs to go on jobs, as this gives him more time with Oliver.

Lance and Carrie begin to feel a connection again, but Carrie is determined to date others to find the right man for her.  After a bit, Lance finds himself becoming jealous, and knows he wants Carrie back, and he wants to be a family with Oliver.  Will she give Lance another chance?  Will Lance change his mind and try to win Oliver in a custody battle?

What follows is a cute, fun enjoyable adventure, as their romance heats up, but the issues were still there, if it was possible to begin again.  It was nice to see many of the regulars at The Dorothy, as well as at the Dog park. It was also wonderful to see Riley, Caleb and Grams again.   I thought that Oliver was the best part of the story, as I adored him.  I also loved both Lou Lou and Beckingham. 

A Tail of Two was a heartwarming story about family, second chances, senior citizens, dogs, dog parks, and finding love again.   Mara Wells did an excellent job in writing this story.  I suggest you read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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As The Stars Fall by Steve N. Lee – a Review

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As The Stars Fall by Steve N. Lee – a Review

 

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Description:
A desperate dog. A scarred girl. A bond nothing can break.

When a young girl suffering with her own tragedy comes across an injured young dog, she can’t resist helping him. Both having braved the worst the world had to throw at them, the pair quickly form an unbreakable bond. They picture their future as an endless stream of adventures filled with love, laughter, and good times.

But life has one last cruel trick to play…

At one moment heart-warming, the next heart-breaking, this is the story of a desperate dog’s roller coaster journey to be the one thing every good dog dreams of being – a best friend. Through a touching tale, As The Stars Fall explores how compassion can make us whole again and friendship can heal even the most broken of hearts.

 

 

Review:

As the Stars Fall by Steve N Lee is a standalone novel centered around a dog. I did not know what to expect, but upon completion of the book, I thought Lee did a marvelous job writing this wonderful story.  The entire book is in the POV of the dog, who is named Kai.

We meet Kai, who is a puppy, roaming the streets starving and afraid, with no one left of his family.   Every where he goes, he is frightened by the nasty people, and dangerous animals.  One such animal, a hound dog, injures Kai, and a sweet young girl walking with her Dad finds him laying there.  She pleads with her Dad to take him for help, and after they take him to the vet, he allows her to bring the dog home.  Kai is afraid early on, as people are usually bad, but in a short time he trusts the young girl and slowly begins to love Mia.  Mia lost her mother, and Kai was the one who brought back her happiness.

This was a cute funny story, as we follow everything in Kai’s eyes; such as when Mia “hacks” a lot (he is hearing laughter); when he smells heaven (bacon); exhausted from long walks; when he is suddenly alone (she goes to school), etc. In a short time, Mia becomes Kai’s life and love, with him learning the mystery of people and allowing us to enjoy the ride.

The years will pass, as Kai and Mia get older, but the love and happiness get brighter.  Kai turns into a big dog, always happily following Mia, and she loving him with all her heart.  Then one day on one of their treks, something happens that will tragically change things.

I do not want to give spoilers, as saying too much more would ruin things for you.  As the Stars Fall was a fun, heartwarming, engaging story line that did pull on our emotions, with laughter, love, tears and sadness.   Very well done by Steve N Lee.  If you enjoy books about dogs and family, you need to read As the Stars Fall. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

 

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