Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!  Thank you for being part of my blog community.  I appreciate you all, your kindness and your comments.

Abby and I will be taking a blog break, but I plan to return for a review and giveaway on December 1.  Dear Abby will also return on December 2.

Have a wonderful holiday!

Monday, November 21, 2016

Book Review and Giveaway - Trust My Heart by Carol J. Post

Book Synopsis
Will an unplanned detour finally guide Grant home and find love with an honest, funny, and undeniably appealing reporter named Jami? Find out in a heartwarming romance by Carol J. Post, Trust My Heart. Grant McAllister arrives in Murphy, North Carolina, with one aim: to sell his inherited property and leave as quickly as possible. After breaking up with her safe-but-smothering boyfriend, Jami is determined to ace her first big assignment. A story about the McAllister estate is too intriguing to ignore—but as the two draw closer as they share their dreams, misread signals and misunderstandings begin to test their trust.

My Review 
Trust My Heart is a heartwarming small town novel.  It begins with Jami breaking up with her overbearing boyfriend and starting her career as a small town reporter.  Her work leads her to Grant, who has returned home to liquidate his grandparents' estate.  Jami wants to write about the estate, and sparks fly as the two get acquainted, and sort out what they are looking for individually ... and maybe together as well.

This is such a charming novel.  Trust My Heart has so many elements I love.  It has a small town setting in the Smoky Mountains.  There is an old, abandoned family mansion to explore.  It has truly likable, relatable characters in Jami and Grant.  It has a heartwarming romance.  And it even has two adorable rescued dachshunds!  It would make a perfect Hallmark movie. 

Trust My Heart was a perfect weekend read.  I enjoyed it so much that I am already sure I will reread it again in the future.   Make some cocoa, find a warm blanket, and curl up for a delightful visit with characters and a town you will enjoy.

Giveaway
Join Carol in celebrating the release of Trust My Heart by entering to win her $75 Cozy Cash Giveaway.


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One grand prize winner will receive:
  • A copy of Trust My Heart
  • A $75 Visa cash card
  • A basket full of goodies made in North Carolina to keep you cozy in the cooler fall weather
blog-tour-giveaway 

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on November 23. The winner will be announced November 28 on Carol's blog.


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I received a copy of this book from Litfuse.

Friday, November 18, 2016

Dear Abby - Happy Thanksgiving

Dear friends,

I hear that next week is Thanksgiving!  That means yummy food and the National Dog Show.  It also is a nice reminder to be thankful for good things in our lives.

Readers, I am thankful for YOU.  I have loved the wonderful stories and photos you have shared of your fur-kids in Rescue Spotlights and Pet Meet and Greet posts here.  I enjoy every single comment that you leave, especially the ones about your pets.

Thank you for visiting my blog and for loving animals and for supporting rescue!

Today I will just share a few vintage Thanksgiving images with you.  Above, you will see a girl eating turkey while her dachshund watches.  (He has a bone to chew on.)  It is a cover illustration of Calling All Girls magazine from the early 1960's.

Below you will find a vintage postcard showing two black and tan dachshunds meeting some turkeys.  I wonder how that went?!


This vintage Thanksgiving greeting card features two little puppies playing on a great big pumpkin.  That looks like fun!


This is another vintage greeting card (1940's).  It shows a little terrier dog actually riding on a turkey!



Thank you again for stopping by!  What are you thankful for this year?  If you have pets, do they get special treats on Thanksgiving?  I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Love,

Abby xoxoxo


Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Book Spotlight and Giveaway - Cat Got Your Diamonds by Julie Chase

Book Synopsis
Grandeur and opulence are everything in the famed New Orleans Garden District where pets are family and no bling is too big. Opening Furry Godmother, pet boutique and organic treat bakery, is Lacy Marie Crocker’s dream come true–until the glitter gun used to make her Shih Tzu tutus becomes a murder weapon. And Lacy becomes public enemy #1.

Now Detective Jack Oliver is hounding Lacy, and her Furry Godmother investor wants out before his name is tarnished by association. To make matters worse, a string of jewel heists with suspicious ties to the murder case has New Orleans residents on edge. To save her dream, Lacy must take a stand, put her keen eyes to work, and unravel what really happened at her shop that night. But can Lacy sniff out the killer cat burglar in time to get her tail-raising designs on the catwalk?

Author Bio
Julie Chase is a mystery-loving pet enthusiast who hopes to make readers smile. She lives in rural Ohio with her husband and three small children. Julie is a member of the International Thriller Writers (ITW) and Sisters in Crime (SinC). She is represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyons Literary Agency. Julie also writes as Julie Anne Lindsey. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JulieChaseAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/juliechasebooks
Website: http://juliechasebooks.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14957369.Julie_Chase?from_search=true

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon     BAM!       IndieBound

Giveaway
(3) digital prize packs of books 1&2 in Julie Anne Lindsey’s Geek Girl Mysteries  
A Geek Girl’s Guide to Murder, book 1, A Geek Girl’s Guide to Arsenic, book 2  
a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Friday, November 11, 2016

Dear Abby - Pet Meet and Greet: Charlie and Baxter

Dear Friends,

I hope you are having a good week!  We FINALLY are getting cooler weather here.  It is starting to really feel like Fall.

Today I would love to introduce you to Charlie and Baxter, two handsome Bichon Frise dogs.  Their mother, Lindsay, was kind enough to stop by the blog for an interview.  Lindsay blogs at The Flynnigans, and you'll find more Charlie and Baxter there.



Abby: Who are your pets (names, breeds, ages)?

Lindsay: Charlie 9, Baxter 8. Both Bichon Frise. Both share the same mother and father, they are just a litter apart.


Abby: Is there a story behind any of your pets' names?

Lindsay: Charles Xavier Flynn - Charles after my late grandfather, Xavier after Professor X in X-Men and Flynn is our last name.

Baxter Burgundy Flynn - Baxter because my husband wanted to name him Buster and I refused because I didn't think Buster suited the name being white little fluffy dog, so in the end, Baxter it was. :) His middle name was inspired by Ron Burgundy in the Anchorman movie.


Abby: What is the funniest thing your pets have done?
Lindsay: I can't say that one time in particular stands out in my mind, but the boys are constantly doing funny things and making my husband and I both smile and laugh.

Abby: Have your pets had any adventures?
Lindsay: The boys have never been on a plane but they do enjoy getting down and dirty camping with us usually once a year.

Abby: What do you and your pets do for fun?
Lindsay: We have play dates with friends or at my mom's house (she has three bichons). They love being doted on and loving on Mommy and Daddy. They love snoozing and Charlie loves watching tv.

Abby: Do your pets have any favorite, special toys?
Lindsay: Charlie isn't particular with his toys. He has a basket of toys, some he played with back when he was a puppy that he still gravitates to.


Baxter is pretty indifferent as well. He will play fetch with you whereas Charlie will typically look at the object thrown, then back at you as if to say, "what?". Lol

I would say, though, of all the toys and money we've spent over the years, nothing compares to their love of our freshly worn socks all balled up. That is heaven to them. Lol


Abby: What are some special things your pets can do?
Lindsay: We've always taken pride in teaching them both to sit, down, shake a paw (both sides), high five and twirl like a circus animal all roughly by the age of 4 months, the twirling trick taking longer than the others.


Another thing we are proud of is Charlie's modeling career when he was 6 months to two years old. We had so much fun taking him to photo shoots and auditions but it was hard work, and had we wanted him to get into it more, we would've had to hire a handler, and at that point you have to question whether you want your dog as a family pet or you want them to be a working dog, both different from the other. It's just a whole different lifestyle when you have working pets that are constantly working, going to auditions. It was exhausting but a lot fun nonetheless.

Baxter also had his hand at modeling last year; he won the month of September 2016 for a local dog calendar contest. :)

Abby: What are your pets' most lovable qualities?
Lindsay: Charlie is dubbed the social butterfly of the two boys, he loves all kinds. Baxter is the more reserved boy until he gets to know you and then once he does, he's Mr. Softie. They are both such funny, sweet, smart and loving little gentlemen. :)

Thank you, Lindsay, Charlie, and Baxter, for stopping by today!  I loved hearing about the boys' modeling career and the fun they have.  I love their full names too!   Readers, you can leave comments and questions for Lindsay in the comments, below.

If you have pets who would enjoy being spotlighted here, please let me know!  Be sure to leave your email in the comments if you want to do a spotlight.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Love,

Abby xoxoxo




Friday, November 4, 2016

Dear Abby - Pet Meet and Greet Spotlight: Hansel, Gretel, and Rosalie

Dear Friends,

I am happy to introduce you to three of my dachshund friends.  They are Hansel, Gretel, and Rosalie, and they live with their mother Sheila.  Sheila is another Doxieposse friend, and she is a great dachshund person.  I love the beautiful photos she has shared, and the stories about her sweet doxies.  I think you will, too!

Abby:  Who are your pets (names, breeds, ages)? 


Sheila:  Hansel & Gretel, Miniature Dachshunds, 14yrs old
Rosalie Lillian, English Cream Longhair Dachshund, 6yrs old

Sheila adds more background for Hansel and Gretel:  "They are a bonded brother and sister who were the only survivors of their litter and weighed ½ pound each at birth. They have had a multitude of health problems. I had a vet once tell me they should have been put down as puppies but I said no. I took them from what I considered a bad home breeder."

Abby: Is there a story behind any of your pets' names?

Sheila:  Hansel & Gretel were named by a co-worker who was from Germany and suggested it because of the German breed.

Rosalie Lillian got her name from the Twilight character Rosalie Lillian Hale who was described in the books as a beautiful blonde.

Abby: What is the funniest thing your pets have done?

Sheila: Gretel is very mischievous and an instigator.  She once climbed a baby gate, shredded everything she could get into, then climbed back over the gate to make it look like someone had broken in, made the mess then left.  That day I had not put away the paper products after grocery shopping so she had a good time.  She’s chewed the bottom fabric on her love seat, she will pull over trash cans, nose around in any bag on the floor, etc.  That is why they are crated when I’m not home. 

Hansel hates riding in the car so bad he once got stuck behind a toilet trying to hide.  I also found him inside an old dog bed once. He somehow managed to get in the part that was full of stuffing and made a huge mess in the process.

Abby: Have your pets had any adventures? 


Sheila: Not sure unless you consider the time they tried to chase the rabbit when I let her loose and bedlam ensued or the time they tried to help me catch the parakeet that got loose in my apartment or the time I caught them with their paws in the guinea pig cages rocking them back and forth or the time I lost my mind thinking I could handle taking 6 dogs outside on leashes at once while dog sitting.
Abby: What do you and your pets do for fun?

Sheila: They love riding in the car (once you get Hansel in the car). Gretel even learned how to put her paws on the automatic window button so the window would roll down.   They also loved going to visit their Nana all I had to do was say the word Nana and they run to the door and start barking to leave. 


Abby: Do your pets have any favorite, special toys?

Sheila: Rosalie has a thing for socks to the point she tries to get the ones I’m putting on to wear with shoes.  

Hansel & Gretel have a favorite blanket and will pout when it’s time to be washed. They also love soft squeaky toys of any kind.

Abby: What are some special things your pets can do?

I can put food on the floor and say "Leave It" and they won’t touch it. This is a command we still utilize from our obedience days.

Hansel has always put his nose on my ankle when he needs to go outside.

Gretel has an overbite (her bottom jaw didn’t grow correctly) and this made her able to whistle.  

Rosalie will hold my hand with her paws or if I’m sitting she’ll climb up, wrap her paws around my neck for a hug.

Abby: What are your pets' most lovable qualities?

Sheila:  Without a doubt the unconditional love I receive every day.
Aww - that is a wonderful quality!  What wonderful stories about these beautiful doxies!  Sheila, thank you so much for visiting today.   Friends, you can leave questions or comments for Sheila in the comments section below.

I only have one more Pet Meet and Greet on my upcoming calendar, and would LOVE to include your pets.  If you are interested, please just leave your email in the comments.  Thanks!

Wishing you a great weekend!   Thanks for stopping by.

Love,

Abby xoxoxo


Blog Review and Giveaway - Love Literary Style by Karin Gillespie

Book Synopsis
They say opposites attract, and what could be more opposite than a stuffy literary writer falling in love with a self-published romance writer?

Meet novelist Aaron Mite. He lives in a flea-infested rented alcove, and his girlfriend Emma, a combative bookstore owner, has just dumped him. He meets Laurie Lee at a writers’ colony and mistakenly believes her to be a renowned writer of important fiction. When he discovers she’s a self-published romance author, he’s already fallen in love with her.

Aaron thinks genre fiction is an affront to the fiction-writing craft. He likes to quotes the essayist, Arthur Krystal who claims literary fiction “melts the frozen sea inside of us.” Ironically Aaron doesn’t seem to realize that, despite his lofty literary aspirations, he’s emotionally frozen, due, in part, to a childhood tragedy. The vivacious Laurie, lover of flamingo-patterned attire and all things hot pink, is the one person who might be capable of melting him.

Their relationship is initially made in literary heaven but when Aaron loses his contract with a prestigious press, and Laurie’s novel is optioned by a major film studio, the differences in their literary sensibilities and temperaments drive them apart.

In a clumsy attempt to win Laurie back, Aaron employs the tropes of romance novels. Too late. She’s already taken up with Ross, a prolific author of Nicholas Sparks-like love stories. Initially Laurie is more comfortable with the slick and superficial Ross, but circumstances force her to go deeper with her writing and confront a painful past. Maybe Aaron and Laurie have more in common than they imagined.

In the tradition of the Rosie Project, Love Literary Style is a sparkling romantic comedy which pokes fun at the divide between so-called low and high brow fiction.

READ an excerpt at Karin’s website, HERE.

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Purchase Links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

My Review

When I first met Aaron Mite in the pages of Love Literary Style, I'll admit I did not like him.  He represented the most insufferable English majors I knew in school, who waxed rhapsodic about "the canon," while sniffing at "genre fiction."

 

But then something unexpected happened.  Aaron met Laurie Lee, a bubbly romance writer, at a writing colony in the North Georgia mountains.  He believed that she was a prestigious literary author, and they began a romance that seemed both well matched and ill matched at once.

 

When they inevitably came apart, I was surprised how much I wanted them to get back together, to find a middle ground where they could both be happy - both together and with their own writing.  And this speaks to the skill of a talented writer, Karin Gillespie.  She created two disparate characters who could have been stereotypes and made them both likeable and multi-dimensional.

 

This is my second read by the author, and I really enjoy her writing style.  It is brisk and lively, with smart dialogue that moves the story along.   I also enjoyed the descriptions and settings in the book, especially as a native Georgian who lives in the same area as the fictional Laurie Lee.

 

I really enjoyed Love Literary Style, both for the story of Aaron and Laurie, and also for the insights on different literary styles and genres.  I recommend it enthusiastically to other readers.     


Author Bio

Karin Gillespie is the author of the national bestselling Bottom Dollar Girls series, 2016 Georgia Author of the Year, Co-author for Jill Connor Browne’s novel Sweet Potato Queen’s First Big Ass Novel. Her latest novel Love Literary Style was inspired by a New York Times article called “Masters in Chick Lit” that went viral and was shared by literary luminaries like Elizabeth Gilbert and Anne Rice. She’s written for the Washington Post and Writer Magazine and is book columnist and humor columnist for the Augusta Chronicle and Augusta Magazine respectively. She received a Georgia Author of the Year Award in 2016.

 

Connect with Karen

Website | Facebook | Twitter

 

Giveaway

One lucky reader will win a copy of Love Literary Style.  This giveaway is open to readers in the U.S. and Canada, and will end 11/11.  The winner will be notified by email, and needs to respond within 48 hours.  The book will be sent to the winner directly from the author or her publicist.  

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I received a copy of this book from TLC Book Tours.