Friday, October 4, 2019

Dear Abby - Videos Abby Likes: Parker the Talking Dachshund

Dear Friends,

I have a very sweet video to share with you today.  My friend Debbie (a great dachshund person) sent this link to my Momma so I could watch it.

The video is short, and it is by Parker, a talking dachshund.  Parker actually types his words instead of speaking, but he is lots of fun.  He visits in his backyard, talks about lizards, and appreciates the value of good snacks!  

I really liked this video with the bouncy music and the nice backyard that Parker enjoys.  I especially like Parker, and how happy and friendly he looks with his wagging tail.



I hope you like Parker's video too!  I look forward to visiting with you again next week. 

Love,

Abby xoxoxo


Book Review - No Judgments by Meg Cabot

Book Synopsis
The storm of the century is about to hit Little Bridge Island, Florida—and it’s sending waves crashing through Sabrina “Bree” Beckham’s love life…

When a massive hurricane severs all power and cell service to Little Bridge Island—as well as its connection to the mainland—twenty-five-year-old Bree Beckham isn’t worried . . . at first. She’s already escaped one storm—her emotionally abusive ex—so a hurricane seems like it will be a piece of cake.

But animal-loving Bree does become alarmed when she realizes how many islanders have been cut off from their beloved pets. Now it’s up to her to save as many of Little Bridge’s cats and dogs as she can . . . but to do so, she’s going to need help—help she has no choice but to accept from her boss’s sexy nephew, Drew Hartwell, the Mermaid CafĂ©’s most notorious heartbreaker.

But when Bree starts falling for Drew, just as Little Bridge’s power is restored and her penitent ex shows up, she has to ask herself if her island fling was only a result of the stormy weather, or if it could last during clear skies too.


 

Purchase Links

HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble


My Review
Sabrina Beckham has left her home in New York City to move to Little Bridge Island in the Florida Keys.  She has left law school and her famous mother and is working as a waitress, spending time painting, and enjoying her sweet rescue cat, Gary.  When a hurricane is on the way she decides to stay on the island in order to take care of Gary.  This decision is the first domino that sets everything in motion -- a fresh look at her future, a possible romance with her boss's nephew, Drew, and hard work rescuing pets that were left behind during the hurricane.

I wanted to read No Judgments from first mention.  First, it's by Meg Cabot.  I love her writing!  Second, it's set in Florida, one of my favorite places.  Third, it involves animals and pet rescue.

I really loved this book and am already thinking of friends who need to read it!   It is written in Meg Cabot's fun, breezy style, although it also deals with some serious issues.  The chapters are short and fast-moving.  They begin with short details about the hurricane, like current weather conditions, Emergency Disaster Survival Kit Basics - Pets, updates on the storm, curfew details, more.

Bree (Sabrina) is a great character.  She is smart, funny, creative, and stronger than she realizes.  She has escaped to Little Bridge Island to heal herself, but she finds real purpose on the island as she explores what she really wants to do, and as she reaches out to help others.

I loved the slow moving romance between Bree and Drew.  They start unsure of each other, and then slowly become friends, bonding over their shared love of animals and desire to rescue pets in need after the storm.  

The only detail I didn't like about Drew was the fact that he named all his dogs Bob, instead of giving them distinctive individual names.  That was just odd to me, but he was otherwise such a lovable character that I am assuming the naming was an unusual quirk on his part!

The pet rescues were wonderful, and are sure to please readers who love animals.  A wide array of animals are featured, including a mistreated dog who finds the perfect home, little guinea pigs named R-2D2 and C-3PO, an attic full of cockatiels, cats, dogs, and more! 

I also loved the details of island life -- the eccentric beach dwellers, the Mermaid Cafe, and the descriptions of nature on the island, from frangipani plants to the Milky Way on a dark beach night.

I look forward to reading future Little Bridge Island books, and recommend No Judgments for fans of women's fiction, contemporary romance, animals, pet rescue, and island life.  This would be a perfect weekend or beach read.

Author Bio
Meg Cabot was born in Bloomington, Indiana. In addition to her adult contemporary fiction, she is the author of the bestselling young adult fiction series, The Princess Diaries. Over 25 million copies of her novels for children and adults have sold worldwide. Meg lives in Key West, FL, with her husband.

Find out more about Meg at her website, follow her blog, and connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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