Friday, May 8, 2020

Dear Abby - Videos Abby Likes: Dachshunds Take a Bath


Dear Friends,

I hope you are having a good week!  The big news here is that I got a B-A-T-H.  (Yes, I know how to spell -- at least certain words, like T-R-E-A-T and B-E-D. Those are good words!)  I have never liked baths.  When I first came to live with my Momma I would scramble to get out of the tub and end up accidentally scratching Momma's arms (oops, sorry about that!).  It was unusually warm earlier this week and Momma decided I needed a bath.

She put me in the tub and the bath went smoothly.  It was easier than I remembered!  And on a hot day it actually felt good.  This was a first!

Here's the surprising part of the story -- that night when Momma was in the shower I peeked up over the edge of the tub because I have decided that maybe I don't hate baths as much as I thought.  (I didn't get back in the tub -- but I did think about it.)

I found a dachshund video to share with you.  It features two miniature dachshunds who LOVE baths.  One of them even swims in the bathtub.  Before you visit the link, I will let you know that it is not a good idea for dachshunds to go on stairs or to jump -- it can hurt their backs!  But the excitement of these little doxies in the bathtub is well worth a share.



I hope you enjoyed this video.  If you have a dog, does your pup enjoy baths?

Love,

Abby xoxoxo


Book Spotlight and Giveaway - The Abolitionist's Daughter by Diane C. McPhail

Book Synopsis
In her sweeping debut, Diane C. McPhail offers a powerful, profoundly emotional novel that explores a little-known aspect of Civil War history—Southern Abolitionists—and the timeless struggle to do right even amidst bitter conflict.

On a Mississippi morning in 1859, Emily Matthews begs her father to save a slave, Nathan, about to be auctioned away from his family. Judge Matthews is an abolitionist who runs an illegal school for his slaves, hoping to eventually set them free. One, a woman named Ginny, has become Emily’s companion and often her conscience—and understands all too well the hazards an educated slave must face. Yet even Ginny could not predict the tangled, tragic string of events set in motion as Nathan’s family arrives at the Matthews farm.

A young doctor, Charles Slate, tends to injured Nathan and begins to court Emily, finally persuading her to become his wife. But their union is disrupted by a fatal clash and a lie that will tear two families apart. As Civil War erupts, Emily, Ginny, and Emily’s stoic mother-in-law, Adeline, each face devastating losses. Emily—sheltered all her life—is especially unprepared for the hardships to come. Struggling to survive in this raw, shifting new world, Emily will discover untapped inner strength, an unlikely love, and the courage to confront deep, painful truths.

In the tradition of Cold Mountain, The Abolitionist’s Daughter eschews stereotypes of the Civil War South, instead weaving an intricate and unforgettable story of survival, loyalty, hope, and redemption.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

Author Bio
Diane C. McPhail is an artist, writer, and minister. In addition to holding an M.F.A., an M.A., and D.Min., she has studied at the University of Iowa distance learning and the Yale Writers’ Workshop, among others. Diane is a member of North Carolina Writers’ Network and the Historical Novel Society. She lives in Highlands, North Carolina, with her husband, and her dog, Pepper.

 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Instagram


Giveaway
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a copy of The Abolitionist's Daughter! To enter, please use the Gleam form below. 

Giveaway Rules 
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on May 22nd. You must be 18 or older to enter. 
– Paperback giveaway is open to the US only. 
– Only one entry per household. 
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. 
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.  

Abolitionist's Daughter 



Book Review and Giveaway - The Lost Lieutenant by Erica Vetsch

My Review
The Lost Lieutenant is set in Regency period England (1813).  It is the story of Evan Eldridge, a war hero who ends up an Earl ... married to a woman he likes but barely knows, Diana Seaton. Their story is complicated by their pasts -- she is raising her late sister's illegitimate baby, while he has lingering issues (similar to PTSD) from the war.  They also have a real threat in the present day to contend with.

I wanted to read this novel because I love the Regency period.  I found it intriguing that much of the novel focuses on a male character instead of the typical female protagonist found in books set in this era.

The Lost Lieutenant was a lovely, satisfying read!  I really liked the characters, particularly Evan, who was brave and so fundamentally decent.  I enjoyed the slowly developing relationship between Evan and Diana, and their restoration of an abandoned manor house.  Their relationship with Diana's infant nephew was also a sweet aspect of their story.

The book is well written with a great deal of historical detail.  The author does an especially good job with consistent usage of early 19th century language.

The character development in The Lost Lieutenant is intriguing, as we get to know Evan gradually over the span of the book.  I especially enjoyed his interest in rescuing abandoned war horses.

I recommend The Lost Lieutenant for fans of historical fiction, and especially for anyone who enjoys Regency period settings.

Book Synopsis
Evan Eldridge never meant to be a war hero--he just wanted to fight Napoleon for the future of his country. And he certainly didn't think that saving the life of a peer would mean being made the Earl of Whitelock. But when the life you save is dear to the Prince Regent, things can change in a hurry.

Now Evan has a new title, a manor house in shambles, and a stranger for a bride, all thrust upon him by a grateful ruler. What he doesn't have are all his memories. Traumatized as a result of his wounds and bravery on the battlefield, Evan knows there's something he can't quite remember. It's important, dangerous--and if he doesn't recall it in time, will jeopardize not only his marriage but someone's very life.

Readers who enjoy Julie Klassen, Carolyn Miller, and Kristi Ann Hunter will love diving into this brand-new Regency series filled with suspense, aristocratic struggles, and a firm foundation of faith.

Read an excerpt from Kregel by clicking here!
 
He's doing what he can to save the Prince Regent's life . . . but can he save his new marriage as well?

Author Bio
Erica Vetsch is a New York Times best-selling and ACFW Carol Award–winning author. She is a transplanted Kansan now living in Minnesota with her husband, who she claims is both her total opposite and soul mate.

Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum and cheering on her Kansas Jayhawks and New Zealand All Blacks.

A self-described history geek, she has been planning her first research trip to England.

Learn more about Erica Vetsch and her books at www.ericavetsch.com. She can also be found on Facebook (@EricaVetschAuthor), Twitter (@EricaVetsch), Instagram (@EricaVetsch) and Pinterest (Erica Vetsch).

Giveaway