Friday, May 29, 2020

Dear Abby - Videos Abby Likes: Dachshund and Duckling Are Friends

Dear Friends,

I hope your week has been nice. Mine has been good except for rain off and on, which interferes with my walks a bit.

The rain gave me more time, though, to browse cute animal videos online.  I found one I really enjoyed.  It features Loulou the dachshund.  (I have shared at least one of her videos before here).  Her family had a little duckling that hatched in an incubator and Loulou made great friends with the tiny duckling.

There is a sweet scene where Loulou is sleeping by the incubator, and later you see the little duckling nuzzling against her chest when they rest on the couch together. 

I think I would like a duckling of my own!  (I am hoping my Momma cooperates with this wish.)

Here is the short video:



I hope you enjoyed this video.  If you have dogs, have they met ducks or other birds?  I have not met ducks, but often walk by birds in the yard.  I watch them but don't try to chase or scare them.  I figure they are enjoying nature, just like me.

Love,

Abby xoxoxo

Book Review and Giveaway - The Highlander's English Bride by Vanessa Kelly

My Review
The Highlander's English Bride is a historical romance set in 1822. It tells the story of Lady Sabrina Bell, who meets Graeme Kendrick by chance when he rescues her after a thief pushes her into the river. They are very different people, but are drawn together. There is some intrigue based on Sabrina's wealth and position in society and Graeme's adventurous and often dangerous work.

I wanted to read this novel because I read and enjoyed the last book in this series, The Highlander's Christmas Bride. This book is part of a series (Clan Kendrick Series) but I think it would work fine as a standalone read.

I really liked both Sabrina, who is a brave, independent protagonist, and Graeme, who works for the King's spymaster. They were well suited, and sparks certainly were there from their first meeting.

I also enjoyed the British and Scottish settings, and the element of adventure from Graeme's work. 

Some of the situations in the book are seem more modern, i.e. Graeme's words about Sabrina:  "Can't say as I blame the lass or wanting to avoid the marital state. If she's wealthy, what does he have to gain by marrying some toff who'll have the controlling of her?" (p. 34). This emphasis on women's autonomy (while perhaps less likely in the 1820's) added to my enjoyment of the storytelling.

The book is well written, with intriguing characters and terrific dialogue that really moves the story along.  I recommend The Highlander's English Bride for fans of historical romance.

Synopsis
In this dazzling new novel from bestselling author Vanessa Kelly, the wildest member of Clan Kendrick has found his purpose as a government agent. Now he must also meet his match…

Lady Sabrina Bell has never been so embarrassed in her life. Not only did her new suitor fail to appear for their morning rendezvous in Hyde Park, but a thief pushed her into the Serpentine. Being rescued by a burly Highlander just adds to her humiliation. Nor is he content with rescuing her just once. Even when Sabrina travels to Edinburgh as part of King George’s entourage, Graeme Kendrick is there, interfering, exasperating, and so very tempting…

Once notorious for being the most unruly Kendrick brother, Graeme now runs dangerous missions for the King’s spymaster. Yet nothing has prepared him for Sabrina. The only child of a wealthy earl, and the pampered goddaughter of the king himself, she is stubborn, impetuous, and far too good for him. He doesn’t deserve her, but he can protect her and then send her safely back home. But the bonny Sassenach has her own ideas—and a plan for seduction that no red-blooded Highlander could resist…

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

Author Bio
Vanessa Kelly is a USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author who was named by Booklist, the review journal of the American Library Association, as one of the “New Stars of Historical Romance.” Her Regency-set historical romances have been nominated in a number of contests, and she has won multiple awards, including the prestigious Maggie Medallion for Best Historical Romance. Her books have been published in nine languages.

Vanessa’s first Clan Kendrick book, The Highlander Who Protected Me, was a USA Today, Barnes & Noble, and BookScan bestseller. The Highlander’s Christmas Bride, her latest book, hit the top 50 on both the Barnes & Noble mass-market bestseller list and on BookScan. The Renegade Royals Series was a national bestseller, as was The Improper Princesses Series. My Fair Princess was named a Goodreads Romance of the Month and is a USA Today and BookScan bestseller.

When she’s not dreaming of plots for her next Regency novel, Vanessa is writing USA Today Bestselling books with her husband, under the pen name of V.K. Sykes.
 
You can find Vanessa at vanessakellyauthor.com or at vksykes.com. For all of Vanessa’s latest news and contests–and to receive a free story–please sign up for her newsletter on her website.

Clan Kendrick Facebook Group | Facebook Author Page | Pinterest | Twitter | Goodreads

 

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a paperback copy of The Highlander Who Protected Me & The Highlander's Christmas Bride & a $20 Amazon Gift Card! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.  

Giveaway Rules 
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on June 9th. You must be 18 or older to enter. 
– Paperback giveaway is open internationally. 
– 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. 
The Highlander's English Bride