Dear Abby - Meet Nuggi (A Rescued Pet Spotlight)

Dear Friends,

I am very excited today.  My rescue visitor, Nuggi, is a special friend.  We came from the same dachshund rescue group and lived in the same foster home!  

Nuggi is 8 years old.  He is a double dapple dachshund and such a handsome and very sweet boy!  I love his coloring.

Abby: What is your background and how did you end up in rescue?

Nuggi:   We don't know anything about my background. We heard that my former owner wanted to breed me, but couldn't because of my double dapple-ness.

As a result of my breeding, I only have one blue eye -- but it's a beautiful and wonderful eye! 

The foster home I came from had 10 doxies in it -- and I often had to defend myself because of my eye. Mommy can't believe this. Trish's Abby was one of my foster-mates -- she was always very sweet to me.

Abby:  How were your first days at your new home?

Nuggi:  From the moment the rescue lady handed me into my mommy's arms, I buried my head in the crook of her neck and knew I was home. 

She said she may as well have just taped me to her body, that's how much of a velcro boy I am. I explored the house & yard completely and tirelessly. And got to sleep in my mommy's arms all night long. Pure bliss!

Oh, by the way, both mommy & I found our "home" the minute my blue eye met her green eyes. It was immediate love.

Abby:  What are a few of your favorite things?  

Nuggi:  Some of my favorite things are squeaky furry toys. My most beloved one is a ladybug squeakee, followed by 2 teddy bear rescue-dog ones, and a birdie.

I also adore going for walks and manage to leave nothing unsniffed! 

And taking naps on the couch with my mom is the very best.

And I love my food and all my special apple and carrot time throughout the day. 

Abby:  Do you have any tips for people who want to adopt a rescue pet?

Nuggi:  I am just so entirely grateful and blessed that my mommy fell in love with me!  We both feel that rescuing a dog is a win-win situation for all concerned. Of course there are exceptions, but more than likely you will find the love of your life !

Abby:  Is there a rescue group you want to send a shout out to?

Nuggi:  The Rescue Group that found me is the one I'd send greetings to: ATDR, All Texas Dachshund Rescue.

My mom calls me her Rock, her Anchor. I don't think I'm much like a rock, but I know she means this in a very special way. We adore each other.

Nuggi, thank you so much for visiting!  It was so much fun catching up with you again here.  Momma and I are always extra happy to hear news of you, since we have a special rescue connection.  I join Nuggi in sending love, and love, and more love to ATDR!

Sigh!  I love Nuggi's happy story.   Dear readers, if you have a rescued pet you would like to spotlight here, please let me know.   You can also leave a message for Nuggi in the comments below, or just say "hi."  I love to hear from you!

Wishing you a great weekend.

Love,

Abby xoxoxo

Book Review and Giveaway - The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder by Rachel McMaillan

Book Synopsis:

In 1910 Toronto, while other bachelor girls perfect their domestic skills and find husbands, two friends perfect their sleuthing skills and find a murderer.

Inspired by their fascination with all things Sherlock Holmes, best friends and flatmates Merinda and Jem launch a consulting detective business. The deaths of young Irish women lead Merinda and Jem deeper into the mire of the city's underbelly, where the high hopes of those dreaming to make a new life in Canada are met with prejudice and squalor.

While searching for answers, donning disguises, and sneaking around where no proper ladies would ever go, they pair with Jasper Forth, a police constable, and Ray DeLuca, a reporter in whom Jem takes a more than professional interest. Merinda could well be Toronto's premiere consulting detective, and Jem may just find a way to put her bachelor girlhood behind her forever---if they can stay alive long enough to do so.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1RRdypX

 

My Review:

The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder is such a fun, unique historical mystery.  Set in 1910 Toronto, this novel tells the story of two young women in their 20's who are so fascinated by Sherlock Holmes that they decide to become detectives.

 

The tone is light, and the story is a romp with both a mystery and a bit of romance (I loved reporter Ray DeLuca!).

 

The period piece details of this story are so nicely done, and they are sure to please fans of historical fiction.

 

Each chapter begins with a lovely cameo illustration and a quote from books that Merinda and Jem are reading.   There are even footnotes used for humorous effect.

 

I like the quiet way that faith is addressed in this novel, and the feminist overtones -- female detectives in 1910!

 

I recommend The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder for fans of historical fiction.  You are in for a treat!  I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

Author Bio:

Rachel McMillan is a keen history enthusiast and a lifelong bibliophile. When not writing or reading, she can most often be found drinking tea and watching British miniseries. Rachel lives in bustling Toronto, where she works in educational publishing and pursues her passion for art, literature, music, and theater.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

 

Giveaway:
Rachel is celebrating the release of The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder with a Murder Mystery Prize Pack giveaway (details below) and an author chat party on April 28!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• One copy of The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder
• A magnifying glass necklace
• A bowler hat
• A pocket watch
• A $30 Amazon gift card

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 4/28. The winner will be announced at The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder Facebook party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Rachel and other readers, as well as for a chance to win other prizes!

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 28th!

I received a copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for an honest review.

Did You Know Tuesday: Fun Facts About Twister

Twister was a big hit at parties during my childhood.  It is a silly, fast paced game.  You have a vinyl mat on the floor with big colorful spots.  Players use the spinner (as seen below) and then put their hand or foot on the corresponding spot.  This is easy the first spin, and gets more difficult with each additional spin as you reach across the mat for the other colorful spots -- especially with other players on the vinyl mat as well.

Twister was created by Reyn Winsor Guyer, who had a family company that made store displays for Fortune 500 companies.  Guyer envisioned the game as a Back to School display for Johnson's shoe polish.  Johnson's turned the idea down.  He then created "Kings Footsie" and showed it to 3M, who rejected the board game.  Guyer then collaborated with Charles Foley, a salesman, and Chuck Rabens, an artist, to work on the game further. It eventually became Pretzel.

The game evolved and was produced as Twister by Milton Bradley.  It became instantly popular when introduced on The Tonight Show by Johnny Carson and Eva Gabor in 1966. 

There was a controversy because Twister was accused of being "sex in a box," but it was marketed as a fun, family game (as I remember it from childhood).  Over 3 million games sold the first year.  In 1967 Twister was awarded the title of Game of the Year.  There was a lawsuit between the three creators of the game (Foley and Rabens vs. Guyer), but it was settled out of court.

In 1985 Hasbro merged with Milton Bradley, and the game is now produced by Hasbro.   There were a number of Twister variations produced since 2000, including Twister Moves, Twister Dance, Twister Scram, Twister Hopscotch, Twister Hoopla, Twister Dance Rave (promoted by Britney Spears), and Twister Rave Skip-It.

A few fun facts about Twister:

Reyn Winsor Guyer went on to create the Nerf Ball in 1969.

The biggest ever Twister board was 171 ft 1 in x 140 ft 1 in in the Netherlands in 2011.

Twister instructions are available for color blind players.  There is also a version available for blind players.   

65 million people have played Twister over the years.

Here is the original 1966 Twister commercial:



Do you remember Twister?  I'd love to read your memories in the comments section, below.

Music Monday - "Dance Away" by Roxy Music (1979)

I love this song. I've loved it since first listen in my teen years, and still feel a little thrill when I hear it on the radio. 

"Dance Away" was a hit for Roxy Music in 1979. It was written by Bryan Ferry and released on the band's Manifesto album.  It was a big hit, and is one of Roxy Music's signature songs.   I always like the lyrics, about a man who dances away his heartache after his girlfriend leaves him for another man:  

"You're dressed to kill and guess who's dying'
Dance away the heartache
Dance away the tears
- Dance away"

Do you remember this song?  Any other Roxy Music songs you remember and like?  I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Book Review and Giveaway - Sit Stay Love by Dana Mentink

Book Synopsis
Take one abrasive professional athlete, a quirky out-of-work schoolteacher, and an overweight geriatric dog, and you're ready for a lesson in love . . . Tippy style.

Pro baseball pitcher Cal Crawford is not a dog guy. When he inherits his deceased mother's elderly dog, Tippy, he's quick to call on a pet-sitting service.

Gina isn't thrilled to be a dog sitter when her aspirations lie in the classroom. Furthermore, she can't abide the unfriendly Cal, a man with all the charm of a wet towel. But with no other prospects and a deep love for all things canine, she takes the job caring for Tippy.

As Gina travels through Cal's world with Tippy in tow, she begins to see Cal in a different light. Gina longs to show Cal the God-given blessings in his life that have nothing to do with baseball or fame. When her longing blooms into attraction, Gina does her best to suppress it. But Cal is falling in love with her too . . .

Discover the charming story of Tippy, the dog who brought a family together.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1W95mqe

My Review
When I received Sit Stay Love in the mail, I scanned a photo of the cover and posted it to my Facebook page with the words:  "I think I am the target audience for this book."   The cover features a soulful, expressive dachshund face - a senior dog.  The only thing I love more than dachshunds is senior dachshunds, and the dog on the cover bears a strong resemblance to my late dachshund Lucy Ricardo.

I read this book over the weekend, and it is a perfect weekend read.   Sit Stay Love is a light romantic story about Gina, a former school teacher turned dog sitter, and Cal, a baseball player who has just lost his mother and inherited her senior dachshund, Tippy.

Despite the difference in these characters' lives, a friendship with romantic chemistry slowly develops.  This all happens because of Tippy.  Part of the story takes place in San Francisco, and part takes place on a charming rural ranch.  

Gina is a very likable protagonist who practices kindness every day and prays for people she cares about.   Although Cal initially comes off as gruff, he becomes sympathetic as readers learn about his background growing up on a ranch with his mother, aunt, and uncle.

Of course, dachshund lovers will delight in this book.  The author really captures the doxie personality perfectly, and Tippy is a star in this story.

I very highly recommend Sit Stay Love, especially as a beach read or weekend read.   It is absolutely delightful, and you will fall in love with Tippy, as I did.

Author Bio
Dana Mentink lives in California, where the weather is golden and the cheese is divine. Dana is an American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year finalist for romantic suspense and an award winner in the Pacific Northwest Writers Literary Contest. Her suspense novel, Betrayal in the Badlands, earned a Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award. Besides writing, she busies herself teaching third and fourth grade. Mostly, she loves to be home with her husband, two daughters, a dog with social anxiety problems, a chubby box turtle, and a feisty parakeet.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Giveaway
Join Dana in celebrating the release of Sit, Stay, Love with a blog tour and a Travels with Tippy prize pack giveaway!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Sit, Stay, Love
• A $75 Visa cash card
• A basket filled with Tippy-themed goodies
  • Travel-themed decorator box
  • Reading dog statue
  • Dog journal
  • Poems for Dog Lovers
  • Snuggle Paws fleece blanket from Animal Rescue Site
  • Pawprint scarf
  • Doxie desk pen
  • Pupmobile auto magnet

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry! The giveaway ends on April 25th. The winner will be announced April 26th on Dana's blog.

I received a copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for an honest review.