Dear Abby - Videos Abby Likes: Dachshunds Digging Happily

Dear Friends,

I hope you are having a good week! I am doing fine, although it has been very rainy here, so my walks have been shorter than usual.

The rainy weather gave me time to enjoy some dachshund videos online. I found a fun one! It features a bunch of dachshunds digging. They are digging so happy -- the dirt is flying!  It looks like they may be planning to dig a tunnel that will connect somehow.  They have certainly gotten a lot of digging done in their yard.  There is some fun Keystone Cops type music playing as the dogs dig.

You'll find the video here. It's from The Dodo channel on Youtube, which I like a lot! They have nothing but animal related videos.



If you have a dog, does he or she like to dig?  I walk on leash so don't get the opportunity. I don't really enjoy getting muddy so I am not sure I would be a big fan of digging in the mud.

Wishing you a good week ahead!

Love,

Abby xoxoxo

Book Review and Giveaway - Dressed Up 4 Murder (Sophie Kimball Mystery) by J.C. Eaton

My Review
Dressed Up 4 Murder is a cozy mystery set in Arizona.  Phee Kimball is settling in at her new home with her boyfriend, Marshall, who is a detective.  She gets involved in detecting herself after her mother's dog Streetman discovers a body under a neighbor's tarpaulin covered grill. He has been poisoned.  Streetman, a mischievous chiweenie, is scheduled to compete in several holiday theme pet costume contests. When one of the other pet owners ingests the same poison that the neighbor did, Phee and Marshall look for clues to connect the two cases.

I wanted to read Dressed Up 4 Murder because I enjoyed a previous book in this series. I especially love reading about Streetman the chiweenie (dachshund - chihuahua mix), since I love dachshunds and dogs in general.

Phee is a likable and smart character. I enjoy seeing her work to solve cases, especially alongside Marshall.  Their relationship adds another layer to the story.

I also liked the holiday pet parades that were featured through the book. They were a lot of fun. Streetman has a real knack for finding mischief wherever he goes! I have to admit I laughed out loud with his adventure involving a giant inflatable turkey at one of the events.

There were little touches of humor (usually involving Streetman) like this description of the walking map Phee's mother made for him:

"I had completely forgotten about the walking map.  My mother put more effort into Streetman's map than National Geographic did with any of theirs.  She had painstakingly noted every rock, bush, pole, and mailbox he liked to lift his leg on.  In addition, she had circled all of the yards that were off-limits to him and had included anecdotal notes on the bottom of the map with such tidbits as 'Crazy screaming lady will come out of the house if the dog so much as steps foot on her gravel.'" (Kindle location 671)

The mystery in this story was particularly interesting since there were connections between pet parade participants and also a seafood company.  Having two strong mystery leads led to extra detecting for Phee.

I recommend Dressed Up 4 Murder, and this series, for fans of cozy mysteries featuring dogs. This is a fun series and I already look forward to the next book by J.C. Eaton.

Book Synopsis

Last one standing is the winner . . .

The holiday season has arrived and bookkeeper/amateur sleuth, Sophie “Phee” Kimball, would love nothing more than to enjoy the comforts of her new home with her detective boyfriend near Arizona’s Sun City West. Instead, her mother Harriet wants to showcase her chiweenie-chihuahua-dachshund Streetman in the Precious Pooches Holiday Extravaganza costume events. The festivities begin in October and end on St. Patrick’s Day—with the winner starring in the St. Pat’s Day parade. But things quickly turn an awful shade of green when Streetman uncovers a dead body under a tarp-covered grill in the neighbor’s yard.

The victim is Cameron Tully, a seafood distributor working out of Phoenix, who died from ingesting a toxic sago palm leaf. Before the police can even find a motive and suspect, another Precious Pooch owner nearly dies from the same poison. With Harriet believing someone’s targeting her and Streetman because of the costume contests, Phee will need a potful of Irish luck to sniff out a killer . . .

Author Bio -  Meet Ann and Jim, Writing as J.C. Eaton

Ann I. Goldfarb

New York native Ann I. Goldfarb spent most of her life in education, first as a classroom teacher and later as a middle school principal and professional staff developer. Writing as J. C. Eaton, along with her husband, James Clapp, they have authored the Sophie Kimball Mysteries (Kensington), The Wine Trail Mysteries (Kensington Lyrical Underground), and the Marcie Rayner Mysteries (Camel). In addition, Ann has nine published YA time travel mysteries under her own name. Visit us at:

James E. Clapp
When James E. Clapp retired as the tasting room manager for a large upstate New York winery, he never imagined he’d be co-authoring cozy mysteries with his wife, Ann I. Goldfarb.  Non-fiction in the form of informational brochures and workshop materials treating the winery industry were his forte along with an extensive background and experience in construction that started with his service in the U.S. Navy and included vocational school classroom teaching. Visit the website at www.jceatonmysteries.com and the blog at www.jceatonauthor.com

Author Links:
www.jceatonmysteries.com
www.jceatonauthor.com
www.facebook.com/JCEatonauthor/
www.timetravelmysteries.com

Purchase Links – Amazon  –  B&N  – Kobo  – Google Books  – IndieBound

Giveaway
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Book Spotlight & Giveaway: Elizabeth: Obstinate, Headstrong Girl

Book Synopsis
“Obstinate, headstrong girl!”

For over two hundred years, the heroine of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, Elizabeth Bennet has enchanted and inspired readers by being that “obstinate, headstrong girl” willing to stand up to the arrogance and snobbery of her so-called betters. Described by Austen as having a “lively, playful disposition,” Elizabeth embodies the perfect imperfections of strong-willed women everywhere: she is spirited, witty, clever, and loyal.

In this romance anthology, ten Austenesque authors sketch Elizabeth’s character through a collection of re-imaginings, set in the Regency through contemporary times. In ELIZABETH: OBSTINATE, HEADSTRONG GIRL, she bares her most intimate thoughts, all the while offering biting social commentary about life’s absurdities. Elizabeth overcomes the obstacles of others’ opinions, not to mention her own flaws, to find a love truly worthy of her—her Mr. Darcy—all with humor and her sparkling charm. “I think her as delightful a character as ever appeared in print…” wrote Jane Austen in a letter to her sister Cassandra, January 1813―and we think so too!

Foreword by NY Times & USA Today bestselling author Tessa Dare.

Stories by: Elizabeth Adams, Christina Boyd, Karen M Cox, J. Marie Croft, Amy D'Orazio, Leigh Dreyer, Jenetta James, Christina Morland, Beau North, and Joana Starnes.

Available on Amazon

Note from Editor Christina Boyd
This Dream Team of authors--Elizabeth Adams, Karen M Cox, J. Marie Croft, Amy D'Orazio, Leigh Dreyer, Jenetta James, Christina Morland, Beau North, and Joana Starnes--joined me on another adventure with no promise of success but countless hopes. Like many journeys, we encountered unexpected turns, and even a few disappointments, but "it was our business to be satisfied" and prefer to "think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure." I am forever indebted for their creativity, inspiration, great suggestions, and adherence to schedule. And for bolstering my own offering of an Elizabeth story. I can easily count you all as my friends. I am really proud of their work and how well this collection of stories came together.

In my previous anthologies, we were blessed to have such stellar Austen academics like Dr. Claudine DiMuzio and Dr. Devoney Looser write our forewords, and it was doubly important to find someone who really understood Austen, especially Elizabeth Bennet, for this project as well. I had heard that New York Times and USA Today bestselling Regency romance author Tessa Dare had once upon a time written Jane Austen fan fiction. When author Beau North suggested we ask her to write the foreword, there was a resounding "Yes!" You might say we were audacious to even ask but, in the temperament of Lizzy Bennet, our "courage always rises..." When she ardently accepted, you can imagine us: "What delight! What felicity!"--well, more like fangirl squeals! Tessa's love of Elizabeth Bennet and her deft understanding for the scope of this anthology left me wholly gratified, knowing we asked the right person to introduce this fifth anthology of the QuillCollective series.

We hope this homage to one of Jane Austen's best-beloved heroines will not disappoint, especially those that suggested an "Elizabeth" anthology back in 2017. Like Darcy, we "had never been so bewitched by any woman" and writing this collection has been diverting/gratifying/delightful. Please accept these stories in the same affectionate spirit they were written. Elizabeth:Obstinate Headstrong Girl is dedicated to "the Elizabeth Bennet in all of us" because I'd like to think she resides in our hearts, even if but a little spark of courage, wit, loyalty--and whether we reveal her to the outside world or not, she is there inspiring us to find our own felicity and dignity. --Christina Boyd, editor

Giveaway

#OmgItsOHG (as in Oh-my-gosh, it’s Obstinate Headstrong Girl)

One book (e-book, paperback, or Audiobook of your choosing) from EACH of the eleven authors’ backlist are up for grabs. Ends March 31.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE

 

Dear Abby - Some Fun Dachshund Memes

Dear Friends,

I hope you are having a good week!  I wanted to pop in with some fun dachshund memes. These are pictures I found and shared on the Doxieposse Pals page on Facebook.  I like to help my Momma there - she says she could not do it without me!  I hope you enjoy these funnies.

A dachshund imitates a meerkat that he sees on television.

I love bedtime, so I am not sure about this one!

These dachshunds don't like to walk in the rain. I am fine in the rain as long as there is NO THUNDER!  I do make rainy day walks super, super quick though!

Not a meme, but a cute picture of a dachshund shopping with his own little shopping cart.

I am grateful I don't live in a snowy climate because I do agree with this math!  I don't like snow.

 This dog definitely means business!

This dachshund has a diet philosophy.

Words to live by!

I hope you enjoyed these little memes and wish you a wonderful weekend!

Love,

Abby xoxoxo

Book Review and Giveaway - Wild, Wild Rake by Janna MacGregor

My Review
Wild, Wild Rake is part of the popular Cavendish Heiresses series. This book tells the story of Lady Avalon Warwyck.  She is a widow with a young son  She is happy with her independence, including a charity helping fallen women.  However, when she meets the new vicar, Devan Farris, sparks fly!

I wanted to read Wild, Wild Rake because I read an earlier book in this series and enjoyed it.  I love the Regency period, and this book has a prologue set in 1805 but the rest of the book is set right in the Regency period (1815).

What a fun and sweet-natured historical romance!   Readers are introduced to Lady Avalon when she is still in a very unhappy, abusive marriage.  After her husband passes away, she lives on an estate in England with her young son, Thane.  She has a strong conviction about helping fallen women recreate their lives with work (i.e. seamstresses).  Lady Avalon seems a bit reserved at first, but this is very understandable given the trials of her marriage.

The new vicar in town, Devan, is sent to the estate to check up on Avalon and Thane.  Devan is the brother of Thane's guardian and he feels a family obligation to help as he can.  At first there is some tension between Avalon and Devan, but they slowly become friends (with some real sparks of romance).  Avalon believes that Devan is a rake, looking for an heiress to marry, and she believes he is not really interested in her.  This novel tells the story of their romance.

This was a lively read.  I enjoyed the format, with little epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter.  For instance:

"As you turn the other cheek, just remember that there's no rest for the truly wicked. - Mr. Devan Farris's theme for the Sunday sermon to his pious flock" (p. 67)

"When life throws you a surprise, settle in, grab a bottle of wine, and enjoy. - Devan Farris" (p. 123)

I really liked both the lead characters.  Avalon's dedication working with women in need was very admirable.  She even sets up a workroom with a nursery for the women's children on the grounds of her estate.  This type of social outreach is fairly unique in historical fiction, especially historical romance.

Devan is a really likable character.  He's such a good guy, with kindness and support for Avalon and a genuine interest in helping her young son find his way in life.  I really was pulling for Avalon and Devan to work through their obstacles so they could find happiness together.

Wild, Wild Rake is an enjoyable Regency period historical romance.  I recommend it to fans of the genre who like a lively, engaging read with a bit of a social message as well.

Book Synopsis

Her first marriage was an epic fail.

Lady Avalon Warwyk never did love her husband. Arrogant, selfish, and cruel, it’s a blessing when she’s widowed and left to raise her son all by herself. Finally, Avalon can live freely and do the work she loves: helping fallen women become businesswomen. She’s lived these past ten years with no desire to remarry.  That is, until Mr. Devan Farris comes to town.

Can he convince her to take another chance at happily ever after?

Devan Farris–charming vicar, reputed rake, and the brother of Avalon’s son’s guardian–is reluctantly sent to town to keep tabs on Avalon and her son. Devan wishes he didn’t have to meddle in her affairs; he’s not one to trod on a woman’s independent nature and keen sense of convictions. But she’ll have nothing to do with a vicar with a wild reputation–even though he’s never given his heart and body to another. If only he could find a way to show Avalon who he really is on the inside–a good, true soul looking for its other half. But how can he prove that he wants to love and care for her. . .until death do they part?

 

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

 

Author Bio
Janna MacGregor was born and raised in the bootheel of Missouri. She is the author of the Cavensham Heiresses series, which begins with The Bad Luck Bride. Janna credits her darling mom for introducing her to the happily-ever-after world of romance novels. Janna writes stories where compelling and powerful heroines meet and fall in love with their equally matched heroes. She is the mother of triplets and lives in Kansas City with her very own dashing rogue, and two smug, but not surprisingly, perfect pugs.

 

Connect with Janna

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Giveaway
One lucky reader will win a copy of Wild, Wild Rake. (U.S. only.) Giveaway ends midnight on March 5, 2020.  Winner will be contacted by email and needs to respond within 48 hours, or a new name will be drawn.  Enter at the Rafflecopter below.

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