Fetching Sweetness Book Review

SUMMARY:  Standing between Stephanie and her dream is one hundred pounds of lovable trouble.
     It should have been so simple for Stephanie Pink:  Meet up with Agnes Wharton in a small town in California, retrieve the reclusive author's valuable new manuscript, and be promoted to a full-fledged literary agent.
     But Agnes's canine companion, Sweetness, decided to make a break for it before Stephanie can claim her prize.  Until Agnes has Sweetness safely back at home in Eagle Cliff, Washington, Stephanie will never set eyes on the manuscript she needs to make her dreams come true.
     When Stephanie tracks the runaway mutt to a campground, she meets Rhett Hastings - a man also on the run from a different life and a costly mistake.  Rhett agrees to help Stephanie search for the missing dog . . . thus launching a surprising string of adventures and misadventures.
     Once Sweetness gets added to the mix, it's a recipe for love and loss, merriment and mayhem, fun and faith in the backwoods of the Pacific Northwest.

REVIEW:  Fulfilling dreams is wonderful, but trying to fulfill the dreams of others will not end in the way you think.  Both Rhett and Stephanie are perfect examples.  Rhett broke his sister's heart after having her fiance' deported.  Stephanie's brother dreamed of having their own publishing company.  As each one tries to correct past mistakes and do what they think will make everything perfect, everything just falls apart. 
     I like Rhett.  His change from a "take no prisoners" mentality to one who prays over decisions and looks for direction from God is admirable.  I love how he sticks to his plan and doesn't run back to his company at the first sign of trouble with each.  His reliance on scripture is pleasing, too and his integrity, after leaving his business, is top-notch.  A person can change and Rhett is a great example.
     Stephanie seems to barge through without thought of the aftermath.  She assumes things, which wind up being wrong, and doesn't think about how it will affect herself or those around her.  I do like how she takes care of Sweetness and tries to take responsibility for him. 
     This was a decent story with some great parts but for some reason, I just had a harder time getting a feel for it.  Agnes's actions all the way around irritated me.  That, along with the ending, just made it more difficult for me to enjoy.  Sorry.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Harvest House Publishers 

for review without compensation.

Dana Mentink is a multi-published, award-winning writer.  When she's not clacking away on the keyboard, she busies herself teaching third grade.  Mostly, she loves to be home with her husband, two daughters, a rascally rescued terrier, a chubby box turtle, and a feisty parakeet.

The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder Book Review

Herringford & Watts Mysteries Series

Book One

SUMMARY:  Beneath the facade of a wealthy aristocrat may beat the black heart of a killer . . .

     In 1910 Toronto, most bachelor girls are perfecting their domestic skills and finding husbands.

     But Merinda Herringford and Jem Watts have never been ordinary.  As the two detectives launch their business, the deaths of young Irish women lead them deep into the mire of the city's underbelly.

     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 become 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.

REVIEW:  Not very many books are written about the early 20th century, especially before The Great War.  I find this time period fascinating because women's roles are starting to branch out from just housewives and shop workers to students of higher learning, reporters, lawyers, doctors and in other areas.  Merinda and Jem take advantage of these opportunities and start to make a name for themselves as detectives.  They try to avoid the Morality Squad, a group of men selected by the mayor to uphold women's traditional roles, making sure they are not out after dark and that their skirts aren't too short, and making life difficult for women.
     The mystery solving was interesting but sometimes I got lost because the story would jump around and I sometimes had difficulty remembering what the original objective was.  Even though the novel was about Merinda and Jem, the main focus was Jem and her potential love interest Ray.  It would have been nice to have both girls as the focus instead of just one.  But, looking at the write up for next book coming out, I noticed Merinda will be the one in the limelight. 
     Merinda's zest for life and her one track mind to find the murder was captivating.  She didn't let anything or anyone stop her from achieving her goal.  Dressing up in men's clothes so she and Jem could investigate places normally off-limits to women of their stature was just par for the course to her.  I like how Jem tried to keep Merinda out of trouble with the Morality Squad and just in general.  They both had a heart for women and tried to give them a voice, even if it was just find something that was lost.
    This was an okay book but I do look forward to reading the others to see how their lives play out.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Harvest House Publishers

for review without compensation. 

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.

Sit Stay Love Book Review

SUMMARY:  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 live that have nothing to do with baseball or fame.  This pro athlete, along with an out-of-work teacher and an overweight, geriatric dog, is about to get a lesson in love . . . Tippy style.

(The author is committed to donating a portion of the proceeds to
Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, a senior dog rescue.)  

REVIEW:  This book is a cute, lighthearted story about a professional baseball player who inherits his mother's elderly dog, Tippy, and Gina, the girl he hires to take care of Tippy.  It is a fairly quick read that kept my attention the whole time.  I like how Cal eventually comes to care for Tippy and how Tippy captivates the media with her cuteness. One of my favorite parts was the beep ball game.  Reading about how Cal had to use his other senses instead of his eyes to play a game of baseball with a team of blind and seeing-impaired kids made me laugh out loud. 
     If you are looking for a fun book that will make you laugh and, possibly cry a little bit, this is the book for you.  I think you might enjoy it.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Harvest House Publishers
for review without compensation.

Dana Mentink lives in California, where the weather is golden and the cheese is divine.  She is a multi-published, award-winning writer.  When she's not clacking away on the keyboard, she busies herself teaching third 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. Visit her on the web at www.danamentink.com.