Reviewer Amy Lignor: Amy is the author of a historical fiction novel entitled The Heart of a Legend, and Mind Made, a work of science fiction. Presently, she is writing an adventure series set in the New York Public Library, as well as a teen fiction series, The Angel Chronicles. She is an avid traveler and has been fortunate to have journeyed across the USA, where she has met the most amazing people, who truly bring life and soul to her books. She lives in the Land of Enchantment (for now) with her gorgeous daughter, Shelby, her wonderful Mom, Mary, and the greatest friend and critic in the entire world - her dog, Reuben
Author: Paula Munier
ISBN: 978-1-44050-230-9
Bravo to this author! She has touched my heart and soul. Everyone should have a copy of this book on their shelves, a dog in every kitchen…and a chicken in every pot J
Author: Paula Munier
ISBN: 978-1-44050-230-9
Everybody say YAY! Readers…I wait for long amounts of time to sit down and read a book that literally has me at hello. In fact, this one had me at woof! There are three sides to every story, this wonderful author tells us, his, hers and the dogs.
In this wonderful story we meet Paula. Paula has a young son named Mikey. She had Mikey late in life when she married for a second time. Unfortunately, the second husband worked out as well as the first one did. Mikey and Paula have recently moved into their very first real home – a fixer-upper that looks like a summer cottage located on a small lake in Massachusetts. Mikey is more than put out that he has to move again and leave all of his friends behind. But Mom has to make this decision for the simple reason that a job at a publishing company is waiting for her that will offer her the kind of salary she can finally use to create a real home in a safe neighborhood for her son. Dad lives in California and, boy, is he a real jerk.
The family already consists of Isis, the cat, and a big, black mutt named Shakespeare. Mikey loves both animals but Mom PROMISED, (I love it when kids say that), to let him have a puppy as soon as they were out of an apartment and into a real house. So…Mom relents and, of course, heads to the Puppy Palace to make good on her promise. Looking through the dogs that are priced as high as a new Mercedes, they come across an adorable beagle for the low, low price of $250. Mikey is ecstatic, and Mom is equally happy when she’s told that the puppy is six months old and already housebroken. Mikey names the puppy Freddie – his favorite name – and they drive happily back home with the newest addition to their family.
Upon return, this wonderfully sweet, tame and housebroken beagle proceeds to christen the carpet, eat the custom-made kitchen cabinets, mom’s shoes, and bay at the moon far into the night – serenading all the incredibly angry neighbors whose peaceful slice of paradise has now been destroyed by THAT dog. The writer brings us through failed relationships; a boyfriend she has reconciled with which becomes a huge mistake; introduces us to her father, the Colonel, who can make any dog stand at attention; and, goes in-depth with the intense love that a mother has for her child. Every page is either laugh-out-loud funny, heartwarming, or both.
I agree that every memory in our lives always has a dog in them. From the time I was a baby when Jo-Jo, our German Shepherd, used to sit beside my crib and growl at anyone who had the nerve to walk past my room in order to go to the bathroom (literally scaring our guests into running outside and looking for the nearest bush); to the day when my very own daughter went to college and Reuben (my big, black mutt) and I, stood in the window and watched her head for her brilliant future, and then looked at each other and cried – dogs have been a part of every good and bad point in my life.
And as I came to the last page of this brilliant novel and closed the cover, I looked into Reuben’s soulful brown eyes that always make him look like Anne Frank being carted to a gas chamber, and thanked him for all he’s done for me. This is a creature that loves me unconditionally (which is impossible to find in a human). He has protected and loved my daughter as Jo-Jo did with me. I find Reuben to be the ultimate friend and hero: He stands in front of me for protection; beside me for support; and, behind me so I can sometimes take the lead as we enter the next phase of our lives. He’s one that I never want to live without.
Bravo to this author! She has touched my heart and soul. Everyone should have a copy of this book on their shelves, a dog in every kitchen…and a chicken in every pot J.