Return to Howliday Inn by James Howe

I got a little nostalgic and decided to read one of my favorite scary stories from my childhood. It's fun to visit with Harold, Chester, and Howie as they try to discover who is making the creepy noises in the night. The only thing that disappoints me in this one is Bunnicula is not in it very much, but it's great otherwise!

Rating: 3.5/5
Pages: 195

Scourged (The Iron Druid Chronicles #9)

 Scourged (The Iron Druid Chronicles #9)
by Kevin Hearne

In this finale to the Iron Druid Chronicles, Atticus and his friends and some foes, must team up for a battle royale against the Norse gods of Asgard. 

Decisions that Atticus made in the past have caught up with him and the rest of the world. Loki and Hel are ready for Ragnarok. There is now a global battle to see if the world can be saved or if it will literally be Hel on Earth.

Granuaile joins the fight in Taiwan and learns a lot about herself in the process including what she wants from her life if she survives. Archdruid Owen is traveling the world literally putting out fires and healing the Earth.

I've enjoyed this series a lot and I like the way Owen's story was wrapped up and some of the other details too, but I did not like the way things ended for Atticus and Granuaile and their canine companions.

The Dangerous Book for Dogs: A Parody by Rex & Sparky

The Dangerous Book for Dogs: A Parody by Rex & Sparky

What has become of a dog's life? The Dangerous Book for Dogs sets out to answer that very question, providing a solid instruction manual for dogs. Need help figuring out the best ways to embarrass your human? Done. Not sure how to escape the humiliating costume your owner wants to force you into? Rex and Sparky will tell you all you need to know. Also containing portraits of famous dogs throughout history as well as tales of notable walks, this short how-to guide is a must for any dog who just isn't quite sure about their purpose in life.

192 pages.

 

"In the Middle of Somewhere" by Roan Parrish

Daniel Mulligan has just moved to Holiday, Michigan, to teach at a small college after finishing his PhD in English.  Originally from Philadelphia, Daniel is a tough and tattooed outcast who's never really fit in with his family or classmates.  His mother died when he was young, and his father and three older brothers (all mechanics) never much cared for him, especially after he told them he was gay.  So Daniel feels especially out of place in the small town until Rex Vale comes back into his life.  The two men met six months earlier when Daniel was in town for an interview with the college and was literally rescued by Rex when he wrecked his rental car in a snowstorm.  They soon begin a relationship, but Daniel has never really dated and Rex doesn't want to get too attached to Daniel due to others in his life leaving him.  But as they grow closer, they discover that being vulnerable and letting someone help you is not the same as being weak.

This was a great book with two memorable and very likable main characters who seem to have little in common but complement each other well.  Rex doesn't talk much but can fix or build just about anything, while Daniel loves his books and overthinks everything.  Secondary characters, especially Daniel's best friend, Ginger, help move the story forward to a satisfying conclusion.  I have already started reading the next in the series.  350 pages (Kindle edition).

A Bloodhound To Die For by Virginia Lanier

(Posted for Paul Mathews)

JoBeth leaves her ex, Bubba.  JoBeth and her dogs hunt for a woman in the swamp.  JoBeth hunts for an escaped prisoner.  JoBeth hunts for one of her dogs.

The Promise by Rober Crais

Posted for Paul Mathews

Elvis Cole looks for Amy, who lost her son to a terrorist bomber. She disappears with money and her expertise of explosives.

Audio:  8 hrs. 6 min.
Print:  416 pages

"On Solid Ground" by Melissa Collins

A vet with PTSD and a tattoo artist with a drug addicted sister try to find love in California.

I really wanted to like this book.  It had many good reviews, but it just did not live up to my expectations for several reasons.  One of the main characters jumped to conclusions and became mad very easily; he acted quite immature and did not seem to have the capability for a healthy relationship.  The story was told in the present tense, which I always find a bit odd to read.  One character had been raped, but the story did not deal with any lingering effects of the trauma.  There were also a number of inconsistencies, so it could have used better editing.  However, there was a service dog, a cute kid, and an upbeat ending, so there were some positives.  328 pages (Kindle edition).

Thereby Hangs a Tail: A Chet and Bernie Mystery by Spencer Quinn

(Posted for Paul Mathews)

This book is about Chet, a private detective dog, involved with a case of a dog kidnapping, a murder, a bad policeman, and a dog show with a blue ribbon winner.

Audio:  7 hours, 45 minutes

Print:  336 pages

Paw and Order by Spencer Quinn

(Posted for Paul Mathews)

PI Bernie Little and his partner and dog, Chet, solve another mystery in Washington, D.C., helping his girlfriend. Bernie is not nearly as funny as Chet.

Audio:  9 hrs. 30 min.

Print:  306 pages

Pit Bull by Scott Ely

(Posted for Paul Mathews)

A pit bull named Alligator is the hope of Jack Purse to get his family land back. The community pot crops have been swept away by storms, drug dealers and addicts in their community group. They now must bet on a dog named Alligator.

Audio:  6 hrs. 50 min.
Print:  224 pages

"The Healing Touch: The Proven Massage Program for Dogs and Cats" by Dr. Michael W. Fox

I read this book to learn the correct techniques for massaging my cats.  In addition to being a veterinarian, the author is a trained masseur and transferred what he learned for humans onto our feline and canine companions.  Dr. Fox goes through simplified explanations of the skeletal systems, internal organs, major muscles, and major lymph gland locations, and some of the diagnostic pain points of cats and dogs.  He describes different types of massage, when they should be used, and where.  I've tried some of the techniques on my own cats while they are sitting on my lap to various degrees of success (and failure).  Overall, pet parents will find the book helpful and easy to understand.  151 pages.

"When It's Right" by Aria Grace

This soap opera-esque story centers on Alex and Shane, who meet when Alex takes his injured dog to his vet.  Shane is the technician and he and Alex are drawn to each other, but Shane is deeply closeted because of his bigoted parents.  Luckily, he lives with his aunt (Alex's vet) and uncle in a different state.  Alex is out and befriends Shane, showing him what his life could be like if he came out.  Just as things are going well between them, Shane has to return to his hometown for someone named "Jacob."  He refuses to tell Alex what has happened and who Jacob is, and when Shane doesn't return when he says he will, Alex becomes frantic.  What will he do and who is Jacob?

As with the other stories that I have read by this author, it was enjoyable and well-paced.  I really liked the ending and especially Alex's dog.  152 pages (Kindle edition).

"Shot Through the Heart" by CJ Bishop

Although this is the first book in the Cowboy Gangster series, it is built off of a different series, which I have not read.  I figured as much while I was reading it since so many other characters who were not in the story were mentioned and played integral parts.  This book focused on Axel Anders a 22-year-old man who's suffering from PTSD after being gang raped by his brother and three other evil men.  Clint Maddox, the "cowboy gangster," feels very protective of Axel after meeting him through Axel's (good) stepbrother, Angel.  Clint is a cold-hearted enforcer for the Sanitini family and is surprised by these feelings.  The book basically deals with both men tentatively growing closer with lots of flashbacks to awful events in their lives.  It was quite a roller coaster ride.  And there was a cute puppy.  295 pages (Kindle edition).

"Learning to Feel" by N.R. Walker

Overworked city doctor moves to rural, small town where he meets a free spirit artist who changes his life for the better.  Nathan Tierney is the doctor who moves from Boston to Belfast, Maine.  Trent Jamieson is the artist who is working on the house that Nathan gets with the new job.  The two men are from very different backgrounds (Nathan - middle class, intact family; Trent - orphan with no permanent home) but find something in the other that makes them better.  Trent's dog, Bentley, plays a key role in the story.  Well-written and moving.  218 pages (Kindle edition).

"The Cat Barked?" by Lydia Monks

Wonderful illustrations are the highlight of this children's book told from the perspective of an orange tabby cat who thinks dogs have all the fun until his human girl points out many things cats can do that dogs cannot.  Highly recommended for kids and adult cat lovers. 32 pages.

"Dog Breath: The Horrible Trouble With Hally Tosis" by Dav Pilkey

This is a funny children's book about Hally Tosis, a small dog with awful breath.  It's so bad that her human parents want to give her away, but the two kids in the house try to find ways to get rid of Hally's bad breath.  But when their efforts fail and she's about to go, a surprise in the form of burglars keeps the family together.  Kids and adults will enjoy the silly story and colorful pictures.  32 pages.

"When the Fly Flew In . . . " by Lisa Westberg Peters, pictures by Brad Sneed

This is a cute children's story illustrated with wonderfully fluid watercolors about four animals slumbering in their little boy's room when a fly enters and causes chaos.  The pictures are perfect with lots of interesting details for kids to discover.  The long haired, white cat looks a lot like one I had many years ago - beautiful!  32 pages.

"I Has a Hotdog: What Your Dog Is Really Thinking" by Professor Happycat

Oh, boy.  I'm very well acquainted with the "I Can Has Cheezburger" web site that features real pictures of cats with funny captions added.  This book is based on the "I Has a Hotdog" site, which is the dog version.  There were some really funny captions on very silly pictures of canines in all their glory, several of which showed them with their cat buddies.  Others were outright hostile to the feline species, and I did not enjoy those.  Overall, though, it was funny and captured the spirit of wacky dogginess.  192 pages.

"Keep Swimming" by Kade Boehme

Cary Whitmore owns a dog treat bakery and works hard to raise his toddler son, Gus, alone after his partner walks out.  Heath Cummings is an off shore oil driller two weeks on and two weeks off, but his dream is to own a charter boat service.  He plans to stay in the closet for another year until he can make enough money to quit the oil rig and escape his homophobic coworkers, but Cary and Gus may make him throw those plans to the wind.  This was a well written story with three dimensional characters and two very likable leads.  Little Gus was adorable and played an integral part in Heath's maturation.  And it was very cute every time he called him, "Heaf."  I enjoyed this author's voice and would like to read more by him.  Luckily, there's a sequel available.  130 page (Kindle edition).

"Stay" by Riley Hart

This is book two in the Blackcreek series and focuses on Wes Jensen, whose oldest sister died in book one.  He is new in town and is now raising her four-year-old daughter.  He has to find a job and figure out how to be both mother and father to his vivacious niece.  Braden Roth is a firefighter in Blackcreek and wants to be more than friends with Wes.  Unfortunately, Wes won't allow himself to get close to anyone because they always leave - his father, mother, sister, and former boyfriend.  Can Braden convince him to give them a chance?

After reading the first book, "Collide," I picked up this one hoping to see more of Noah and Cooper, that story's main characters.  I did but only in small snippets.  Wes and Braden weren't very interesting to me, maybe because I was so focused on the many problems good editing could have fixed.  Wrong tenses, misspellings, poor grammar, and shifting points of view (even in the same sentence) almost made me give up.  Wes was pretty much a downer through most of the book, and Braden became annoying trying to get him to open up.  Better editing and a tighter narrative would have made this story work much better.  355 pages.