 | Trina Potter, Nashville country music star, buys a ranch near her hometown in Brenham, Texas, to help her niece open a rescue facility for dogs. Her presence in town stirs up some old high school rivalries—and romance. Finding property to buy is a challenge, convincing her mother to move there with her is daunting, and navigating a string of strange accidents is perplexing. Sometimes Trina feels like she’s purchased her own three ring circus instead of a beautiful piece of land. But her first priority will be figuring out who wants Second Chance Ranch shut down before they even have the grand opening. Genre: Christian/Mystery/Romance Fiction Release date: October, 2022 Click here to get your copy! |
My Review
Can they find out whodunit in time?
It's no secret that I love dog (cats too) stories...any breed and nearly any genre...but Dog Days Of Summer is the best of both worlds as it just happens to be a Christian cozy mystery with some canine and even feline hijinks. What more could a person ask for on a cold rainy fall day, hmm?
This is the second book in the Gone To The Dogs series (don't you just love the title?) of mysteries and Kathleen Y'Barbo's first contribution to it. I have to say that she did an excellent job! Not only with her own story but in meshing this second book with the first. All of the characters were pretty much as quirky and crazy as they were in Off The Chain – and that is saying something! Kathleen Y'Barbo certainly knows what she is doing!
One of the things that I appreciated about this story was the changing dynamic between mother and daughter. Even though this is a cute cozy mystery one could feel – and probably understand quite well – the frustration of both generations as they try to navigate the waters of the need for increasing care of an aging parent while trying to maintain a little independence for them both.
If you enjoy cozy mysteries and dogs you are in for a real treat with the Gone To The Dogs series. They are such fun to read and you can't help but enjoy every minute spent within its pages. Just as I knew it would be, Dog Days Of Summer was no exception. I liked both books and I am really looking forward to more tail-wagging fun with this series...
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Dog Days Of Summer by Kathleen Y'Barbo a 4 Bark rating.
It's no secret that I love dog (cats too) stories...any breed and nearly any genre...but Dog Days Of Summer is the best of both worlds as it just happens to be a Christian cozy mystery with some canine and even feline hijinks. What more could a person ask for on a cold rainy fall day, hmm?
This is the second book in the Gone To The Dogs series (don't you just love the title?) of mysteries and Kathleen Y'Barbo's first contribution to it. I have to say that she did an excellent job! Not only with her own story but in meshing this second book with the first. All of the characters were pretty much as quirky and crazy as they were in Off The Chain – and that is saying something! Kathleen Y'Barbo certainly knows what she is doing!
One of the things that I appreciated about this story was the changing dynamic between mother and daughter. Even though this is a cute cozy mystery one could feel – and probably understand quite well – the frustration of both generations as they try to navigate the waters of the need for increasing care of an aging parent while trying to maintain a little independence for them both.
If you enjoy cozy mysteries and dogs you are in for a real treat with the Gone To The Dogs series. They are such fun to read and you can't help but enjoy every minute spent within its pages. Just as I knew it would be, Dog Days Of Summer was no exception. I liked both books and I am really looking forward to more tail-wagging fun with this series...
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Dog Days Of Summer by Kathleen Y'Barbo a 4 Bark rating.
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
More from Kathleen
Do you love dogs…or cats…or both…? I’m firmly in the “both” category. Since childhood I’ve always lived in homes that had at least one or the other, usually several of each. With every dog or cat comes at least one good story. One of my favorites is the tale of Bandit, the inspiration for the cover of my cozy mystery DOG DAYS OF SUMMER.
Once upon a time there was a black and white dog named Bandit. He was an English Springer Spaniel by birth but was completely convinced he was human. Bandit loved his people—three growing boys and a baby girl—even more than he loved popcorn and playing keep away (his version of catch). After many years, Bandit’s people grew up and he grew old. Toward the end of his very long and pampered life, he was plagued by the unwanted and yet much appreciated friendship of an ornery orange striped cat named Baby and a snooty pedigreed feline named Fifi.
Once upon a time there was a black and white dog named Bandit. He was an English Springer Spaniel by birth but was completely convinced he was human. Bandit loved his people—three growing boys and a baby girl—even more than he loved popcorn and playing keep away (his version of catch). After many years, Bandit’s people grew up and he grew old. Toward the end of his very long and pampered life, he was plagued by the unwanted and yet much appreciated friendship of an ornery orange striped cat named Baby and a snooty pedigreed feline named Fifi.
| Everyone loved Bandit…except the territorial squirrel who lived in a tree in our back yard in Southeast Texas. From the moment Bandit joined the family, the furry fellow was determined to rid himself and his back yard of the trespassing canine. The squirrel’s favorite tactic was to tease Bandit until the dog chased him up a tree. Once treed, the crafty critter would run around the trunk just out of Bandit’s reach. Once the squirrel tired of this, it would retreat to a limb. There, the battle of the backyard beasts would commence again but with the squirrel lobbing pinecones and the dog trying to catch them. |  |
While every good story has a beginning, middle and end, unfortunately at the end of this one there was no winner in the dog vs. squirrel wars. A job transfer led us to Houston where squirrels were in abundance in our new neighborhood but none of them were nearly as much fun as the one Bandit left behind. The last time I spoke with the owners of our old house, they told the funniest story: they loved their new home, but there was this squirrel in the back yard that kept throwing pinecones at everyone.
In DOG DAYS OF SUMMER, I tell the story of another Texas back yard. This one is located in Brenham, Texas, and it is about to become a very special place for some very special dogs named Patsy and Cline. Have I mentioned these dogs belong to a country singer named Trina who has a mother named Mama Peach who happens to own a cat named Hector that dislikes almost everyone and can open doors? Then there’s the problem of the next door neighbor and his penchant to forget to close the lid on his grill when he’s cooking? Did I mention that Patsy and Cline enjoy nothing more than whatever they happen to find on an unguarded grill? While the two furry scoundrels are rounding up trouble next door, there is even more trouble happening at the building site for Second Chance Ranch Dog Rescue on the other side of the property. Apparently not everyone is happy about the new neighbors. The mystery is who that person might be. While you’ve got to read DOG DAYS OF SUMMER to find out, I can give you one hint: it’s not the squirrel!
I’ve told you mine; now tell me your favorite dog or cat story. I can’t wait to read them.
In DOG DAYS OF SUMMER, I tell the story of another Texas back yard. This one is located in Brenham, Texas, and it is about to become a very special place for some very special dogs named Patsy and Cline. Have I mentioned these dogs belong to a country singer named Trina who has a mother named Mama Peach who happens to own a cat named Hector that dislikes almost everyone and can open doors? Then there’s the problem of the next door neighbor and his penchant to forget to close the lid on his grill when he’s cooking? Did I mention that Patsy and Cline enjoy nothing more than whatever they happen to find on an unguarded grill? While the two furry scoundrels are rounding up trouble next door, there is even more trouble happening at the building site for Second Chance Ranch Dog Rescue on the other side of the property. Apparently not everyone is happy about the new neighbors. The mystery is who that person might be. While you’ve got to read DOG DAYS OF SUMMER to find out, I can give you one hint: it’s not the squirrel!
I’ve told you mine; now tell me your favorite dog or cat story. I can’t wait to read them.
 Kathleen Y’Barbo | Kathleen Y’Barbo is a multiple Carol Award and RITA nominee and bestselling author of more than one hundred books with over two million copies of her books in print in the US and abroad. A tenth-generation Texan and certified paralegal, she is a member of the Texas Bar Association Paralegal Division, Texas A&M Association of Former Students and the Texas A&M Women Former Students (Aggie Women), Texas Historical Society, Novelists Inc., and American Christian Fiction Writers. She would also be a member of the Daughters of the American Republic, Daughters of the Republic of Texas and a few others if she would just remember to fill out the paperwork that Great Aunt Mary Beth has sent her more than once. When she’s not spinning modern day tales about her wacky Southern relatives, Kathleen inserts an ancestor or two into her historical |
and mystery novels as well. Recent book releases include bestselling The Pirate Bride set in 1700s New Orleans and Galveston,
its sequel The Alamo Bride set in 1836 Texas, which feature a few well-placed folks from history and a family tale of adventure
on the high seas and on the coast of Texas. She also writes (mostly) relative-free cozy mystery novels for Guideposts Books.
Kathleen and her hero in combat boots husband have their own surprise love story that unfolded on social media a few years back.
They make their home just north of Houston, Texas and are the parents and in-laws of a blended family of Texans, Okies, and one
very adorable Londoner.
its sequel The Alamo Bride set in 1836 Texas, which feature a few well-placed folks from history and a family tale of adventure
on the high seas and on the coast of Texas. She also writes (mostly) relative-free cozy mystery novels for Guideposts Books.
Kathleen and her hero in combat boots husband have their own surprise love story that unfolded on social media a few years back.
They make their home just north of Houston, Texas and are the parents and in-laws of a blended family of Texans, Okies, and one
very adorable Londoner.
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Kathleen is giving away the grand prize package of
a $25 Amazon e-gift card and a print copy of the book!!
a $25 Amazon e-gift card and a print copy of the book!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 28
Texas Book-aholic, October 28
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 29
Blogging With Carol, October 29
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, October 30 (Author Interview)
deb’s Book Review, October 30
Inklings and notions, October 31
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, November 1
Lily’s Book Reviews, November 1
Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 2
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 3
Remembrancy, November 3
Locks, Hooks and Books, November 4
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 4
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, November 5
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 6
Boondock Ramblings, November 6
Labor Not in Vain, November 7
Where Crisis & Christ Collide, November 7
Pause for Tales, November 8
Mary Hake, November 8
For Him and My Family, November 9
Divine Perspective, November 9
Little Homeschool on the Prairie, November 10
The Book Club Network, November 10
Texas Book-aholic, October 28
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 29
Blogging With Carol, October 29
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, October 30 (Author Interview)
deb’s Book Review, October 30
Inklings and notions, October 31
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, November 1
Lily’s Book Reviews, November 1
Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 2
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 3
Remembrancy, November 3
Locks, Hooks and Books, November 4
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 4
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, November 5
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 6
Boondock Ramblings, November 6
Labor Not in Vain, November 7
Where Crisis & Christ Collide, November 7
Pause for Tales, November 8
Mary Hake, November 8
For Him and My Family, November 9
Divine Perspective, November 9
Little Homeschool on the Prairie, November 10
The Book Club Network, November 10