Dogs Are The Best People @JoanReeves #RomanceGems

Normally, my first of the month post points out the updates on the blog, but I've spent this past week babysitting my daughter's dog while she and her hubby take a vacation.

My notes about the blog are home so I'll take another blog date to brief you on the changes, including the Author Spotlight for October.

I say I'm babysitting rather than dog sitting because Freddie is  more like a child than a dog.

He had his first birthday last week added a new kerchief to his wardrobe of kerchiefs, courtesy of his visits to the vet. 

When Darling Daughter puts a kerchief on him, he immediately poses on his own without anyone saying, "Be still, Freddie."

He's a natural and seemingly loves to have his picture taken. When he goes for a walk, he collects compliments. Daughter is frequently asked what kind of dog he is.

The answer to that is a Golden Doodle, meaning half golden retriever and half poodle. When someone says, "What a beautiful dog," Freddie prances with his feathery tale waving back and forth as if he understands what was said.

Freddie is on the cover of April Fool Proposition, one of my short stories. (I'll be publishing it and four others starting next week.) That picture of him was taken when he was about 6 months old, and it was perfect for my story of a lost puppy.

He's also under contract by 2 instagram accounts to be a spokes-dog.

Love Dogs?

I do. Our lifestyle doesn't allow for adopting a companion at this time, and I miss having a dog. Between Freddie and writing dogs in my books, my need for doggie-gratification is filled.

Favorite Dog Quotes

As a dog lover—no offense to cats and cat lovers—I want to share some of favorite dog quotes.

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went. —Will Rogers

I've seen a look in dogs' eyes, a quickly vanishing look of amazed contempt, and I am convinced that basically dogs think humans are nuts. —John Steinbeck

Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never washed a dog. —Franklin P. Jones

The average dog is a nicer person than the average person. —Andy Rooney

A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down. —Robert Benchley

If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons. —James Thurber

Ever consider what our dogs must think of us? I mean, here we come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul—chicken, pork, half a cow. They must think we're the greatest hunters on earth! —Anne Tyler

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. —Robert A. Heinlein

“Nothing in the world is friendlier than a wet dog.” —Anonymous (Freddie loves rain and playing in the mud, but he doesn't like the bath that follows.)

If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man. —Mark Twain

You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, "Wow, you're right! I never would've thought of that!' —Dave Barry

Handle every stressful situation like a dog. If you can’t eat or play with it, just pee on it and walk away. —Anonymous

Dogs are better than human beings because they know but do not tell. —Emily Dickinson

If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then give him only two of them. —Phil Pastoret

Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen. — Orhan Pamuk

My favorite dog character I've written in a book is Tiger, a golden retriever, in Second Chance Bride. He's an essential part of that story.

In real life, Tiger was Freddie's predecessor, who was loved just as much during his life. He's chasing sticks and toys in that big dog park in heaven now.

About Second Chance Bride

He was the only man she wanted—and the one man she could never have.

She gave up everything and reinvented herself as wealthy, successful Constance Quinn, a woman who carefully guards her emotions. Yet, she longs for all that she's denied herself. The only problem is there's no room for love or even for relationships in her rigidly controlled existence until she decides to find the part of herself that was lost in her transformation.

When she meets Alex Martinez, something hot and urgent passes between them. Their attraction is mutual. Their desire is palpable. 

Although Constance cannot resist him, she realizes she's playing with fire and avoids him, but Alex won't be kept at arm's length.

As their desire grows, so does her fear that Alex might discover the secret she is desperate to keep from him.

Review: Second Chance Bride 

Bookzilla, TOP 500 REVIEWER, 5.0 out of 5 stars

Easy to follow stand-alone. No editing errors, graphic violence or drag-you-down drama.

Enjoyable HEA romance. Believable characters with distinct personalities. Thought-provoking and memorable dialogue.

“Ah, you know what Graciella says about coincidence. It’s God’s way of remaining anonymous.”

'He told me young dogs would always be adopted but that this old dog would never find someone to love him if we didn’t take him. I told him that the dog wouldn’t have many years or maybe not even months of life left. He said that was an even better reason to adopt him so he’d know love before he died.”

I look forward to other works by this author.

To Conclude

Here's some advice for all of the mudslinging politicians. "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog." —President Harry S. Truman

Last Chance Beach: Summer's End is here for only a few more weeks. The box set is still only 99¢ and is available on Amazon.

If you haven't picked up your free copy of Cocktails on Last Chance Beach, do that too. Our little recipe book is still in the Top 100 of Bestselling Special Occasion, Beverages, etc. on Kindle.

TIP: A cocktail can be warm you up on a brisk autumn day!

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