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Cooper Comments: Moonlight and Mystery (Book Review)

Oct20
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Karen Malley has a new book out and you need to hear about it! It’s part of a romance series Chester County Couples. Moonlight and Mystery is the title and trust me, it’s a book you won’t want to put down. You’ll be eager for the rest of the series I suspect and she has free novella available as a prequel!

Beth Tarrington is living a good life. She’s engaged to a handsome man with a fabulous career. She’s driving a really nice car and lives in a sweet condo. She works doing something she loves and her last name is so prominent it opens doors. And yet, she’s not happy. Sneaking peanut butter is a comfort and life take on a new zing when she tries out and gets cast in a community theater.

When she finally wakes up to the privelged bubble she’s living in, she decides it’s time to stand up for what she wants, a decision that has dramatic consequences for her. Can God help her through the tough choices she has to make as a result?

When Jason Brooks meets Beth there is an instant attraction, but she’s engaged so he knows he needs to run the other way. Getting cast in the play, opposite her, creates sparks no one can ignore even though Jason and Beth both try.

You have to read the book to go on this adventure with Beth and Jason as well as the characters they act out in the play! Ms. Malley does an amazing job weaving it all together.

This is an awesome read and I hope you’ll get it, and sit, and read, and snuggle a dog like my mom does with me when she’s reading a good book. I’ll give it five squeaky tennis balls because other than snuggling, chasing them is my favorite thing. Oh, and bacon. I really like bacon…and oranges…and steak.

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Cooper Comments: Agape After All (Book Review)

Sep22
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Hey, Cooper here again with another great book by Katherine Robles. To be honest, Agape After All, is probably my favorite one in the Romance in the Park series of novels she’s written.

Vanessa is engaged to Collin and she really believes this is possibly true love, but then she meets Tony while on a girl’s camping weekend at Hickory Run State Park. Tony is cute and sweet but Collin already meets her criteria of being smart, handsome, as well as being a Christian.

But things are not all chocolate and roses in the romance. When Vanessa wants to take an online Biblical Greek class, she finds Tony, also in the class with others, to be a good friend. As she learns more she gains courage to stand up for herself and begins to sense that something is not right in her relationship with Collin.

I loved how the author didn’t just make a love triangle out of this story but dug deep into the emotional dysfunction lying just below the surface of Vanessa and Collin’s relationship. Will she have to the courage to confront the truth and stand up for herself? Even if it means having no one?

I especially loved too the hints into Greek and what words mean. Hence the title, Agape After All. A must read, especially if you’ve enjoyed any of her other books. If not – get this one now! You won’t regret it.

I’ll give this one five squeaky tennis balls because yes, I’m a dog, and they are my favorite!

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Cooper Comments: Falling for Forever (Book Review)

Sep15
Reading Time: 2 minutes

It’s been a busy summer but Mom says I need write some more book reviews. Katherine Robles has a new book out called Falling for Forever which is part of a Romance in the Park series.

Falling for Forever book cover featuring a blonde gal embracing a forbidden dark haired man with a beautiful sunset and waves crashing on a rocky shoreline behind them.

This is a sweet romance with Hillary who is stuck in her job and not realizing her dream of moving to Washington D.C. where she hopes to make a splash.

She meets Javier at Great Falls National Park, except she believes he is engaged to the gorgeous girl with him.

Somehow they keep coming into contact and Hillary can’t stop her heart from wanting this forbidden man. When the truth is revealed she also learns some hard truths about herself that could keep her from a better dream than she’d ever considered before.

This is a truly sweet story with the misunderstandings of real life and the challenges faced with learning to mature as an adult, tackling real life problems. Throw in a dose of humility and courage and you have a romance that you’ll have a hard time putting down.

My mom really liked this book so I’ll give it five squeaky tennis balls because I’m a dog and that’s how I roll.

Cooper Comments: Operation: Reconnaissance (Book Review)

Jul28
Reading Time: 3 minutes

I’m slacking. I admit it. I am living the life as an only dog and to be honest, with the beautiful summer weather I’m having fun making mom take me on walks. And then DeeDee Lake and her husband Seth came to visit and I fell in love with Seth. He wanted me to go to Colorado with him but I chose to stay with mom because they are moving ot Texas and I used to live there and didn’t want to go back.

So my mom and her friend DeeDee Lake wrote this book in their Rules of Engagement military romance series called Operation: Reconnaissance. Now I have to say I loved this because Rusty, the main character, has a dog! Any book with a dog is aces in my mind. Lola is a sweet Sheba Inu and while she was merely in a supporting role, I thought she did great.

Now as for the story, Rusty falls head over heels for Jane who brings her son Mark who has Down Syndrome to visit Kobbe who was in the last book (Operation: Allegiance) for equine therapy. Whew, did you get all that?

Jane is a widow with some serious trust issues and what will she do with her son when she is deployed? Her friend Harley is no longer in the Army and lives too far away. Her parents and in-laws don’t understand this sweet boy. And Rusty? The man must be bonkers to want to help her.

Rusty to be honest does have some issues from a fall he took many years ago but while he’s an adventure guide and successful businessman who lives in his van, he does listen to God. When God tells him to marry Jane even though she doesn’t believe in God, he obeys.

But how can a romance work when they marry for convenience and in name only, and then are separated for many, many months?

Guess that’s where you’ll need to read the story to find out. The only thing I can tell you for sure is it does have a happy ending (all mom’s books do). Lots of challenges are faced on both sides but somehow love does prevail!

So go get this book and read it because book #4 (Operation: Skirmish) releases in November! And mom said something about really wanting people to write short reviews on Amazon. But only if you like the book.

I’ll give it five tennis balls! Mostly because of Lola but also because I love Seth, and my mom. So help them out, buy the book, write a review and tell others about it!

Cooper Comments: Truffles and Traffic (Book Review)

May12
Reading Time: 2 minutes

It’s been some time since I’ve posted but I’ve been busy. Being a dog and taking care of Mom is hard work, especially after she broke her arm in February. Anyway, this is one of her books (again?) and one that has been a long time in coming. As the seventh installment in the Orchard Hills contemporary inspirational series, it was written quite a while ago and do a series of unusual event was delayed in making it into readers hands. Until today. Truffles and Traffic is finally available!

Now Jo March has some skeletons in her closet and after a shoot out on her job as a Wisconsin State Patrol officer, she finds that these nasty beasts are starting to show themselves, especially after she runs into her ex-husband at church of all places. She’s not sure about God but her partner on the force encouraged her to come and since she couldn’t use work as an excuse she humored him.

When Benjamin Elliot spies his ex-wife at church he had already been praying from her healing, since he’d heard about the shooting incident on the news. He’d always loved her and never told Jo the truth of all that happened years ago when their marriage blew up. Now she’s at church and he’s worried that unless he confesses all that happened three years ago, it might be a stumbling block in her coming to know Christ.

Reconciling the past and the present and the stories she told herself about events, as well as the trauma of a shooting lead Jo on a path of discovery. She’d always loved Ben and the hurt had never gone away. When she finally knows the truth will it set her free to pursue God? Will Benjamin’s truffles make the journey all the sweeter?

And what about Ben? What will that do for their “relationship” if there ever is one. Add in her partner Geoff and Benjamin’s sister Molly and you have the makings of some interesting interactions. Can God restore all that was lost years ago and make something fresh and beautiful from the ashes?

You’ll have to read it to find out. I give this story 5 tennis balls because I think it’s that good. And even though I’m and old dog even I can agree that those who serve in law enforcement deserve respect and our prayers. And I’m still waiting for mom to give me a truffle. She says chocolate isn’t good for me. Humph.

The ebook is available now but the print version releases July 7, 2023.

Cooper Comments: Operation: Allegiance (Book Review)

Mar24
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Well, Mom finally is making me write book reviews and ironically she’s making me review a book she co-authored with her friend DeeDee Lake.

I will say that the biggest selling point in a book is 1) my Mom sits and reads so I can snuggle with her and 2) if there is a dog in it. This book excells in both those areas in my opinion (three dogs! Woof!)

Operation: Allegiance is book two in the Rules of Engagement Military Romance series and features Alexandros Sava who is an Army helicopter pilot wounded on the job (but not the kind of battle you might think – no spoilers!) He meets the twin of Brooke who features in book 1, Operation: Camouflage Christmas that came out last year. Kobbe is a twin and little less enamoured of the military lifestyle than her twin sister. So much so that she has vowed to never marry a military man.

God has a sense of humor right? Two individuals set on a path that would automatically keep them apart and yet somehow through as series of events works things out for love to bloom. Not without conflicts and barriers to ultimate happiness the authors work to bring it all out to a wonderful happily-ever-after ending.

I recommend this book highly. It has adventure, angst, family, love, conflict, faith, and suspense at times. And three dogs. Don’t forget the three dogs! Obediah, Lola, and Hunter show up in supporting roles although I admit my puppy dog heart ached for what Hunter endured. Although poodles are kind of silly dogs, I wouldn’t wish that on any dog. He’s OK though so don’t fret. Oh, and check out their Rules of Engagement blog: https://rulesofengagementmilitaryromance.com/ where they feature real life military stories!

Get this book! I highly recommended it and like my predecessor, Spatzle (RIP) I will give it five bones because I don’t have thumbs either. Or maybe I should give it five squeaky tennis balls? OK that will my thing now since I’m in charge here.

Writer Wednesday: Barbara Kuhls

Dec7
Reading Time: 2 minutes
My friend Barbara Kuhls is standing outside with a huge smile on her face from publishing her first book, a real-life story of the special needs adoption of her son.

I want to welcome my friend Barbara Kuhls to my blog. She just released a non-fiction real-life story of the special needs adoption of their son, Ionut, who if you read my blog on Friday, is a special favorite of my dog, Spatzle.

When did you decide to become an author? Was it something you fell into, felt called to…?

I didn’t decide to become a writer. Every time I shared our adoption story (I was often asked), someone would say “you need to write a book.” In July, 2019 I heard God whisper “Now. Write the book.” So, I began to get the stories on paper.

What’s your pet peeve?

Adults making selfish decisions that harm or even negatively affect children.

What was your most embarrassing moment as a writer?

Doing a “book signing” before I had any books.

What has been your most difficult challenge as an author?

Exposing my family and our son’s birth family to the public. Doing it gracefully, protecting their privacy while sharing God’s amazing work in our lives.

How do you process rejections and/or negative reviews?

“Am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I should not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10.

It doesn’t matter.

What do you feel is the best success so far in your writing career?

A positive and eager desire by so many to read a book about the miracles of God.

Book

Standby For God; A Fearless Flight Into a Faithful Calling

Biography

Barbara Kuhls is an RN with the gifts of mercy, hospitality, and exhortation. With over fifty years experience, her passion is protecting life and mentoring the next generation.  Since responding to God over forty years ago with the words, “Send me,” she has dedicated her life to providing life-affirming choices and support to women in unplanned pregnancies. She invites the reader into a personal adoption journey.

Connect with Barb

Facebook: Standby for God

Spatzle Speaks: Camouflage Christmas (Book Review)

Oct28
Reading Time: 2 minutes

My mom and her friend DeeDee Lake have conspired to start a new series of books called Rules of Engagement. The first installation, a novella, is Operation: Camouflage Christmas. Do you realize how hard it is to spell that with paws?

You can check out their blog here: https://rulesofengagementmilitaryromance.com/

So mom and DeeDee spent lots of time bringing Brook and Bernard to life in this story. How do you fall in love when in Army Officer Cadet School at Fort Benning, GA?

Brooke has been disappointed in love and she’s resolved to move on even as the date for a wedding she was supposed to star in, nears. Instead, she’s distracted by the rigors of training and also a series of gifts that show the sender knows more about her than most people, which has her perplexed and hoping.

Bernard fell in love with Brooke when they were in high school but she was off-limits. When they met up again she was engaged, but now? Brooke is free and as much as he wants to make it through OCS, he wants to win Brooke’s heart even more. Will she ever see that it’s him? Would she even return his affections? And how would that work when relationships are forbidden in training?

I highly recommend this book for a sweet romance as well as a peek behind the scenes of the challenges our soldiers go through to become officers. It’s not for the faint of heart. Get it! Now! And write a review please? I give the book five bones because I’m a dog and that’s how I roll.

Spatzle Baganz, book reviewer for the silygoos blog because that’s how we roll.

Spatzle Speaks: A Husband for Christmas (Book Review)

Oct21
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Is it nepotism to review my mom’s book? Or is it just weird that four years ago she actually did get a husband for Christmas in real life and only now writes a story with that title?

The real issue is this: Where is the dog in this story? Hmmm? I mean, I vetted Ben before they ever got serious and yes, I admit, I became a slave to his roaring at me. What else could I do but roll over for a tummy rub when he did that? Finally a good man in the house, but don’t tell him…I’m still partial to Mom.

OK, enough of that, Mom wrote a Christmas regency called A Husband for Christmas and I gotta admit it is kind of sweet. Two friends finally learn that the mate they are looking for was there all along? But why the rush to get married during the holiday? My mom decided it was nice because the church was already decorated, but this story takes place in early 1800s Great Britain. Yeah, I’m sure they decorated for the holidays but a member of the upper crust wouldn’t be worried about the cost of decorating for a wedding would they?

Miss Adelia Donovan, nicknamed Addie by her distant-not-by-blood relative, Lord Oliver Westcott embarks on a journey to London to find her a husband by Christmas, the dream of Adelia’s mother who was recently widowed by Adelia’s step-father. Following along so far? Addie is a somewhat irreverent character which is refreshing. This isn’t a suspenseful gothic regency like the series Mom wrote a few years ago (at least The Virtuous Viscount had a dog in it).

Misunderstandings and infatuations tend to muddy the waters on the path to blessed matrimony but you’ll have to see how they work it all out by actually reading the book! I have to say it’s a great story because, well, Mom wrote it and if I’m nice she’ll give me treats. Go check it out!

I’ll give five stars and snuggle in for more writing. I think she’s started on the one for next year but I need to convince her to put a dog in it!

Spatzle Baganz, book reviewer for the silygoos blog because that’s how we roll.

Spatzle Speaks: I Chose You (Book Review)

Sep30
Reading Time: 2 minutes

My mom loves me. I’m a dog and therefore I know this for a fact. She rescued me ten years ago and I’m still her favorite.

Two years ago, Mom decided I needed a friend. Maybe I did, maybe I didn’t, but Benji was trouble although I admit he was cute and he allowed me to jump on him. We became buds. That is until he bit Mom. I didn’t even say goodbye. Mom wrote a poem on the blog about him here: Ode to Benji She also wrote about it in a different way in this book: I Chose You: Imperfectly Perfect Rescue Dogs and Their Humans, a collection of rescue dog stories by Carmen Leal and many others.

I was really sad when Benji was gone so she adopted another dog: Cooper. He won’t wrestle with me but he’s OK. But them Mom started reading this book and asked Dad about adopting another dog. Another dog? Can you imagine? I had a hard enough time breaking in the last two. I’m fourteen now and I don’t know if I could handle that.

Cooper, a 10-year-old Lhasa Apso/Shih Tzu mix loves to play with his squeaky tennis ball. Mom calls him a “Goofball.” Her nickname for me is “Fuzzy butt.”

Dad said no. Whew. I was so relieved. I left him a little gift of poop on his chair as a sign of my gratitude. He didn’t even thank me.

Mom says this book is great, but I’m not so sure because, well, it made her want to rescue another dog! She says she wants a girl this time but I hear they can be bossy. So read this book at your own risk. You might laugh, you might cry, and you might find yourself and your dog on the pages of this book.

And you might want to rescue another one. I’m OK with that because I was a rescue. I’m a little miffed she didn’t write a story about me though, the perfect rescue dog. (I really am).

I’ll give it five bones in spite of Mom’s “rescue dog fever” because I was a rescue and I’m glad. I love my pack, our home, and our life.

Spatzle Baganz, book reviewer for the silygoos blog because that’s how we roll.