The Tail Waggin’ Winterfest is the highlight of the season in the famously pet-friendly Pocono Mountains town of Sylvan Creek. But despite attractions like an ice sculpture display, a dogsled race, and gourmet hot chocolate, Daphne Templeton finds herself annoyed by TV producer Lauren Savidge, who’s filming the festivities. She’s critical, controlling, and as chilly as the January air. Daphne would like to tell her to go jump in a lake–and as a matter of fact, that’s exactly what they’re both going to do . . .
It’s the first-ever polar bear plunge in Lake Wallapawakee, and Daphne and Lauren are among the eighty or so people who charge into the frigid water to raise funds for animals in need. Daphne makes it back to shore–with the help of a mysterious St. Bernard–but Lauren is dragged out stone cold dead. Now, with her trusty basset hound Socrates at her side, Daphne intends to assist Detective Jonathan Black in his investigation–whether he wants her to or not…
Includes recipes for homemade pet treats!
SERIES: Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery #3
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
PUBLISHER: Kensington
RELEASE DATE: February 27, 2018
PAGES: 384
Other Books In This Series
Pawprints and Predicaments is full of humor, delightful pets (especially the dogs) and a great plot!
You will find yourself chuckling often throughout this read. At the vivid personalities that Bethany Blake gives the animals (Artie the one-eared Chihuahua and Socrates the basset hound slay me). At Daphne’s eccentrically endearing personality (she was banned from Kenya & accidentally took Krav Maga classes in Israel). And just at the witty way in which the author weaves her words – wry & sometimes a little bit snarky.
I gotta admit that I thought I had it figured out right from the beginning. Nope. Not even close. Blake constructs the mystery in such a way that you anticipate the predictability, are even fine with it because the story is so delightful… and then you’re pleasantly surprised by the actual unpredictability of the story when all is said and done.
Bottom Line: If you have ever insisted your dog was laughing at you, tried to force his appalled self into a cute doggy sweater and/or talked to him like he was human, then Pawprints and Predicaments by Bethany Blake is right up your alley! A dash of romantic possibilities (#teamJonathan), loads of quirky humor, and a well-plotted murder mystery round out the tale. A great choice for fans of cozy mysteries, clean reads and dogs!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)
My Rating: 4 stars / love it!
Bethany Blake lives in a small, quaint town in Pennsylvania with her husband and three daughters. When she’s not writing or riding horses, she’s wrangling a menagerie of furry family members that includes a nervous pit bull, a fearsome feline, a blind goldfish, and an attack cardinal named Robert. Like Daphne Templeton, the heroine of her Lucky Paws Mysteries, Bethany holds a Ph.D. and operates a pet sitting business called Barkley’s Premium Pet Care.
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There are three things I love: Eating. Telling and reading stories. Eating some more. Snuggling with my dog. And laughing.
Okay, maybe that’s more than three. But the thing I want to focus on today is my love of laughter. If you pick up any of my Lucky Paws Petsitting Mysteries, I can guarantee that you will, at the very least, chuckle mildly.*
Image Source: PinterestI come from a long line of very funny people. When I was a kid, a local radio station ran a feature called “create a joke.” The dj would set up a gag, and listeners would call in with punchlines. One summer, my dad won almost every day for three months running. That’s my legacy.
Yet, I once had this existential crisis about writing light, humorous books. I felt like a “serious” writer should write “serious” things. Books like War and Peace were important, right? This bothered me enough that I spoke to my husband about it. And he offered me some very sage words.
“In this troubled world, where there’s so much sadness, making people smile is an act of mercy.”
That comment has always stuck with me, and I think it’s infused my subsequent writing with even more joy. I hope that everyone who reads PAWPRINTS & PREDICAMENTS or any of my books finds herself or himself transported to a quaint town, filled with wonderful food, and people they’d like to befriend, and pets they’d like to adopt. Oh, and there’s always a mystery, too, because solving puzzles is number four on my list of favorite things. Or maybe number five. Or six?
And if you read one of my books, and it does make you smile, please reach out to me, because I forgot the top item on my list of things I love: friendship. (And eating. With friends.)
* This is not a money-back guarantee, and not valid at any participating stores, because none are participating.
TWO GIVEAWAYS!
RimSP Giveaway:
I am giving away (1) print copy of Pawprints and Predicaments! (US only) This giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be found here. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.
Tour Giveaway:
(1) Set of the Lucky Paws Petsitting Mysteries and some swag! U.S. ONLY
The last time I laughed really hard was in my exercise class–the giggles were contagious and my eyes were tearing up.
I think the last time I laughed so hard I cried and then kept laughing was this past summer when we got together with our dear friends. They live in another state so it’s only about twice a year that we get to see them. We found a game called FART (yep there is really a game named that) and we all got hysterical while playing it.
I think any time with great friends is a good time. It’s when you can be yourself and relax. Of course there’s always wonderful food too plus Glenda and I both love to read. There’s always a time to swap books and talk about what we have read. Plus we always bring our furbabies to these get together times. They have a cat whose never been with a dog and our dog has never been with a cat. They were about 6 months old when they first met and have been best friends every since. Guess to sum it up, I agree with Bethany with what she loves to do other than we add play games to our list. 🙂
I honestly can’t remember the last time I laughed really hard. I do remember a few years ago my husband dressed up as a Hillbilly for Halloween, fake teeth and all. When our nephew saw him he was laughing so hard that he couldn’t stand up straight, he couldn’t look at him without doubling over in laughter. That made me laugh really hard. I laugh every time I think of that. 😀
These look like fun books. I just finished reading my first cozy mystery book and I think I’m hooked. 🙂
Just today! My husband always makes me laugh!
on Christmas day when the family was together, I have a great niece that turned one year old. she was a crack up that day and she knew it. she has us all in stitches all day long. then at the end of the day, we got together and played colored dominoes. my son does not drink much to even notice. that night he got drunk. he and my sisters son was passing a bottle back and forth. my son is hilarious when drunk. my sister and I were laughing so hard we were peeing our pants.
I laugh hard every time I spend time with my three grandkids. They say the funniest things.
The last time I laughed really hard was when my Sister and I were remembering our experiences growing up. That was just 2 days ago. These books look fantastic. Love to laugh.
Yesterday. My mom & I had to stop the car & wait while a chicken crossed the road. We were making each other laugh with why the chicken crossed the road jokes.
I never laughed so hard in my life as I did when I watched the DVD of “Mom’s Night Out” written by Tricia Goyer.
If you ever need a good reason to laugh, get this movie and watch it.
I love the book cover. I can’t wait to read this book!
Awesome giveaways! Thank you for the opportunities.
I laughed the hardest about a month ago when my granddaughter’s kitten jumped up and grabbed ahold of my son’s jeans on the backside. You should have seen his face.
I laughed hard on Tuesday. There was a tough, awkward meeting at work and afterwards, my friends and I were completely cracking up about it.
The last time I laughed really, really hard was on vacation with my Sister. We always find something funny and that makes us laugh.
As a dog lover I would like to read this story plus I like mysteries.
you’ll enjoy this series then!
The last time I laughed that hard, would have been the last time I watched some of the old time comedians on Tv. Comedians such as Red Skelton and Jackie Gleason were really great and they didn’t have to use profanity in order to make us laugh!
they were great, weren’t they? We like Brian Regan for the same reason!
My 7-yr-old has me laughing hard often!
fun!
I laugh every day about the antics of my 20 mo old grandson–he just cracks me up.
aren’t they fun?
I love to laugh at my rescue dog. These books sound so much fun. I appreciate the interview as I was not familiar with this series.
rescue dogs are so fun 🙂
The last time i laughed hard was many years ago I seem to be crying more than laughing my kids are in Ca and i am in Ia.
awww Peggy – I’m so sorry – that’s tough <3
This series sounds fun and I enjoy books that make me laugh.
you’ll love this one then! 😀
Recently, in the breakroom during lunch, there was a show on tv with a man dressed as a cactus. The scene was so hysterical that we were all laughing uncontrollably.
Lol!
Sounds like a great book!
My husband makes me laugh every day.
That’s awesome!
this book looks good, this is a new author to me , will have to check the books out
Yay!
I can’t remember when I laughed hard. It’s been awhile.
Awww – I hope you do soon 🙂
I laugh when I talk to my sister on the phone. she cracks me up.
With my extended family. We always giggle when we get together.