Book Review with Featured Author: Summer by the River by Debbie Burns

Summer by the River by Debbie Burns

Publisher & Release: Sourcebooks Casablanca, March 2, 2021

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction

Length: 332 Pages

Heat Level: 1.5 Flames

Rating: 5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

Bestselling author Debbie Burns combines her love for rescue dogs with a compelling woman's journey in her brand new romantic women's fiction.

Making a fresh start in a new part of the country is challenging, but fate and good fortune lead Josie Waterhill and six-year-old Zoe from urban war-zone LA to cozy Galena, Illinois—a famous Midwestern small town right on the river. There, Josie can raise Zoe away from the violent life she once knew, and make a new home in the historic house where they've been invited to stay.

The situation is perfect, until Josie's elderly landlord Myra welcomes more guests—journalist Carter O'Brien and his giant rescue dog, Buttercup. Carter is charming, compassionate...and way too curious. Carter's interest in Josie deepens and he inadvertently stirs up trouble when he uncovers things that Josie would rather not have known. Ready or not, love happens and Josie has to let go of her painful past so she can create a glorious future.

 

Buy Links:

 

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Summer-River-Debbie-Burns-ebook/dp/B08DHHD1LX

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/summer-by-the-river-debbie-burns/1137202144

KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/summer-by-the-river

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Debbie_Burns_Summer_by_the_River?id=dhsCEAAAQBAJ

Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Summer-by-the-River-Audiobook/1662080751?qid=1614621308&sr=1-9&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_9&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=5HKVKGEGSYEFHMW491A9

 

Add to Goodreads & BookBub:

 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55139549-summer-by-the-river

BoobBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/summer-by-the-river-by-debbie-burns

 

Vikki’s Musings

 

Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the electronic copy of Summer by the River by Debbie Burns. I voluntarily agreed to read and review this heartfelt story. My opinions are my own, and nothing has influenced them.

 

Summer by the River is quite different the other books I’ve read by Ms. Burns. The pacing pulled me in from the first page and kept my attention to the last. This amazing novel had a great deal of substances and plenty of deep emotion. 

 

Josie Waterhill is an endearing heroine with plenty of depth to her character. Her protective nature comes through from the start. Her care for her adorable daughter Zoe and her elderly landlord and friend touched me deeply.

 

Carter O’Brien is an amazing hero. I loved his patience with Josie and his deep affection for Zoe. He has all the characteristics I love most in a male leading character. He uses such a gentle approach in getting Josie to open up to him.

 

The romance between Josie and Carter is strong from the beginning. I thoroughly enjoyed the love that develops between them. He’s keenly aware that Josie is a package deal, and his love for Zoe is easily seen early on. The love scenes are not graphic and very well done, and I really wanted them to find their happy ending.

 

If you enjoy novels with plenty of depth to the characters and a plot with substance beyond the usual romance, then you will love Summer by the River as much as I did. Ms. Burns has fast become an auto-buy author for me. I don’t see that another book is planned, but I hope she writes Sam’s story. I’m sure it would be outstanding. Happy reading!

 

Author Bio:

 

Debbie Burns is the award-winning author of the RESCUE ME romance series featuring love connections of the two and four-legged kind. Her writing commendations include a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly and a TOP PICK from RT Book Reviews for A NEW LEASH ON LOVE and an Amazon Best Book of the Month for My FOREVER HOME. Books one through four are available now, including LOVE AT FIRST BARK released July 2019.

Debbie lives in Saint Louis with her family, two phenomenal rescue dogs, and a somewhat tetchy Maine Coon cat who everyone loves anyway. Her hobbies include hiking, gardening and daydreaming, which of course always leads to new story ideas.

 

Social Media:

Website: http://www.authordebbieburns.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authordebbieburns/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_debbieburns

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_debbieburns/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/debbie-burns

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16200547.Debbie_Burns

 

Book Review featuring author Debbie Burns: Head Over Paws

Head Over Paws by Debbie Burns

Publisher & Release: Sourcebooks Casablanca, April 28, 2020

Time and setting:  Present Day, St. Louis Area

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: 352 Pages

Heat Level: 1 Flame

Rating: 4.5  Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

Who rescued who? Love can lead to your forever home in this charming contemporary romance from best-selling author Debbie Burns. 

Olivia Graham isn't in a place to have a dog of her own, but her new position as a volunteer rescue driver for the local animal shelter will keep her close to her four-legged friends. When she's called to transport pets that have been misplaced by flooding, she doesn't hesitate to help, but then her aging car breaks down...

Veterinarian Gabe Wentworth, former EMT and firefighter, is also heading to the rescue site and reluctantly agrees to pick up Olivia on the way. After a bad breakup, Gabe's embraced the hermit life. When he meets Olivia, he can't deny their irresistible mutual attraction, and his first thought is to run the other direction. But then the two band together in a risky maneuver to save a beautiful abandoned dog from rising floodwaters. The more Gabe learns about the woman who would risk everything to save vulnerable animals, the more he realizes what he might be willing to risk...

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Head-Over-Paws-Rescue-Book-ebook/dp/B0821N5W6L

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/head-over-paws-debbie-burns

KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/head-over-paws

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/head-over-paws-rescue-me-book-5-by-debbie-burns

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50628872-head-over-paws

Vikki’s Musings

Thanks goes to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary copy of Head Over Paws by Debbie Burns for the purpose of reading and reviewing prior to publication. A contemporary Romance for animal lovers! My opinions are my own and no one has influenced them.

Head Over Paws is an enthralling novel with engaging characters and an animal lovers plot. As with other books in Rescue Me series, Mr. Burns’ writing style pulled me in from the first page and kept me enmeshed until the last page. 

Olivia Graham’s character is easy to love right away. Not only is she a teacher, she’s a dog lover and goes to lengths to rescue animals in destress. She’s coming out of breaking off an engagement with her childhood sweetheart when she meets the hero and an immediate attraction develops to the point, she kisses him within hours of meeting. 

Gabe Wentworth is an intriguing hero with a good deal of baggage from a broken engagement. His ex-fiancée broke it off when he lost his firefighter and EMT career and decided to become a veterinarian. When he meets Olivia, in an attempt to save a dog stranded, he’s drawn to her for several ways, not only physical attraction. Since he’d sworn off women, it shocks him. I enjoyed his internal conflict between the attraction and his baggage.

The romance between Olivia and Gabe is lovely and grows steadily once they reconnect. There was a problem with her missing cell phone that kept them apart after their first meeting. While there are some internal conflicts, the biggest issue is external. I may be in the minority, but I love it when there isn’t doubt over whether they should be with each other. I was routing for them to find their happy ending because they’re such a great fit for each other.

If you’re an animal lover, enjoy endearing characters and an emotionally charged plot, then you will love Head Over Paws as much as I. I’ve enjoyed this series, and not only recommend this novel, I urge you to read the other four books. Happy reading!

Author Bio:

Debbie Burns is the award-winning author of the RESCUE ME romance series featuring love connections of the two and four-legged kind. Her writing commendations include a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly and a TOP PICK from RT Book Reviews for A NEW LEASH ON LOVE and an Amazon Best Book of the Month for My FOREVER HOME. Books one through four are available now, including LOVE AT FIRST BARK released July 2019.

Debbie lives in Saint Louis with her family, two phenomenal rescue dogs, and a somewhat tetchy Maine Coon cat who everyone loves anyway. Her hobbies include hiking, gardening and daydreaming, which of course always leads to new story ideas.

Social Media:

Website: http://www.authordebbieburns.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authordebbieburns/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_debbieburns

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_debbieburns/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/debbie-burns

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16200547.Debbie_Burns

Book Review: Love at First Bark by Debbie Burns

Love at First Bark by Debbie Burns

Publisher & Release: Sourcebooks, July 30, 2019

Time and setting:  Present Day, USA

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: 352 Pages

Heat Level: 1 Flame

Rating: 4.5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

Animal portrait painter Mia Chambers and architect Ben Thomas have volunteered at the High Grove Animal Shelter for years, and they share a complicated history. Ben has secretly loved Mia all this time, but she was married to his best friend. Now she's newly widowed, with a young son, and Ben doesn't know how to tell her what's in his heart. All he can do is stay close, help her as much as she'll let him, and watch for the right moment to bare his soul.

When a dozen adorable border collies get dumped in St. Louis' biggest park, everyone at the shelter mobilizes for a large-scale rescue. Rushing to the park to round up the frisky collies, Ben and Mia unexpectedly plunge into a new phase of their entangled lives. Who knew that opening their hearts and homes—to animals in need and to each other—would lead to so many upheavals...and new beginnings...?

Buy Link:

https://smile.amazon.com/Love-First-Bark-Rescue-Book-ebook/dp/B07NVTG5SP

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42366201-love-at-first-bark

Vikki’s Musings

Love at First Bark is the fourth book in Rescue Me series and a delightful addition. Thanks goes to the publisher, via Net-Galley, for a chance to read and review an advance reader copy of this book. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story from start to finish. The plot is about a woman who, while in the midst of divorcing her husband, never makes it to divorce court because he dies. He leaves her with a ton of debt and a grieving seven-year-old son. Of course, she also has a lot of guilt since she’s realized she didn’t love him. Enters, the best friend. The romance is between them.

Love at First Bark is an emotionally-charged love story. The writing flows smoothly, and the pacing is excellent, moving the story along without any sagging parts. There are also many engaging moments between the MCs and Mia’s young son, adding a great deal to the story. Then, one must add in the adorable dogs!

Mia’s character gained my empathy form the beginning. She has so many issues she’s dealing with, beyond the romance between her and Ben. No wonder that at times, it took second place. She is a fantastic mother, a loyal daughter and loves her volunteer work at the animal shelter. Her confused feelings regarding Ben, are very understandable. I could identify with her mixed-up emotions. After all, Ben was her late husband’s best friend and her son’s godfather. Then add in the guilt her mother-in-law heaps on her head, no wonder she is so torn.

Ben Thomas is a great hero. His only flaw­­–he’s almost too perfect. He saw Mia first, but due to an unfortunate circumstance, his best friend makes the first move on her, and he steps away. He never tells his friend how he feels and even becomes godfather to their child. He’s never gotten over Mia, and at last, she’s free, but now, she’s a new widow with too much on her slim shoulders. I admired his patience with Mia as she works through her difficulties.

I truly wanted Mia and Ben to find their happy ending. They are so good together as a couple and clearly love one another. While there isn’t a lot of heat between them, the love grows steadily and is very satisfying. I’m not saying the attraction is weak, it’s just not a blazing passion.

If you enjoy a romance with conflicting emotions, endearing character and several loveable dogs, then you will like Love at First Bark as much as I did. While this is part of a series, it’s a stand-alone, and it’s not necessary to read the other books in order. Happy reading!

Book Review: My Forever Home by Debbie Burns

My Forever Home by Debbie Burns

Publisher & Release: Sourcebooks Casablanca, November 27, 2018

Time and setting:  Present Day, USA

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Book Length:   352 Pages

Heat Level: 1 Flame

Rating: 3.5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

Love comes to the rescue

Vet school drop-out Tess Grasso dreams of having her own pet therapy business, but she meets one disastrous obstacle after another. There's no denying she has a way with animals, so in the meantime she puts her skills to use at a local no-kill shelter. Between helping her furry companions and a budding relationship with fellow dog lover Mason Redding, Tess begins to find fresh confidence...

What Tess doesn't know is that Mason is recovering from an accident, hoping to get back to his pro-baseball career. He's afraid the truth will ruin everything-and he's right. But in the midst of hurt and betrayal, a free-spirited stray Husky enters their lives, and teaches them a few things about faith, love and forgiveness.

Buy Link:

https://smile.amazon.com/My-Forever-Home-Rescue-Book-ebook/dp/B07FJQQYMZ

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39068287-my-forever-home

Vikki’s Musings

My Forever Home is definitely for the animal lover! Thanks go to the publisher, via Net-Galley, for a chance to read and review an advance reader copy of this book. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

This is an interesting read. I believe it is the first book I’ve ever read where one of the main characters is an animal, including his POV. The writing is smooth and has some engaging moments that had me chuckling.

Tess’s character is an interesting one with many facets to her character. I did like her, but I would have enjoyed her more if there had been a bit substance. I never became fully engaged with Tess.

Mason is a great male leading man. He is genuine, and I really liked him a lot. I did become investing in his character. He is such an honorable man with many redeeming characteristics. His determination to save the dog was excellent. I was so glad he was able to gain the dog’s trust.

The romance between Tess and Mason is fairly minimal. The story is much more focused on the animals Tess cares for and of course Mason’s dog. While it was interesting, sometimes it was a little over the top.

My Forever Home is a great read for an animal lover. Much of the book is about Tess’s desire to save them. While this story was not quite my cup of tea, I did enjoy it. I have no doubt the author truly loves animals. Happy reading!