Well, hello there, sugar. My name is Caro Lamont and recently my life has gone to the dogs. Literally.
I’m originally from Texas but after what Mama refers to as “The Big Mess” I’d needed to get out of Dodge. A very nasty and public divorce had cost me my therapy practice. Since I’d always been an animal lover, I turned my love of animals and my human psychology education into a pet therapy venture.
If you’d like to take a peek at some of my clients, check out this little video: http://youtu.be/J8pCb3ED-rY
Since I’d opened the PAWS clinic, (that’s Professional Animal Wellness Specialist for those of you wondering), business has been barking at my door. Usually my days are packed with disobedient dogs and recalcitrant kitty cats, but lately I’ve been learning more about murder investigations than a pet therapist needs to know.
You see one of my clients, Kevin Blackstone, was murdered and as the last person to see him alive (well, except for the killer) I found myself a person of interest. Bad enough, you say? Well I’d agree, but in the process of clearing myself I implicated my best friend, Diana Knight.
You may very well recognize the name, as Diana had been a big time movie star back in the day, and though now retired from the silver screen, she is still a firecracker. The police have arrested Di and now she won’t leave. She thinks her arrest is a great publicity stunt for the Fur Ball, our annual “Cough Up Some Cash” animal rescue benefit. I keep pointing out that she’s in a real jail and facing a real murder charge. Instead of posting bail, she’s busy phoning Anderson Cooper.
So, it’s up to me to get Diana out of jail and figure out who really offed Kevin.
Now, as ya’ll may have guessed, I’m not much one to sit around talking about my problems, I’m more of a take action sort of gal. That sometimes gets me into trouble. Trouble in the form of a visit from Homicide Detective Judd Malone.
Detective Malone thinks I should mind my own business. But it is my business when a client I’d just worked with is dead, my best friend is in jail, and when everyone in Laguna Beach seems to be harboring a secret.
Detective Malone actually threatened to throw me in the slammer with Diana. But you know what? His bark is worse than his bite.
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You can read more about Caro in DESPERATE HOUSEDOGS, the first book in the new “Pampered Pets” mystery series.
Sparkle Abbey is the pseudonym of mystery writers Mary Lee Woods and Anita Carter. They are friends as well as neighbors so they often write at ML’s dining room table or at the Starbucks up the street. If they could write anywhere, you would find them on the beach with their laptops and, depending on the time of day, either an iced tea or a margarita. When their publisher, Bell Bridge Books, asked them to choose a pen name, they chose to use Sparkle Abbey because they liked the idea of combining the names of their two rescue pets – Sparkle (ML’s cat) and Abbey (Anita’s dog). Mary Lee is President and Anita is Vice-President of Sisters in Crime – Iowa. Readers can contact them through their website at: www.sparkleabbey.com
** Sparkle Abbey has generously offered to give away a basket that includes an assortment of dog goodies, dog charms and an ARC of DESPERATE HOUSEDOGS. To enter, you must leave a valid e-mail address in the comment box with your comment. One entry per person and this is open to anyone with a U.S. mailing address. Contest ends on November 4th at 6pm EST. The winner will be chosen using a random number generator and will be notified by e-mail and has 2 days to respond. Book will be shipped directly from the author. **
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
I’ve been looking forward to reading this book. Best yet is I have a new puppy and the treats would come in handy.
this sounds so cute.
idlivru1(at)gmail(dot)com
Risa
Another series that I will have to check out as dogs rule at our house!
afarage(at)earthlink(dot)net
Go Sparkle and Abbey! 😉
This does sound like a really fun read. 😀 Thanks for hosting the giveaway, Dru Ann!
ladychrisa at hotmail.com
Thanks Ladychrisa!
Sounds like a terrific new series. Looking forward to it.
I loved meeting you both at Bouchercon and am looking forward to reading the book. Hope to see you at Malice Domestic next April.
Barb(at)barbgoffman(dot)com
Another new author(s) to check into. Sounds like a wonderful series and will be interested to see how 2 people write together. Put my name in the pot and Thank You both for the chance to win a copy of your book.
TerryParrish 2010 (at) hotmail (dot) (com)
Going to the bookstore today. I will have to look for this one!!!! sounds funny
I love how they chose their name – Sparkle Abbey!
Forgot email – kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
What a great sounding book. While I don’t have any pets I have freind that do soo I would give away the pet treats.
Love how you came up with a name. Your pets are lucky.
Dru, I love how you are able to get so many authors to talk about their books,
nlb1050(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thank you Nancy!
My favorite books are cozies with dogs in them—so sign me up for your contest.
suefarrell(dot)farrell(at)gmail(dot)com
I met Sparkle Abbey at LCC in Santa Fe and am impressed by this blog, too! I don’t have a dog, so don’t put me in the contest–just wanted to say this is a fun read!
Looks like a good read.
summergal05(at)gmail(dot)com
This sounds exactly like the sort of cozy i love to read. Can’t wait to try it.
kfranklin11(at)att(dot)net
My two furboys, Jesse and Cody, think this book sounds like a tail-wagging treat.
smj723(at)gmail(dot)com
Contest is closed.
Congratulations to our winner: Sharon!