Itās me again, Melinda Langston. Ever since I helped the Laguna Beach police solve a recent murder, business has sky-rocketed. Not sure if you remember, but I own Bow Wow Boutique, a high-end pet shop. Since the upswing in business, Iāve decided to hire a part-time assistant, but it hasnāt been easy. Who knew it was so difficult to find good help? Not me. The right person has to waltz through my front door at some point, right?
I love my quirky clients. Even the handful who enjoy indulging in a tidbit of gossip as much as they love spoiling their pampered pooches. I do my best to redirect the conversations, but some of my regulars are dogged about their local āchit-chat.ā
The past few weeks, Dr. Jack OāDoggle, Orange Countyās top plastic surgeon, has caused my customersā tongues to wag. Besides the fact that the good doctor looks like a Hollywood movie star, heās been dropping an awful lot of money at my boutique. Not that Iām complaining. Itās just that he doesnāt even have a dog.
Dr. O is dating Tova Randall, a successful lingerie model, who loves to dress her pocket-puppy, Kiki, in Bow Wow Boutiqueās one-of-a-kind couture doggie outfits. Apparently, the couple has been on the outs, and Dr. O has resorted to winning Tovaās affections through expensive gifts for her beloved Kiki.
I donāt really know Dr. O all that well, but he seems like a nice guy. Heās certainly extravagant towards those he cares about. As for Tova, well she and I have a contentious history. I donāt exactly trust her. Enough said.
Tomorrow night, Iām throwing a party for a new environmentally friendly dog clothing designer, Ava Rose. Her outfits are fabulous. One of my favorites is an adorable Oxford plaid sweater. I hope you can attend the event. Oh, donāt forget to bring your pampered pooch. Of course, my English Bulldog, Missy, will be there.
Before you ask, no, I did not invite Caro. My lovely cousin and I are still not speaking. I swear, this time itās not entirely my fault Caro and I arenāt talking. In fact, Iāve been on my best behavior. Although, if the latest scuttlebutt is true, that may change soon. Rumor has it murder is about to get a facelift.
Sparkle Abbey is giving away one (1) copy of any of the books in their āPampered Petsā series, winnerās choice. Leave a comment to be included in the giveaway. The book will be shipped directly from the author. Contest ends May 31 and US entries only.
Meet the author
Sparkle Abbey is the pseudonym of mystery authors Mary Lee Woods and Anita Carter. They co-write the popular pet mystery series featuring former Texas beauty queens whoāve ditched their hairspray and tiaras for botanical flea dip, doggie couture, and over-the-top pet lovers. The cousins, Caro and Mel, solve whodunits in the wacky world of precious pedigrees, pampered pets, and secrets. The first book in the series Desperate Housedogs (2011), an Amazon and Barnes & Noble #1 bestseller, was followed by Get Fluffy (2012) and Kitty, Kitty, Bang, Bang (2013). Yip/Tuck will be out this May.
Mary Lee and Anita chose to use Sparkle Abbey as the pen name on this series because they liked the idea of combining the names of their two rescue pets – Sparkle (ML’s cat) and Abbey (Anitaās dog).
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
Sounds like a fun series. Count me in. Dee
Deanna – We’ve sure had fun writing the series!
I enjoyed the first book in the series and have the 2nd one.
I can’t enter the contest. š Good luck to everyone who can!
Elaine – We’re glad you enjoyed book one and have book two lined up! We’ll be interested in what you think of how the series is unfolding. š
This is a fun series and I’d love to win Mel’s and Caro’s newest adventure!
Thanks, Jan! We’re having a ball writing it and spending time with all the crazy characters.
would love to win!
Fingers crossed for you you!
Sounds like a fun series. Will definitely look for them.
Another Jan. š Hi Jan, nice to meet you. Thanks for stopping by.
I have never read any of this series, but I’m going to start ! Would love to win a copy!
Whoo hoo, a new reader! We love new readers. Nice to meet you, Kathy!
This is a new author for me. I’d love to start reading this series!
Hello, Carol!
I love this series – so fun. Good read. Would love a copy of Yip/Tuck.
Cheryl, thank you so much for your kind words. You make us smile. By the way, love your gravatar. Is that your cat?
I read the first in the series and thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve got the rest on my wish list. Sign me up for the drawing – dz87507 at gmail dot com
Thanks, Denise! Glad you enjoyed Desperate Housedogs. š
This looks like a fun book and what a cute title. I would love to win a copy
Thanks, Angela! The current titles are Desperate Housedogs (Bk1), Get Fluffy (Bk2), Kitty Kitty Bang Bang (Bk3) and the latest Yip/Tuck (Bk4) š
I love this series! It is one of my favorites.
Ah! Thanks. We’re thrilled you like it.
Sounds like a real fun time.
Thanks, Nancy. We hope you give the series a try.
This is a great series. I love the titles.
Thank you! We love them, too. We’re very fortunate our publisher has let us keep all of our titles.
Woo hoo! More fun with my favorite team of authors! Go, Sparkle Abbey!
Great to meet Melinda today! I would love to win one of these fun books! Thanks!
Sparkle Abbey can’t wait for the next book. You ladies rock!
Hello all – so great to see everyone! We’ve had so much fun with this series. If you want to know more about us and how we got started writing the series check out our video confession. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaYQ-hL0z2Q
Linda – So cool that you stopped by! For those of you who don’t know Linda, she has a wonderful new mystery out – Every Broken Trust! Ck it out on her website: http://lindarodriguezwrites.blogspot.com/p/home.html
Thanks, Mary Lee and Anita. I’m all excited about Yip/Tuck, though! Whenever you two have a new book out, I know I’m in for a treat, and I’ll be reading hilarious passages to my husband as we laugh ourselves silly while we have to keep turning those pages to find out what happens next.
This is a new series to me, but it definitely is something I want to get to read. Love to hear that you both have rescue dogs and cats, as all of our pets and all of our daughter’s pets have all been rescues, so it warms my heart. I love laughter and this series sounds just like the way to acquire some chuckles. Hope to win the book, but if not I will check into ordering them. Great interview.
Hi Cynthia-Thanks for stopping by! Aren’t rescue pets amazing? They truly hold a special place in our hearts. If you decide to try out the series, let us know what you think.
I’m looking forward to reading yip Tuck when it’s released!
Hi Elizabeth – Great to see you here! Hopefully Yip/Tuck will be out very soon…
Sounds like a good series. Aren’t most pets pampered, though? They think they own their humans. I’m a cat owner.
So true, Michelle! Sparkle definitely thinks we’re her “staff.”
Loved the 1st one – Desperate Housedogs. Will need to get busy on #2 & 3! As the bumper sticker says: “The breed is Rescue”. Thanks for writing the pet stories we all know & love – and the giveaway!
Thanks, Linda! We’ll have to get that bumper sticker. Yes, the breed is rescue!
I have enjoyed the whole series. I wrote a review for Amazon on Kitty,Kitty Bang-Bang. I love to laugh my way through the books and follow the cousins through the case of the missing jewelry. It is always missing for one of them.
Nancy, glad you’re enjoying the series! Thanks for writing a review. We do enjoy plotting ways for Caro & Mel to “steal” the brooch from each other. LOL
Just finished Get Fluffy a couple days ago. Okay, so I started it the same day. š I do so enjoy your characters!
*lizzie – Great to see you here! Thanks for stopping by. Glad you’re enjoying Caro & Mel and their colorful pals!
I was off work on surgical leave for a month. I read 37 books while I was off and the Pampered Pet series was the one I talked about and recommended to friends more than anything else I read. Love this series!
Aww, thanks KD. You rock! We’ve sold two more books in the series so more to come…
Dru Ann – Thank you so very much for allowing us to drop by. We had a great time visiting with everyone. Best of luck to you all in the drawing and have a great weekend!
I have 2 VERY spoiled and pampered beagles—I think I would fit right into this series. I’ve got to find and read these books.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Hi Sue! Our pets are easy to spoil, aren’t they? Sparkle’s grand-dog, Gus, is a beagle. He’s fun loving guy!
Isn’t there a songwriter named Sparkle Abbey too? Anyway, I’m from OC and while I’ve seen mentions of these authors, I haven’t read them yet. I want to remedy that. Happy to see the series is spinning. Sign me up, please. judydee22002@yahoo dot com
Hi, Judy! We love visiting OC and the beautiful beaches in your neck of the woods. We hope you’re have a wonderful weekend!
this is another series that’s on my WishList!!
thank you for the giveaway!!!
Sounds like a fun series. I have not read any of this series, but Iām going to.
Contest is closed, but comments are always welcome
Can’t wait to read this series, it’s going on my wishlist.
Thanks, Debra! We’ve had so much fun writing this series. Book 4 – Yip/Tuck will be on the shelves soon and we’re working on the next installment – Fifty Shades of Greyhound. Fascinating research on greyhound rescue.
I have loved the series so far. it,s so nice to laugh and read at the same time. I won the new book and want to thank you very much. The greyhound story sounds very interesting.
Spit my drink all over when I read that title, ladies. Ben and I are still laughing over it. xoxoxo