"Call Me Mrs. Miracle" by Debbie Macomber is a Good Read for the Christmas Season

Call Me Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber is a cute Christmas story about how Mrs. Miracle helps several people:  Gabe, a little boy who is living with his aunt Holly while his father is in the service in Afghanistan, a father and son who run a department store who have trouble celebrating Christmas since their wife/mother and daughter/sister were killed in an accident on a Christmas long ago, and a lonely business woman.  Holly wants to make it a special Christmas for Gabe, but the only toy he really wants is a robot that costs $250.

This is a happy little story for Christmas that is slow moving but actually has a bit of a surprise ending.  I liked it all right in spite of it being fairly predictable.  It was made into a Hallmark movie and for those who bake/cook, it gives some recipes!  (3 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"Weekends with Daisy" by Sharron Kahn Luttrell (UPDATED)

Weekends with Daisy by Sharron Kahn Luttrell is a wonderful book that gives a first-hand account of a dog trainer who participates with an inmate in training a service dog for the National Education for Assistance Dog Services (NEADS).  After Sharron’s dog died, she thought that having a dog just on the weekends would satisfy her loneliness for a dog so volunteered.  The prisoner trained the dog, teaching it new things and her part was to socialize the dog by exposing it do different places and people.  This book details her experience with the program and how the dog helped her family along the way.

I liked this book because it was informative, funny and heartwarming.  I especially liked the parts about the dog classes she attended and specific methods used for training Daisy.  

(Karen's review, 11-6-14, 5 stars)

 
Weekends with Daisy by Sharron Kahn Luttrell tells the true story of Sharron, who after the death of her dog, decides to take a puppy named Daisy for weekends only to train her to become a service dog.  During the week, Keith trains the dog while in prison.  Daisy teaches Sharron and Keith important life lessons.

I LOVED this book because Sharron tells the story so well.  My dog, Abby, and I would be proud to walk with you, Sharron and your dogs.  Keep up the good work!   Check out NEADS.org which this book is based on--they are doing awesome work!   
(Gerard's review 10-29-14, 5++ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"Heaven Sent Rain" by Lauraine Snelling is Great Contemporary Christian Fiction! (UPDATED)

Heaven Sent Rain by Lauraine Snelling is about Dinah Taylor, a single woman who is a biochemist and CEO of her own company with a quiet, orderly life until it gets turned upside down when she befriends a small boy, Jonah, and his dog, Mutt.  She finds herself really caring for the little kid and before she knows it, he becomes a big part of her life—bigger than she ever imagined.  Dinah is bitter against God for letting her little brother and her aunt die when she was a young girl.  When Jonah’s dog gets hurt, it’s Dinah he calls for help which is how she meets Dr. Garrett, the vet.  I loved how he would paint pictures of the pets and their owners to give to them.

I loved this book because I liked all the characters and I couldn’t help feeling sorry for Jonah and pulling for Dinah to trust God again.  I enjoyed the veterinarian and Dr. Garret became my favorite character who painted and had dogs, birds, and a cat for pets.  This book was recommended by Best Friends.  I loved it!  It is heartwarming contemporary Christian fiction that includes animals and a bit of romance with discussion questions included in the back for book club use. 
(Karen's review, 5 stars)

  
Gerard says:
This novel is about a young boy named Jonah and his dog, Mutt. They are befriended by a woman, Dinah.  When Mutt has a problem, Dinah takes the boy and his dog to the vet and meet Dr. Garret who helps all three of them!  This book has plenty of action that kept me turning pages.  The relationships in this novel carry it because they are done so well.  I highly recommend this one and encourage to you put it on your TBR list!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"The Mountaintop School For Dogs and Other Second Chances" by Ellen Cooney is an Interesting Read

The Mountaintop School For Dogs and Other Second Chances by Ellen Cooney is about a young lady named Evie who decides to take a job working in a sanctuary for dogs who are there to get a second chance to find a forever home.  Evie does not know all that much about dogs, but she is a quick learner. 

This is a good heartwarming story.  I really liked Evie and of course I loved the dogs!  You will find out some new things about how dogs think.  If you are a dog lover like me, it's a must read!
(Gerard's review, 5+ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"A Dog Named Slugger" by Leigh Brill is a Must Read for Dog Lovers! (UPDATED)

A Dog Named Slugger by Leigh Brill is the true story of Leigh and her service dog, Slugger. Leigh needs Slugger because she has Cerebral Palsy. This book tells of the special heartwarming bond they formed with some really great stories and funny moments too! It’s a must read for dog lovers. Loved it!
(Gerard's revuew5++ stars)

A Dog Named Slugger by Leigh Brill is a wonderful book that shows how service dogs can help people with disabilities other than blindness.  This was new to me so I really enjoyed reading about the bond between Leigh and her dogs Slugger and Kenda.  Leigh has Cerebral Palsy and the parts where she shares her struggles before Slugger came into her life are sad.  I really felt bad for her, but overall, this book is uplifting.  For this type of book, I'm giving it 5 stars.  I was not disappointed in it because Slugger is a big part of it and I learned more about service dogs than I knew before I read it. 
(Karen's review, 5 stars) 

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

A True Story About a Boy and His Dog: "Haatchi & Little b" by Wendy Holden

Watch this video to see what this book is about:

Haatchi and Little B by Wendy Holden is the true story of a special needs dog and a special needs little boy.  It tells how they got connect to form a special bond.  If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be "love":  the love between the boy and dog, the love of the parents, the love of the various people who had connections to the dog and boy! Wendy tells the story so well you will be caught up in it quickly.  It's a feel good book that we all need to read every so often!  Don't miss this one!
(Gerard, 5 stars ++)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

Tuesday Tucks Me In by Luis Carlos Montalvan - Children's Book We Both Loved!

Tuesday Tucks Me In by Luis Carlos Montalvan is a juvenile non-fiction book about Luis, a vet, who came back home disabled.  Tuesday, his service dog, helps Luis through the day and tells the story.  The pictures in this book take you through a day with them.  I liked it.  Thank you for your service, Mr. Luis Montalvan and give Tuesday a treat and belly rub for me!  
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

I liked this book because it is both informative and heartwarming.  The pictures are touching and some humorous.  It's a wonderful children's book that teaches exactly what service dogs can do for vets.  I was amazed to learn that the dog recognizes 114 words!
(Karen's review, 5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!