Service Tails

Heart-tugging true stories of the courage, faith, and loyalty of remarkable service dogs.

Not all heroic dogs wildly toss themselves into lifesaving situations. Some save lives simply by their incredible commitment to duty and service. Some lead the way to independence for people whose disabilities were supposed to limit their lives.

In Service Tails: More Stories of Man’s Best Hero, prolific author Ace Collins introduces us to leaders whose entire lives are wrapped in the banner of service. Their stories are remarkable snapshots of the value of vision and teamwork, as well as devotion to duty and unconditional love and acceptance–stretching the way we see both canine and human potential. Their training was intense, their loyalty unquestioned and each step of the way they constantly adapt to better serve those they lead. These unforgettable dogs are more than heroes; they are models from which we can learn how to love and serve unconditionally.

My thoughts: This book is an excellent collection of different stories of service animals. I love that the stories are true, which makes them all the more interesting. Ace Collins does a wonderful job with this collection.
While I am not an animal lover per se, you don't have to be one to enjoy this book and the stories in it.
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

Fetching Sweetness

Standing between Stephanie and her dream is one hundred pounds of lovable trouble.

It should have been so simple for Stephanie Pink: Meet up with Agnes Wharton in a small town in California, retrieve the reclusive author’s valuable new manuscript, and be promoted to a full-fledged literary agent.

But Agnes’s canine companion, Sweetness, decides to make a break for it before Stephanie can claim her prize. Until Agnes has Sweetness safely back at home in Eagle Cliff, Washington, Stephanie will never set eyes on the manuscript she needs to make her dreams come true.

When Stephanie tracks the runaway mutt to a campground, she meets Rhett Hastings—a man also on the run from a different life and a costly mistake. Rhett agrees to help Stephanie search for the missing dog…thus launching a surprising string of adventures and misadventures.

Once Sweetness gets added to the mix, it’s a recipe for love and loss, merriment and mayhem, fun and faith in the backwoods of the Pacific Northwest.

My thoughts: I loved this story! The characters are a lot of fun to get to know, since they have their own quirks and a depth to their stories that a lot of fiction misses out on. I loved getting to know Stephanie Pink and her ragtag band as they make the trip up the west coastal states to win the manuscript of a lifetime. You don't have to be an animal lover to enjoy this wonderful story.
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

Sit, Stay, Love

Take one abrasive professional athlete, a quirky out-of-work schoolteacher, and an overweight geriatric dog, and you’re ready for a lesson in love . . . Tippy style.

Pro baseball pitcher Cal Crawford is not a dog guy. When he inherits his deceased mother’s elderly dog, Tippy, he’s quick to call on a pet-sitting service.

Gina isn’t thrilled to be a dog sitter when her aspirations lie in the classroom. Furthermore, she can’t abide the unfriendly Cal, a man with all the charm of a wet towel. But with no other prospects and a deep love for all things canine, she takes the job caring for Tippy.

As Gina travels through Cal’s world with Tippy in tow, she begins to see Cal in a different light. Gina longs to show Cal the God-given blessings in his life that have nothing to do with baseball or fame. When her longing blooms into attraction, Gina does her best to suppress it. But Cal is falling in love with her too…

Discover the charming story of Tippy, the dog who brought a family together.

My thoughts: This is such a sweet story! I fell in love with the heroine and how she views life. The story has some great characters and themes through it. It was also fun to catch a glimpse of what it would be like to be a professional baseball player, something I haven't thought a lot about before, but can imagine it would be crazy. This is a great story for dog and baseball lovers alike!
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

The Horse of My Heart

Shining coat flashing in the sun. Silky mane rippling in the wind. A toss of the head and the stamp of a hoof.

Few of God’s creatures are as noble and soul-stirring as the horse. Even those of us who aren’t lucky enough to have horses of our own seem to have an innate desire to connect with these beautiful, regal beasts. As children we read stories about them, collected models of them, and tacked posters of them up on our walls. Throughout history they have carried us and calmed us, pulled our loads and pulled at our heartstrings. They give us a taste of wildness and yet make us feel at home.

In this inspiring collection, you’ll meet horses who show up at the right time, who help their humans learn important truths, and who rescue the very people who rescued them. These true stories of horses and the people who love them are sometimes touching, sometimes humorous, and sometimes miraculous. Always they are inspiring, like the horses themselves. They will touch your heart, renew your spirit, and show you that surely God had us in mind when he created these magnificent creatures.

My thoughts: While I wouldn't call myself a horse person, I do admire them and think they are talented, majestic animals. This book of 30 stories about various horses and how they touched the writer's life is heartwarming to read through. I think the story of Flash and the Mystery of the Blue Hoof was my favorite, though I enjoyed all of them. This book would make a wonderful gift for the animal/horse lover in your family!
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.