Welcome Book + Dog Lovers

Published May 2020, the latest in Ellen Gilman's Houndsville series. 

Tough times for Meghan George brings her back home to Houndsville with her 7-year-old, daughter.  But it's dog-gone tough. Will two needy puppies help Meghan find a better future...fur-ever? Read on:

"Hi, sweetheart. What’s up?” Her dad’s upbeat voice made her smile.

"Dad, I need a little help.”

There was a long pause. A very long pause. Uh-oh, this might not be good. Her stomach flip-flopped.

“What happened?” her dad asked tentatively.

“Well,” Meghan paused, not sure she wanted to tell her dad the truth but then went ahead. “Long story short, I saw something wrong and it was too important to let it slide.” She cringed. “It got me fired.” 

She envisioned her dad frowning. “Oh Meghan, I know you meant well, but sometimes the less said the better.”

“I keep expecting people to appreciate constructive criticism,” she said firmly. 

“Meghan, I don’t see the point of dragging this out and continuing to assist you when it’s evident to me you don’t help yourself. I’m done. It’s time for you to come home,” he said, not wavering.

“What?” Meghan felt her stomach roll. “No, Daddy no.” She couldn’t process this. Her last ray of hope, her dad, was giving up on her. She felt as if she’d been punched in her gut. No one else had stood steadfastly behind her like he had. 

She jumped up, pacing back and forth. Gripping the phone, she stuttered, “Dd-dad…I know I’ve screwed up again, but please don’t give up on me now.” 

“I’m not giving up on you.”

“But you’re telling me to move home to Houndsville.”

“Yes.” The one-word answer had Meghan shaking her head. She had a bad feeling her dad was not going to give in this time.

Still, she tried. “But I’ve been doing better. I’ll never be able to do what I want in Houndsville. I told you Gwendolyn has agreed to co-write a how-to makeup book with me. With her backing it’s bound to succeed.”

“I’m not going to change my mind this time, Meghan. You’re unable to take care of my granddaughter properly, and that is worrisome to me and your mother.” 

Meghan pulled out all the ammunition she could come up with. “But Dad, I came here for college because it is a great place to get started in the beauty business.”

“Yes, I know. You wanted to start your own cosmetics line. And look how that turned out.”

“Dad, I know I messed up. I’m sorry I didn’t stay focused on my classes. I never should have trusted Phillip, but dummy me I believed his lies about helping me get contacts to start my cosmetics brand.” Meghan could feel herself rambling, but she wanted desperately to change her dad’s mind. “At least I have taken good care of Grace. I haven’t screwed that up.”

“Yes, but only with my support. Do you realize how many times I’ve bailed you out? It’s enough, Meghan. You’re an adult now and you should be able to figure out how to support yourself and your daughter.”

She didn’t have any idea how to respond. She tried to hold back the tears by biting her lip. “You know you’re not giving me a choice here.”

“Oh, but I think I am. I’m willing to give you a roof over your head and food to eat and it seems to me your first obligation is to provide that for Grace.”

Meghan gripped the phone. He was right in that it was all about Grace. She bowed her head, knowing she’d been defeated. “I’ll need money for us to fly home.” 

Find out more from Fur-Ever in Her Heart. Here are the links to Order Now from our excellent sales sites: 

Amazon:  https://amzn.to/2X66IrX 

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/3cKLXbF

BoobkBub: https://bit.ly/3e1RTgD

And please, add your review

The first in Ellen Gilman's Houndsville series. Powerful Poochie Perspectives (through People's POV, of course). With a tale told around a resident of Houndsville, Millie Whitfield, her dream to create a special dog's food bakery and adventures with her poochies, Luke and Annie.

Here's how she plans to open "The Best Doggone Bakery":

Millie snuck up on Carl and wrapped her arms around him as he stood in his closet fingering through his shirts. “Hi.”  

He turned to face her. “I was wondering where you were?”

 She gave him her best toothy smile.

 “Uh oh!  I know that look. Something’s on your mind.”

She nodded. “Yup! I was walking to Barbara’s Bookshop today, until I had an unfortunate detour.”  Millie held up her hands. “Don’t ask. I’ll give you a clue. There’s a ‘For Sale’ sign outside of Christopher’s.”

 “Really? The building is for sale again.” He frowned, looking  puzzled, and peered  into her eyes. “Oh, I understand. You’re worried  that you won’t be able to find a salted caramel pretzel ice cream  that’s as good as his.” He snickered at his own joke.

Millie studied his face carefully, looking for a signal that would  let her know he’d figured out what she was thinking. She knew the minute  he was with her. His face lit up like a light bulb, and he smiled. “Ahh, I know where you’re going with this now.”

 “You keep urging me to find something to do that I’m passionate  about.”  She stood up on her toes, held onto his shoulders, and  lightly brushed her lips against his.

Now  she had his attention. He took her chin in his hand and tipped her head  up.  “So, tell me more,” he said giving her his best crinkly smile.

 “I’m  going to finally open my dog bakery, and you’ll be the investor who’s  behind the venture. Now’s the perfect time. You’re really busy, I have  time, and Christopher is selling. Hopefully, this time he’ll stick to  whatever his plans are.” 

She had spoken so fast that she had to stop to  catch her breath. “Well?” ###

Will Carl collaborate? Can Millie make her dream come true? How will it help other doggies in dire distress? 

Find out more from The Best Doggone Bakery. Here are the links to Order Now from our excellent sales sites: 

Amazon:  https://amzn.to/2X66IrX 

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/3cKLXbF

BoobkBub: https://bit.ly/3e1RTgD

Like regular life, this story is not easy. My beloved Mollie could not initially reach out lovingly. Indeed, hubby and I were thinking of trying to re-home her.

What actually happened to all of us--Mollie, me, my spouse and kids--while we were together? This, my first book based on our experiences, took almost 20 years to write. Read it, and you'll understand why.

Susan opened the cage and Mollie cautiously walked out of her enclosure. 

“Oh, Susan she’s beautiful! I don’t remember ever seeing a sheltie that looks like her. Her fur is so curly.”

While I was talking to Susan, I saw her look down at Mollie. When she looked back up at me, I noticed she had a puzzled look on her face. I was getting ready to ask her why when she blurted out, “Sherry, look at Mollie.”

I glanced down to see a dog I had never seen before peering up into my face with what I can only describe as a wistful look in her enormous dark brown eyes. She had placed herself in front of my feet, touching my shoes. I was surprised I hadn’t felt her touching me. She was sitting on her hind paws with her head cocked in my direction, staring up at me. 

“Susan,” I said with a bewildered look, “does Mollie think she knows me?” 

Susan shrugged. “I have no idea.”

I carefully bent down so I was on eye level with Mollie. She did not budge. She seemed determined to sit as close to my feet as possible. She continued with her unwavering stare until she nuzzled me with her heart-shaped black nose. “Okay, maybe she wants me to pet her,” I observed.

I settled myself on the floor. Mollie continued gazing at me. She didn’t take her warm brown eyes off me. 

“Susan, I see you’re as confused as me from your stunned expression. I don’t understand why Mollie is so focused on me. She’s not moving. I would have guessed she’d want to walk around the room a little after being in that small cage. Check out her surroundings. She appears unaware you’re even in the room with us”

Susan grinned. “I know. It’s obvious she’s picked you to take her home. I think it’s great!” 

“Uh oh,” I groaned. “I don’t think you are aware that last night when Laura called, I told her this was not a good time for me to get another dog.”

Susan bit down on the inside of her lip. I could tell she was stunned. “You’re right,” she replied frostily. “I assumed when you came here today it was because you wanted Mollie.”

“Hey, wait a minute! You need to understand what’s going on in my life. I just got a new job. I’m afraid I won’t have time to devote to a new dog.” 

I stole a glance at Mollie. Our eyes met, and I was struck with the intensity of her stare. She still hadn’t moved at all. She sat perfectly still like a statue. Still focused on me with a pleading look in her eyes.

I stood up. I thought maybe if I moved, so would Mollie. Nope, she still didn’t budge. I was in trouble here. I moved a little further and tried questioning Susan.

 “Do you understand what’s going on? Do you have any idea what Mollie’s thinking?” I moved still further away. “Laura told me last night her owners want her put to sleep. But what could Mollie have done that was so bad?”

 I glanced back down at Mollie and softly added, “It’s really difficult to look at you. Your eyes are so expressive. I feel like I’m looking into big brown pools of sorrow. Uh oh, this is just making things worse. I can feel my heart pounding away thinking of what might happen to you!” 

Susan bent down to pet Mollie and went on to explain, “Laura didn’t say much to me. All she told me was that she was going to try and find Mollie a new home. I figured when I saw you walk in, Mollie was in good hands. Now from what I’ve seen here, you may be unsure, but Mollie is absolutely certain. She has picked you!” 

Find out more from Mollie's Tail. Here are the links to Order Now from our excellent sales sites: 

Amazon:  https://amzn.to/36Kbrnl

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/2yKj6pc

BoobkBub: https://bit.ly/2TO71Xx