Pages & Paws

Writing, Reading, and Rural Life With a Border Collie


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Dual Rescue Delights in ‘Stay, Girl’

See? Found a pic with a beagle in it! Sort of.

Stay, Girl

By Angelica R. Jackson

Genre: Fiction/Coming of Age

Pages: 279

Via: Blog Tour

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sacramento, CA, 1953. Penny was one of the dogs seized by the county in a cruelty case. Thirteen year-old Lizabeth “Bet” Carter is on the run from an abusive stepdad after her addicted mom dies. She’s heading to her Uncle Earl’s. But only cuz Bet promised her mom she’d “go” to Earl’s. Bet never said anything about staying with him. In fact, she plans on high-tailing it down to Oregon to work as a cook’s helper in a lumber camp with her best girlfriend. As soon as she can make some plans.

But an unlikely yet heartwarming alliance begins to form in this captivating and compelling coming of age tale reminiscent of Where the Red Fern Grows, Marley and Me, and Shiloh.

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Kimber’s Update on Her 2 Fave Hoomans

What?

Kimber here. With a quick update on my two favorite hoomans. Her Royal Momness and His Royal Dadness.

If you’re a regular reader, you probably know that The Royals were waylaid by The Creeping Crud (RSV) for over a month. Mom is doing much better. So, watch out world!

Dad developed a blood clot in his leg. Most likely due to inactivity while battling RSV. Thankfully, we got him to the E.R. fast as greased lightning. Found a blood clot a la ultrasound. Got him on blood thinners right away. (The hoomans say blood clots are very dangerous. Can be deadly in minutes. In case you’re wondering.)

Not good! Not good! Red alert!

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How To Rate Books Without Being Biased

Some poor unsuspecting rookie posed this topic to The ‘Ole Curmudgeon the other day. Probably seemed like a good idea at the time. Like the time I “liberated” that nice, juicy pot roast from the dinner table when no one was lookin’. But I think The ‘Ole Curmudgeon has forgotten about that by now. So let’s not remind her, okay?

Anyway, we “liberated” this headline from another blogger. Comes with some  questions: Whaddya mean by “bias”? Who decides? Based on what?

Here’s one def of “bias”: showing a like or dislike for someone or something based on personal opinions.

Newsflash, Toots. When it comes to book reviews, that’s kind of the whole point.

Yo!

For example, we have a “bias” against R-rated books and those with gratuitous violence and/or profanity. Additionally, we no longer accept memoirs about childhood abuse. Conversely-ish, we have a “bias” toward clean, uplifting and inspirational books.

We’re just funny that way.  It’s no secret. We say so in our Submission Guidelines. As in: Our blog. Our rules. So deal with it, Buttercup.

Fact is, we know what kind of books we like. And what we don’t. And why. And fact is again, some books are just better than others. They have better writing that’s rich, skilled, and full-bodied. They’re well-organized. Articulate. Structurally sound. Feature three-dimensional characters. An engaging, agile plot. Nimble pacing. They enrich, motivate, educate, stretch, entertain and/or inspire.

Others don’t.

They move with the alacrity of a three-toed sloth. Drip with typos. Have a plot like Swiss cheese. Bland, brittle characters that could give No Doze a run for its moola. And are as inspiring as wilted cabbage. Or the neighborhood powder puff.

And we notice.

So. How to Rate Books Without Being “Biased”? Simple. Thrown’ this in for free: Just don’t have a solid opinion.

You’re welcome. Now about that pot roast…


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Poetic Memoir A Barkworthy Read!

Sleeping With Dogs: A Poetic Memoir

By Barbara Barth (Gilbert Street Press, 2024)

Genre: Non-Fiction

Pages: 35

Via: Book Blog Tour

We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Okay. So who can resist a title like that? And a sweet furry face like me to tell ya about it? Wait. Her Momness wants to muscle in. You know Mom.

Snow doggie!

So here we go:

She had me at “dogs.” And I don’t even pretend to be unbiased on the subject of unconditional love on four feet. Hi, Kimmi.

But we totally loved this book. It’s short. Sweet. And to the point. Kind of like… Well. One of us was gonna say “chihuahua.” But we’ve known a few too many Chihuahuas With Attitude. So…

Heartstrings

The Introduction tells us that the author lost her husband in 2008. She turned to writing and dogs to cope. And this piquant and pithy collection of 23 poems in free verse is the latest endeavor. And we really, really liked it. Cuz. You know. Dogs. Besides. The gang’s all here. From a 50-pound German Shepherd named after a Jimi Hendrix tune to Bray, a skittish black Afghan to Queen Chloe, the “pet store dog adoption” and more, this clever little book tugs at the heartstrings.

Some readers will recognize Odette, the “Velcro dog” who was rescued from a backyard breeder. “NO” isn’t in Odette’s vocabulary.

But it’s about a lot more than descriptions of a lot of dogs. Their breeds and personalities and idiosyncrasies. A lifetime of love is packed into a few brief lines of free verse. Like, “In a blink of an eye, joy to despair.” “Fur weathervanes.” Love conquers all. “Nothing is important except the moment/An evening in the company of my dogs.” So much more.

Heartfelt

Heartfelt and effervescent, the entries snap, crackle, and pop as the author skillfully traces the ups and downs of life with dogs while interweaving bits and pieces of her own life story throughout the text. Sentences are staccato-short but packed with meaning and texture. It’s clever. It’s engaging. It’s as warm and welcoming as a sweet furry face we all know and love (Kimber: Even feline fans will love this book!)

Highly readable, Sleeping With Dogs is the kind of book you can read cover to cover in under an hour. You can also dive in for a quick nibble or two and come back to it later. Or sip and savor it slowly, like a fine wine. Or unconditional love on four feet.

So if the mere mention of “poetry” is enough to make you jump up and run screaming from the room, take heart. Or take bark. Because Sleeping With Dogs will grab you collar, kennel, and kibble from page one.

I’d grab a copy now ‘fize you!

Our Rating: 4.5


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Does ‘Gates of Gaza’ Open Doors or Muddy the Waters?

The Gates of Gaza

A Story of Betrayal, Survival, and Hope in Israel’s Borderlands

By Amir Tibon (Little, Brown and Company, October 2024)

Genre: Non-Fiction

Via: Library

Pages: 290 + extensive Notes and an Index

It’s complicated. Intense. Tragic. Indeed, the depth and breadth of the decades-long conflict in the Middle East are difficult – and maybe impossible – to fully grasp unless you live there. That’s one of two main messages that come through loud and clear in this first-hand account of the October 7 massacre by journalist Amir Tibon.

Twelve chapters plus an Epilogue bring us into the heart of the October 7 and the history of the region. The author’s first-person narrative focuses on how the author, along with his wife Miri and their two young daughters, hid in the family’s safe room inside their home during Hamas’s murderous rampage across southern Israel. It’s hair-raising. To put it mildly.

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‘Even If’: One of the Most Powerful ‘Valentine’ Stories We’ve Ever Read

Even If: Keeping Faith in the Face of Adversity

By Dwayne Harris (Indie author, 2024. From the Faith Forward series)

Genre: Non-Fiction/Inspirational/Memoir

Pages: 203

Via: Author Request

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“It’s undeniable – it’s him! He did it!”

Ever felt afraid? So stressed you can barely see straight? Or maybe you’ve felt like you can’t catch a break. Like just when you muster enough strength to rise above the water and catch your breath, another wave hits? Maybe you’re in a place where nothing makes sense? Asking how could a loving God allow…?

Then this book is for you.

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Does ‘Bridges of Madison County’ Sequel Deliver?

A Thousand Country Roads: An Epilogue to The Bridges of Madison County

By Robert James Waller (John M. Hardy Publishing, 2002)

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 181

Via: Library Book Sale

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner…

A professional photographer who’s spent his entire life on the road “chasing good light” all over the world, Robert Kincaid* is reclusive and reserved. But he has his memories. Especially memories of a lonely farm wife he met sixteen years ago at a bridge in Madison County, Iowa.

Fast forward to 1981. Robert Kincaid of Bellingham, Washington is now sixty-eight years old. His best friends are a ’54 Chevy pickup truck named “Harry” and a golden retriever named “Highway.” As the years pile up, memories of four summer days in Iowa that had to last a lifetime begin to swirl. Robert decides to find them.

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‘Letters From the Saddle’ Rides Tall!

 

Letters From the Saddle

By Michael Wegner (Indie author, 2024)

Genre: Historical fiction/Western/Love Story/Action & Adventure

Pages: 193 (print)

Via: Author request

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Saddle up and get ready to ride into action and adventure in this delightful new fiction tome by Michael Wegner.

The 4-1-1

Dateline: Arkansas 1868. 

Dewey Slocum is a young man who just wants to work the fam farm and some day marry the Jager girl who lives nearby. But when his father is beaten and robbed, Dewey’s hot-headed bro Darryl takes out after the gang of gun-slinging desperadoes who done the deed.

Dewey’s Ma wants both boys home. So she sends Dewey to bring Darryl home. While Dewey is searching for Darryl, he meets up with Phyllis Stillwater. She’s part African, part Cherokee former slave. Phyllis is trying to find her Ma Ayita, who was sold to another slave owner before the end of the war.

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Why ‘Go Walking’ is the Bee’s Knees

Go Walking

By Rosemary Bointon

Via: Author Request

Genre: Non-Fiction/Health. And lots of other good stuff.

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Kimber: Hark! Doth I hear the “W” word? As in, “Walk”?

Her Royal Momness doesn’t think I know how to spell. Or what “Ready for a w-a-l-k” means. Silly Mom. Especially when a book on one of our favorite subjects just came out. And you really, really oughtta read it. Cuz it’s really, really good. No really, really (that’s not a typo). Pinky paw-swear. Here’s why:

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‘The Queen’s Men’: Perspicacious or Peanut Butter?

 

The Queen’s Men

An Agents of the Crown Novel

By Oliver Clements (Leopoldo & Co., an imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc. , 2012)

Genre: historical fiction

Pages: 399

Via: Library

Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

There’s plenty of both in this Double-Oh-Seven type drama set in 16th century England and the court of Queen Elizabeth.

Dr. Dee, an alchemist who doubles as “the original MI6 agent” is assigned a dangerous mission to re-create a weapon from antiquity. But if it falls into the wrong hands, it could threaten the crown and bring down the Empire.

Is this historical fiction thingy all it’s cracked up to be?

‘Hark! Methinks I heareth yon dragon in thy far-off forest.’ (You’ll get that if you read the book.)

Kimber Klue: If She Who Must Be Obeyed (sort of) has to invent ways to avoid finishing or resuming a book, that’s a sign. As in, nothing good. So it was with The Queen’s Men. Here’s the 4-1-1:

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