Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Guest Post and Giveaway: Beth Kendrick

Please join me in welcoming Beth Kendrick to Debbie's Book Bag today! Beth is here promoting her latest release, The Lucky Dog Matchmaking Service. If you are a romance fan and a dog lover, this is definitely a book you won't to miss. The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Beth's book, see details at the end of the post. 

Basically, this book is a big, slobber-drenched love letter to bad dogs and the women who can’t resist them. The heroine, Lara Madigan, has followed her heart into the world of dog rescue, and feels that she’s disappointed everyone along the way, especially her rich, image-obsessed mother. Lara sees dogs as more than pets—they’re lifelines for the right owners. And she’s generous to a fault. She’ll drop everything to help a stray mutt off the street, but she doesn’t consider herself worthy of the same unconditional devotion. The story follows Lara as she discovers that she is enough, she is on the right path, and she is beautiful from the inside out…even if she spends more time grooming her Labrador than she does on herself!

While working on the first draft of this book, I attended several local dog shows (both agility and “conformation” shows, which are the beauty pageants of the dog world). I interviewed trainers, handlers, and rescue volunteers. And since the storyline is positively jam-packed with pups, I included lots of real-life dogs belonging to family members, friends, and my Facebook fans.
My first rescue dog, Murphy, was a scruffy little terrier (think a bleach-blond Benji) who’d been found wandering the streets of south Los Angeles. We had no idea when we adopted him that his entire pelvis had been shattered—probably the result of a car hitting him—because he didn’t limp at all. He was as tough as he was adorable, and he never betrayed the slightest vulnerability…unless, of course, he wanted something from you.


At home, his injury remained undetectable to the naked eye. When we were out and about, however, and strangers exclaimed over how cute he was, Murphy would start hobbling around with an exaggerated limp and the eyes of a martyred saint. His new acquaintances would shower him with affection and whatever food they happened to have on them, and he would accept all this with a thumping tail stub and a brave show of stoicism. Then the suckers would continue on their way and Murphy would resume strutting along like Giselle on the catwalk.

He was a con artist and a punk, but he was my true canine soulmate. He has a cameo in THE LUCKY DOG MATCHMAKING SERVICE, actually. Very first chapter!


GIVEAWAY DETAILS


The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of The Lucky Dog Matchmaking Service by Beth Kendrick.

~ You must be a GFC follower or E-mail subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST May 15th

1. Please leave a comment in appreciation to the author on this post, not the form.
2. Please fill out the FORM.

25 comments:

Wendy Newcomb said...

Love the cover of this book, please enter me.

wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

Bonnie said...

I will definately have to buy this book. My grown kids often say that I replaced them with dogs. Sometimes I think they get jealous. \
The cover is so cute and if I don't win this I will buy it.
Thanks for the giveaway and loved hearing about Murphy.

Bonnie

lag123 said...

I absolutely love rescue dogs.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

Theresa N. said...

I've added it to my reading list, sounds wonderful.
Theresa N
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Thanks for hosting this giveaway. I am a sucker for any animal related story and if I don't win the book, i will buy it.

Carl Scott said...

Thanks Beth and Deb for offering this brand-new book. It looks like a really fun read, from Murphy the canine con-artist right to the end.

Joanne said...

Great cover. This book sounds amazing. Can't wait to read it.

e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

Unknown said...

Thanks for the awesome giveaway. I can't wait to read this book. Tore923@aol.com

Martha Lawson said...

Great title! You know the book has got to be good. I look forward to reading these.

Mary (mkdmom) said...

I'm a dog owner wannabe...too many allergy folks in the house though. I enjoyed The Second Time Around by Beth and this looks like a fun read.

Sue Farrell said...

I'm a sucker for anything with animals--I'd love to read this book. Thanks for the giveaway.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Di said...

I love dogs! And this sounds like a story that would be a funnny summer read.

Linda Kish said...

Anyone who loves dogs can't be all bad. We have seven...four are rescues. I love books about dogs. They are always fun.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

bn100 said...

This looks like a good read involving animals.

Renee G said...

This looks like a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing it.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

mamabunny13 said...

I love dogs! I have three but would have more if my landlord would allow it.

Tiffany Drew said...

What a fun book! While I haven't read any of Beth's books yet but I have heard they are excellent. So please count me in for this. Thank you!

holdenj said...

Beth--your books just keep getting better and better! I've been a big fan ever since I saw you profiled in our alumni magazine! Who doesn't love a big, slobbering dog? Thanks for the info and chance to win!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

catslady said...

I enjoy animals so this sounds like a lovely read.

catslady5(at)aol.com

Carrie at In the Hammock Blog said...

That's a great story and I'm so glad he made it into the book :)

Pat L. said...

The book sounds v.g.
I am a gfc and email follower.
patoct@yahoo.com

Chèli said...

love books with puppies!


Chèli
Cheli's Shelves

Stacie said...

I am a dog lover & this book looks like so much fun. I must read this one. Thanks for bringing it to my attention & thanks for the giveaway. :)

NoraA said...

The cover art is really outstanding. I'd step into that store if I saw it. I had a dog growing up, she lived a very long life. I think she was 15 when my parents had to finally put her to sleep. Health problems.

Dolly said...

Thanks Beth!
Since I live alone now and work so many hours, I've become a cat person, but when I was growing up, it was me & my dog, buddies for life!