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...
My Thoughts:
Dana Mentink is a new author for me, but this was such a fun book. It seems so many of today's romances are built around the same common theme, and it was entertaining to take a new approach by adding a dog as the central character.
Tippy is a stubborn dog. She is old, set in her ways, and determined to teach the humans in her life a thing or two. She immediately befriends both Gina and Cal, although Gina is the only one willing to care for Tippy. Gina is a dog-lover and a happy person in general. We learn throughout the story she has been hurt in the recent past, and she is ready to move on with her life without the love of a man. She knows God's goodness, and she wants to spread it to those around her.
Cal is superstar baseball player. He had an unfair life growing up, and he truly believes baseball is the only thing that defines who he is. He is unwilling to let others into his life, and he holds grudges well beyond the time most would consider it allowed.
When Gina and Cal come into each other's lives, it is oil and water. Cal does everything in his power to alienate Gina, and he refuses to have anything to do with Tippy. Of course, it is Tippy who finally brings peace to Gina and Cal's relationship. Once they find their common ground, their relationship begins to bloom.
But one thing still stands between them - Cal's feelings about himself. As Cal finally begins to let God into his life, we see a man changed. Cal's heart truly changes as he finally sees himself as God sees him, and works to forgive the people in his past.
I did love this book and the story of Tippy. I will put Mentink on my list of authors to keep an eye on for future releases.
Dana Mentink enjoys writing in many different capacities. She currently writes for Harlequin's Love Inspired Suspense, Harlequin Heartwarming and Harvest House Publishers.
Dana is the recipient of a Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award and an ACFW Carol Award as well as a Holt Medallion Merit Award winner.
Dana loves feedback from her readers. Contact her via her website atwww.danamentink.com.
