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 have a soft spot in my heart for dogs, so any book about dogs is bound to be a winner for me. I thought this one was so… sweet.
Stephanie is a little high-strung and only focused on closing the deal with this author she has admired for so long. Stephanie seemed to get under my skin a little because she was so unwilling to see those around her and open up to the possibility that her whole life may not revolve around this particular book deal she was trying to close. I felt myself wanting to talk some sense into her and make her realize what was right in front of her throughout her entire road trip.
Rhett. Rhett is one complicated dude. We figure out pretty quickly Rhett has something to hide, but it takes a while before the truth about his background is fully revealed. He is a sweet guy one minute, and a hard-headed jerk the next. It is so obvious he and Stephanie are perfect for each other, but neither one are willing to take their focus off the task at hand long enough to realize it.
Sweetness is one nutty dog, but he grows on you as this book progresses. Through his antics and adventures, he is finally able to reveal the deep feelings that each of the characters in this book has – even if the characters themselves do not realize it is happening.
A huge aspect of this book is Rhett insisting he is following God’s plan for his life, even though it is not clear if it is really God’s plan he is following. Rhett seems to be the type who has a relationship with God and is willing to do what He says, but may not always be listening to the correct advice. Stephanie does not have, nor does she want, a relationship with God. Throughout a lot of this book, we see Rhett trying to convince Stephanie that putting her trust in God is the only way to live her life.
In the end, we see an ending only God could orchestrate. After so much let-down, it is the perfect ending for each character in this book and brought a huge smile on my face.
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.
