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BOOK REVIEW: “In With the New”

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“In With the New” by Tracy Krimmer

Blurb: Eli no longer believes in love, and Meg has no time for it. Can the spirit of Christmas and hope of a new year change their perspectives?

My Review: I’m a huge fan of Tracy Krimmer, so I was excited to read this novella. While I’m not really a dog person, I am an animal lover and found that I could relate to Meg in wanting to train her dog, along with trying to keep her busy job schedule. I liked Eli and how he didn’t promote his business, but rather try to help Meg. Right from the start, it was obvious that there was chemistry between them, and I liked that they took their time and didn’t rush things.

My only issue I had with this book were the ages of the characters, especially when it comes to the drama in Eli’s family–they seemed a little old to hang onto the past a bit too much, though that didn’t stop me from enjoying this read.

If you’re looking for a short, cute holiday read, I recommend this read, which would be great to cuddle up with on a chilly night.

I give “In With the New” 4.5 stars!

**Note: I received an ARC for review purposes.

**Click HERE to get your copy now of “In With the New”!

BOOK FEATURE: “Dog Eared Love”

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“Dog Eared Love” by Maggie Dallen, Tammy Andresen, Dawn Brower, Tracy Krimmer, Holly Tierney-Bedord, Amy Gettinger, Katie Rose Guest Pryal, and Lauren Faulkenberry

Blurb: Read eight tail wagging tales of romance. Some steamy, some funny, join these hotter than hot couples who need a nudge from man’s best friend. Because every good romance needs a little help…and sometimes the best wingman is a four-legged friend.

*****

**Excerpt of “In With the New” by Tracy Krimmer

“What do you do for a living?” I’ve wondered this since I first met him. He’s here in the morning when most people are headed to work, and he doesn’t dress like a businessman.

He scratches his eyebrow and his head falls back. Now I’m the one waiting in anticipation. Is he some sort of celebrity? I wouldn’t even know since I don’t watch any television. Or a private detective? That would be kind of awesome. He smiles as he says, “I’m a dog trainer.”

There’s no way he’s a dog trainer. If he were, he would have jumped at the chance to solicit his services. Here I am, a lost puppy owner, and he has the perfect in. “You are not a dog trainer.”

“Cross my heart. I own a training facility here in town. I run a small store inside, too. It’s only me, and most times I am there by appointment only.”

I nod my head. “Very cool. No wonder Phil is so wonderful. You really know what you’re doing when it comes to animals.”

“I went through a certification process, but I’ve always loved animals, especially dogs. Like I said, they’re a man’s best friend.”

I glance at his hand resting on the bench and find I have to stop myself so I don’t place mine on top of his. There’s so much more behind what he says to me on the surface. Between the lines, he’s been hurt. Comfort lies where his dog is.

“Well, if things don’t get under control with Moose soon, I may have to hire you.” I mean this. I don’t want to ask him for help, and I honestly don’t think I have the time to work with a trainer, but if I’m going to trust anyone, I think it’s going to be Eli.

“Moose is a good pup. He’s just that—a puppy. He needs structure and exercise. And lots of love.”

When I agreed to adopt Moose, my caring meter was through the roof. My friend Melinda needed a home for the puppy. Her dog Lacy birthed six pups and all but one—Moose—were adopted. I stepped up to the plate as I always do. It’s easy to fall fast for a puppy, so much so that you forget what’s involved in owning one. “Well, I’m keeping you in mind.”

“Please, do.”

Moose is having fun, but I need to finish my video for today and make it to the store before three. “I should get going. Same time tomorrow?”

“Definitely.”

I stand to call Moose back to me, not that he’ll even listen. He recognizes his name, he just chooses to ignore me.

“Wait, Meg?”

“Yes.”

He’s standing now as well and turns to face me. “Would you like to join me for dinner tonight? A know a great place. Italian.”

A date. With Eli. I run through my day in my mind. If I rearrange a few things, I could be able to make it work. I don’t know if I want to go on a date, though. Eli’s great, but I’m so busy right now, and the next week is going to be so busy. I shouldn’t. I’ll only regret that I didn’t use my time efficiently. “I don’t know. My to-do list is a mile long.”

“As are your excuses. Come on. It’s dinner.” He tilts his head, lowering his eyes to my lips. His eyes meet mine again, locked like a target. “An hour and a half, two hours, tops.”

Saying yes would put me in time constraints that would stress me to the max, but not having to worry about dinner seems appealing as well. Those hazel eyes won’t disconnect from mine, and the corner of his lip curls into a smile. I can’t say no. “Fine. No more than two hours.”

“It’s a date,” he replies.

I’m afraid to admit I’m excited, but I am. Spending time with Eli is becoming such a pleasant experience, and one I look forward to and want to keep repeating. We agree to meet at the restaurant, and as I leave him to go grab Moose, I do the only thing I would do—I step right on the bag of Moose’s poop, smashing it beneath my feet.

**Find “Dog Eared Love”: Amazon   Goodreads

*****

**About Tracy Krimmer, author of “In With the New”: Tracy Krimmer loves penning chick lit and Women’s Fiction as well as reading the same genre. Her passion for the written word began at a young age and her favorite place as a child was the library.

When she’s not writing, she enjoys fitness, crushing candy, and napping. She lives in the Midwest with her family.

BOOK REVIEW: Twin Piques by Tracie Banister

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“Twin Piques” by Tracie Banister

Description:

Forensic accountant Sloane Tobin and kooky pet psychic Willa may have the same face, but that’s the only thing these identical twins have in common.

How she can read the hearts and minds of animals has always been a mystery to Willa, and her rotten luck with men is equally baffling. Although she’s been looking for “The One” for what feels like forever (A teenage marriage to a French mime and dating a guy named Spider seemed like good ideas at the time!), optimistic Willa refuses to give up on love. When she meets Brody, the handsome rose expert hired to save her grandmother’s garden, she’s instantly smitten, but why does he keep sending her mixed signals? Does he return her feelings, or is their attraction all in her fanciful head?

Unlike her twin, Sloane has zero interest in romance. Her passion is her job, where she uses her gift for numbers to take down slimy embezzlers and asset-hiding spouses. When she’s assigned two high profile cases, Sloane feels confident the promotion she’s been angling for is within her grasp. But will her plan to climb the corporate ladder be thwarted by difficult clients, her co-worker-with-benefits, or – most surprisingly of all – her own sister? And how’s she supposed to stay focused on the drama at work when her childhood friend, Gav, moves in next door and the spark between them becomes impossible to ignore?

To get what they both want, can Willa and Sloane band together and rely on each other’s strengths? Or will their differences drive them apart once and for all?

My Review:

I’ve been a huge fan of Tracie Banister’s, even before I read her book, “In Need of Therapy.” So, after seeing the adorable cover, along with reading the blurb, I knew I wanted to read “Twin Piques.”

From start to finish, this book held my attention, as I got to know Sloane and Willa, who are two very different twin sisters.  While I saw quite a few similarities between them, I have a feeling they would disagree 100% Sloane is the all-work and no play type, who doesn’t think she needs a relationship, but doesn’t mind mixing business with pleasure, on occasion. Though, her friend, Gav, is a whole other story…especially after they share a bottle of wine. On the other hand, Willa is the free-spirited quirky dog psychic, who believes in love (even finding it herself), and doesn’t second-guess throwing her sister and the man Sloane ends up with together, (no spoilers, but YAY).

“Twin Piques” had me laughing, along with cheering on Sloane (wishing she would open her heart) and Willa (hoping she doesn’t get into trouble, the more she meddles). At times, I felt the storyline was a little predictable, but just when I thought I knew what would happen, I was thrown for a loop–nice job, Tracie Banister!

If you’re looking for a quick and fun read, “Twin Piques” would make for a fabulous beach read!

I give “Twin Piques” 5 stars!

**Click HERE to buy your copy of “Twin Piques” now!