Dogs

[close] Fired from her job as a paralegal, Samantha Novak is in trouble. When Telltale, a Hollywood tabloid, asks her to write an expose on the reality television dating show, The Love Dog, Samantha is thrilled. She’s always dreamed of being a writer, and the fat paycheck won’t hurt. After being recently left at the altar, she’s not too keen on love either.

Hired as the canine star’s handler, Samantha finds that digging up dirt on set is harder then she thought. Apollo, the show’s star, is a sweet golden retriever who takes his job as the “love dog” very seriously. He only wants to help couples fall in love and make everyone on set happy. Mason Hall, the show’s producer and leading man, is down to earth, charming, and... very attractive.

If Samantha doesn’t reveal to the world that the reality show isn’t exactly “real,” her new career will be over before it starts. But when she falls in love with Apollo and Mason, will she still have the heart to expose The Love Dog’s dirty secrets? [close]

[close] Will Mr. Lemon get Gracie the puppy taken away? Can Sister Krumbles find a way to stop Mr. Lemon’s evil plan? Where is Novice Kathy? Can the Sisters solve the mystery and find the lost Novice before it’s too late? This,the second of my children's series, continues the adventures of the madcap nuns as they solve another mystery with humor and love. [close]

[close] THIS IS A JUVENILE ADVENTURE FOR AGES 7-12

EXCERPT -- FOREWORD

FOREWORD
Hello folks! My name is Felicia Feline, and this is the story of Freepetopia.
You've never . . . what do you mean you've never heard of it? It's the most fantastic place in the world and you've never heard of it? Wow!

Ok, to give you credit, it is a place for animals only, so you may not have heard of it, unless your pet has been there and told you about it.

And stop looking at me like you think I'm making this up. It's definitely a real place. Besides, do you think I could make up such a name? Okay, well actually I did make up the name, but I had to call it something! But that doesn't mean the place isn't real!

It's a wonderful place where cats talk -- like me -- and dogs walk upright; where fish fly and birds swim . . . I'm serious, so stop rolling your eyes. Don't think because I'm a cat that I don't know what that means!

Listen! I'll make this simple. It's the place where us animals go to get away from you humans every once in a while. Haven't you ever wondered where we disappear to for hours at a time when you let us out to play?

That's right! Freepetopia!

It's kind of like your human vacation, only we get to go to Freepetopia whenever we want; when you decide to let us out of the house. I feel kind of sorry for those pets that never get to come because they never get let outside of the house, or have to spend all of their time in a fenced back yard.

I do want to get something straight, though. Whenever you're standing on the front porch at the end of the day, whistling and whistling, trying to get us to come home -- it's not that we don't hear you. We do. We're just not ready to come back yet, but we always do -- come back, that is.

I know what you're thinking now. You want to know why we don't just stay in Freepetopia, if it's so great. Maybe we will -- someday -- but for now, we come back because you humans provide us with a different sort of entertainment. You don't realize how funny you are to us animals, do you? Sometimes when we bark or meow, we're really just laughing at your antics. Goodness, but you humans are strange beings! We animals are lucky to have such funny masters.

Of course, not all animals that visit our fair hideaway have masters. Some come from places I've never even heard of, just to see what Freepetopia is all about. Word does get around. Sometimes the animals that show up are not-so-nice bullies. You know what I mean. You have people bullies, too.
Other times the animals that show up are really, really scary -- like that three-eyed lizard-looking thing that showed up one time. Boy! Was that something!

Anyway, I didn't mean to get off track. Now, where was I? Ah, yes! I was trying to explain how Freepetopia is a great place. It is supposed to be a secret though, so you may want to know why I
decided to share our secret place with you humans. Well, the main reason is because of what happened at the end of one of our escapades; the not-so-grand escapade I am going to share with you today.

The second reason is that . . . well, I figured it was about time, is all. You humans have unknowingly provided us animals with an endless supply of laughs, so I simply thought to return the favor. Who knows, maybe you'll end up wishing that you could be an animal, too. Just so you can join us someday.

In the meantime -- welcome -- and enjoy your adventure, as seen through the eyes of your pets. [close]