Read on!
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| Isn't the cover adorable?! |
DOG CRAZY is "an unforgettably poignant and funny tale of love and loss,
confronting our fears, and moving on . . . with the help of a poodle, a
mutt, and a Basset retriever named Seymour.
"As a pet bereavement counselor, Maggie Brennan uses a combination of empathy, insight, and humor to help patients cope with the anguish of losing their beloved four-legged friends. Though she has a gift for guiding others through difficult situations, Maggie has major troubles of her own that threaten the success of her counseling practice and her volunteer work with a dog rescue organization.
"Everything changes when a distraught woman shows up at Maggie’s office and claims that her dog has been stolen. Searching the streets of San Francisco for the missing pooch, Maggie finds herself entangled in a mystery that forces her to finally face her biggest fear-and to open her heart to new love.
"Packed with deep emotion and charming surprises, Dog Crazy is a bighearted and entertaining story that skillfully captures the bonds of love, the pain of separation, and the power of our dogs to heal us."
Interview with Meg Donohue
"As a pet bereavement counselor, Maggie Brennan uses a combination of empathy, insight, and humor to help patients cope with the anguish of losing their beloved four-legged friends. Though she has a gift for guiding others through difficult situations, Maggie has major troubles of her own that threaten the success of her counseling practice and her volunteer work with a dog rescue organization.
"Everything changes when a distraught woman shows up at Maggie’s office and claims that her dog has been stolen. Searching the streets of San Francisco for the missing pooch, Maggie finds herself entangled in a mystery that forces her to finally face her biggest fear-and to open her heart to new love.
"Packed with deep emotion and charming surprises, Dog Crazy is a bighearted and entertaining story that skillfully captures the bonds of love, the pain of separation, and the power of our dogs to heal us."
Interview with Meg Donohue
JB: How did you come up with the idea for DOG CRAZY?
MD: As a huge dog lover, I was eager to write a novel that explored the wonderful, funny, heartbreaking, and uplifting relationships between humans and dogs. Though the story addresses the pain that we feel when we lose our canine companions, I knew that I wanted to maintain a high level of joyfulness and humor throughout. With those aims in mind, I slowly developed the voice of the protagonist, Maggie -- a kind, empathetic, quirky, and funny dog lover and therapist who is driven by a strong desire to help others (humans and canines alike!).
JB: Did you consider other titles for the book, or was it DOG CRAZY from the beginning? (I covet that title!)
MD: It was DOG CRAZY from the beginning! Though in Maggie's therapy sessions, the term she uses is "dog normal." :)
JB: Do you consider yourself to be dog crazy? If so, did that start at a young age?
MD: Absolutely!
I've been crazy for dogs for as long as I can remember and can't imagine not having a dog in my life. I gave quite a few of my "dog crazy" traits to Maggie -- including her belief that seeing a puppy brings you good luck!
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| PHOTO BY ALEX WANG |
JB: How did you and your current dog find one another?
MD: My husband and I adopted our dog, Cole, through an organization that brings stray Taiwanese dogs to the Bay Area. We were told he is a Taiwanese mountain dog, but to us he looks like a medium-sized German shepherd mix. He is sweet and wonderful with children and makes an excellent writing companion.
JB:
Does Cole ever get into any mischief? (This is Monday Mischief, after all!)
MD: Cole seems to find crayons absolutely delectable. He knows he's not supposed to eat them and he's pretty good at gobbling up all of the bits and pieces ... but since it all comes out the other end, I see the rainbow-colored evidence eventually!
Oh, Cole... it's tough to get away with that particular "crime," buddy!
What do you think... Does Meg's author photo with Cole remind you of anyone else? (Although Rita looks much more annoyed about the whole thing than Cole does!)
The Giveaway!
No purchase necessary. Giveaway is open to 18 and over US residents
only. Giveaway runs from 8/23/2015 to 8/30/2015. One winner will be
randomly selected by Rafflecopter and notified via email by me! The winner
will have 72 hours to claim their prize; failure to do so will result in
forfeiture of the prize and a new winner will be selected.
Thanks, Meg! Good luck, everypawdy!
Thanks to Snoopy’s Dog Blog, Alfie’s Blog, and My Brown Newfies for hosting Monday Mischief! Visit My Brown Newfies to see the other blogs in the hop!
I'm also joining the Fiction Writer's monthly blog hop. To return to the FICTION WRITERS BLOG HOP on Julie Valerie’s Book Blog, click here: http://www.julievalerie.com/fiction-writers-blog-hop-aug-2015
Sounds like a great book. Fun interview, too. I love the idea that seeing a puppy brings good luck :-)
ReplyDeleteWell, duh. Commented before entering. In the eyes of the world, I'd say I'm dog crazy. In my own little world, I'm definitely dog normal!
DeleteI like that puppy sighting = good luck idea too.
DeleteAnd I agree - to the outer world, I'm probably dog crazy, but here in pet-blogger land, I'm dog normal. :)
DeleteI'm dog normal. I love my dogs (and my cats). And while I'm crazy about them, I don't think I'm crazy.
ReplyDelete--Wags (and purrs) from Life with Dogs and Cats
I don't think you're crazy either! Definitely dog (and cat!) normal!
DeleteThis sounds like an uplifting novel and of course, I'm a little dog crazy too. Nice review and interview with Meg!
ReplyDeleteThanks. It is uplifting - good word to describe it.
DeleteWhat a great post and sounds like a really good book!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Definitely a fun read!
DeleteThat sounds like a great book. Especially for the dog normal person I am. LOL
ReplyDeleteHehe. Me too - totally dog normal!
DeleteOh my dog! I just finished Dog Crazy a few weeks ago and absolutely LOVED it! Meg does an amazing job of mixing humor with the details and emotions of losing a pet we pet lovers have all experienced. I really am dog normal!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jackie for such a great interview, it's fun to hear the story behind the story and get to know Meg a little better. Meg's style of writing (and the photos) remind me so much of another writer I love so much (and have pre ordered her book-yes that's you)! I hope you both keep writing cause I can't wait to read each new book!
Aw, thanks Denise! I should have known a lot of the dog-normal people who read my blog would already have read DOG CRAZY. I had to buy a copy as soon as I saw that cover!
DeleteWith all the depressing events going on in the world today I don't know how dogless (or dog abnormal) people get out of bed. My dogs keep me grounded and sane in a world I think is often quite mad. I love the term dog normal and will continue to use it.
ReplyDeleteGosh, seriously. Today for instance... it's been a bit crappy out in the real world, and coming home to Rita was a definite highlight! :)
DeleteIsn't normal to love and cherish your dog the way they love and cherish us. I think that is dog normal. Katie says this is true. She is my beautiful red merle aussie.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love aussie's. Rita is part aussie. And, yes, that sounds totally normal to me! :)
DeleteI would consider myself dog normal unless I'm talking about my own dog and then I am dog crazy.
ReplyDeleteI think it's totally normal to be crazy over our own dogs. :)
DeleteHi Y'all!
ReplyDeleteOh maybe Cole and Rita and you and Meg are distant cousins! BOL! Just trying to stir up a little mischief...Book sounds great.
Y'all come on by,
Hawk aka BrownDog
Hehe - yes, Rita and Cole do look so similar, don't they!? They'd have to be very *distant* relations though since she's from Mexico and he's from Taiwan. :)
DeletePeople who know me would call be dog crazy. People who don't know me would call me dog crazy. You look at me wearing dog Tees, kibbles falling out of my pockets and poop bags hanging out everywhere... Haha.
ReplyDeleteHehehe. That sounds normal to me! :)
DeleteI am dog normal. I have loved and lost so many of these furry friends...usually to old age. My cocker and the peke both lived to 15+ years, and were spoiled absolutely rotten!
ReplyDeleteWow - 15+ is a good age! But no matter what, there is never enough time with our beloved furry family members. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteEver since mom got me she doesn't have time to read any more. Love Dolly
ReplyDeleteBummer. I LOVE to read.
DeleteI have this on my Kindle and now am even more excited to start. I remember buying it on its release day. Great interview and I love the pic. I also like the "dog normal" concept.
ReplyDeleteI have it on my Kindle as well. Would be fun to have a signed copy! Good luck!
DeleteWow that sounds like an enjoyable read! Dog crazy, absolutely.
ReplyDeleteI don't know Amy - I think you're dog normal, in my opinion! :)
DeleteDog Crazy! It sounds a lot more fun than being Normal :-)
ReplyDeletehehe. You have a point. :)
DeleteThat sounds like a fantastic read! I am definitely dog crazy! :D
ReplyDeleteIt is a fantastic read - think you'd like it!
DeleteI actually read that book a few weeks ago! Great interview.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteGreat review Jackie! Cole is super cute! Him and Rita look so much alike!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how similar they are, isn't it?!
DeleteI'll go with 'Dog Crazy'; it is crazy how much I love my dog.
ReplyDelete******************
{in the contest I am Margot C__ on the Rafflecopter}
I'm crazy about my girl too! :)
DeleteI am a total dog person. I fall crazy in love with all of them I get to meet!
ReplyDeleteTotal dog people are always welcome around here!
DeleteDog Crazy and proud of it =)
ReplyDeleteYes, you should be proud! :)
DeleteLooks like a fun read...although it might be too sad for me right now.
ReplyDeleteYeah... it might be. It's not really a sad book, but there are some parts early on that might be tough for you right now.
Deletefun book and interview. Hi Rita, I've been gone on vacation and am just catching up with reading. LeeAnna and her Cole at not afraid of color
ReplyDeleteWelcome back from vaca! We missed you!
Deletedog normal but Pug Crazy!
ReplyDeletehugs
Mr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel
Haha. The hubs is definitely beagle crazy!
DeleteWow! Cool! I loved Room and am excited she's written about dogs, too.
ReplyDeleteOh, two different Donohues! I think Room was by Donohough. How funny - didn't realize I had two books by two Donohues in the last 2 posts!
DeleteI just figured that out. Oops!
DeleteI just figured that out. Oops!
DeleteI don't mind being considered dog crazy!
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds great, and I enjoyed the interview too. Oh, and the author photos definitely look so much alike!
I think you'd like the book. It's cute!
DeleteNot only do I a-d-o-r-e the cover, but a doggie story set in San Francisco sounds wonderful. I might need to get a copy for my Mom, too ;)
ReplyDeletePS - mostly dog normal. I do love canines and if I ever find myself single, would love to form my next significant relationship with one ;)
DeleteI know - I love the cover! And with it being set in SF, it's pretty perfect for you!
DeleteSounds like my type of book- dogs, mystery and romance. I'll have to enter and/or order. Love Rita XS
ReplyDeleteIt's a fun read!
DeleteI love, love, love dog books. Best covers in the industry. Meg Donohue's cover is really speaking to me - because I have a chocolate Lab EXACTLY the same age as the Labs on the cover. Exactly.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I'm definitely DOG CRAZY!!!
DeleteYeah, I can't resist a book with a dog on the cover. How fun that you have a chocolate Lab that age!! Jealous!
DeleteI'm totally dog normal. Love my two rescue dogs.
ReplyDeleteYay for rescue dogs! :)
DeleteGreat interview. Sounds like an interesting book (even thought I'm more cat crazy than dog crazy).
ReplyDeleteAll are welcome! :) (Rita's cat-crazy... but in a bad way...)
DeleteSounds like a fun book!
ReplyDeleteIt is a really cute book!
DeleteGreat book! I prefer dog normal. It doesn't seem crazy to me to love my dog.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't seem crazy to me either! Crazy to have a dog and NOT love it!
DeleteThe book I wish *I* had written! LOL but I say that about EVERY book that has dogs in it, fiction or non. :)
ReplyDeleteYep, me too! :)
DeleteJackie even though I had 2 books going already (one pretty much a tome, the other just not grabbing me yet) - I dropped everything yesterday when my SIGNED copy of Dog Crazy arrived. "Oh, I'll just read the first page for now…" Yeah right. What a great book. I even cried at the happy ending. Thank you so much because I LOVE this book and there will be a review on Terra Toby soon :)
ReplyDeleteOh hooray! I'm so glad you loved it! That's great!
Delete