Review copy was received from Publicity team. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Hot Under the Collar by Roxanne St. Claire Series: The Dogmothers #1
on May 31, 2019
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 374
Format: eARC
Source: Publicity team
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Firefighter Braden Mahoney is devastated when his beloved Weimaraner, Jelly Bean, fails the canine arson investigator test. Faced with the challenge of raising the money for advanced training, it’s Braden’s sweet grandmother and her best friend who suggest he use the services of the new event planner in town. Not that he needs a push in Cassie Santorini’s direction. Ever since she arrived, Braden has had his eye on the sassy Greek goddess…and can’t stop thinking about getting the rest of him on her, too.
Cassie has spent years putting family first, even moving to Bitter Bark when her mother falls in love with the local veterinarian. Having a huge new extended “family” is fun, especially when one smokeshow of a firefighter attends the gatherings, but Cassie has no plans to remain in this small town. She’s ready to pursue her big city dreams. But when Braden asks for an assist for his precious pup, Cassie agrees to help him set up a town-wide scavenger hunt. It isn’t exactly a hardship to be around those blue eyes and brawny shoulders, especially since they both agree everything – even the undeniable sparks that crackle between them – is temporary.
But when temporary gets complicated by feelings that might lead to forever, Braden and Cassie start to question the direction they're headed. Should they follow their dreams…or their hearts? It’ll take a dog with a bad nose and a good heart, two particularly meddlesome grandmas, and some help from the clan that loves them to make sure Cassie and Braden follow the clues and find their way to each other’s arms.
About The Dogmothers – a brand new spinoff series by Roxanne St. Claire, author of The Dogfather Series
Daniel Kilcannon, a widower with six unmarried kids, has not only orchestrated wonderfully happy endings for all his offspring…he’s found one of his own. That leaves his grown nieces and nephews plus his adult stepkids all in need of their own magical romances. Is The Dogfather too preoccupied with his new lady love to pull the strings and make the matches? Maybe. But never fear, there’s a new team in town and these two might be polar opposites in life but they are lined up in love. Meet Yiayia and Gramma Finnie. One has the steel spine of a Greek warrior, the other has the sweet soul of an Irish poet. Together, along with two darling dachshunds, these Dogmothers won’t stop until all nine of their grandchildren are hooked, hitched, and happy.
Just like The Dogfather, the covers of The Dogmothers were all photographed at Alaqua Animal Refuge in Florida using rescue dogs and local heroes, and a portion of the first month’s sales of every book is donated to that amazing organization.
I have been reading the lovely Dogfather series slowly. I loved the combination of both small town and a big family making it warm and fun; the addition of animals was just another big plus. The first book of the original series, Sit, Stay Beg is still available as a Kindle freebie. I have bought some of the others and now they seem to be somewhat available at one of my libraries.
Now there is a spin-off series, The Dogmothers. I would read each series in order with the close family dynamic meaning you will see previous couples in the next ones. You will see a little of the Kilcannons in this new series.
I couldn’t NOT read Hot Under the Collar when I saw it, even though I haven’t quite finished the related series. It was great to know the town and some of the characters. I had the backdrop of all the good feelings already. The dogs are such a part of the story, their lives, and I love that.
The charming story of Braden and Cassie has the usual components. They have known each other for a while, since Cassie moved to town as the rest of her family is here, to help them. They are brought together by an uncle and parent’s relationship so they are both at many family events. Each of them is a helper but in different ways. It’s great to see how caring and highly competent they are. You can’t help but cheer for them in love and life.
Braden and Cassie are at the time of life when many friends and relatives are settling down, making some decisions about their lives, careers and children. It’s a time when they are old enough to not be interested in casual relationships. They each have their issues and dreams to reconcile with the reality of their lives, and their attraction. Both have others interested in dating them, too.
“Look, I wouldn’t sleep with you on the first date if I’d just met you on the street and asked you out. It’s not my style, and you’re too special for that. I would, however, kiss you.
“Then we’d never stop”
“I have self-control, Cassie.”
“Go you. I, on the other hand, might not have a shred of it.”
I really enjoyed this story. It made me feel a wide range of emotions, beyond those in a typical romance. There’s laughter, fears and tears. A romance, a wonderful big family, business and career dilemmas, a small town with interesting folks, and dogs, what’s not to love? I will definitely read more when it is available!
About Roxanne St. Claire
Published since 2003, Roxanne St. Claire is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than fifty romance and suspense novels. She has written several popular series, including The Dogfather, Barefoot Bay, the Guardian Angelinos, and the Bullet Catchers.
In addition to being an ten-time nominee and one-time winner of the prestigious RITA™ Award for the best in romance writing, Roxanne has won the National Reader’s Choice Award for best romantic suspense four times, as well as the Maggie, the Daphne du Maurier Award, the HOLT Medallion, Booksellers Best, Book Buyers Best, the Award of Excellence, and many others.
A mother of two but recent empty-nester, Roxanne lives in Florida with her husband. She loves dogs, books, chocolate, and wine, especially all at the same time.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2019 Releases
It’s an author I’ll have to try as well!
I really am enjoying these books. Being international, I don’t know if you can get the freebies or not but it’ an easy way to try them.
I’ve heard good things about this author. This is an interesting premise and I like her dedication to helping rescues.
I didn’t enjoy all her regular contemporary romances which were a bit too old school for me (billionaire guy, down on her luck young waitress or maid or whatever) How many billionaires are there really? I enjoy more of the regular guys featured in this series. Sure these guys are successful, but the women are great too. They’re both capable, competent at their work, doing well, just not married. You know what I’m saying here.
You cannot go wrong with a small-town romance and books with animals. This sounds sweet 🙂
I’d say this series is better than average. There is more plot to the story and more realistic people and feelings than so many contemporary romance stories I read.
Sounds like a fun one! Romance and animals, you just can’t beat that!
Yes! If you want to try the related series, the first one might still be free. The link it is my review. I’m loving these series.