The Christmas Dog Review

TITLE: The Christmas Dog
AUTHOR: Melody Carlson
PUB DATE: September 2009

ABOUT THE BOOK:

In The Christmas Dog, Betty Kowalski is not looking forward to Christmas at all. Disgruntled over her neighbor’s home “improvements” which involve an old pink toilet parked in his yard, Betty is sadly lacking in the good cheer department. And when a scruffy mutt keeps coming to her door, Betty gets fed up. Add to this a runaway granddaughter, and Betty feels like she’s up to her ears in troubles. But sometimes it’s the difficulties that bring the biggest rewards.

MY THOUGHTS:

I am a huge Melody Carlson fan and I am slowly starting to read her previous books and I always devour her books when I read them. I always jump for joy whenever I am asked to review her books. You don’t have to ask me twice.

The Christmas Dog was a sweet and fun book to read. I also have to say at 170 pages it was a quick and light read. The right book to get you into the holiday spirit.

I felt like I could relate to Betty Kowalski because she is having a hard time getting in the mood for Christmas. (That has been me lately). Betty is an elderly lady (her husband died a few years ago and she is lonely) and she is spending Christmas by herself. She is afraid to go away for the holidays and leaver her house alone because of her new crazy neighbor Jack.

But its not what it looks like because she thinks that Jack is just the worst neighbor you could have. When one day a puppy appears in her back yard she presumes its Jack’s dog. Only because the puppy is between both houses. She thinks its Jacks and Jack thinks its hers.

Suddenly Betty’s grand daughter turns up at her house. Betty knows she has run away. (although you really can’t say she ran away because she is an adult) Betty allows her granddaughter to stay with her while she figures things out.

Avery sees the dog and instantly falls in love with it and decides that she will take care of the dog because neither Betty or Jack is. She even names the dog Ralph. Ralph is like a free spirit that likes to wonder off and one day he does just that. Betty has had enough of the dog and brings him to the shelter. When Avery finds out she isn’t happy and suddenly Betty realizes what she has done and tries to correct it but its too late.

Is it possible for Betty and Jack to get along? Is it possible for Ralph to make everyone see whats going on? Can Avery ever forgive Betty for what she has done?

If you are looking for a great holiday book then I have to say that this will make the great gift for that special someone on your list.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melody Carlson is the prolific author of more than 200 books, including The Christmas Bus and All I Have to Give. She recently was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books. She lives with her husband in Oregon

This book was provided for review by Baker Publishing Group/Revell.
“Available at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”