Book picks similar to
Shadow by Aris Austin


not-in-overdrive
pets-animals
xenofiction-animals
animal-stories

Jack: A book about a dog where the dog doesn't die at the end


Ray Braswell - 2011
    But don't worry, no dogs die at the end of THIS book! (Unlike some other books about yellow Labs)Aren't you tired of reading books about vampires? Wouldn't a book about a zombie puppy be more interesting? Yeah, I thought so too. I guess I'll have to work on that for the next book. In the meantime, here's a book about a dog named Jack.

Rescued: The Stories of 12 Cats, Through Their Eyes


Janiss GarzaLiz Mugavero - 2015
    once homeless cast-offs that were living on the streets or in the wild. Cats that people ignored, or worse, abused. But at some point, fate stepped in and changed the lives of these three cats and nine others. Rescued: The Stories of 12 Cats, Through Their Eyes contains the true-life stories of these cats—but each one is told through the feline’s own point of view. Human authors might have made these stories too saccharine and sentimental, but when they are viewed through the cats’ own eyes, they become funny, tragic, earthy and inspiring. This collection was carefully compiled and edited by Janiss Garza, renowned author and columnist for CatChannel.com.

Tansy


Gretchen Craig - 2015
    For Tansy, however, the choice was never hers. On the eve of her seventeenth birthday, Tansy is caught in a sizzling kiss with Christophe Desmarais. The next night, Tansy’s mother introduces her to the life she has been raised for: as a beautiful quadroon in Old New Orleans, Tansy is meant to be a rich white man’s mistress. She is as she should be, biddable, loyal and submissive. But is this all there is? As Tansy matures, she wearies of telling herself that her narrow life is enough, yet she is terrified to leave behind security and plenty to become a self-reliant, independent woman.Christophe Desmarais was, like Tansy, born to a mixed-race mother and a rich white father, but as a shrewd card-player, a talented violinist, and a respected teacher, he creates his own life. The attraction between him and Tansy has never abated, only been pushed down and unacknowledged. When he sees Tansy discovering there is more to her than being pretty and pleasing, he allows himself to hope that she will become her own woman. Maybe then the two of them will have a chance at a life together.Multiple award-winning author Gretchen Craig returns with an unconventional novel about loyalty, independence, and love.

Regret the Day I Said Yes: Too Late For Sorry


Regina Swanson - 2016
     That thing called LOVE can turn your entire world upside down and knock you on your ass in the blink of an eye. Alan has done the unthinkable and just might have burned any chance of reconciliation with his wife after leaving her stranded and flown home with his mistress. Regret the Day I Said Yes: Too Late For Sorry is a story about a group of couples who think they have found the answer to having a happy lifelong marriage. Bailee & York and Tiffany & Damon have been secretly swinging for years. As they see their friends' marriages on the brink of disaster they encourage them to give it a try to spice things up. While it all seems logical at first, time later reveals that every choice has a consequence; Good or bad, their actions can come back to haunt them. Can these marriages be saved? Can these friendships be rebuilt? Have you ever regretted the day you said yes? Sometimes it's too late for sorry.

NO LOVE JUST SEX


Dricey - 2016
    She had a few friends who consisted of her roommate since freshmen year Carissa and Chantel who was the only friend that she’s had since her childhood, she was mainly the only thing that she vaguely remembered from her childhood. She’s in a relationship with Chantel’s fraternal twin brother Mike who later cheats on her. In the beginning of her junior year in college she meets this guy named August, and he's known for only wanting one thing from girls and that's sex but he see’s something different in Melissa and he’s willing to try committing with her. Melissa's been hurt one too many times that she doesn’t want another relationship, so being the type of person that August is he makes an deal with her. Which is Sex and no Commitment, but at this rate they are both going it's going to be a tough deal to follow through with. And there's something that Melissa forgets to mention to August, will he still want her after she tells him? So many questions, but you gotta read to find out.

Someone to Look Up To


Jean Gill - 2010
    From puppyhood, Sirius the Pyrenean Mountain Dog has been trying to understand his humans and train them with kindness.How this led to their divorce he has no idea. More misunderstandings take Sirius to Death Row in an animal shelter, as a so-called dangerous dog learning survival tricks from the other inmates. During the twilight barking, he is shocked to hear his brother's voice but the bitter-sweet reunion is short-lived. Doggedly, Sirius keeps the faith. One day, his human will come.

What the Dog Ate


Jackie Bouchard - 2012
    Maggie thought she had the rest of her life meticulously planned out, but now she needs to figure out Plan B. With her dog, Kona, as her guru, Maggie embarks on a funny, heartwarming quest in search of tail-wagging joy.

As The Stars Fall


Steve N. Lee - 2020
    A scarred girl. A bond nothing can break.An injured, young dog trudges the city streets, trembling from cold, from fear, from lack of food. Battered by the howling wind, he searches desperately for his lost family, yet day after day, week after week, all he ever finds is heartbreaking loneliness. But then, one magical spring morning…Across town, a little girl sobs into her pillow in the dead of night. Her life devastated by a family tragedy, she can’t understand how the world can just carry on. Her days once overflowed with childhood joys, yet now, despair, darkness, and emptiness smother her like a shroud. But then, one magical spring morning…… the dog and the girl meet.In a tale as heartwarming as it is heartbreaking, As The Stars Fall explores how compassion can make us whole again and friendship can heal even the most broken of hearts.Praise for As The Stars Fall: ★★★★★ “A great story with a beautiful, heart-warming ending.” Tom Kiker, Amazon★★★★★ “A heart-warming, touching, and poignant novel about the love between a dog and a young girl.” Paula, Amazon★★★★★ “A story that is equal parts intense beauty and heart wrenching agony… I know I'll still think of this story years down the road.” Insatiable Readers book blog★★★★★ “Thought provoking and well written. [I] loved it so much I’ve bought 2 paperbacks to give as Christmas presents! It’ll break your heart and rebuild it again.” C. Johnson, Amazon★★★★★ “A perfect book for dog lovers. It is a story of courage, determination and love.” Library Lady, Amazon★★★★★ “I almost laughed myself into an asthma attack during certain scenes and cried at the end of this book, all the while wondering if this is how my own dog perceives me.” Kathy Banfield, Goodreads★★★★★ “[I] highly recommend it especially if you like books like Marley and Me, The Art of Racing in the Rain, and similar stories.” Storeybook Reviews book blog★★★★★ “Loved this book from beginning to end. Had smiles, tears and everything in between. Fabulous writing and the characters and dog came to life as I read.” genie, AmazonIf you love dogs, you need to read As The Stars Fall right now.

The Farmers' Market Mishap - Extended Preview: A Sequel to The Lopsided Christmas Cake


Wanda E. Brunstetter - 2017
    Brunstetter and Daughter-in-Law, Jean, Weave a Lighthearted Romance from Indiana’s Amish Country   Living alone for the first time in her life is lonely for Elma Hochstetler, whose twin sister Thelma recently married. Though they share the running of a general store, more and more of Thelma’s time is taken up by her growing family. Elma has dated some, but she wonders if she is just too picky to find love.   Through a mishap at the farmers’ market, Elma meets Ben Wagler and instantly likes him. But there is a problem. He lives in Grabill—50 miles away! But Elma has tried long-distance dating before, and it won’t work for her.  Besides the store needs her. Her sister needs her. Elma feels love will forever remain beyond her grasp.    Elma has a habit of putting others before her own needs. Can she learn to take a risk at following the desires of her heart?The Farmers' Market Mishap releases in June! ( Wondering how Thelma met her husband?  Find out in The Lopsided Christmas Cake. )

The Avoidable Orphan


T.M. Clark - 2015
    He’s a man of the African bush, and coping with ‘girlie feelings’ was always Helene’s department, not his. When an orphaned baby elephant is found, Rodger sees an opportunity that might help him reconnect with his children. But interfering with the orphan goes against his usual conservation methods. It will require a new approach to save both the baby and his family.

The Devil's Brand: The Rider ~ Book One (The Rider Western Series 1)


Seth Nation - 2017
     In the aftermath, Ethan Brody returns from the war to find everything he knows and loves reduced to nothing but ashes. Hell bent on revenge, he sets off to find the murderous gang, only to have them slip away. Losing his faith, he sets off on a life of bounty hunting, vowing to never again let justice go astray. "Alive" is no longer an option and in the process, the legend of the Rider is born. 1894: Oliver Kingston Dukes a man of remittance finds his way to the town of Adobe Wells, immediately becoming embroiled in the town's struggle with the wealthy and powerful Katy brothers. Enter the Rider, on the trail of the notorious bandit Hector Salazar. He joins Dukes and the townsfolk to take back the town once and for all, and perhaps...take back his own salvation.

The Miraculous Life of Maggie the Wunderdog


Kasey Carlin - 2020
    Maggie was shot 17 times and subjected to cruelty and torture, before being rescued from Lebanon and brought to live in the UK by a determined and loving young woman called Kasey.As Maggie struggled to overcome her injuries, every day was a fight to rehabilitate her. But Kasey was convinced that what she had found in this little dog was someone just as determined to live and love as she was.This is the incredible story of their journey together: a story of hope, unconditional love and never giving up.

Stealing the Egg


LeRoy Clary - 2015
    He is warned by night whispers to flee from his tiny mountain village of Dun Mare. The stolen egg of a dragon will pay his way, if he manages to live long enough to sell it. However there are forces against him far beyond his understanding. All he believes he knows about his life and home is false, but the egg of the black dragon is the key. Many believe black dragons do not exist or have gone extinct. Gareth finds himself alone in a strange world of tempest seas, flying dragons, and powerful foes vying for the mental powers he may possess, and for control of the egg. Telepathic teachers a secret sisterhood, and the king's armies willing to kill for a black dragon are only the beginning of Gareth's story. The second book of the series is expected to be published by October of 2015.

The Red Sky At Night


Jo Thomas - 2015
    A sparkling short story from the bestselling author of The Oyster Catcher, available exclusively in ebook.

Welcome Home Mama and Boris: How a Sister's Love Saved a Fallen Soldier's Beloved Dogs


Carey Neesley - 2013
    The children of divorced parents and outcasts in their neighborhood, Carey and Peter supported, loved, and encouraged each other when it seemed no one else cared. It was a bond that grew through the years, and one that made Peter’s eventual decision to enlist in the Army all the more difficult for Carey. With Peter having stepped up to help her raise her young son, Carey was closer than ever to her brother, and the thought of him serving far from home was painful. While stationed in Iraq, Peter befriended a stray dog and her four puppies, only to watch three of the young pups die in the warzone. With only two surviving dogs—Mama and Boris—Peter became determined to save the strays. Carey helped her brother with his mission, but everything changed on Christmas Day in 2007 when word arrived at the Neesley household that Peter had been killed. Amidst the grief of coming to terms with her brother’s death and the turmoil of trying to plan his funeral, Carey devoted herself to bringing Peter’s dogs home to the U.S. It was the final honor she could pay to her brother and a way of keeping a piece of him with her. With the help of an unlikely network of heroes, including an animal rescue organization in Utah, a civilian airline, an Iraqi family, and a private security contractor with military connections, Mama and Boris mad the journey form the streets of Baghdad to Carey’s suburban house. Carey’s mission garnered widespread attention and requests from other soldiers for help in bringing home dogs they had become attached to on deployment, and she continues to work with organizations dedicated to bringing home wartime strays.