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Abby has just arrived in Summerville, Ohio, with her placid Newfoundland, Bowser. She’s reluctantly inherited her grandmother’s coffee shop, but it’s not long before she’s brewing up trouble in the form of magical baked goods and steaming up her life with an exasperating college professor.
And then there’s Daisy, a web code writer, and her hyperactive Jack Russell, Bailey. Her tightly-wound world spins out of control when she discovers the chaos within and meets a mysterious dog trainer whose teaching style is definitely hands-on.
Finally there’s Shar, professor of ancient history at Summerville College, who wakes up one morning to find her neurotic dachshund, Wolfie, snarling at an implacable god sitting at her kitchen table, the first thing in her life she hasn’t been able to footnote.
What on earth is going on in this unearthly little town? It’s up to Abby, Daisy, and Shar to find out before an ancient goddess takes over Southern Ohio, and they all end up in the apocalyptic doghouse…
“Rich has a knack for creating memorable characters.”—Romance Reader at Heart
“Crusie is a master of fast-paced witty dialogue.”—Seattle Times
Don't be put off by the talking dogs; clever (human) dialogue and sassy heroines make this joint novel an amusing standout. After meeting at a local dog obedience-training session, coffeehouse owner Abby, Web writer Daisy and history professor Shar become fast friends. They also discover that the dog trainer is the Mesopotamian goddess Kammani, determined to rule the world like she did 4,000 years ago. Chosen as Kammani's priestesses, Abby, Daisy and Shar aren't quite ready to support the goddess's destructive goals, even when she grants them magical powers including the ability to understand their dogs. Established authors Crusie (Charlie All Night), Stuart (Fire and Ice) and Rich (Wish You Were Here) turn this quirky charmer into an enjoyable paranormal romp that's definitely not just for dog lovers. (Feb.)
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JENNIFER CRUSIE is the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author of Maybe This Time, Welcome to Temptation, Tell Me Lies, Crazy for You, Faking It, Fast Women, and Bet Me. She has also collaborated with Bob Mayer to write Wild Ride, Agnes and the Hitman and Don’t Look Down. Crusie earned her bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University, a master’s from Wright State University, and a master of fine arts from Ohio State University. Before devoting herself to writing full-time, Crusie worked as a preschool teacher, an elementary and junior high art teacher, and a high school English teacher. She lives on the banks of the Ohio River. ANNE STUART is a winner of Romance Writers of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award. She has appeared on most bestseller lists, including the New York Times and USA Today, and speaks all over the country. Among her many bestsellers are the House of Rohan Trilogy and the Ice Series. She lives in northern Vermont. LANI DIANE RICH is the award-winning author of several novels including Ex and the Single Girl, Crazy in Love, A Little Ray of Sunshine, and Wish You Were Here. She also writes fantasy romance as Lucy March. She lives in Southern Ohio.
Former schoolteacher Jennifer Smith got her Master's degree in Professional Writing and Women's Literature at Wright State University. She wrote her thesis on women's roles in mystery fiction before trying her hand at penning romance novels using her grandmother's family name Crusie. Despite her impressive credentials, she dismisses her debut novel Sizzle as "lousy" even as her fans clamber to gets their hands on this long out-of-print pulp romance. "That damn book is following me around the way early porn films follow actresses," so says Crusie one her web site of Sizzle.
No matter what the author thinks of her first effort, the astounding string of critically lauded bestsellers that followed it have firmly established Crusie as one of the very best writers of contemporary romantic fiction. Much of this is due to her sharp wit and ear for comedic dialogue, humor being an element often sorely missing in romance novels. From the sly private dick tale What the Lady Wants to the frantic Faking It, Crusie's books contain the perfect balance of suspense, snickers, and steamy love scenes.
What's more, the author has raked up a slew of awards, as well as spots on "best romance novels of the year" for Anyone But You, Temptation, Fast Women, and Faking It. Getting Rid of Bradley scored Crusie a RWA Rita award for Best Short Contemporary Fiction, and in 1996, she received a career achievement award for her work in the romantic comedy genre from Romantic Times magazine.
Now, after 13 crowd pleasers and award winners, Crusie is offering up her first-ever collaboration. She teamed up with hard-boiled action writer Bob Mayer (Operation Dragon-Sim) to conjure up Don't Look Down, a wacky escapade that is equal parts comedy, adventure, and playful erotica.
In Don't Look Down, movie director Lucy Armstrong goes toe-to-toe and heart-to-heart with J.T. Wilder, a green beret who serves as an advisor on a movie that is taking an unexpected turn from romantic comedy to blow-‘em-up action flick. Publisher's Weekly has declared the joint-effort "good fun," and Crusie reveals on her website that more fun with Mayer is on the way. The team is currently working on their second novel together Agnes and the Hitman.
As for future solo ventures by Crusie, there's plenty more in store. She not only has another release slotted for 2006 -- a sexy yuletide novella titled Hot Toy, which will appear in St. Martin's Press' Santa Baby anthology -- but she currently has no less than five additional projects on the burner. Among these upcoming releases are a collection of short stories and a book that Crusie is particularly qualified to create: a guide to writing women's fiction.
Crusie is the proud owner of three dogs, one of which is named Lucy. Oddly, the main character of Don't look Down is also named Lucy -- and happens to be a director of dog food commercials. Coincidence?
Crusie has a few nonfiction works to her credit, including introductions in Totally Charmed, a collection of essays about Alyssa Milano's cult TV series, and Anne Rice: A Critical Companion, which the author wrote under her given name of Jennifer Smith.
Not at all what I expected, and you have to really bend the mind to read this, but it was a good funny romantic story. And would give it to a friend for sure. Just explain its not typical Cruise and its very fiction!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I loved this book. It had me laughing out loud. I've always liked Jennifer Crusie - her books are just plain fun - and this one did not disappoint. The characters (particularly the dogs) were so well done. A little romance, some fairly steamy love scenes, and a great sense of the absurd kept me interested throughout.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 30, 2009
Generally I really like anything written by Jennifer Crusie and I love Anne Stuart, but this book was not good. It was tedious and I did not find the characters likable nor was the plot entertaining. As a romance it had zero spark. It was bad enough that at 3/4 of the way thru I quit reading it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.welchmin
Posted February 12, 2009
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It was rehash of the Unfortunate of Miss Fortunes and a Charmed episode. I felt the book read bit clumsy and very far fetched even for fiction novel. Too many cooks in the kitchen. I would love for Ms. Crusie to get back to what she does the best: fast paced witty dialogue with great heat between the characters. I like Agnes and the Hitman, good collaberation with Bob Mayer. Looking forward to her next solo project.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.In Summerville, Ohio, desperate to improve the behavior of their respective canines, three women attend a dog obedience training session. Recent California transplant Temple Street Coffeehouse owner Abby Richmond accompanied by Bowser the Newfoundlander; Web writer Daisy Harris and Baily the Jack Russell; and ancient history professor Shar Summer with Wolfie the dachshund bond during the two week training sessions hosted by dog trainer Kammani Gula.<BR/><BR/>The three new friends soon learn their instructor is actually the Mesopotamian goddess Kammani, who ruled the world four millennium ago. She plans to do so again with her three female students serving as her loyal priestesses. However, in spite of the Goddess granting them the ability to communicate with their dogs, the trio does not believe the world starting in Ohio needs a despotic Goddess; men are bad enough.<BR/><BR/>This is an outrageous zany paranormal thriller starring three women, their dogs, and a Goddess; all fully developed with differing personalities. The audience will laugh out loud at the chick-canine lit discussions especially with hyperactive Bailey. Still with all the amusing asides, the story line is fast-paced and exciting as the three novice dog owners try to prevent an ancient Goddess from taking over the world starting with them as her first draftees in small town Ohio.<BR/><BR/>Harriet Klausner
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.cjw813
Posted November 30, 2012
This was a totally enjoyable read. All three stories intersected and came together nicely. This is a repeat read for sure!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 30, 2012
I loved this book! Couldnt put it down and found it easy to follow. Interesting mix!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 30, 2012
This was a really charming book. I enjoyed it very much.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 30, 2012
This book was full of laughs and the scarcasm just keeps rolling. The characters all work well together and you can clearly see the personalities in their pets. You can really believe what the dogs are thinking. Overall a fun exciting book that I couldn't put down.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I found this book a funny read, and glad that I found it on a whim. I loved the talking dogs, but not so much of the control freak of the Mesopotamian goddess Kammani. I started reading and actually had to finish the book. It made me laugh and I have recommended this book to others and their feeling was the same as mine.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.B8nkr
Posted June 10, 2011
I+love+JC+books%2C+but+I+was+bored+and+had+a+hard+time+getting+through+the+book.+
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 20, 2011
This is the only Jennifer Crusie book I've read that I didn't like at all. The characters, although they have a few good moments, are generally dull and the story is very hard to get into. Wild Ride is much the same, although that one is marginally better due to author Bob Mayer's contributions.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.BrenCocoaFL
Posted February 13, 2011
These 3 authors pull off an interesting mix of talent. I had a hard time putting it down to sleep! History, mythology, politics, fantasy, and psychology - and a little romantic tension to tie it all together. And you'll never look at your dog the same way again.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 4, 2010
I found this book really odd. I usually finish all the books I read, hoping that it will get better. This one is just too strange and hard to follow.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I loved this book. It is laugh out-loud funny, and the characters are terrific from the neurotic godess, Kami, to the grouchy but drop-dead sexy professor of mathematics, Christopher. And it would be criminal not to mention the title ladies and their sassy talking dogs. Some of the best parts were the Old World deities coming to terms with the new technology such as cars, eyeglasses...refridgerators. Be warned, though. This book is R-rated, and it will make you crave star-shaped butter cookies!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.After reading the description, I just had to have this book just for the premise - I don't want to spoil the book for anyone else, however I must say my favorite character was Melvin. This was a fun read and I had to pass it on to others - that's how much enjoyment I got out of this. The three leading ladies come into their own in a very satifying fashion, and the love interests can be a bit too good to be true, but still enjoyable. This would be a great beach read, the otherworldly-type of plot, enjoyable characters, wacky situations and just plain good old fashioned story telling make this book true escapism. Goddesses and Dogs rule!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.KatBlossom
Posted February 6, 2010
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What an adorable book. Lovable characters ~ the dogs, the Goddesses and even the villainess will grow on you. Read it anytime you want to read something lighthearted and witty, and when you need a chuckle. ENJOY!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Miyakawa
Posted June 29, 2009
I liked this book. It's a lot like The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes in the aspect that it dealt with three women finding their three loves. Especially the connection between Mare and Daisy. It's a nice easy read and I would definetly recomend this book for anyone looking to get away from the real world for a little bit.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 26, 2009
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An overall fun book. I did love the other Crusie//trio collaboration - The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes - but did enjoy this one too. It started out slowly and it seemed to take a bit longer in character development so I loved the dogs from the beginning but it wasn't until halfway through the book that I really liked the lead human characters (plus Sam). It took off once the characters jelled and became aware of their roles in the plot of the Goddess. Definitely one that I have reread a couple of times for train-time.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 22, 2009
I was very disappointed with the book. I always read a book cover to cover. But not this one. From the beginning I was confused by the story line. But even after fifty pages, I just could not become invested. I put the book down and it is in my pile of books to give away. This will not even be worth a read at a later time.
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Overview
Abby has just arrived in Summerville, Ohio, with her placid Newfoundland, Bowser. She’s reluctantly inherited her grandmother’s coffee shop, but it’s not long before she’s brewing up trouble in the form of magical baked goods and steaming up her life with an exasperating college professor.
And then there’s Daisy, a web code writer, and her hyperactive Jack Russell, Bailey. Her tightly-wound world spins out of control when she discovers the ...