A New Leash on Love

by Debbie Burns

Overview

Discover a new leash on love with Debbie Burns's adorable contemporary romance where everyone is given a second chance, whether they're...

• A single father searching for a way to connect with his children
• A determined woman desperate to save the animals she loves
• Or a sweet-eyed puppy who longs to be adopted

With her no-kill animal shelter at risk of losing funding, Megan Anderson is working doggedly to save the animals in her care. She'll do anything for them—even go toe-to-toe with a handsome man who's in way over his head.

Craig Williams has had his share of heartache recently, and he's not in the mood to get the guilt trip from a spirited (and beautiful) animal shelter owner. But the more time they spend together, the more he realizes it's not just animals Megan is adept at saving—she could be the one to rescue his heart.

Soon, Craig and Megan find that the magic of unconditional love can do anything...even lead to their forever home.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781492650836
Publisher:	Sourcebooks
Publication date:	07/04/2017
Series:	Rescue Me , #1
Pages:	352
Sales rank:	176,176
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.30(d)

About the Author

Debbie Burns lives in St. Louis with her family, two phenomenal rescue dogs, and a somewhat tetchy Maine coon cat who everyone loves anyway. Her hobbies include hiking, gardening, and daydreaming, which, of course, always leads to new story ideas. Debbie's writing commendations include a Starred Review from Publishers Weekly and a Top Pick from RT Book Reviews for A New Leash on Love, as well as first-place awards for short stories, flash fiction, and longer selections. You can find her on Instagram and Twitter (@_debbieburns), on Facebook (facebook.com/authordebbieburns), and at authordebbieburns.com.

Editorial Reviews

★ 05/08/2017
Burns’s auspicious debut contemporary is a warm cuddly tale full of dogs, cats, kids, and genuinely likable adults. From the moment they lay eyes on one another, Megan Anderson and Craig Williams rub each other the wrong way. She manages a St. Louis no-kill animal shelter and he’s brought in his daughter’s chocolate Lab pup to surrender it for adoption. Putting instant attraction aside, Megan assumes he’s a typical “dog dumper,” the type who buys a pet as a gift but is ready to get rid of the critter as soon as it pees on the carpet. Craig sees her as a judgmental do-gooder unable to accept that sometimes there are extenuating circumstances. The friction serves to heat up a relationship that neither is ready to handle. Yet his daughter, the animals, and a well-constructed plot all contrive to push Craig and Megan together. This heartstring-tugger is certain to win fans who are yearning for a wholesome summertime read. Agent: Jessica Watterson, Sandra Dijkstra Agency. (July)

Publishers Weekly

"Sexy and fun...an irresistible match...Wounded souls of all shapes and sizes, human and animal alike, tug at the heartstrings and evoke the right blend of tears as well as laughter." — RT Book Reviews, 4.5 stars, TOP PICK

"A ragtag cast of supporting characters, human and otherwise, shines...Which is sweeter: reading to find out if heated disagreements will turn to hot romance, or a shelter full of animals all waiting for their forever homes? It's a toss-up, but both are pretty darn sweet." — ForeWord, 5 Stars

"Meg and Craig's relationship builds slowly, giving her a chance to develop strong relationships with Sophie and her surviving brother, Reese. Pet lovers will adore all the animals introduced in Burns' sweet romance, the opening title in her Rescue Me series. " — Booklist

"Auspicious debut...This heartstring-tugger is certain to win fans who are yearning for a wholesome summertime read." — Publishers Weekly, STARRED Review

From the Publisher

2017-04-18
A no-kill animal shelter in St. Louis is the setting for a clash between its spunky, bighearted director and a grieving businessman who needs rescue himself.In Burns' debut contemporary romance, Craig Williams is a wealthy businessman father who has lost one of his young children and, subsequently, his marriage. He's worried for the emotional well-being of his two remaining children but can't seem to escape his own numbness and isolation. When he meets Megan Anderson, acting director of a St. Louis no-kill shelter, sparks fly, but not necessarily in a good way. Craig is reluctantly surrendering a Christmas puppy which was just too much to handle. Megan, a bit overwhelmed with the unexpected directorship and having a judgmental streak she tries to contain, at first writes him off as an arrogant jerk. But when Craig makes a donation to the underfunded shelter, they get to know one another, and their mutual attraction grows. Megan and Craig navigate the children, the ex-wife, his recovery from trauma, and her reluctance to open her heart to a guy who seems well out of her league. Burns doesn't demonize the ex-wife, although the genre probably doesn't need yet another contrast between the down-to-earth, messy ponytailed young woman and her cool, mature, and overly polished rival. Megan is passive and awkwardly insecure throughout. Craig is defined too much by trauma, and his children are distractingly mature for their ages. While the couple's sexual appeal to one another is emphasized, the intimate scenes are rote, and Craig seems interested mostly in Megan's ability to mother his children. An appealing setup and plot can't overcome dull characterization and lack of sizzle.

Kirkus Reviews