Janice A. Thompson

“He said there’s no point in looking in the rearview mirror. You need to keep your focus on the road.”

Seeing Janice Thompson’s name on this cozy mystery about an old red truck, I couldn’t resist picking it up. Tracking Tilly does not disappoint. There is plenty of humor, a bit of romance, and some mystery with twists. Anytime you have a young, single woman and her 82-yr-old feisty aunt playing sleuth, you know there’s fun ahead!

It may be a cozy, but I was happy to see growth and show more change in a couple of characters, specifically RaeLyn and her mother. RaeLyn is holding grudges against, well, actually quite a few people. She has to learn the meaning of “water under the bridge.” RaeLyn does begin to understand different people’s possible points-of-view as the novel proceeds, which is good. RaeLyn’s mother has a few things to learn, too. (Like prayer requests should stay in the group!), although her gossip makes for a very entertaining story! Also, reserve your judgment on someone until you get to know them.

Bessie Mae is an instrument of reminder that God is in control, and He will work things out. “Sometimes life’s just not fair.” My aunt sighed. “But God is the one who will have the final say. That brings me some degree of peace when injustices happen.”

Boy, did I love it when RaeLyn comes to the conclusion that maybe her life isn’t all what people were doing to her, but how she was responding with jealousy. “There was still a teensy-tiny part of me that wondered why the Stephanies of this world always seemed to get the best—the high school prom king, the star quarterback, the cozy life in Iowa. She was Papaw. I was Wyatt Jackson.”

Definitely, if you like clean, Christian cozies with a great big dollop of laughter, pick up this book!

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own. show less

From the moment I read the first page, I could feel the author’s personality shine. She has a gift for writing funny stories that are nothing short of pure and clean entertainment with a clever wit and characters that I want to be best friends with. I love the setting of the story since I am very familiar with it. I was thrilled about the storyline and how the author incorporated a passion she has for rescuing dogs into a book that I couldn’t put down.

Mari is everything you would want show more in a friend. She is kind, sweet, caring, faith filled and has a special compassion for animals. It does not go unnoticed by her friend Cassidy that Mari has this gift of cheering up others . Being friends has helped both of them come to rely on each other. Who better to take on a rescue than your best friend? After their first rescue I couldn’t stop laughing. It’s not everyday you crawl into a drain pipe and find an officer waiting on you as you exit with a sad and stinky looking dog. The more Mari tried to explain what was going on the more the officer was convinced she was homeless. The circumstances did seem a bit questionable but it only gets better as the clinic she works at has just been broken into. The author gives us a very honest look at how a veterinary clinic operates as all types of animals are seen. There are the aggressive animals that no one is thrilled to see and then there is this sweet little rescue named Beau Jangles that melted my heart.

The suspects start adding up as the break in at the clinic starts to reach a danger for some. Is it the cranky man next door who is a CPA? He is not nice and is not shy about letting people know that he is not a fan of animals. Could it be the ex boyfriend of someone who works at the clinic? My interest was piqued as more strange things started happening.

My review would not be complete without mentioning Grandma Peach. Mari has a special relationship with her grandmother and I loved when they would get together and share about their lives. Grandma Peach has this knack for saying what needs to be said and she is always encouraging Mari with her dream of opening a rescue shelter. Mari is still grieving the death of her mother and being around Grandma Peach helps her in moments of remembering the good memories of her sweet mom.

The author gives readers a look at characters who have big hearts for animals. It was easy for me to picture myself visiting the clinic and become part of Mari’s rescue group. There are some funny moments in the story and a taste of Texas that made me want to grab a Dr. Pepper and a big bowl of Blue Bell Ice cream. What I really enjoyed about the story was the group of characters that came to depend on each other and reach out to a few that needed friendship. The theme of trusting God flows throughout the story. I am thrilled to know that there is a new book coming in this series because I feel like I have found a new family to follow and grow spiritually with.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. show less

“Dogs weren’t the only ones who responded to love. People did too.”

In this third installment in the Gone to the Dogs Mysteries, Janice Thompson has accomplished exactly what she set out to do. Barking Up the Wrong Tree had me thoroughly engrossed in the mystery, loving the focus on the rescue dogs and the Lone Star Vet Clinic gang. I loved how Thompson highlighted her knowledge of dog shows, agility competitions, and the love between dogs and their devoted owners.

I was a bit surprised show more to find Dr. Kristin Keller to be the first person narrator. Somehow, I expected the series to continue to revolve mostly around Trina and Mari. We do get to see them, and quirky Grandma Peach figures into the equation as a side character.

Kristin’s family is having trouble releasing her to be her own person and allowing her to leave the family. Kristin is having trouble appreciating her family. How often we don’t appreciate our flawed, but more than adequate (actually blessed) backgrounds until someone close points out how much we’re taking for granted. Kristin also learns from Tyler and others how to truly give of herself to others.

We eventually see more of Mari and gain a deeper appreciation of this young vet tech. A real encourager and team player, Mari goes out of her way to help others. Hopefully, as the series progresses, she will come to understand that she can’t save every dog or person. Nor is that her responsibility.

Great twists are a tool Thompson wields well, and I found myself talking back to the book on more than one occasion.
I belly-laughed often. Barking Up the Wrong Tree is great medicine for a troubled soul! A few times I wondered if situations resolved themselves too simply, but then, this is a cozy (and zany) world!

I would highly recommend this book, read in order of its publication. Each book in the series builds on the next.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit and NetGalley. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own. show less

The opening pages of this book was so heartfelt with the Rossi family sitting around the table eating . The description of the food was so good, I could smell the sauce and almost taste the delicious Italian cuisine. I loved reading how the family gets together to share meals and make memories.

Bella is a wonderful character who runs Club Wed. She is a busy person and sometimes puts her family on the back burner. Will she realize that she needs to slow down a little? It is nice to see how show more supportive her husband is and I thought he was an amazing character. In fact all the characters were so much fun I think I would like to join the Rossi family.

Bella really has her hands full when a local TV Meteorologist asks Bella to make her wedding special by having it at night under the stars. . The bride sure does have some over the top requests which made for an entertaining story. The Splendora Sisters make an appearance in the story and I have to say I would invite them over anytime. They are funny, full of energy and make you feel right at home. As the wedding gets closer things seem to start to unravel a bit. Will the weather be perfect for an outdoor wedding at night ? Can all the food be made in time? The wedding cake was detailed so incredibly perfect I could see the sparkles on the cake and imagine the taste of the light and fluffy goodness.

I loved how the author used this story to remind us that our plans may not be God's plans for us. We get frustrated when things don't work out and become upset. I loved how the story centered around family and being content with what we have. Sometimes we need to slow down and enjoy our families and appreciate them. The Rossi family worked together through every obstacle and I loved the closeness they shared.

The day has arrived for the big wedding and you can feel the excitement as everyone scrambles to make this a wedding that the bride will never forget. Will Bella pull off the perfect wedding? Grab a copy of this fun story and find out what happens "Once Upon A Moonlight Night." show less