"Great. Just great." Blanche"s blue eyes snapped with excitement. "I think we"ll hit our goal before the night is over."
"Everything looks wonderful. The signs were a brilliant idea. And I can"t believe the ice sculpture of the Greyhound." I pointed toward the banquet table. "And the rabbit looks so lifelike."
"Rabbit?" She frowned and turned toward the table. "There"s no-"
Just then the rabbit moved.
"Well, for cryin" in a bucket." The rabbit looked like a real bunny rabbit because it was a real bunny.
The furry floppy-eared critter scampered the length of the loaded feast, honey-glazed carrot clamped in its teeth, leaving a trail of shrimp c.o.c.ktail bunny tracks across the buffet. Then the rabbit went airborne onto the closest guest table.
Which was all it took. It was like the starting gun had been fired.
The Greyhound stationed near the table sighted the hare and began the chase. Instantly, chaos reigned.
Hound chased rabbit, hound chased hound, humans chased hounds. Leashes trailed, tables tipped, trays of gla.s.ses tumbled.
I could still see Sam, but he was carried backward by the wave of people and Greyhounds. Complete and utter pandemonium.
I surveyed the bedlam to see what I could do to help.
I decided one Greyhound at a time was the best tactic. I started toward the closest dog, a beautiful jet-black hound.
All at once, a man popped up in front of me. It was the big ruddy-faced man Eugene had fought with earlier. His face was now pale as he tried to speak, but he gasped for air instead.
Thinking perhaps he had claustrophobia or was having a panic attack of some sort, I laid my hand on his arm and asked, "Are you okay? What"s wrong?"
He opened his mouth, but still nothing.
The man reached out to me and grabbed my shoulder. I winced as his hand leaned on Grandma Tillie"s brooch and pushed it into my flesh. He lunged forward against me knocking me off balance.
"Sir? Sir, what"s the problem?"
As he fell at my feet, my question was answered.
The problem was there was a very large carving knife sticking out of his back.
(Please continue reading for more information about the author).
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Acknowledgements.
We are indebted to the countless dachshund lovers who shared stories and photos of their beloved dogs. Your pa.s.sion for your low-rider pooches is contagious. Thank you for entrusting us with your memories and tales of adventure. Or in some cases, misadventure.
To the compa.s.sionate staff at MacRae Park Animal Hospital, thank you for answering our numerous questions about the risks of dogs ingesting caffeine. Your knowledge and insight ensured that we weren"t endangering any animals with our storyline idea. You certainly didn"t need to call us with new information while you were on vacation, but we appreciated it! The education on canine depression and pet grief was eye-opening. If we all cared as deeply for each other as you care about our pets, the world would be a better place. Thank you!
To our fabulous editor, Deborah Smith, who pushed us to dig a little deeper. Thank you for believing in our ability to create an entertaining story when we present you with nothing more than a "punny" t.i.tle. Your faith in our storytelling abilities is inspiring.
Christine Wittholm, our agent, at Book Cents Literary Agency, thank you for believing in us. Your enthusiasm is a great motivator for us to be our best.
Christine, Cindy, and Tami, thank you for telling us when we"ve gotten off track and when we"ve made you laugh. But most of all, thank you for the words of encouragement at the perfect moment. You are the best.
We couldn"t do this without the support of our amazing families who don"t bat an eye when we ask to schedule special family events around deadlines and book signings. Thank you for understanding. We love you all.
Once again, to the residents of Laguna Beach. Please forgive the creative license we"ve taken with your community, especially with your dog park.
As always, a huge thank-you to our readers. You rock! We are overwhelmed by your love of Caro, Mel, and "Pajama Betty." We love to hear from you. If you"d like to join our street team, Sparkle Abbey"s Pack, and get the lowdown on future projects, you can sign up at our website: sparkleabbey.com
About the Authors.
Sparkle Abbey is the pseudonym of two mystery authors (Mary Lee Woods and Anita Carter). They are friends and neighbors as well as co-writers of the Pampered Pets Mystery Series. The pen name was created by combining the names of their rescue pets-Sparkle (Mary Lee"s cat) and Abbey (Anita"s dog). They reside in central Iowa, but if they could write anywhere, you would find them on the beach with their laptops and, depending on the time of day, with either an iced tea or a margarita.
Mary Lee.
Mary Lee Salsbury Woods is the "Sparkle" half of Sparkle Abbey. She is past-president of Sisters in Crime-Iowa and a member of Mystery Writers of America, Romance Writers of America, Kiss of Death, the RWA Mystery Suspense Chapter, Sisters in Crime, and the SinC internet group Guppies.
Prior to publishing the Pampered Pets Mystery Series with Bell Bridge Books, Mary Lee won first place in the Daphne du Maurier contest, sponsored by the Kiss of Death chapter of RWA, and was a finalist in Murder in the Grove"s mystery contest, as well as Killer Nashville"s Claymore Dagger contest.
Mary Lee is an avid reader and supporter of public libraries. She lives in Central Iowa with her husband, Tim, and Sparkle, the rescue cat namesake of Sparkle Abbey. In her day job, she is the non-techie in the IT Department. Any spare time she spends reading and enjoying her sons and daughter-in-laws, and five grandchildren.
Anita.
Anita Carter is the "Abbey" half of Sparkle Abbey. She is a member of Sisters in Crime-Iowa and a member of Mystery Writers of America, Romance Writers of America, Kiss of Death, the RWA Mystery Suspense chapter, and Sisters in Crime.
She grew up reading Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew, and the Margo Mystery series by Jerry B. Jenkins (years before his popular Left Behind series.) Her family is grateful all the years of "fending for yourself" dinners of spaghetti and frozen pizza have finally paid off, even though they haven"t exactly stopped.
In Anita"s day job, she works for a staffing company. She also lives in Central Iowa with her husband and four children, son-in-law, grandchild, and two rescue dogs, Chewy and Sophie.
About the Authors.
Sparkle Abbey is the pseudonym of two mystery authors (Mary Lee Woods and Anita Carter). They are friends and neighbors as well as co-writers of the Pampered Pets Mystery Series. The pen name was created by combining the names of their rescue pets-Sparkle (Mary Lee"s cat) and Abbey (Anita"s dog). They reside in central Iowa, but if they could write anywhere, you would find them on the beach with their laptops and, depending on the time of day, with either an iced tea or a margarita.
Mary Lee.
Mary Lee Salsbury Woods is the "Sparkle" half of Sparkle Abbey. She is past-president of Sisters in Crime-Iowa and a member of Mystery Writers of America, Romance Writers of America, Kiss of Death, the RWA Mystery Suspense Chapter, Sisters in Crime, and the SinC internet group Guppies.
Prior to publishing the Pampered Pets Mystery Series with Bell Bridge Books, Mary Lee won first place in the Daphne du Maurier contest, sponsored by the Kiss of Death chapter of RWA, and was a finalist in Murder in the Grove"s mystery contest, as well as Killer Nashville"s Claymore Dagger contest.
Mary Lee is an avid reader and supporter of public libraries. She lives in Central Iowa with her husband, Tim, and Sparkle, the rescue cat namesake of Sparkle Abbey. In her day job, she is the non-techie in the IT Department. Any spare time she spends reading and enjoying her sons and daughter-in-laws, and five grandchildren.
Anita.
Anita Carter is the "Abbey" half of Sparkle Abbey. She is a member of Sisters in Crime-Iowa and a member of Mystery Writers of America, Romance Writers of America, Kiss of Death, the RWA Mystery Suspense chapter, and Sisters in Crime.
She grew up reading Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew, and the Margo Mystery series by Jerry B. Jenkins (years before his popular Left Behind series.) Her family is grateful all the years of "fending for yourself" dinners of spaghetti and frozen pizza have finally paid off, even though they haven"t exactly stopped.
In Anita"s day job, she works for a staffing company. She also lives in Central Iowa with her husband and four children, son-in-law, grandchild, and two rescue dogs, Chewy and Sophie.
The Pampered Pets Mysteries from Bell Bridge Books.
Desperate Housedogs.
Get Fluffy.
Kitty Kitty Bang Bang.
Yip/Tuck.
Fifty Shades of Greyhound.
The Girl with the Dachshund Tattoo.