A big thanks to Books-n-Kisses for hosting this stop on our blog tour for Fifty Shades of Greyhound, book five in our Pampered Pets mystery series from Bell Bridge Books.
This book was so much fun to write and now we’re having even more fun sharing it with readers. It’s similar to the others in the series in that it’s a cozy mystery. To be more specific, all the books are pet-related, amateur sleuth, cozy mysteries. The main characters are cousins and former Texas beauty queens, Caro Lamont, a pet therapist, and Melinda Langston, the owner of Bow Wow, a high-end pet boutique in Laguna Beach, California.
The ideas for our books come from many different places: a news headline, an overheard conversation, an intriguing anecdote. However the idea for Fifty Shades of Greyhound came from none of those. In this case, the book started with the title. We’d brainstormed title ideas, hoping to continue the light-hearted theme started with Desperate Housedogs, Get Fluffy, Kitty Kitty Bang Bang, and Yip/Tuck. (This brainstorming usually involves margaritas.) When we came up with the idea to use Fifty Shades of Greyhound for the next title, we felt like we had a winner. Then the fun began…Where would Caro and Mel find themselves in their latest adventure? And what kind of trouble could we stir up for the two cousins?
After pitching the idea to our editor and getting the green light, we began researching Greyhounds and found so much about the breed, the rescue efforts, and about rescue workers who are very devoted to the dogs. Just a few of the interesting factoids we learned were:
- Greyhounds can live to be 12-14 years old, but they are at the end of their racing careers at 2-5 years.
- Most have been raised in kennels and have little experience outside that environment, but they are quick learners. By nature the dogs tend to be friendly gentle dogs.
- They can run 40-45 mph. But although they are fast runners, they’re known for their enjoyment of dozing and some sleep up to sixteen hours a day.
So after learning about the breed, it made sense to us that the story in Fifty Shades of Greyhound had to begin with Greyhound rescue and so it starts at a what Caro would call a “fancy smanchy” fundraiser.
Caro is thrilled to support the elite fundraising gala for Greys Matter, a SoCal greyhound rescue group. All the guests in the couture-attired crowd are clad in varying shades of grey, the champagne and donations are flowing, and there are fifty gorgeous greyhounds in attendance. But before the evening ends, a stranger in their midst is dead.
Caro sets out to help the rescue group find the identity of the mystery guest but soon finds herself in the doghouse with homicide detective, Judd Malone–oh, and federal agent, John Milner. When there’s a second death, Caro is convinced she’s on the track of someone who wants a secret to stay buried, but it’s a race to see whether Caro can uncover the truth before the killer decides she’s next.
We’d also like to mention that we have some wonderful celebrity endorsement for the book:
“Fifty Shades of Greyhound gives ‘roll over and play dead’ a whole new meaning!”-Ethel Merman & Ella Fitzgerald, canine companions to award-winning author, Holly Jacobs
Thanks again, Books-n-Kisses for letting us stop by. Mwahh and XXOO to you!
About the Author:
Sparkle Abbey is the pseudonym of mystery authors Mary Lee Woods and Anita Carter. They write the popular pet mystery series which features whodunits set in the wacky world of pampered pets, precious pedigrees, and secrets. The first book in the series Desperate Housedogs, an Amazon mystery series bestseller and Barnes & Noble Nook #1 national bestseller, was followed by Get Fluffy, Kitty Kitty Bang Bang, and Yip/Tuck. Fifty Shades of Greyhound is the latest installment.
It was a killer party.
Caro Lamont, Laguna Beach’s favorite pet therapist is thrilled to support the elite fundraising gala for Greys Matter, a SoCal greyhound rescue group. All the guests in the couture-attired crowd are clad in varying shades of grey, the champagne and donations are flowing, and there are fifty gorgeous greyhounds in attendance. But before the evening ends a stranger in their midst is dead.
Caro sets out to help the rescue group find out the identity of the mystery guest, but soon finds herself in the doghouse with homicide detective, Judd Malone. And federal agent, John Milner. When there’s a second death, Caro is convinced she’s on the track of someone who wants a secret to stay buried, but it’s a race to see whether Caro can uncover the truth before the killer decides she’s next up.
Full of adorable pampered pets, the story re-visits lovely Laguna Beach, and some of the colorful characters readers have come to love in previous titles: Desperate Housedogs,
Jennifer’s Review of Fifty Shades of Greyhound
Review (4 Stars): The humor in this book had me laughing out loud and I enjoyed every minute of it. Caro Lamont was attending a fundraising gala when a dead body literally falls into her lap. Finding herself involved in yet another mystery, Caro starts searching for clues when the brother of her receptionist is the prime suspect for the murder. She must hurry to find the real killer before she becomes the next victim.
I couldn’t believe how much I laughed while reading Fifty Shades of Greyhound. Caro is a great character and this mystery was very light-hearted and fun. I enjoyed reading about Caro’s career as a pet therapist and I thought her experiences with the animals were very interesting. Fifty Shades of Greyhound was a fun and hilariously entertaining mystery that will have you wanting more of these zany characters.
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