Tuesday, January 21, 2014

That Dog Won't Hunt by Brandilyn Collins



Title: That Dog Won't Hunt
Author: Brandilyn Collins
Genre: Christian Contemporary
Pages: 256
Release Date: April 8, 2013
Published by: Challow Press
Purchase: Amazon / Barnes & Noble


ABOUT THE BOOK 

Meet the Dearings, a crazy, loving, boisterous family in small-town Mississippi. There's mom and dad, three daughters and their families, and the youngest-twenty-five-year-old Ben. Oh, and the family dog, a Yorkie who thinks she's royalty. "This one's perfect," Ben says about his new fiancee, Christina, when he brings her home for a family reunion. Ben is just sure everyone will love Christina, and she'll fit right in. He always did tend to wear rose-colored glasses. Christina loves Ben but secretly fears their relationship will never work. They've only known each other ten weeks. She hasn't told him about her horrific past as an only child-the beatings, the neglect, and verbal abuse. Christina doesn't know how to trust or be honest about her feelings. Being thrust into the middle of a tight-knit family like the Dearings is sure to send her over the edge. With poignancy and humor, That Dog Won't Hunt explores the complexities of relationships and the inner strength needed to overcome a difficult childhood. The Dearings are no perfect family, but they know how to love-if only Christina will accept it.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brandilyn Collins is a best-selling novelist known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense®--fast-paced, character-driven suspense with myriad twists and an interwoven thread of faith. 

Brandilyn is also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors (John Wiley & Sons). She is a sought-after teacher and speaker at writers' conferences.



MY REVIEW

That Dog Won't Hunt is the first book in the Dearing Family series. 
Recently engaged Ben Dearing believes that his fiancee, Christina, will fit right in with his family; unfortunately for him, that isn't what happens. 

I really enjoyed this book. The family dynamic was different and interesting. For the most part, the way they constantly teased each other about everything was entertaining


The characters were well written and realistic. With Christina, because she grew up in an abusive home, she tended to view herself in a negative light and perceived that others saw her that way as well. I can see how overcoming that, plus the hurt and anger towards parents who abused her, wouldn't be a simple process.

The Yorkie on the cover is so cute! I really enjoyed reading about their little dog, Lady Penelope. She was something else! 


Overall, I thought That Dog Won't Hunt was a fun, interesting, and enjoyable read. I look forward to reading Pitchin' a Fit, book two in the series.



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