New Dog Posts Coming!

A fantastic author and dog lover will be joining us here at Candid Canine. Stay tuned for more details!

Vote for a Beautiful Mini Steampunk Doll

* Contest is over. She didn't make it to the finals but is still a winner! Thanks for voting.

Today (Monday,9/17) Anna Hardman's amazing miniature Steampunk doll is a semi-finalist vying to be on the cover of DOLLS Magazine. She could use your votes!

If you're on Facebook, go to the DOLLS Magazine page and click LIKE under Anna's doll photo and that's it!

Wouldn't it be great to see such a wonderful doll on the cover?

The doll is an original dollhouse size sculpt and is ball-jointed too! (Click her name to go to her website, click New for more details on the doll.)

Welcome to Morgan Mandel, author of the new romantic comedy, HER HANDYMAN

Today I welcome back author Morgan Mandel, who just released her fifth (!) book, the romantic comedy, HER HANDYMAN. (The novella is only .99 cents and free to Prime Members on Kindle.)

Isn't that a great title and cover?! Keep reading for a little about Morgan's writing, and love of dogs, and...

One lucky commenter will receive a choice from one of Morgan’s other e-books: the romantic comedy, Girl of My Dreams, the mystery, Two Wrongs, the romantic suspense, Killer Career, or the romantic thriller, Forever Young: Blessing or Curse, in their choice of Kindle or other e-book format. Be sure to provide your e-mail address. (See more about all Morgan's books here.



About the Book:
A novella length romantic comedy, with a dash of the serious. Longer than a short story, shorter than a full-length novel - just the right size for a busy reader!

Throw a crazy canine, a handyman, and an artist together and you've got mayhem!

Who'd guess it's Jake, the handyman, who needs rescuing when he answers a call by the distraught artist, Zoe, to stop a toilet flood begun by her crazy canine, FuFu?

Jake's engaged to a sexy, perfect woman, and she's even a great cook! There's no room in his life for a quirky, rich artist, who eats raw vegetables and probably can't even boil an egg -- or is there? Are Jake's perfect plans about to be disrupted?


Heeere's Morgan!

Q: Why did you decide to use a dog in Her Handyman?
A: I love dogs. I’ve owned various dogs since I’ve been married, which is going on 40 years. Each one owns a special place in my heart. I remember them all with love. The present dog who owns me is Rascal. (pictured below)



Q: Is this the first time you’ve used a dog in a story?
A: Actually, a dog plays a very minor role in my romantic suspense,KILLER CAREER; but in HER HANDYMAN, the Chinese Crested FuFu plays a pivotal part of the plot. Without her, there would be no story.

Q: Why did you pick this breed?
A: I’ve always been fascinated by the uniqueness of the Chinese Crested breed. They often win ugliest dog contests, yet there’s something endearing about their unusual looks.

Q: What does your choice of dog breed bring to the story?
A: I aimed at an offbeat, humorous romance, with a slight touch of the serious, and FuFu seemed a perfect addition to the mix. She’s small, but mighty. How Jake and Zoe respond to her illustrates their true nature.

Q: What’s the key to writing romantic comedy?
A: I don’t know if there’s any special key. For example, I don’t always laugh at many of the jokes my husband thinks are hilarious. He loves The Three Stooges, and to me they’re silly. In HER HANDYMAN, I show the ways the hero and heroine are distinctly different, and how it’s difficult for them to relate. I fashioned their inner and spoken dialogue in a humorous vein, threw in some plot twists, and I must confess, resorted to a huge pratfall.


Excerpt of HER HANDYMAN from Chapter One:

When he stepped out, a finely grained walnut door cracked open to reveal a thin, waif-like blonde with long, flyaway hair, from which a purple orchid dangled on one side. A peace sign hung from her neckband.

The waif’s clothes consisted of a gauzy, billowy white blouse, multi-colored gypsy skirt, and high furry sandals. He barely caught the mood ring on her finger, before his eyes were drawn to the wiggly yapping critter in her arms. What the hell was that?

Her eyes grew wide at sight of him. She clutched the weird animal tightly as if for protection. The critter growled and flashed dagger looks at Jake.

Jake restrained a grin. He’d been right about his client, but it seemed she’d been way off about him. Her slight stature compared to his six-two, well-muscled one had to put her off.

He’d seen this reaction before. For some reason, first-time clients envisioned an old guy, like the Maytag repairman. Maybe it was his deep voice.

His lips twitched. “Jake Witkowski at your service. You can call me Jake. You have a bad toilet, Miss?”

“Yes, water’s leaking everywhere. It’s awful.”

“Well, then, I better take a look.”

Her eyebrows puckered. Did she think he was referring to her and not the bathroom? He could enlighten her that he preferred brunettes with more meat on their bones, like his Angelina, but that would be mean. Also, bad for business.

About the Author:
Morgan Mandel lives in a Chicago suburb with her husband, commonly referred to as Good Paul, and their lovable pit bull, Rascal. She’s not ashamed to admit her vices: chocolate, ice cream, pizza, and a great love of slot machines. Her favorite pastimes are reading, writing, going to garage and rummage sales, attending festivals, and watching romances and mysteries on TV and DVDs.

Her Handyman is Morgan's fifth book. She's also a contributor to. The Corner Cafe: A Tasty Collection of Short Stories (BBT Cafe Authors)


** Learn more at:

* Morgan's Author Central page
* Facebook
* Twitter: @MorganMandel
* Blog
* Romance Blog
* Excerpts and links to all of Morgan's books here

New Ebooks This Week....

Several authors - Morgan Mandel, Deb Baker, and Jim and Joyce Lavene, have great sounding new mysteries and a romance out this week. Details over at Acme Authors Link

UK Roombox-Shoebox contest from Cath Kidston

Wish I lived in the UK!

UK residents - make a shoebox roombox by Sept. 28 - contest from Cath Kidston. Fun!

Talking prequels....

Talking prequels today at Acme Authors Link.

Have you written one? Like reading them? Share your thoughts and comments at the link above.

The Corner Cafe: A Tasty Collection of Short Stories for Kindle. Special Today!!!

The Corner Cafe: A Tasty Collection of Short Stories (BBT Cafe Authors)
- Stories by 18 authors including myself set in or around the corner cafe.

* In "Perfect Timing" by Christine Verstraete, a rescued pup helps cafe owner Gina Mason find love and thwart a would-be robber.

** Download FREE today 8/15 for Kindle.

New Author Snapshot Featuring Great New Mysteries and Fiction at Mysterical-e

If you haven't seen it, check out the new issue of Mysterical-e.

** In my latest Author Snapshot, I've featured a bunch of new books including:

(See details and column above. Click titles below for Amazon links)

* The Corner Cafe: A Tasty Collection of Short Stories (BBT Cafe Authors)
- Stories by 18 authors including myself set in or around the corner cafe. .

* In "Perfect Timing" by Christine Verstraete, a rescued pup helps cafe owner Gina Mason find love and thwart a would-be robber.

(** NOTE: The Corner Cafe will be FREE on 8/15 - click title to go to site to download to Kindle.)

* Death Legacy (Five Star Mystery Series) by Jacqueline Seewald

* DREAM ANGEL -- A Circus Novella by Mary Ellen Dennis

* Killing Ways: Stories by Steve Torres

* The Mystery Writers (Interviews and Advice) by Jean Henry Mead

Miniatures Monday: New tote and shoes!

I'ts been a while since I've posted any minis. Well, between writing projects, I did manage to finish a new project. I saw a similar set and knew I had to try making my own. Still tweaking a few things but I love how the first set came out. I think I'm hooked! I have a cute strawberry print I want to try next with red heeled shoes!

The Corner Cafe: A Tasty Collection of Short Stories for Kindle. Special Today and Saturday!

** The CORNER CAFE is open again. If you missed it the first time, stop by and pick up an e-copy Friday 7/20 and Saturday 7/21 for free! And enjoy a cup of coffee and some pie while you're at it! - #1 in Short Stories!!

THE CORNER CAFE: A Tasty Collection of Short Stories is the local place where 15 authors offer their takes on the guests and visitors who come in. The menu includes stories by Marian Allen, Shonell Bacon, Karen Casey Fitzjerrell, W.S. Gager, Helen Ginger, Dani Greer, S.B. Lerner, Audrey Lintner, Morgan Mandel, Maryann Miller, Bodie Parkhurst, Bob Sanchez, Mary Montague Sikes, Red Tash, and Christine Verstraete. (And it's better than a cup of joe - and only 99 cents!!)

* In my story "Perfect Timing" by Christine Verstraete, a rescued pup helps cafe owner Gina Mason find love and thwart a would-be robber.

THE CORNER CAFE STORIES:

* "The Catfish Enchantment" by Marian Allen: Cosmo’s father deserted the family and died unforgiven, his mother is sinking into depression, he’s started cutting himself to relieve the pain, and his boss suggests…a tattoo?

* In "I Wanna Get Off Here," by Shonell Bacon, a bus driver with a dream to write must first unchain herself from a relationship and inner thoughts that keep her hopes from coming to pass.

* In "What's Next" By Karen Casey Fitzjerrell, a young woman who sees herself drifting aimlessly through life, hires a crop dusting pilot to fly her over the Gulf of Mexico in the middle of the night and is enlightened by "What's Next" in her life.

* "The Eyes Have It" by W.S. Gager: Crimebeat reporter Mitch Malone hates going to church, but when he gets rooked into speaking to the Bible-toting ladies, he may be facing the devil himself as he investigates the prayer group's missing purses.

* "Gila Monster" by Helen Ginger: Neree parked her beat-up truck, Gila Monster, in the senior parking lot, hoping it'll still be there at the end of school. Instead, she finds an unexpected possibility...

* "One Last Run" by Helen Ginger: When a couple ski a black diamond run in a blizzard, the truth of what happened is in the blood.

* In "Saturday Night Special" by Dani Greer, a jaded old codger learns it's relationships old and new that make the Corner Cafe a treasure, not just the down-home cooking.

* Also by Dani Greer: When Mick decides to apply for "A New Job," he discover one too many damning things about the Corner Cafe manager.

* Also by Dani Greer: Nell Crisp likes the ambiance and Wi-Fi at the Corner Cafe, but little does she know it will be her "Home Away From Home" when the police pay a visit.

* In "Since You Left" by S.B. Lerner, a young lawyer is unsettled by a phone call from an old boyfriend, and forced to make a decision.

* In "The Consequences of Breaking and Entering" by Audrey Lintner, Goldilocks gets an update and her comeuppance."

* "Over the Threshold" by Maryann Miller mixes a bit of Raymond Chandler noir with "The Twilight Zone."

* "Love Song with Holsteins" by Bodie Parkhurst is about Halloween, magic, Russell the dairy bull, love, and the private memorials we make to it.

* "In A Face in the Window" by Mary Montague Sikes, can Arianna ever forget the tragic loss that changed her life, especially on the 10th anniversary spent in a museum where memories lurk in the art and later among the shadows of the Corner Cafe?

* In "You Can't Be Too Careful" by Bob Sanchez, George prepares for the expected Y2K catastrophe.

* In "Living Well," Red Tash gently pokes fun at the Star Trek fan culture and the ups and downs of long-term love, in the fan-favored setting of This Brilliant Darkness' Corner Cafe.