Love at First Bark

Love Unleashed #0.5

by Dana Mentink

Author Marcy Deveraux retreats to a rustic cabin in the mountains to write her next bestseller and gets more than she bargained for--a zany dog and a handsome stranger. It's cowboys, canines, and capers galore in this charming novella for animal lovers.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Christian Fiction, Short Stories, Fiction, Novella, Animals

59 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2017

About the author

USA TODAY bestseller Dana Mentink enjoys writing in many different capacities. She currently writes for Harlequin's Love Inspired Suspense and Poisoned Pen Press.

Dana is the recipient of a Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award, two ACFW Carol Awards as well as a Holt Medallion.

Dana loves feedback from her readers. Contact her via her website at www.danamentink.com. and be sure to follow her on Bookbub!
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/dana-...

Reviews

[peachygirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many fuzzy feels in less than 50 pages. I honestly fell in love at Charlie's first bark, adorably disguised as a porcupine!

Cowboy Jackson 'Cliff' Parker was indeed a great hero and his inner nerdiness was too cute for words. Marcy was heroic in her own right. Cookbooks trump romance bestsellers any day!
But their canine matchmaker wins the prize for rescuing little Simon and for his off the chart cuteness. Highly recommended for an awesome time!

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance novelist Marcy has had success with her first novels but is now struggling with writer’s block, so she heads to a cabin in the mountains near a campground hoping the peace and solitude will help her with her writing. Unfortunately, all does not go as planned as she is met with distractions from not only a mischievous little dog, but also from a handsome cowboy, Jackson, who works at the nearby campground. This was such a super-cute and feel-good novella with extremely likable characters in Marcy and Jackson, and it featured a truly adorable and irresistible matchmaking dog named Charlie. A quick and easy read that brought a smile to my face.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awwww. It took me all of twenty minutes to read this short freebie in the Love Unleashed series. Charlie is irresistible and both Marcy and Jackson succumb to his charm almost instantly. If you're feeling down, put your feet up for half an hour and enjoy this cute gem!

[Chantel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ooh! What an adorable book! All I know is when you have s'mores and a book-nerd-cowboy, it's a win (daydream break). I just love that little dog Charlie! I love how Dana gives the animals so much character and humor. Definitely a heart-warming fun read! All I know is... #Iwantmore ♥

[Andrea Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

A writer, procrastination, good food, a stray dog, a cowboy, and high jinks... What could possibly go wrong? This was a cute story with depth and surprises and a huge heart. The two drawbacks for me were a mistimed kiss and too much concern about muscles, but they weren't enough for me to be overly distracted. I would try another book by this author.

This was a great book to start the new year with! (It's my first book of 2018.)

I was not compensated for my honest review. Thank you to my friend Hannah for recommending this cutie pie story.

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlie,(the dog) you are my hero for rescuing the little autistic boy,Simon from the woods.

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute romantic read.

Marcy's and Jackson's romantic ride begins with wild critter mayhem involving a feisty little dog that just steals your heart. Their adventure starts heating up as Marcy tries to embrace the wild west and lead her writing career in the new direction of cooking. Along the way, she discovers Jackson's hidden fame and learns to love.

A well written free novella that is sure to bring a smile to your face. A first time read by this author that I was pleased to read.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had a lot more meat and depth than I expected judging from its cover and you know what they say about judging a book by its cover. There were a lot of great messages in this one about identity. The romance was believable, but swoony. The portrayal of the child on the autism spectrum was done very well by the author as well. Though a novella it fell like a complete romance story.

Language: No profanity.

Sensuality content: Kisses only.

Source: Permafreebie on Amazon introducing series to readers.

[Grace Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! =D

Isn't it interesting that the same time the main character is fixing herself French toast, that I am doing the same? Don't worry, even though this book had me laughing at the quirky author character, a cowboy who likes books, a cute little dog, there was no burnt French toast when reading this book. Thank goodness. I have mastered the art of fixing breakfast foods and reading at the same time.

What can I say? I love dogs, horses, cowboys (the good kind), food, and books about writers. Add a little bit of humor and love in them and I'm there. =)

Who Would I Recommend This book Too:

Those who like what I just said above. And romance lovers.

What I Didn't Like:

I realize that this book is short, but the fast kissing bother me a little.

Content in Book:

1. Mentions of a guy lying to a girl.

2. Kissing, I just thought they went at it too fast, but it wasn't very detailed.

Will I Read Any of the Other Books:

Let's see.... There was this really cool snippet of the third book (Paws for Love) in the back of this book. Violinist with social anxiety. Movie stars. Cute dog that looks like Toto (the dog from the Wonderful Wizard of Oz). AND A CHOCOLATE STORE!!! One of these days I hope to pick it up. Though I only hope that the characters in this book shows up somewhere else in the series, because I would love more time with them.

So, umm, book 1, is about another story, different from above. I'll pick up Sit, Stay, Love: A Novel for Dog Lovers first. That one is about an athlete and a schoolteacher and an overweight dog.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars - mild pg13

I've got several of Dana Mentink's books on my kindle, but this is the first I've read. This little story was fun and engaging right from the start. It was a very short novella (60pages), so it was kind of like watching a cute, Christian version of a Hallmark movie with the fast forward button on. But it was funny and sweet and now I'm looking forward to reading her full-length novels. (Thanks to Hannah for suggesting this as a light, fun read; it was just what I needed at the time.

[CarolynB · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to read this free novella so that I could decide if I would want to read more of the author's dog stories. I do. This is a cute, quick read and I will for sure be reading more of Ms. Mentink's writings.

[Staci · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short novella as part of the Love Unleashed Series.

[Carolyn Vandine West · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute lil story. I have read several books by this author and loved them all. I read this for read a book in a day challenge bingo at our library.
Best selling author Marcy hits a slump, so she rents a cabin where she can have peace and quiet. But then she has a dog that adopts her.
While she is trying to get the creative juices flowing, she is cooking. After she is accidentally locked out of her cabin, she meets swoony ranger that helps her get back in her cabin.
Free novella size e-book did not affect my review freely given.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the voice of the main character - she’s engaging, and I appreciate well-done first person. This was just so brief that the character development and the romance feel rushed. It feels unrealistic to move from meeting to kissing so quickly. However, I’m eager to see what the author can do with a full length novel!

[Linda Langford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute short story!

[Angie Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute and not-that-predictable little story. There were a lot of different elements involved for such a short space, but the message was good, and we didn't really need to spend a lot of time on conflict and recurring drama, because that wasn't what the story was about. From the first couple of pages, I expected a certain type of "writer stuck on a story" plot, but what I got was very different and very, very sweet. :) I really liked both of the main characters--especially Jackson--and the dog was adorable! :D

My only complaint--why do people in books always want to write off a kiss, even if it's just a cheek kiss, as "just a friendly gesture"? Umm, if one of my guy friends gave me any kind of kiss, I would definitely think there was something deeper going on, let alone an almost-stranger. :S

4.5 stars

Content--a few kisses and hugs (non-descriptive); mentions of a man lying to and cheating on a girlfriend

[Susan Snodgrass · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Dana Mentink's 'Love Unleashed' series. This one is a novella and it is absolutely precious. I loved Charlie, the little dog in this story and just wanted him for my own! It's only 60 pages and won't take you long to read, but it will just bless your heart.

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,25 stars - English Ebook

Novella

Quote: Still, Prince Rafé’s departure left her at a loss. It was not as though His Royal Highness was required to save anyone else from assassination, and it had been twelve months since that perilous jungle crossing, complete with poisonous spiders and the one-eyed bandit.-

Quote: A faint smile crossed his face as he got off of his horse, all six foot four burly muscled inches of him. The guy could have ridden right off the cover of a romance novel. He pulled off one glove with his teeth and offered her a calloused hand. Marcy figured he had to be named Dirk or Rhett or Stone or something.-

Quote: She smiled, laughed, and blushed all at the same time as he lowered her back to earth. “Actually, the credit goes to Charlie. I would have walked the other direction.” Jackson beamed at the dog. “Charlie, you’re a hero.” Charlie sneezed, unconcerned with his elevated status. “That dog is getting a T-bone steak,” Jackson said. “He’d settle for an anchovy.”-

A lovely Christian  novella, short, but sweet. With a dog, a hero and a lady who gets a massage from God, that there is another path to be taken.

[Malia Saldaña · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet!3.5 stars

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very high on the cute factor! Light, quick romance.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s the sweetest little romance. A lonely pooch brings these two together. Entertaining characters. A heartwarming story. A delicious recipe. A hecka of a read. I’d give it more than 5 if I could.

[Nadine Keels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having unexpectedly become a bestselling author, the pressure is on for Marcy to pump out her next romance novel. She takes off for a private writing retreat in a cabin—where a pesky little dog leads Marcy to meet Jackson, a handsome and bashful cowboy. In comes new inspiration, and Marcy may be on the brink of writing her best book yet in Love at First Bark by author Dana Mentink.

Full disclosure: feeling heavy after almost a week of darker reading than I usually go for, I was in need of something quick and light to perk me up. I wasn’t looking for any surprises when I picked up this novella, and indeed, my expectations stayed contentedly low as I strolled through it. So I was surprised when the story, well, pleasantly surprised me.

I pretty much fell in love with this tale as I went along. It’s sweet, light, and humorous, to be sure. But the crux of Marcy and Jackson’s conversation enters meaningful territory that isn’t the most predictable. Granted, the rather speedy heightening of the romance here left me a few paces behind, but the significance of Marcy’s personal journey made up for that, for me.

Well worth it for ChristFic romance fans to spend an hour or less with this enjoyable story.

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marcy writtes romantic novels and at the moment has a writters block. Her agent is after her but to conce up with a new hero for a new series of books. A dog wants to get in her live but it takes a while for her to get used to him. The cowboys from next door has hero all over him but is he hero enought?

It is a easy reading novella with romance, a lovely dog and people who honour for a new series of books. A dog wants to get in her live but it takes a while for her to get used to him. The cowboys from next door has hero all over him but is het hero enought?

It is a easy reading novella. With romance, a lovely dog and people who honour God. That is what I like about this novella. It openly talks about the influence of God in the lives of the characters. And that God works in misterious ways. I love to read more of this author and I love the recipes at the end of this novel.

[Amanda Tero · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking for a quick, light read, and this one fit the bill perfectly. In just a short time I was swept into the story with a few giggles. I immediately identified with Marcy as a writer, and I appreciated the message of "what a true hero looks like." Still...I'm not a huge romance lover so that of course means this had too much touching, hugging, and kissing for me. I know it's a short story, but kissing after seeing a guy twice? Yeah...that I didn't care for.

It mentions God and His plans and it was more or less a clean read. I didn't find the spiritual aspect completely convincing but it was at least there.

If you like a short, sweet read, I'm sure you'll enjoy this story.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marcy is a best selling author. She didn't set out to be a writer but she had a story to tell and then felt pressured to write another and repeat that success. When people showed they were proud of her accomplishment she started to think writing was her gift. The trouble is, Marcy isn't sure she wants to be a writer. She tries doing things she thinks writers do.
As a romance writer, her job requires her to imagine heroes. What makes one a hero?
Since writers take retreats, Marcy thinks one may help her be creative.
What she gets is more of an adventure. An eye opening experience.

[Kady Monroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun little romantic story revolving around a writer who is in the process of trying to start her next novel. As the title suggests, she meets a mischievous little dog, who in turn, leads her to a possible romance. Well, I knew I would like this book since it has a cute dog in it. Romance isn't the thing I normally read, but the story was well done, predictable, but still enjoyable.

[Thebestdogmom · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure how this got a 4 star rating. It was a short silly book that said it was at 80% and then ended on my ipad after a short recipe. Don’t bother. I’m a dog lover too, but not sure how this book got such good reviews.

[Kelli Santistevan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute story. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.

[Madeline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful puppy on the cover.

The story is nice and dreamy.

[Katja Labonté · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars & 2/10 hearts. This story was pretty funny and it was really light and fluffy—no brain strain. ;) The thing I disliked was that there was an awful lot of touching (he picked her up, she rode behind him on a horse & kept thinking, “no physical contact”), hugging, and kissing (cheeks & lips) before they even began dating—and she was always noticing his muscles. I liked the message of the book, though. I’d try this author again, but I won't reread this novella.

A Favourite Quote: “‘I was just wondering why being a normal, honest, hardworking guy isn’t heroic.’”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “When the black thing was at the far end of the room, she made her move, leaping off the chair and grabbing an oven mitt and broom from the kitchen. 
“‘Stand back,’ she hollered to the black thing, which skidded to a stop. It fixed calculating eyes on her as she eased backward toward the door. ‘Move out peaceably and no one gets hurt.’”