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The Dogmothers #1
Hot Under the Collar
Firefighter Braden Mahoney is devastated when his beloved Weimaraner, Jelly Bean, fails the canine arson investigator test. Faced with the challenge of raising the money for advanced training, it’s Braden’s sweet grandmother and her best friend who suggest he use the services of the new event planner in town. Not that he needs a push in Cassie Santorini’s direction. Ever since she arrived, Braden has had his eye on the sassy Greek goddess…and can’t stop thinking about getting the rest of him on her, too.
Cassie has spent years putting family first, even moving to Bitter Bark when her mother falls in love with the local veterinarian. Having a huge new extended “family” is fun, especially when one smokeshow of a firefighter attends the gatherings, but Cassie has no plans to remain in this small town. She’s ready to pursue her big city dreams. But when Braden asks for an assist for his precious pup, Cassie agrees to help him set up a town-wide scavenger hunt. It isn’t exactly a hardship to be around those blue eyes and brawny shoulders, especially since they both agree everything – even the undeniable sparks that crackle between them – is temporary.
But when temporary gets complicated by feelings that might lead to forever, Braden and Cassie start to question the direction they're headed. Should they follow their dreams…or their hearts? It’ll take a dog with a bad nose and a good heart, two particularly meddlesome grandmas, and some help from the clan that loves them to make sure Cassie and Braden follow the clues and find their way to each other’s arms.
About The Dogmothers – a brand new spinoff series by Roxanne St. Claire, author of The Dogfather series.
Daniel Kilcannon, a widower with six unmarried kids, has not only orchestrated wonderfully happy endings for all his offspring…he’s found one of his own. That leaves his grown nieces and nephews plus his adult stepkids all in need of their own magical romances. Is the Dogfather too preoccupied with his new lady love to pull the strings and make the matches? Maybe. But never fear, there’s a new team in town and these two might be polar opposites in life but they are lined up in love. Meet Yiayia and Gramma Finnie. One has the steel spine of a Greek warrior, the other has the sweet soul of an Irish poet. Together, along with two darling dachshunds, these Dogmothers won’t stop until all nine of their grandchildren are hooked, hitched, and happy.
Just like The Dogfather, the covers of The Dogmothers were all photographed at Alaqua Animal Refuge in Florida using rescue dogs and local heroes, and a portion of the first month’s sales of every book is donated to that amazing organization.
Cassie has spent years putting family first, even moving to Bitter Bark when her mother falls in love with the local veterinarian. Having a huge new extended “family” is fun, especially when one smokeshow of a firefighter attends the gatherings, but Cassie has no plans to remain in this small town. She’s ready to pursue her big city dreams. But when Braden asks for an assist for his precious pup, Cassie agrees to help him set up a town-wide scavenger hunt. It isn’t exactly a hardship to be around those blue eyes and brawny shoulders, especially since they both agree everything – even the undeniable sparks that crackle between them – is temporary.
But when temporary gets complicated by feelings that might lead to forever, Braden and Cassie start to question the direction they're headed. Should they follow their dreams…or their hearts? It’ll take a dog with a bad nose and a good heart, two particularly meddlesome grandmas, and some help from the clan that loves them to make sure Cassie and Braden follow the clues and find their way to each other’s arms.
About The Dogmothers – a brand new spinoff series by Roxanne St. Claire, author of The Dogfather series.
Daniel Kilcannon, a widower with six unmarried kids, has not only orchestrated wonderfully happy endings for all his offspring…he’s found one of his own. That leaves his grown nieces and nephews plus his adult stepkids all in need of their own magical romances. Is the Dogfather too preoccupied with his new lady love to pull the strings and make the matches? Maybe. But never fear, there’s a new team in town and these two might be polar opposites in life but they are lined up in love. Meet Yiayia and Gramma Finnie. One has the steel spine of a Greek warrior, the other has the sweet soul of an Irish poet. Together, along with two darling dachshunds, these Dogmothers won’t stop until all nine of their grandchildren are hooked, hitched, and happy.
Just like The Dogfather, the covers of The Dogmothers were all photographed at Alaqua Animal Refuge in Florida using rescue dogs and local heroes, and a portion of the first month’s sales of every book is donated to that amazing organization.
374 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 31, 2019
1351 people are currently reading
700 people want to read
About the author
Roxanne St. Claire
265 books1,832 followersI don’t know about you, but when I check out an author's bio, it’s usually because I’ve read a book I liked and wondered about the person behind it. Let's skip the formal bio and I'll give you the inside scoop on who Roxanne St. Claire really is.
First of all, call me Rocki. Everyone does. Evidently, when my mother brought me home from the hospital I seemed too scrawny and small to pull off “Roxanne” (she’d read Cyrano de Bergerac while pregnant or I would have been Judy) so they called me Rocki.
I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, the youngest of five (overachievers, every one), and fell in love with words and stories the summer I read Gone With The Wind. That year, for my twelfth birthday, my parents gave me a typewriter (with italic font – it was the coolest thing) and from that day on, I’ve had my fingers on a keyboard, pounding out love stories for fun. My AP English teacher taught me the two most important lessons an aspiring author ever needs: 1) verbs are the key to life and 2) a writer should get a real job. After attending UCLA and graduating with a degree in communications, I tried acting and television broadcasting. Oh, they aren’t real jobs? I learned that the hard way. I changed my last name from Zink to St. Claire because a news producer told me Roxanne Zink had too many harsh consonants for a TV personality – apparently Katie Couric didn’t get the memo. I got some fun gigs, and even met Tom Hanks when I did a guest appearance on Bosom Buddies. I liked on camera work, but wasn’t too crazy about starvation, so I moved to Boston and got that “real” job. In fact, I placed my foot on the bottom rung of the corporate ladder and didn’t look down until I’d climbed all the way up to the level of Senior Vice President at the world’s largest public relations firm. On the way up, I met the man of my dreams in an elevator. Two years later – in the same elevator! – he asked me to marry him and I wisely said yes.
I stayed in PR, moved to Miami, had a few babies, lost my home in a hurricane, built another one a few hours north and all along, I kept writing my “stories” for fun. One night, I read a particularly fabulous romance novel that changed my life for good. That night, I decided I wanted to make someone else feel as whole and happy as that author made me feel. (Everyone asks! It was Nobody’s Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.) With two small children and one big “real” job, writing my first novel wasn’t easy, but I did finish a manuscript that managed to get the attention of a literary agent. She told me to do one thing and one thing fast: write another book. (The first one is usually a “learner” book, honestly.) That second manuscript sold to Simon & Schuster’s Pocket Books and was released in 2003 as Tropical Getaway. Since then, I’ve written almost thirty more, in multiple genres, and long ago replaced the corporate ladder with the rollercoaster of publishing as a full-time novelist. Finally, writing is my real job.
Today, I live in a small beach community in Florida with my husband and two dogs. Our kids are off to college and law school, which means my nest is empty! I spend my time writing, working with the kids at my church, enjoying my husband's gourmet cooking, and hanging with my many writer friends. Of course, I love to read. I’m still crazy about words and stories and hope to write at least a hundred books in my lifetime. And, yes, verbs are the key to life. My favorites? Love. Work. Believe.
xoxo
Rocki
First of all, call me Rocki. Everyone does. Evidently, when my mother brought me home from the hospital I seemed too scrawny and small to pull off “Roxanne” (she’d read Cyrano de Bergerac while pregnant or I would have been Judy) so they called me Rocki.
I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, the youngest of five (overachievers, every one), and fell in love with words and stories the summer I read Gone With The Wind. That year, for my twelfth birthday, my parents gave me a typewriter (with italic font – it was the coolest thing) and from that day on, I’ve had my fingers on a keyboard, pounding out love stories for fun. My AP English teacher taught me the two most important lessons an aspiring author ever needs: 1) verbs are the key to life and 2) a writer should get a real job. After attending UCLA and graduating with a degree in communications, I tried acting and television broadcasting. Oh, they aren’t real jobs? I learned that the hard way. I changed my last name from Zink to St. Claire because a news producer told me Roxanne Zink had too many harsh consonants for a TV personality – apparently Katie Couric didn’t get the memo. I got some fun gigs, and even met Tom Hanks when I did a guest appearance on Bosom Buddies. I liked on camera work, but wasn’t too crazy about starvation, so I moved to Boston and got that “real” job. In fact, I placed my foot on the bottom rung of the corporate ladder and didn’t look down until I’d climbed all the way up to the level of Senior Vice President at the world’s largest public relations firm. On the way up, I met the man of my dreams in an elevator. Two years later – in the same elevator! – he asked me to marry him and I wisely said yes.
I stayed in PR, moved to Miami, had a few babies, lost my home in a hurricane, built another one a few hours north and all along, I kept writing my “stories” for fun. One night, I read a particularly fabulous romance novel that changed my life for good. That night, I decided I wanted to make someone else feel as whole and happy as that author made me feel. (Everyone asks! It was Nobody’s Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.) With two small children and one big “real” job, writing my first novel wasn’t easy, but I did finish a manuscript that managed to get the attention of a literary agent. She told me to do one thing and one thing fast: write another book. (The first one is usually a “learner” book, honestly.) That second manuscript sold to Simon & Schuster’s Pocket Books and was released in 2003 as Tropical Getaway. Since then, I’ve written almost thirty more, in multiple genres, and long ago replaced the corporate ladder with the rollercoaster of publishing as a full-time novelist. Finally, writing is my real job.
Today, I live in a small beach community in Florida with my husband and two dogs. Our kids are off to college and law school, which means my nest is empty! I spend my time writing, working with the kids at my church, enjoying my husband's gourmet cooking, and hanging with my many writer friends. Of course, I love to read. I’m still crazy about words and stories and hope to write at least a hundred books in my lifetime. And, yes, verbs are the key to life. My favorites? Love. Work. Believe.
xoxo
Rocki
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews
March 5, 2021
Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
HOT UNDER THE COLLAR (The Dogmothers Book #1) by Roxanne St. Claire is the first contemporary romance in this enchanting series and matchmaking effort by the Dogmothers. A sexy and smart firefighter, Braden Mahoney with his best friend and beloved Weimaraner are immediately taken with a sassy Greek goddess, Cassandra Santorini who wants to leave small town life behind for her big city dreams. This book is easily read as a standalone with a complete HEA, but it does have characters carried over from the previous Dogfather series.
Cassie and Braden come together so naturally. The dialogue is flirty, fun and realistic. Braden has not only relationship difficulties, but heartbreaking decisions to make about his best friend and beloved dog, Jellybean. Cassie’s decisions started out with some difficulties because of her love of her family, but as the romance relationship grew, so did the amount of emotional angst leading to an ultimate conclusion that satisfied without feeling like it was a loss or sacrifice on Cassie’s part. The sex happens towards the last part of the book and is a natural progression of the relationship and not gratuitous.
This series has wonderful secondary characters, mainly extended families and dogs that you fall in love with immediately. The grandmas are the perfect Dogmothers and I cannot wait to see who they work to bring together next.
I highly recommend this first book in this contemporary romance series and I cannot wait to get to the next Dogmothers adventure!
HOT UNDER THE COLLAR (The Dogmothers Book #1) by Roxanne St. Claire is the first contemporary romance in this enchanting series and matchmaking effort by the Dogmothers. A sexy and smart firefighter, Braden Mahoney with his best friend and beloved Weimaraner are immediately taken with a sassy Greek goddess, Cassandra Santorini who wants to leave small town life behind for her big city dreams. This book is easily read as a standalone with a complete HEA, but it does have characters carried over from the previous Dogfather series.
Cassie and Braden come together so naturally. The dialogue is flirty, fun and realistic. Braden has not only relationship difficulties, but heartbreaking decisions to make about his best friend and beloved dog, Jellybean. Cassie’s decisions started out with some difficulties because of her love of her family, but as the romance relationship grew, so did the amount of emotional angst leading to an ultimate conclusion that satisfied without feeling like it was a loss or sacrifice on Cassie’s part. The sex happens towards the last part of the book and is a natural progression of the relationship and not gratuitous.
This series has wonderful secondary characters, mainly extended families and dogs that you fall in love with immediately. The grandmas are the perfect Dogmothers and I cannot wait to see who they work to bring together next.
I highly recommend this first book in this contemporary romance series and I cannot wait to get to the next Dogmothers adventure!
June 1, 2019
Hot Under the Collar by Roxanne St Claire.
Large extended family, deep friendships, loyal and faithful dogs, plus two caring grandmothers make this romance a journey you shouldn’t miss.
First in a spin off series, the two grandmothers, aka the DogMothers, are matchmaking with joy and finesse for potential great grand-babies. All the Kilcannons were matched in the Dogfather series which also introduced in the Mahoneys and the Santorinis. This story is the first of the Santorinis in a love match that is irresistible.
Now Pru is an official member of the Dogmother matchmakers and I can’t wait for the next book.
Pure heart endearing romance.
Large extended family, deep friendships, loyal and faithful dogs, plus two caring grandmothers make this romance a journey you shouldn’t miss.
First in a spin off series, the two grandmothers, aka the DogMothers, are matchmaking with joy and finesse for potential great grand-babies. All the Kilcannons were matched in the Dogfather series which also introduced in the Mahoneys and the Santorinis. This story is the first of the Santorinis in a love match that is irresistible.
Now Pru is an official member of the Dogmother matchmakers and I can’t wait for the next book.
Pure heart endearing romance.
June 6, 2019
Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars
See the full review at HarlequinJunkie.com
A spinoff of Roxanne St. Claire’s popular Dogfather series, Hot Under the Collar introduced us to a new pair of matchmakers in Bitter Bark: the Dogmothers. The wise duo of matriarchs were fun, well-meaning, if not a bit (lovingly) manipulative, and proved they had it all under control. Well, mostly…
It was such a hoot getting to know Gramma Finnie and Yiayia, aka the Dogmothers, better in this first book of the series. They were beyond comical and just ridiculously adorable together. I have to admit, I wasn’t sure how two such different personalities would get along. But get along they certainly did. Read More
See the full review at HarlequinJunkie.com
A spinoff of Roxanne St. Claire’s popular Dogfather series, Hot Under the Collar introduced us to a new pair of matchmakers in Bitter Bark: the Dogmothers. The wise duo of matriarchs were fun, well-meaning, if not a bit (lovingly) manipulative, and proved they had it all under control. Well, mostly…
It was such a hoot getting to know Gramma Finnie and Yiayia, aka the Dogmothers, better in this first book of the series. They were beyond comical and just ridiculously adorable together. I have to admit, I wasn’t sure how two such different personalities would get along. But get along they certainly did. Read More
October 11, 2020
4.5 Stars
Hot Under the Collar is a sweet small town romance with some extra cute pups on the side 🐶. This is the first book in The Dogmothers series which is a spin-off to The Dogfather series. I didn’t read the original series but didn’t find it detracting from my understanding. It seems Dogfather focused on one patriarch who played matchmaker for his children with the help of some furry friends before finding love himself. Now that the Dogfather is occupied planning his own wedding and being in love, two new matchmakers are on the job staring two fabulous grandmas, Gramma Finnie and Yiayia Agnes. This spin-off series involve their attempts to play matchmakers for their grandchildren.
Cassie (h) is Agnes’ granddaughter and she has big aspirations to leave the small town Bitter Bark, move to a big city and become an event planner. Braden (H) is Finnie’s grandson and is a firefighter who wants to expand his role by becoming a handler of a trained Accelerant Detection Canine, or arson dog. Braden thinks his pup Jelly Bean is the perfect dog for the job but JB unfortunately has some olfactory issues. Jelly Bean would need to go to expensive special training to potentially fix the issue. The Dogmothers see this as the perfect opportunity to set up Cassie and Braden by suggesting Braden ask Cassie for help to plan a fundraiser. This sets the stage for the beginning of their relationship and the book continues to explore the development along with some obstacles they faced.
Overall, Cassie frustrated me at times in the books. I think both of them have some unresolved abandonment issues between Cassie losing her father to cancer a few years ago and Braden losing his father, also a firefighter, when he was young. Cassie is so determined to get out of the small town and I felt it wasn’t fully developed why she didn’t just do it earlier beyond just needing to build her resume? As the book went on, the author added some tidbits about her history with her father and I think it was more acceptable for me. Her thing for dating only Greek guys and then “dating” Braden to test Yiayia also just felt a little random. Overall Cassie was fine but I wished the author provided some more backstory earlier. Maybe it is in the original series?
Braden is a solid hero who is very grounded, loyal and crazy smart. He is a commitment phobe given he lost his father in action when he was young. Braden doesn’t want his loved ones to feel the loss he felt when he lost his dad so he basically ends relationships when it gets too serious and focuses his attention on excelling at his job by training Jelly Bean to be an arson dog. I felt Braden’s characterization is very realistic given his history and it was wonderful to see how Cassie inspired and changed him.
Overall it was a sweet small town romance book and honestly the Dogmothers, especially Agnes, and Jelly Bean 🐶 stole the show for me. I am interested to continue the series now that I have the family background and family tree figured out. As the dogmothers said in the epilogue, everyone loves a good frenemies story which was teased next staring Cassie’s brother.
Hot Under the Collar is a sweet small town romance with some extra cute pups on the side 🐶. This is the first book in The Dogmothers series which is a spin-off to The Dogfather series. I didn’t read the original series but didn’t find it detracting from my understanding. It seems Dogfather focused on one patriarch who played matchmaker for his children with the help of some furry friends before finding love himself. Now that the Dogfather is occupied planning his own wedding and being in love, two new matchmakers are on the job staring two fabulous grandmas, Gramma Finnie and Yiayia Agnes. This spin-off series involve their attempts to play matchmakers for their grandchildren.
Cassie (h) is Agnes’ granddaughter and she has big aspirations to leave the small town Bitter Bark, move to a big city and become an event planner. Braden (H) is Finnie’s grandson and is a firefighter who wants to expand his role by becoming a handler of a trained Accelerant Detection Canine, or arson dog. Braden thinks his pup Jelly Bean is the perfect dog for the job but JB unfortunately has some olfactory issues. Jelly Bean would need to go to expensive special training to potentially fix the issue. The Dogmothers see this as the perfect opportunity to set up Cassie and Braden by suggesting Braden ask Cassie for help to plan a fundraiser. This sets the stage for the beginning of their relationship and the book continues to explore the development along with some obstacles they faced.
Overall, Cassie frustrated me at times in the books. I think both of them have some unresolved abandonment issues between Cassie losing her father to cancer a few years ago and Braden losing his father, also a firefighter, when he was young. Cassie is so determined to get out of the small town and I felt it wasn’t fully developed why she didn’t just do it earlier beyond just needing to build her resume? As the book went on, the author added some tidbits about her history with her father and I think it was more acceptable for me. Her thing for dating only Greek guys and then “dating” Braden to test Yiayia also just felt a little random. Overall Cassie was fine but I wished the author provided some more backstory earlier. Maybe it is in the original series?
Braden is a solid hero who is very grounded, loyal and crazy smart. He is a commitment phobe given he lost his father in action when he was young. Braden doesn’t want his loved ones to feel the loss he felt when he lost his dad so he basically ends relationships when it gets too serious and focuses his attention on excelling at his job by training Jelly Bean to be an arson dog. I felt Braden’s characterization is very realistic given his history and it was wonderful to see how Cassie inspired and changed him.
Overall it was a sweet small town romance book and honestly the Dogmothers, especially Agnes, and Jelly Bean 🐶 stole the show for me. I am interested to continue the series now that I have the family background and family tree figured out. As the dogmothers said in the epilogue, everyone loves a good frenemies story which was teased next staring Cassie’s brother.
June 24, 2019
Bitter Bark is a dog-friendly town and every June, the whole month is dedicated to festivals, fundraisers and all sort of contests with dogs. Event planner Cassie Santorini has always dreamed of living in a big city but she had to put her dreams on hold to help her mother and her brothers at the family's restaurant when her father was diagnosed with cancer and lost the battle. In an other surprising but joyous occasion, her Greek family met a big loving Irish family. Between her and firefighter Braden Mahoney, it clicked instantly. They bicker, they tease, they flirt, but things will get much more serious when their grandmothers join forces to play matchmakers. Hoping to discover why her grandma is not acting like herself , Cassie ask Braden to be her pretend boyfriend. But since they both hate to lie and feel the attraction, they decide to make the fake relationship real instead, but with the understanding that she's not staying in Bitter Bark. Which suit Braden just fine, because he doesn't want the whole commitment since he knows the consequence for the people who have to deal with the hurt when a loved one die battling flammes. At the same time, it'll give them enough time together to plan a fundraiser that will get him the money for a special training course so his dog could become an Accelerant Detection Canine.
After falling in love with the characters and especially the dogs in the Dogfather series, it was a pleasure to be back again in Bitter Bark for a spin off. One of the most beautiful and touching thing in this book is the hero's loyalty to his dog, Jelly Bean. I loved all the play on words with canine elements. Cassie and Braden's chemistry had a sort of friendship foundation that was sweet and uncomplicated. Roxanne St. Claire's books never fail to put a smile to my face.
If you want to read and help a good cause, a portion of the first month's sales goes to Alaqua Animal Refuge.
After falling in love with the characters and especially the dogs in the Dogfather series, it was a pleasure to be back again in Bitter Bark for a spin off. One of the most beautiful and touching thing in this book is the hero's loyalty to his dog, Jelly Bean. I loved all the play on words with canine elements. Cassie and Braden's chemistry had a sort of friendship foundation that was sweet and uncomplicated. Roxanne St. Claire's books never fail to put a smile to my face.
If you want to read and help a good cause, a portion of the first month's sales goes to Alaqua Animal Refuge.
May 21, 2019
Now that the Dogfather, Daniel, has found his second chance at love, his mother, Gramma Finnie teams up with the Santorini’s grandmother, YaiYai, to step in and take over as the Dogmothers. Their first mission is to get Cassie Santorini and Braden Mahoney together. Sparks fly, chemistry is overwhelming, and both of them insist it’s temporary. This is a great new start to a spin-off series after the Dogfather books. It’s a great place to jump in for those new to the series, a wonderful reunion with the Kilcannons for those returning, and a fabulous story for everyone! There is tension, chemistry, lots of emotion, letting go of fears, recognizing dreams, family, dogs, moving forward, laughter, and tears. A warm tale of the power of love, the strength of family, and recognizing hopes and dreams. I smiled, I cried, and I loved every minute of reading this book. Another winner by Roxanne St. Claire and a great start to this new series!
May 31, 2019
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Publicity team. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I have been reading the lovely Dogfather series slowly. I loved the combination of both small town and a big family making it warm and fun; the addition of animals was just another big plus. The first book of the original series, Sit, Stay Beg is still available as a Kindle freebie . I have bought some of the others and now they seem to be somewhat available at one of my libraries.
Now there is a spin-off series, The Dogmothers. I would read each series in order with the close family dynamic meaning you will see previous couples in the next ones. You will see a little of the Kilcannons in this new series.
I couldn't NOT read Hot Under the Collar when I saw it, even though I haven't quite finished the related series. It was great to know the town and some of the characters. I had the backdrop of all the good feelings already. The dogs are such a part of the story, their lives, and I love that.
The charming story of Braden and Cassie has the usual components. They have known each other for a while, since Cassie moved to town as the rest of her family is here, to help them. They are brought together by an uncle and parent's relationship so they are both at many family events. Each of them is a helper but in different ways. It's great to see how caring and highly competent they are. You can't help but cheer for them in love and life.
Braden and Cassie are at the time of life when many friends and relatives are settling down, making some decisions about their lives, careers and children. It's a time when they are old enough to not be interested in casual relationships. They each have their issues and dreams to reconcile with the reality of their lives, and their attraction. Both have others interested in dating them, too.
I really enjoyed this story. It made me feel a wide range of emotions, beyond those in a typical romance. There's laughter, fears and tears. A romance, a wonderful big family, business and career dilemmas, a small town with interesting folks, and dogs, what's not to love? I will definitely read more when it is available!
Review copy was received from Publicity team. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I have been reading the lovely Dogfather series slowly. I loved the combination of both small town and a big family making it warm and fun; the addition of animals was just another big plus. The first book of the original series, Sit, Stay Beg is still available as a Kindle freebie . I have bought some of the others and now they seem to be somewhat available at one of my libraries.
Now there is a spin-off series, The Dogmothers. I would read each series in order with the close family dynamic meaning you will see previous couples in the next ones. You will see a little of the Kilcannons in this new series.
I couldn't NOT read Hot Under the Collar when I saw it, even though I haven't quite finished the related series. It was great to know the town and some of the characters. I had the backdrop of all the good feelings already. The dogs are such a part of the story, their lives, and I love that.
The charming story of Braden and Cassie has the usual components. They have known each other for a while, since Cassie moved to town as the rest of her family is here, to help them. They are brought together by an uncle and parent's relationship so they are both at many family events. Each of them is a helper but in different ways. It's great to see how caring and highly competent they are. You can't help but cheer for them in love and life.
Braden and Cassie are at the time of life when many friends and relatives are settling down, making some decisions about their lives, careers and children. It's a time when they are old enough to not be interested in casual relationships. They each have their issues and dreams to reconcile with the reality of their lives, and their attraction. Both have others interested in dating them, too.
"Look, I wouldn't sleep with you on the first date if I'd just met you on the street and asked you out. It's not my style, and you're too special for that. I would, however, kiss you.
"Then we'd never stop"
"I have self-control, Cassie."
"Go you. I, on the other hand, might not have a shred of it."
I really enjoyed this story. It made me feel a wide range of emotions, beyond those in a typical romance. There's laughter, fears and tears. A romance, a wonderful big family, business and career dilemmas, a small town with interesting folks, and dogs, what's not to love? I will definitely read more when it is available!
May 29, 2019
Firefighter Braden Mahoney is the Dogfather’s nephew. He dreams of helping his fire department by becoming an arson dog handler. However, Braden’s canine partner fails the most crucial tests. He turns to Cassie to help organize a fundraiser to cover the cost of Jelly Bean’s specialized training. Neither Braden nor Cassie want a permanent relationship. What sacrifices is Braden willing to make for Cassie? Can Jelly Bean become an arson dog? Or will Braden have to give up on him?
Cassandra “Cassie” Santorini is an event coordinator for Bitter Bark, North Carolina. She intends to move to a big city and pursue her dream life. Cassie is not about to let anyone, especially a smart and sexy firefighter, stand in her way. She agrees to help Brandon organize a scavenger hunt fundraiser before she leaves. When her Greek grandmother moves into town, Cassie distrusts the woman’s motives. Can Cassie thwart her grandmothers’ machinations? Or will Braden tempt her to remain in Bitter Bark?
Braden is just as dreamy as his Kilcannon cousins. I love how he and his brothers honor their deceased father by following in his footsteps. They understand and accepted the dangers involved in being a firefighter. I like how Braden turned to books for solace. They offered him a healthy way to deal and overcome his grief. What I adore the most about Braden is how he encouraged Cassie to chase after her dream. He did not want her to regret not following it to the end.
Cassie is an admirable woman. She is the type of person who faces a problem head on until a suitable solution presents itself. I like that about her personality. I admire Cassie’s unfaltering determination in achieving her dream. She refuses to allow anyone or anything to derail her carefully laid-out plans. What I like the most about Cassie is her ability to gauge Braden’s emotions. She acts accordingly to what she senses he needs.
HOT UNDER THE COLLAR is book one in Roxanne St. Claire’s brand new canine series, THE DOGMOTHERS, a fun spinoff from her DOGFATHER series. I adore that Gramma Finnie and Yiayia Santorini assume the Dogfather’s matchmaking endeavor. The two women may be polar opposites in both temperament and heritage; however, they share one thing in common: wanting their single grandchildren settled and happy. Being a dachshund mother, I love the fact that Yiayia has two doxies.
HOT UNDER THE COLLAR is a heartwarming continuation to a fun and sweet series. I am glad this is not the last we see of the Kilcannon, Santorini, and the Mahoney clan. I cannot wait to see who the Dogmothers plan to match-make next.
Review courtesy of Romance Junkies...
Side note: I have an eventful time with this book. At the start, my nine year old dachshund (Simi) passed away. Halfway through, my middle son graduated. Then, as I finished, and prepared to write my review, my three year old dachshund (Dottie) birthed three pups.
Cassandra “Cassie” Santorini is an event coordinator for Bitter Bark, North Carolina. She intends to move to a big city and pursue her dream life. Cassie is not about to let anyone, especially a smart and sexy firefighter, stand in her way. She agrees to help Brandon organize a scavenger hunt fundraiser before she leaves. When her Greek grandmother moves into town, Cassie distrusts the woman’s motives. Can Cassie thwart her grandmothers’ machinations? Or will Braden tempt her to remain in Bitter Bark?
Braden is just as dreamy as his Kilcannon cousins. I love how he and his brothers honor their deceased father by following in his footsteps. They understand and accepted the dangers involved in being a firefighter. I like how Braden turned to books for solace. They offered him a healthy way to deal and overcome his grief. What I adore the most about Braden is how he encouraged Cassie to chase after her dream. He did not want her to regret not following it to the end.
Cassie is an admirable woman. She is the type of person who faces a problem head on until a suitable solution presents itself. I like that about her personality. I admire Cassie’s unfaltering determination in achieving her dream. She refuses to allow anyone or anything to derail her carefully laid-out plans. What I like the most about Cassie is her ability to gauge Braden’s emotions. She acts accordingly to what she senses he needs.
HOT UNDER THE COLLAR is book one in Roxanne St. Claire’s brand new canine series, THE DOGMOTHERS, a fun spinoff from her DOGFATHER series. I adore that Gramma Finnie and Yiayia Santorini assume the Dogfather’s matchmaking endeavor. The two women may be polar opposites in both temperament and heritage; however, they share one thing in common: wanting their single grandchildren settled and happy. Being a dachshund mother, I love the fact that Yiayia has two doxies.
HOT UNDER THE COLLAR is a heartwarming continuation to a fun and sweet series. I am glad this is not the last we see of the Kilcannon, Santorini, and the Mahoney clan. I cannot wait to see who the Dogmothers plan to match-make next.
Review courtesy of Romance Junkies...
Side note: I have an eventful time with this book. At the start, my nine year old dachshund (Simi) passed away. Halfway through, my middle son graduated. Then, as I finished, and prepared to write my review, my three year old dachshund (Dottie) birthed three pups.
December 11, 2021
I loved the Kilcannons, so I was very excited to read about the Mahoneys and Katie's kids. This book totally delivers. I loved that we got to see character growth not just from the hero and heroine, but from Yiayia, too. Cassie is a great heroine, full of gumption and wry humor. Braden holds up the hero role on his buff shoulders admirably, and it's great to see his conception of relationships change. The dog with the starring role this time had some interesting things to handle, and I really love what St. Claire did with this particular canine character. She took things in an unexpected direction. We get to see who's next on the grandchild fix up list at the end, and I'm very much looking forward to some enemies to lovers action!
June 10, 2019
Braden Mulhoney is a 33 year old firefighter. He's big and handsome and intelligent, caring and brave. Braden lost his father who died fighting a fire when he was 13 years old. After watching his mother grieve the loss of her husband, the father of her four children, Braden is convinced he will never risk putting a woman through that pain so he doesn't do long term.
Cassandra (Cassie) Santorini is a 30 year old woman who loves her family and her heart knows that she could) easily fall for Braden. Problem is Cassie has always dreamed of having a great job in a big city, living in a high rise luxury apartment while she looks down upon the streets teaming with people hustling to and fro. And then there's that little problem that Braden isn't Greek, he's Irish. Cassie believes she needs a man who shares the same cultural background that she grew up in. Problem is no Greek man she's ever dated has stirred her blood as Braden does. But Cassie has put her career dreams on hold for too long to allow something as insignificant as a powerful attraction to a man stop her from spreading her wings. She can't wait to put small town North Carolina in her rear view mirror.
Add in two meddling grandmothers along with their large extended, interfering families and a bunch of cute pups and you have a heartwarming romance.
When I think about this story, I think heart. This book just has so much heart beyond Braden and Cassie's romance. There's Yiayia Cassie's uber Greek grandmother who never forgave Cassie's mother Kate for not being Greek despite a forty year marriage which she devoted to her son Nick and family until his untimely death from cancer. After a life threatening heart attack Yiayia vows to change her ways which has Cassie wondering what's really going on with the mean spirited, manipulative grandmother she grew up with. There's Braden's Wiemeriener Jelly Bean whom he hoped to train to become an arson investigating scent dog. Problem is for all of Jelly Bean's wonderful qualities he might not have the nose for the job. There's Braden's ex who wants him back. We also get a closer look at the rest of Braden's family, his mother Colleen (the Dogfather's sister) his two firefighting older brothers Connor (a manwhore) and Declan a confirmed bachelor. And f course the youngest of the family Ella whom we've met before as Darcy Kilcannon's cousin and BFF. Interesting that none of the four siblings, all now in their thirties have never married or even had a long term serious relationship.
The epilogue is as much an intro into the next book which will involve Cassie's brother Alex and a tall willowy blonde winery owner. No release date at this time.
Great heartwarming story with a happy ending for almost all.
Cassandra (Cassie) Santorini is a 30 year old woman who loves her family and her heart knows that she could) easily fall for Braden. Problem is Cassie has always dreamed of having a great job in a big city, living in a high rise luxury apartment while she looks down upon the streets teaming with people hustling to and fro. And then there's that little problem that Braden isn't Greek, he's Irish. Cassie believes she needs a man who shares the same cultural background that she grew up in. Problem is no Greek man she's ever dated has stirred her blood as Braden does. But Cassie has put her career dreams on hold for too long to allow something as insignificant as a powerful attraction to a man stop her from spreading her wings. She can't wait to put small town North Carolina in her rear view mirror.
Add in two meddling grandmothers along with their large extended, interfering families and a bunch of cute pups and you have a heartwarming romance.
When I think about this story, I think heart. This book just has so much heart beyond Braden and Cassie's romance. There's Yiayia Cassie's uber Greek grandmother who never forgave Cassie's mother Kate for not being Greek despite a forty year marriage which she devoted to her son Nick and family until his untimely death from cancer. After a life threatening heart attack Yiayia vows to change her ways which has Cassie wondering what's really going on with the mean spirited, manipulative grandmother she grew up with. There's Braden's Wiemeriener Jelly Bean whom he hoped to train to become an arson investigating scent dog. Problem is for all of Jelly Bean's wonderful qualities he might not have the nose for the job. There's Braden's ex who wants him back. We also get a closer look at the rest of Braden's family, his mother Colleen (the Dogfather's sister) his two firefighting older brothers Connor (a manwhore) and Declan a confirmed bachelor. And f course the youngest of the family Ella whom we've met before as Darcy Kilcannon's cousin and BFF. Interesting that none of the four siblings, all now in their thirties have never married or even had a long term serious relationship.
The epilogue is as much an intro into the next book which will involve Cassie's brother Alex and a tall willowy blonde winery owner. No release date at this time.
Great heartwarming story with a happy ending for almost all.
June 4, 2019
Hot Under The Collar is the first full length novel in a brand new, exciting spin-off series, The Dogmothers, by Roxanne St. Claire. It is based on the characters and setting found in the Dogfather series but expands the Kilcannon clan to include their firefighting cousins, the Mahoney’s and soon to be Greek in-laws, the Santorini’s!
Hot Under The Collar is exactly as the title suggests, Hot! But it is also fast-paced, full of romance, packed with hilarity, adventure, and large loving families (including lots of furry favorites) with obstacles and challenges that will have you rooting for a goddess of an event planner, a very “hot” firefighter and his beloved furry sidekick, Jelly Bean, who will also steal your heart.
Firefighter Braden Mahoney and event planner Cassandra “Cassie” Santorini come together in the guise of a temporary, romantic relationship in order to appease their adorably loving grandmothers who take meddling as matchmakers to a whole new level of extreme that will make you laugh out loud and at times shake your head at their antics all in order to achieve a successful pairing up of their grandkids. This has become their new goal in life. They have taken on the mantle of Dogfather since Daniel, the official Dogfather, is otherwise preoccupied getting ready for his own wedding to Cassie’s mother, Katie. Finola Kilcannon, Braden’s Irish grandmother or Gramma Finnie as she’s affectionally known, and Agnes Santorini, Cassie’s Greek grandmother, or Yiayia as she’s affectionately known, team up and dub themselves the “Dogmothers” with a little help from Finola’s hip, teenage granddaughter, Pru. Cassie & Braden become their first official targets and nothing and no one will be getting in their way of success!
Cassie and Braden find themselves working closely together to help his beloved Weimaraner, Jelly Bean, receive the advanced training he needs in order to qualify as a canine arson investigator after failing his initial training.
But will Braden & Cassie’s attempt at a fake, temporary relationship hold out or will the sparks ignite into a full fledged inferno?
Find out when you read your own copy of “Hot Under The Collar”!
Real Dogs & Real Heroes:
As with the Dogfather series, the covers were all photographed using real rescue dogs and local heroes at the Alaqua Animal Rescue in Florida. A portion of the first month’s sales of every book is donated to this organization!
Hot Under The Collar is exactly as the title suggests, Hot! But it is also fast-paced, full of romance, packed with hilarity, adventure, and large loving families (including lots of furry favorites) with obstacles and challenges that will have you rooting for a goddess of an event planner, a very “hot” firefighter and his beloved furry sidekick, Jelly Bean, who will also steal your heart.
Firefighter Braden Mahoney and event planner Cassandra “Cassie” Santorini come together in the guise of a temporary, romantic relationship in order to appease their adorably loving grandmothers who take meddling as matchmakers to a whole new level of extreme that will make you laugh out loud and at times shake your head at their antics all in order to achieve a successful pairing up of their grandkids. This has become their new goal in life. They have taken on the mantle of Dogfather since Daniel, the official Dogfather, is otherwise preoccupied getting ready for his own wedding to Cassie’s mother, Katie. Finola Kilcannon, Braden’s Irish grandmother or Gramma Finnie as she’s affectionally known, and Agnes Santorini, Cassie’s Greek grandmother, or Yiayia as she’s affectionately known, team up and dub themselves the “Dogmothers” with a little help from Finola’s hip, teenage granddaughter, Pru. Cassie & Braden become their first official targets and nothing and no one will be getting in their way of success!
Cassie and Braden find themselves working closely together to help his beloved Weimaraner, Jelly Bean, receive the advanced training he needs in order to qualify as a canine arson investigator after failing his initial training.
But will Braden & Cassie’s attempt at a fake, temporary relationship hold out or will the sparks ignite into a full fledged inferno?
Find out when you read your own copy of “Hot Under The Collar”!
Real Dogs & Real Heroes:
As with the Dogfather series, the covers were all photographed using real rescue dogs and local heroes at the Alaqua Animal Rescue in Florida. A portion of the first month’s sales of every book is donated to this organization!
May 27, 2019
“Hot Under the Collar” is the first in a new series by Roxanne St. Claire. If you enjoy her Dogfather series, you will love this spin-off new series, too. This book finds us involved with Cassie Santorini, whose mother will marry Daniel Kilcannon, and Braden Mahoney, nephew to Daniel. As a firefighter, Braden is afraid to commit to a long-term relationship knowing one day he might not come home from a fire. The only long-term relationship he is interested in is with his Weimaraner dog, Jelly Bean. He is training him to be an accelerant detection dog for Bitter Bark’s fire department but is Jelly Bean really cut out for that type of work? Cassie has dreams of living in a big city and being the best event planner there is. She is working on building her resume while she helps Braden plan a fundraiser to raise money to help train Jelly Bean. Enter the Dogmothers, Cassie’s grandmother, Yiayia, and Braden’s grandmother, Gramma Finnie, who joined forces to try their luck with matchmaking. There is a lot of emotion and chemistry between Braden and Cassie, but is it enough? This is more than just a story about dogs, friendship, love, and family. Difficult decisions need to be made about what is best for a person and their dreams and a dog and his destiny. It is the strength of love and family that helps to make those decisions. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it! Thank you, Roxanne St. Claire for another great series!
May 31, 2019
5 Star review Hot Under The Collar (The Dogmothers #1) by Roxanne St Claire
Not having read Roxanne St Claire before I had no idea what to expect. What a fun and entertaining read this book was. The story was well written and captivating. The characters were extremely likeable and easy to relate to and overall it left me with a smile on my face when I was finished.
I fell hard and fast for Braden Mahoney, a firefighter who is heartbroken when his dog Jelly Bean (I just love the name) fails to pass is the canine arson investigator test.
When his grandmother suggests he use the services of the new event planner in town Cassie Santorini to help him raise much needed funds for more advanced training for Jelly Bean, Braden jumps on board.
Cassie has no intention of staying in Bitter Bark but as she gets to know Braden, she finds herself torn. The chemistry between them is intense but is this blossoming romance worth her throwing her dreams and plans away?
I really loved the secondary characters, particularly the grandmothers, who had me in stitches with their meddling.
Will Braden and Cassie take a leap of faith and in turn find the happily ever after that they deserve? One click and find out.
I loved everything about Hot Under The Collar and cannot wait to read more in the series.
Not having read Roxanne St Claire before I had no idea what to expect. What a fun and entertaining read this book was. The story was well written and captivating. The characters were extremely likeable and easy to relate to and overall it left me with a smile on my face when I was finished.
I fell hard and fast for Braden Mahoney, a firefighter who is heartbroken when his dog Jelly Bean (I just love the name) fails to pass is the canine arson investigator test.
When his grandmother suggests he use the services of the new event planner in town Cassie Santorini to help him raise much needed funds for more advanced training for Jelly Bean, Braden jumps on board.
Cassie has no intention of staying in Bitter Bark but as she gets to know Braden, she finds herself torn. The chemistry between them is intense but is this blossoming romance worth her throwing her dreams and plans away?
I really loved the secondary characters, particularly the grandmothers, who had me in stitches with their meddling.
Will Braden and Cassie take a leap of faith and in turn find the happily ever after that they deserve? One click and find out.
I loved everything about Hot Under The Collar and cannot wait to read more in the series.
May 19, 2019
Hot Under the Collar takes matchmaking to a new level when Gramma Finney and Greek grandmother Yiayia decide to pick up the mantle Dogfather Daniel seems to have abandoned since he fell in love with Yiayia’s former daughter-in-law, Katie. While Daniel did his matchmaking subtly, these two new besties seem to only know one way...be direct. They have their sites set on Daniel’s nephew, firefighter Braden and Katie’s daughter, event planner Cassie. Braden and Cassie have been aware of each other since the day they met, but neither wants a lasting relationship. Cassie wants a job in a big city; Braden wants his dog certified as an arson detector. To humor the grannies they agree to fake a relationship while planning a huge fundraiser for Bitter Bark. Roxanne St. Claire has delighted scores of Dogfather readers. Her characters are endearing, especially the four legged ones, and her plots keep readers turning pages. This new series promises to be just as entertaining. And just in case you are a new reader, don’t for a moment forget that the hero is a firefighter...just saying that the author has a flair for excitement as well as dogs and romance. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book. Most highly recommend!
May 20, 2019
This new series, a spin off of the much loved Dogfather series , is a sweet, cute and touching contemporary romance.
This time the matchmakers are Agnes/Yaiyai Santorini and Gramma Finnie. Two very different women. One remaking herself and moving into town, and the other one, one with a strong Irish heart. Both wanting to see their grandchildren in love and happy. In this new series,we get a chance to see Gramma Frankie in a new light.
The new “victims “ to these matchmakers are Firefighter Braden Mahoney and Cassie Santorini. Neither is interested in a relationship, and are focused on their professions. But need teams them up when Braden needs money for further the training of his beloved dog, Jelly Bean and Cassie helps him with the fund raising.
As these two work together, what they thought they wanted in life, might not really be what they want. Will they risk a chance in finding their HEA, or will they stick to their plans and never know what “could have been “?
Oh, and wait till you find out who becomes their new member.
Looking forward to the next book with the Dogmothers.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
This time the matchmakers are Agnes/Yaiyai Santorini and Gramma Finnie. Two very different women. One remaking herself and moving into town, and the other one, one with a strong Irish heart. Both wanting to see their grandchildren in love and happy. In this new series,we get a chance to see Gramma Frankie in a new light.
The new “victims “ to these matchmakers are Firefighter Braden Mahoney and Cassie Santorini. Neither is interested in a relationship, and are focused on their professions. But need teams them up when Braden needs money for further the training of his beloved dog, Jelly Bean and Cassie helps him with the fund raising.
As these two work together, what they thought they wanted in life, might not really be what they want. Will they risk a chance in finding their HEA, or will they stick to their plans and never know what “could have been “?
Oh, and wait till you find out who becomes their new member.
Looking forward to the next book with the Dogmothers.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
May 20, 2019
This spin-off series from the Dogfather Series may be twice as much fun due to the duo of grandmothers who are taking on the matchmaking for their families. Only St. Claire could have paired an Irish matriarch and a Greek matriarch to come up with two hilarious characters that are willing to work together to find love for their off spring! Both are formidable alone, but in the pairing you've got a backbone of steel and a super strength girdle holding the families together. There's a lot of love in there, but I would not want to cross either of them!
Besides lots of family, there is of course love, romance and dogs everywhere. Cassie and Braden were terrific characters sometimes resisting falling in love, and sometimes embracing it head on. Braden's dog, Jelly Bean was intended to be an arson investigation dog, but his sniffer wasn't all it should have been. One of my favorite parts of the book is when he alerts on Cassie for something that is non-incendiary and then develops a distrust of her because of that. It's so funny!
This is a great start to a new series. I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own!
Besides lots of family, there is of course love, romance and dogs everywhere. Cassie and Braden were terrific characters sometimes resisting falling in love, and sometimes embracing it head on. Braden's dog, Jelly Bean was intended to be an arson investigation dog, but his sniffer wasn't all it should have been. One of my favorite parts of the book is when he alerts on Cassie for something that is non-incendiary and then develops a distrust of her because of that. It's so funny!
This is a great start to a new series. I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own!
May 31, 2019
This is a new spin off series from the Dogfather series. Braden Mahoney needs to raise some serious money to get his dog advanced training to become a arson investigator. Cassie Santorini has always put family first and she's ready for something bigger and brighter in the big city. Any big city with a awesome job will do Fortunately Grammy Finnie and Yiayia, Braden and Cassie's grandmother's have plans for them both. When Cassie suggests Braden pretend to be her boyfriend to find out what's going on with her grandma he's all in as long as it's temporary. Temporary works with Cassie's plans to leave town. I really loved Cassie and Braden. Even though they come from essentially different worlds they clicked. Braden will help anyone in need and although Cassie comes off at times as a little cold in reality she's just like Braden. When her family has needed her she put off her plans and did what needed to be done. Now she feels it's time to move on with those plans but along came Braden to tempt her into changing them. Sweet couple and a awesome start to this spin off.
June 1, 2019
Oh my heart is full with all the goodness now with this spin-off of the DogFather series since Daniel Kilcannon found his second chance at love and now Gramma Finnie and YaiYai Santorini have stepped up as the Dogmothers and have decided it is their duty to make sure their offspring find their happily ever afters. First up are Cassie Santorinin and Braden Mahoney. There have been sparks between these two since they first met and they are happy to fan the attraction but they are clear on there can be nothing long lasting since Cassie is not staying in town as the lights of the Big City are calling to her and Braden doesn't think firefighting and love match. It takes all three big families throwing these two together at every turn and add in, of course, a dog "Jelly Bean" along with all the sparks of chemistry for these two to find their way. This story is the perfect start to this spin-off and even if you haven't read The Dogfather series you will not be lost. I recommend this one and it will go to the top of the re-read list.
**Received an ARC for review**
**Received an ARC for review**
June 1, 2019
Braden is a firefighter who wants to become an arson dog handler and he believes his dog Jelly Bean is the perfect canine for the job but when Jelly Bean fails the test he needs to pay for additional training but doesn’t have the resources. His grandmother suggests that Cassie is the perfect woman to not only plan an event but is perfect for him as well.
Cassie moved to Bitter Bark to be near her family but she has always known it was only going to be temporary as she wants to move to the city to further her career as an event planner. In the interim she is more than happy to help the sexy fireman raise money for his cause.
With both their grandmothers scheming to bring them together they decide the best way to overcome the pressure is to pretend they are together. What could possibly go wrong?
This is a heartwarming story about love, family and animals. Both Braden and Cassie must decide what is truly important in their future and if that includes each other.
Cassie moved to Bitter Bark to be near her family but she has always known it was only going to be temporary as she wants to move to the city to further her career as an event planner. In the interim she is more than happy to help the sexy fireman raise money for his cause.
With both their grandmothers scheming to bring them together they decide the best way to overcome the pressure is to pretend they are together. What could possibly go wrong?
This is a heartwarming story about love, family and animals. Both Braden and Cassie must decide what is truly important in their future and if that includes each other.
June 4, 2019
4 star
I was pulled right into this story. The story has laughs, secrets, and heartbreak.
This is Cassie and Braden’s story. Braden is upset when his dog Jelly Bean fails a test. He is pointed to Cassie in order to help in the training process. Braden had already wanted to get closer to Cassie so when he is pushed in her direction he goes willingly. Cassie works in the small town since she moved there, and a lot of her family is there but she also knows that she has no plans to stay forever. But one hot firefighter and his sweet dog might just change her future plans. Is she willing to change her future plans all in the name of love?
I loved these characters and the side characters. I felt I could connect with the characters and the story was a great read.
I recommend this book.
I was pulled right into this story. The story has laughs, secrets, and heartbreak.
This is Cassie and Braden’s story. Braden is upset when his dog Jelly Bean fails a test. He is pointed to Cassie in order to help in the training process. Braden had already wanted to get closer to Cassie so when he is pushed in her direction he goes willingly. Cassie works in the small town since she moved there, and a lot of her family is there but she also knows that she has no plans to stay forever. But one hot firefighter and his sweet dog might just change her future plans. Is she willing to change her future plans all in the name of love?
I loved these characters and the side characters. I felt I could connect with the characters and the story was a great read.
I recommend this book.
May 20, 2019
I loved the Dogfather series of Roxanne St. Claire books and was sad when it was completed. Now a new series about the Dogmothers starring the grandmothers – Gramma Finnie and Yiayia is starting and I am joyful again. Oh, this new series is so good. “Hot Under the Collar” is a great start. The book is about two crazy old ladies who want to play matchmaker and pick on firefighter Braden and party planner Cassie as their first pair. There is love, lots of dogs, and plenty of crazy grandma matchmaking antics to make this book a wonderful romp. Also, Ms. St. Claire brings all the feeling of true love to the dialogue whether its parents to children or man to woman. You will thoroughly enjoy this book and I have a feeling we all will love this new series.
May 31, 2019
Loved, loved, loved this book and to think it's only the beginning! It was so much fun watching Daniel Kilcannon match up all his offspring but now that Gramma Finnie and YaiYai Santorini are teaming up to try their hand at matchmaking there is sure to be fun and hilarious stories in the future. Nobody is safe from their matchmaking ways especially the Santorini kids! Their first target is Cassie Santorini and local firefighter Braden Mahoney. I have to agree with the grandmothers, these two seem perfect for each other. Their story touched all the emotions and I hated to see the story end. Even if you haven't read the Dogfather series of books you can jump right in with this one and enjoy all the fun loving times. I definitely recommend it.
May 25, 2019
With so much hate and sorrow in the world, it's a welcome change to lighten the mood and share a bit of love again. There in lies the appeal of the Dogfather and now Dogmothers series. St. Claire reminds the world that with a little bit of hope and understanding, love can build a bridge of healing. Hot Under the Collar is a new beginning for a wonderful series. The citizens of Bitter Bark are back to bring a smile to your face and put a little love in your heart. Matchmaking has a couple of different faces and number of new targets are within sight. I always have fun this great group of characters take center stage.
June 23, 2019
I'm glad this series is around as I really liked the Dogfather books. Yet I had a hard time buying into Gramma Finnie and Yiayia, but mostly Yiayia. She was such a harpy in the last book it's hard to buy into her transformation and sure there are times the spiteful old lady rears her head, but with a word from Gramma Finnie she goes away. It seems to pat for me. Now with that said I really like Braden and Cassie, thought they were cute together even as they fought their attraction and what they thought their professional life should look like. By the end of the book I was glad that both of them found a compromise, one that worked in all areas of their lives.
May 25, 2019
This was by far the Best in the Series (so far) I absolutely loved this book. It flowed evenly. It was very well written and very believable, the characters were complete, story was so heart-warming. I don't usually do 5-star reviews Except for the ones I want to Re-Read almost Immediately This was One of Those. I received an ARC to write a Truthful Review and This Book "Hot Under the Collar" is one of those books. A Very Very good read, can't wait for the others that will follow.
March 24, 2021
Girl. We all knew you weren’t going to let those shoulders out of your life.
I low key wanted Simone to be the one lighting the fires to get Braden’s attention in the craziest way possible but I guess it’s better that it wasn’t her...
I low key wanted Simone to be the one lighting the fires to get Braden’s attention in the craziest way possible but I guess it’s better that it wasn’t her...
August 1, 2019
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
If you’ve read and loved (like I have) The Dogfather series by Roxanne St. Claire you are going to fall in love with The Dogmothers spin-off series without a doubt. Daniel has found his second chance at love with Katie and has pretty much retired his matchmaking ways, plus his children have each found happy ever after mates. Yet there is now a larger combination of families to make up an extended Kilcannon clan which now includes the Mahoney and the Santorini families as well. Life has just gotten a bit complicated, extended and certainly lively in Bitter Bark.
Braden Mahoney noticed Cassie Santorini the moment they met. Maybe it was a lightning bolt moment if he believed in such things, but even this man with a never going to have a long relationship mantra knew that this woman was something special in his life. But he’s experienced the devastation of losing a firefighter when his father died in a fire and he’s determined to never put a woman through what he and his mom went through. He’s wrong, but he cannot see that, only the still lingering grief and resolve.
Cassie Santorini has a life plan, one that focuses on leaving Bitter Bark now that her mom has found happiness with Daniel. She’s put off her dreams to live, work and breathe in a big city for so long that she’s not about to shelf that dream because of an amazing set of shoulders, sparkling blue eyes and a personality that fits her just perfectly. But Braden is charming, fun-loving and everything she’d want in a man… if she was staying, which she is not. A short-term fling to get him out of her system and make some memories – that she could do.
Yet two grandmothers who seem the polar opposite of each other in personality have other plans for this couple. Daniel may have given up his matchmaking schemes, but Finnie and Yiayia are definitely willing, able and ready to take up that mantle from him. And the fun and the shenanigans are about to begin anew.
Watching Braden and Cassie work their way to each other through misconceptions, stubbornness, the antics of not only the grandmothers but one of my favorite younger characters, Pru, was simply an emotional journey that grabbed my heart and never let go. Jelly Bean’s troubles gave this story an additional emotional punch and JB is in just about every scene and stole each one. And elegant Jazz, oh how I loved both of these dogs for different reasons.
Right now it looks like there are about nine novels, a few novellas planned out for The Dogmothers series that will take delighted fans well into 2021 to enjoy them all. The Dogfather is nine novels and a few novellas long as well. So to be frank with those readers who cannot afford to pick up the first series now – I certainly know that the book budget only goes so far – it’s possible to begin The Dogmothers right now with the first title, HOT UNDER THE COLLAR and move forward. You will experience the shenanigans of the various members of this extended clan and meet the earlier couples through the spin-off as now secondary characters. If you can, then yes grab, read them both because the stories within The Dogfather series are simply amazing.
This review has gone on far longer than I intended (without spoilers) but I could talk about this one for even longer so… I would recommend HOT UNDER THE COLLAR for any Romance reader who loves a good, solid story, dogs in any form and all their uniqueness, interfering families with the best of intentions, and a couple you will want to see find their happy ever after. I’m hooked once again and waiting for the next book in The Dogmothers series.
I own a Kindle edition of HOT UNDER THE COLLAR.
If you’ve read and loved (like I have) The Dogfather series by Roxanne St. Claire you are going to fall in love with The Dogmothers spin-off series without a doubt. Daniel has found his second chance at love with Katie and has pretty much retired his matchmaking ways, plus his children have each found happy ever after mates. Yet there is now a larger combination of families to make up an extended Kilcannon clan which now includes the Mahoney and the Santorini families as well. Life has just gotten a bit complicated, extended and certainly lively in Bitter Bark.
Braden Mahoney noticed Cassie Santorini the moment they met. Maybe it was a lightning bolt moment if he believed in such things, but even this man with a never going to have a long relationship mantra knew that this woman was something special in his life. But he’s experienced the devastation of losing a firefighter when his father died in a fire and he’s determined to never put a woman through what he and his mom went through. He’s wrong, but he cannot see that, only the still lingering grief and resolve.
Cassie Santorini has a life plan, one that focuses on leaving Bitter Bark now that her mom has found happiness with Daniel. She’s put off her dreams to live, work and breathe in a big city for so long that she’s not about to shelf that dream because of an amazing set of shoulders, sparkling blue eyes and a personality that fits her just perfectly. But Braden is charming, fun-loving and everything she’d want in a man… if she was staying, which she is not. A short-term fling to get him out of her system and make some memories – that she could do.
Yet two grandmothers who seem the polar opposite of each other in personality have other plans for this couple. Daniel may have given up his matchmaking schemes, but Finnie and Yiayia are definitely willing, able and ready to take up that mantle from him. And the fun and the shenanigans are about to begin anew.
Watching Braden and Cassie work their way to each other through misconceptions, stubbornness, the antics of not only the grandmothers but one of my favorite younger characters, Pru, was simply an emotional journey that grabbed my heart and never let go. Jelly Bean’s troubles gave this story an additional emotional punch and JB is in just about every scene and stole each one. And elegant Jazz, oh how I loved both of these dogs for different reasons.
Right now it looks like there are about nine novels, a few novellas planned out for The Dogmothers series that will take delighted fans well into 2021 to enjoy them all. The Dogfather is nine novels and a few novellas long as well. So to be frank with those readers who cannot afford to pick up the first series now – I certainly know that the book budget only goes so far – it’s possible to begin The Dogmothers right now with the first title, HOT UNDER THE COLLAR and move forward. You will experience the shenanigans of the various members of this extended clan and meet the earlier couples through the spin-off as now secondary characters. If you can, then yes grab, read them both because the stories within The Dogfather series are simply amazing.
This review has gone on far longer than I intended (without spoilers) but I could talk about this one for even longer so… I would recommend HOT UNDER THE COLLAR for any Romance reader who loves a good, solid story, dogs in any form and all their uniqueness, interfering families with the best of intentions, and a couple you will want to see find their happy ever after. I’m hooked once again and waiting for the next book in The Dogmothers series.
I own a Kindle edition of HOT UNDER THE COLLAR.
March 25, 2021
I enjoyed this book, I truly did. But some things prevent me from giving this 5 stars...
1. The information overload was a bit stressful to read in the beginning. I have read all of the Dogfather books except for the last one and maybe one of the novellas, I think. So this is coming from someone who knows majority of the characters already. I was craving for some quality feel-good romance, and I knew Roxanne St. Claire, being one of my favorite authors, would be a go-to for that. I saw that this Dogmothers book 1 is free, so I thought I'd read this first and see if I'd like to read the Dogfather's book (I wasn't really interested in a grandpa finding a 2nd love story, no offense.) and the rest of the Dogmothers. Having read a large number of St. Claire's books, I trust that it'd be a standalone.
I was wrong. Okay, there's enough info provided, so technically, this is still a standalone. However, reading about all the summaries and updates of all the relatives just gave me a headache. Not enough info to remind me who's who, just plenty of names and children and upcoming babies that it was stressing the hell out of me instead of making me hooked and eager to get into the story. It made the couples that I enjoyed in the past just a bunch of names that's occupying 'paper' space instead of actually letting me get to know them again. So as much as I love her extended family concepts (I was a fan of Barefoot Bay), I think she's pushing it too far at this point that it's difficult to appreciate a single book without reading the others in the series where this spin-off is based upon. And I don't think it'd be that bad if it's just the Mahoneys, but apparently stepchildren are now in the picture, so there's more 'children' to marry off. I'm like, wait, so this isn't a 4-book series about the firefighters? There's more? Is this clan gonna fill up the whole town? :P
2. To make matters worse, because this whole Gramma-Yiayia partnership needs to be introduced, along with summarizing the whole Kilcannon-Mahoney clan and the addition of the Santorinis, this information-heavy prologue doesn't even say much about the actual couple in the book. There's just not enough room for them anymore. At first I thought the beginning was about the heroine, but wait, she's an old lady? Okay... so is this a book about that old lady? I'm not gonna lie, I jumped to chapter 1 and skimmed a lot of pages to make sure this book is about a young couple and not that new grandma seeking redemption.
3. So when I finally reached the part that focuses on the main couple, I was eager to get on with it after absorbing all that info. But to my disappointment, the main couple was already introduced in a previous book, and this book starts with them already falling-in-love-but-holding back with each other. No elaborate intro of their impressions of each other, no first-time-meeting reactions, no getting close phase. It was a huge letdown, to be honest. At the very least, I was expecting some kind of commentary from their siblings because they were introduced as sibling and cousin of that one guy that isn't in this book, so as an extended family, I would expect some observations or reactions from family members on what's their opinion about them getting close. I thought it'd be great if they had a talk with that older Santorini brother (the common denominator) since it's his relatives (H is cousin while h is sister) we're talking about. But no, the couple is already close at this point and everyone is just ok with it and expecting it already. I feel like some potential storyline is wasted here.
It felt like I was butting in in the middle of a story, and the issues that concern me weren't of value to the characters anymore. I basically know more about that Yiayia than the couple I'm supposed to read about. That made it really difficult for me to get into their relationship. And hey, no feelings to develop here because they're already into each other. We're just gonna make some challenges here and there to let you know that they're not gonna be together that quick. So yeah, I'm sorry to say that it wasn't the best of intros. If there were at least a 2nd epilogue that recounts how they met or what were their thoughts about each other pre-present time, I think the book would've been so much more encouraging to read.
4. The arson dog Jelly Bean That took off some warm and fuzzy dog feels in my book.
5. The dog hunt (I forgot the exact term.)
6. Cassie's dreams.
7. I may be a little bit disappointed that there are more dog shows in this than insights to a firefighter's lifestyle. Given, this is a Dogmothers book, but the cover and the hero... I guess I was just expecting more, like how the author used to introduce us to a whole new environment whenever she introduces a new theme.
8. Lastly, so much build up with Ella and that Greek guy Damakos and yet it ends with Oh no, more couples meeting in books that aren't meant for them. :( I don't mind the appearances of secondary characters, but I think it's important that the couples meet in their own books, so it's a true standalone, and so the reader gets a complete feel of the chemistry between them before the love story starts. And I looked up the following books. Ella isn't the heroine in Book 2, 3... ugh. I guess I'll have to wait. I just hope there won't be any 'progress' between them until their book arrives because that's what I'm looking forward to read.
To end this review, let me just say that this is a nice read, but definitely not the best from the author and not recommended as a standalone. Also not a firefighter's book, even if there's a decent amount of it in it. (This is mostly fluff, not steam.) If you want an intro into the Dogfather/Dogmothers universe and/or a feel-good book with dogs, I suggest you start with the Dogfather books first. Any one of those (except for the last) can be enjoyed separately, from what I can remember.
1. The information overload was a bit stressful to read in the beginning. I have read all of the Dogfather books except for the last one and maybe one of the novellas, I think. So this is coming from someone who knows majority of the characters already. I was craving for some quality feel-good romance, and I knew Roxanne St. Claire, being one of my favorite authors, would be a go-to for that. I saw that this Dogmothers book 1 is free, so I thought I'd read this first and see if I'd like to read the Dogfather's book (I wasn't really interested in a grandpa finding a 2nd love story, no offense.) and the rest of the Dogmothers. Having read a large number of St. Claire's books, I trust that it'd be a standalone.
I was wrong. Okay, there's enough info provided, so technically, this is still a standalone. However, reading about all the summaries and updates of all the relatives just gave me a headache. Not enough info to remind me who's who, just plenty of names and children and upcoming babies that it was stressing the hell out of me instead of making me hooked and eager to get into the story. It made the couples that I enjoyed in the past just a bunch of names that's occupying 'paper' space instead of actually letting me get to know them again. So as much as I love her extended family concepts (I was a fan of Barefoot Bay), I think she's pushing it too far at this point that it's difficult to appreciate a single book without reading the others in the series where this spin-off is based upon. And I don't think it'd be that bad if it's just the Mahoneys, but apparently stepchildren are now in the picture, so there's more 'children' to marry off. I'm like, wait, so this isn't a 4-book series about the firefighters? There's more? Is this clan gonna fill up the whole town? :P
2. To make matters worse, because this whole Gramma-Yiayia partnership needs to be introduced, along with summarizing the whole Kilcannon-Mahoney clan and the addition of the Santorinis, this information-heavy prologue doesn't even say much about the actual couple in the book. There's just not enough room for them anymore. At first I thought the beginning was about the heroine, but wait, she's an old lady? Okay... so is this a book about that old lady? I'm not gonna lie, I jumped to chapter 1 and skimmed a lot of pages to make sure this book is about a young couple and not that new grandma seeking redemption.
3. So when I finally reached the part that focuses on the main couple, I was eager to get on with it after absorbing all that info. But to my disappointment, the main couple was already introduced in a previous book, and this book starts with them already falling-in-love-but-holding back with each other. No elaborate intro of their impressions of each other, no first-time-meeting reactions, no getting close phase. It was a huge letdown, to be honest. At the very least, I was expecting some kind of commentary from their siblings because they were introduced as sibling and cousin of that one guy that isn't in this book, so as an extended family, I would expect some observations or reactions from family members on what's their opinion about them getting close. I thought it'd be great if they had a talk with that older Santorini brother (the common denominator) since it's his relatives (H is cousin while h is sister) we're talking about. But no, the couple is already close at this point and everyone is just ok with it and expecting it already. I feel like some potential storyline is wasted here.
It felt like I was butting in in the middle of a story, and the issues that concern me weren't of value to the characters anymore. I basically know more about that Yiayia than the couple I'm supposed to read about. That made it really difficult for me to get into their relationship. And hey, no feelings to develop here because they're already into each other. We're just gonna make some challenges here and there to let you know that they're not gonna be together that quick. So yeah, I'm sorry to say that it wasn't the best of intros. If there were at least a 2nd epilogue that recounts how they met or what were their thoughts about each other pre-present time, I think the book would've been so much more encouraging to read.
4. The arson dog Jelly Bean That took off some warm and fuzzy dog feels in my book.
5. The dog hunt (I forgot the exact term.)
6. Cassie's dreams.
7. I may be a little bit disappointed that there are more dog shows in this than insights to a firefighter's lifestyle. Given, this is a Dogmothers book, but the cover and the hero... I guess I was just expecting more, like how the author used to introduce us to a whole new environment whenever she introduces a new theme.
8. Lastly, so much build up with Ella and that Greek guy Damakos and yet it ends with Oh no, more couples meeting in books that aren't meant for them. :( I don't mind the appearances of secondary characters, but I think it's important that the couples meet in their own books, so it's a true standalone, and so the reader gets a complete feel of the chemistry between them before the love story starts. And I looked up the following books. Ella isn't the heroine in Book 2, 3... ugh. I guess I'll have to wait. I just hope there won't be any 'progress' between them until their book arrives because that's what I'm looking forward to read.
To end this review, let me just say that this is a nice read, but definitely not the best from the author and not recommended as a standalone. Also not a firefighter's book, even if there's a decent amount of it in it. (This is mostly fluff, not steam.) If you want an intro into the Dogfather/Dogmothers universe and/or a feel-good book with dogs, I suggest you start with the Dogfather books first. Any one of those (except for the last) can be enjoyed separately, from what I can remember.
May 21, 2019
What a start for the Dogmothers!! Gramma Finnie and Yiayia (Agnes Santorini) have decided to become roommates and team up to match their grandkids with the loves of their lives. Cassie Santorini and Braden Mahoney are at the top of the list. Cassie came to Bitter Bark when her mother fell in love with Daniel Kilcannon, the town veterinarian and owner of Waterford Farms. Cassie is smart, sexy, beautiful, headstrong, quick witted, and sassy. Cassie has a dream to be an event planner in a big city, far away from Bitter Bark. Except a pair of very broad and sexy shoulders, which happened to be attached to Braden Mahoney, keep getting her attention. Braden Mahoney is a very HOT, sexy, ruggedly handsome, and over the top smart guy who loves his family, his precious Jelly Bean(Weimaraner), and his job as a firefighter. Braden’s dream is to work with JB as an ADC. Faced with possibly having to send JB to an expensive training Braden enlists the help of Cassie to create a scavenger hunt to raise the necessary funds. They decide to embark on the adventure and try to avoid their accelerating feelings for each and believe they can handle their attraction “temporarily”. Hmmm, will they cave or will they go their separate ways after the scavenger hunt? An unexpected job offer for the big city has Cassie and Braden facing their feelings before they are willing/unready to do so. With a little help from Dogmothers and a new addition to that group will Cassie and Braden find true happiness or face sadness for their futures? I love this family and the new additions that have come along thanks to Daniel finding love again. It was fun to catch up with the Kilcannons, Mahoneys, and meet the Santorinis. The chemistry, emotion, and family love is so evident in Hot Under the Collar as well as all other books in this series. I laughed, got teary eyed, and clutched my heart at times while reading Cassie and Braden’s story. The men in this series just seem to get HOTTER and the women are so strong and beautiful, inside and out. The dogs? What can I say? They just keep stealing my heart and running away with it. If you love family sagas with heat, chemistry, laughter, and most importantly love then you will absolutely love the newest book in the Dogfather/Dogmother series. Can’t wait for the next one!! I received an ARC in exchange for a honest review of Hot Under the Collar by Roxanne St. Claire. 5 stars*****
February 25, 2021
A new series by St. Claire, so a lot of background included here to set the framework for the series. Unfortunately, while I understand the need, I found it very boring. The romance part was so obvious it was also boring. I’m glad I did an ebook borrow and didn’t pay for this one. I hope the next one will be much better.
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