Reigning Cats and Dogs by Jane McBride ~ review

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (November 16, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1480070467
• ISBN-13: 978-1480070462

This book is also available as an ebook.

If you would like to purchase a copy of "Reigning Cats and Dogs" click here.

Publication Date: November 16, 2012

Ann, Kyle and Henry are getting ready for both big days-the wedding and the Grand Opening of Ann's pet store. But a gang of car burglars is throwing a monkey wrench in the works and some of the victims are Ann's friends. To make things more complicated, relatives from far and wide are coming for the wedding and not all of them play well with others. Even peace loving Henry has his paws full getting along with Aunt Gert's horrible little dog, Molly and Kyle has to remember his commitment to his new faith when Ann's life is endangered.

Ann,Kyle, Henry and the gang are back in "Reigning Cats and Dogs" by Jane McBride the latest book in the Ann and Henry series. Ann and Kyle put their wedding plans on hold waiting until his uncle and her aunts could attend, but the date is fast approaching. Along with a wedding Ann is working on opening a pet shop, and an unlikely person asks her for a job. In addition to all this Ann's best friend Kell becomes the victim of a car burglary and somehow Ann finds herself right smack dab in the middle of danger! 

I must admit I was drawn to this series because it revolved around Henry, the Great Dane, but once I started reading the series I became totally invested in the characters, animal and human alike! Ms. McBride knows how to create that small town feel, which allowed me to feel like I was visiting and catching up with old friends, while making a few new acquaintances.A few of those new characters were well really out there!    I thought Ann's aunt Leona was a total trip, I couldn't imagine what she might say next. There was also Kyle's great Uncle Juan that I envisioned as a mooch. There is plenty of excitement going on what with Ann getting ready for her wedding, and wondering what might happen at the last minute to gearing up for the grand opening of her store. If that isn't enough it seems that Ann finds herself in the midst of the car burglary investigation. When her friends wind up in danger though it's one of the strongest characters that breaks down. While most of the story is a fun filled, fast paced read Ms. McBride does allow the reader to glimpse further into the characters of Kyle and Ann allowing the reader to understand what had developed them into the adults that they became.The hints of romance blossoming between some of the secondary characters really leaves me anxious to read the next book in the series!  While "Reigning Cats and Dogs" is the second book in the Ann and Henry series the author provides enough background information that it probably could be read as a stand alone work. That said,I would highly recommend both books, especially if you enjoy well written characters,that will totally worm their way into your heart, a fast paced story that provides a bit of suspense and mystery, along with a splash of romance, and a bit of an education in the Mormon faith. On a scale of one to five I would easily give "Reigning Cats and Dogs" a six because it's just that good!

Reviewed for Readersfavorite.com