Madeline "Maddy" Cartwright had no idea that the elderly gentleman she had come to think of as a surrogate grandfather was a multimillionaire! Maddy is a chef, has been living in an apartment in Walter Stoddard's home, and she takes care of his so-ugly-he's-cute little dog, Brutus. Upon Walter's death Maddy gets a visit from his attractive attorney, Tom O'Brien, who informs her that Walter has left most of his estate to Brutus, with Maddy as the executrix of his Will. In the event that Brutus does not survive Walter for twenty-one days, then Maddy gets everything.

There is an instant and mutual attraction between Maddy and Tom, even though he at first believes she was more to Walter than "a granddaughter." Tom has a stake in keeping Brutus alive for three weeks. He has been promised a large bonus at the high-powered law firm he works for, and will be put on a fast track to making partner. Tom has a rigid agenda for his life, and there is no clause in it to accommodate a beautiful woman and a homely dog. Poor man, he just might have to bend a little bit.

Of course there is a villain to this story, Walter's less than reputable nephew that was cut out of the Will. Dirty tricks are played, an aborted kidnapping, and an attempt to poison Brutus is made, but there is no evidence of the culprit. Tom and Maddy must stay in close contact to protect the little pooch, and they should keep a closer eye on him. One Poodle breeder is slapping a paternity suit on the "Millionaire Mutt."

LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD is a first-class romantic comedy with delightful characters, witty dialogue, and an entertaining storyline. This is the debut novel of Australian Kandy Shepherd who shows she has what it takes to make it in her dog-eat-dog (pun intended) chosen career.