A loner by choice, Jane Connor is happy with her successful career training dogs and taking her golden retriever, Shadow, through Dog Show Obedience trials. At the top of their sport, Jane is stunned when she and Shadow are defeated by an obvious novice handler, Cole Forrest, and his young dog, a Papillion named Dobby.

Jane's world is turned upside down even more when her Arizona home and kennels are destroyed by a wildfire. Rescuing the animals she's been boarding makes Jane a hero to the animals' owners and the media, but when her insurance refuses to pay (due to a lost premium payment), Jane feels her life can't get any worse.

Salvation comes from Rising Star Productions, in the form of Angela Gardner, producer of feel-good animal specials. She proposes following Jane and Shadow on the summer agility circuit. Living in an RV for the summer with a bunch of strangers, including Cole, Dobby and Cole's older- than-her-years daughter, Teri, isn't Jane's idea of a good time, but her circumstances force her to accept Angela's offer.

A NEW LEASH ON LIFE is a charming, touching look into the competitive world of dog training. Jane is a wonderful, sympathetic character, struggling to deal with the curves life has tossed her, the most challenging being the attention of handsome Cole Forrest and Teri. Jane's personal growth is intriguing and heart-felt. Carmichael's fans will enjoy her latest tale.