This Wisconsin romance tale of active antics may be the most fun book youβll read all winter. Goldie McKenzie has a breakup in LA and discovers that to her ex, she wasn't a partner in his vet clinic, she just worked there. Goldie heads off for pastures new and spends CHRISTMAS IN BLUE DOG VALLEY.Β
Dr. Gene Saltzman is in the process of retiring from the Valley Veterinary Clinic. He knows Goldie from social media groups and proposes she takes on the clinic for the last few months of the year, to see if she settles in and can handle large animals. Cohen Gable is tasked with picking up Goldie at the airport, but as a working farrier, heβs not delighted to be told to welcome an outsider from the glam city. What didnβt seem realistic is that Goldie arrives without a good winter coat - but she knew she could buy outerwear in Blue Dog Valley, so thatβs okay. The ladyβs lack of care for herself throughout the story - she doesnβt even cook a hot meal - leads me to think she is still in shock over the upending of her life, but doesnβt realise.Β
Tiffany, the sole clinic staffer, is welcoming because towns need a vet and all the young people grow up and leave. Ruby at the cafe is also friendly, and soon Goldie finds that everyone is related to each other and knows all their business. As in most small towns, the newcomer is the nine days wonder. Inertia and a motorway have sapped energy, so Goldieβs proposal to revive a Christmas carnival gradually gains support.Β
Where would a vet book be without the animals? Kentucky fainting goats, many working dogs, including Kevin the "worst sheepdog" who adopts Goldie, Large Marge the injured horse, Alice the blonde alpaca social media star, and the hairless cat Goldie rescues at the airport, play a huge role. I came for the animals and was not the slightest bit disappointed. The romance develops slowly as the hard-working folks have doubts about relaxing around the newcomer. After all, she is perhaps just temporary. One hard winter will drive her away, wonβt it? Annie England Noblin characterises people, animals, and place beautifully. She also provides a convincing connection back to LA who keeps in touch with Goldie, reminding us that our protagonist can always go back to that life. CHRISTMAS IN BLUE DOG VALLEY will suit readers all year round, but itβs great fun at Christmastime.
When Goldie McKenzie, DVM, vet to the L.A. pet stars, arrives from Los Angeles to Blue Dog Valley she realizes three things.
Never agree to upend your life when you’re hungover
Pot-belly pigs are not true farm animals
She’s going to need a warmer coat
At first Goldie is nothing more than a fish out of water, with few clients and few friends. But after a less than pleasant encounter with a man whose dog is suffering from a possibly fatal case of bloat, she’s finally earning the trust and goodwill from her fellow Blue Dog Valley citizens. Her clientele grows to include the many farm animals in the town, including a horse named Large Marge, a cape-wearing therapy alpaca, and a yardful of sweater-wearing goats. Add in Kevin, the “worst sheepdog in Blue Dog Valley,” and a Sphinx cat named Airport, and Goldie is having the best time a vet can have. . . aside from the annoying attractive town grump, Cohen, who seems intent on making sure she always feels like an outsider.
With her newfound goodwill, Goldie comes up with an idea to reinvigorate the once flourishing Blue Dog Valley: a Christmas carnival. A petting zoo, pictures with Santa, a baking contest, what more could they want? After only some brief resistance from Cohen and his father, they begin the great plan to reinvigorate Blue Dog Valley.
Will Christmas be enough to salvage this dying town—and be enough to bring Goldie closer to a certain grumpy man?
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