Reviewed by Dan
TITLE: Kritter Tales Anthology
PUBLISHER: Rooster & Pig
LENGTH: 118 Pages
BLURB:
Sometimes the best matchmaker has four legs and a cold nose…
Dogs aren’t the only creatures that are man’s best friend! From 101 Dalmations to all the animals in Dr. Doolittle, animals have ways of bringing people together that’s almost its own type of magic. Within the Kritter Tales anthology are five heartwarming stories about men and their animals, and how the mix brings about relationships that may never have been.
ANTHOLOGY REVIEW:
This was a cute short book filled with cute short stories. It is a great read for those of us who talk to our animals like they were human and understand that an animal’s love and understanding sometimes surpasses other humans! I enjoyed all the stories, and recommend the book.
ANTHOLOGY OVERALL RATING: 
STORY #1: Mischief Makers
AUTHOR: Ann Anderson
REVIEW:
I liked this cute little story about a cat named Anna, her kittens, and their human named Dustin who needs to find a new apartment because of them. Dustin knows when he rescues Anna from the streets that he can’t have her in his apartment. Say nothing about her kittens that arrive shortly thereafter. What happens when his landlady find out? Where will he go? Time is running out!
RATING: 4.0
STORY #2: Princess Cocoa Puff
AUTHOR: Jenna Hale
REVIEW:
This story is about a rough and tough cat with the improbable name of Princess Cocoa Puff. We aren’t sure who the silly human was that stuck her with that name, but we do know she has found a new home with Andrew. Princess Cocoa Puff has come to live with Andrew because his friend Sandy thinks he is lonely since “douchebag”, as she calls Andrew’s ex, moved out.
But why does Princess Cocoa Puff insist on running away? Why does she insist on always going to the same house down the street? How can Andrew get past the embarrassment of having to go get her or having the hot guy down the street bring her home?
RATING: 4.0
STORY #3: Puppies Love
AUTHOR: Tracey Michael
REVIEW:
I love puppies, so I loved this story. When Dante and his partner Leo are heading out for a special dinner one night, they find a box full of puppies and the mother in the middle of the road. Quickly changing their plans, they take the four puppies and the mother home.
But what happens when the guy who abandoned the dogs in the first place shows up and dognaps them!
All I can say, is I now want a puppy! (or four)
RATING: 4.0
STORY #4: Elephants Know Best
AUTHOR: Lor Rose
REVIEW:
This story was longer than the others, so had a lot more detail. I really enjoyed getting to know Ethan, Corbin and the girls.
Elephants are one of those animals that you just know are smarter than they let on. If you’ve ever stood and watched an elephant and paid attention to their eyes, they always seem so wise.
Ethan has been on the preserve taking care of long term disabled and injured elephants since he was a boy. After his father was killed by poachers when he was fifteen, he took over all his father’s duties with the elephants. Several years later, approximately seven years prior to the opening of this story, Ethan also fell into the hands of the poachers. But he didn’t die like his father did. When the poachers tried to gut him with a machete, he was severely wounded but lived and today bears a huge scar that is quite painful most of the time.
Corbin came to the preserve to work five and half years ago. Even though he has had relations with other men, he has never looked twice at Ethan. The problem, Ethan can’t look at anyone but Corbin. Ethan is sure that Corbin won’t want him if he ever sees his scar.
All that changes one day when one of the elephants soaks Ethan down and he has to take off his shirt. Corbin can’t stop staring! Is he disgusted with the scar?
Great story, I really enjoyed it.
RATING: 4.5
STORY #5: Agent Princess Twinkle Buttons: Matchmaker
AUTHOR: Amanda C. Stone
REVIEW:
Max is out walking his prairie dog in the park one day when he notices a hunky guy running. Over the next few days he sees him several times and decides he is just going to go up to the man and introduce himself.
Guy has noticed (how could he not), the guy who is always dressed in sparkly pink, walking some unidentifiable pet in the rodent family with a pink leash. On top of the attire, the guy is always holding a steady conversation with the pet.
When they finally meet, Guy is introduced to Princess Twinkle Buttons, who it turns out, as I mentioned above, is a very smart prairie dog. They become friends over the next days and eventually go on their first date. Spilled hot melted cheese dip and a candle lighting the napkins on fire are the high points of the date and Guy is convinced there will never be another!
Does Max forgive Guy? Does Princess Twinkle Bottoms like Guy?
This was a cutesy little story. I honestly wasn’t a huge fan of the Max character, who I found slightly annoying. He seemed too much like Reese Witherspoon’s character in Legally Blond for me. But overall, it fit with the rest of the books in the anthology.
RATING: 3.5
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Thank you so much for the great reviews!