Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: Prancing of a Papillon
AUTHOR: Tara Lain
SERIES: Fuzzy Love
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 293 pages
RELEASE DATE: July 7, 2020
BLURB:
Opposites attracting, billionaires getting kidnapped, a Papillon who’s smarter than you are, and near-death at a dog show….
Jericho Jones is giving up on social life. What social life? Six-foot-five and packed with muscles he barely earned, Jericho looks like an alpha top, when he’s actually a gentle bottom who teaches first grade and lives with his hypochondriac mother. When Jericho’s friends, Finn and Em, suggest he accompany Finn to a dog show as the handler for their Papillon, Batshit, he decides, while he might be the world’s least likely Papillon prancer, he’d be grateful for a new experience and a few days away from Mama.
Jericho’s prepared to take dog handling seriously, but he’s not prepared for the pure lust he feels for wealthy dog owner, Brees Apollonia, a guy totally out of Jericho’s league. But Brees’s family issues make Jericho’s look tame – his father wants to marry him to the daughter of a prospective business partner. When Brees starts being followed by unknown guys, he thinks his father’s trying to scare him and uses it as an excuse to be “protected” by big, hunky Jericho. But pretend gets way out of control, and suddenly the only thing between Brees and possible death is a smart dog with big ears, three intrepid women, and gentle wimp, Jericho Jones.
REVIEW:
Prancing of a Papillon is a fanciful novel that is a welcome addition to my lazy days, easy breesy (ha) collection of books perfect for lounging by the pool or in the air-conditioning. It’s light and lots of fun with a suspenseful plot and great characters, primary and secondary alike. And let’s not forget that Batshit, Queen of the Papillons, is the real star of the book. I would classify the book as a light-hearted romantic suspense. There’s just enough suspense to maintain excitement and keep the reader guessing, without overwhelming the romance.
Jericho is a lonely man who lives with his sick mother and can’t seem to find a man who likes him for who he is, not who they think he ought to be based on his appearance. The six-foot five teddy bear is not comfortable in his size and is lacking confidence, even though he is a caring, gentle man. He’s nearly kept prisoner by his mother who treats this sweet, sweet man with disdain and constant demands, and she has no compunction about shaming him. When he meets Brees, he falls for him immediately. Literally. Brees is a charming man who’s very taken with Jericho.
The plot begins with Jericho agreeing to handle his friends Finn and Em’s papillon, Batshit, er, Roswell’s Marisol of Treadwell, at a dog show for them. There are family threats and ultimatums, lots of dogs, sneaky sex, treachery, and peril. It’s a complex, yet fun, storyline that moves along at a snappy pace.
There are more than a dozen side characters, all whom contribute in some significant way. Finn and Em were the featured couple in Passions of a Papillon, the first book in the Fuzzy Love series. Author Tara Lain provides much appreciated background on Finn, Em, and Batshit, and how they met Jericho. Lane delivers enough so that new readers are brought up to speed without giving away book one. I wish all authors did this. There are dog trainers and handlers, nefarious family members, and a pile of baddies. Kathy, a fellow papillon owner, Terry, a dog show veteran, Ichiko the trainer, and Jericho’s mother are particularly memorable characters.
And finally, no review would be complete – or even acceptable – without a discussion of Her Highness, Batshit. The canine cutie’s involvement is the best part of the book. She has an uncanny – and amusing – intelligence and can seemingly understand English. She must be a Santa Claus protégé because she always seems to know who’s been naughty or nice and woofs accordingly to alert the humans. You’ll be bewitched by this playful pup.
By the end, Jericho has discovered a courageous and protective side to his personality and Brees has gained much needed independence. The epilogue is completely satisfying, and together with the other wonderful aspects of Prancing of a Papillon, I can solidly recommend Batshit and her whimsical book.
RATING:
BUY LINK: