Barking Up the Wrong Tree ~ Janice Thompson

This is book 3 of the Gone to the Dogs Mysteries series, Cozy Light Romance / Mystery read. Kristin is a veterinarian working in an office with co-workers that are great friends and work well as a team.  When a regular dog comes in with strange symptoms and not his usual self, Kristin is determined to save this dog.    She finds out that this dog is not the dog that his owners think it is.... dogs have been switched and can she save this one?  Can she find where the real Remington is?  She and her co-workers start to investigate who is the dog they have and were is the dog they thought they had.  Mixed with a little romance of Kristen and the other vet...... what will be the outcome?  Can they find the dog? Will they find love? Who does the mystery dog belong to?

I would recommend to those that love cozy reads and dogs.  I love this series!!  It keeps you guessing at the dog mystery and the romance with twist turns and many characters.  I love how everyone at the vet clinic works together and bond.  Great series!!!!  Can't wait for the next adventure. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, "Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.

About the Book

Book: Barking Up the Wrong Tree

Author: Janice Thompson

Genre: Christian Fiction / Mystery / Romance

Release date: January 1, 2023

Inquisitive, detail-oriented, Veterinarian Kristin Keller prides herself on winning over any dog. But has this self-proclaimed dog whisperer finally met her match in a Sheltie named Remington who has just won the Texas state agility course competition? The champion pooch is acting out of sorts—almost as if he is not the same dog. Has he, by chance, been switched out with another dog just before the next big competition? Kristin and the other Lone Star employees will do anything to help the Atkinson family figure out this mystery surrounding their beloved Remington.

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 About the Author

Janice Thompson, who lives in the Houston area, writes romantic comedies, cozy mysteries, nonfiction devotionals, and musical comedies for the stage. She is the mother of four daughters and nine feisty grandchildren. When she’s not writing books or taking care of foster dogs you’ll find her in the kitchen, baking up specialty cakes and cookies.

 More from Janice

Barking up the Tree is book three in the Gone to the Dog series. Kathleen Y’Barbo and I are writing six books, in total, and we’re very excited about this series. I happen to be in the dog rescue business. I’ve worked with multiple Houston-based dog rescues over the past five years and have been blessed to care for over fifty dogs in nearly every shape, size, and breed. I am always interested in dog-themed stories.

As a Texan I wanted to place this series in my neck of the woods. Kathleen and I settled on Brenham, Texas, a town not far from where we both live. It’s the home of Blue Bell ice cream (yum!) a favorite here in the Lone Star state. We created a large fictional cast of characters and placed them in a town we know and love.

Along with writing books I’m also a baker and run a baking blog (www.outoftheboxbaking.com). With that in mind I would love to share a recipe from the book. Enjoy!

Nanny’s Coconut Pecan Cake (aka Italian Cream Cake)

Ingredients

FOR THE CAKE:

• 1 white cake mix
• 1 yellow cake mix
• 6 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 stick butter
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup sweetened coconut (flakes)
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1 small box instant vanilla pudding (powder)

 FOR THE FILLING/TOPPING:

• Toasted coconut
• Toasted chopped pecans

 FOR THE FROSTING:

• 1 cup (two sticks) salted butter (softened)
• 1 block cream cheese (softened)
• 1 rectangle Crisco (can omit if you prefer traditional cream cheese frosting)
• 1 bag (7-8 cups) powdered sugar
• Clear vanilla extract

 Instructions

MAKING THE CAKE:

• Combine all ingredients except nuts and coconut. Mix well.
• Work in the nuts and coconut.
• Grease and flour three 9” pans.
• Divide batter between the three pans and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes (approximately) until cake springs back to the touch.

MAKING THE ICING:

• Bring ingredients to room temperature.
• Mix butter and cream cheese until soft and creamy.
• Add Crisco and continue to beat until incorporated. (You can leave out the Crisco if you prefer traditional cream cheese frosting.)
• Add extract and then lower the speed of your mixer to add powdered sugar (more or less to desired consistency).

 FILLING AND ICING THE CAKE

• Level all three cakes.
• Put one cake on your cake board and add a layer of cream cheese frosting.
• Pipe a ring around the edge of the cake and add some toasted pecans and coconut.
• Continue to stack and fill.
• Turn the top cake upside down, so that it’s bottom up.
• Ice the cake with a crumb coat and chill.
• Once chilled, ice liberally with frosting.
• Add chopped (toasted) pecans and coconut to the sides and top then pipe trim or rosettes to add further décor.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Janice is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway!

CLICK HERE