Sit! Stay! Speak!: A Novel

Description

A rescue dog helps a struggling young woman make peace with her past in Annie England Noblin's delightful novel. Who says nothing happens in small towns... Tragedy sent Addie Andrews fleeing from Chicago to the shelter of an unexpected inheritance-her beloved aunt's somewhat dilapidated home in Eunice, Arkansas, population very tiny. There she reconnects with some of her most cherished childhood memories. If only they didn't make her feel so much! People say nothing happens in small towns, but Addie quickly learns better. She's got an elderly next-door neighbor who perplexingly dances outside in his underwear, a house needing more work than she has money, a best friend whose son uncannily predicts the weather, and a local drug dealer holding a massive grudge against her. Most surprising of all, she's got a dog. Not just any dog, but a bedraggled puppy she discovered abandoned, lost, and in desperate need of love. Kind of like Addie herself. She'd come to Eunice hoping to hide from the world, but soon she discovers that perhaps she's finding her way back-to living, laughing, and loving once more. "A read that's full of dogs, romance, and small-town charm." -Kirkus Reviews

Annie England Noblin lives with her son, husband, and four rescued bulldogs in the Missouri Ozarks. She graduated with an M.A. in Creative Writing from Missouri State University and currently teaches English for Arkansas State University. Her poetry has been featured in such publications as the Red Booth Review and the Moon City Review, and she co-edited and co-authored the coffee-table book Gillioz: Theatre Beautiful.

"Readers of Debbie Macomber will enjoy poet and nonfiction author Noblin's first novel. It's an enjoyable story full of laughter, tears, and just plain fun." - Library Journal "A must read for any animal lover." - Fresh Fiction "Addie's story is wrapped up neatly, full of romance, mystery, and a few new furry (and not-so-furry) friends to save the day. A warm, emotionally grounded story that will delight fans of Mary Kay Andrews and contemporary women's fiction." - Booklist "This author has much to recommend her to Bark readers, including her decade-long work in animal rescue and this charming debut novel. [...] This is a touching and engaging book about friendships, family, and the power of dogs to inspire changes in our lives." - The Bark Magazine "A cozy read that's full of dogs, romance, and small-town charm." - Kirkus Reviews