Best Canine Friend Jimmy

Jan:  Thank you for the warm welcome back to blogging yesterday.  I would like to -

MERCI:  Hey, what do you think you are doing?

Jan:  I'm just doing a quick post.

RUSTY:  This is our blog.  We are supposed to do the posts.

Jan:  But you didn't mind when I did the two posts on Sam last month.

CYNDI:  That's because we didn't want to discuss the loss of another Funny Farmer.  We allowed you to do it instead.

Jan:  Okay, then you write the book report on The Changing Season by Steven Manchester. 

PERCY:  Did any of us read the book?  *looks around at shaking heads*  No?  Then perhaps we should let Jan go ahead and do the book review.

MICAH:  Wait!  Before Jan steals our blog post for today, I would like to express my opinion on blog hijacking.

BUDDY:  And we all stand behind you in that opinion, Micah.

MARCUS:  We do?  I didn't hear his opinion. Can he say it again?

TAYLOR:  Some opinions are wordless, Marcus.

**************

 It has been a while since I have read a book for relaxation and enjoyment, but The Changing Seasons sounded as if it would be interesting reading.  After all, what could be boring about the story of Billy, a teenage high school graduate spending a last summer at home with his best canine friend Jimmy before leaving for college?  Jimmy, a senior Lab mix, was the bait that captured my attention.

I thought it would take a week or two of reading a little at a time to finish the book.  I was surprised to find it so interesting that I read most of it in one sitting.  I sat down at the computer to read another couple chapters the next evening but finished the book.  I have to admit I did skip parts here and there - some of the romantic parts.  Yes, there was romance.  There were also strong bonds of family and friendship, loyalty and integrity, an unexpected path to travel for Billy's future, and a hard life lesson in how one mistake can affect the future of more than just the one who made the mistake.

I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend the book.  I especially appreciated the story of the love Billy had for his childhood canine friend who was slowing down but still an important part of his life.  

Mr. Manchester has written a prequel to this novel, entitled The Hike—a short story illuminating the power of unconditional love between a boy (Billy) and his dog (Jimmy). Free downloads for e-readers, Kindles (mobi) and Nooks (ePub) are found here:
      PDF.
      ePub.
      mobi.

Reading The Hike will stimulate your appetite to read The Changing Seasons when it is released on February 23rd.  Once released, fifty cents will be donated to the ASPCA for every book sold.  


I was provided with a free PDF copy of the book to write this review.  I was not paid to write this and any opinions expressed are my own.