Dogs and Goddesses

Starred review from December 8, 2008
Don't be put off by the talking dogs; clever (human) dialogue and sassy heroines make this joint novel an amusing standout. After meeting at a local dog obedience-training session, coffeehouse owner Abby, Web writer Daisy and history professor Shar become fast friends. They also discover that the dog trainer is the Mesopotamian goddess Kammani, determined to rule the world like she did 4,000 years ago. Chosen as Kammani's priestesses, Abby, Daisy and Shar aren't quite ready to support the goddess's destructive goals, even when she grants them magical powers including the ability to understand their dogs. Established authors Crusie (Charlie All Night
), Stuart (Fire and Ice
) and Rich (Wish You Were Here
) turn this quirky charmer into an enjoyable paranormal romp that's definitely not just for dog lovers.

Starred review from February 15, 2009
Abby Richmond had come to Summerville, Ohio, to sell the bakery she just inherited from her grandmother, but when shedecides to attend the Kammani Gula dog-obedience class being held at the local college, she meets Web designer Daisy Harris and Professor Shar Summer. After drinking some of Kammanis special tonic, Abby, Daisy, and Shar not only hear their dogs talking but each woman finds she has been given a unique power. Once the three discover they are pawns in a plot concocted by a 4,000-year-old, very cranky Mesopotamian goddess who plans on ruling the world, Abby, Daisy, and Shar (along withthe new men in their lives) team up to stop her. Equal measures of sexy romance, captivating characters, and clever writing give Jennifer Crusie, Anne Stuart, and Lani Diane Richs collaborative effortits splendidly original flavor. With its uniquely talented trio of authors, uniquelyresourceful trio of heroines, rich cast of quirky secondary characters (including one of the best villainesses ever written), and wickedly witty writing, Dogs and Goddesses is absolutely sublime.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)