Mishaps off the Mainland by Tabitha Bouldin

MY REVIEW:

I have very much enjoyed each and every one of my trips to the Independence Islands through the books of this series. Mishaps On the Mainland is yet another entertaining yet encouraging novel with the island setting. It features Melody Carmichael, owner of a mobile pet grooming service and Zeke Solomon who has escaped a desk job in his father’s company in order to follow a life more suited to his personality. He also desperately wants to prove himself to his dad.

As the title implies, Mel’s life is fraught with one mishap after another. Her worst nightmare has seen the light of day in the escape of a client’s dog. To make it worse, she has not been able to find the dog for days on end – not even with the help of Zeke, the client’s handsome grandson. An older grooming vehicle that has one expensive breakdown after another does not help her situation and Mel fears that her business may be over barely before it begins. A match-making grandmother and parents complicate things even more.

The plot moves at a steady pace with delightful characters and great dialogue. It was fun running across characters from previous books in the series. I loved Mel’s honesty about her discouragement in her faith and Zeke’s steady support and encouragement through her problems even when he had issues of his own. The resolution to Mel’s problems was a pleasant surprise if not 100% how life usually turns out. But miracles do happen, even if God uses someone else to provide them.

I would recommend each and every book in this series. Each can stand on its on but there is also a connection between them that adds to their enjoyment.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Book: Mishaps off the Mainland

Author: Tabitha Bouldin

Genre: Christian fiction, contemporary romance

Release Date: November 24, 2020

Click here to get your copy!

All Mel wants is to run the business of her dreams.

Melody Carmichael’s mobile pet grooming business might sink before it can sail when a favorite pet escapes her care. Doggie escape-artist, Daphne, got a taste of freedom, and the Afghan hound refuses to be found.

Enter Zeke Solomon. Desperate to bring the dog home for his grandmother, Zeke steps in to save the day.

And working together with Zeke would be a snap—if he would just stop blaming Mel for Daphne making a break for it.

Zeke is desperate to prove himself worthy of the Solomon name and step out from his father’s shadow. With his father breathing down his neck and demanding he return to the company business, Zeke must decide whether confronting the man he admires most is worth the risk of alienation.

Everything’s falling apart, and Mel’s dream transforms into a nightmare. She thought this was what God wanted for her life, but can you blame her for second-guessing everything?

Was it all just a mistake?

Mishaps off the Mainland is the fifth “Merriweather book” in a new series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Island Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tabitha Bouldin is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and an avid reader. When she’s not busy homeschooling her two boys, you’ll find her buried in a book.

MORE FROM TABITHA:

Why mobile pet grooming?

I get this question a lot when I bring up Mishaps off the Mainland.

I mean, I could have chosen any occupation as long as it could be mobile. Anything from a mobile doctor office to a bug specialist. The world was wide open for ideas.

After just completing a rather serious series, I wanted to write something lighter, funnier, but with that same depth and heart that I love to read. I also needed something that fit my character, and Mel had some pretty strong opinions right out of the gate.

You see, Mel is one of those characters who spoke to me right away. She loves animals. All animals but especially dogs. They’re her happy place. Mel is also a giver. She will drop everything to help someone else.

When I asked her what her dream job would be, she answered me faster than any character ever has. Pet groomer! (Yes, I talk to my characters.)

And I thought, why not a mobile pet groomer? She gets to spend all her time with animals (which is a bonus for me as the author), and Mel’s character traits can shine through her actions and reveal her giving heart.

Once the job was decided, I knew there needed to be some drama. What would be the underlying fear of a pet groomer? I didn’t want to injure an animal, so I went for what felt like second most traumatic, an escaped animal.

While Daphne’s escape is serious and causes Mel no end of sleepless nights, it also provides some comedic relief for Mel and Zeke while they work through their own personal battles. I like to think of Mishaps off the Mainland as a mixture of quirky fun and serious truth. The story was a joy to write, and I hope you fall in love with Mel and Zeke.