Book Two (all stand-alone titles) of a Series for Dog Loving Romance Readers!Alex Santorini puts his family first and foremost, and that’s going to keep him behind the grill at the family restaurant for the rest of his life, especially if his Greek grandmother has anythying to say about it. But when a local winery needs a chef to step in to cook for a celebrity wedding, Alex jumps at the … Alex jumps at the opportunity to showcase his culinary skills…and a chance to get closer ot the winery owner who has captivated — and refused — his attention.
Grace Donovan is in a bind and knows that the answer to all her problems is one sexy Greek chef who has everything she needs…and everything that scares the hell out of her. Raised in a series of ever-changing foster homes, Grace has spent her life using science and logic to surround herself with protective walls. With all his fiery passion and intensity, Alex could burn down those walls and, like everyone else in her life, leave her broken and alone.
As Alex and Grace join forces to land the wedding of the year, they also launch a search for the mother of three puppies abandoned at the winery…only to discover a shocking connection to Grace’s own mother and her shadowy past. When the truth comes out, their romance faces it’s greatest test. Will Grace choose a family she’s wanted her whole life…or the love she may never find again?
The Dogmothers – a new spinoff series from the popular “Dogfather” books
Daniel Kilcannon, a widower with six unmarried kids, has not only orchestrated wonderfully happy endings for all his offspring…he’s found one of his own. That leaves his grown nieces and nephews plus his adult stepkids all in need of their own magical romances. Is the Dogfather too preoccupied with his new lady love to pull the strings and make the matches? Maybe. But never fear, there’s a new team in town and these two might be polar opposites in life, but they are lined up in love. Meet Yiayia and Gramma Finnie. One has the steel spine of a Greek warrior, the other has the sweet soul of an Irish poet. Together, along with two darling dachshunds, these Dogmothers won’t stop until all nine of their grandchildren are hooked, hitched, and happy.
Just like The Dogfather books, the covers of The Dogmothers were all photographed at Alaqua Animal Refuge in Florida using rescue dogs from the shelter, and “local heroes” as models. A portion of book sales is donated to that amazing organization!
About the Author
Published since 2003, Roxanne St. Claire is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than fifty romance and suspense novels. In addition to being a ten-time nominee and one-time winner of the prestigious RITATM Award for the best in romance writing, Roxanne’s books have won the National Readers’ Choice Award four times and have been translated into more than a dozen languages. A recent empty-nester, Roxanne lives in Florida with her husband and two dogs.
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Your mission, should you choose to accept it…
…is to read this book and die from laughter, love, puppies, weddings, and over all awww moments… okay and probably some crying too but mostly happy tears.
This is the 2nd book in the Dogmothers series, which is a spin-off of the Dogfather series and is based on the amazing couple, Alex Santorini and Grace Donovan.
Alex Santorini, aka Alex The Great, is a hardworking, loving, family always come first man who secretly wants more out of life then being a chef and working along side his, always second to twin brother, at their family’s restaurant. He’s also set his sights on the beautiful Grace Donovan who unexpectedly caught his eye.
Grace, a former foster child who knows the system better then she’d like to and has been disappointed too many times in life, owns her own winery in a small town in North Carolina. She doesn’t have time for the likes of the gorgeous Greek chef, Alex, who always seems to be just popping up. That is until she finally has a chance to put her winery on the map at the same time her chef up and quits leaving her with 3 pups, another broken dream and not a clue of what to do next.
Three Dog Night is a story that quickly grabs your heart and squeezes it tighter and tighter right until the very end refuses to release you for even a moment. I don’t recommend starting this book if you can’t finish it immediately, because you aren’t going to put it down once you start. Alex and Grace’s story is so full of emotional turmoil that I honestly couldn’t stop the tears a few times and had my family and animals reacting to the tears. Graces past is heart-wrenching to be sure, but the worst part is watching her learn hard truths and find her way past the trauma. Grace is a woman that has a backbone of steel forged in the fires of her past, but the wall around her heart is the true challenge for Alex to overcome. Alex is ready for a change in his life and this woman that draws him so strongly is the catalyst to change that he needs. His family and extended clan come around him and support him and Grace at any moment needed but he knows that to reach his goals, both personal and professional he will have to stand on his own too. The heat and passion between Grace and Alex was memorable especially when they sparked off one another to challenge each other to be better, but the love that developed, despite Grace’s reluctance for it, was the most enjoyable part of their relationship. I loved seeing Grace and Alex fall in love with the three abandoned Puppies that bring them together and give them a goal to begin, and they are sweet and loveable through the entire story. As always the puppies play a sweet and unique role in the love story for Grace and Alex and we get to enjoy seeing the pups from previous stories as well. I am looking forward to whatever comes next and seeing more and more love between the Mahoneys, Santorinis, and Kilcannons as the Dogmothers continue to wreak havoc on their grandchildren and matchmake them all into trouble and love. Another amazing story of love and adorableness, keep the magic coming Rocki!
What a pleasure to come back to the world of the Kilcannon brood and their ever expanding family. This is the off-shoot series and second in line (and can be read as a standalone but why would you want to!) about Alex who has always wanted to own his own French restaurant but when his father becomes sick he returns home and takes over Santorini’s, a Greek restaurant and basically gets back to his roots. In the previous book he meets Grace, the owner of the winery and they get closer in this one. She is searching for her roots and together they adopt and take care of three puppies. This story has a lot of sizzle and healing and so much fun and family I found I could not put it down. Definitely a keeper!
The Dogmothers are at it again. Grace needs a chef to help her land a celebrity wedding that will put her winery on the map. The problem is the chef offering his help is the one that make break through the walls guarding her heart. Alex is enamored with Grace, even though the Dogmothers think she is better suited for his twin, and he wants the opportunity to really show off his culinary skills. When the chance to work with her and get to cook more the the same Greek menu in the deli has appears in the form of a wedding for two celebrities he will do anything to get the chance. Not only do they have a wedding to prepare for if he can land the job, but there is also a history of the past to discover and three abandoned puppies to care for.
Another beautiful addition to a heartwarming series. I was glued to this book from page one. The puppies kept me laughing even when my heart was breaking for Grace. I can’t wait to see what this big blended family is up to next. This book is just one of the many reasons I will always pick up a Roxanne St. Claire book. Her stories always keep my interested from the first line to the last.
Loved it! Alex and Grace’s story was sweet and touching. Their story was an emotional jouney of discovery and on the way they found true love. Grace, like the sweet adorable puppies, Jack, Bitsy, Gertie, were trying to find their family; and Alex finds that he doesn’t always have to come in 2nd to his twin brother John. Their story will have you laughing due to the antics of the puppies and Jellybean; and even shedding a few tears. I really love this series and highly recommend this book. I cannot wait until the next couple gets their HEA.
I received an ARC copy and this is my voluntary review.
It’s a showdown of the heart, Roxanne St. Claire style. Three Dog Night packs a ton of smiles with an adorable cast of furry friends, two meddling grandmothers and more than enough seismic energy to rock even the most stable of worlds. Alex and Grace are enemies with a passion for pushing each others buttons. When it seems as if fate keeps throwing them together, will that passion bubble into something more? The battle is on. The laughs are endless and the heart is real.
Oh how I love to revisit the town of Bitter Bark and the Kilcannon’s and their ever expanding family! This story just bursts with love, laughter, romance, and most of all puppies! A little mystery, steam and sizzle, wonderful characters, romance….. just makes an absolutely heartwarming story that brings a smile to your face and a desire for the story to never end! I highly recommend this book and all the books of the Dogfather and Dogmothers series!
Alex Santorini always had a dream of opening his own French food style restaurant but when his dad fell sick, he instead came back home to help out at Santorini’s, the family owned Greek restaurant. Alex has spent his whole life putting his Greek family’s needs first instead of his own and now that his dad is gone he feels guilty if he were to start his own restaurant. At Alex’s mom’s recent wedding, he became very attracted to the owner of the winery, Grace Donovan and he has tried everything possible to get her attention. When Grace has the opportunity to be awarded the wedding of the year she finds herself in a bind because her chef just quit. Luckily, Alex is ready to jump right in and help.
As Alex and Grace spend more time together, the sparks begin to fly. Alex quickly realizes that events from Grace’s past have molded her into who she is today and he is trying everything in his power to help knock down the brick wall Grace has around her heart. It doesn’t hurt that they are dealing with three adorable abandoned puppies and trying to find their mother. While trying to find the puppies mom, a shocking discovery of Grace’s past is uncovered. It will take a huge leap of faith, a huge blended family and three adorable puppies for Grace and Alex to find their happy ending.
I just adored this story. Grace is so damaged because of her past and all she really wants is someone to love her and never leave. It just so happens that Alex is that person…loyal, sexy and he can cook! Together these two make a wonderful couple but be prepared….it will be an emotional ride….but well worth the journey!
I am lovin the Dogmothers. This had all the emotions and the puppies! Grace is hard to get to know and Alex is trying everything to get her attention. She doesn’t do relationships. She learned that lesson a long time ago. But Alex is relentless. She is afraid to trust and he will not stop until he breaks through her walls. Grace has always wanted a family like Alex’s. She wonders what could have been but still won’t open up herself to more hurt. The Dogmothers really thought she should be with John, but Alex knows better. He usually comes in second with everything his whole life, he wants to come in first in Grace’s life. Can he do it?
Oh how I love Alex and Grace! Alex is a kind and loving man who is there for his crazy big family no matter what. Watching Grace grow in this story was so sweet. Seeing her go from closed off and alone since she was a child in foster care to being brought into this big, loving boisterous family was heart warming. Throw in some adorable dogs and 2 meddling grandma’s and you get such a great read.
This book had so many wonderful things going for it. The “Dogmothers” are matriarchs of their families–Jewish and Greek families that have been joined by marriage. There is a vinyard that is used as a wedding venue, lots of nosy caring family members, weddings, couples in love, a couple falling in love…and puppies!
Grace has been searching for family most of her life and has an event that needs a chef. Alex has more family than he can shake a stick at and is a chef that needs something more challenging to cook for than his family’s deli. The two could be a match made in heaven, but the Dogmothers want to match Grace with Alex’s twin brother–not Alex. Are they destined to be together or are Grace and Alex the wrong pair?
This is another great addition to the series. St. Claire’s characters and plots and inclusion of dogs are all put together to create a book that won’t soon be forgotten. Her heroes are swoon worthy and some of the most romantic out there.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
Roxanne St. Claire delivers another emotionally touching story in Three Dog Night, Book Two in The Dogmothers series. Chef Alex Santorini, son of Katie from the Dogfather series and vintner Grace Donovan are attracted to each other and “matched” by the Godmothers – Gramma Finnie and Yiayia Santorini. The story is filled with heart-felt emotions that draw the reader into the heart of her characters. St. Claire creates realistic visual images with her choice of words. “ The thorn-in-your-garden chef.” “Alex came in second everywhere but in the kitchen. And with women.” Family is the heart of the story. The reader experiences the differences in Grace’s family-less life and the explosion of family in Alex’s Santorini/Kilcannon experience. There was lots that I totally loved about the story – wonderful food descriptions, a surprise wedding, puppies, the vineyard grounds, revisiting characters from previous books in the Godfather and Godmothers series. The graphic description of the puppy mill was upsetting, but reassuring to those involved in animal rescue. Three Dog Night is rich in details, characters, setting and plot. Three Dog Night has it all!
This is a sexy, fun, engaging and highly entertaining adventure filled with complex exciting charters, unforgettable witty dialog, charming background and undeniable passion…. was a thrilling read from beginning to end. Really loved this journey and look forward to the next one!
This is one of those books that will create a wide range of emotions – from laughing out loud to crying (mostly happy tears), frustration, gratefulness for family, and so much more. I became so lost in reading this story that I felt like I was a part of the family.
Grace caught Alex’s attention at Daniel and Katie’s wedding and he made it his mission to get to know her better. However, the Dogmothers have plans to set up his twin John with Grace. But then Grace’s chef quits which leads to Grace and Alex spending more time together as Grace tries to land the wedding of two well-known singers.
Also with a part in the story are the three dogs that have turned up on Grace’s property. They all have their own personalities and who can help but fall in love with them. Plus there is a surprise wedding (cause for many happy tears). This was a very memorable story and I’m looking forward to the next book.
I absolutely loved this book. I think you will, also.
I am old enough to remember the singing group Three Dog Night, and I knew that “three dog night” is a slang term for a night cold enough to require a pile of at least 3 dogs sleeping with you to keep you warm. That prior knowledge is not required to understand and enjoy this book, nor do you have to have read the previous ones in the series. If you read no other books in the Dogfather or Dogmother series, read this one. It has a lot of family, a lot of dogs, and a lot of love. As always with Ms St Claire’s books, the people feel like neighbors you know well, the dogs are lovable and real, and the story well written.
This is the story of Alex Santorini and Grace Donovan. Alex has always been surrounded by family, and it has shaped who he is. He would prefer to be a French-inspired chef, but he is the short-order cook at his family’s Greek grill because that seems to be what his family needs. Grace has been a foster child her whole life, but she has a very few memories from before she entered the system at 5. Does she really have a little brother and sister or did she make them up? Or perhaps it was one of the early foster homes? Somehow when she saw this winery it felt like home, and the price was right for her to buy it.
These two people are so different, but Alex is interested in Grace so he pushes. He pushes to help her by being her chef so she can land the wedding of the century for her winery venue. He pushes to help her take care of the 3 puppies abandoned at the winery. He pushes her to try to learn more about her childhood and her family. And he pushes her to join his family. He does not push her to have sex right away, but when there is sex it is memorable. They make a great couple. I hope you love them as much as I do.
This is a wonderful story of family, dogs, wine, food, and love. Grace has been searching her whole life for family, building walls around her heart each time she failed to find a place to belong. Alex is surrounded by more family than one can imagine, but doesn’t follow his heart as a chef due to a promise he made to his late father. Together they break down walls, explore new avenues, find love in three sibling puppies and each other, and discover that together, maybe they can both have what their hearts desire. Filled with emotion, laughter, heartache, and most of all, love. An excellent read!
Alex Santorini is the cook at his family’s Greek restaurant. At his mother’s wedding reception, he tries to garner the pretty vintner’s attention. Alex offers his culinary expertise when he discovers Grace needs a replacement chef. He runs across a vital clue to Grace’s mysterious past at her winery. In between preparing for a mock wedding reception, they search for more information about Grace’s family. Will Alex come in second to Grace’s new family? Can he convince her to stay with him and their three pups?
Grace Donovan owns a small winery in North Carolina. She is a woman ruled by scientific thinking. Grace desperately yearns to find information about her familial background. When her chef quits, she reluctantly agrees to allow Alex to cook for a potential client. Grace also finds three abandoned puppies on her property. Things heat up between the two as they prepare a practice wedding reception. Will Grace learn where she comes from? Can she trust Alex not to leave her?
Alex is such a dream! I adore how patient and considerate he is towards Grace. Alex never once thought about taking advantage of her, especially when Grace was at her most vulnerable. He would rather win her heart the correct way than play with her emotions. What I like most about Alex is how he listens to Grace. He respected her unorthodox request about the three abandoned puppies, and he made certain his family knew there would be no deviation from that it. Alex also helped Grace unburden herself from everything she pent up over the years.
Grace is an easy heroine to like. I empathized with her need to find where she belonged. I cannot imagine how it must feel not to know who my family is or where they came from. I like how upfront and honest Grace is with Alex. In the beginning, she willingly admits how his intensity and passion frightens her. Grace can also tell Alex when things are getting too much for her to process and handle. What I admire the most about Grace is how she is aware of what a great guy Alex is. She understands most men would not want to be with a woman with such emotional baggage. He had no ulterior motive in helping Grace find where she truly belonged.
THREE DOG NIGHT is book two in Roxanne St. Claire’s dog-themed contemporary series, THE DOGMOTHERS. Characters from the prior book and THE DOGFATHER series show up regularly throughout the story. I adore how we continue to see how the Kilcannon, Santorini, and Mahoney families grow and flourish with each new addition.
THREE DOG NIGHT is a beautiful tale of two opposites discovering the true meaning of family. The author does a superb job of writing such wholesome romances that instills hope that family integrity still exists. I cannot wait to see which Mahoney or Santorini is next on the infamous Dogmother’s match-making list.
Review courtesy of Romance Junkies