Dog Days of Summer

In the lighthearted second entry in the Gone to the Dogs series, Y’Barbo (The Yes Dare) follows Nashville country star Trina Potter as she returns home to Brenham, Tex., for Christmas. Upon arriving, she discovers that a homemade bomb was recently found next door to the pet rescue run by Trina’s niece, Marigold, causing Trina to fear for her family’s safety. Trina reconnects with lawyer Wyatt Chastain, who took her to high school prom and encouraged her to follow her musical aspirations. After the police reveal that the would-be bomber might be associated with the rescue organization, Trina and Wyatt team up to find the perpetrator. The investigation brings them into contact with an entertaining cast of characters, including Trina’s producer, Gilbert “Sticks” Styler, who worries Trina will move away from Nashville; realtor Bitsy Decker, who tries to seduce Wyatt; and Trina’s feisty mother, Mama Peach, who has an on-again, off-again relationship with a pastor. The easy chemistry between Trina and Wyatt will please wholesome romance readers, and the whodunit keeps up the momentum. This fun cozy mystery is worth howling about. Agent: Wendy Lawton, Books & Such Literary. (Oct.)