Here in the Ozarks, we’re already trudging through snow and listening to the ice-coated trees creaking in the wind.  It’s a good time to stay inside and enjoy a good book!  If you’re looking for a mystery that’s fun and filled with dogs, start with Laurien Berenson’s Melanie Travis mystery series.  Jingle Bell Bark is a perfect choice for this time of year.

The book is actually the 11th in the series but it’s a great read as a stand-alone cozy mystery, too.  Ms. Berenson is a great writer, and a four-time winner of the Maxwell Award, presented by the Dog Writers Association of America.   You can find her online  and get the latest news about this engaging series!

Books (both traditional and digital editions) are a great way to stretch your holiday shopping budget.  You can shop online at the big retailers like Amazon or Barnes & Noble, or you can keep your money closer to home by shopping at a local  Independent Bookseller.  According to IndieBound: “Spend $100 at a local and $68 of that stays in your community. Spend the same $100 at a national chain, and your community only sees $43.”

And as much as authors would love to see books on your gift list, there’s something else we hope we don’t see on that list–pets!  As exciting as it might sound, bringing a dog or cat into your household during the holiday season creates a lot of stress and that isn’t a good way to begin a long and loving relationship.  As the American Kennel Club reminds us, puppies are not stocking stuffers!  Check this article for the AKC’s suggestions for a safe holiday season with all your beloved pets. And while you’re at it, be sure to read the ASPCA’s tips for watching your pet’s waistline during the holidays!