Book Reviews

Synopsis of the Book

Readers are introduced to the lives of four dogs and their families. It touches upon many universal themes such as unconditional love of dogs, rags to riches, love of a family, pet air travel, competition, sibling rivalry, jealousy, friendship and love.”

Kissy and Kawdje are Tibetan Spaniels adopted into the same household. Kissy is an affectionate, confident, aggressive extrovert. Kawdje is cautious and reserved. Topaz is a gentle German Shorthaired Pointer who lives in love and harmony with the animals. Michael Archangelo is a mixed breed street dog from Mexico who had never known love and was fearful of people until he takes a leap of faith by deciding to trust an American woman who befriends him.

The dogs act, think and feel in ways that mirror human behavior as they cope with the ups and downs and the personal and professional dilemmas of daily life. The sport of Dog Agility brings the dogs and their families together and the story is built around training for and competing in agility events. Motherhood alters everyone’s plans because of an unplanned mating. A wedding takes place between two of the dogs’ family members.

A strange crop circle experience involving the dogs and their families raises profound questions and controversial thoughts among the families about the distinction that humans make between themselves and animals.

Love for these four dogs inspires their families to try to institute worldwide pet-friendly air travel conditions. Can they succeed?

Kirkus Review

In Brooks’ addictive novel, four delightful canines and their human parents find joy and competition in dog agility training.

On a sand pile in the Mexican town of San Miguel de Allende sits a medium large mixed-breed dog that looks a like cross “between an Airedale and an Irish Wolfhound.” Sad and hungry, he thinks he’ll never trust humans again. After the abuse he suffered at the hands of the family that bought him as a puppy from a local market, he was lucky to escape alive. But Sarah Pullman, a vacationing American, gradually builds a bond with him that turns into mutual love. For the first time in his life, he is given a name: Michael Archangelo. Sarah returns to Pennsylvania with Michael, who’s destined to become an agility star. Also in Pennsylvania, two other couples are training their own remarkable dogs.

Topaz, a beautiful German shorthaired pointer, lives with Jeanette and Cole Bancroft. Although Cole wishes the lovely purebred would honor her heritage and chase the deer in their backyard, Jeanette and Topaz have a special connection. Topaz has the perfect conformation to be a show dog but is utterly uninterested in prancing around a circle. Jeanette decides to train her in agility, where her strength, intelligence, and grace will shine.

Finally, in a neighboring town are two little rascals, small Tibetan spaniels—Kissy (the adventurer) and Kawdje (the thinker)—and their human parents, Essie and Evan Kilmer. Steadfastly zigzagging back and forth across the reality-fantasy line, Brooks amusingly shares the thoughts of all four precocious pups as well as their often lengthy “conversations” with one another, producing some of the most entertaining portions of the narrative. She also includes extensive detail about the rules and procedures for dog agility contests, including routines, point systems, and minutiae of each of the attended competitions. While this is informative, after the first few shows, readers not specifically interested in the sport may find themselves skipping pages here and there to get back to the decidedly upbeat, personal human and canine dramas.

A good agility primer—and an imaginative escape for dog lovers.

Title Information: FOUR DOGS AND THEIR TALES
Marcella Bursey Brooks
September 17, 2020

Selected by Kirkus Indie Editors to be included in the 1/15 issue of Kirkus Reviews. Less than 10% of Indie authors are selected for this.
The said review was included as 1 of 35 reviews in the Indie section of the magazine which goes out to industry professionals (literary agents, librarians, publishers, book sellers and film executives).
Congratulations, Marcella!

Blueink Review

In this largely light-hearted tale, four dogs and their “moms and dads” shed light on the events in the daily life of dogs—and their parents. The story opens with the viewpoints of four dogs as they contemplate their situations.

The four soon meet as they enter the dog show circuit. The dogs discuss their individual living arrangements and outlooks on dog life.While the families make the dog show rounds, they become increasingly aware of the difficulty of traveling with animals—and an idea for a business is born.

The characters—both two-legged and four—are genuinely likeable; the behind-the-scenes look at the world of dog competition is enlightening and humorous; and the quest for a better means of animal travel and care proves an ambitious and worthy goal. The story is most likely to be enjoyed by dog lovers but should also engage anyone looking for an uplifting read.

Review by Synchronized Chaos Magazine

Four Dogs and Their Tales by Marcella Bursey Brooks is a delightful story about four dogs, Topaz, Kissie, Kawdje and Michael Archangelo. They have funny conversations with each other. They all meet when their human parents take them to dog agility classes and competitions.

What follows are funny adventures of the dogs and their wit and wisdom talking with each other. It is perfect for any age group. It is also a wonderful book to escape from the sheltering in place and everything going on today. I personally loved curling up and escaping into their adventures after the news is turned off. it would make a wonderful gift for yourself or a friend.

— Elizabeth Hughes