You'll never guess what Phoebe and I did for book research...
And get your paws on this FREE cozy mystery book!
When my son told me he was driving from South Carolina to Kentucky to get a puppy, I thought he was out of his ever-loving mind, but all I said was, “Take your dad—and bring back one for me.”
The last part was only half-serious. We already had three dogs. The new puppy would make four. Two puppies would make five. In dog math, that’s 5x the puppy love!
Sure enough, they brought home two puppies. It was double the everything—potty training, teething, midnight walks, 3 A.M. walks, 6 A.M. walks, puppy food, puppy toys, and just puppy everything.
Now that they’ve turned three and have stopped chewing everything (for the most part—looking at you, Arthur), life is a little easier. They’re a lot bigger now, and so is their playtime. Arthur builds pillow forts out of the sofa cushions. Phoebe is learning to talk, but only uses her words when she feels like it. For example, if I say, “Phoebe, come here please,” she will reply, “Oh nooooooo!” It’s adorable. Like a sassy teenager who lacks thumbs.
I wouldn’t trade them for a million dollars.
Introducing Jerome the Gnome
The colorful gnome with the flamingo floatie is Jerome. He lives just outside my office window. My son (the same one who went to Kentucky to get the puppies) has a great dislike for all things gnome-related.
So his Nana (my mom) has made it her mission to fill our home with gnomes. She does it discreetly and usually around the holidays, waiting for the perfect moment… like a cobra waiting to strike.
He’s a good sport, even though he says things like, “I see your mother sent more gnomes.” Yeah. She’s his Nana when she orders his favorite snacks, which they don’t sell here in South Carolina, but she’s my mother when it comes to gnomes.
In the Church of Gnome, we know that pets aren’t just animals. They’re Sacred Companions; beings of presence, protectors of peace, and messengers of love in its purest form.
“A pet is not beneath you. They are beside you. Spirit wrapped in fur.”
This proverb is more than sentiment.
It’s part of our belief.
Although the Haunted Housekeeping series ended with THE BATH BOMBED ZOMBIE, there’s good news. A spin-off series is coming in 2026 starring Hazel with Tori as the sidekick. The first book is tentatively titled THE GRUBBY GARDEN GNOME, in which Hazel and a neighbor have a dispute about lawn ornaments. In the prequel story, Hazel gets ordained to perform a wedding.
While researching possible plots for the book, I discovered the Church of Gnome, which has a feature allowing pets to become ordained. If you’re wondering if I ordained Phoebe, the answer is OH HECK YEAH I DID!
Unfortunately, every time I ask her if she wants to perform weddings for the feral cats who live in the woods behind the house, she says, “Oh nooooooo!” Go figure.
Click the button below to check out the Church of Gnome, get your merch, and even ordain your pet (or yourself). Go big or go gnome!
Hidden Letters and Cozy Secrets - Get this book for FREE!
In the serene town of Blackfish County, Olivia Harper runs the charming Maple Inn.
But when a dusty old letter is uncovered in the Inn’s attic, Olivia finds herself entangled in a decades-old mystery. The letter reveals the baffling disappearance of a guest.
A guest who vanished without a trace, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions.
Determined to uncover the truth, Olivia enlists the help of her gossipy best friend, Martha. And, of course, her trusty beagle companion, Barkley, whose nose for clues is unmatched.
As the trio digs deeper into the mystery, they uncover hidden secrets and long-buried grudges. With each new revelation, the stakes rise. Olivia and her friends must navigate a web of deception and intrigue.
In a town where everyone knows everyone’s business, the key to solving the case might just be hidden in Blackfish County itself.
Join Olivia, Martha, and Barkley in a charming, cozy mystery filled with twists, turns, and a touch of small-town charm!
That's all for now. I hope your day is filled with books and coffee (or whatever you’ve got in your favorite mug). Happy reading!
Until next time,
Becky
P.S. If you enjoyed reading this, please show it a little love by clicking the ❤️ heart below. You can use the “Leave a comment” button to let me know your thoughts!
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Oh, the joys of being a dog mom (and for you 5x!) Arthur and Phoebe are adorable ❤️
Lol that's so funny, they look like best friends, love how he/she is dragging the other one around on the floor and all the cushions from the lounge are now on the floor lol .