Author: Victoria Schade
ISBN: 9781760529840
RRP: $29.99
Publication Date: 1 December 2018
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Copy: Courtesy of the Publisher
Life on the Leash is the debut novel of Victoria Schade, though she has had her writing featured in many publications. She is also a dog trainer and pet expert. All of her skills have come together in a debut novel of love, laughter and dogs.
Cora Bellamy runs her own successful dog training business, thrives on organisation and her rescue pitbull is her main man; and she’s quite content just the way things are.
Until it all changes with the appearance of a new client, and a new friend.
Cora’s life gets tangled right as she’s preparing to audition for a dog training TV show that could change her life so she needs to get it all figured out before it all comes crashing down.
Life on the Leash is a novel with wit and warmth but it also features helpful information for looking after dogs.
This one sounds like it could be quite fun and I look forward to getting to it.
Thanks to Allen and Unwin 5 of our Beauty and Lace club members will be reading and reviewing Life on the Leash so please be aware there may be spoilers in the comments below.
Life on the Leash is available now through Allen and Unwin, Booktopia, Angus & Robertson and where all good books are sold
I devour books, vampires and supernatural creatures are my genre of choice but over the past couple of years, I have broadened my horizons considerably. In a nutshell – I love to write! I love interacting with a diverse range of artists to bring you interviews. Perhaps we were perfect before – I LOVE WORDS!
Life on the Leash is Victoria Schade’s first novel, throughout the story her love of dogs shines through. The main character is Cora Bellamy who runs her own dog training business and while the story concentrates on her love life it also features her battle to discredit a famous dog trainer who she feels is cruel to dogs and the possibility that she might have her own dog training TV show.
I’m a dog lover, particularly of rescue dogs, so I agreed with much of Cora Bellamy’s attitude to dogs and their owners. I enjoyed this book, particularly the doggy stories (so glad things worked out for Chanel/Nell). However I did feel it was a little predictable at times, so lost a little interest in Cora’s love life and occasionally felt she did things out of character – particularly her interaction with Charlie.
However it was enjoyable, a light, holiday, feel good type read.
Thanks to Beauty & Lace book club and Allen and Unwin for giving me the opportunity to read this novel.
A lovely little tail (pun & spelling intended) of Cora Bellamy, a single woman who left her corporate life to run her own dog training business. With a variety of clients and two potential love interests, the story takes us through the highs and lows of Cora’s life including her audition for a dog training TV show. A first for the author Victoria Schade, the book was a great mix of humour, love, compassion and friendship between humans and dogs!
Cora was a likeable character – and I really felt like I knew her and many of the other main characters. Schade did a great job of describing them – the likeable and the unlikeable. I also really enjoyed the descriptions on different methods for training dogs – makes me wonder if you really can teach old dogs new tricks (I have a 10 year old West Highland White Terrier called Pippi).
My one slightly negative comment is that I was a little disappointed a few of the stories within the book (without giving anything away), were unfinished – I wanted to know what happened to them! But the book ended just as I wanted it to for Cora.
I was attracted to the cover in the shop and love the title – perfect fit. If you love dogs and romance and are after a light and fun read, then this one is for you!
Thank you to Beauty and Lace and Allen and Unwin for the opportunity to read, review and share this delightful tail (yes I did it again!).
Life on the Leash by Victoria Schade is a charming, witty and lovable book which I very much enjoyed.
Cora is a dog trainer, which I found really fascinating to read about. She works with all different types of clients, some who she likes and gets along with and others who butts heads with. The story follows the training of these different dogs and the relationships with their owners. Cora also finds herself also auditioning for a tv show, helps her best friend and follows a little love story,
I enjoyed the character of Cora, she was down to earth yet a little naive in some parts. I loved her compassion and way with animals which leads to helping and saving them too.
The animal owners each had their own distinct personalities and stories. Her housemate was great too, as well as her own dog. The two men in the story, well one I just didn’t outright like because how he was manipulative and not a nice person. The other, I wanted to like however I just didnt get much of a story or feel from his character, I know he was a geeky cute guy and good with dogs but really not much else. I couldnt picture how he would look or act. That was probably my only gripe.
Other than that I really enjoyed the story and where it ended up and how it was told. Thank you to Beauty and Lace for allowing me the opportunity to read Life on the Leash as part of the Bookclub,
Life on a Leash by Victoria Schade is amusing and hard to put down..
The main character, Cora Bellamy, traded her corporate life to pursue her passion and started a dog training business. The story follows the highs and lows for Cora; dog training, clients, friends and love interests. I loved the way Schade draws her characters; they are easy to get to know and Cora was particularly likeable.
As the first novel for Victoria Schade, I look forward to more entertaining stories.
Thanks Beauty and Lace and Allen and Unwin for the opportunity to read and review this book. I’d definitely recommend it as an easy light read.
A lovely heartwarming read that delves into the world of dog training with a dash of romance and just the right amount of comedy. Successful business owner Cora is focused on helping her clients wrangle their unruly pups when she comes unexpectedly across the gorgeous Charlie who is unfortunately spoken for. Throw in another possible love interest in the geeky but adorable Eli, a possible reality TV show, a brutally honest but supportive best friend and you’ve got the everything needed for a satisfying happy ending for Cora.
This book was a delight to cosy up with and devour and it ended exactly how I wanted it to without being a forced cheesy happy ending!
Thanks go to Allen and Unwin and Beauty and Lace Book club for the opportunity to read and review this book.