I got this book on the strength of Dallas Doc. While I am glad I did read it, I don't think it was as strong as the first book. What I loved were the descriptions of the people. Carlton has a gift for creating down-to-earth verbal descriptions that let the reader know just the kind of person he is meeting. One of my favorites is "That sleazy character would sell scales to a fish before guttin' him alive." The other is "Though she was as brash and ostentatious as the bubbling, gold Cupid fountain in her foyer, I still couldn’t fault Linda’s current lifestyle."

What comes through is the genuine affection Carlton has for his animal patients and for the people in their lives. Many times there is a lesson to be learned, whether it is standing up for what you believe or this home truth: "You’re stuck on how ya think we should be…instead of acceptin' us as we are... Money and show…they don’t mean nothin’, sonny…they ain't what’s real."

Yes, I have bought the sequel and will read it when I need a dose of kindness and real life. If you liked Dallas Doc, you will almost surely like this book. ( )