Rosamunda's Revenge: It's a Dog's Life

Jed Hardcastle was hired as a guide to take Tacita Grantham and her pet Yorkshire Terrier, Rosamunda, from the New Mexico Territory to San Francisco. When Jed arrives in town, he is attacked by a "big, hairy rat," but before he can kill the varmint that is chewing on his pants, Tacita runs toward him screeching for him to stop. The rat is her beloved Yorkie!Other than the fact that Jed doesn't like her pet, Tacita takes an immediate dislike to him-he appears gruff, unmannerly and uneducated. But Jed has traveled all the way from Texas for this job, and she cannot find anyone else trustworthy enough to guide her and Rosamunda to San Francisco. During their journey, the three of them have nothing but trouble. They are pursued by peddlers and a drunken outlaw, who was hired by Tacita's Uncle Luther to steal her emerald necklace (it is believed to be a religious Indian artifact); and there is no end to the fun.This story is told partially from the dog's point of view. Rosamunda comes to the rescue, saving the sorry humans who have forsaken her for "love." And when the trail ends in San Francisco, everything comes together in a grand finale. If you want a laugh-out-loud funny tale (no pun intended), you will really enjoy ROSAMUNDA'S REVENGE.

Alice Duncan writing as Emma Craig has created another of her wonderful tales in ROSAMUNDA'S REVENGE. (This book is for Leisure' s forthcoming line that includes dogs as secondary characters.) The storystarts out in the New Mexico Territory and ends in California. If you are a lover of small dogs (especially Yorkshire Terriers) then you will enjoy this book.In ROSAMUNDA'S REVENGE, you have Rosamunda, a Yorkshire Terrier, who like most small dogs has the heart of a lion and acts as her mistress's protector. Ms. Craig has identified the temperament of a small dog exactly.The two main characters in this story are Tacita Grantham and Jedediah Hardcastle. Tacita is a high born society lady who needs to get to California and Jed is the man she has hired to take her there. However, Tacita doesn't tell Jed the reason for having to be in California by a certain date and when he asks, she misleads him which of course leads to many misunderstandings.The opening chapter in ROSAMUNDA'S REVENGE sets the stage for the most unlikely group of travellers. Without giving away too much of the plot from ROSAMUNDA'S REVENGE, I will tell you that there are several unsavoury characters who try to rob these travellers en route and as far as Rosamunda's concerned, she's the real hero/heroine of this story.Both Jed and Tacita are wonderful characters, although Tacita's naivete can be somewhat trying at times (especially to Jed), but this only adds character to the story and shows the difference in their upbringing.If you're looking for a lighthearted read and you love dogs (especially small ones who carry the soul of a lion), then you'll really like ROSAMUNDA'S REVENGE. Ms. Craig will capture your attention, make you laugh, and sigh as this lighthearted tale of adventure unfolds.Reviewed by Carmel Vivier 1/26/97 for Under the Covers