Dogs and Goddesses

By: Jennifer Crusie, Anne Stuart, Lani Diane Rich

Narrated by: Renée Raudman

Abby has just arrived in Summerville, Ohio, with her placid Newfoundland, Bowser. She's reluctantly inherited her grandmother's coffee shop, but it's not long before she's brewing up trouble in the form of magical baked goods and steaming up her life with an exasperating college professor.

And then there's Daisy, a Web code writer, and her hyperactive Jack Russell, Bailey. Her tightly wound world spins out of control when she discovers the chaos within and meets a mysterious dog trainer whose teaching style is definitely hands-on.

Finally there's Shar, professor of ancient history at Summerville College, who wakes up one morning to find her neurotic dachshund, Wolfie, snarling at an implacable god sitting at her kitchen table, the first thing in her life she hasn't been able to footnote.

What on earth is going on in this unearthly little town? It's up to Abby, Daisy, and Shar to find out before an ancient goddess takes over southern Ohio, and they all end up in the apocalyptic doghouse...

©2009 Jennifer Crusie (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

Stuart is a consummate mistress of her craft." ( Romantic Times)
"Crusie is a master of fast-paced witty dialogue." ( Seattle Times)

Cute Story

I really liked this book. It was funny as all get out, and sexy and cute. The reader was very good at making the voices of each character distinctive.

Ridiculous plot, wonderful characters

The plot was idiotic and only made you roll your eyes. Yet, strangely enough, the most realistic part was the talking dogs. They seemed to stay right in character and were thoroughly enjoyable.
I listen to this for the scenes with the dogs and the rest just goes in one ear and out the other.

Great listen!

This is the second book that I have listened to by Jennifer Crusie and other authors as well but my draw to this book was because Jennifer Crusie's name was attached. I really enjoyed this book. I particularly enjoyed all the characters. I loved Abby, Shar, and Daisy and all their dogs, Bailey, Wolfie, and Bowser. One of my favorite parts about the book was since I listened to it, I was able to hear all the different voices that the narrator did. She was a very excellent narrator. I really liked this book becuase while there were some really great love scenes between the characters it was also a big focus on the goddesses and the relationship between the three of them and how they have to work together in order to combine their powers and defeat the goddess that has tried to destroy them.
        I also liked how it was the girls that was able to fix everything rather than the male characters in this book. While the guys did try and help it was ultimately the girls that took care of everything in the end and I did appreciate that about this book.
        Overall I thought it was a really good well written book. I think it was long but not too long and it didn't drag it all. It moved along nicely and I did like the dogs and all their characteristics and conversations. I think it was a nice added part to the book.

Crazy but funny

This book is out there. I think part of what makes it so funny is that it is clueless. The premiss is silly, the narration very cute, the characters sort of ridiculous in their dysfunctions. But I laughed out loud and found it an ideal commuter listen during a stressful period at work.

Always a winner

I've loved this book since the first time I read it. Of course the voices never sound "exactly" like what you hear in your head while reading, but this is very well done. All the characters are easily identifiable by tone and cadence. A joy to listen to.

the narrator just didn't get it

This has to be my favourite Crusie novel and have been looking for an audio version for a while. It's my own fault for making this purchase - I did read the reviews, but when I listened to the sample I thought: 'well at least it's not being read by a robot, how bad can it be?'
And it wasn't TERRIBLE but it really didn't do the book justice. Felt like the narrator didn't get the memo that it's a comedy.

Humorous with interesting storyline

The storyline was fun and magical (Like the Unfortunate Miss Fortunes), the characters interesting and the romance was hot, but the story dragged in places and I got bored with it in the middle. Had a great ending and was worth listening to if you're looking for an unusual, fun story. I still think Jennifer Crusie does her best work on her own or with Bob.

Dogs and Goddesses by Jennifer Crusie, et al

Great listening and made me look for more books by her. Makes trips great.

Great story

Would you consider the audio edition of Dogs and Goddesses to be better than the print version?

Not sure

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dogs and Goddesses?

Baking cookies and painting the mural

What about Renée Raudman’s performance did you like?

Renee' Raudman has done a great job. All the characters have distint voices, I always knew who was speaking.

If you could rename Dogs and Goddesses, what would you call it?

The title is fine as it is.

Any additional comments?

I am a big Jennifer Crusie fan. This book is a departure from her usual story's. However is was a very fun and laugh out loud story. I do not understand the bad reviews, except perhaps it just isn't their type of story. Not all readers like supernatural stories so maybe that is it. To enjoy this book just suspend the concept of disbelife for awhile. I was sad to see the story end and know I am going to listen Dogs and Goddesses again.

I had high hopes…

I’ve read other books by Lani Diane Rich and loved her, but this book got weird and just went downhill from there.