Reviews

Anthony is my eleven year old grandson. He and I shared the reading of this book. I read while he luxuriated in a huge bubble bath. His parents doubtless don't approve of giant bubble baths for a eleven year old boy, too sissy; but that's what grandmothers are for! We read about 25 pages at a time. I had to pause so he could see the charming illustrations so this took five sessions. We learned some interesting stuff from the story. The heroine, Darcy (12) is threatened by some bad people at the beginning of the story who are being mean to a young dog, Belle. at the end of the story those same bad people show up to threaten her and Belle once more. But Darcy and Belle between them overcome the badness and all's well. Even though he's a bit of a rough and tumble, Anthony did not mind that the heroine was a girl. I guess he figures girls can be brave, too. Within the well developed plot of the book, Darcy has a relative who unknowingly belittles her with a nickname. She takes that on successfully after considerable pain. The book is told in Belle the dog's voice. This is interesting because it leads to interesting discussions about the senses and viewpoints. Because of the threats toward the dog and the girl, I think the story would be most appreciated and enjoyed by by late elementary and by middle school kids. I recommend it without hesitation.

Connie Gotsch - Writing from a Dogs point of view.

by Katee McClure Aztec Talon Aztec NM

November 1, 2011

Sixteen years ago Connie Gotsch instantly fell in love with an abused dog that a co-worker's wife brought to work. The wife, Laura, saw the little dog being beaten at a gas station and scooped her up. Laura's family had too many pets at the time and she was looking for a home for the poor pup. Connie immediately volunteered to take her home and care for her.

Little did Connie know then that this little pup, whom she named Kiri after an opera singer, would be the inspiration for a string of successful books.

Connie worked with Kiri to overcome her mistrust of humans and eventually Kiri became

a regular puppy doing predictable puppy things. Kiri was very smart and learned commands easily. According to Connie, "She learned to sit, stay, and come very fast. I taught her to roll over for a dog cookie. One day I had just measured her food into its bowl when the phone rang. Getting involved in the conversation, I set her bowl on the counter and turned away from her. Next thing, I heard clunk, clunk, clunk. I turned to discover her rolling over and over all the way to the entrance to the living room. When she got there, she rolled back. Naturally, I interrupted the phone call to feed her. Later that evening, I was engrossed in a TV program. She pawed me, and when I only half responded, that little squirt rolled over to get my attention. Don't tell me dogs can't think."

Eventually Connie brought home a companion for Kiri named Ben. Ben was a setter/labrador mix. Ben and Kiri bonded easily enough and Connie watched in amazement in how the two dogs communicated with one another.

Maybe all of this doesn't sound too amazing since there are many rescued dogs living in San Juan County but what is amazing is that Connie took her rescued pooch's story and turned it into a book called "Belle's Star". The book which came out in 2009 won a silver Mom's Choice award for Juvenile Fiction and first places in the New Mexico Press omen and National Federation of Press Women Communication Contest 2010 Juvenile Fiction.

Belle's Star is what is considered a young adult book geared for ages 9-12, but I've got to admit I was hooked from the first page as I was reading a snippet of the book online. What Connie has done with this book, and it's sequel, "Belle's Trial" is written it from the perspective of the dogs and occasionally cats. She has somehow transformed her own basic human way of thinking into the canine way of thinking. The result is pure magic.

I'm an avid reader and until I was introduced to Belle have never entertained the thought of reading a "young adult" novel forty seven  years after my my "young adult" phase of life. Well the Belle series has changed my mind about that.

In Belle's Star, the first book in the series, "Darcy, a spunky soccer playing girl, and her Aunt Ellen rescue Belle from abusive owners and offer her love. Belle has never met a kind human. Living with Darcy terrifies her. Other people and animals, including a cat, teach her about trust."

In the second book, Belle's Trial, which came out in 2010, "Belle finds life as a pet boring when Darcy goes to school.  Looking for a challenge, Belle digs her way out of the yard, turns over waste baskets, and chews furniture.  Darcy's Mom and Dad consider finding her a new home where someone can give her a job. Darcy provides employment that challenges Belle's mind and body. However to do the work, Belle must learn self discipline.  Darcy must make a hard choice.  Both must cope with someone who has made their lives difficult."

Belle's Trial is an NM Book Award Nominee 2011, a Hofer Award Nominee 2011, a Silver Mom's Choice Medalist and a First Place Winner in the New Mexico Press Women's Communication Contest.

Both of these "Belle" books have been beautifully illustrated by nationally known artist, John Cogan.

Award winning journalist and retired Farmington elementary school counselor Margaret Cheasebro has designed activities booklets for Belle's Star and Belle's Trial.

The booklets are available in downloadable form from apbooks.net  upon purchase of the novels.

The guides can assist in classroom sessions designed to help elementary school students learn to interact with people and animals. Home schooling parents, who like to read and discuss stories with kids, can use the guides. Families and community groups can work on projects that foster strong community ties. Veterinarians, pet store owners, and animal shelter workers can use the guides to promote pet care.

In speaking with Gotsch I was so fascinated with her life story that I was originally going to write just about her with the books as a secondary interest but after a taste of her writing style I decided that her books are the best testament as to who she is.

Briefly though Connie is currently the program director of KSJE 90.9 radio and hosts the shows "Roving with the Arts" which includes "Write On Four Corners." Roving with the arts is on Monday - Friday from 8am through 12pm.

She makes time for her prolific book writing in the evenings and on the weekends.

So far the Belle series has been a smashing success and that is a pleasant surprise to both Gotch and her publisher, Geoff Habiger of Artemesia Publishing. Because of the success of the first two books there is a third in the series, which will be released in 2012, called Belle's Challenge.

"I'm thrilled with the turn the Belle books have taken," says Gotsch, who donates a dollar off each book she sells to one either the Four Corners Humane Society and their regional shelter project, or Animal Humane New Mexico, depending if she is in Albuquerque or Farmington.

As for the money she donates to animal causes, "It's a way to give back to the community," she says.

NEWS FLASH!! Connie will be signing copies of both books, Belle's Star and Belle's Trial locally on:

November 5, 2012  at PetCo in Farmington 3530 E. Main from 11 am to 3 pm

And November 12, 2012 at The Gateway Museum 3401 E Main Farmington from 1 to 3 pm.

In the past Gotch brought along both of her dogs, Kiri and Ben, to the books signings since they were the inspiration for the series and they also "pawdagraphed" the books. But both beloved dogs are now romping around in doggie heaven together. However, Connie's new dog, Miribelle, has offered her paw for all future "pawdagraphs" and will be there in Kiri and Ben's spirit.

The Belle series can also be purchased from Amazon.com, Smashmouth.com and apbooks.net

Gotch is excited to announce that her book for grownup dog lovers, Snap Me a Future  may now be purchased in ebook form at www.Casadesnapdragon.com as well as through Barnes and Noble.

Connie is a gifted writer and now I can't wait to read all of her books...youth and adult.

Belle's Star  Review by Kristen Cochrane of Farmington, NM