Olivia Linscott has just received a visit from an attorney giving her a key, a butterfly necklace and a crinkled photo of a house that she has inherited, with no note of explanation. The deceased, and Olivia's birth mother, Bridget Tuttle, had promptly left her in the hospital upon her birth to be raised by another mother and father. Always feeling unwanted by her birth mom, curiosity prompts Olivia to leave her home of Boston of 29 years and seek the answers at Rescue Bay, Florida. Olivia is also healing from a broken marriage riddled by desertion from her ex-husband and praying to start a new beginning in life.

Olivia and her bichon frise, Miss Sadie, travel together and will find a place working together in animal- assisted therapy. Finding the bungalow in total disrepair, Olivia digs in and plans to restore the fixer-upper while searching for answers. Taking a position for herself and Miss Sadie at the Golden Years Retirement Village, she hasn't counted on one very determined 83 year old woman and her cohorts interfering in her life.

Greta Winslow loves dipping into her Makers Mark at every chance. A little drink never hurt anyone! Greta learns that Olivia is living next door to her recovering grandson, Luke Winslow, nearly blinded after an accident on a helicopter rescue mission with the Coast Guard. Bitter and determined to be left alone in his pity, he rejects Olivia from the start when she follows a hurt stray dog in his yard. Behind her bungalow is a building which was once a rescue mission for dogs. As the relationship evolves, so does Olivia's insight into her abandonment which also brings with it, a surprise sister, love and new found understanding back to her life.

THE SWEETHEART BARGAIN is such a terrific tale complete with a whimsical and nosey little 83 year old match maker. The characters in this tale are so colorful and entertaining. The plot couldn't have been more exciting and nostalgic. This story is the first in the Sweetheart Sisters series and so full of heartfelt and deep emotional feelings. Grab your Kleenex as this will wrench your heart right up to the final pages. Many lessons in life can be learned from this tale. Shirley Jump has infused her story with love, romance, plenty of sizzle and an abundance of wit and humor. I guarantee this author will have you from the first sentence!

Book Summary

You can't teach an old dog new tricks unless you're a Sweetheart Sister?

The Sweetheart Sisters, a trio of sassy, well–meaning grannies (who aren't against a sip of bourbon with breakfast) are ready to dispense advice and help create happy endings with a little of what they do best meddling.

Animal therapist Olivia Linscott is the Sweetheart Sisters' first target. Running from a bad marriage and a lousy job, Olivia is determined to save the dog shelter she inherited from the mother she never knew and, above all, to protect her broken heart. The Sisters want to tie the spirited young do–gooder to wounded helicopter pilot Luke Winslow, but the intended pair keeps slipping the leash.

Luke's dreams were shattered by a career–ending eye injury. Adrift and bitter, the last thing he wants is romantic involvement. But when a golden retriever in worse shape than he is scratches on the door, the dog brings in a whole lot more than puppy love?

Read an Excerpt