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Paw Valley Drake's Darkness

by JoAnne B. Pettry

303 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #03-2113; ISBN 1-4120-1736-X; US$25.50, C$29.50, EUR21.00, £15.00

After an evil intruder threatens the enchanted land of Paw Valley, a young dog is faced with protecting the peaceful world his great great great grandfather created.

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about the book      about the author      sample excerpt      catalogue info

About the Book Frenze never imagined her life of scrapping for food or finding a dry place to sleep each night with her young kitten KiKi would ever change. It wasn't until one morning while on their way to find KiKi a human home that their lives would be changed forever. Whisked away by a mysterious Dog-catching van, the duo is transported to a strange and magical world where cats and dogs live together. Shortly after arriving, they meet Sprinkle, a carefree pup that can't seem to stay out of trouble. KiKi and Sprinkle soon become friends and find themselves wrapped in a non-stop adventure of excitement and danger. Whether it's eating magical Municuts, running from a terrifying swarm of Flog, or using the Sleeping Leash to try and subdue the dreaded Drake, these animals, and others you will read about, are on a never-ending thrill ride to try and save their new home, the enchanted world of Paw Valley.

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About the Author JoAnne B. Pettry was a senior in high school when she began the first writings of what would become Paw Valley. It wasn't until 13 years later that she finalized her dream and completed her first book. JoAnne is the youngest of 9 children and lives in Utah with her husband, son and stepdaughter.

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Sample Excerpt

Back on Welcome Hill, KiKi was enjoying herself quite a bit as she admired her new land. As she was running around she suddenly heard a great deal of commotion coming from a nearby van. She could see a very large Doberman Pincher wrestling with a very mean looking Pit Bull dog.

"Get me some help in here!" shouted Duke. " I don't think I can calm him down alone."

From another van came Thor racing over to help Duke. "What's the situation?" asked Thor.

Struggling with the Pit Bull, Duke answered, "I received another 'Pound Alert' from Snowflake stating that this dog was being mistreated in the pound. I was finally able to rescue him but he doesn't seem to want to cooperate."

Thor jumped into the Van and tried to restrain the Pit Bull.

"Calm down big fella! We're not gonna hurt you."

As Thor and Duke were trying to get the Pit Bull under control, KiKi watched with fear and was about to run for the ID office when she heard the sound of a curious voice. "What's happening?" asked Sprinkle with excitement.

KiKi seemed a little timid but answered back, "I'm not sure but it looks like they rescued a Pit Bull today and he's ticked off about it for some reason."

"Cool!" replied Sprinkle, "I've never seen a real live Pit Bull before!"

KiKi appeared very confused. "You haven't? How come? Did you get rescued when you were really little or something?"

Sprinkle answered very energetically, "Naa...I was born here so I never got to see the human world. I've only read about it."

KiKi was very impressed, "Really! You were born here? Wow you're lucky."

Sprinkle smiled, "I know I'm lucky. Paw Valley is the greatest place, but still I envy you. I wish I could have seen the human world for just a little while. By the way, I'm Sprinkle."

"Oh, yeah... my name's KiKi."

Just as the young puppy and kitten were introducing themselves, Thor let out a shout.

"He's getting loose!"

KiKi and Sprinkle watched as the angry Pit Bull leaped from the van and began snarling at every animal around.

"Look at the size of his teeth!" exclaimed Sprinkle.

"I've got to find my Mom!" yelled KiKi as she began fearfully running away.

"Wait! You've got to see this, this is so great!" Sprinkle hollered.

As KiKi kept running, Sprinkle watched the angry Pit Bull growl and bark. Thor and Duke jumped from the van in one last effort to contain the angry dog.

"The leash! We need the sleeping leash!" Thor yelled out to Duke.

Duke reached down to his side and opened a little box he was wearing on his hip. Suddenly a long black leash unraveled and fell to the ground.

"Mutumba Lacoda!" yelled Duke.

Suddenly the black leash began moving and quickly tied itself around the pit bulls neck along with an attached small eye mask covering his eyes. For a brief moment it seemed as if the Sleeping Leash was going to work and put the pit bill to sleep. He stopped growling and sat calmly on his two back legs. Duke and Thor were about to move in closer when the Pit Bill jumped up and ripped the leash from his neck.

"It isn't possible!" exclaimed Duke in amazement.

The Pit Bull glared at the frightened animals and then began charging down Welcome Hill, then quickly disappeared into the trees.

"Did you see that?" Duke asked.

"How did that happen? The only animal with powers making him immune to the sleeping leash is King Kockerhans!" replied Thor.

"Before we call out the team, we'd better talk to the King and Snowflake," said Thor as he began walking to the ID Office.

Sprinkle was so excited that he began to follow Thor and Duke. Once they reached the ID Office, Sprinkle found KiKi frantically explaining to her Mother and Herb what she had just seen.

"Thor is this true? Do we have a hostile runaway out there?" asked Herb.

"Yes Herb. Please get all of the new arrivals to the Paw Hotel immediately," answered Thor.

"Oh no! What does this mean?" asked Frenze, seeming very alarmed.

"Calm down. We have the best-trained Dobermans around and they'll get the situation under control. Let's just get you two to Kennelwood now," answered Herb.

As Herb and the other welcome guides began walking the new arrivals to Kennelwood, Sprinkle was whispering to KiKi.

"I saw him rip the sleeping leash right off his neck!"

"The sleeping leash? What's that?" Asked KiKi.

"It's a special leash created by King Alute and duplicated by King Kockerhans. All of the dogs on the DOBER team have them, but we never thought they'd have to be used. As soon as it's put around your neck, it's supposed to put you to sleep for two days."

"Then why didn't it put that Pit Bull to sleep?" asked KiKi curiously.

Sprinkle answered with a little scheming in his voice, "That's what's weird. Not even Thor or Duke knows. I overheard them say that they were going to talk to King Kockerhans and Snowflake about it before they call out the DOBER team. I know a secret passageway into the castle... do you want to come with me to try and hear what they talk about?"

KiKi's eyes almost popped out. "Are you crazy! We can't sneak into the Castle, what would happen if we got caught?"

Sprinkle laughed a little, "I've never been caught yet! So come with me."

KiKi began getting excited, "But what do I tell my Mom?" Sprinkle seemed to have a lot of practice at figuring ways to do things. "I'll take care of that! My Dad is the town baker and I'm supposed to help him deliver some loaves of bread tonight. I'll ask your Mom if you can help me."

Sprinkle ran up to where Frenze was walking with Herb.

"Um...excuse me Frenze."

"Yes?" answered Frenze, smiling.

"I'm Sprinkle and I've just been getting to know KiKi." Frenze seemed very pleased to see KiKi making friends so quickly.

"Hi Sprinkle. How's your Dad coming along with the King's cake?" asked Herb.

"Well, he's taking his time. He wants it to be perfect," answered Sprinkle, but then quickly continued talking to Frenze.

"I was wondering if KiKi could come help me deliver bread for my Dad tonight? He is so busy with the King's cake that I really could use her help."

Frenze was about to say 'No', when Herb interrupted, "You should let her go Frenze. It would be a good way for her to see the town and meet more animals. Don't worry about that Pit Bull. The King will make sure we're safe."

Frenze thought for a moment, "Oh all right. But I want you back to the Paw Hotel by dark. I mean it KiKi."

"Thanks Mom!" replied KiKi.

Soon the group of newcomers reached Kennelwood and registered at the Paw Hotel. Once KiKi had checked in, she and Sprinkle took off for Licorice's Bakery to pick up the loaves of bread for delivery before they sneaked off to the Castle.

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Catalogue Information

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