Today, I’m delighted to welcome author and poet Dawn Pisturino as she continues the blog tour for her new middle-grade mystery novel, The Mystery of the Pink Poodle. Dawn’s website is dawnpisturino.wordpress.com, so if you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting her and reading her wonderful writing, please pay her a visit. Her recent popular books are Ancient Voices: Poems about Ancient Egypt and Sun Haiku: 365 Days of Sunshine. The paperback and e-book of Dawn’s book will be available on Monday, September 1st, but the e-book can be pre-ordered now by using the link at the end of this post.
Now you have the floor, Dawn…
Good morning, Lauren! I’m delighted to be here with you today as part of the blog tour for my debut middle-grade children’s mystery novel, The Mystery of the Pink Poodle. Although written for ages 9 to 12, I believe older children and adults would also enjoy reading it.
Amazon Blurb
Alina has a big problem. Her father is a popular mystery writer. Her mother is a glamorous movie star. Left in the care of the housekeeper, Alina feels neglected and unloved. But a summer trip to a living ghost town in Arizona turns a hot, boring summer into an exciting, intriguing mystery.
Who’s the crazy old lady upstairs? Why is she always crying about a missing pink poodle? Why is she a prisoner in her own home? And why won’t anybody help her?
When Hollywood meets the Wild, Wild West, a mystery unfolds that will change Alina’s life forever. With the aid of two wannabe cowgirls, Alina follows the trail of an ancient puzzle to discover the answer to the mystery of the pink poodle.
Author’s Note
Although this was written as a mystery novel, the story involves so much more. The larger themes center around friendship, the meaning of family, and intergenerational relationships. The book, above all else, is about people and our care and concern for them, no matter who they might be.
Chapter Two – Identical Twins
[Conrad, Arizona, June 2008]
Alina removed her pink-rimmed sunglasses and took a quick inventory of pink toenails peeking out from pink leather sandals and her pink denim shorts and halter top. A pink watchband circled her left wrist, pink earrings dangled from her ears, and a strand of matching pink beads hung around her neck.
“So what?” she said with an indifferent shrug. “I like pink. It’s my favorite color.”
“But your hair—it’s pink! And your dog! I’ve never seen a pink poodle before!” The twin, wearing a blue shirt, stared at her in horror.
“As I said, I like pink. It matches my baby blue eyes.” Alina made a pouty face and batted her eyelashes as if posing for an imaginary camera.
“Your mother doesn’t have pink hair,” the blue twin insisted. “And why are you so skinny? Are you sick or something?”
“My mother’s a movie star. She has to be thin. I’m going to be just like her, so I have to be thin, too.”
“Anorexic, more like it,” the blue girl grumbled. “Movie stars and models never eat.”
“Don’t mind her,” said the other girl, putting out her hand. “She’s just jealous. My name’s Shiloh Blair. This is my sister, Billie. We’re going to have fun while you’re here.”
Alina shook the girl’s hand. “Identical twins! How will I ever tell you apart?”
“We don’t dress alike,” Shiloh answered, “except once in a while. You see? I’m wearing red. Billie’s wearing blue. We like to be different.”
“She likes books,” Billie said. “I like horses. But we both like country western music.”
“Yuck,” Alina said. “I hate country western.” Muffy squirmed in her arms.
“Can I hold her?” Shiloh asked.
Alina handed her the curly-haired pink poodle. “Her name is Muffy.”
“Our mother runs this place,” Billie said. “She won’t let us have any pets. She’s afraid the old lady upstairs would make a fuss.”
“The old lady upstairs?” Alina felt uneasy that the face in the window belonged to the old lady.
“Yeah, she lives up on the third floor. She owns this place. She ran out of money and opened up this house as a bed and breakfast inn. People come here to stay all year round. But we’ve never had a movie star’s daughter before.”
“Or a famous mystery writer,” Shiloh chimed in. “You’re so lucky!”
Alina frowned. “I’m not so lucky. My parents are divorced.”
Billie and Shiloh looked at each other and laughed. “Our parents were never married,” Shiloh said.
“And we hardly ever see our father,” Billie added. “At least you live with your father. It must be so exciting traveling around with him.”
“I never go anywhere with my father,” Alina said. “He’s always busy writing. And I never see my mother. She’s too busy making movies. She calls me once in a while on my cell phone. I spend all my time with the housekeeper, Mrs. McPherson. But at least she likes me and worries about me.”
“He brought you here,” Shiloh pointed out.
“Because he had to. Mrs. McPherson is back in Pennsylvania visiting her sick sister. Otherwise, I’d be spending the summer at home in Beverly Hills.”
“Beverly Hills!” the twins squealed.
“90210,” Shiloh said. “How cool! Do you live in a huge mansion like Paris Hilton and drive around in a limo with a chauffeur?”
“Do you have a big swimming pool and your own tennis courts?” Billie asked.
“Give me a break,” Alina said. “I go to school and do homework, just like you.”
Author BIO
Dawn Pisturino is a retired registered nurse in Arizona whose international publishing credits include poems, short stories, and articles. She has published five poetry collections, including her most recent release, Ancient Voices: Poems About Ancient Egypt, which achieved #1 Amazon New Release status in African Poetry, History of Egypt, History of Africa, and History of North Africa. She is a member of the Mystery Writers of America and the Arizona Authors Association.
http://www.dawnpisturino.wordpress.com
Amazon Link to Pre-Order
The Kindle and Paperback will be available on September 1, 2025.
Thank you so much, Lauren, for hosting me today!
It’s my pleasure to help promote your book, Dawn!
I can’t wait to read it,
and I wish you great success! 💖
Thanks to you who popped in today, and I hope you’ll grab your copy too! ❤️
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© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.
Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author 
Pingback: “Pink Poodle” at Lauren Scott’s & Gobblers | Dawn Pisturino's Blog
Great insights into your book Dawn and nicely done Lauren in the introduction!
Pink is the color alright and it sounds like lots to revel in here with great insights!
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Thanks for supporting Dawn’s book, Cindy. I know she’ll appreciate it. The pink is definitely fun! 💞🤗💞
You’re so welcome, Lauren! Pink is it in my house these days!
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💝🤗🎉
From what I’ve read, cotton candy pink is one of the hot colors this year. Thank you, Lauren!
Interesting, Dawn! I love the cover and the pink! 💗
I agree! Pink is a fun color!
Thank you so much, Cindy!
Sounds like something new, different, and refreshing.
Thank you so much!
I agree, Anneli, and I can’t wait to read! 💞
Thank you, Lauren! Its a fun book, if I say so myself. At least, it was fun to write.
Thank you, Lauren, for hosting me today and your kind words. I appreciate it very much! I’ve shared this to my blog and social media.
It’s my pleasure, Dawn! Like Anneli said, your book is a refreshing idea and it sounds delightful. I’ve done the same! 💖🎉
Mutual support!
Lovely introduction to Dawn’s book, Lauren! I have preordered The Mystery of the Pink Poodle a week ago, looking forward to it popping up in my Kindle Reader next week. I love the name Alina, by the way, to me it sounds Romanian.😊 Oh… and pink is the sweetest, I must add 😀 Wishing you a nice weekend ahead! 💕
Thanks for supporting Dawn, Nicole! I know she’ll be thrilled, and I love ‘Alina’ and agree about the pink too! 💖 I’m glad you enjoyed this intro to Dawn’s book, and I wish you a lovely weekend too! Your support is appreciated so much! 💝
Thanks, Lauren!
Thank you, Nicole! I like that name, too, and I’ve seen it on Romanian sites, although I didn’t know it was Romanian. I hope you like the book!
This book sounds delightful. It’s on my TBR list.
I agree, Darlene, and Dawn will be thrilled! Thanks for popping in! 💝
I am! Thank you!
Thank you so much, Darlene! And “Amanda in Scotland” is on mine!
Thanks so much, Dawn.
So happy to see Dawn’s wonderful work being recognized…
Lauren’s review is heartfelt, and Dawn truly deserves such wonderful words…
Big Congratulations to our dear friend 🌸📚✨
Thank you, Willie! Lauren did a great job on this presentation.
Congrats on your upcoming release, Dawn 🙂 Sounds like a fun read and I pre-ordered my copy. Thanks for hosting, Lauren. Xo
Hi Denise, thanks for supporting Dawn. I know she’ll be thrilled! And it’s my pleasure to host her. 💞💞
I am thrilled, Lauren! It’s always a pleasure to work with you.
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That’s so kind of you, Denise! Thank you!
Hi Lauren
Thank you for hosting Dawn today.
Pink to make the boys wink 😉
I really love the cover and the book sounds fun.
Dawn, I am wishing you the very best of success my friend.
Much love to you and Lauren 💕🤗💕🤗💕
The tbr grows higher every day 😊📚
Hi Maggie, thanks for supporting Dawn! I feel the same as you do about her new book. And Cheers to those towering TBRs!! Much love to you and Dawn too! Hugs coming too! 🙂 xoxoxoxoxoxox
Hi Lauren
It is my pleasure to support Dawn.
She is so hardworking .
I am in awe of how many books she has brought out and how successful each one has been.
Yayy to TBR’s ..📚📚📚📚
Hugs and love right back at you both.xoxoxo
Have a safe and happy Labour Day 🫂🦋🫂🦋
I agree about Dawn, Maggie, and she really accomplished a lot this year, so I feel the same as you! My TBR is groaning because of the weight, but smiling because of the reading to come. 🙂 Thanks, my friend, so glad it’s Friday with a long weekend. Happy weekend to you and Dawn! 🐞❤️🐞❤️🐞❤️🐞🌈
Lauren 🥰❤️🥰❤️🥰❤️🥰
You and Maggie are too kind, but I appreciate it.
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I hear ya, Maggie! Just when I think I’m getting caught up, somebody releases a new book! Thank you so much!
Lol 😆 I know.
You are so welcome Dawn
That is so funny and true, Dawn! Cheers to you both! 🎉💞
A lovely post, Lauren. Thanks for hosting Dawn here 💓🌷
Thank you, Robbie! I’m grateful you stopped by!
Thanks so much, Robbie. It’s been fun for her delightful book. 💖
Profoundly relatable
Thank you!
Thanks so much!
it sounds absolutely delightful! thanks for sharing it with us
Thank you, Beth! I’m grateful to Lauren for participating in the Blog Tour.
and nice to find your site –
I agree, Beth, and I’m excited to help Dawn spread the word. 💞
Thanks again, Lauren!
Sounds like a fun read! Sharing to help spread the word.
Thanks for helping out Dawn, Liz! I can’t wait to read this book! 🩷🩷
You’re welcome, Lauren!
Thanks, Lauren! I hope you enjoy it.
I know I will! 😊
Thank you so much, Liz!
You’re welcome, Dawn!
80% of the books I’ve read this year are for MG, since that is the age I’m primarily trying to write for. Just preordered it. Best of luck to Dawn.
Hi Pete,
Thanks for supporting Dawn. It’s going to be a delightful story. And she’ll be excited to hear that you preordered your copy. Have a good weekend! 😊
I feel honored by Pete’s purchase. Since he’s a teacher, he’s accustomed to that age group. I hope the book meets his expectations!
I’m sure it will, Dawn!
Thank you, Pete! I feel honored! I hope you like it!
A great introduction to Dawn’s new book and a great excerpt. A very nice post Lauren and congratulations Dawn. I will buy the book but have not done so yet.
Thanks for your kind words of support, Thomas. I know Dawn will be thrilled! 😊
Thanks, Thomas, for your kindness and support. Yes, Lauren created a great presentation. Thanks to you both!
sounds like a great book
I think so too, Yvette, and I look forward to diving into the mystery. Thanks for stopping by! 💗💐
Thanks again, Lauren! I hope you have a relaxing and glorious Labor day weekend.
You’re so welcome, Dawn, and you too! Hope it’s not too hot!
;0)
Thank you very much!
;0)
A lovely introduction to Dawn’s Book, Lauren. What a beautiful and refreshing cover. I hope you have a wonderful Labor Day weekend. 💗
Thanks so much, Eugi, and I agree about the cover. It pops out in the most delightful way! Wishing you the same. 💝
You’re welcome, Lauren, thank you. 💕
Thank you so much!
You’re welcome, Dawn.
Dawn, your book cover is very attractive and the inside sounds like a lot of fun. All the best with your book!
Thanks for supporting Dawn, Carol! 💝
And for you as well, Lauren. 💞
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Thank you, Carol!