The Chinese New Year goes from February 16-March 17 this year which also happens to be Saint Patrick’s Day. Because the two holidays share the same day I decided that I would post 8 of my favorite fictional dogs and 7 Irish heroes, posting both on the same day.
7) Lonnie from Hannah Swensen Mysteries by Joanne Fluke
The Hannah Swensen Mysteries is about a cookie shop owner, Hannah Swensen, who moved back to her hometown and opened her bakery. She is involved in a love triangle with the dentist and the newest police deputy. In between baking and creating new recipes, she solves murders, doing better than the local cops.
Why Lonnie is Awesome:
Lonnie is the newest deputy on the force and is dating Hannah’s younger sister, Michelle. Michelle is a nice girl but she has no idea what she wants. She’s a serial dater, bouncing from one guy to the other, but always keeping Lonnie on the string.Lonnie, sweet guy, never asks for more than she gives him. He always there to help out the Swensen family and aways there for Michelle of she needs a hand, ride, someone to talk to, or a boyfriend. I believe he deserves better.
6) Detective Amy Devlin from “Blood Ties”, Diagnosis Murder
Diagnosis Murder is the story of father and son teaming up to solve crimes in the L.A. area. Steve Sloan is a police detective who often gets help (from asking him and him just interfering) from his father, Dr. Mark Sloan, on his mysteries. They also enlist the help of the medical examiner, Dr. Amanda Bentley, and Dr. Jesse Travis.
Why Detective Devlin is Awesome:
Detective Devlin is not a regular on the show but appears in this episode as a colleague of Steve’s. She is a straight by the book cop who is paired by a serious wild card, and investigates a murderer who is killing people and harvesting their organs. The thing that makes her awesome, is that when she is approached by these killers with an offer to let them go in exchange a new liver for her ailing father; she turns it down cold. Her morals being stronger as she hunts for the truth and justice to take these people down.
For more Diagnosis Murder, go to A Whole Lot of Fanfare
5) Peggy Hobbs from Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation
Every year Mrs. Hobbs wants to take a vacation, and Mr. Hobbs takes the whole family even though he hates it. This year he goes to the beach house and things are not as sweet as Mrs. Hobbes imagined. Their son only wants to watch TV; their daughter has braces and mopes about close-mouthed; their daughter and son-in-law are close to separating, etc. Will this end a dream vacation or continue as a nightmare?
Why Mrs. Hobbs is Awesome:
Even when her husband is crotchety and upset, Mrs. Hobbs always remains positive and cheerful. She is the glue in the family bring all together and helping heal any hurts or ruffled feathers. She’s caring, compassionate, fun, and always a fiery Maureen O’Hara.
4) Rosalee Calvart from Grimm
So Grimm is a modern day telling of the Grimm Fairy Tales but with a twist. Creatures from the fairy tales live among us, appearing as human to all but a select few. Instead of being the “brothers Grimm”, the Grimm are certain people who have the ability to see those monsters, or Wesen as they are called, from the tales. The series centers on Nick Burkhardt, Portland Police Officer, who discovers he is a Grimm and actually does what no Grimm has before-befriends Wesen and jails those that are attacking (some he does kill). He has his police partner: a a vegetarian Blutbad (Werewolf) named Monroe; Fuschbau (Fox) named Rosalee; other Grimm, and more.
Why Rosalee is Awesome:
Rosalee was a wild child but gave that up as she grew up. She moves to Portland when her brother dies and she takes over his spice shop. There she becomes a friend to Nick and Monroe; helping them with healing, creating antidotes, and more. She and Monroe are just the sweetest couple, and against all odds marry. Rosalee is Irish on her mother’s side and knows how to read and write Irish from spending her summers with her grandmother. She is a powerhouse of a character-strong, courageous, and able/willing to face anything that comes her way.
For more Grimm, go to Fandom Love
3) Galen O’Sullivan from Bittersweet (California Historical Series #2) by Cathy Marie Hake
Laney Harris is the daughter of a wealthy landowner. She has been in love with Galen O’Sullivan as soon as she returned from finishing school. The problem is that he sees her as nothing more than a child. She continues to do all she can, but Galen has enough on his mind with running the farm; taking care of his mother and three brothers, being in charge of the pony express horses; and family of squatters (father and twin brother and sister) residing on one of his acres. But one day Galen realizes that Laney is a woman and strives to win her, but before he can pop the question he is accused of impregnating the squatter’s daughter and forced to marry her. Now Laney has to live out being a Christian even when everything she wanted has ben taken away. And Galen has to release the love of his life. Will the story end in happiness or only sorrow?
Why Galen is Awesome:
Galen is a good man. He works hard to keep the farm going and take care of his family, even when he is grieving for his father and feels the responsibility is too heavy. He is a good Christian and works hard to live the life even when others judge him and treat him cruel. At first he resents Ivy, but he grows to care and protect her-even though she stole his chance a love-he treats her and their “daughter” well.
2) Father Tim from At Home in Mitford (The Mitford Years Series) by Jan Karon
This book is set in the fictional town of Mitford, North Carolina. The books center around the Vicar, Father Tim. Father Tim is turning sixty and feels like he should give up on being a minister. He feels as if his life is stagnant, his preaching dry, and that the community would be better off with a new rector. He promises one more year, but if things don’t change, then he will retire. But then things start happening: a giant black dog shows up at his home and won’t leave; a beautiful woman moves in next door; his best friends are going to have a baby; a jewelry ring operating in the area with them smuggling them through customs in old antiques; and more. Will Father Tim stay or retire?
Why Father Tim is Awesome:
Father Tim is a great minister and friend. He cares for his sheep and tries to help all in the community. He is a great listener, always lending a helping hand, and ends up giving his all to everyone.
For more on Father Tim, go to Book Club Picks: A Common Life, The Wedding Story
1) Inspector Harold Francis “Dirty Harry” Callahan from Dirty Harry
Dirty Harry series follows Clint Eastwood as inspector Dirty Harry; a tough, caring cop who always tries to get the job done and protect the people-not always following the line of the law.
Why Dirty Harry is Awesome:
Clint Eastwood- enough said. No but seriously, these movies created an unconventional character you all love as he is tough, fair, and always willing to do all he can to help people.
For more on Dirty Harry, go to A Fantabulous Post
So that ends my list for this year. You all know what I’ll be doing with the rest of my day. Eating some soda bread made by my sister blog, MysteriousEats.wordpress.com. And my yearly tradition, watching the Disney Channel Original Movie: The Luck of the Irish.
For the 2013 Saint Patrick’s Day post, go to Pot o’ Gold: 17 Irish Heroes
For the 2014 Saint Patrick’s Day post, go to At the End of the Rainbow: 17 More Irish Heroes
For the 2015 Saint Patrick’s Day post, go to Lookin’ Over a Four-Leaf Clover: 17 More Irish Heroes
For the 2016 Saint Patrick’s Day post, go to The Wearing of the Green: 17 More Irish Heroes
For the 2017 Saint Patrick’s Day post, go to With a Little Luck of the Irish: 17 More Irish Heroes
janeaustenrunsmylife 
You must have celebrated St. Patrick’s Day.
I always do